Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up, making it a perfect time to start making brunch reservations.
Why it matters: Several innovative brunch services have launched in the past year, and we’ve done the legwork to figure out which ones are worth a visit.
Mott Street
Dig in: Funky pan-Asian-influenced brunch, served from 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Dishes include $16 coconut pancakes with hibiscus butter and coconut maple syrup; $18 pork belly eggs benedict with an onsen egg, oyster mushrooms and miso butter; and $24 kalbi steak and eggs.
Standout: Crisp, deeply flavored kimchi hash ($6).
Manchamanteles
Dig in: Upscale Mexican eatery in Bucktown, serving brunch 11am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Offerings include $10 pancake pops, $13 tres leches hotcakes, and Yucatan-style huevos motuleños ($14) with roasted tomatoes, country bacon, peas, sweet plantains, queso fresco and black beans.
Standout: Chilaquiles in chef Geno Bahena’s breathtaking black mole ($14).
Dawn
Dig in: Upscale Southern comfort food spot in Hyde Park serving brunch Tuesday through Sunday, 8am to 8pm.
- Dishes include $16 salmon croquettes with rice, eggs and toast; chicken and cornbread French toast ($19); and pot roast and jalepeño cheese grits ($26).
Standouts: Fried green tomatoes ($11), fried chicken skins ($10) and smoked salmon deviled eggs ($16).
Matt Bakes
Dig in: This Hong Kong-style counter in River West’s Gangnam Market serves Asian-inspired breakfast all day for brunchers who dig a fun food court vibe.
- Bites include an amazing breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg and cheese on a pineapple bun ($9.88) and the nostalgic “554” featuring Chinese barbecue pork, two eggs and rice ($14.88).
Standout: The Spamwich ($12.88) with fried egg, Spam and cheese on Japanese milk bread.
Soloway Coffee
Dig in: This Ukrainian cafe chain arrived in Lincoln Park this year, serving coffee, pastries and breakfast daily until 3pm.
- Bites include Ukrainian farmer cheese pancakes ($14), shakshuka ($13), hummus ($12) and white chocolate-dipped pistachio croissants ($7.50).
Standout: Avocado-burrata toast with eggs, arugula, cucumber and spicy cherries ($16).
Miru
Dig in: Find Japanese-inspired cuisine on the 11th floor of the St. Regis Hotel in Streeterville, which serves brunch 9am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Expect buttermilk pancakes with whipped yuzu, ricotta and blueberries ($19), crispy pork fried rice with eggs ($22) and savory chawanmushi egg custard ($14).
Big bites: Miru’s Tokyo brunch featuring a rolled omelet, miso soup, ginger rice and king salmon ($44) is served every day on the breakfast menu.
Ummo
Dig in: This modern Italian eatery in River North serves brunch 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Dishes range from a $17 lentil salad to $26 shakshuka and $44 wagyu steak and eggs.
What we’re hearing: Ummo’s fried zeppole with prosciutto ($26) is the talk of the brunch circuit.
Flight Club
Dig in: This darts club and eclectic restaurant serves brunch weekends from 11am to 3pm for people who book darts-playing time.
- Dishes include avocado toast ($12), pork belly breakfast sliders ($17) and smoked salmon flatbread with capers, chive crème fraîche and dill ($22).
Big bites: Flight Club offers bottomless flatbreads and mimosas along with 90 minutes of darts for $59 per person.
Smoque Steak
Dig in: This seasonal American restaurant in Avondale introduced smoked sous vide beef to Chicago and launched its 11am to 3pm brunch last summer.
- Dishes range from lemon berry or banana brittle French toast ($18) to lobster biscuit Benedict ($26) and shrimp and grits ($25).
What we’re hearing: Smoque’s signature offering is steak and eggs ($24), featuring certified Angus beef with a choice of eggs, chipotle brunch potatoes and challah toast.
Marina’s Bistro
Dig in: This young Puerto Rican eatery in Uptown is launching its brunch on Mother’s Day with service from 10 am to 3pm.
- Dishes will include ham and cheese, or mushroom and cheese croquetas; fried pastelillo turnovers with eggs and sausage; as well as coconut waffles with chicken thighs and guava sauce.
Mirella’s Tavern
Dig in: This eclectic Wicker Park spot recently starting serving weekend brunch.
- Expect breakfast quesadillas with duck confit ($11), shakshuka ($12), eggs Florentine ($13) and Philly Benedict ($14) with prime rib.
Big bites: On Mother’s Day, they’ll offer a $35 buffet with fruit trays, lox, Caesar salad, charcuterie platters, French toast, bacon, sausage, eggs Benedict and a selection of pastries.
Aboyer
Dig in: This French brasserie in Winnetka is not often open for brunch but is offering a special three-course menu ($79-$89) on Mother’s Day.
- Dishes will include house-cured smoked salmon with a warm chive omelet and potato-caper pancake; pan-roasted chicken chasseur; salade Lyonnaise; soft-shell crabs; lamb shank; whitefish with fresh morels; and steak frites.
What’s next: These are all newbie brunch spots, but we want hear about your tried and true brunch favorites for an upcoming ultimate Axios brunch list.
- Tell us by emailing chicago@axios.com.
