Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Elmwood Park

"West LoopThis long-revered Mediterranean-influenced fixture from One Off Hospitality has held it down as one of the area’s go-to date night spots since opening its minimalist doors back in 2003, well before many of us could even define romance. And not much has changed -- the wine list is still spectacular, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are still iconic, and a reservation for the intimate front patio is still highly coveted."

"For those of you who prefer fine dining, this is more of an upscale restaurant experience. Blackbird is a restaurant where you’ll find fantastic mid-western food showcasing farm-to-table ingredients. They offer great choices for meat eaters and vegetarians alike."

"A post shared by Summer House Santa Monica (@summerhousesm) on Dec 6, 2018 at 11:55am PST. It’s easy to forget the frigid temperatures when you’re inside Summer House Santa Monica, a California-inspired restaurant in Lincoln Park. Each day comes with an assortment of holiday cookies, from reindeer to mittens."

"I’ll admit, the decor of this place is what initially sucked me in – but I kept going back because off their Breakfast Tostadas. I’ve tried a few other things there, but nothing beats those tostadas!. Crunchy and a little spicy and a yolk that spills everywhere?"

"Description: Summer House Santa Monica will transport you to the warmth of California. Try the Avocado Toast with perfectly poached eggs & house made bread!. Location: 1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614"

"Lakeview & EdgewaterPairs of satisfyingly chewy, oven-fresh, made-from-scratch cinnamon buns, intensely aromatic and drenched in a thick, creamy glaze, are the name of the game inside this long-revered breakfast hotspot. One whiff and you’ll never fall victim to a greasy mall kiosk bun-slinger again, we guarantee it.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating, call your nearest location for take-out, or delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, and Uber Eats."

"Must-Try Item: Cinnamon Rolls 2 for ($3.90) Best Cheap Breakfast. If you’re looking to try a familiar breakfast menu with a European twist, Ann Sather’s Swedish diner has your name written all over it. Food Network has featured Ann Sather’s Cinnamon Rolls which means Belmont Avenue always smells like fresh sweet cinnamon."

"4 Chicago Locations: Belmont Ave, Clark St, Broadway, Southport (773) 348-2378www.annsather.com. When your meal comes with a cinnamon roll the size of your head, you know your in for a treat. Ann Sather is a Chicago staple, putting a delicious Swedish twist on their pancake menu."

"After opening the first Yolk restaurant in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood in 2006, Yolk has become one of those family-friendly chains that has grown in popularity for its reliable service and fantastic food. Having just opened a 5th Chicago location in May 2021 there are now several conveniently placed Yolk cafes around the city and you can be sure you’ll leave any of them well-fed with a spring in your step."

"Many people don’t know that Chicago has 26 miles of lakefront with many public beaches. Basically, this means toddlers have access to what is essentially a super giant sandbox. Like most toddlers, my kids are happy to spend an entire day digging, making sandcastles, splashing and having beach picnics."

"The first Yolk opened in the South Loop in 2006 and has added six more outposts in Chicago as well as others in Indiana and Texas. The appeal appears to be fresh food, large portions and reasonable prices."

"This Evanston hole-in-the-wall has earned a devoted cult following among North Shore denizens. They flock here for Loretta—a sandwich, not a woman. A feast for $7, the Loretta layers white cheese, mayo, peppers, tomatoes, onions and your choice of bacon, ham, turkey or chorizo on a six-inch French roll."

"A stand-out coffee store in Chicago, Fairgrounds serves a fifty-fifty ratio of both coffee and tea, but it’s the coffee that will have you coming back to either of their five Chicago locations. The stores are beautifully designed, and super Instagrammable. They even have eight rotating cold brews on draft, as well as their own matcha tea bar, if that’s more up your street."

"Fairgrounds has found the perfect intersection of quality coffee fans and busy urbanites by expanding its menu to teas, quick cafe-style food and an all-day breakfast menu. Combine this with locations in high foot-traffic areas like Bucktown and you've got a recipe for success. It's a good thing too because Chicago's breakfast taco game needs all the help it can get!"

"It is probably the only spot that is famous not only for its coffee but also for tea. The coffee spot is near Wicker Park. Also, the interior is cozy and chic."

"A post shared by Ed Bello (@photobello) on Feb 6, 2017 at 9:36pm PST. What screams awesome better than a hot cup of chocolatey goodness accompanied by your favourite book/movie?. Head straight to this quaint cafe for a mug of decadent hot chocolate available in several flavours."

"The warm, bite-sized doughnuts accompanied by hot fudge dipping sauce are the perfect pairing for Mindy’s famous hot chocolates. There are nine different hot chocolate options, all served with their homemade marshmallows. This is a true Chicago, cold-weather dessert."

"The city's most celebrated pastry chef, Mindy Segal, goes solo at Hot Chocolate, and as you might expect, it's a hit for a really great dessert...Read More"

"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."

"Lincoln ParkThe views don’t get much better than Theatre on the Lake, where your outdoor table is parked just steps from the softly crashing waves of Lake Michigan. With seating for 80 and a focused selection of entrées from chicken tinga tacos to brisket dip, Theatre on the Lake continues to serve as something of a mental health break come to life. Stop by for weekend brunch served from 10 am to 3 pm.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."