50 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Chicago

“I finally made it to Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast on a Sunday morning, and honestly… it’s one of those classic Chicago experiences that feels like stepping back in time. This place has been serving comfort breakfast and lunch since 1923, so it’s more than just a diner — it’s a piece of Windy City history right near the start of historic Route 66.

What struck me first was the vibe — it’s lively, welcoming, and a bit nostalgic with families, tourists, and locals all crammed into the cozy booths and counter seats. The moment you walk in, they even hand out complimentary fresh doughnut holes, which is such a fun little tradition and definitely makes the short wait more pleasant if there’s a line.

I ordered a classic breakfast skillet with double-yolk eggs (they use them here!), mixed potatoes, and Greek toast, and it hit exactly the spot: hearty, satisfying, and cooked just right. The coffee is strong and endless, just how a diner coffee should be, and everything feels like big, comforting portions without fuss.

Sure, the place leans into its history — and kinda lives on nostalgia — but that’s part of the charm. It’s not fine dining or trendy brunch — it’s a good old-fashioned breakfast joint that’s stood the test of time for a reason. If you’re in downtown Chicago and craving classic pancakes, eggs, or just a fun slice of Americana brunch culture, Lou Mitchell’s delivers.“

“We stopped in today on a tip and what a delicious treat! Highly recommend!“

“Food was amazing and prepared with care. Meinl Coffee is a huge plus! We will return.“

“Great food and great service. I will be back for sure.“

“I cannot put into words how wonderful, hospitable and welcoming this place is. I was welcomed in by the owner Samantha, young respectful young lady, she took my order she made me feel at home. I felt as though I was eating brunch at my Abuelita’s home. Thank you Samantha and family for the warm welcome- the red chilaquiles and cafe de olla we’re phenomenal and I will be sure to be back with my babies and husband! I mentioned to Samantha I was treating myself for my birthday and she brought out a cinnamon role with a candle meant the world to me!“

“Went today for the first time. Food was fresh, generous portions, priced right and tasted amazing. I ordered Breakfast Quesadilla. The homemade salsa had some heat to it. Bacon cooked perfect. Best OJ I’ve had in a while. I’ll definitely be back Keep up the great work“

“Food is all homemade ... chilliques are so good with red sauce To die for... The burgers are HUGe.... so delicious.... the fries are like no others and I personally never order fries. So they have to be good.... I did substitute the salad for the fries and was blown away how tasty it was... I mean I'm talking salad right!! Please come visit this beautiful restaurant and tast the real homemade goodness.“

“There’s a Dunkin’ across the street. You could, BUT you just missed a smash breakfast, that you DESERVE! You work hard you deserve better, you’ve earned it. Obviously. Brothers is a hidden gem in plain sight. At the corner of Sacramento and Belmont. Have a seat, or grab to go. Home quality cooking and plenty of it. No regrets from my experience. You won’t either. High marks.“

“Very friendly and excellent service, highly recommended.“

“One of my favourite breakfast spot! They have grits!!“

“Great brew!! Pancakes were the bomb!!“

“I loved this place! The Cinnamon Roll Waffles and the Ham and Cheese Omelette were absolutely amazing! The staff was great as well. I will definitely go back when I'm in town again.“

“After leaving another restaurant because of a bad experience with the server & food, we came here just to grab something to eat because we were hungry frustrated & tired. To our surprise we were greeted by Ashely who was warm & welcoming. She was friendly & knew the menu!! We absolutely loved our food & even more our service from Ashley! She turned our night around & is always a pleasure!! She is a true asset to the restaurant.“

“Good food, ambitiously and beautifully served, but not great. Staff is welcoming but misses important requests such as removing food items that can cause allergic reactions. The place is minimally equipped for a restaurant with such an ambitious food presence, enhancing the notion that food is overpriced: a good remodeling is strongly needed.“

“Veggie fajitas were fresh and delicious. Everyone in our party of 6, enjoyed their meal. Great graduation breakfast.“

“Thank you Laz for such an amazing breakfast! We were very impressed with all the food and of course you coming out and speaking with us was just an awesome experience!“

“I was a steady customer but will not be returning to this establishment again. Today I asked to sit in a booth and James, the owner said "We're too busy to sit one person in a "big" booth. (I was the only one waiting for a table.) So the waitress wanted me to sit at a table. The "big" booth seats 4. The table they wanted me to sit at also seats 4. The only difference is the booth doesn't hurt my back like the hard chairs do. I'm dying of cancer, which James is aware of, I have enough pain I don't need any more by sitting on hard chairs. Well he won't have to worry about being so "busy" to let someone have some comfort he's got one less patron. I'm done with this place.“

“Adorable place!! Food was delicious and the server was great!! Would definitely recommend! 5 stars ⭐️“

“I honestly need to come here more often because I live so close. Sun Rey Café is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Chicago. It’s Black- and Filipino-family owned and operated, with great service and even better food. Highly recommend!“

“The food and the services is amazing! Will always be one of my favorite spots to eat!“

“Family owned and operated for over 60 years!
Been going there for over 30 years
Always been made to feel like I was at home
Food is on point, service is attentive and atmosphere is inviting
Love this joint“

“Food and service is a 10/10“

“Caribella is a must TRY spot for anyone in the Chicago Land area looking for authentic & delicious meals.. I will definitely be back 👍

Salvador & Miguel are an exceptional Father / Son Dou..

This place won’t let you down!

Thanks for the service“

“Absolutely incredible food and experience. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of amazing flavor — you can truly taste the quality and care in every bite.

Chef and owner Omar deserves huge recognition. His passion for great food really shows, and it makes this place special. One of the most delicious meals I’ve had in a long time.

Highly recommend!“

“I loved this place! The Cinnamon Roll Waffles and the Ham and Cheese Omelette were absolutely amazing! The staff was great as well. I will definitely go back when I'm in town again.“

“This place is awesome.. everything is wonderful here. you definitely won't be disappointed.“

“Wow, how did we never eat here before! What a great little spot! The food and service was absolutely delicious! It's also not that far from where we normally stay so we may make this our regular breakfast spot when visiting. Prices weren't that bad either and watch out for that coffee it will snap you into reality in a good way!“

“Wow, this place is AMAZING? Great service, hopping atmosphere, and every single one of our dishes were delicious. We will be making this establishment a regular breakfast place during our Chicago visits! Food ordered was: Breakfast burrito Croissant Sandwich Buttermilk pancakes with a side of crispy bacon!“

“We stumbled upon Flying Saucer while visiting Chicago and are glad we did. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is fun with nice indoor and outdoor seating options. The staff were friendly, helpful and on top of it. This is the type of restaurant I wish I had in my neighborhood. If you’re in the area it’s a must visit.“

“Don's. If you've ever had Waffle House, this is the closest I've found to it in Chi. Great food, great service. It's a bit tight, they only have about 12-15 barstool seats, but it's never been an issue, never had to wait.

Patty melt and hash browns with chili and gravy on top every time ❤️“

“I can’t comment on what I don’t know but I do know that the food is delicious and the service is wonderful! The restaurant is very cozy and clean. I recommend either location! I have never been disappointed.“

“Classic diner experience with amazing food. The pancakes are always reliable, the omelettes are great (Spanish Harlem is favorite) and the coffee flows freely. Healthy portions fuel you up after a long workout or before a big day. Service is good and they easily accommodate big groups. Recommend for a casual morning or afternoon!“

“I’m giving this place a 5 because the food was really good. However, I do have some suggestions at the end of my review.

I had the chilaquiles verdes with chicken. I’m Mexican and I can say the chilaquiles tasted very authentic and delicious. I had a good amount of food, especially chicken and again it was very good.
My husband had the carne asada and it was also very good.

The owner, Don Ernesto was very friendly to everyone who walked in and was accommodating to a customer that asked for his food to be cooked in butter and not vegetable oil.

My suggestion is that the drip coffee not be $3.99 a cup and that they use the same coffee because one cup was good and the other was spicy tasting.

I would come back again and recommend it.“

“My friends and I, had breakfast here today and the service was awesome. I was seated quickly, and had many items, to choose from on their menu. The waiter was super nice and friendly and checked on us a few times to see if we needed anything. The ambiance was great, the food was fresh and a lot of it. I took my leftovers home. Thank you Dem and staff for a GREAT service. Take care“

“Great atmosphere and best Greek omelet ever!!“

“I can’t comment on what I don’t know but I do know that the food is delicious and the service is wonderful! The restaurant is very cozy and clean. I recommend either location! I have never been disappointed.“

“Great food, great location!! 🍳☕️“

“Very good Food but very expensive for the food they make need to lower the price and make it affordable“

“Good food, highly recommend“

“Sumptuous egg omellete , I will highly recommend. Thanks for the good breakfast“

“This diner was small but nice. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. There was no wait when we arrived about 12pm on a Saturday. Food was delicious I wanted to order everything on the menu. The food didn’t take long to come out maybe 20mins. The atmosphere is nice my only reason for 3 stars was it was a little crammed and cluttered and the bathroom was in the back with the freezer and it was a line. But I would definitely return“

“The potatoes were soooooo good. The best I’ve had in a very long time. The chicken sand which was very flavorful“

“It wasn’t a far walk from the Sheraton Hotel where we was staying at“

“Unique experience. Right portioned and so taste! Very non traditional menu and superb environment.“

“You will love it. Greatest omelettes ever“

“From the moment you walk in, the place gives off a warm and welcoming vibe that instantly puts you at ease. The food was delicious and thoughtfully prepared, complementing the cozy setting perfectly. It’s an ideal spot to unwind, enjoy meaningful conversations, and savor a well made meal without any pressure or fuss. The overall experience felt smooth and memorable from start to finish.“

“Delicious! Fresh ingredients in the omelets, fluffy pancakes, real OJ with light pulp. Friendly staff, very clean (bathrooms, too). Prices were reasonable for the quality and quantity, and less than some other places we researched. Highly recommend!“

“heaven on earth amazing birria i would sell my soul to keep this place around forever“

“I had the best omelette there today. Fabulous!!!!“