Indulge in a brunch experience like no other just ten miles outside of Chicago in the western suburbs! Oak Park and its neighboring communities offer a fantastic variety of mouth-watering brunch dishes that have people talking— in a good way.
From classic favorites to creative twists, there's something for everyone. So grab some friends, bring your appetite, and treat yourself to the ultimate brunch experience.
A chic brunch spot, the Citrine Café is an excellent option for upscale brunch. Here you'll find Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with American flair. You can start with fantastic selections from their drink list, including craft cocktails like the Hemingway Daiquiri — with white rum, maraschino liqueur, lime, grapefruit, and demerara — or any of their wines and draft beers.
You can choose a few items to share with the table, like their charred Spanish octopus — served with crispy potatoes, haricot vert, fresnos, herb vinaigrette — or the crispy cauliflower — served with red wine dressing, feta, lemon, pinenuts, and Calabrian chili aioli. Or, skip straight to the entrees like their infamous chicken & beignets — made with crispy chicken thighs tossed in their house hot sauce, chon's beignets, and maple-bourbon butter. This isn't just brunch; this is an experience.
Another local gem in the heart of downtown Oak Park on Lake Street, Cozy Corner Coffee Shop, serves up some of your favorite breakfast classics. Start with their excellent coffees and teas, like a café americano or a Shangri La Organic tea blend. For those savory breakfast lovers, try an omelet, skillet, or benedictine, like the fried green tomatoes benedictine — made with cornmeal-crusted fried green tomato served with poached eggs on a toasted English muffin, topped with cilantro lime-Hollandaise.
If you're taking it to the sweet side, try any of their delectable pancakes, french toasts, crepes, or waffles, like the banana bread French toast — served with banana bread loaf splashed in cinnamon-infused batter, topped with sliced bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon sugar.
An Oak Park classic, Hemmingway's bistro serves brunch with a French flair. Here you can find delectable dishes like crepes gratinee — with French ham, gruyere cheese, and button mushrooms — the smoked salmon plate, crab cake royale, and herb-crusted white fish. But their pièce de résistance?
Their Sunday Champagne Brunch, with fresh bagels, croissants, muffins, chef's salads, cheese, fruit, fresh oysters, salmon, shrimp, and desserts. This is a brunch that you've got to try for yourself.
The perfect vintage setting in the heart of Oak Park, the Little Gem Café is a must-try brunch spot. Their simple and classic menu can't be beaten. For the table, you can try the imported burrata cheese plate — served with toasted crostinis, mixed field greens, roasted heirloom tomatoes, pesto, and a balsamic glaze.
For a meal, try the delicious avocado toast on sourdough or the brioche French toast served with Vermont maple syrup. To drink? Try one of their delightful craft-made cocktails or coffee beverages.
A delicious brunch spot with Latin American flair, Maya del sol brings together Mexican, Central, and South American recipes that have been passed down through generations. For brunch, you can try their breakfast burrito, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, or a crowd favorite — abuelita chocolate chip pancakes, served with cajeta, fresh bananas and strawberries, and powdered sugar. Try fresh squeezed orange juice, bottomless coffee, or one of their house cocktails like the michelada or prickly pear Bellini.
Discover the flavors of classic American barbecue at Babygold Barbeque, a charming smokehouse attached to Fitzgerald's historic music venue in Berwyn. Enjoy a casual yet quality dining experience with mouth-watering ribs and briskets, authentic po' boys, and chargrilled oysters.
But the real treat is their brunch menu, where you can indulge in delightful dishes like cinnamon biscuit bites, creole omelets, and breakfast po'boy. Sip on delicious cocktails and soak up the sun on their patio once the weather gets warm. Once you're finished, see what's going on next door at Fitzgerald's Sidebar.
Step into the warmth and charm of Lavergne's Tavern, a classic dining establishment in Berwyn with a rich history dating back to the 1960s. The vintage ambiance with a restored tin ceiling, hardwood floors, and a handcrafted black walnut bar make Lavergne's the perfect spot for families, date nights, or a night out with friends.
One of the most sought-after experiences at Lavergne's is their brunch menu featuring treats like chicken and waffles, steak and eggs, and chilaquiles. Come savor the taste of tradition at Lavergne's Tavern and start your day on a high note.
A must-try in Brookfield, Mary's Morning Mixup is where you go to feel like family — a place where all of your comfort food favorites are made with love. Start off your time with a classic cup of coffee or fresh squeezed orange juice, and maybe even one of their famous milkshakes? When it comes to food, they've got all the classics you crave.
But what they're really known for is their amazing skillets, like the California skillet, chorizo skillet, or the house specialty Mary's Skillet — made with potatoes, diced onion, sausage, bacon, shredded cheese, and two eggs any style.
Indulge in the flavors of authentic barbeque at Beach Avenue Barbeque, where two neighbors-turned-friends, Juan and Christopher, bring their passion for cooking to the table. Born from their love for barbequing and smoking meat for family and friends, Beach Avenue BBQ has become a local favorite, offering mouth-watering dishes made from scratch using only the freshest ingredients.
Come savor their delicious brunch specials on Sundays, including the biscuits and gravy and the french toast casserole with house-cured bacon and maple syrup.
Cafe de Lucca in Forest Park is a restaurant and pizzeria that serves delicious brunch dishes with an Italian flair. You can dig right into any of their incredible dishes like their eggs Florentine, served with poached eggs, spinach, tomato, and Hollandaise sauce, or the breakfast pizza, made with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato, cheddar, mozzarella, and Hollandaise sauce.
If you're in not in the mood for breakfast, you can still get any of their classics served on the brunch menu, like their crab cakes, polenta encrusted fried calamari, catel de sangro pizza — with Castel di Sangro Prosciutto, pears, gorgonzola, walnuts, and olive oil. Or try the chopped Caprese salad with tomato, avocado, hearts of palm, fresh mozzarella, red onion, basil pesto, and Italian vinaigrette.
When it comes to brunch, Madison Park Kitchen has you covered. With a breakfast menu that is small but mighty, they do their thing, and they do it like nobody's business. They have five breakfast specials served daily, alongside a menu of specialty pancakes — including flavors like buttermilk, jelly doughnut, and oreo.
If you're looking for lunch items, you can find a wide variety of fresh salads — like the tripoli with greens, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, green pepper, anchovies, oregano, feta, and Greek dressing. You'll also find a variety of sandwiches, wraps, paninis, burgers, and delicious sides. Corn beef and hash, anyone? Whatever your mood, they've got something for you.
Long night out with friends? Scratch Kitchen and Lounge has a short but oh-so-amazing brunch menu, sure to curb that hunger. You can start with their famous bloody marys (a scratch-made mix that everyone raves about), Bellini's, and mimosas. Nothing to do that day? Make them bottomless for two hours if you'd like!
For brunch specials, they're serving up heavy hitters like their famous chicken and waffles — sweet cream waffle topped with house ground breakfast sausage patty, French fried chicken tenderloins tossed in bourbon spike honey syrup, and a sunny egg — as well as other favorites, including the hangover burger, French toast, prime rib skillet, and biscuits and gravy. We recommend coming hungry because there's plenty of great food.
At fourteen sixteen, you'll find fresh, delicious, and sustainable dishes with a rotating craft menu. And the good news? Brunch is no exception.
Another option for upscale brunch in a rustic space in downtown LaGrange, you'll find out-of-this-world creations like lobster deviled eggs with black truffle caviar and lemon essence, carrot cake pancakes with orange cream cheese icing, walnuts, and micro shiso, or Miller's Farm Amish chicken sandwich with hazelnut pesto and fresh mozzarella on a multigrain bun. You can also add some freshly made donuts and a craft cocktail to elevate your experience.
Milkstop Cafe's brunch menu has a little bit of everything. You can start with one of their delicious coffee-based drinks or go right for the mimosa. They also have a menu of "sweet little thangs" that are great for one or to share with the table — like scones, croissants, muffins, Danish, donuts, and cinnamon rolls, and "sweet big thangs" — like their churro bread pudding, winter citrus meringue tart, and Milkstop peanut butter cheesecake.
There are also plenty of traditional options, including eggs your way and house favorites like the French toast cup and sawmill biscuits and gravy.
Looking for a fantastic spot for brunch this weekend? Look no further than Monks Burger Bar in La Grange! Their delectable brunch menu features new items such as the brunch quiche of the day, baked french toast, or classics like the B.A.L.T (bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomato) served alongside their delicious french press coffee. Or, try their house bloody mary or dill pickle moonshine bloody - a crowd favorite! You can still order off their regular menu if you're not in the mood for brunch. Join them on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm for a brunch experience to remember.
If you're looking for delicious dishes, fresh ingredients, and foods to fit almost anyone's needs — Prasino is your place. From freshly squeezed juices and craft cocktails to a beautiful mix of savory and sweet dishes, there are no wrong choices.
Like the fig and prosciutto omelet — filled with black mission figs, prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula, and maple whiskey sauce — or the bananas foster crepes — made with caramelized bananas, cinnamon, and sugar — every dish is a thoughtful creation. Their menu has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, which means there truly is something for everyone here.
So whatever your flavor, there's one thing we know — we've got some of the best spots in the Chicagoland area where you can meet us for brunch.