Chicagoland brunch locations perfect for Mother's Day

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re planning to celebrate with brunch, you won’t be alone. Restaurant industry experts expect more than 20 million Americans to go out for brunch over the holiday, and in the Chicago area, restaurants are preparing for an extremely busy weekend.

Below, we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite brunch spots from across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. It’s a mix of places that are serving special brunch buffets, menus or altered hours — as well as those that are running business as usual with straight-up, delicious brunch offerings.

The first 12 options on the list are located in Chicago, while the other eight options are spread across the suburbs. Have a great holiday.

Avec, River North

Avec is offering a Mediterranean brunch buffet on Mother’s Day at its River North location at the corner of North La Salle Drive and West Erie Street. Brunch will cost $50 for adults and $25 for kids 12 and under, and it will feature slow-roasted lamb shoulder, shawarma fried chicken thighs, plus a pastry buffet. Avec’s West Loop location will serve a regular brunch.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 312-736-1778

Big Jones marked 16 years in Andersonville in April, and with dishes like its “Beat Bobby Flay” biscuit sandwich — as the name suggests, the dish was a winner on the Food Network competition show — it’s easy to see why Big Jones has had so much success. The southern-style restaurant will serve its traditional brunch on Mother’s Day weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 773-275-5725

Lincoln Park’s Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba bills itself as Chicago’s first Spanish tapas restaurant serving authentic cuisine. It’ll be serving its traditional brunch on Mother’s Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which means diners should expect tapas favorites like the jamón serrano benedict — and the Ba-Ba bloody mary to wash it down.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 773-935-5000

If you’re looking for a savory brunch spot, it won’t get much better than Carnitas Uruapan. As the name suggests, the decades-old restaurant specializes in slow-roasted pork, and whether you want it by the pound or in a taco, there’s no wrong answer here. Carnitas Uruapan is serving business as usual on Mother’s Day, and we’re just fine with that. Remember: this place is BYOB.
Reservations: None
Phone: 312-226-2654 (Pilsen); 773-424-7617 (Gage Park)

Lula Cafe opened up shop in Logan Square nearly 25 years ago. Since then, it’s become a beloved neighborhood fixture, with a common sight being lines that extend out the door. Once you get a seat, though, you’re in for a great experience, thanks in part to a team that’s earned national recognition for its hospitality.
Reservations: None for brunch; first-come, first-served
Phone: 773-489-9554

This South Loop tapas restaurant, located in the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue, will be ditching its usual “Barcelona brunch” to instead bring patrons a Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Expect lobster omelets made to order, a prime rib carving station and a roasted turkey and salmon display.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 312-765-0524

Norman’s Bistro has become a Kenwood and Hyde Park staple with its creole and Brazilian-inspired menu — not to mention its live jazz performances on Sunday evenings. For Mother’s Day, though, Normans’ is hosting a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will cost $50 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
Reservations: Call to reserve
Phone: 773-966-5821

Located inside the Amber Inn on South Michigan Avenue and West Pershing Road in Bronzeville, Pearl’s Place has made a name for itself over 30 years with its soul food and all-day breakfast. On Mother’s Day, Pearl’s Place is hosting a special brunch buffet starting at 10 a.m.
Reservations: None
Phone: 773-285-1700

The Perch Kitchen and Tap earned a reputation for a great brunch built around its rotisserie fare, wood-fired grill and quality craft beer — brewed in-house — shortly after opening in 2020. On Mother’s Day, moms and dog-moms alike can enjoy one free “Mom-osa.” Pro tip: Try to request a table in the restaurant’s lush beer garden, if they have the availability.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 773-486-2739 (BREW)

The Publican is known for serving up itsEuropean-inspired fare in the Fulton Market District. Choose from a list of interesting plates to share with the table. Bottomless mimosas are available for $25 per person. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 312-733-9555

Soul Veg City goes back more than 40 years on Chicago’s South Side, though it was known for a long time as Original Soul Vegetarian. Unsurprisingly, the emphasis here is on delicious, plant-based cooking, and the restaurant told WBBM that’s exactly what will be in store on Mother’s Day as they operate as normal.
Reservations: None
Phone: 773-224-0104

Sunda, River North

The Asian fusion restaurant located on West Illinois Street off of N La Salle Drive made Chicago Magazine’s list of the city’s hottest restaurants. Its Mother’s Day offerings include a special brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will include fan favorites like: ube waffles, red dragon roll, korean style prime rib, and an omelet station. The buffet brunch is $99 for adults, $39 for kids ages 4-10, and kids under 3 eat free.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 312-644-0500

Blind Faith Cafe, Evanston

Blind Faith Cafe opened up shop in 1979, and in the decades since it provided a reliable place for Evanston residents to get quality, vegetarian eats. It’ll be serving its normal brunch on Mother’s Day weekend, but the restaurant has encouraged guests to make a reservation to secure their spot. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 847-328-6875

Buttermilk Cafe has made its bones on delivering the classic American brunch, and they’ve done well enough that there are now three suburban locations — in Geneva, Naperville and Vernon Hills. The Naperville and Vernon Hills locations told WBBM they would be operating business as usual on Mother’s Day. The Geneva location said it would have a special menu. Brunch is served until 2:30 p.m.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 224-513-5067 (Vernon Hills); 630-845-0820 (Geneva); 630-423-6551 (Naperville)

Chucks’ Southern Comforts Cafe has gotten its fair share of love from food television shows, including “Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Chicago’s Best.” On Mother’s Day it’ll be serving up a southern brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Burbank and Darien. It’ll cost $48 for adults, $20 for kids aged 5 – 12, and kids 4 and under will eat free. See the menu here.
Reservations: Call
Phone: 708-229-8700 (Burbank); 331-431-4000 (Darien)

Darlene’s Mother’s Day present will be an extended brunch on the holiday itself, beginning at 7 a.m. and running until 4 p.m.. The Orland Park brunch spot delivers inventive takes on brunch classics, such as its birra-quiles and chicken bacon ranch crepes. Take your meal to a boozier level with their wide range of mimosas.
Reservations: None; join the waitlist on your way over
Phone: 708-364-0100

Elly’s Pancake House off of Milwaukee Ave in Glenview is an eatery offering excellent brunch fare. During Mother’s Day weekend they will be open for business as usual starting at 7 a.m.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 847-635-9500

This weekend brunch spot with locations in Palatine and Kildeer is serving up a Mother’s Day brunch buffet that includes classic Italian favorites. Other buffet features will include a ham carving station, prime rib, and fresh seafood. Buffet seatings are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
Reservations: Call for reservations
Phone: 847-991-1416 (Palatine); 847-550-8872 (Kildeer)

Get away from the traditional Mother’s Day at Meson Sabika on Aurora Ave with an $80 four-course menu, which includes tapas. Reservations are required.
Reservations: Online
Phone: 630-983-3000

If you are looking for a wholesome breakfast and brunch favorites, there are many Southern Belle’s Pancake House locations to visit. The menu includes a host of mouthwatering dishes, including the biscuit doughnuts “BoNuts.” Regular brunch service is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day.
Reservations: None
Phone: 630-553-9977 (Yorkville); 815-267-7800 (Plainfield); 224-699-9959 (Carpentersville); 847-387-4290 (Barrington)

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