Brunchin’ on Chicago’s North Shore

Cheers! Relish the fancy flavors and mimosa vibes when you gather over the bounty of a brunch menu. Chicago’s North Shore restaurants can take your taste buds on a trip around the world or dazzle them with buffets bursting with choices to chew. You’re also set any time of day Exploring North Shore Restaurants.
 

Avli, Winnetka

Avli Restaurant (Winnetka)
You’ll be amazed at the range of aromas Avli cooks up with their brilliant spin on Greek dishes known and new. Brunch any day on spreads like Tzatziki or Tirokafteri (spicy feta, roasted red peppers, yogurt, chilies); shareable flaming Saganaki or sweet Bougatsa (filo custard with cherry syrup, cinnamon, powdered sugar); and Tost Avokanto (avocado toast) or Arni Burger (lamb burger with fried egg, onion, arugula, feta mousse and feta fries).

Bar Siena (Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie)
The casual, lively atmosphere at Bar Siena kicks off an epic brunch menu with Mimosa Kits: bottles of bubbles, fresh squeezed OJ and seasonal purees with La Gioiosa Prosecco or Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Serious stand-outs like their Omelettes, Classic French Toast, Avocado Toast or Cinnamon Rolls might be undone by the Breakfast Pizza — an actual pizza with baked egg, breakfast sausage, cherrywood smoked bacon, roasted tomato, prosciutto cotto, housemade mozzarella, caramelized onion, crispy fingerling potatoes and scallions.

Convito Cafe & Market (Wilmette)
Convito is known for their homey mashup of French and Italian countryside fare from their setting in the upscale Spanish-style Plaza del Lago. A full-on menu of favorites will brighten from the top of your morning through midday by serving up Beignets, French Onion Soup or Fried Calamari for openers. Power on with Classic Eggs Benedicts, Country Crepes or Grilled Atlantic Salmon before you even ponder sides, salads and pasta options.
 

Double Clutch Brewing Co., Evanston

Double Clutch Brewing Co. (Evanston)
Brunching doesn’t just have to mean tablecloths and finger sandwiches. Double Clutch’s menu pairs perfectly with their award-winning German-style beers and weekend brunch items are even available for their Stewpendous Trivia (Mondays) and Bier Hall Bingo nights (Tuesdays). Veggie Omelets and Biscuits and Gravy might get outclassed by the Schnitzel and Gravy or Turnbuckle Pretzels; but the glorious beer selection on tap, plus ubiquitous Bloody Marys and Mimosas, will make for a memorable meal.

EvaDean’s Bakery and Café (Wilmette)
Stop by EvaDeans for the brunching right alongside lunching …and all the daytime deliciousness. Here the mains play up classics like Corned Beef Hash, Monte Cristo or Chilaquiles, though get a load of other interesting variations: Eggy Mushroom Toast Griddled Brioche or Fried “Spam” Sandwich, house-made spam, spicy grilled pineapple, carrot and jalapeño cole slaw and egg on a ciabatta roll with shoestring fries. Compliment with sparkling cocktails or espresso drinks.

Fatpour Tap Works (Lincolnwood) 
Snazzy urban chic for the décor and an expansive craft beer selection trick out the creative brunch menu at Fatpour Tap Works. Still all the rage, the Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles are topped with hot honey drizzle, maple syrup and whipped butter. Though come Sunday, some might require the Hangover Burrito: scrambled eggs, tater tots, queso sauce, pickled red onion, tomato, jalapeño and crumbled sausage with Golden Brunch Potatoes, salsa and sour cream.  
 

Guildhall Restaurant, Glencoe

Guildhall Restaurant (Glencoe)
“Brunch is like a hug from the inside” according to Guildhall, the American bistro with Euro flair where Team Sweet and Team Savory both win. On one hand, you’ve got Vanilla Custard-Soaked Brioche with fresh berries and bananas crowned with house-made whipped cream and hand-harvested maple syrup. Or take the other route for House Smoked Salmon on Avocado Toast topped with sliced radish, pickled red onions, pickled jalapeños and arugula.

Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Co. (Glenview) 
Weekend brunch at Hangar Two has become legendary in part for its beautiful glass atrium. The globally-inspired gastropub entices with specialties like Korean BBQ Chicken & Waffles with a sunny side up egg, pickled green onion, carrots, spicy maple glaze, siracha aioli and tater tots side. But it’s great fun to order Drunken Pacos — buttermilk pancakes, berries, applewood smoked bacon, spiced candied pecans, Nutella, vanilla whipped cream and maple syrup.

Libertad (Skokie)
Buzzy Libertad shines with a medley of modern tastes from Latin America like Panqueques (masa pancakes, blueberry preserves, agave nectar, butter) or Pambazo (crispy fried chicken, guajillo-dipped roll, avocado, habanero aioli). Brunchy beverages are divine with their Bloody Maria and the Sangria Libre mingling burgundy wine with brandy, citrus, dry curaçao, berries and spices, while a boozy Horchata works Nigori sake in with a London vodka, cinnamon and nutmeg.
 

Mensch's Deli, Evanston & Glencoe

Mensch’s Deli (Evanston & Glencoe)
Mensch’s has you covered with breakfast/brunch classics all day. Fish Platters of smoked trout and smoked whitefish (prepared onsite), Acme Nova Lox, House Gravlax, Kippered Salmon and Tuna or Whitefish Salad (or pick three) are served with onion, tomato, cucumber, capers, lemon, scallion cream cheese, olives and choice of bagel. Breakfast Pastries and open-faced Bagel Sandwiches (gluten-free options) stand out along with all the classic deli sandwiches, melts and four kinds of Reubens.

Peckish Pig (Evanston)
Pull up to the Pig for a Full English with two fried eggs, English bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, black pudding, Heinz Baked Beans and fried bread to amp up your brunch. Add their swoon-worthy Warm Bag of House Made Hot Donuts tossed in cinnamon and sugar just for funsies or fancy takes like a Crab Cake and Smashed Avocado Benedict with saffron hollandaise which dazzles alongside specials, sides and full bar. 
 

Pinstripes, Northbrook

Pinstripes (Northbrook)
This bocce and bowling hotspot pulls out all the stops for a brunch bonanza. The weekend buffet rolls out “Action Stations” like Waffles and Pin Hole Donuts with signature toppings (lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, whipped cream, whipped Nutella, maple syrup, bananas, chocolate sauce). The must-try Chicken & Waffles, made-to-order Omelettes and Chilaquiles or Biscuits and Gravy join a carving station, starters, chef specialties, kid's table and sweets table. Brunch beverages beckon with a Limoncello Martini, Breakfast Paloma Spritz Carafe (for sharing) or mocktails.

Saranello’s Ristorante Italiano (Wheeling)
Bottomless Mimosas with fresh seasonal fruit purees are included with the ample buffet at Saranello’s. Made-to-Order Omelets come with 15+ toppings to test drive while you explore the waffles, pancakes breakfast meats (like Applewood Smoked Bacon, House-made Chicken Sausage), pasta specials, seafood and stations for salads, kids and carving of New York Strip Steak and smoked Vermont ham. Don’t miss the dessert table with house-made Italian cookies, crème brulee, Raspberry Panna Cotta and more.