Best Brunch Restaurants in River North (60654)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Sunda New Asian - River North
Modern Southeast Asian spot with a true dim sum section and long-running River North buzz.
Notable Picks
A long-running River North pan-Asian restaurant where a dedicated dim sum section runs alongside sushi, noodles, and Filipino-leaning plates. Locals use it for shared small plates like oxtail pot stickers and char siu ribs in a lively, see-and-be-seen room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oxtail Pot Stickers, Char Siu Ribs, Lumpia
What makes it special: Modern Southeast Asian spot with a true dim sum section and long-running River North buzz.
8.5
Yolk - Marina City is a downtown breakfast workhorse turning out big plates of pancakes, omelets, and benedicts to a steady stream of locals and visitors along the river. Massive multi-platform review volume backs a menu that ranges from strawberry cheesecake pancakes to hearty egg platters in a lively, family-friendly room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes, Classic Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Tacos
What makes it special: High-volume riverfront breakfast house known for oversized, highly customizable morning plates.
8.5
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Yardbird brings Southern-leaning comfort to River North brunch with towering fried chicken plates, biscuits, and big-format sweets. The space reads polished and lively, drawing both travelers and locals for chicken & waffles and boozy brunches that feel celebratory without being formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken & Waffles, Biscuit French Toast, Warm Cinnamon Rolls
What makes it special: Southern-style brunch built around fried chicken, biscuits, and a polished, high-energy room.
#4
The Dawson
8.4
The Dawson is a sprawling River West meeting point with a big all-season patio, a wood-fire-leaning American menu, and an ambitious cocktail program. Brunch, burgers, and shareable plates make it a favorite for groups who want a scene without sacrificing food quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Dawson Burger, Chorizo hash, Wood-grilled chicken
What makes it special: A big, design-forward indoor–outdoor space where wood-fired American cooking meets serious cocktails.
#5
Beatrix
8.4
Opened in 2013 by Lettuce Entertain You, Beatrix is an all-day New American café that leans into brunch plates, salads, and a strong bakery and coffee counter. High-volume, steady reviews keep it a default for River North breakfast meetings, solo lunches, and casual dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy chicken tinga, Smashed avocado toast with poached eggs, Chicken Bebe
What makes it special: A busy, reliable all-day spot where New American comfort plates meet lighter, health-leaning options.
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
The Hampton Social leans into coastal-inspired brunch with lobster rolls, seafood plates, and frosé in a bright, nautical dining room. It’s a default choice for celebratory brunches where the brief is upbeat music, big format cocktails, and plenty of photo-friendly moments.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maine or Manhattan-style Lobster Roll, Avocado Toast with egg, Crab Cake Benedict or similar seafood benedict
What makes it special: Beach-club-style brunch where rosé, lobster rolls, and a bright room drive the experience.
#7
Storyville
8.0
Storyville turns brunch into a New Orleans-inspired party with beignets, shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, and bottomless mimosas in a dark, theatrical room. It skews louder and more social than traditional brunch spots, especially when live music or weekend programming kicks in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic New Orleans Beignets, Blackened Shrimp & Grits, Bananas Foster French Toast or Chicken & Waffles
What makes it special: Cajun-Creole brunch with beignets, bottomless mimosas, and a nightlife-adjacent atmosphere.
Worthy Picks
7.6
Tucked inside a State Street hotel, River North Bistro serves a compact brunch menu built around egg dishes, scrambles, and cocktails in a quieter, modern dining room. It’s less of a destination and more of a dependable, low-key option when you want a sit-down breakfast without a long wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado & Goat Cheese Toast with Sunny-Side Eggs, Breakfast Burger, Breakfast Buffet with Unlimited Mimosas
What makes it special: A full-service hotel bistro offering plated breakfasts, brunch cocktails, and buffet options with a sunny State Street patio.