Best Brunch French Restaurants in Chicago
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
La Fournette
French bread-and-pastry counter with strong everyday utility for Old Town.
Notable Picks
#1
La Fournette
8
An Old Town French bakery-café that locals use for grab-and-go bread, pastry, and simple café lunches. It shines when you treat it like a daily utility spot—pick up a loaf, add one standout pastry, and keep the rest of the order classic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baguette, Almond croissant, Ham and cheese croissant
What Makes it Special: French bread-and-pastry counter with strong everyday utility for Old Town.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A French bakery-café that’s built for morning momentum—croissants, pain au chocolat, and coffee with a solid grab-and-go rhythm. It’s best when you keep it simple: one pastry you actually care about, plus one savory item if you’re making it a meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pain au chocolat, Almond croissant, Ham and cheese croissant
What Makes it Special: French pastry fundamentals done daily with a café-friendly setup.
A Hyde Park French bakery-café built around laminated pastry and classic viennoiserie in the shopping-center rhythm—come early, pick your croissant lane, and keep it simple. It works best as a quick morning stop for coffee plus one or two pastries rather than a long sit-down brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, Chocolate croissant (pain au chocolat), Ham & cheese croissant
What Makes it Special: Classic French viennoiserie focus with a strong croissant program.
7.9
A compact French café counter that’s most reliable as a breakfast-and-lunch routine: croques, baguette sandwiches, and bakery-forward staples that reward simple ordering. Keep it tight—one savory item plus one pastry—so the experience stays crisp instead of cafeteria-scattered.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croque monsieur, Almond croissant, Brie baguette sandwich
What Makes it Special: A French café lane that bakes daily and executes solid croques and baguettes.
La Boulangerie & Co’s California Avenue outpost is a casual French bakery and café baking croissants, baguettes, and quiches with imported French flour. It anchors a quieter stretch near Humboldt Park for people who want a simple coffee, a flaky pastry, or a light breakfast or lunch that still feels distinctly French.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Croissant, Ham & Cheese Croissant, Quiche Lorraine
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood French bakery using imported flour for croissants, breads, and quiches.
7.7
A neighborhood French bakery and café turning out croissants, baguettes, and simple sandwiches from a counter tucked just off the boulevard. It’s more daytime staple than destination, but consistent viennoiserie and approachable pricing make it a go-to for casual French-leaning breakfasts and coffee breaks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Croissant, Ham & Cheese Croissant, Kouign Amann Croissant
What Makes it Special: A long-running Logan Square bakery bringing everyday French pastries to the neighborhood.
#7
Iguana Cafe
7.6
A European-leaning creperie and lounge where the strongest play is simple: order a savory crepe, then a sweet one (or split both) so the table hits the full spectrum. It’s casual and menu-broad, but when you stay crepe-forward, it delivers a satisfying French-style meal without the formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lyon Crepe, Chocolate Delight Crepe, Croissant sandwich
What Makes it Special: Crepe-forward cafe energy with a full lounge feel.
7.6
Maison Marcel is a boho-chic French café and bakery opened in 2017, known for its brunch plates, French breakfast boards, and pastry counter in a plant-filled, photo-friendly room. It works best as a daytime hangout for coffee, croissants, and brunch rather than a precision-driven fine-dining experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Breakfast platter with pastries, Avocado toast on house bread, Croissant with latte or cappuccino
What Makes it Special: A sunlit French bakery-café where brunch boards, croissants, and lattes are served in a highly Instagrammable room.