Best Brunch Bliss Spots Restaurants in Lincoln Square
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant
Family-run Mexican restaurant pairing hearty plates with a cocktail-focused dining room.
Notable Picks
XOchimilco is a family-owned Ravenswood spot known for its polished dining room, strong margaritas, and a menu that runs from chilaquiles and enchiladas to house steaks. Locals treat it as a neighborhood go-to for sit-down dinners and special-occasion brunches that still feel relaxed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pollo en mole, Chilaquiles verdes, XO steak
What makes it special: Family-run Mexican restaurant pairing hearty plates with a cocktail-focused dining room.
8.3
A Lincoln Square cafe where bagels are treated like a composed breakfast—distinct spreads, clean builds, and a menu that leans nutrient-dense without feeling austere. The move is a signature bagel sandwich plus one of their house-driven coffee drinks, then take advantage of the patio when it’s open.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry cashew cream bagel, Green Power bagel sandwich, Goat cheese + cucumber + avocado bagel sandwich
What makes it special: Bagel sandwiches built around distinctive spreads and health-leaning combinations.
8.2
A Lincoln Square daytime specialist blending Mexican brunch comfort with a warm, neighborhood rhythm—chilaquiles, rancheros, and café de olla are the baseline order. It’s best when you treat it like a focused brunch stop: one savory plate, one sweet, and a coffee drink to round it out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles with al pastor, Huevos rancheros (or divorciados), Café de olla
What makes it special: Mexican brunch comfort anchored by chilaquiles and café de olla.
#4
Sweet Moon
8
A dessert-forward café with a pastry-case feel—cakes and baked sweets that lean visually striking and best enjoyed as a mix-and-match table spread. It’s at its best as a “two desserts, one drink” stop rather than a full meal commitment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey cake, Napoleon cake, Meringue (signature dessert)
What makes it special: Dessert-case café built around photogenic slices and pastry variety.
#5
Spoken Cafe
8
A neighborhood cafe stop under the Brown Line that sneaks bagel credibility into a broader breakfast-and-lunch menu. Order like a cafe regular: one bagel-based sandwich or bialy-style item, one drink, and move on—this place rewards simple, decisive tickets.
Must-Try Dishes:
Senora Huerta (ham & cheese pizza bialy-style sandwich), Caldera sandwich, Lox sandwich
What makes it special: Cafe-style bagel and bialy sandwiches with a tight, local rhythm.
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.
7.7
A compact, neighborhood breakfast room that mixes classic brunch comfort with a few left-field touches, best enjoyed when you keep the order focused. Go one sweet-leaning plate, one savory benedict, and one shareable pancake-style item for the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken and waffle, Lemon crab cakes Benedict, Pajun pancake
What makes it special: Small-room brunch with a menu that rewards mixing sweet and savory.
7.7
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A bright, neighborhood bistro where breakfast works best as an easy sit-down—eggs, hashes, and coffee-forward mornings with a relaxed pace. It’s more about comfort and convenience than culinary flex, so order the simple staples and enjoy the room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast hash, Pesto & eggs, French toast
What makes it special: Bright, all-day bistro energy that makes breakfast easy.
7.6
A waffles-and-eggs brunch menu with a modern edge—sweet builds, savory plates, and a cocktail-leaning vibe in a newer Lincoln Square setup. It works best when you pick one waffle signature or one savory entrée and keep the table focused instead of ordering every variation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature waffle (sweet build), Omelet (salmon/cream-cheese style), Brunch cocktail
What makes it special: Waffle-forward brunch with a cocktail-bar energy in Lincoln Square.