Vegan food near you.
When you’re vegan, ordering brunch can be tricky. (“I’ll have the eggs benedict, no…eggs, no ham, no hollandaise, and is that English muffin cooked with butter?”) Thankfully, Chicago is home to tons of options for a vegan brunch where you can eat pretty much everything on the menu. Here are 10 stellar spots to get vegan brunch in Chicago, from Spirit Elephant to the Chicago Diner.
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We think we just died and went to pancake heaven. The first plant-based restaurant on Chicago’s north shore is everything a vegan eater could hope for and more, with a jam-packed weekend brunch menu filled with everything from pickled cauliflower vegan “ceviche” to gluten-free vegan pancakes topped with fresh fruit. (We also love that you can choose between Just Egg or scrambled tofu for the vegan egg dishes.)
924 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka | spiritelephantrestaurant.com
Vegan heavy hitter Kale My Name (see what they did there?) serves brunch exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The menu is 100 percent plant-based, featuring a dreamy Brunch Burger (pictured) with a Beyond or veggie patty, pickles, cheddar, tomato, onion, tofu scramble and hollandaise aioli. If you’re more of a sweets-for-brunch person, check out the Chocolate Toast, with strawberries, banana, chocolate syrup and powdered sugar. (Or hey, get both.)
3300 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago | kalemyname.com
It’s just not brunch without a benedict, and Wicker Park vegetarian and vegan gem the Handlebar knows how to do it right. Breakfast and brunch is served until 3 p.m. daily, and we’re all about the rotating benedict specials, like this not-always-available fried green tomato benedict with vegan hollandaise.
2311 W. North Ave., Chicago | handlebarchicago.com
With locations in Atlanta, L.A., Florida, New York, Toronto and Washington D.C., it’s about time Planta arrived in Chicago. The upscale plant-based eatery has a small-but-fantastic vegan brunch menu featuring and Kimchi Egg Fried Rice, French Toast with Berry Compote, Ube Mochi Waffles and a Cinnamon Bun with Chai Icing (pictured).
316 Wythe Ave., Chicago | plantarestaurants.com
Be still our hearts: Bloom Plant Based Kitchen is 100 percent vegan and gluten free, and also caters to nut allergies. Its vegan brunch is available on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We’re dreaming of the Shrooms and Waffles (pictured), the Eggplant Omelette and the Churro Waffle (which we’re definitely getting as an appetizer for the table to split).
1559 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago | bloompb.com
Previously known as Upton’s Breakroom, the restaurant attached to the Upton’s Naturals seitan factory is still serving up vegan deliciousness for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Brunch options include the Breakfast Croissant Sandwich (pictured) and incredible plant-based donuts you have to taste to believe.
2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago | uptonsnaturals.com
With its tagline “meat free since ‘83,” we knew the Chicago Diner would be our kind of place. Brunch is served daily until 3 p.m. at this old-school vegan institution, and the menu is loaded with plant-based diner favorites, including the Monte Cristo, the Breakfast Bowl (with a vegan biscuit!) and Potato Tempeh Hash.
Locations in Logan Square and Lakeview | veggiediner.com
While Lucy’s isn’t entirely vegan, the sunny breakfast spot has lots of vegan options and clearly labels plant-based items on its menu. We’re partial to the banana-walnut pancakes, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, including the Eggless Wonder, featuring marinated tofu with veggies and brown rice, served with toast.
2100 W Roscoe St., Chicago | lucyscaferv.com
Instagrammable vegan brunch in Chicago? Right this way. And if you’re hoping for a fancy drink with your meal, you have definitely come to the right place. Try the Lavender Vanilla Latte, or if you’re extra brave, order the Bloody Mary…which comes with a piece of plant-based fried chicken on top. (You heard us.)
Locations in East Lakewood and DePaul | fancyplantscatering.com/cafeinfo
Stop by this laid-back cafe with loads of character on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a menu packed with vegan options (although, FYI, the restaurant itself isn’t 100-percent plant-based). We’re talking Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes, Vegan Benedicts, Vegan Scrambles and much more.
4882 N Clark St, Chicago | pmucafe.com
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