5Five Best Places
Old Town · Food & Drink · Chicago

Best Brunch in Old Town

Updated June 16, 2026 · Ranked by combined rating and review volume

Where to find the best brunch in Old Town

Summer House Santa Monica
1

Summer House Santa Monica

1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
$$$
★★★★★4.7(7,511 reviews)
Multiple locations

Step into a perpetual summer at Summer House Santa Monica, where the breezy, beach house-inspired decor creates a bright, naturally lit dining experience. This Californian-inspired spot serves up delicious dishes like their acclaimed fish tacos, savory potato salad deviled eggs, and refreshing spicy kale cedar salad. Their generous mimosa pours and unique butterscotch pretzel sundae also make for a memorable brunch.

breezy, beach house-inspired spacepotato salad deviled eggs
The VIG Old Town
2

The VIG Old Town

1527 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
$$
★★★★★4.7(3,785 reviews)
Multiple locations

The VIG Old Town offers a hip, warehouse-style setting perfect for any occasion, from a lively happy hour to a delicious brunch. Guests rave about the attentive service and upbeat atmosphere, complemented by gastropub eats. Don't miss their standout dishes like the unforgettable steak sandwich and the popular lobster deviled eggs, alongside fantastic happy hour cocktails.

unforgettable steak sandwich experienceupbeat and welcoming vibe
Chalet
3

Chalet

228 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
$$
★★★★★4.6(2,415 reviews)
Multiple locations

Chalet provides a welcoming atmosphere with a fun, positive energy, enhanced by a 'poppin' playlist and unique celebrity artwork on the walls. Patrons consistently praise the friendly staff and delicious food and drinks, despite occasional waits. Signature items include their warm donuts with chocolate and a highly recommended 'board for 1-2' that truly satisfies.

welcoming tone and fun energywarm donuts with chocolate
Maple & Ash
4

Maple & Ash

8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
$$$$
★★★★★4.5(4,183 reviews)

Maple & Ash delivers a luxurious, five-star dining experience with a sultry and personal atmosphere, perfect for a special occasion brunch. Guests are greeted with complimentary cocktails and crudités, setting the stage for an exceptional meal. Indulge in their melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon, build-your-own seafood tower, and a variety of perfectly executed sides, all served with impeccable, attentive service.

five star experiencebuild your own seafood tower
3rd Coast Cafe
5

3rd Coast Cafe

1260 N Dearborn St, W Goethe St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
$$
★★★★★4.6(1,188 reviews)
Multiple locations

3rd Coast Cafe offers a casual yet historic atmosphere, serving up American comfort food and all-day breakfast in Lincoln Park. While some dishes like the pancakes have received mixed reviews, many guests rave about the perfectly made omelets, delicious chocolate chip pancakes, and satisfying breakfast burritos. Don't miss their highly praised Cajun penne and the exceptional warm brownie sundae for a sweet finish.

amazing food, loved the Cajun pennebest brownie sundae I’ve ever had

Contenders

Places submitted by the community. The top contender with more points than #5 gets promoted.

No contenders yet — be the first to suggest a place!

How we ranked the best brunch in Old Town

Every place on this list is scored by a Bayesian weighted formula combined with a volume bonus. It rewards consistent positive feedback at scale, not just a high average rating — a 4.9-star place with 12 reviews ranks below a 4.6-star place with 800.

score = (v / (v + m)) × R + (m / (v + m)) × C + γ × log₁₀(v)

The prior m adapts to each neighborhood: it's the median review count among local candidates. So 200 reviews counts as “small sample” in dense markets like the West Village, but “solid” in quieter neighborhoods. Places with extreme review volume that clearly dominate their peers are promoted to #1. No paid placements — every spot earns its position via the public data.

Frequently asked about Old Town brunch

What is the highest-rated brunch in Old Town?

Summer House Santa Monica has the highest Google rating in our list of the best brunch in Old Town, with 4.7 stars across 7,511 reviews.

How are the best brunch in Old Town ranked?

Each place is scored using a Bayesian weighted formula that combines its average Google rating with its review count. This pulls small-sample places toward the local mean — so a 4.9-star spot with 12 reviews is ranked below a 4.6-star spot with 800 reviews. Volume and consistency matter, not just an inflated average.

When was this ranking last updated?

This ranking of the best brunch in Old Town was last refreshed in June 2026 using the latest Google ratings and review counts. Restaurants and bars change constantly — always verify hours and current status before visiting.

Why isn't my favorite brunch on the list of best brunch in Old Town?

To be considered, a place needs enough Google reviews for the rating to be statistically meaningful (at least 5 reviews, ideally 25+). Newer or hyper-local spots can be excellent but score lower until enough people review them. Boundaries also matter — a spot just outside the Old Town area may show up on a neighboring ranking instead.

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