The Best Breakfast And Brunch Spots In Little Italy Chicago

Chicago’s Little Italy, often referred to as University Village, is also home to The Hull House and The University of Illinois at Chicago. Below are its top breakfast and brunch restaurants, perfect for a great start to your day.

1. Stax Café

Stax Café

Hidden behind a tree at the intersection of West Taylor and South Loomis Street, Stax Café is a relatively new breakfast gem whose staff lives, breathes, and celebrates breakfast with their fresh organic produce, coffee, and freshly squeezed juice. Their gigantic menu can seem intimidating. However, the only thing you have to remember to order are the delicious bacon chocolate chip pancakes. These cakes are sweet, salty, and ooze with chocolatey goodness.

Stax Café, 1401 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 733 9871

Chocolate Chip Pancakes | © Joy/Flickr

2. Sweet Maple Café

Restaurant, American, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Sweet Maple Café is a family owned restaurant that is the perfect atmosphere for business owners, police officers, students, and tourists alike because they celebrate food ‘The Old Fashioned Way’ by making every delectable treat with the simple ingredients that the Hynson family grew up cooking with. Their sweet homemade biscuits are best when paired with farm fresh eggs, a fried bone-in ham, Wisconsin cheddar, and sautéed vegetables. You also can’t leave without bringing a short stack of buttermilk pancakes home.

3. Hashbrowns Café

Hashbrowns Café

With a goal to create a high-quality, quick-dining experience, Hashbrowns Café opened their doors to the residents of Little Italy in November 2005. They serve a lot of hash browns, but they also serve a variety of egg sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, and omelets. However, if you’re feeling bold, just order a variety of their sweet hash browns because they’re just that good.

Hashbrowns Café, 731 W. Maxwell Street, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 226 8000

Hash browns | © jeffreyw/Flickr

5. Yu Crepes

Yu Crepes

The concept for Yu Crepes was developed in the ‘Old World’ where three friends lived but didn’t know one another. Once they left the Balkans, they moved to Chicago, met one another, and came up with the idea of blending European recipes with American ingredients. Their thin, buttery crepes are filled and folded with a variety of ingredients such as ham, asparagus, cheese, and Hollandaise sauce, making you wish you could take one last bite at the end of each meal.

Yu Crepes, 917 South Miller Street, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 477 6623

Crepes | © Abi Porter/Flickr

6. Demitasse

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Turkish, Coffee, Tea , Fast Food

Demitasse is Turkish and translates as a small coffee cup. It is also a hidden breakfast gem within the University Village. Along with their freshly brewed coffee, their stuffed French toast is a must because it is topped with whipped cream and strawberries and comes with your choice of eggs, hash browns, and breakfast meat.

7. Manny’s Deli

Deli, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, American, Vegetarian, Fast Food, Soup

The Raskin family has passed their signature corned beef recipe down to each generation that has lived in their household. This family owned restaurant feels like home to its patrons walking in because they treat their restaurant like their second home, as they bring their homemade classics to you and your loved ones. Their corned beef is a family tradition, and it’s the best dish to start your day.

8. Grange Hall Burger Bar

Bar, Restaurant, American

This burger bar and breakfast nook was named Chicago Magazine’s best new restaurant in 2014. While their grass-fed burgers are amazing, their famous farmer’s breakfast, which is only offered on the weekends, is one of their best treats. Sit down with some homemade corned beef hash, peasant-style baked eggs, and blueberry basil pancakes. You will not be disappointed.

9. The Allis

Bar, Cafe, American, Pub Grub

In 1907, the Allis Family built a gorgeous building featuring a space for people to come together for a quick coffee and pastry break. Their collection of art around the lounge and bar area makes it a perfect place for reflection and tranquility.

Croissants | © tannaz/Flickr

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