8 Best Chicago Vegan Breakfast & Brunch Spots

If you’re looking for a delicious vegan breakfast in Chicago, you’re in luck! The city has a thriving vegan food scene, with a never-ending selection of options for veggie eaters to start the day! 

The number of fantastic options can be overwhelming, but have no fear!

I’ve pulled together an incredible lineup of places to check out, no matter if you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet! I guarantee there’s a vegan breakfast or brunch spot in Chicago that will satisfy your cravings. To ensure you get your day started right, don’t miss these vegan and vegan-friendly brunch spots in Chicago. 

Vegan Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Chicago

Kale My Name

3300 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

It’s entirely possible that you’ve already heard about the epic vegan brunch spread that Kale My Name creates every weekend — it’s award-winning! 

The comfort-focused menu has a fantastic selection of sweet and savory eats; I promise you’ll want to try everything! If it’s your first visit, don’t skip the golden Belgian waffles — topped with buffalo cauliflower or traditional maple syrup. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe Brunchpanadas filled with cream cheese and guava or a giant loaded breakfast burrito will!

During the summer, snag a table on their back patio. There’s nothing better than a bit of sunshine and waffles!

PLANTA Queen

413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

For a chic and sophisticated vegan brunch outing in Chicago, look no further than PLANTA! You’ll want to shimmy up to the modern brass bar or slide into one of their cozy booths for a unique Asian and American-inspired brunch menu. If you’ve had your fill of pancakes and waffles, check out their Shakshouka made with chickpeas, peppers, tofu feta and tahini emulsion or their spinach omelet. Now, if you haven’t had your fill of waffles, they have a fabulous mochi waffle topped with ube whipped cream, asian pear and maple syrup with your name all over it! 

Vegan-Friendly Breakfast Spots in Chicago

While I am sure you probably fell head over heels for something at one of the vegan brunch spots, these vegan-friendly restaurants have terrific options! You can never have too many options, right?

Since ’83, long before vegan options were lining market shelves, The Chicago Diner was pushing veggie-packed dishes — an icon in the plant-based food space. If you’re in the mood for something a little sinful, this is one of the best spots in Chicago. You can’t skip over their giant, cream-covered cinnamon rolls — you’ll probably smell them before you even see these magnificent baked breakfast treats! Many of their breakfast dishes can easily be made vegan by substituting vegan cheese or tofu, like the Mexicana bowl or potato tempeh hash. 

If you can’t choose one of their fabulous options, you can create your own from their Build-a-Brunch menu! Load your plate with pancakes, French toast, potato hash, and much more!

Lucy’s Café 

2100 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

This family-owned vegetarian café is well known for its extensive All American breakfast menu. Start the day with a fluffy stack of banana walnut pancakes or golden French toast covered in sweet maple syrup. If you’d prefer something less sweet, check out their Go Eggless section for various flavorful scrambles and eggless wonders! The menu is well-marked for options that can be made vegan and/or gluten-free. 

Handlebar

2311 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

This hip spot is a little bit of rock-n-roll meets a whole lotta veggie-power — it’s anything but boring! The creative and delicious brunch menu is packed with flavor and comforting favorites. It will please even the pickiest eater! The menu has many great vegan options, from a unique country-fried portobello with blackened tofu and seitan gravy to spicy vegan diablos with seitan chorizo, handmade tortillas, beans, rice, and chipotle sauce. 

Pick Me Up Café

4882 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

This playful vegan-friendly restaurant was one of the first to add substantial vegan options on its menu back in the late 90s (glad they realized salads aren’t the only thing we eat). All day, every day, you can pop in here for their house-made vegan benedict with fried tofu and home fries, a sweet stack of chocolate chip pancakes, and so much more! This is the best place to go with an omni group!

Vegan Donut Spots in Chicago

Is there a better way to start the day than with a chocolate-covered vegan donut? I don’t think so! 

Beacon Doughnuts 

In The Alley, 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
You will miss this floral-covered donut shop if you’re not looking for it! Every day this vegan-friendly donut shop is frying up a rotating selection of outrageously delicious vegan donuts — apple fritter, blueberry pancake, lavender vanilla, and many more!

This is a popular spot, so get there when they open or order ahead of time. 

Do-Rite Donuts 

Multiple locations throughout Chicago
This vegan-friendly donut franchise is making sure vegans aren’t forgotten. No matter your location, you’ll always find three freshly made vegan flavors — double chocolate, orange olive oil, and spiced maple chai.