Kid-friendly brunch in Chicago
Written October 2026
The best brunch with kids in Chicago is at the old neighborhood diners and pancake houses, where nobody minds a dropped crayon.
Most of these have high chairs and a kids' menu, and a lot of them take reservations, which is rare for brunch and very welcome with a hungry toddler.
Near the museums
Eleven City Diner
South Loop
An old-school Jewish-style diner with deli classics, pancakes and hand-dipped milkshakes. It's close to the Museum Campus, so brunch here before the Field or the Shedd.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Wentworth Seafood House
Chinatown
Dim sum and boba in Chinatown, with Cantonese breakfast dishes. Small plates you can keep ordering until everyone is full.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Valois
Hyde Park
Hyde Park's cafeteria since 1921: you carry your own tray through the line, the breakfast plates are big and cheap, and it's cash only. Brunch here, then the Museum of Science and Industry.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Reservations
- No
North Side
M. Henry
Andersonville
Creative takes on American comfort food in Andersonville, with a kids' menu for the plainer eaters.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- No
Lincoln Park Corner Kitchen
Lincoln Park
Family-owned and open all day, with its own kids' menu and a changing table, which is rarer than it should be.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Changing table
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Luella's Southern Kitchen
Albany Park
Southern breakfast and brunch in Albany Park, and you can book a table.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Cafe Robey
Wicker Park
Brunch all day on the ground floor of the Robey hotel, near the Damen Blue Line stop and the 606 trail for a walk after.
- High chairs
- Yes
South Side
Sunrise Breakfast & Lunch
Mount Greenwood
The kids' pancakes come shaped like Mickey Mouse, Pac-Man, a superhero or a ladybug.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Huck Finn Restaurant
Archer Avenue
An Archer Avenue diner known for its donuts, with big breakfast plates that don't cost much.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Masters Pancake House
Archer Heights
Family-owned and flipping pancakes since 1981, with parking right there.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Tom's Place Pancake House
Back of the Yards
Back of the Yards' neighborhood breakfast spot, with generous portions and tables outside when it's warm.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Pearl's Place
Bronzeville
Soul food with a breakfast buffet, so picky eaters can see everything before they choose.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Kids' menu
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
Josephine's Southern Cooking
Chatham
Fried chicken and Sunday brunch at a Chatham staple that's been around for more than 30 years. Book ahead.
- High chairs
- Yes
- Reservations
- Yes
More in Chicago
3 days in Chicago
Things to do in Chicago with kids
The best family hotels in ChicagoPhoto credits
Eleven City Diner: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA (CC BY 2.0) · Valois: davidwilson1949 (CC BY 2.0) · M. Henry: Sean-Franc (CC BY 2.0) · Cafe Robey: caferobey.com (Business website)