Pizza Brunch Guide
by Kirsten Ballard
There is such an allure to the pizza brunch. It’s the glitzy version of pizza for breakfast, the glow-up of dorm room days where you recovered from alcohol the night before with a cold slice of za. But now, with pizza brunch, you get to drink and eat breakfast for pizza with no judgement.
Even better, Chicago is a real pizza city. And New York can pretend, but the U.S. Pizza Museum is in Chicago. Case closed. So when we say these are the best pizza brunches the city has to offer, what we mean is: these are the best pizza brunches. Period.
Parlor Pizza
When pizza is in the name of the restaurant, it better not disappoint. And Parlor Pizza does not. It has three locations in West Loop, River North, and Wicker Park. All are equally delicious. The crust is amazing, and the fun breakfast options really elevate this restaurant’s offerings beyond your usual pie. But what sealed this restaurant’s spot on the list is the amazing build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Read our review here.
Parlor Pizza, Multiple Locations.
Middle Brow Bungalow
Middle Brow Bungalow sets the standard of what pizza and a beer should taste like. I’m not saying they invented the combo, but they come pretty close to perfecting it. The dough is billowing and soft, but not soggy. The crust is crunchy but not over cooked. And the beer is great too! Read our review here.
Middle Brow Bungalow, 2840 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, (773) 687-9076
Maddon’s Post
Wrigleyville’s newest gem, Maddon’s Post, has a lot of good food, but it was the wood-fired pizza that wowed us. The dough can handle even a cheesy, egg-ladened breakfast za without flopping over or getting soggy. Can your New York slice do that? I didn’t think so. Read our review here.
Maddon’s Post, 1119 W Waveland Ave, Chicago, (773) 269-5370
Paradise Park
Paradise Park is in the family of restaurants with Happy Camper and Homeslice. All excel at good, classic pizza. You’ll love Paradise Park for its bottomless mimosas and Instagrammable decor. There is even a shrine to Dwight Shrute in the bathroom. Face it, this is where we all want our next birthday pizza party to be thrown. Read our review here.
Paradise Park, 1913 W North Ave, Chicago, (773) 687-9117
Acanto
While I’ve been waxing poetic about the durability and quality of crusts, what puts Acanto on this list is the sauce. It’s the perfect blend of tomato, basil, and garlic. Split (or don’t share, no judgement) a bottle of wine and leave Chicago behind for the afternoon and transport yourself to Italy. Read our review here.
Acanto, 18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, (312) 578-0763
Coda di Volpe
A pizza so good our editor-in-chief Jackie Bender referred to the staff at Coda di Volpe as “true pizza wizards.” Forget deep dish and load up on this thin crust, classic Napoletana pizza. You’ll be wowed with the fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. Read our review here.
Coda di Volpe, 3335 N Southport Ave, Chicago, (773) 687-8568