Did you know that Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants? Valentine’s Day is number two. This means that you need to decide where to celebrate Mother’s Day now while you can still snag a reservation. I have rounded up a list of restaurants perfect for brunch or dinner on Mother’s Day to help you plan.
If you want to go out for brunch, try one of these restaurants. I specifically chose restaurants that accept brunch reservations and that can handle a larger group.
Lincoln Park’s Summer House Santa Monica is beautiful on even the most dreary of Chicago days. The space is bright and the menu is full of kid friendly classics like pancakes and waffles, along with more sophisticated adult fare like short rib hash.
Range, also in Lincoln Park, is a quiet neighborhood restaurant with a classic brunch menu.
Tea at The Allis, in the West Loop at the Soho House would be a delightful way for mothers and daughters to celebrate.
Quartino, in River North is perfect for larger groups, and it’s kid friendly. The menu has a great mix of salads, pizzas, pasta, and entrees. Insider’s tip – you can order half orders of the pastas.
The West Loop’s Nellcote offers a sophisticated European style brunch with a nice mix of lighter breakfast items and lunch dishes including pizzas and pastas.
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in Lincoln Park serves up Spanish tapas and has the space to handle larger groups. They also serve the most adorable mini stack of pancakes. They also have an epic build your own bloody mary bar.
Siena Tavern in River North is a slightly more upscale option offering classic brunch and Italian cuisine. Usually a brunch reservation is easier to get than a dinner reservation.
If you plan to have dinner:
The Pump Room at the Public Hotel in the Gold Coast is sure to impress your mother. The menu created by James Beard Award Winner Jean-Georges Vongerichten has a nice mix of options and it is one of the city’s prettiest eateries.
The Purple Pig is right on the Magnificent Mile and a perfect pit stop after a day of shopping. The menu is Spanish style tapas, and Chef Jimmy Bannos is a James Beard Award winner.
Quartino is also an excellent option for dinner.
Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. The truffle egg toast with asparagus is a personal favorite. (They also have a location in River North, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as much as it bums me out to say that).
RPM Italian will be open from 11am to 12am on Mother’s Day serving their full dinner menu. RPM is a great option for a slightly more formal get together. I’d recommend the Pappardelle Bolognese and the Roman Style Artichokes.
Want to give your mother a sweet treat? Magnolia Cupcakes is offering three special cupcakes: a super chocolatey devil’s food cupcake filled with white chocolate, with chocolate ganache with a sweet saying on top, classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes decorated with flowers (I think most Mom’s would prefer this instead of actual flowers), and cupcakes with Mother’s Day decorations.
Del Frisco’s in the Gold Coast, which usually only serves lunch and dinner is serving up a special brunch menu for Mother’s Day. The menu is $39 a person and it includes steak and seafood along with a selection of traditional brunch items.
If cruising Lake Michigan is your thing, the Odyssey, Mystic Blue, and Spirit are offering two brunch cruises and a dinner cruise. Plus Mom will be given spring flowers, and guests will get a free glass of champagne or a mimosa.
Do you have any recommendations? Let us know in the comments!