Weekender Brunch Options in C-U | Wedding Guest Guide
🎵Why don’t you start your day, the Gergich way with eggs, bacon and toast? 🎵
Continuing on with our #weddingguestguide, I’m sharing some of my favorite and most notable breakfast/brunch spots in Champaign-Urbana. You can probably tell that I try to stay away from chain restaurants in these as much as possible, with an exception here or there. And listen, I’m not going to judge you because I love an Egg McMuffin from time to time as well.
So when you wake up with a wedding hangover, here are the places you need to hit up!
Le Peep — With a stacked breakfast and lunch menu, LePeep has just about any brunch menu item your heart could desire! Check on the pancake of the month before you order — you might change your mind a few times!
Original Pancake House — A Champaign staple! The Dutch Baby is a local favorite, but you can’t beat the pancakes… duh!
Big Grove Tavern — Starters and bottomless mimosas for brunch? Yes, please!
Four Breakfast & More — I did a Grubhub food shoot for this restaurant last year, and was pleasantly surprised by the depth of their menu. If you’re willing to head onto campus, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Cracked — “The Egg Came First” at Cracked, and you will love the sandwiches and tots at this campus favorite, that used to be a food truck and also recently opened a storefront in Wicker Park/Chicago!
Courier Cafe — This long-time Urbana favorite is rich in history (the building was the former area newspaper!) and serves a full breakfast menu of omelettes, breakfast plates, French toast, and flapjacks!
My own typical homemade breakfast of 2 fried eggs and half an avocado. :)
Just BEE Acai — Just BEE is my newest superfood obsession! I literally track down Emma’s food truck at least once a week. It makes me feel good about what I’m putting into my body and keeps me full for hours. Besides the bowls, they also serve avocado toasts, hearty oats, and warm drinks, but I HIGHLY recommend the BEE Sassy — my favorite!
Merry Ann’s — With two locations to serve you, Merry Ann’s is one of the few 24 hour restaurants in Champaign. If you’re hungry, definitely check out the Diner Stack! Takes me back to my college days…
Steel cut oats with walnuts, blueberries, and brown sugar.
Aroma Cafe — This is one of my go-to spots for a play to sit and get some work done or to have a meeting… cozy with great wifi!
Pekara Bakery & Bistro — Another favorite breakfast spot with two locations, Pekara is great for meetings or lazy weekend mornings. I love their quiche!
Sam’s Cafe — Ok, so admittedly I have never eaten at Sam’s Cafe, but I have heard that it is the place to get breakfast in downtown Champaign. It’s super affordable with a simple menu.
Einstein Bros. — I know, I know… this one is a chain, BUT it is my favorite place to go for a quiet morning. It is usually not too busy, there are outlets and wifi available, I get a tasty bagel meal, and I generally get lots of work done. I love it!
Bon appetit!