Here comes Santa Claus: Where to dine with Santa in the suburbs before the big day

Just like the song says, Santa Claus is coming to town. And it turns out he's hungry, because he's hitting a bunch of brunches, lunches and dinners around the suburbs in the next few weeks. But you better make your reservations soon because some of the popular holiday brunches have already sold out. Here's what we found:

Breakfast with Santa at Allgauer's

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, at Allgauer's on the Riverfront, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, (847) 664-7999, allgauersriverfrontrestaurant.com/. Kids and their families can dine from a breakfast buffet, decorate holiday cookies, take photos with Santa and more. It's $25.95 for adults and $20.95 for kids. Reservations are required.

Warrenville Breakfast with Santa

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Courtyard Banquets, 3S200 Illinois Route 59, Warrenville, warrenvilleparks.org/event/breakfast-with-santa/. Visit with Santa and enjoy a breakfast buffet, crafts, music, raffles and a letters to Santa station. For those 11 and older: $24 for residents, $29 for nonresidents; kids 3-10: $16 for residents, $21 for nonresidents; free for kids 2 and younger. Reservations are required.

Santa Brunch at Cantigny

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 2-3 and 16-17, at Cantigny Golf Clubhouse, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, cantigny.org/event/santa-brunch/. Dine from a buffet featuring breakfast (waffles, pastries, fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage), lunch (grilled chicken, bistro tenderloin, herb-roasted potatoes, salad) and desserts while getting to meet Santa. It's $34 for adults, $26 for kids 5-12 and $5 for kids younger than 5. Reservations are required.

Breakfast with Santa at Club Arcada

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 23, at The Club Arcada Speakeasy Restaurant, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, clubarcada.com/events/rock-n-ravioli-breakfast-with-santa/. Kids can meet and take photos with Santa while everyone can enjoy the breakfast buffet featuring pastries, fruit, bacon, eggs, breakfast potatoes, French toast, cookies and more. All children will receive a gift. It's $40 for ages 12 and older, $30 for kids 2-11, and free for kids younger than 2. Reservations are required.

Brunch with Santa at Pinstripes

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17, at 1150 Willow Road, Northbrook, (847) 480-2323; 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook, (630) 575-8700; 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (847) 844-9300; and 435 E. Illinois St., Chicago, (312) 527-3010, pinstripes.com/santa-brunch/. Bring the kids, as Santa is joining brunch on the weekends in December for photos. The brunch buffet features a waffle station, made-to-order omelet station, sweets table, shrimp cocktail, maple-glazed ham, herb-roasted chicken, a chocolate fountain and more for $30 for adults, $13 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and younger. Reservations are required.

Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23, and Fridays, Dec. 15 and 22, at Lucille at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, lucillerestaurant.com/holiday-events/. Meet Santa, make doughnuts, sip on hot chocolate from the build-your-own hot cocoa bar and see “A Christmas Carol” (tickets not included). Adults: $40; kids 3-12: $30; free for kids 2 and younger. Reservations are required.

Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Baker

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, at Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-2100, hotelbaker.com/breakfast-with-santa-2023/. Meet with Santa and dine from an extensive brunch buffet featuring crepes, mini pancakes, ham, sausage, bacon, cheese blintzes, breakfast pastries, fruit and more. It's $42 for adults, $32 for kids 3-13, and free for kids younger than 3. Reservations are required.

Champagne Brunch with Santa at Drury Lane

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, at Lucille at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, lucillerestaurant.com/holiday-events/. From eggnog and bottomless mimosas to homemade doughnuts and hand-carved prime rib, enjoy brunch with Santa and a production of “Cinderella” (tickets not included). Adults: $85; kids 3-12: $30; free for kids 2 and younger. Reservations are required.

Brunch with Santa at Thorn Restaurant

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Rose Hotel, 5200 Pearl St., Rosemont, (847) 260-4774, thornrestaurant.com/. Santa Claus will be available for pictures while you enjoy a brunch buffet in the ballroom featuring classics like shrimp cocktail and omelet and carving stations. Reservations are required.

Lambs Farm Breakfast with Santa

Seatings are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and noon Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 9-10 and 16-17, at the Magnolia Café & Bakery at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, lambsfarm.org/events/category/breakfast-with-santa/. Enjoy brunch at Magnolia then head over to Santa's Workshop, where kids can pick out a gift and a festive temporary tattoo, make a sand art creation and get a goody bag full of crafts to take home. It's $18.95 and $7.95 for kids younger than 2. Reservations are required.

Algonquin Breakfast with Santa

9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cucina Bella, 220 S. Main St., Algonquin, rec.algonquin.org/. Includes breakfast, crafts and a visit with Santa. $27 for residents, $32 for nonresidents 13 and older; $20/$25 for kids 4-12; and free for kids 3 and younger.

Breakfast with Santa at Villa Olivia

9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Villa Olivia, 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett, bartlettparks.org/event/breakfast-with-santa-december-9/. Visit and take photos with Santa, dine on a plated breakfast, make holiday crafts, listen to festive music and more. Registration is required at (630) 540-4800.

Brunch with Santa at Pennyville Station

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16, at Pennyville Station, 112 Main St., Park Ridge, (847) 720-4841, pennyvillestation.com/. Meet and take a photo with Santa during the brunch buffet that features eggs, Nutella French toast, bacon, sausage, mini cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, a hot chocolate bar and more. It's $34.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 6-12, and $8.95 for kids 5 and younger.

High Tea with Santa at The Graceful Ordinary

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at The Graceful Ordinary, 3 E. Main St., St. Charles, (331) 235-5803, thegracefulordinary.com/. Enjoy a curated selection of loose leaf teas from The Irie Cup, juices, sweets and savory canapés. Capture the magic with a photo opp alongside Santa and receive a gift from The Graceful Ordinary. Holiday-themed cocktails will be available for purchase. Tickets are $66 for adults, $42 for kids 3-13, and free for kids younger than 2. Reservations at Resy.

Breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph

9-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Ronald J. Gunter Administration Building, 55 E. Richmond St., Westmont, hollydaysfestival.com/events/. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, sausages, juice, coffee, milk and cookies prepared by the Westmont Lions Club while Santa visits each table. It's $24-$28; free for kids 2 and younger. Registration is required.

Woodstock Breakfast with Santa

9-10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay St., Woodstock. Children can dine from a holiday buffet breakfast and visit and take a photo with Santa. $15. Register at woodstockrecreationdepartment.com/.

Breakfast with Santa at Johnny's

9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 10, at Johnny's Supper Club, 1250 Bowes Creek Road, Elgin, johnnyssupperclub.com/. Bring a camera for photos with Santa and dine from their new breakfast menu. For reservations, call (847) 214-5877.

Brunch with Santa at The Drake

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10 and 17, and Saturday, Dec. 23, at The Drake Oak Brook, 2301 York Road, Oak Brook, thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/brunch-with-santa.htm. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus during a lavish brunch. It's $85 for adults, $45 for kids 6-12, $25 for kids 3-5, and free for kids 2 and younger. Make reservations at opentable.com/.

Brunch with Santa at Saranello's

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10, 17 and 24, at Saranello's, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 777-6878, saranellos.com/events/santa-brunches/. Kids can meet and take a photo with Santa during the Grand Sunday Buffet Brunch. Nosh on waffles, pancakes, French toast, made-to-order omelets, carved meats, seafood, desserts and more. Plus, adults can sip on fresh fruit mimosas. It's $44.95 for adults and half price for kids younger than 12. Reservations are required.

Breakfast with Santa in Streamwood

10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Hoosier Grove Barn, 700 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood, streamwoodparks.org/event/breakfast-with-santa-2/. Join Santa for breakfast, coloring, crafts and goodies. $20 for residents 11 and older, $30 for nonresidents; $20 for resident kids 3-10, $25 for nonresident kids; free for kids 2 and younger. Registration is required.

St. Charles Park District Breakfast with Santa

8:45 and 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Alexander's Cafe, 1650 W. Main St., St. Charles, stcparks.org. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, play reindeer games and create a special craft. Santa will stop by each table to visit and take photos. Geared toward kids 6 and younger, who must be accompanied by a registered adult. $18. Registration required. stcparks.org/.

Dinner with Santa at Lucille

5 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 13 and 20, at Lucille at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, lucillerestaurant.com/holiday-events/. Meet Santa and dine on prime rib, roasted turkey and baked ham from the carving station, as well as starters, sides, desserts and more. Plus, make your own ice cream and hot chocolate creations. Afterward, stick around for “A Christmas Carol” (tickets not included). Adults: $50; kids 3-12: $30; free for kids 2 and younger. Reservations are required.

Breakfast with Santa in Glendale Heights

9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Glendale Lakes Golf Club, 1550 President St., Glendale Heights, glendaleheights.org/events/. Visit with Santa and dine on an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Breakfast is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus are $2. No registration is required; pay at the door.

Breakfast with Santa at The Ashburn

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at The Ashburn in the Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, loewshotels.com/chicago-ohare/discover/happenings. Have breakfast with Santa and enjoy live music, a cookie decorating station and a photo op with the big guy. Reservations at Resy.

Lunch and dinner with Santa at Peggy Kinnane's

Lunch is from 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, and dinner is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-7733, peggykinnanes.com/. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus while dining. Reservations are recommended.