Now is the time of the year when restaurants really get busy.
But before the Mother’s Day- and summer-related activities can get going, restaurants honor Easter and Passover. Here’s what some of them have to offer during these holy observations:
—Celebrate Easter Sunday with a unique brunch experience at Sunda New Asian River Northon Sunday, April 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Known for its bold flavors and inventive take on traditional Asian cuisine, Sunda is putting its signature spin on the classic Easter buffet with items like a seafood-and-sushi station, a DIY omelet station, favorites like ube waffles and sweet chili chicken, and desserts such as mini-cheesecakes and an ube white chocolate fountain. The price is $98 (adult) / $38 (kids 12 and younger).
—Celebrate Easter at Aba with Mediterranean-inspired brunch favorites such as whipped feta spread, potato & onion frittata, chocolate babka french toast, short rib shakshuka and Jerusalem bagel with house-made labneh. Complete the spread with a spring bellini tower, including eight assorted blueberry, strawberry and kiwi bellinis for $110, plus tax, or toast with the weekend-exclusive bellinis a la carte. The tower is available April 19-20, but only during brunch.
—The West Loop spot Nisos Prime will offer a three-course brunch menu for $50 per person. Start with warm focaccia bread service, crisp Caesar salad, zucchini toast and fruit parfait. For the main course, choose from buttermilk pancakes, a short rib sandwich, classic Eggs in Purgatory, the signature Nisos Breakfast, house-made orecchiette or a crispy fried chicken sandwich. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a choice of chocolate cake, Café Crema, or a gelato and sorbet trio. A kids’ menu is also available. Brunch seating will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m; reservations can be made via OpenTable. (Note: There’s also a three-course dinner, for $95/person.)
—Welcome spring with a luxurious Easter brunch buffet celebration at Miru. Enjoy stunning views of Chicago while savoring an array of brunch classics such as cinnamon French toast with fresh berries, a whole roasted leg of lamb, a sushi and raw bar, and pastries and sweets. Children can enjoy a specialty candy station and a decorate-your-own cookie kit to entertain at the table. The price per person is $125, plus tax and service fee; tickets for children aged 10 and under are $65 each, plus tax and service fee; and admission for children 4 and younger is complimentary.
—The Peruvian spot Tanta Chicago, located in River North, will offer a special menu for the spring holiday. One item will be the Bandeja Marinera ($120), which consists of classic leche de tigre, sunchoke tiradito, poached shrimp with Golf sauce, sliced ahi yellowfin tuna, hamachi and corvina fish with rocoto ponzu, and aji amarillo leche de tigre. Other choices will include lamb shank and crispy whole fried fish, with carrot cake for dessert.
—The Basque spot Asador Bastian will have Easter seatings at 1-6:30 p.m. on April 20. The prix fixe menu will include items such as spider-crab arroz cremoso, The Swan (strawberries and cream), spinach salad, Basque cheesecake, and dry-aged Wisconsin lamb, among other things. The price is $150/person; RSVP here.
—On Saturday, April 19, the Easter bunny is going to play whirlyball. At Lincoln Park’s Whirlyball Chicago, the entire family is invited to the first-ever “Breakfast with a Bunny.” In case you don’t know, the activity combines lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars in a game of skill—coupled with a touch a chance. Breakfast with a Bunny ($40 per child under 16 + $45 per adult) will include a buffet-style holiday brunch, unlimited whirlyball and bowling, a complimentary Neon Easter Egg Hunt throughout the signature Laser Tag room, and plenty of photo opportunities with the bunny.
—The acclaimed Loop steakhouse Prime & Provisions invites guests to an extravagant Grand Brunch on Sunday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The extensive spread features made-to-order breakfast offerings, a prime rib carving station, a raw bar, and an indulgent dessert display. Guests can enjoy brunch classics such as eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, cinnamon French toast, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, and housemade granola with yogurt. The made-to-order omelet and Belgian waffle stations offer a variety of fresh toppings. The carving station features maple-glazed ham, slow-roasted prime rib, and smoked mustard-glazed salmon, while the raw bar includes shrimp, oysters and crab legs. Easter brunch is priced at $95.99 per adult, $39.99 for children ages 7-12, and complimentary for children 6 and under. Reservations can be made here.
—The new River North spot Artis—a BYOB restaurant/safe space where you can truly be who you want to be—is offering its first-ever Easter brunch that will be available at 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. There will be oysters (sold by the dozen or half-dozen), breakfast nachos, avocado mousse, chicken and croffles (croissant waffles) with chipotle honey, strawberry-and-cream croffles, strawberry streusel cheesecake, grilled poblano-and-onion flautas, hambergesa con huevos (hamburger with eggs)—and much more.
—The renowned Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in the Gold Coast will be open on Easter Sunday starting at 11 a.m. serving its dinner menu all day. The last seating will be at 7:30 p.m. RSVP here.
—And catty-corner from Gibsons is The Bellevue, which is offering its own Easter brunch buffet. There will be brunch favorites, fresh seafood and chef-curated specialties. Guests can savor mimosas alongside offerings like crab cakes, oysters, carving stations featuring ham and beef tenderloin, and a made-to-order omelet station. Reservations (free to $110/person, depending on age) for the brunch buffet are available exclusively in the second-floor dining room.
—Take a trip to Northwoods supper club-inspired L. Woods this Easter to enjoy specials including BLT deviled eggs with peppercorn mayo, queen and king cuts of prime rib of beef au jus with horseradish cream and choice of side, and banana cream pie with peanut butter cookie crust. Specials are available for dine-in, carryout and delivery on Sunday, April 20, in addition to the regular menu.
—For something more adult-oriented, the Offshore Easter Bounce Brunch & Day Party will take place at the Navy Pier spot Offshore. This first-of-its-kind event is being billed as Chicago’s ultimate, 21-plus Easter party. Set against views of the city from multi-seasonal terraces, the event promises a hopping good time complete with high-energy tunes spun by a live DJ, for-purchase drinks and bites, seasonal themed photo booth and more from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.
—Levain Bakery is celebrating the season with a fresh new, limited time only lemon cookie. Bring a box to Easter brunch and instantly be declared Grandma’s favorite! Also, Levain has a brand-new Lime Bramble Iced Tea—a puckery, berry-kissed refresher that lets you know spring is coming.
—Frontier will offer an Easter buffet for $39 each—and it will be stocked. Just some of the offerings will include shrimp and grits, fried chicken thighs, buttermilk biscuits, scrambled eggs, salmon, pancakes, smoked brisket and breakfast potatoes. And you can add two hours of mimosas or rose for $15 per person, although I’m not sure who will be timing you. RSVP here.
—The Andersonville restaurant Uvae will offer three-course Easter menu with selections like Nutella croissants, deviled eggs, smoked salmon with mini-bagels, baby lamb chops, brioche French toast, lobster cake Benedict, prosciutto and gruyere omelet, steak and eggs, Grand Marnier creme brulee and more. A kids’ option will also be available for $20 per person (age 10 and under) and will offer scrambled eggs, french toast and fruit, milk and cookies and unlimited juice, milk or soda. RSVP here.
—Visit Antico Posto for Easter and enjoy the special slow-cooked lamb shank with creamy taleggio risotto, Castelvetrano olive and tomato ragu in addition to signatures such as whipped ricotta with black truffle honey, italian salad and prosciutto and burrata brick oven pizza. The slow-cooked lamb shank special is available for dine-in, carryout and delivery Friday, April 18-Sunday, April 20. There’s also an Easter dinner to go, with house bread and giardiniera, house salad, honey-glazed ham, parmesan-crusted beef medallions, parmesan smashed potatoes, herb-roasted baby carrots and tiramisu for $225, plus tax; place orders by Wed., April 16 at 4 p.m. for carryout on Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
—The popular Northbrook restaurant Prairie Grass Cafe will present “Easter Buffet Brunch: A Feast to Remember” on April 20 at 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Buffet highlights will include PGC deviled farm eggs, moussaka, a made-to-order omelet station, glazed local ham and much more. There will also be various sweets (such as carrot cake squares) and there will be optional prime cuts available for purchase. In addition, there’s a takeout dinner available that includes sliced glazed local ham, mushroom soup and deviled eggs; the pre-order deadline is April 17.) Admission to the brunch is $77.77 each for those older than 10, and $37.37 each for those 10 and younger (not including beverage, tax or tip).
—The Dearborn will have limited-time Easter specials crafted with locally sourced ingredients for a fresh and flavorful dining experience like Catalpa Grove Farms Lamb Lollipops ($24) featuring grilled ramp chimichurri, blistered Jimmy Nardello peppers and garlic chips; roasted and stuffed saddle of rabbit ($35) with a fricassee of heirloom carrots, fava beans and spring peas, duck fat potatoes, Closed Loop Farms fresh herb salad, and spring rabbit jus. There will also be strawberry rhubarb trifle ($13) made with rhubarb compote, lemon cake, fresh strawberries and vanilla chantilly; and the No Bunny Business cocktail, featuring cinnamon-infused vodka, spaced carrot syrup, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, lemon, clarified with vanilla cream and a coconut pecan rim for a carrot cake-inspired sip. Easter specials are available for dinner on April 18-20, with specials available for brunch on Easter Sunday. RSVP here.
—On Sunday, April 20, celebrate Easter with a special five-course brunch at the Michelin-starred Sepia. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., enjoy an elevated dining experience featuring indulgent dishes like caramelized honey brioche, prosciutto tater tots, grilled short rib, foie gras French toast, ricotta agnolotti with black truffle, and more. The brunch is priced at $95 per person and $45 for children under 12. Reservations are available on OpenTable here.
—I|O Godfrey invites families to celebrate Easter Sunday on April 20 with a festive brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature an Easter egg hunt and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny at 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The buffet features brunch classics, a customizable omelet station, a prime rib and ham carving station, and a pancake and French toast station. Additional offerings include fresh salads, pasta, seasonal soups, sushi and an assortment of desserts, such as chocolate-covered strawberries and cake pops. Easter brunch is priced at $65 per adult and $15 per child under 12. Reservations can be made here.
—Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar will offer a family-style prix fixe meal for dine-in for $85 per person. Seatings will be 12-6 p.m. and the menu will have items such as bacon-whipped deviled eggs with trout roe; asparagus salad with egg jam and crispy garlic; a 12-day, dry-aged ham chop; the Palmer House Hilton shrimp de jonghe; and angel food cake with yuzu curd and ginger ice cream. RSVP here.
—Celebrate Easter with Di Pescara’s Sunday Brunch in Northbrook, featuring a la carte specials such as lobster deviled eggs, jumbo lump crab and boursin cheese omelette, butter poached lobster Benedict and more. Add unlimited Mimosas or Bloody Marys to your meal for $15 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included).
—The Loop spot The Florentine will offer breakfast, brunch and dinner on April 20 at 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (Those will be some tired staffers at the end of the night.) Easter specials will include fritto misto (with shrimp, fennel and squash blossom), ricotta gnudi, roasted leg of lamb, pan-seared cod and spring panzanella. RSVP here.
—This Easter, Sweet Mandy B’s in Lincoln Park and Streeterville will offer confections for holiday festivities. Available from Thursday, April 17, through Sunday, April 20, Easter items will include bird’s nest cupcakes, a six-pack of whimsical pastel Easter cupcakes (three vanilla and three chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream), six-inch three-layer “Bunny” cakes with yellow cake and vanilla buttercream (limited availability), themed cut-out cookies including bunnies, eggs and chicks, Easter decorated Rice Krispie treats and more. Custom ordered carrot cakes with cream cheese will also be available by request.
—Kinzie Chophouse will open 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for a special Easter brunch, and will offer an elegant a la carte brunch menu which will include limited-time menu items for the holiday: the prime rib entree and the Kinzie steak-and-eggs sandwich. For dinner service, guests can order a la carte from their classic steakhouse menu that is flavored with Mediterranean influences. For either brunch OR dinner, diners can also choose to enjoy Kinzie’s seven-course prix fixe Odyssey Tasting Menu ($90 per person) in lieu of ordering a la carte. The seasonal tasting menu is perfect for spring and has several inspired courses for the holiday, including their festive “Dyed Easter Egg” course with truffled egg and lobster.
—Celebrate Easter at The Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook, a serene lakeside retreat set on 88 acres of lush forest preserve. The hotel’s Easter Bunny Tea Party will next take place on April 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., including a prix fixe menu, Easter crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny. (That bunny might be more tired than the workers at The Florentine.) Seating is limited with tickets at $50 per adult and $25 per child, available on Tock.
—Adorn Bar & Restaurant will celebrate Easter Sunday with an elegant brunch buffet featuring delicious breakfast bites, crafted sweets and pastries. The experience will also include a visit from the Easter Bunny, a balloon artist and live entertainment. Additionally, each adult guest will receive a glass of Provence Rose with the ticket. Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling 312-799-3322; prices are $95-$275 per person.