Where to Celebrate Easter Sunday in Chicago

Although Easter falls on April Fool’s day this year, one thing Chicagoans can agree on most is the anticipation for nicer weather and food across the city. Locals are invited to usher in the warmth and feast on restaurant and hotel specials including Easter bunny meet and greets, international takes on the holiday’s traditions, and bottomless bubbles all happening on Easter Sunday, April 1.

A Peter Cottontail Easter Affair

White City Ballroom, Chicago Athletic Association hotel (12 S. Michigan Ave.)

·         Join Peter Cottontail on his journey to the historic White City Ballroom at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. With views overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan’s blue horizon, guests of all ages are invited to dine with family and friends underneath a ceiling of 167 twinkling stalactite lights. With a traditional culinary program from Executive Chef Christian Ragano and Banquet Chef Josh Miyake, menu items include omelets, cheese and charcuterie, smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail as well as a carving station and more brunch favorites. In addition to delicious eats, guests can indulge in the bottomless Bloody Mary or Mimosa bar.

·         Children of all ages are welcome to adventure through the game and story area of this annual Easter Brunch with activities including storytelling, face painting, Easter egg hunt, and photos with Peter Cottontail himself. As part of the hotel’s commitment to storytelling and shared experience, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel celebrates its ongoing partnership with Working in the School (WITS) by hosting a book drive during our annual Easter brunch. Donations of books for reading levels ranging from K-6th grade are encouraged.

·         The annual Easter celebration within the historic walls of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, takes place 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, costs $100 per adult (includes a glass of rosé) and $45 per child (complimentary for children under 5 years-old). Guests may reserve a spot at the White City Ballroom brunch at www.easteratcaa.com.

A Bountiful Easter Brunch Buffet

Howells & Hood (435 N. Michigan Ave.)

·         Howells & Hood dishes up Easter brunch buffet, complete with a charcuterie & cheese station, seasonal fruit and berries, croissants, chilaquiles, French toast sticks, deviled Easter eggs, and more. Guests can create at the omelet station, with toppings such as Applewood bacon, Esposito sausage, wild mushrooms, veggies, cheeses, and more, or grab a slab of meat at the carving station filled with country ham and prime rib. For a sweet fix, brunch-goers can grab mini red velvet cupcakes, coconut key lime tartlets, and salted pistachio brittle.

·         Unlimited Easter brunch buffet is available from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 1 for $39 per person. Reservations are available here.

Easter Extravaganza

I|O Godfrey at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago (127 W. Huron St.)

·         This Easter Sunday, I|O Godfrey invites hungry bunnies big and small to brunch at the year-round rooftop restaurant and lounge. With sweeping views of the cityscape in rain or shine thanks to the space’s retractable glass roof, I|O Godfrey provides an airy and bright setting for a family gathering around the decadent buffet brunch, which includes omelets, a carving station, waffles, and more brunch favorites. 

·         Kids can enjoy fun activities in the space, such as an Easter face-painting station, an egg hunt, and a dedicated play room so that parents can relax and enjoy a Mimosa or one of Executive Chef Nathaniel Cayer’s kitchen cocktails, like a Rainbow Sangria. The Easter Bunny himself will also be present at the event for photo opportunities and visits. 

·         The Easter celebration, taking place 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on April 1, costs $39 per adult and $12 per child. Guests may reserve a spot at the rooftop brunch at godfreyeaster.com. 

Prime Easter Dinner

Lawry’s The Prime Rib (100 E. Ontario St.)

·         Celebrate the end of the Lenten season and beginning of spring in the former McCormick Mansion. Guests are invited to go big with a prime rib dinner on Easter Sunday, complete with Easter eggs and a jelly bean count. Diners can feast on traditional menu items like Lawry’s Famous Prime Rib, Atlantic Salmon and Lobster, the famous Spinning Bowl Salad, and Yorkshire Pudding.

·         Lawry’s will be open from 3:30-8 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1. Reservations can be made by calling 312.787.5000 or online here.

A Gold Coast Easter Brunch

Maple & Ash (8 W. Maple St.)

·      This year for Easter, Maple & Ash, the Gold Coast steakhouse invites guests to a special Easter Brunch featuring Maple & Ash staples and a few fun surprises. Celebrate the holiday with Executive Chef Danny Grant’s Slow Roasted Lamb along with Fire Roasted Seafood Towers, chef-manned pancake stations, carving stations, an exceptional Easter sweets table and of course, bottomless bubbles.

·      Sunday Brunch at Maple & Ash is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Easter Brunch is priced at $90 per person, with the option to add unlimited bubbles for an additional $25. Reservations can be made on OpenTable, or by calling the restaurant at 312.944.8888. 

Easter from Sun Up to Sundown

Mercat a la Planxa (638 S. Michigan Ave.)

·         South Loop Spanish restaurant Mercat a la Planxa celebrates Easter with Barcelonan lamb and seafood-focused specials, in addition to their regular menu. Dishes like lamb paella with bomba rice, paella d’ mariscos with scallops and clams, and roasted leg of lamb decorate the kitchen with Spanish staples for Easter, prepared by Barcelonan native Chef Diego Amat. Special desserts are offered as well, like sponge cake filled with chantelli cream and chocolate fondant atop mocha ice cream.

·         All menu specials will be available for brunch and dinner from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1. Guests can make reservations by calling 312-765-0524.

The Peruvian Easter

Tanta (118 W. Grand Ave.)

·      On Sunday, April 1, celebrate Easter the Peruvian way at Tanta, with an array of South American fare featuring Executive Chef Jesus Delgado’s Easter specials.

·      Tanta’s Easter specials include Choros Escabechados featuring pickled mussels in an aji amarillo sauce with olive oil and chalaca; Aji de Scallops y Garbanzos with seared scallops, aji amarillo sauce, chickpeas and chard stew and La Chuleta de Cordero y Carapulcra an Easter specialty of grilled lamb chops in a rosemary and wine reduction with a sundried potato stew.

·         Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the restaurant at 312.222.9700 or by visiting www.tantachicago.com. 

Color Your World with Easter Brunch

The Langham, Chicago (330 N. Wabash Ave.)

·         Dress in your Sunday best and step into a world of watercolor and imagination with The Langham, Chicago’s annual brunch, complete with the Easter Bunny and more. Set throughout the hotel’s second floor, families are invited to join the tradition and holiday festivities on Sunday, April 1^st as the hotel’s Executive Chef Damion Henry collaborates with his team to present guests with a medley of holiday-themed gourmet chef buffet stations. Featured sample dishes include: Poached Eggs Benedict, Caramel Pecan French Toast with Chantilly Cream, and Vanilla Pearl Sugar Belgian Waffles. While indulging in the Easter Buffet, parents can sit back and enjoy the relaxing music of a live band, while the children have fun with the on-site magician, balloon animal artist, and the Easter Bunny. Guests will be welcomed to the hotel by a blooming egg tree decked out with glitter eggs to take home as mementos. Children and adults alike will delight in the create-your-own cupcake station and candy cart.

·         In addition, Executive Pastry Chef Scott Green will be displaying four intricate, holiday-themed colorful egg sculptures that he will create from chocolate and sugar. Too beautiful to eat, these elaborate masterpieces will be showcased throughout the hotel. The three small Easter eggs will be named “Cluck”: a chicken-themed egg, “Targaryen”: an intricate dragon-themed egg in homage to Game of Thrones, and “Oeuf d’Or”: based on the fable of the goose that laid the golden egg. The largest egg – inspired by impressionist paintings – will feature a watercolor palette and technique in its finishing application.

·         Seating available from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Adults are $155 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and children up to 12 years old are $50 each (exclusive of tax and gratuity), ages four and under eat for free. To make reservations, please call 312.923.7705 or visit www.langhamhotels.com/chicago.

Brunchin’ with the Easter Bunny

The Signature Room (875 N. Michigan Ave.)

·         Families can visit with the Easter Bunny and enjoy brunch in the clouds at The Signature Room this Easter. Executive Chef Cardel Reid presides over an extensive buffet menu, including a Starters Buffet with chilled seafood, salad, charcuterie, fresh fruit, soup, and more. Chef-attended stations carve up Roasted Leg of Lamb and prepare Customized Omelets, and entrées vary from Steak & Eggs to Vegetable Parmesan Lasagna.

·         Easter brunch is served from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, April 1 for $80 per adult, and $35 per child, excluding tax and gratuity. Children under the age of three eat for free. Pricing includes one glass of Signature Room Sparkling Wine and choice of soda, juice, coffee, and tea. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 312.280.0465. The restaurant is open for regular dinner service from 6-9:30 p.m.

Got Spring Fever?

Upstairs at The Gwen at The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel (512 N. Rush St.)

·         This Easter, The Gwen hops into spring with holiday specials.  On April 1, guests can enjoy all-day specialty menu items from Executive Chef Matt Jergens, including Slagel Family Farm Lamb Tartar ($16) with harissa aioli and ras el hanout fried potatoes; Lamb Porterhouse and Merguez ($32) with spring greens, lamb tallow popover, and nasturtium ravigote; and Lamb Ragu ($24) with pappardelle, rabe, and parmesan. For dessert, guests can indulge in the Butterscotch Pot De Crème ($8) with espresso gelee and chocolate shortbreads.

·         Throughout the weekend, Upstairs at The Gwen offers a specialty cocktail, the Spring Fever ($16). Offered March 30 – April 1, the Spring Fever includes pisco, blue curaco, egg whites, lime juice, angostura bitters, and simple syrup.

·         Guests can make reservations at Upstairs at The Gwen by calling 312.645.1500 or visiting www.thegwenchicago.com/dining.

A Ritz-Carlton, Chicago Easter Extravaganza

Torali Italian - Steak (160 E. Pearson St.)

·      Celebrate Easter Sunday with loved ones this year with a Chef-stationed brunch at the newly revitalized and renovated Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.  With seatings at 10am, 12:30pm and 3pm, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago in conjunction with Torali Italian – Steak offers guests a special Easter brunch with live entertainment, activities for children and of course, the Easter Bunny. Highlights of the extensive global menu feature various chef-driven stations including Fruits de Mer featuring Snow Crab Claws & Gulf Shrimp, Taste of Asia with made to order sushi, Torali Creations, Local Butcher & Cheese Market with a selection of artisanal cheeses, Farmer’s Market Stand, Carving Stations featuring Dry Rubbed Whole Spring Lamb, Cuban Style Whole Pork Loin and whole roasted fish, made to order omelets and seasonal Easter desserts.

·      The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago’s Easter brunch is $155 per adult and $52 per child exclusive of tax & gratuity. To make reservations, please call 312.573.5160, email info@toralichicago.com or visit www.toralichicago.com, a credit card is required at the time of booking.