As we gather to celebrate spring and rebirth, restaurants toast the holiday (and the impending end of season) with decadent Easter brunches. Long buffet tables are filled with cornucopia-like displays of prime rib and glazed ham, chilled seafood and omelet stations. Dinner-only institutions open before noon with special menus that embrace seasonal ingredients, including rhubarb, asparagus, and tender lamb. And everywhere, you’ll find sweet treats to fill your plate, from kid-friendly candy eggs to elegant wild strawberry tarts to spiced carrot cake.
Angelina’s Ristorante, Bonita Springs
The seasonal à la carte brunch at Angelina’s features many of the same imported Italian ingredients (and fine wines from the 30-foot display tower) as the year-round dinner menu. For Easter, the Bonita Springs restaurant ups its ante, adding specials like rack of lamb with tangy eggplant caponata and king crab ravioli in citrus butter sauce to its menu, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BALEEN, Naples
The Easter Bunny greets guests from 8 a.m. to noon at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort’s holiday celebration. After your meet and greet with the man of the hour, settle into a table on or overlooking the beach for a $115 four-course brunch featuring dishes like oysters with Champagne mignonette, smoked salmon salad, duck confit and buttermilk waffles, and carrot cake.
The Catch of the Pelican, Naples
Naples Grande Beach Resort’s flagship restaurant beefs up its traditional Sunday brunch for Easter with an expanded buffet including carved tomahawk rib-eye and rum-glazed ham. Beyond the carving station, there are also cast-iron waffles, French-style omelets, towers of chilled seafood and a selection of small plates, like butter-braised scallops and broiled New Zealand lamb chops. Served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., brunch is $89 for adults, $45 for children under age 12, and free for kids ages 4 and younger, who can visit with the Easter Bunny.
Coast at Edgewater Beach Hotel, Naples
Start your seaside brunch with a complimentary glass of Champagne or mimosa, then browse the sumptuous buffet for made-to-order omelets and waffles, charcuterie, seafood, herb-crusted leg of lamb and other holiday favorites. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $130 for adults or $45 for children ages 12 and younger.
Del Mar, Naples
Fifth Avenue South’s buzzy new Mediterranean restaurant opens its doors for Easter brunch service from noon to 3 p.m. Added to the dinner menu are several specials, including pistachio babka French toast, harissa-spiced shakshuka, lobster scramble and a lamb burger with feta and roasted red pepper spread.
The French Brasserie Rustique, Naples
In true French fashion, chef Vincenzo Betulia embraces seasonality with his à la carte Easter specials, like asparagus and fava salad with poached duck egg and crispy prosciutto. Betulia’s Osteria Tulia is also running luxe brunch specials, including black truffle scrambled eggs and French toast with maple-saffron syrup. Brunch starts at 11:30 a.m.
Jungle Bird Authentic Tiki, Cape Coral
The tropical tiki oasis adds to its craft cocktail cachet with a $35 prime rib brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Along with the carved roast, you’ll find plenty of traditional breakfast fare, including smoked salmon, biscuits and gravy, stuffed French toast and strawberry-topped cheese blintzes, as well as bottomless mimosas for a $15 supplement.
Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro, Cape Coral
The Westin Cape Coral Resort’s elegant waterfront dining option serves a holiday buffet featuring smoked pastrami salmon, Belgian waffles, omelets, prime rib and a selection of desserts and petit fours. Served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., brunch is $99 for adults, $45 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for younger kids.
Ocean Prime, Naples
Restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s sleek steak-and-seafood restaurant opens for brunch at 11 a.m. on Easter. The special à la carte menu starts with cocktails, like a citrus-rhubarb mimosa, and warm cinnamon bread with cream cheese frosting, followed by lobster toast with avocado-pea puree, short rib and lobster claw surf and turf, and crab cakes Benedict.
Old Captiva House, Captiva Island
The flagship restaurant at ’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa hosts a buffet brunch. The celebratory spread includes chilled and hot seafood, roasts, salads and housemade desserts. Served from noon to 8 p.m., brunch is $70 for adults, $22 for children ages 10 and younger.
Oxbow Bar & Grill, Fort Myers
Soak in the views from the Luminary Hotel & Co.’s restaurant on a pier jutting out into the Caloosahatchee River. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the à la carte menu encourages diners to celebrate fully with bottomless mimosas, deviled eggs, and complimentary candy-stuffed Easter eggs for the little ones.
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
From sushi and chilled seafood to carved meats and a liquid nitrogen ice cream, the Easter buffet at The Ritz is a decadent experience. Along with stations to shave truffles over your eggs Benedict, there’s also a holiday-worthy dessert table featuring wild strawberry tarts, cookies-and-cream Easter eggs, salted caramel parfaits and miniature chocolate bundt cakes. Brunch is $140 for adults (plus $35 for the Bloody Mary and mimosa bar), $60 for children ages 12 and younger.
Sale e Pepe, Marco Island
Easter has sea breezes and elevated gulf views during this brunch at the Marco Island Beach Resort. The menu features plates like truffle-Parmigiano scrambled eggs, classic lasagna al ragù, braised lamb shank and family-style desserts, including pastiera, a traditional Italian Easter pastry with citrus and ricotta. Served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., brunch is $100 per person, including a complimentary Bloody Mary or mimosa; kids are half price (free under age 3).
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel Island
With four seatings between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m, the Easter Sunday buffet is a long-standing tradition at Sundial. Start with a selection of salads, deviled eggs and charcuterie, then indulge in eggs Benedict, waffles and pancakes, chilled seafood and selections from the carving station. Brunch is $65 for adults, $25 for children ages three and younger.
Tanglewood, Bonita Springs
The lobby restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point serves a lavish buffet with traditional carved meats like leg of lamb, peppered prime rib and Easter ham as the centerpiece. Round out the meal with made-to-order omelets, chilled seafood and a selection of desserts. Served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brunch is $125 for adults, $60 for children ages 5 to 12, free for kids under 4.
Thistle Lodge, Sanibel Island
Overlooking the Gulf, Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort hosts an Easter feast. Guests enjoy buffet-style appetizers, like snow crab legs, chilled Gulf shrimp and cream of asparagus soup, followed by two plated courses, such as pan-seared black grouper with Key lime beurre blanc, before ending with an assortment of miniature desserts and pastries. Served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., brunch is $62 for adults, $22 for children 10 and younger.