Whether you crave an all-you-eat buffet or a relaxed a-la-carte menu, the point is that you won’t be cooking this Easter if you visit a local restaurant. Many local restaurants pull out all the stops for Easter (this year it’s Sunday, April 9) and ensure no one leaves hungry. While reservations aren’t always required, they are more than suggested because tables do tend to fill up.
1. Benson’s Restaurant Group
TIMES VARY | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
From ‘ritas to smoked ‘cue, this restaurant group has several options on Easter. Its newest restaurant, The Bridgewater Modern Grill in the Harbor District, is serving a hearty brunch (featuring stuffed French toast and braised lamb hash) while the Third Ward’s Onesto’s Italian flair extends to Florentine frittata. Blue Bat Kitchen’s “global brunch” and Smoke Shack’s Brew City Biscuits Brunch will be offered on Easter, too. Both are in the Third Ward.
Reservations recommended.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
2. CAVAS
11 A.M. AND 1:30 P.M. | 401 E. ERIE ST.
Hosting only five tables per sitting, this Latin-American restaurant’s set brunch menu ($49) offters an intimate Easter brunch. Spanning three courses, with cocktails for an extra fee, the menu includes two savory dishes (potatoes with eggs, chorizo and Manchego and more, topped with avocado and a side of salsa; and a shrimp, beer and cream soup) before ending on a sweet note, with French toast weaving in bananas, dulce de leche and brandy.
Reservations recommended.
3. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
11 A.M.-9 P.M. | 15665 W. BLUEMOUND ROAD, BROOKFIELD
The steakhouse’s three-course menu ($85-$95—served all day long—folds in salad and dessert with the choice of an entrée: petite filet mignon with either lobster tail scampi or crab-stuffed shrimp scampi. As this place is known for its extensive wine list, pick out a bottle to share with your table. Despite just two choices for each course, it’s nothing but top quality, including the dessert: will it be cheesecake (with strawberry red-wine sauce) or chocolate gooey butter cake?
Reservations recommended.
4. Lowlands Group
8 A.M.-2 P.M. OR 9 A.M.-3PM (VARIES BY LOCATION)
This collection of restaurants including Centraal Grand Café & Tappery (Bay View), Café Benelux (Third Ward), Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club (Wauwatosa), Café Hollander (Brookfield, Mequon, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa) is rolling out Easter brunch Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9. These are items not normally on the menu, like chorizo breakfast sliders (Café Hollander) or braised lamb benedict (Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club). Of course, each eatery’s Belgian biers will also be on tap, along with Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
Reservations recommended.
5. Lupi & Iris
9 A.M.-2 P.M. | 777 N. VAN BUREN ST.
One of last year’s restaurant openings is hosting its first Easter meal, with a three-course menu for either brunch ($50 adults, $25 children) or dinner ($75 adults, $35 children). There’s even a chef’s-counter option for dinner. Just like any other day, the menu skews Mediterranean, such as soup au pistou (from Provence, France), trofie al pesto (a Genovese specialty), branzino fish and char-grilled Spanish octopus.
Reservations required with a pre-paid reservation fee ($25-$75).
6. Motor Bar & Restaurant
10 A.M.-3 P.M. | 401 W. CANAL ST.
Tucked into the Harley-Davidson Museum Campus, this year’s brunch folds in an Easter-egg hunt at 1 p.m. as well as photo opps with the Easter bunny all morning long. Dishes on the brunch menu (served every Sunday) range from bacon avocado toast to a “hog wild” breakfast bowl, as well as a Little Trikes Breakfast plate and cocktails for the adults.
Reservations recommended.
7. Potawatomi Casino Hotel
10 A.M.-3 P.M. | 1721 W. CANAL ST.
Butter-poached lobster salad, cracked crab claws, a charcuterie display and French toast topped with brandied cherry compote are among the most unique items on the Easter brunch buffet ($70 adults, $20 children), although you’ll also find traditional eats like scrambled eggs, yogurt parfaits and bacon. It’s served in the Event Center and cocktails are available for purchase ($5).
Reservations recommended.
8. Shully’s Cuisine and Events
146 GREEN BAY RD., THIENSVILLE
Designed to be picked up on either April 7 or April 8 and reheated at home, this catering company features eight Easter-brunch entrees (from pulled smoked ham to red-velvet pancakes) plus an order of pastel-hued French macarons or fresh fruit as an option. Tack on a Mimosa kit and you may not have to run to the store at all.
Orders due April 7.
9. The Bartolotta Restaurants
TIMES VARY | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
What’s unique about this restaurant group’s seven eateries (Bacchus, Harbor House and Lake Park Bistro, Milwaukee; Joey Gerard’s, Greendale; Ristorante Bartolotta, Wauwatosa) is that two of them (Mr. B’s in Brookfield and Mequon) serve brunch and dinner on Easter. Per tradition, the restaurant group also operates a lavish Easter brunch buffet with a fixed price at Grain Exchange ($69.95 adults, $23.95 children) and Italian Community Center ($54.95 adults, $19.95 children). Peruse the Easter brunch offerings here.
Reservations recommended.
10. The Brick Pub and Grill
10 A.M.-2 P.M. | 6343 N. GREEN BAY AVE., GLENDALE
On the Easter brunch buffet ($24.95 adults, $12.95 children) are traditional eats such as green-bean casserole, turkey and gravy, and sliced ham along with breakfast delicacies like omelets, pancakes, French toast, and sausage and bacon.
Reservations recommended.
11. The Capital Grille
10 A.M.-2 P.M. | 310 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
Among the Easter Brunch specialties—served a la carte—at this steakhouse are lobster frittata with butter-poached lobster tails, 14-ounce bone-in dry aged New York strip and eggs, and smoked salmon and caviar (a new introduction to the restaurant’s annual feast). Tack on a Mimosa or flute of Champagne. There’s also a dedicated brunch menu for kids and the regular dinner menu will be served during brunch as well.
Reservations recommended.
12. The Pfister Hotel
STARTS AT 9 A.M. | 424 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Served in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, the Easter brunch menu ($79 adults, $29 children) features an “artisanal bread display,” “a sculpted ice & seafood display” and brunch entrees and sides (such as smoked hickory bacon and Moscato-peach roasted duck breast), as well as omelets made to order and a carving station. A dessert spread is also included, with three gluten-free options.
Reservations recommended.
13. Tre Rivali
10 A.M.-2 P.M. | 200 N. BROADWAY
This street-level restaurant inside The Journeyman Hotel plans to serve up an Easter brunch buffet ($65 adults, $25 children) that starts with pastries, fruits, yogurt parfaits and deviled eggs before getting into the heavier offerings (waffle bar, bacon and sausage, roasted leg of lamb, honey ham and more) with some leafy greens and meat-less options, too.
Reservations recommended.
