11 Easter brunches in the Houston area that stand out from the crowd
Brunch is a popular weekend ritual for many Houstonians, but when holidays such as Easter roll around, planning ahead is even more important.
At Houston’s best restaurants, there’s no shortage of options. Chefs specializing in seasonal cooking with springtime ingredients, Southern comfort fare or creative riffs on French cooking are just a few examples of what’s available for Easter this year.
Some of the options here are more family-friendly while others are among the best patio spots in town to take advantage of moderate weather before summer rolls in. Easter celebrations can veer on the traditional side or more out-of-the-box (we’re never turning down dim sum). There’s one common theme, however: So many restaurants, so little time.
Brennan’s
A slice of New Orleans can be found in Midtown along Smith Street, where Brennan’s sits in a brick building modeled after the 1795 Rillieux House (where the original location of the legendary restaurant calls home in the Big Easy). It’s no surprise to find silky turtle soup or other Creole specials like pan-seared Gulf flounder. Between April 7-9, there will be events ranging from a family-friendly brunch with an Easter bunny to actual bunnies brought in from local Boling Bunny Farms. 3300 Smith; brennanshouston.com
Goode Company
Pit-smoked ham, twice-baked potato casserole, bourbon pecan cinnamon rolls — all served in the comfort of your own home without the hassle of dealing with restaurant reservations (or finding parking). The Goode Company restaurant group has put together Easter meal kits ($195) that feed six to eight people. Most of the courses require a bit of time in the oven, but just consider that as more time to spend with friends and family in the kitchen and around the table. goodeeaster.com
Hugo’s
When James Beard Awardwinning chef Hugo Ortega opened his namesake restaurant in the heart of Montrose, Houstonians were still raising their eyebrows at prices for authentic Mexican dishes that weren’t simply tacos from a truck or heaping plates of fajitas at their favorite Tex-Mex joint. Ortega soldiered on and today the Sunday buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is one of the most popular in town (reservations are recommended). The buffet, $55 per diner and $15 for children, includes moles, tortillas, tres leches cake and seasonal dishes all made from scratch. There will be live music by the house band Viento as well. 1600 Westheimer; hugosrestaurant.net
Kenny & Ziggy’s
A New York-style deli isn’t easy to find in Houston, but if there’s one restaurant people beeline to for smoked fish atop bagels, chopped liver or towering slices of cheesecake, Kenny & Ziggy’s is it. This new location is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The sprawling space, which feels like a facsimile of the Big Apple’s iconic Carnegie Deli, with its booths and bright lights, can accommodate large groups. 1743 Post Oak Blvd.; kennyandziggys. com
Le Jardinier
At one of the most stunning dining rooms in town, the French-leaning and vegetable-forward Le Jardinier is serving a three-course Easter brunch menu ($140). Whether diners choose from a poached Gulf shrimp or spiced-roasted lamb, this special-occasion restaurant won’t hold back on luxurious touches like top-notch wine pairings and caviar supplements. If the view of the Noguchi-designed Cullen Sculpture Garden inspires, the art museum is steps away. 5500 Main; lejardinier-houston.com
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
The swanky oyster bar restaurant with comforting American classics — think raw seafood towers, burgers, gumbo — is not reinventing the brunch game. Whether diners go for the salmon lox Benedict or lobster avocado toast on Easter Sunday, this is a reliable favorite in town that’s great for imbibing a few cocktails on a lazy weekend. Multiple locations; libertykitchenoysterette.com
Lucille’s
Much of chef Chris Williams’ menu at this popular Museum District establishment is an ode to his maternal great-grandmother Lucille Bishop Smith. Many of the classics, fluffy chili biscuits and crisp fried chicken served with smoked mashed potatoes, are a study in Southern comfort fare. But the restaurant still feels fresh, with more creative dishes like oxtail tamales and grilled octopus with green coconut curry. Brunch is a scene here, so reservations are recommended. 5512 La Branch; lucilleshouston.com
Navy Blue
Aaron Bludorn’s modern seafood restaurant Navy Blue in Rice Village is one of the most sought-after reservations in town, and Easter Sunday promises to be no different. Holiday specials, served 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., include house-smoked salmon served with jumbo asparagus and a poached egg topped with bearnaise sauce as well as a springtime morel omelet. 2445 Times Blvd.; navybluerestaurant.com
Pier 6
This bayside destination may be a trek for those living inside the Loop, but diners are rewarded with some of the best seafood around — from oysters to raw and fried seafood platters to freshly caught snapper. During Easter brunch, the dining room and outdoor spaces will be complemented with festive décor. Wine specials, such as a $20 bottle of chardonnay, can be paired with menu staples like BBQ shrimp and grits. 113 Sixth, San Leon; pier6seafood.com
Regal Seafood House & Lounge
Dim sum is a weekend ritual for many people, with its endless parade of bamboo steamer baskets and round metal containers filled with bite-size shrimp dumplings, delicate rice rolls and warm custard-filled buns. This Cantonese restaurant in Sugar Land is one of the best spots in town for the “Chinese brunch” — in reality, it’s an all-day affair meant for sipping tea and enjoying a few snacks in many parts of China — that’s ideal for groups. Pro tip: order the Fire Duck for a bit of flair; it’s set aflame before being carved tableside. 1531 Texas 6, Sugar Land; regalseafoodtx. com
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
This Tex-Mex favorite will bring back its Sunday brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The holiday all-you-can-eat feast ($30 for adults and $12 for children younger than 12) is full of breakfast and lunch favorites, including comforting huevos rancheros, sizzling beef fajita tacos and enchiladas blanketed in cheese. Multiple locations; sylviasenchiladas.com