Easter in London 2024: Where to eat on the Easter weekend

An underrated occasion on the culinary calendar, Easter promises so much for gourmands to get excited about. For chocoholics and those with a sweet-tooth it almost surpasses Christmas with the plethora of treats that ensue. Here at SquareMeal we believe firmly that from the arrival of Mini Eggs on shop shelves it becomes acceptable to indulge in a daily hot cross bun (lathered in butter of course) and a helping of chocolate – just so long as it’s egg or bunny shaped – at every meal. Of course for those in the midst of a chocolate ban for Lent the temptation is even stronger, but rest assured the satisfaction will be even sweeter when Good Friday comes around and the Easter bunny delivers.

It’s at this time of year that we breathe a sigh of relief as the weather starts to takes a turn for the better and London restaurants start boasting a profusion of springtime ingredients. Roast lamb is offered in various guises on just about every menu and British produce is arguably at its finest with the arrival of early asparagus, brassicas, artichokes, beets, rhubarb and Jersey Royals. Lighter, fresher dishes start to usurp the heartier winter stews and comfort food classics that got us through the winter months and our beige diets are replaced by a welcome splash of colour and an abundance of green.

Compared to Christmas there’s thankfully less pressure on Easter Day to be the perfect family occasion but it takes planning nonetheless and often it creeps up on us before we know it. Rather than a mad dash around the supermarket to pull together a crowd-pleasing feast, why not eat out this year and let a restaurant do the hard work for you? We've rounded up the best Easter menus in London this year to entice you to put away your pots and pans and give you delicious things to do Easter weekend.

Best Easter menus in London

Whether it's special Easter set menus over the weekend or a la cartes that are perfect for a celebration, these are the restaurants we would book in a heartbeat if we were going all out on a celebration for Easter weekend.

The Midland Grand Dining Room, King's Cross

What: An absolute corker of a dining room (Grade-I listed, don’t you know) is a good enough reason to visit The Midland Grand at any time of year, but it isn’t just a pretty face, the food is exceptional too. Expect a lovely bit of lamb around Easter (the regular Sunday menu features a beautiful lamb navarin to share, for example).
Where: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2AR
Book now: The Midland Grand Dining Room

Quo Vadis, Soho

What: We don’t need an excuse to plonk ourselves onto a Quo Vadis red leather banquette, but Easter provides a good reason for a visit, especially when you know there’s bound to be a lovely slice of pink lamb on the menu (or one of those excellent pies). It'd be a shame not to also explore some excellent Quo Vadis staples too, like the famous eel sandwich, or baked salsify sticks buried under a mountain of Parmesan. It's not open on Sundays but the rest of Easter weekend is fair game.
Where: 26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Book now: Quo Vadis

Upstairs at Trinity, Clapham

What: The Michelin-starred downstairs restaurant at Trinity grabs most of the headlines, but Upstairs at Trinity is low-key just as brilliant. Trinity chef patron Adam Byatt can often be found manning the stoves upstairs, cooking easy-going delicious Mediterranean food. Upstairs at Trinity hosts well-priced set menus for occasions throughout the year, so we expect Easter dinner to be similarly superb.
Where: 4 The Polygon, SW4 0JG
Book now: Upstairs at Trinity

Cafe Murano, Covent Garden, Bermondsey and St James’s

What: Easter is, of course, also rather a big deal in Italy, so where better for a proper Italian feed-athon than Cafe Murano, which always delivers on great atmosphere and tasty food. Cafe Murano manages to be just the right amount more relaxed than flagship Murano, without compromising on the important things.
Where: 36 Tavistock Street, WC2E 7PB; 184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ; 33 St James’s Street, SW1A 1HD
Book now: Cafe Murano Covent Garden; Cafe Murano Bermondsey; Cafe Murano St James's

Hawksmoor, Various locations

What: Sue us for being obvious, but why wouldn’t you consider Hawksmoor if you want a great big celebration feed up? Easter, Christmas, Father’s Day… whatever the occasion, Hawksmoor delivers the goods. In this case, huge sharing beef roasts, grilled scallops and cheesy Tunworth mash.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Hawksmoor Borough

Kahani, Belgravia

What: For Easter with a little bit of a difference, head over to Peter Joseph’s Kahani in Chelsea. Another restaurant that regularly throws together interesting menus for special occasions throughout the year, Easter seems the perfect excuse to tuck into tandoori lamb chops with charred edges and plenty more besides. Plus, Kahani’s vegetarian menus make it extremely flexible for those veggies and vegans among you.
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
Book now: Kahani

Spring, Strand

Why: Unsurprisingly this restaurant really comes into its own at this time of year, and Spring always makes a beautiful space for a celebration. With Skye Gyngell at the helm, guests at Spring can rest assured that whatever they eat will be ethically sourced, sustainably produced, and downright delicious. The set lunch menu is undoubtedly the most affordable way to experience her food and evolves with the seasons to showcase ingredients at their absolute best. That said, if you're heading here over the weekend, you'll only find the a la carte on offer.
Where: Lancaster Place, WC2R 1LA
Book now: Spring

Hoppers, Soho, King's Cross and Marylebone

What: This popular Sri Lankan eatery makes for an excellent option for an alternative Easter Lamb feast with a speciality menu available at each of the three locations. Here, you'll find a set menu created by head chef Renjith which centres around the beloved Hoppers' lamb shank kari which features alongside the likes of chilli cheese dosas and mutton rolls. This menu will be available the entirety of Easter weekend, giving you plenty of time to pop on down. 
Where: 49 Frith Street, W1D 4SG; Pancras Square, N1C 4AG; 77 Wigmore Street W1U 1QE
Book now: Hoppers Soho; Hoppers King's Cross; Hoppers Marylebone

Easter Sunday lunch in London

If there is ever a good excuse to go out for a quality Sunday lunch, it's Easter Sunday. You can expect top class roasts at all the restaurants below, often with a bit of tableside theatre thrown in for good measure.

The Princess of Shoreditch, Shoreditch

What: This Shoreditch pub has long had an outstanding food reputation, and it remains one of the best places for a roast in East London. If you were hoping for something a little more civilised than the buzzy downstairs boozer, the dining room upstairs is a lovely place to while away an afternoon.
Where: 76-78 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE
Book now: The Princess of Shoreditch

Charlie’s at Brown’s, Mayfair

What: Nab a plush corner banquette and recline in the wood-panelled glory of Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel. Trinity chef patron Adam Byatt oversees the menu here, which is packed full of honest British cooking, albeit with a hefty dose of luxury (and a carvery trolley) thrown in.
Where: Brown’s Hotel, 33 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BP
Book now: Charlie’s at Brown’s

Butler's Restaurant at the Chesterfield Mayfair

What: There’s something about grand Regency-style hotel dining that really suits Easter, and Butler’s feels grand without being glitzy or stuffy. The cooking is classic, gutsy stuff, using fantastic producers across a menu of traditional British dishes. Butler's has a special Easter Sunday menu on this year, with a three-course roast on offer for just £75 a head, or £95 with a couple of glasses of wine included. 
Where: Chesterfield Mayfair, 35 Charles Street, W1J 5EB
Book now: Butler's Restaurant at the Chesterfield Mayfair

The Ritz, St James's

What: What could be more of a treat this Easter than a Michelin-starred meal with family and friends at The Ritz? A three-course Sunday lunch celebrates the finest British seasonal ingredients, delivered with The Ritz's usual panache and exquisite technique, and what’s more there's live music courtesy of the hotel's resident piano player. Children are welcome too, with bookings priced at £195 a head for adults and £95 a head for kids.
Where: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
Book now: The Ritz

The Game Bird at The Stafford, Mayfair

Why: For the traditionalists among you, the Sunday roast at The Game Bird at The Stafford is sure to tick all the boxes. Served in the beautiful plush interiors you can look forward to starters such as grilled mackerel or a Cobb salad, followed by classic roast lamb carved table side from the signature silver trolley and served with all the trimmings.
Where: 16-18 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NJ
Book now: The Game Bird at The Stafford

Market Brasserie, Greenwich

Why: If you're in the market for a nice Easter dinner but you're planning on eating a little later than lunch, Market Brasserie at the InterContinental London in Greenwich has you covered. Come 4pm, a magnificent carvery trolley rolls out into the dining room, loaded with beef roasting joints to be sliced and served at the table, with all the trimmings. Throw in a lovely view across the Thames and you've got a proper Easter celebration on your hands. 
Where: InterContinental London The O2, 1 Waterview Drive, SE10 0TW
Book now: Market Brasserie

Quality Chop House, Clerkenwell

What: Do you have a meaty Easter lined up? Dreaming of a juicy lamb joint to share with a pal, and some sort of crispy potato? Look no further than the beloved Quality Chop House, home to some of the best meat cookery in London, as well as one of the capital’s most iconic potato dishes. One helping of potato terrine and a lovely Suffolk lamb shoulder for two with mint sauce - that’ll do us nicely thanks.
Where: 92-94 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3EA
Book now: Quality Chop House

Blacklock, Various locations

Why: It’s a bold assertion for a restaurant to claim it serves a roast that’s 'almost as good as your Mum’s' but anyone who’s experienced Sunday lunch at Blacklock will know that it’s a justified one. Its Cornish lamb leg, roasted over open coals and English Oak, comes served with Yorkshire puddings, duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and an inimitable gravy that will have you scraping the plate.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Blacklock Soho

Rotunda, King's Cross

Why: We reckon Rotunda’s roast is a great way to spend any Sunday but if that seems too extravagant for your average weekend then why not make it an Easter treat. Start with chef’s choice of canapes and a glass of fizz to toast to the occasion then choose a starter and dessert to sandwich roast dry-aged Texel lamb leg sirloin with unlimited duck fat potatoes and all the trimmings.
Where: 90 York Way, N1 9AG
Book now: Rotunda

The Audley, Mayfair

What: Another beautiful public house, this attractive Mayfair spot doesn’t have much old boozer energy, but it’s a beautiful amalgam of dark timber, big windows and low lighting. The menu is just what you want too - banging roast dinners, a chocolate and pecan cake with whisky cream and loads of beers on tap.
Where: 41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX
Book now: The Audley

Easter Sunday brunch in London

Maybe you want to enjoy the Easter weekend in style without the heft of a full on roast? London's brunch gang are here to cater to your every need, from boozy afternoon brunches to sophisticated morning meet-ups over coffee and croissants.

The Wolseley, St James's

What: Where better for a big celebration brunch than this iconic breakfast spot? You can’t go wrong with the grand cafe-style menu, and the towering ceilings and famous geometric tiled floor are a sight to behold. Also an excellent choice for a spot of Easter afternoon tea in London, should you feel so inclined.
Where: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB
Book now: The Wolseley

Smith & Wollensky, Charing Cross

What: We love Smith & Wollensky’s sophisticated emerald leather bar stools and rich chestnut banquettes. It’s a beautiful dining room with bags of 1920s decadence, and there’s a hearty brunch menu to match on weekends that includes American steak house classics like a wedge salad, big sharing steaks, maple bacon waffles and buttermilk pancakes.
Where: 1-11 John Adam Street, WC2N 6HT
Book now: Smith & Wollensky

Mallow, Borough and Canary Wharf

What: Mallow’s plant-based brunches are ideal for anyone trying to take it easy after a bit of an Easter protein overload. The menu is a whistlestop international tour of global food, and bright, airy interiors make this a nice hangout on any day of the year.
Where: 1 Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE; 12 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9ZW
Book now: Mallow Borough; Mallow Canary Wharf

Maison Francois, St. James's

What: We’re always astonished by the quality and precision of the whole Maison Francois operation. Technically a breakfast menu (but who cares), Maison is the place to be for a special Easter brunch - chow down on eggs royale with caviar, the most perfect omelettes and stunning viennoiserie.
Where: 34 Duke Street, SW1Y 6DF
Book now: Maison Francois

HIDE, Mayfair

What: HIDE is a little more formal than the other brunch options on this list but it’s right up there with the best brunches in the city for our money. The baked goods are absolutely superb, and the rest of the menu has all based covered from seasonal fruit plates to French toast with blueberry compote, truffled scrambled eggs, crab crumpets and three types of caviar.
Where: 85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB
Book now: HIDE

If Easter only means one thing to you - chocolate - then we don't blame you! We've got Easter eggs galore - check out our list of the best Easter eggs to buy this year, or a special list of the best kid's Easter eggs.