Easter brunch in Chicago

Ampersand Wine Bar is usually only open for dinner, but this Easter, the bar will open early with a special brunch menu. Enjoy dishes like hot smoked salmon with charred cippolinis and poached eggs or braised beef cheek hash with roasted pepper crème fraiche and onion jam. Brunch will be available 11am–2pm, and reservations can be made by calling 773-728-1697.

For a kid-friendly Easter brunch, River Roast has just the thing. Pick from some of chef Tony Mantuano's traditional comfort dishes (think hand-carved roasts, Belgian waffles and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar). Plus, there will be a local blues band playing live music and an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. The brunch costs $55 for adults, $15 for kids 5–12 years old and free for kids under 4 years old.

Try chef Ryan McCaskey's creations at this Easter buffet. A fine-dining buffet? Yep, that's right. McCaskey's brunch menu will draw inspiration from his childhood Easter brunches at Chez Paul. You'll be able to pick from dishes like seared foie gras, lobster eggs Benedict and brioche French toast. Tickets are available on Tock for $85 per adult and $35 per child.

Sixteen always has the ultimate experience when it comes to Easter brunch, and this year is no different. For the adults, dishes like sea bass with olive tapenade and smoked duck with orange chili glaze will be available (plus, there's a Bloody Mary bar). For the kids, Sixteen will host a visit from the Easter bunny, an Easter egg hunt and a mini petting zoo with ducks and chicks. The brunch is $165 for adults and $50 for children. Reservations can be made by calling 312-588-8030.

Family-style is the name of the game at GT Fish & Oyster this year. Pick from communal dishes like buttermilk pancakes, fried chicken and waffles (one of our favorites) and a crab Benedict with Swiss chard and hollandaise. You'll also get a wealth of sides like crepe cake, applewood smoked bacon and country potatoes to round out the meal. Tickets are $45 per person and $25 for kids 12 and under.

Dishes like spring lamb hash, lobster scramble and fried chicken are on deck at Nico Osteria's prix fixe Easter brunch this year. But first, you'll start with stuffed apple pancakes and burrata and a selection of pastries to choose from in one of our favorite Gold Coast restaurants. Brunch will be available 9am–4pm and costs $70 per person.

Ready for a champagne-heavy brunch with a side of Mariah? Kit Kat Lounge is serving a prix fixe menu with mimosas, pink champagne, sangria and bloody martinis plus cheddar biscuits, a salad and dishes like chicken and waffles and a croque monsieur. Diva Madam X will also be there for entertainment, with impersonations as female pop stars, songstresses and Hollywood icons. The meal will be served from 11am to 4pm for $39.95 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 773-525-1111.

Fancy a traditional Sardinian Easter brunch this year? Spiaggia's got it. The menu will be served family-style (a homage to holiday feasts in Italy) with wine pairings from chef Rachael Lowe. You'll also get a side of history with this meal, as chefs Tony Mantuano and Joe Flamm will be talking through Sardinian history and the inspiration behind each course.

Omelets, seafood and Peking duck are all on the menu for Easter brunch at Sunda. The meal will be served buffet-style, with an appearance from the Easter bunny himself for photo opportunities with the kids. Brunch will be available 10:30am–2:30pm and costs $55 per person.

This Easter, you can enjoy a traditional Catalan feast at Mercat a la Planxa with dishes like a stuffed lamb leg with spiced carrot puree and sautéed asparagus or a brazo gitano (a Spanish cake roll with candied walnuts and strawberry jam). Brunch will be available 10am–3pm, and reservations can be made by calling 312-765-0524.

When it comes to brunch, Chicago takes the meal to another level. Brunch at the best Chicago restaurants means inventive takes on eggs Benedict, perfectly done brunch classics like waffles and pancakes and well-crafted Bloody Marys to kick-start your day. And it's not just restaurants—some of the best bars in Chicago also serve up noteworthy brunches. And for any brunch haters out there, we have one word: breakfast.