You finished the last of your corned beef and now, it’s time to hop to it!
Easter comes early in 2024. Though often — but not always — an April holiday, the lunar calendar puts Easter on March 31 this year. Though the early date may give way to cooler temperatures, firing up a hot stove might not sound like your idea of holiday fun. North Fork restaurants are offering menus full of Easter classics — scoring a table at one can feel like finding the golden egg. Speaking of which, reservations are a solid idea, as seats typically fill fast. To simplify your hunt, we curated a list of North Fork restaurants serving Easter brunch and dinner in 2024.
North Fork Table & Inn, 57225 Main Rd, Southold
The restaurant that had a farm-to-table menu before such things were trendy is offering an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eggs Benedict with lettuces from KK’s the Farm at Southold and a burger made from grass-fed beef from Acabonac Farms are among the choices this year. Farm stand veggies for the table, assorted pastries, seasonal fruits, and sweet treats will also be available. Reservations can be made online. It’s $75 for guests over 12 and $35 for those under 12.
Desmond’s Restaurant & Pub, 5720 Rte 25A, Wading River, 631-846-2335
Housed in East Wind, Desmond’s is hosting a brunch and dinner menu. Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and tiny tykes will adore the guest of honor — the Easter Bunny. Photo opportunities are on the menu. As for the traditional menu, it includes classics like French toast, made-to-order omelets, carving stations, and kiddie fare like chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese. $74.95 for people 13 and over, $34.95 for those 3-10.
A three-course dinner menu will be offered from 1 to 6 p.m. Choose from bright, spring-ready starters like roasted beet or baby spinach salads. Entrees include quintessential a lamb dish braised in a pomegranate demi glaze and a grilled salmon with a side of creamy risotto. Save room for treats like a vanilla sundae or a carrot cake bread pudding that’ll have the Easter Bunny hopping over from her photo duties for a bite! $69.95 per person.
The Halyard Restaurant, 58775 County Rd 48, Greenport, 631-477-0666
The restaurant, loved for its spacious waterfront deck that comes alive during the warm-weather months, is hosting an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The usual brunch menu will be available, but The Halyard Restaurant will also have some specials. A smoked salmon platter complete with capers, pickled shallots and an everything bagel is an authentically Long Island choice for Easter (or any) brunch. Satisfy a sweet tooth with soufflé pancakes topped with mixed fresh berries, a refreshingly tangy lemon whipped cream and warm maple syrup. A chocolate fondue puts candy bunnies to shame. Want to turn it into a bubbly affair? Bottomless mimosas are available for $30. Reservations can be made online.
Jedediah Hawkins Inn, 400 S Jamesport Ave, Riverhead, 631-722-2900
Nestled in an 1863 Italianate mansion not far from the beach, Jedediah Hawkins Inn’s approachable upscale restaurant makes for an elegant yet warm spot for Easter brunch. This year’s menu includes Crescent Farms duck wings, a rack of lamb and French toast. Local libations from Sparkling Pointe, Bedell and Raphael are also available.
Cooperage Inn, 2218 Sound Ave, Baiting Hollow, 631-727-8994
This warm restaurant with pot pies that soothe the soul is set in idyllic, cottage-like digs that make an Easter feast here feel similar to one you’d have at home. An all-day, special a la carte menu will mark the holiday. Didn’t get your corned beef fill on St. Patty’s Day? Corned beef egg rolls are an appetizer option alongside a roasted tomato bisque ideal for a March Easter celebration. The menu is subject to change but will likely include lamb and pot pie — naturally, on both counts. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone.
Long Island Aquarium, 431 E Main St, Riverhead, 631-208-9200
The Long Island Aquarium is loved for its array of seafaring creatures (and warm butterfly room). But the clown fish, sea lions and penguins will have a special visitor on Easter — the bunny herself. Little ones can wave hello. They can also keep busy with crafts or embark on a penguin egg hunt, free with admission and also happening on Saturday, March 30. Speaking of free, a ticket to visit with the Aquarium’s usual residents is included with the brunch fee ($77.57 for people 13 and up, $41.39 for ages 3-12 and $10.35 for ages 2 and under). The brunch will have classic fare like bagels, made-to-order omelet stations, and a carving station with traditional ham. Dessert is also on the table — think puddings and baked goods.
The Birchwood of Polish Town, 512 Pulaski St, Riverhead, 631-727-4449
This unfussy 1920s tavern with a tin roof and dark wooden furnishings will host Easter brunch and dinner buffets. It’s a for-all-ages affair. Carving stations include a sweet pineapple-glazed ham, lamb and a tender turkey that promises to be moist. Eggs and French toast are among the more traditional breakfast items. A kids’ station with chicken fingers, fries and meatballs will appeal to even the pickiest little ones. Seats are 90 minutes and offered from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Vine Street Café. 41 S Ferry Rd, Shelter Island, 631-749-3210
The idyllic surroundings in Shelter Island are what draws people to hop on the ferry and feel a world away from the hustle and bustle and everyday life. Vine Street Café’s cottage-style digs and amiable service set the table for just that. Loved for its fresh seafood, vino and farm-to-table dinner menus, Vine Street Café is opening its doors early for an Easter brunch. Seafaring fare will be on the menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — as will an eggs Benedict served hash browns with just the right amount of crisp and salt.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S Ram Island Dr, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
With some workplaces and schools closed from Holy Thursday through Easter, Ram’s Head Inn is holding extended dinner hours from Thursday to Friday (5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — an hour later than usual). It’ll also hold a weekend brunch during the usual spring hours from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regarding the latter, coffee, brunch cocktails, burgers and French toast are some of the many options. An Easter bunny visit may also be on the itinerary. For dinner, consider savory favorites – it’s barely spring, after all. Creamy chicken pot pie doused in gravy and topped with a flaky pouf pastry and a vegan Bolognese with mushrooms are soul-warming.
Bistro 72, 1830 W Main St, Riverhead, 631-369-3325
We’re not far off from the days of lounging by the pool while listening to live tunes and enjoying happy hour beside a fire pit at Hotel Indigo. In the meantime, its stylish farm-to-table Bistro 72 restaurant is serving a special a la carte Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Quintessential dishes include pancakes with fresh berries or chocolate chips and steak and eggs. Sweet tooths will adore the twist on French toast — the almond-crusted dish consists of a thick-cut brioche, vanilla and warm maple syrup. For lighter fare, opt for a yogurt parfait or melon and burrata salad that toes the line between breakfast and lunch.
