Philadelphia Easter Brunch Round Up

Whether you've been at church all morning decked out in your Sunday best, or just crawled out of bed wearing sweatpants, you deserve to eat something awesome for Easter brunch. On any regular old Sunday, Philadelphia restaurants and cafes already serve delicious plates of savory and sweet breakfast treats, but on Easter, they really pull out the big guns. Out of the dozens of restaurants offering brunch specials and buffets this weekend, we've handpicked a select group – some favorite standbys and a few wildcards – that are sure to put a food-dazed smile on your face.

Sophia's
Sophia's, located in the old Salt + Pepper space on Passyunk Ave., is launching their new brunch service this Sunday from 10:30am-2pm (they'll serve brunch at this time every Saturday and Sunday from there on out). Chef Chef Christopher Lee is compiling a first-rate menu, including poached eggs with corned beef hash, peppers and fontina cheese sauce; brioche French toast with bananas, brown sugar and toasted walnuts; and for the hungrier among us, a burger with aged brie, bacon, grilled onions and honey mustard sauce. In addition to classic brunch drinks, Sophia's bar will have a special Easter-inspired cocktail on deck: a carrot mimosa with carrot juice, Aperol and Prosecco.

Matyson
If you're lucky enough to snag a table in this cozy Center City BYOB, you'll be handsomely rewarded. From 10:30am-2pm on Sunday, they'll be dishing up all their most popular brunch-y items, like fried chicken with Korean chile sauce on a scallion waffle, topped with a fried egg, and a homemade brisket egg and cheddar sandwich on sesame brioche. There will also be a number of specials available created that morning with the freshest produce in their delivery. Don't forget to bring a bottle of bubbly to jazz up fresh squeezed OJ, or vodka to go along with Matyson's house-made bloody mary mix!

Tashan
You might not think of an upscale Indian restaurant as a likely place to find Easter brunch, but Tashan's got a whole special event lined up for Sunday. From 11am-3pm, Chef Sylva Senat will set up a buffet of his favorite items off the brunch menu (think house made organic chicken vindaloo sausage and coconut anise pancakes with fresh berries). There will also be interactive chef stations, where Tashan's kitchen crew will prepare a variety of cold and hot dishes to order. For those wishing to imbibe,the $24 per person price also includes one mimosa or bloody mary. Bonus: kids under 10 eat half price, and children under 5 eat for free! They are also offering free valet service, so there's no need to stress finding parking on Broad Street.

Farmicia
While they're not offering a special Easter brunch menu, per se, the brunch at Farmicia is already special enough to warrant a mention here. A long time favorite on the Old City restaurant scene "The Farm," as it's known to regulars, has been doing the farm-to-table, fresh and organic thing long before it was a city-wide trend. The expansive brunch menu includes everything from loaded nachos, to brioche French toast, to lox and eggs, to Amish cheddar grits with country pork sausage. Vegetarians are also accounted for, with options like scrambled tofu with vegan chorizo sausage, and grilled brie with pesto on baguette. Farmicia has a fully stocked bar, but is also a BYOB – so between the beverage flexibility and the epic menu, everyone in your party should be able to find satisfaction. Brunch runs from 10am-3pm, and for early birds, a more limited breakfast menu is available from 8:30-10am.

Iron Hill Brewery Chestnut Hill
If you want to escape the crush of the city for a calmer suburban vibe, Iron Hill Brewery in Chestnut Hill has a special Easter brunch menu from 11am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Pair pints of their fresh, made-on-site beer (try the Kaffee IPA, brewed with La Colombe coffee!) with a wide variety of options, ranging from oysters on the half shell, to a blue crab omelette with guacamole, tomatoes and swiss, to a carved pineapple glazed ham accompanied by pineapple casserole, haricot verts, and twice baked smashed potatoes.The little ones have their own menu, which includes the adorable-sounding Baby Benedict. Reservations are encouraged.

Spirit of Philadelphia
If you really want to get out of the city – and off dry land altogether – climb aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia for their annual Easter lunch cruise. A 3-course lunch buffet will be served, including a fresh salad station, tilapia filet, roasted chicken, pork loin, smoked mac and cheese, and a large selection of desserts. A DJ will be spinning tunes for dancing and the Easter Bunny will make an appearance for photos. Enjoy the fresh air and amazing views of Philadelphia from the outdoor decks. Boarding begins at 12:30pm and the cruise runs from 1-3pm. Tickets are $54.90 per adult and $32.95 per child age 3-12.