Easter brunch NYC: The best family restaurants for Easter Sunday

The renovated Palm Court is offering three holiday–themed versions of their famous teas over Easter weekend, complete with a deluxe candy cart stocked with seasonal confections like chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, house–made marshmallows and candy eggs to satisfy little ones with sweet teeth. Among several afternoon tea options is a great one for kids: The Eloise Tea, named for the hotel's most famous (fictional) resident. Tots can indulge in a variety of sandwiches (among them cucumber and cream cheese, and organic PB&J), plus fresh-baked scones with double Devonshire cream and an assortment of cookies and cakes. "Hot hot" tea or an Eloise rootbeer float is an ideal accompaniment. $55 per child, includes candy bag ($10 per bag for adults).

Sophisticated Hilton offshoot Conrad invites families to hop on over to its Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Atrio, for a memorable Easter meal. On your way in, show the kids the 100-by-80-foot painting "Loopy Doopy" in the 15-story, glass-ceilinged lobby, then sit down to a basket of just-baked pastries served with butter and preserves. Adults get to choose from a variety of sophisticated entrée options like Spring Lamb Hash or a Truffle Croque-Madame, accompanied by a juice, coffee or tea and a cocktail while the younger set chows down on everything from silver dollar ricotta "hotcakes" to mini cheeseburgers. Try to snag a seat by the window to take in panoramas of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. 12:30–5pm; $60 per adult, children's menu a la carte.

The Billyburg cinema presents fairytale-themed brunch-and-a-movie specials throughout the month of April that appeal to filmgoers of all ages, kicking off with screenings of The Princess Bride over Easter weekend. Hop on over to the theater with little ones to spend the holiday afternoon as a family, complete with a hilarious flick and filling brunch options like burgers, tator tots and popcorn to munch as you watch. Before the credits roll, order up a root-beer float or sundae of vanilla soft serve, caramel, brownie, pralines and whipped cream to ensure a sweet ending. April 4–5 at 11:45am, $11. Ages 8 and up.

Make your Easter meal a decadent family affair at The Lambs Club, with special menus prepared by famed chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The swanky Midtown restaurant will serve a substantial feast with options for a prix-fixe brunch or family–style dinner. The brunch brings a selection of pastries and sides to the table for sharing, and each guests gets to select an entree, coffee or tea, and one juice or brunch cocktail to sip alongside. The family-style traditional lamb dinner is accompanied by four vegetable sides, house-made pita bread and spreads and desserts like fruit tarts, mini chocolate ganache cups and pastel macarons to match the spirit of springtime. Brunch 11am–3pm, dinner 4–9pm. Prix-fixe brunch $55 per adult, $35 per child; family-style dinner $89 per person.

Brunch at the Soho Grand's younger sibling provides a relaxing midday meal for the entire brood, plus entertainment for adults and the peanut gallery. Settle into a cozy booth or post up on a couch with a low table—comfortable seating keeps squirming to a minimum—then take turns at the buffet, overflowing with made-to-order Belgian waffles, baked ham, Waldorf salad and other savory sides, plus sweet treats like lemon verbena scones and Doughnut Plant doughnuts. After everyone's eaten their fill, Mom and Dad can indulge in endless cocktails ($20 extra) as they enjoy the live jazz music, while little ones head downstairs to the Grand Screen theater to take in a kid-friendly film. 11am–4pm; $35 for adults, $15 for children.

Let little ones follow the Easter bunny down the rabbit hole at this immersive Alice in Wonderland–themed café where the whole family can enjoy a whimsical brunch together. The Mad Hatter murals, Cheshire Cat tchotchkes and Queen of Hearts quotes will keep your kids busy until the food arrives. Grab a mixed berry crepe ($11) drizzled with homemade crème anglaise, or Alice's Curious French Toast with raspberry coulis, maple syrup and fresh berries. To make this dining experience truly authentic for the kids, try Alice's Mad Morning Tea ($22), featuring tea, a scone, poached eggs and granola with plain or vanilla yogurt. Keep an eye out for extra-special cakes, scones and cupcakes in honor of the springtime holiday. Brunch at Chapter I (Upper West Side) and Chapter II (Midtown) from 8am–3pm; Chapter III (Upper East Side) from 10am–3pm.

Sunday brunch at this high-rise hotel on Fifth Ave is much more than coffee and eggs. Families are welcomed into Measure Lounge for a newly introduced afternoon tea service with a special Easter-themed menu. On Sunday kids and parents will join in on an interactive sing-a-long with singer and jazz pianist Tina deVaron while enjoying a three-course meal. Tots get to try Hot Cross Scones with jame and clotted cream, then pick from yummy kid-friendly fare like egg rolls, quiche and French ham for their savory dish. They'll finish off burnch with sweets such as a carrot cupcake, cheescake-filled strawberries and Easter profiteroles before gathering around the piano to sing classic songs. Reservations are recommended. 11am–1pm; $35 per adult, $25 per child (ages 12 and under).

The promise of a farm-fresh brunch at this comfortable East Village spot will make it easy to get the family out of bed on Easter morning. Get there early to beat the crowds and make sure to take a gander at the pasty case stocked with chocolate-peanut-butter pie, brown Betty, fruit tarts and more on your way to the dining room. The brunch menu keeps the farmer’s hens a-laying, offering all sorts of egg creations—omelettes, scrambles, benedict and florentine included—as well as sandwiches and salads. Kids will eat up griddled options like Carrie Dee's buttermilk apple pancakes ($13), but try the grilled cheese or chicken fingers ($11) served with fresh apple cider from the "Young Farm Hands" menu for little ones with picky palates. 8am–4:30pm.

The kids’ dishes at this standout Carroll Gardens bistro—including a mini version of their famous buttermilk fried chicken ($12 with a side, beverage and dessert)—are perfectly portioned for little appetites. Parents will also get a belly full of comfort foods like top-notch short rib hash or a house-cured lox platter, perfectly paired with any of the spot's several variations on the Bloody Mary ($11–$12), though you'll have to wait 'til after noon to order one. Although all kids’ meals come with a choice of sweet after-dinner treat, they’ll probably still want to steal a bite of your pecan pie French toast ($12). 10am–3pm, regular menu a la carte, children's menu $12.

Put an Italian twist on Easter-morning fare at this modern Greenpoint restaurant. The a la carte menu features traditional Sardinian Easter dishes like culurgiones (pretty ravioli pouches filled with a potato and cheese mixture) and succulent roasted lamb. The little ones will go for kid-pleasers like lemon ricotta pancakes, French toast with housemade Nutella filling or Spaghetti alla Carbonara. For an extra-special treat, let the kids jump in on an egg hunt (12:30–1pm and 2–2:30pm) and enjoy live entertainment and music throughout the afternoon. 11am–4pm; menus a la carte, $8–$18 per dish.

At this Soho eatery within the chic James hotel, the walls are lined with photographs of the farmers that supply the ingredients for Burke’s menu creations. The three-course prix-fixe meal keeps things affordable, but makes it no easier to choose from playful treats like Pastrami salmon benedict ($24) or vanilla bean & strawberry French toast with peanut butter mousse ($17). Though there isn't a kid-particular menu, it won't be tough to sell them on a brown sugar cinnamon bun ($8) or delicious sides like home fries and maple bacon ($10 each). Finish off the meal with a whimsical cheesecake lollipop tree ($18) to share. 11am–5pm, prix-fixe menu $45 per person.