EGG-CITING

Blossom into a new Easter or Passover tradition with these spring treats and feasts around Austin

The Fairmont will host a rooftop Easter egg hunt exclusively for their brunch attendees, with a special appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Austin

Easter and Passover (April 9 and April 5-13) are right around the corner; you might want to consider solidifying any plans before it gets any nicer outside and the crowds come out. Whether you’re enjoying the holiday with your friends or family, or taking yourself out to brunch, we’ve gathered a basketful of egg-cellent happenings for you to hop to in Austin.

Check back here for more recommendations as businesses finalize their plans.

Easter brunches and egg hunts

Summer House on Music Lane’s Easter Brunch at the Hotel Magdalena
Summer House on Music Lane will host their full-service, three-course Easter brunch menu from 10 am to 4 pm. Guests can pick from an assortment of pastries and try the restaurant’s classic smash burger, or go with finger-licking deviled eggs with trout roe. The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance at the restaurant. Reservations ($55 per person, $15 for children 12 and under) can be made via Resy.

Fairmont Austin's Easter brunch and egg hunt
Come for the brunch, stay for the egg hunt. The first brunch we’re eyeing is at Fairmont Austin downtown on Red River Street. They’ll host two different brunch buffets at 10 am and 1:30 pm on Easter Sunday. Guests can take their pick of an egg-stravagant spread of seafood, oak-smoked prime rib, and other delicacies. After you’ve had your fill, head to the rooftop for the hotel’s brunch attendee-exclusive Easter Egg Hunt at 11:30 am or 3:00 pm. Word on the street says the Easter Bunny might make a special appearance. The Tiny Tails petting zoo will also be at the hotel to show off the cutest animals for friends of all ages. Brunch bookings can be made via OpenTable.

Fareground's Easter brunch specials and egg hunts
For an afternoon of fun for children of all ages, consider bringing the family to downtown Austin’s first food hall, Fareground, for their Easter Egg-Stravaganza. From 12-3 pm, there will be plenty of brunch specials at the food hall's many eateries while children can enjoy sweets like cotton candy and get their face painted. There will be three egg hunts throughout the afternoon for three different age groups. Free general admission reservations can be made via Eventbrite.

Aba's Easter weekend brunches
Mediterranean cuisine lovers can spend their Easter brunch on the patio at Aba, Austin’s premiere Mediterranean restaurant on South Congress. Their exclusive Easter special on April 8 and 9 includes a spring frittata with lump crab, English peas, shaved asparagus, avocado, pickled fresnos, and parmesan. Guests can also pick a weekend favorite like the short rib shakshuka or khachapuri. Reserve on Tock.

Kalahari Resorts' Easter brunch buffet
If you live farther north, Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock will host their own Easter brunch buffet from 11 am to 3 pm with a delightful assortment of local charcuterie, fresh crudité, soups, and more. Children aged three and under eat free. The resort will also have two Easter egg hunts for two age ranges at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Brunch tickets can be made on Tock.

TRACE's April drag brunch
Though this brunch isn’t Easter themed, Trace (stylized TRACE) inside the W Hotel is going all out for its April Fool’s Comedy Drag Brunch from 11 am to 4 pm on April 9 with some of Austin’s favorite queens, The Beckies. The iconic duo are the restaurant’s regular brunch hosts every second Sunday of the month. Their performances begin at 11 am and 2 pm. Reserve ($10 per person) on OpenTable.

Easter Brunch at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa
The Omni’s restaurant, Blind Salamander, will host their Easter-themed meal from 11 am to 3 pm. They will provide guests with a seafood raw bar, a carving station, and eye-catching desserts. Children under five years old eat free. Reservations ($125 per person, $35 for children ages 6-12) can be made via OpenTable.

Passover meals

Aba's passover dine-in and take-out
In addition to its Easter specials, Aba will also offer guests a special Passover dine-in or take-home meal by Chef CJ Jacobson. The to-go package includes hummus, matzo crackers and crudité, potato and Brussels sprout latkes, slow-braised short rib, and much more. The dine-in Passover specials will be available April 5 and 6, but to-go specials must be pre-ordered by 3 pm on April 4. Pickup is available between 11 am and 5 pm on April 5 and 6. Reservations for both offers ($58.95 per person) can be made on Tock.

L’Oca D’Oro's Passover Seder
Neighborhood Italian restaurant L’Oca D’Oro is bringing back their omni-denominational Passover Seder. Chef Fiore Tedesco will delight guests with his version of a traditional Seder meal on April 10 and 11. The first celebration will be led by Cantor Sarah Avner (Beth Israel), and the next by Rabbi Neil Blumofe (Aguadas Achim). Reserve ($100 per person) on OpenTable.

Sweet treats

SusieCakes
What’s Easter without a couple extra desserts to take home? SusieCakes is baking up its SusieChick lemon cake, Easter carrot cupcakes, peeps sugar cookies, dessert decorating kits, and more for the occasion. Their festive Easter treats will be available through April 9.

Bakery Lorraine
Bakery Lorraine at the Domain is accepting pre-orders for its classic seven-inch Easter carrot cake. The luscious dessert serves 10-12 people and contains pineapple, coconut, walnuts, and is topped with a cream cheese frosting. Fill out a form to preorder ($80) by April 4 to pick up on April 8, just in time for your Easter feast.

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TACO THE TOWN

Austin taco truck nabs spot on New York Times best dishes of 2024 list

Paprika/ Facebook

A trio of tacos at Paprika, including the famous suadero.

Pity (or perhaps envy) the New York Times food staff. Covering the Big Apple's restaurant scene is difficult enough, but the Gray Lady also chronicles the nation. This time their praise fell on Austin taco truck Paprika's saudero taco, as one of their favorite dishes of the year.

The editors and critics sample hundreds of dishes every month, so when an Austin dish blips on the radar, one can be assured it is truly extraordinary.

On December 17, the venerable publication released its list, "The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024". Ranking involved a trek through more than 30 states, including surprising cities like Stanley, Idaho. Texas nabbed three spots on the annual round-up, including Paprika.

Priya Krishna, one of the New York Times' two interim food critics, praised the food truck's freshly made salsas and the ever-friendly demeanor of owner Margarito Perez, but saved the biggest compliments for the brisket.

"This is brisket boosted to another level — crisp-edged meat rendered extra beefy from cooking in its own fat, swaddled in a nixtamalized tortilla," she wrote.

The kudos continue a winning streak from the food truck, which temporarily shuttered in July following administrative headaches with the Austin Public Health Department. It was back in action by August, but only after missing out on being included in Texas Monthly's 50 Best Tacos in Texas list. In November, taco editor José Ralat offered a glowing consolation prize.

It seems media attention is both a blessing and a curse for Paprika. The same day the New York Times article was released, the concept reported water tank damage at its 6519 North Lamar Blvd. food truck. While repairs are made, the saudero taco can still be found for dinner at Paprika's Long Play Lounge pop-up.

Besides Paprika's taco, two Houston dishes impressed the New York Times crew this year — horchata Berlinesa at Ema andgoat chops at Aga's. Although Little Sparrow's French onion soup originated in Atlanta, guests can order it at Houston's State of Grace.

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