Spring has sprung and Easter swiftly approaches, bringing with it the first four-day weekend of the year and a great excuse to gather together the whole family for a decadent feast. Once you have your gifting list dutifully crossed off and your chocolate eggs ready to go, it’s time to plan the main event by selecting one of the best restaurants in London for Easter lunch.

For those not jetting off to sunnier climes, there is plenty to keep you occupied right here in the capital, from star-studded stage shows and blockbuster exhibitions, to seasonal set menus from London’s fine dining institutions. Whether you’re craving cake and tea, or have a hankering for a heaping of crispy roast potatoes, the city’s restaurants are providing a line-up of egg-cellent Easter menus to keep you well-fed. Read on for the best restaurants to book for a brilliant Easter banquet.

Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge

Combine your Easter feasting with a decadent new season shopping spree at Harvey Nichols. As well as the opportunity to browse all the new SS24 collections, the Knightsbridge store will be serving up a new spring set menu at its Fifth Floor Cafe from 20 March 2024. Priced at £35 per person, take a seat on the glorious al fresco terrace and sip on a classic Tommy’s Margarita or Paloma while you browse the delectable three-course menu.

Begin with fresh seasonal starters including a super green detox salad, spiced crab bisque with white crab and focaccia, and cured salmon with pickled cucumber and avocado, before moving on to a choice of elegant mains. Indulge in a hearty lamb rump with petits pois à la française and lamb jus or opt for something lighter in the form of salmon with chickpeas and spinach coconut curry or plant-based cous cous with charred tender stem broccoli and leek. For dessert, a choice of patisserie classics include a salted caramel and chocolate fondant tart, pistachio tiramisu, and rhubarb and vanilla mille-feuille. Bon appetit.

109-124 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ, visit harveynichols.com

The Ivy Brasserie, across London

The Ivy is celebrating spring with a dream-like menu that pays tribute to the fresh flavours of the new season. Alongside old favourites and Ivy classics, the Easter bill of fare includes a range of limited edition offerings, including the extravagant Chocolate Afternoon Tea. As well as the classic finger sandwiches and scones, guests will be treated to a range of chocolate-themed patisserie, including a chocolate pot, milk chocolate milkshake, sticky caramel slice and madeleine with chocolate sauce.  

Alternatively, book for dinner to try the seasonal new aromatic Moroccan lamb which comes complete with harissa-spiced cous cous, broad beans and a spiced tomato sauce for a more exotic take on the traditional Easter lunch. Children needn’t feel left out of the occasion thanks to a special kids Easter dessert: a chocolate brownie served with accompaniments for children to decorate themselves. 

Visit ivycollection.com

Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

For an Easter Sunday lunch that feels like a real event, head to Soho's Ham Yard Hotel to sample its Long Weekend lunch. Served from 12-5pm and offered as a set menu of one, two or three-courses, highlights from the menu include an Atlantic prawn and avocado cocktail start, a traditional roast of Blythburgh Farm pork with unlimited Koffman potatoes, cauliflower cheese, glazed carrots and buttered cabbage, and desserts served from a heaving trolley featuring Black Forest gateau, tiramisu and Victoria sponge.

Every diner will also be treated to a complimentary glass of wine paired from the restaurant's extensive list of red and white magnums while in-house band, The Ham Yard Players, will soundtrack the event with some lively contemporary jazz.

1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT, visit firmdalehotels.com

Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury's hugely popular Dalloway Terrace is keeping things simple this Easter with a single, spectacular sharing centrepiece. Available from 29 March - 1 April 2024, the Saltmarsh Cornish lamb comes as a showstopping platter featuring a six-bone lamb rack and slow-cooked lamb shoulder, served alongside smoked aubergine purée, fregola, salsa verde, confit cherry tomatoes and rosemary jus. Designed for two to share, be sure to order a bottle of the restaurant's recommended pairing wine - Maison Mirabeau's Pure Provence rosé - to go with it.

16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN, visit dallowayterrace.com

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

Dine at The Cadogan Arms over Easter weekend and enjoy one of its famous roast dinners. With two-Michelin star chef James Knappett at the helm, the decadent Easter roast menu — available on 31 March and 1 April — includes native rump of beef served with bone marrow gravy and horseradish cream and the popular half herb-fed chicken with brioche and herb stuffing. For family-style feasts, opt for the traditional roast shoulder of lamb served with garlic and herb sauce available for up to three people to share. You also can’t go wrong with the up-market pub’s range of classic fare, including beer-battered fish and chips and paneer and vegetable makhani curry.

298 King's Road, SW3 5UG, visit thecadoganarms.london

Sucre, Soho

Take your Easter Sunday celebrations to dramatic new heights with Sucre's Fire Dining Roast menu, which will be available across the Easter weekend. Located in the heart of Soho, enjoy three delicious courses cooked on the restaurant's signature open fire complemented by bottomless Argentinian sparkling wine. Highlights include chorizo criollo with chimichurri and an extravagant Asado platter with meat and fish options including grilled sea bream, Argentine beef entraña or chicken a la Brasa, served with roast Brussels sprouts, honey roasted carrots and sweet potato. Finish off with a series of exquisite desserts featuring a chocolate crémeux with Earl Grey cream and poached pears, apple and almond tart, and creme caramel. 

47b Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JP, visit sucrerestaurant.com

Vori Greek Kitchen, Holland Park

Images: Nic Crilly-Hargreave

This authentic Greek neighbourhood restaurant situated on Holland Park Avenue will be celebrating the occasion with a traditional Greek Orthodox feast on 31 March. Greek Easter takes place on the first full moon following Passover and represents the end of the fasting period, making it a significant date in the Greek calendar. In honour of this celebration, Vori has curated a menu of traditional Hellenic dishes including Greek Easter eggs, traditional slow-cooked dishes and moreish desserts. 

Kick off the feast with tsougrisma — the traditional Greek game of smashing dyed Easter eggs — before tucking into tzatziki, tirokafteri and melitzanosalata with sourdough. For your main, pick from the likes of arni (grilled lamb chops with roast potatoes), psari (seasonal catch of the day) and manitaria (Portobello mushrooms with petimezi, pine nuts and thyme) before indulging in baklava, loukoumades doughnuts and ravani orange and coconut cake for dessert. To accompany the special feast is a selection of tipples from Hellenic Wineries and award-winning Greek microbreweries. We recommend trying the Greek-inspired cocktail menu, with choices including a unique Peloponnese negroni, Vori margarita and an all-Greek gin and tonic.  

120 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UA, visit vorigreekitchen.co.uk

Read more: A complete guide to London’s Michelin-starred restaurants