Best Spots for Easter Brunch in Downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District
Seafood-focused Brunch at Bill’s Oyster
CRU Wine and Bar Easter Specials
Brunch from Around the World - Easter Specials at La Condesa, RedFarm and La Taverna
As the weather gets warmer and the flowers start to bloom, it’s time to ring in the new spring season by celebrating Easter with your friends and family. To help you prepare for the big day on March 31st, we here at the 2nd Street District have put together an guide full of our favorite places to enjoy Easter brunch. Whether it’s the all-you-can-eat champagne and fries combo at Bill’s Oyster, the thoughtfully designed dim sum at RedFarm, or a traditional dish like the New Zealand lamb chops at CRU Food & Wine Bar, here’s everything you need to satisfy your Easter cravings ahead of the holiday.
Seafood-focused Brunch at Bill’s Oyster
Brunch at Bill’s Oyster. Photo Credit: Abby Burgy
If you’re looking for something more adventurous for Easter brunch, then why not consider one of the best seafood restaurants in all of Austin? Bill’s Oyster has made a name for itself in Austin’s culinary scene by doing things differently. It’s a classic no-frills seafood joint and cocktail bar, inspired by NOLA’s Latin quarter and the oyster bars of New York City. Although its owners originally envisioned Bill’s Oyster as a casual neighborhood watering hole, don’t let the relaxed atmosphere fool you. Executive chef Daniel Berg has worked for some of the most prominent chefs in the world, including Andrew Carmellini, Daniel Boloud, and Eric Ripert.
Berg combines his haute cuisine background with the no-nonsense sensibility of your classic oyster bar to give all of your favorite seafood staples a gourmet twist. Easter brunch is no exception. On Easter Sunday, Bill’s Oyster will be running brunch from 10:30 am to 3 pm, with menu highlights including a delectable crab cake benedict (pictured), creamy shrimp and grits, and a handful of craft cocktails, with the ice-cold martini (pictured) and the Chris Owens (Bill’s Oyster take on a Margarita with Dos Hombres Mezcal, Tapatio & Pineapple) as the big standouts.
Consider pairing any craft cocktail with a dozen raw oysters. And did we mention their champagne and fries special? With every order, you get unlimited fries and ranch caviar. Talk about an offer too good to pass up! Reservations are available through Resy and see the full brunch menu HERE.
CRU Food & Wine Bar Easter Specials
CRU Food & Wine Bar Photo credit: Jane Yun
Next up on the list is not one, but two Easter dining specials at CRU Food & Wine Bar. If you’re a wine aficionado, then CRU is the place for you. CRU prides itself on being the only wine bar in Texas to offer 30 wines by the glass, with over 300 bottles from across the globe and at every price point. Whatever glass or bottle of wine you choose, the CRU staff knows exactly which dish from the restaurant’s Napa-style menu is the perfect complement. Trust us – at CRU you’re always in good hands.
On Easter Sunday, CRU will first be hosting a “Wine Country Brunch” from 10 am to 3 pm. For this midday brunch, CRU’s chefs will feature a 3-course menu for $45 per quest. In addition to $6 mimosas and bellinis, you can dine on a mouthwatering Maine lobster & saffron risotto (pictured), a smoked salmon deviled egg toast, a rack of New Zealand lamb chops (pictured), or herb-roasted salmon. Remember to save room for dessert, especially if your eyes are fixed on the chocolate molten lava cake. Later in the day, CRU’s Easter dinner special will be running from 4 pm to 9:30 pm, with a $42 prix-fixe menu and an optional $25 wine pairing. The two main dishes on the dinner menu are the New Zealand lamb chops and the herb-roasted salmon. Both can be paired with the Pinot Noir “En Route” Far Niente for a treat your taste buds will thank you for. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
Brunch from Around the World – Easter Specials at La Condesa, RedFarm and Taverna
La Condesa
As many longtime 2nd Streeters know, one of the most distinctive qualities of the neighborhood is the diversity of the restaurants. The 2nd Street District boasts some of Austin's best Chinese, Mexican, and Italian food. These next few brunches are for those of you looking for something out of the ordinary to eat for Easter.
La Condesa – A Taste of Mexico:
La Condesa Brunch. Photo Credit: Andrew Reiner
A great place to start is La Condesa – a James Beard-nominated restaurant known for its interior Mexican dishes made from only locally sourced ingredients.
So if you’re in the mood for something savory and spicy, La Condesa will be serving up your favorite Southwestern specialties from 11 am to 2 pm on March 31st. Take your pick of all the classics, including crunchy chilaquiles, pan-seared steak and eggs, and some must-have huevos rancheros (pictured). To top it all off, La Condesa’s bar has one of the city's finest and largest collections of 100% blue agave tequila and mezcal. You’ll also receive freshly squeezed orange juice for the perfect mimosa or agua frescas with every meal. See the full brunch menu and make reservations HERE.
RedFarm – Dim Sum Delights:
Peking Duck. Photo credit: Evan Sung
While a holiday ham is a staple of any Easter meal, RedFarm presents the enticing alternative of dim sum for brunch. Famous for its unconventional take on New York-style Chinese food, RedFarm’s Easter brunch starts at 11 am and lasts all the way until 3 pm. Try the spicy crispy beef (pictured) – by far the hottest item on the menu – along with Executive Chef Joe Ng’s signature “Pac Man” dumplings (pictured) and the golden scallion pancakes. Everything on the menu is ideal for sharing, but we recommend ordering the Peking duck (pictured) as the perfect centerpiece for an Easter meal to remember. See the full brunch menu and make reservations HERE.
Taverna: A Slice of Italy
Taverna’s Mimosas and Bellinis
Our last, but certainly not least pick is for those of you who want a little taste of the old country for your Easter weekend. Taverna is the 2nd Street District’s go-to restaurant for authentic Italian cuisine, where – as the name suggests – you’re more of a family friend than a mere customer. For Easter Sunday, Taverna will host brunch from 10 am to 3 pm, with a specially curated selection of sparkling beverages including $3 off mimosas and bellinis.
Taverna’s brunch menu is full of classic Italian fare, such as the brisket-stuffed Taverna hash topped with two poached eggs and hollandaise, the orange vanilla french toast made with mascarpone cream, and the Taverna burger with black truffle and wagyu beef (pictured). Just remember to save room for the dessert – Taverna’s Bomboloni Alla Nutella with vanilla cream and chocolate sauce (pictured) is to die for! Reservations are available through OpenTable and see the full brunch menu HERE.
Conclusion
Easter’s so much more than a religious holiday – it’s a time to celebrate the rebirth of spring in the company of your loved ones. You couldn’t have more or better choices for your Easter repast than the 2nd Street District, whether it's having your fill of your favorite Italian classics at Taverna or toasting to the springtime with a mimosa made of freshly squeezed orange juice at La Condesa. The neighborhood’s sheer variety of cuisines is what makes it so attractive for locals and out-of-towners alike. Whatever your taste buds crave on the big day, you’re sure to be satisfied by any of these five brunch specials.
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