Header photo: hot cross buns by Bakehouse
Easter Sunday this year falls on 17 April, with the preceding Friday the 15th and following Monday the 18th also being public holidays, so there’s a whole four days of feasting in store for us. While dinner dine-in won’t resume until Thursday the 21st (along with tables seating up to four guests), there are still brunches and afternoon teas to be enjoyed in the meantime, along with chocolate eggs and hot cross buns aplenty.
Sweet treats
Bakehouse’s hot cross buns![]()
There are many bakeries around town offering hot cross buns, but our top pick for this classic Easter treat is Grégoire Michaud’s Bakehouse, beloved by baked good lovers near and far. These buns will be up for grabs until 18 April, and we’re drooling over the description: “spiced with cinnamon and rum, filled with raisins and orange peel and finished with a citrus syrup glaze”.
Central: 5 Staunton Street, SoHo
TST: 44 Hankow Road
Wanchai: 14 Tai Wong Street East
The Baker & The Bottleman’s festive baked goods![]()
From Saturday the 4th, you can pre-order The Baker & The Bottleman’s limited-edition festive baked goods on their new online shop. These include hot cross buns for a crowd ($490 for 15), Scotch eggs ($390 for 6) – which would think would make an ideal starter for Easter brunch – and a 10-inch malt custard tart ($550). A delicious option for at-home afternoon tea is the buttermilk scones set ($200 for 4), which comes with strawberry jam, clotted cream and two Plantation by teakha teabags. Order online.
Shop G14 & G15, G/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai
Baking Maniac’s kids’ baking camp ![]()
We’re sure your kids will love getting stuck in with this hands-on Easter baking camp ($4,600/child aged 6–12) organised by Baking Maniac. The four-day camp runs from either 5–8 or 12–15 April (10am–12pm), and each day kids will bake up Easter treats like cookies, cake pops, chocolate eggs, cupcakes with 3D Easter-themed toppers and lots more – even better than having the kids out of your hair for two hours, you’ll get to try all the goodies that are brought home.
Cookie Smiles’ cookies for a good cause![]()
We recently showcased the good work that Cookie Smiles founders Jo Soo-Tang and Agnes Chin do at this important social enterprise. This season, the team are baking up their buttery chocolate and confetti strawberry Easter cookies ($85/125g), which would make great additions to an Easter basket or dessert platter. As always, all Cookie Smiles cookies are baked by disadvantaged and physically impaired bakers, and 20% of their annual profits support two local charities each year.
To order, WhatsApp 9315 0077 or email info@cookiesmiles.com.hk
Island Shangri-La’s Spring Farmland![]()
For something different from the usual choccy eggs, we recommend Island Shangri-La’s Spring Farmland collection, the invention of Executive Pastry Chef Julien Gourmelon and his team featuring the sweetest farmyard goodies – chocolate farmer girl and boy ($488 each), chocolate tulips ($588), chocolate pig, cow, lamb and rooster ($388 each) and even a chocolate windmill ($588) complete with turning blades! However, the ultimate Easter gift here is the carrot cake with Hokkaido cheese and caramelised pineapple ($1,780), crafted to resemble a mini carrot farm. Available until Monday, 18 April at the festive counter in the hotel’s lobby or order online.
6/F, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, 2820 8372
Le Dessert’s pavlovas and more
This Easter, French pastry concept Le Dessert is add adding lots of “chokolate” to its repertoire. The Choko Easter Collection includes chocolate eggs, cookies, chocolate jars and this stunning pavlova. The Easter pavlova ($225/small or $640/large) is made with double Chantilly cream, fresh berries, a tempered chocolate nest and gianduja milk or dark praline eggs. Order online or by WhatsApping 5991 7069, from now until Monday, 18 April.
Harbour City: Shop GW 3001 & 3103–4, city’super, 3/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Rd, TST
Pacific Place pop-up: Shop 150A, 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Messina’s snack pack![]()
Sure, you can stop by Messina for a scoop or two of the Aussie gelato specialist’s Easter-themed flavours of Kinder Swindler (custard gelato with chocolate-covered rice bubbles and salted caramel swirls) and Hot Cross Buns (self-explanatory), but even better, why not pick up the Easter snack pack ($450) to enjoy later on with friends and fam? Serving up to six, this festive pack includes a Hot Cross Buns Sticky Snail to bake up at home, alongside a one-litre Triple Choc Hot Tub (milk chocolate gelato with toasted white chocolate mousse topped with dark chocolate crack). Order online from Wednesday, 8 April.
37–43 Pottinger Street, Central
The Peninsula Boutique’s Egg-citing Easter Egg![]()
The choccy Easter egg to beat all, The Peninsula Boutique presents its handmade-in-HK, smashable Egg-citing Easter Egg ($650), crafted with Belgian chocolate that’s been infused with Madagascan vanilla. Crack it open to reveal an assortment of chocolate carrots, bears and eggs (it comes with a mini wooden hammer). The shop has a lot more must-buy items in its Honey-Sweet Easter collection, from the Egg Crate Easter cake ($78 for individual cake or $698 for whole cake) with an adorable eggs-in-nest design to overflowing Easter hampers (from $465). Order online, with pick-up and delivery available from 7–18 April.
The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, TST, 2696 6969
Dining in
Artemis & Apollo’s takeaway lamb feast![]()
Celebrate Easter at home as they do in Greece with Artemis & Apollo’s lamb-centric Pascha Feast ($1,488 for 4). The coal-roasted lamb shoulder is the star of this show, with signature hot and cold mezze and a Greek village salad to start and a fusion tahini fudge brownie for afters. Pre-order 48 hours in advance for pickup (delivery via GO).
9–11 Moon Street, Wanchai, 2818 8681, book online (the menu can also be ordered at the restaurant from 15–18 April)
The Ritz-Carlton’s takeaway roast sets![]()
There are two meaty mains in The Ritz-Carlton’s Easter Perfect Roast takeaway set ($2,888 for 4), available for pickup from 8–18 April – slow-cooked lamb shanks and two whole roasted spring chickens with truffle butter. Each set comes with clam chowder and hot cross buns to start, a bounty of sides (garlic mashed potato, roasted root veg, roasted pumpkin salad and goat’s cheese and couscous salad with organic crispy kale and spinach) and Easter-inspired carrot cake for dessert. There’s a smaller set for four ($1,988) that features just one main, but it’s a doozy – roasted French red-label Le Prince des Dombes yellow chicken. Delivery is available for an additional fee. Order online.
International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 2226 2263
Roganic x Estro’s collaboration meal kit
What a fab partnership between two of our favourite restaurants! Chefs Ashley Salmon of Roganic and Antimo Maria Merone of Estro have teamed up to create an Easter meal kit ($1,300 for 2) featuring eight seasonal dishes, from a starter course by Roganic (confit potato with smoked eel, buttermilk and dill) to a pasta course courtesy of Estro (homemade fettuccine with Japanese rapini, aged fish sauce and grey mullet bottarga). You can add on a wine pairing ($500 for 2) curated by Roganic’s sommelier, Pierre Brunelli, that includes two 250ml bottles of vino. Available 15–17 April. Order online.
UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2817 8383
Zuma’s takeaway tasting menu![]()
Bring Zuma’s famous brunch to your home with the ever-popular Japanese restaurant’s Easter takeaway tasting menu ($1,988 for 2), available for pickup and delivery on 15–17 April (delivery is between Hong Kong University and Happy Valley). Highlights include spicy fried tofu, a selection of top-notch sushi and sashimi, miso-marinated black cod in hoba leaf, spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, baby lamb cutlets with hatcho miso and, for dessert, this festive Hokkaido Ichigo cheesecake with almond cookie and berry ganache. Add on a bottle of R de Ruinart champers ($980) to really push the boat out. Order by phoning 3657 6388, WhatsApping 5502 9034 or emailing info@zumarestaurant.com.hk.
5/F & 6/F, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 3657 6388
Dining out
La Rambla’s holiday-edition brunch![]()
The Easter edition of La Rambla’s famous Sunday brunch ($780/adult; $390/child aged 8–12) is being kicked up a notch with the addition of a decadent carving station on the terrace featuring dry-aged bone-in US prime rib and the eatery’s signature Segovian-style roasted suckling pig – all this plus the usual La Rambla brunch staples of tapas galore, made-to-order paella and a selection of Chef Rafa Gil’s favourite desserts. Free-flow packages are priced from $450 per person. As always, kids aged seven and younger eat for free, and this Easter Sunday, all little ones will be gifted with a holiday hot chocolate.
Shop 3071–73, 3/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2661 1161, book online
Mandarin Oriental’s festivities![]()
Mandarin Oriental has come up trumps again with its lavish spreads over the Easter holiday weekend. At the top of the list, Mandarin Grill + Bar will be serving up an Easter Sunday roast menu ($1,488/adult; $688/child) on the 17th – showcasing a selection of snacks to share, a choice of an egg dish and appetiser, a roast dish served with all the trimmings and an array of decadent desserts – or there will be wine lunch and brunch menus ($788/adult; $488/child) on offer on the 15th and 16th.
Another recommended dining option here is the Easter-themed afternoon tea ($708 for 2) at Clipper Lounge and Café Causette, available from 15–18 April. Highlights of the seasonal sweet and savoury bites include mushroom and truffle vol-au-vent, key lime tart and vanilla red fruit mousse. For all restaurant bookings, phone 2825 4000 or email mohkg-restaurants@mohg.com.
If you have little ones in tow, consider booking the hotel’s Easter Brunch staycation package (from $3,250/night) over the long weekend. It comes with daily breakfast, brunch for two at Mandarin Grill + Bar or The Aubrey and – the best bit – a host of fun Easter activities, from chocolate Easter egg decorating and an egg hunt to a DIY slime workshop. Mr Easter Bunny himself will also make a personal appearance! Book online.
5 Connaught Road Central, Central, 2522 0111
New Punjab Club’s Punjabi brunch![]()
New Punjab Club’s Punjabi-inspired Easter Nashta brunch menu ($798/person) sounds like a delectable way to experience this Michelin-starred restaurant. On Easter Sunday, Chef Palash Mitra will be whipping up the likes of fruit chaat, masala cheese omelette, tandoori grouper and more spice-laden dishes. Free-flow masala chai and OJ are part of the deal.
34 Wyndham Street, Central, 2368 1223, book online
Pirata Group’s brunches with golden eggs![]()
A selection of Pirata Group’s eateries will be full of Easter feasting from 15–18 April (Pirata, The Optimist, TokyoLima, Chaiwala, MEATS, Honjo, Honjokko, La Favorita and TMK). The all-day brunch menus – 11am–6pm – start from a very reasonable $348 per person, with free-flow packages on the cards as well. Once you’ve finished your Easter dessert, flip over your plate to see if you spot a golden egg. If you’re the lucky bunny who finds one (one of three across all the restaurants), you’ll get to take home your very own giant (72cm and 7kg!) golden chocolate egg. Click on the links here for the menus and to book.
The Upper House’s feasts for the whole family![]()
At The Upper House, depending on your budget, go for either the Easter weekend roast set ($1,188 for two; from +$180 for free-flow) featuring the refined flavours of the Med – roast rack of lamb with crispy FOMO potatoes and spiced couscous, along with two starters and two desserts – at Salisterra on the 49th floor or the three-course Easter weekend brunch ($348/person; from +$350 for free-flow), preferably sat on the lush garden terrace, at neighbouring The Continental. Either way, kids under 12 can enjoy one complimentary item from the children’s menu per adult à-la-carte main course.
After brunch on the 17th or 18th with your kidlets, head to The Lawn on the sixth floor of the hotel for one-hour sessions of the Easter egg hunt workshop ($350/child) – egg decorating, carrot-toss game, egg hunt and more. This experience can booked from Friday, 1 April on Eventbrite, and each ticket comes with a nifty kid’s gift bag to take home.
Another post-brunch option on the 15th–18th, this time for grown-ups, is the The Upper House Marketplace, to be hosted at the Sky Lounge on the 49th floor. Signature hotel amenities and Salisterra speciality products (like the madeleines and chocolate chunks) will be here for purchase, and you can also create yourself a bespoke gift hamper in a sustainable wooden box.
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2704 5211 (The Continental) or 3968 1106 (Salisterra), book The Continental online or book Salisterra online
W Hong Kong’s brunch + afternoon tea buffet![]()
From 15–18 April, KITCHEN at W Hong Kong is offering two tempting Easter dining experiences. First up, there’s the the Egg-ceptional Golden Hour free-flow set brunch ($788/adult; $498/child), which involves limitless refills to your table of sharing appetisers from both land and sea (like sake-poached abalone, snow crab legs, pan-fried foie gras tartine and 52-month Ibérico ham), one East-meets-West main course for each diner (perhaps the char siu lamb rack or lobster thermidor with sambal cheese) and a refillable sharing platter of Easter-inspired desserts. Free-flow packages are priced from $108 per person.
Then, for later risers, there’s the Easter Tea-rrific afternoon tea buffet ($348/person), an all-you-can-eat teatime extravaganza featuring everything from a sandwich corner and selection of canapés, to a noodles station, to sweet treats aplenty.
6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2299, book online
For more awesome guides like this, like Foodie on Facebook
