You don’t have to cook on April 1 if you don’t want to. Oodles of eateries are open and give you the choice of eating there or getting food to go. Read on to find out which restaurants are open Easter Sunday.
Applebee’s
Save $10 if you order at least $30 online and pick it up at the restaurant. Or if you dine in, you can go for the $2 Absolut vodka lemonade.
Benihana
The Japanese-inspired chain is pretty busy on a day like Easter, and is open normal hours.
Bob Evans
Get a heat-and-serve Easter meal for four to 10 people for $49.99 to $109.99, depending on the size and meal options.
Cheesecake Factory
Boasting 250 items on its menu — and growing — the latest additions include chicken and waffles, pork belly sliders, cheeseburger spring rolls, and lasagna verde.
Chili’s
Normally this chain doesn’t take reservations but on busy days like Easter you can call ahead to be put on the waiting list before you get there and apparently this may help you get seated faster once your party arrives.
Cracker Barrel
Order a Heat n’ Serve Easter Family Meal online and pick it up between March 30 and April 1 for your celebration (serves up to 10) for $109.99.
Denny’s
Most of the chain’s locations are open 24 hours even on Easter — but you might want to call to confirm that the one near you is also operating on its regular schedule. Check out the dulce de leche crunch pancake special if you go there for brunch.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral will be holding a special Easter brunch until 2 p.m. for $11.99 per person. If you plan to head to Golden Corral, also plan on a hefty wait. Most locations don’t take call-ahead seating and the buffet chain has become a popular holiday meal destination.
IHOP
Most locations are open normal hours on Easter and you can get breakfast all day long — bring your kids and they might get a plate of bunny-shaped pancakes.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Specials include chianti brined chicken, red fish pescatore, sweet chocolate hazelnut pancakes, and lemon mascrapone cake.
Marie Callender’s
Get a take-home Easter feast that feeds four to six people from $99.99 to $139.99, including entrees, sides, desserts, and coffee.
Old Country Buffet
Get the Easter Family Pack To-Go meal (turkey, ham, sides, and pies) for $89.99 — order by Friday, March 30.
Olive Garden
Several dishes on the menu come with unlimited helpings for just $11.99: spaghetti with meat sauce; rigatoni with five-cheese marinara; chicken Alfredo; lasagna; fettuccine Alfredo; and chicken parmigiana. Or, if you come in for lunch, pay just $6.99 for an entree with unlimited helpings of soup or salad plus breadsticks.
Outback Steakhouse
Specials on the menu include lunch combos starting at $7.99 and for dinner, steak and ribs starting at $15.99.
PF Chang’s
The restaurant is open on Easter and you can sign up for a rewards program to work toward earning a free entree.
Panera Bread
Aim for mid-day if you want to go to Panera Bread — and check out the tulip-shaped frosted cookies just in time for spring.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
This chain’s 450 restaurant locations are open on Easter and serving the usual fare.
Red Lobster
A favorite of seafood lovers and those who also like surf-and-turf combinations, the specials on Easter include what else but lobster.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Make a reservation online if you want to get a table at this restaurant on Easter Sunday.
Texas Roadhouse
If you have kids, this might be a fun choice for brunch: a number of the restaurant locations have scheduled Easter egg hunts and even visits by the Easter bunny.
Which Restaurants Are Open Easter Sunday?
Just about anywhere you might want to go for brunch or dinner will probably be open on Easter — and doing a brisk business that day. You probably want to make reservations in advance, especially if you plan to go somewhere upscale.
Readers, what do you expect to do on Easter this year?
See what else is open on Easter here.
Jackie Cohen is an award winning financial journalist turned turned financial advisor obsessed with climate change risk, data and business. Jackie holds a B.A. Degree from Macalester College and an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University.