Enjoying Easter brunch with friends and family is one of the most relaxing and beautiful traditions my family enjoys every year. This year has presented us with the new challenge of the need for social distancing to keep our communities safe. It’s the right thing to do. Yet, it’s still a gut punch to social gatherings and this one feels uniquely hard. But we are learning that our communities are more resilient than ever. We are finding new ways to connect while keeping our traditions and our distance. From virtual church services and egg hunts to Easter brunch, there are so many ways to celebrate and stay close to the ones we love this time of year.
We almost always spend Easter at home with our extended family. We go to church, cook a big meal, do at least one silly craft, have a family egg hunt, and just relax together. This year, church services are online, and we are staying in our own homes. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to enjoy spending time together. Here are a few ideas to enjoy Easter brunch in and around your own home, including a guide to local eateries that are offering curbside pickup Easter brunch meals.
Cook Together as a Family
My mom is an infinitely better cook than I am, and I love nothing more than gathering in her kitchen trying to help. It is just magic to me and my kids. Nothing is going to be as good as rolling biscuits with grandma in real life. But this year, we plan to cook together via video chat. It won’t be the same, but it will be fun. You can also do things like host a virtual cake- or cupcake-decorating competition. Menu-plan together and even coordinate food drop-offs. I’m still searching for a way to “accidentally” toss flour at each other virtually. If you think of one, let me know.
Support Local Eateries by Ordering Brunch Takeout
Even though our family typically cooks Easter brunch at home, we have decided we will be picking up food from some of our local eateries that are offering drive-thru and delivery services. This is a huge season for our local restaurants and not being able to open their doors to flex their eggs-traordinary culinary skills is going to be hard on them. Consider filling part or all of your brunch table with local restaurant fare. Here are just a few spots around town that are serving drive-thru and pickup options.
Beaches / Intracoastal
Another Broken Egg Cafe: You can still access your favorite Another Broken Egg Cafe entrée via their to-go menu, and Bloody Marys and mimosas are available by the pitcher or glass for to-go (only with food purchase). Check out their Jacksonville menu here and call (904) 516-4757 to place an order.
Cantina Louie: Now with various locations (Atlantic Beach, Southside, and Nocatee are just a few), Cantina Louie offers affordable Mexican street food, and you definitely want to add this to your Easter brunch menu. Sunday brunch includes homemade tamales (available only while they last!), and the must-try Breakfast Torta.
Cinotti’s Bakery: Cinotti’s Bakery is offering single-serving meals for Easter brunch, which includes spiral ham, homemade potato salad, green beans, deviled eggs, a dinner roll, and a small Easter cake. You need to call (904) 246-1728 to place your order. They are accepting orders through Thursday, April 9.
Culhane’s Irish Pub: This delicious brunch hot spot is open for curbside pickup 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Try their amazing biscuits and gravy or anything else from the menu. For just $24, you can also add a bottle of 5 Sisters Spirit Vodka with a 16-oz. House Bloody Mary mixer or a bottle of champagne with a 16-oz. orange juice or cranberry juice.
Florida Cracker Kitchen: You can still have that breakfast burrito or savor some grits from Florida Cracker Kitchen. Offering pickup or deliver via GrubHub and DoorDash.
Fresh Market: Fresh Market is providing an Easter meal option for $34.99 that feeds a family of four, which includes 2 lb. honey ham slices, 1.5 lb. green beans, 1.5 lb. white cheddar scalloped potatoes, 12 oz. pineapple rings, 8 ct. Kings Hawaiian Rolls, and 4 ct. decadent brownies. They also have a classic Easter meal available for $69.99, which serves 8–10. Order in-store or online through Thursday, April 9 at 2 p.m., and pick up and purchase in-store Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12. All Fresh Market locations will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 12.
Jax Beach Brunch Haus: A go-to spot for brunch in Jax Beach, this family favorite is offering their brunch menu for curbside delivery from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. This local restaurant is known for not only offering delectable eggs and pancakes but also vegetarian and vegan options.
Jax Cooking Studio: Easter dinner to-go! Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the convenience of your home. Available entrees include Maple Bacon Glazed Pork Loin Stuffed with Spinach and Parmesan, Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dijon Sauce (Tofu Option Available), Beef Wellington with Creamy Horseradish Sauce. Let our chef prepare your delicious dinner while you relax. Order by Thursday, April 9. They will arrange a hands-free exchange at the front door!
Maple Street Biscuit Company: Pre-order your Easter meal Monday-Wednesday on-line or by calling your community store! Pick up your meal Friday or Saturday then simply reheat when you’re ready to eat! We’re closed on Easter, but we’ve made it easy to feed the fam on Sunday. Our Easter lunch basket includes enough food for 6-8 and makes great leftovers.
Metro Diner: Thinking about chicken and waffles for Easter brunch? Metro diner is offering their full menu for delivery and pickup. You can order directly from their website or call into to you local store.
Southern Grounds: Southern Grounds is offering curbside to-go off their menu. Check out their Facebook page for daily offerings and delivery options.
Taco Lu: Do you need a breakfast taco fix? Taco Lu has you covered. Call in your order for curbside pickup 11 a.m.–2 p.m. You can also order most of their delicious menu staples.
The Chef’s Garden: Passover and Easter menus are available now online with a variety of options and add-ons. Or email [email protected] to place our order.
Trasca & Co: This Italian eatery in Ponte Vedra offers delicious pizza, pasta, sandwiches, craft beer, and coffee. They are also offering buy one, get one grab-and-go meals that are freezer friendly. Order them anytime, freeze them, and have your own stockpile of comfort foods from Trasca & Co.
Well-Oiled Events: This catering and special events company is known for its unique and delicious culinary experiences. Check out their Easter menu which is priced to serve families of 4-5 and includes delivery. Order by Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m. Email [email protected] for more information.
Downtown / Riverside / San Marco
Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar: Enjoy local seafood this Easter. This location is modifying and updating their menu to keep Shrimp Po’boys and other local favorites in your diet. They have also opened their bar for curbside pickup. Check out their Facebook page for updated ordering details.
Black Sheep: Located in historic 5 Points in Riverside, Black Sheep is known for its delicious fare. They use fresh local ingredients to create fabulous dishes and are open for pickup and delivery. Check out their website and Facebook page for the most updated ordering information.
Brick Restaurant: Offering a delectable array of foods and wine for your Easter feast. Pre-order by Wednesday, April 8. Click here to check out their available menu and how to best place your order.
Community Loaves: This local favorite has made all the options smaller portion sizes so they are best for gatherings of immediate family. They will be closed Easter Day, so pickup is April 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Order by visiting the shop or online.
Fresh Market: Fresh Market is providing an Easter meal option for $34.99 that feeds a family of four, which includes 2 lb. honey ham slices, 1.5 lb. green beans, 1.5 lb. white cheddar scalloped potatoes, 12 oz. pineapple rings, 8 ct. Kings Hawaiian Rolls, and 4 ct. decadent brownies. They also have a classic Easter meal available for $69.99, which serves 8–10. Order in-store or online through Thursday, April 9 at 2 p.m., and pick up and purchase in-store Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12. All Fresh Market locations will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 12.
Orsay: Offering a refined French culinary experience for curbside pickup. Check out their full Easter Sunday menu listed here. Easter Sunday preorders are due Wednesday, April 8 by 4 p.m. Pickup Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m.–9 p.m. and Easter Sunday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Rue Saint-Marc: The Rue Saint-Marc is offering curbside delivery options daily. Follow their Facebook page for up-to-date information on availability and how to order.
Taverna: Curbside pickup is now available, check their Facebook page for daily hours and offerings. In addition to their all-day menu, they are offering curbside craft cocktails, plus reduced pricing on wine and liquor bottles.
Village Bread: Village Bread is open during its traditional hours offering curbside to-go. Check out their website for updated ordering details.
Wicked Barley Brewing Company: Have a hankering for Kimchi Pork Belly Fries? Wicked Barley is open offering curbside pickup. While they do not currently have a dedicated Easter brunch menu available they are hosting a curbside to-go fish fry this Friday. Sounds like a tasty way to start your Easter weekend! You must preorder by Wednesday to participate. Follow their Facebook page for up-to-date offerings.
Orange Park / Clay County
Grumpy’s: This local favorite has been attracting a lot of attention by doing good for the community, including opening up its pantry for community members struggling to fill their own. Check out their Facebook page for all the details. You can enjoy Grumpy’s from the comfort of your own home via curbside pickup from 5:30 a.m.–2 p.m.. Call (904) 215-1956 or visit them online.
Just-A-Pinch Cafe: Aloha, y’all! This is Southern food with “just a pinch” of Hawaiian. This fusion menu will add a unique twist to your Easter weekend with pineapple upside-down pancakes, teriyaki glazed meats, spam dishes, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. Call Bernard or Emma to place your to-go order for curbside service at (904) 375-0402 or (904) 651-0705. You can also use Grubhub for delivery.
Spring Park Coffee Co: Located in Green Cove Springs, this local favorite is serving up delicious coffee and made in-house biscuit sandwiches. Check their Facebook page for daily hours and their to-go menu offerings. They also offer an online ordering website that is updated for your convenience.
Ponte Vedra Beach / Nocatee
Barbara Jean’s Restaurant and Bar: Okay, nothing compares to the waterfront views of eating at Barbara Jean’s. But their local Southern classics taste delicious at home, too. Open for takeout daily; get a $10 gift card when you place an order over $30. Call (904) 280-7522 to order.
South Kitchen + Spirits: This area favorite is offering curbside pickup with some of their Southern classics like chicken sliders, bourbon butter-glazed biscuits, and Cuban eggs benedict. Follow their Facebook page and website for hours of operation and offerings.
Valley Smoke: This restaurant is known for its gorgeous view and scrumptious barbecue. They are offering daily curbside pickup and have their food truck making stops from Mandarin to the Beaches. Follow them on Facebook to find out where they will be or grab lunch or dinner to-go from the restaurant. They are also currently running a gift card special: Purchase $50, get $10 back!
Spruce Up Your Easter Brunch Tablescape
Once you have your food squared away, take some time to make your tablescape beautiful. Sure, the place setting may be smaller, but you can still have a fabulously fun time decorating your table for the festivities. My dad always creates beautiful centerpieces, and my children always love helping him with at least one floral arrangement. One of our favorite things to do is source materials from our garden and yard paired with a beautiful vase for a centerpiece. It’s amazing how beautiful assorted sticks, flowers, and leaves can be when artfully arranged — or even a homemade craft from the little ones for the center of the table. For a few pro tips, check out “The Lost Art of Setting a Fancy Table,” and be sure to share your tablescape with us alongside the hashtag #JMEasterBrunch.
Hippity, hoppity Easter is on it’s way! This year is going to be memorable one to be sure — so we might as well make it extra special. Coordinate a dinner start time with friends and family. Bring your favorite video chat device to the table and embrace in a virtual brunch. Or just enjoy the moment with those in your home. However you celebrate, we hope you have a beautiful Easter weekend. Stay home. Stay safe. Stay connected.
Check out our Stay-at-Home Guide to Celebrating Easter for more fun at-home ideas for the family!
