Shanghai might seem lukewarm towards Easter, but we're here to assure you that plenty of festivities await. From egg-filled brunches to customized chocolate bunnies, here's the ultimate guide to spending Easter with your family and friends in Shanghai, and where to find an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
Urban Family Shanghai Easter Brunch
This weekend don't miss your chance to attend our Urban Family Shanghai Easter Brunch and Young Scholars’ Day. In conjunction with three top international schools in Shanghai and the InterContinental Shanghai Expo hotel, we invite all families to join our festive event. We will have a bouncy castle, rope jumping and football, along with face painting, a clown performance and egg art, plus a toddler play area for the little ones. Finally, before the workshops begin, our Easter egg hunt will have all children running around in excitement.
Apr 1, 11:30am-3pm; RMB214 (child), RMB 428 (adult). InterContinental Shanghai Expo. To purchase tickets, see Easter Brunch here and Young Scholars' Day here.
Eats & Treats
Alimentari
If hot cross bun is too old school (which it totally is), swap it for an authentic loaf of fruity Colomba di Pasqua. Alimentari has goodies freshly imported from Italy with a selection of flavors: the classic (RMB220), Venezia classic (RMB255), lemon (RMB280) and ultra festive peach and hazelnut (RMB318). Each one comes in a tear-and-share size, great for a family breakfast or afternoon tea.
Available through Easter. Alimentari.
Baker & Spice
The most 'realistic' Easter treat award goes to Baker & Spice’s Easter chocolate cupcake. Crowned with a nest of shredded coconut and white chocolate (RMB28), it is certainly a delight to behold. Baker & Spice also serves steaming hot crossed buns (RMB18 each) throughout the season.
Baker & Spice.
Godiva
The ever-so-popular Belgian chocolatier is bringing back seasonal goodies in a selection of sizes. From a single chocolate bunny (RMB75) to a 'blooming' Easter egg filled with mini chocolate chicks (RMB525), there’s something for every chocoholic here.
Godiva.
The Peninsula Shanghai
It’s like Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, except everyone is a winner. The Peninsula Shanghai is selling 30 limited edition Easter eggs, each handcrafted by Pastry Chef Lucien Gautier and contains a prize, whether that’s an afternoon tea voucher or a luxurious hotel stay (RMB728 each).
The Peninsula Shanghai.
The Westin Bund Center
The Westin will be selling a range of chocolate goodies, from chocolate bunnies of various sizes (starting at RMB22 each) to bunnies decorated with carrots (starting from RMB30 each).
The Westin Bund Center.
Online Outlets
epermarket
epermarket also has a handful of delicately crafted bunnies, chicks and mini eggs, available for delivery right to your door.
epermarket.
FIELDS
If you want to enjoy a meal at home, FIELDS has two festive sets deliverable to your door. Go for a roasted leg of lamb (serves 2-4), or a tender roasted ham (serves 4-6)for mains; both complemented by a refreshing asparagus salad, buttery mashed potatoes, plus a carrot cake by Dutch Pies. To finish it off with some Easter goodies, FIELDS also sell chocolate eggs and bunnies by Bastiaan Bakery, Thornton and of course, Kinder Joy.
Lamb set RMB888 (early bird RMB799), Ham set RMB1,388 (early bird RMB1,288). Early-bird discounts available until Mar 25. FIELDS.
Brunches & Afternoon Teas
Grand Hyatt Shanghai
The Grand Hyatt’s four restaurants are coming together to serve a festive Easter buffet brunch at ON56. Situated on the 56th floor of the looming Jinmao Tower, this will surely be an elevated Easter experience for any family. Expect a dazzling array of egg dishes, cold cuts, seafood dishes and of course, hot cross buns and an egg painting session for kids.
Apr 1, 11.30am-3pm; RMB344 (children aged 6-12), RMB688 including free-flow alcoholic beverages (adult) plus 15 percent service charge. ON56 and Grand Hyatt Shanghai.
Fairmont Peace Hotel
A hotel business mainstay on The Bund, Fairmont Peace Hotel will be joining the Easter fiesta by dishing up a luscious brunch for families at the Cathay Room. Kids will enjoy the egg hunt party on the Cathay Room Terrace, while parents savour the surf n’ turf menu against a gorgeous panorama of The Bund and Lujiazui.
Apr 1, 11.30am-2.30pm; RMB299 (children aged 6-12), RMB598 (adult, plus RMB200 for free-flow Champagne). Fairmont Peace Hotel.
Kerry Hotel Pudong
All three of Kerry Hotel Pudong’s restaurants will be participating in a fun-packed selection of dining events and activities this year. Each package includes brunch, kid’s access to the Adventure Zone and a face painting session. There will be three egg hunts each day: 9am at the Adventure Zone, 2pm and 3pm at the Upper Deck inside Kerry Sports, so be sure plan out your brunch around those times.
Mar 31-Apr 1, 11.30am-2.30pm; The BREW RMB258 (child aged 4 and above), RMB198 (adult); The COOK RMB258 (children aged 5 and above), RMB388 (adult); The MEAT RMB298 (children aged 4 and above), RMB488 (adult) plus 16.6 percent service charge. Kerry Hotel Pudong.
Maya
Shake things up a bit and check out Maya’s all-you-can-eat Taquiza brunch this Easter. Instead of serving everything in polished dishes, this one requires a bit of work, which means making your own tacos. A lovely range of guisos (such as pork en salsa verde, chicken mole, red pipian chicken) and salsa await to be assembled just the way you like it. Kids special activities like egg hunts and egg paintings are also included in the price.
Apr 1, 11am-4pm; RMB80 (children aged 6 and under), RMB195 (adult). Maya.
Okura Garden Hotel
The hotel cafe (Rose Coffee Shop) will be serving international buffet dinners over Easter weekend. Menu includes a selection of sushi, roast chicken, orange duck and hearty stews.
Mar 31 & Apr 1, 5.30-10.30pm; RMB198, free for children under 6. Okura Garden Hotel.
Paulaner Bräuhaus
Upholding its Bavarian fare, Paulaner’s Easter menu won’t fall short of festive smokes and excellent roasts. The Expo branch will be hosting a full-fledged BBQ buffet, while the Changning branch dishes up a lamb-inspired feast; both complemented by egg hunting, egg painting and egg rolling activities to keep the kids busy.
Apr 1, 11am-3pm; BBQ buffet RMB78 (children aged 4-10), RMB258 (adult, add RMB160 for free-flow alcohol or hot drinks). Paulaner Bräuhaus Expo and Raffles City Changning.
The Cannery
The Cannery joins the parade with a baked ham all-you-can-eat brunch plus an egg hunt party for kids on Easter Sunday.
Mar 31-Apr 1, RMB88 (children aged 12 and under), RMB198 (adult). Cannery.
The Puli
This year’s Easter fare at The Puli features a surf-and-turf inspired brunch hoisted by Michelin-starred Chef Michael Wilson. Expect angus beef sliders, halibut menuiere, tartare d’onglet de boeuf, braised oxtail risotto and anticipated delicacies like hot cross buns, cinnamon bunnies and chocolate eggs.
Apr 1, 11.30am-2.30pm; RMB244 (children aged 6-12), RMB488 (adult, plus RMB250 for free-flow Champagne) plus 16.6 percent surcharge. See a listing for The Puli.
The Langham
Easter brunch at the Langham Xintiandi this year features wonderful flavours de mer in the forms of baby lobsters, Alaskan king crab legs and a refreshing array of sushi. There can’t be a shortage of sweet delights, so the restaurant will be serving stacked pancakes, marble cheesecake, French gelato along with festive Easter candies to celebrate the occasion. An egg hunt and painting session will be hosted especially for the kids.
Apr 1, 11.30am-3pm; RMB174 (children aged 6-12); RMB348 plus 16.6 percent service charge. The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi.
The Peninsula Shanghai
If you’re ready to splash out this year, The Peninsula Shanghai will be hosting Easter meals and activities all around its property. To kick it off, the one Michelin-starred Sir Elly’s is serving a “Children’s Buffet” especially prepared for young diners, featuring mini burgers, sandwiches and sweets. Parents on the other hand have the option to enjoy free flow drinks and a “Very Berry Cotton Martini” (RMB88). The flamboyant dining experience can only be topped by an egg hunt taking place on the greening lawns of No. 1 Waitanyuan. There’s also an Easter-themed afternoon tea set which can be enjoyed at The Lobby, Compass Bar or the The Balfour. Expect nothing less than hot cross buns and bunny-friendly carrot cakes.
Apr 1, Brunch 11am-3pm; RMB268 (children aged 5-12), RMB668 (adult, plus RMB288 for free-flow alcoholic beverages), Afternoon tea 2-6pm; RMB360 per person. All prices plus 16.6 percent surcharge. The Peninsula Shanghai.
The Westin Bund Center
The Westin has a fully-fledged festive fare prepared for families. While parents sip on free-flow Champagne over brunch, kids will be surprised by table visits from the Easter Bunny himself. After brunch, expect egg hunts, paintings sessions and raffle prizes waiting to be won.
Apr1, 11am-2.30pm; RMB368 (chilldren aged 3-12), RMB798 (adult). The Westin Bund Center.
Thought for Food
This healthy eating concept will be hosting a scrumptious lamb feast prepared by none other than Chef Alexander Bitterling. Eggs and paints will be provided for a fun-packed painting session in the sunny courtyard.
Apr 1, 11am-3pm; RMB149 (children aged 6-12); RMB298 (adult). Thought for Food.
For more Easter events in Shanghai, click here.
