Easter weekend eating out: planning tips

On Easter weekend, many places change their hours and the ones that are open are busy. The most useful preparation is to check opening hours a few days ahead, book anything you care about and keep a second option in mind. Easter moves each year, so look up the date rather than assuming.

Check the hours

Some places close for a day or two. Some open only for lunch. Some run a special menu. A listing that has not been claimed may show old hours, so check the place's own page or call. If a place has claimed its page on Mosey, its hours are kept up to date by the owner.

Book early

If you want a table for a family meal, book as early as you can. Sunday lunch is usually the busiest. Larger tables go first. Tell the place if you have children, a wheelchair user or a dietary need in the group.

Set menus

Many places serve a set menu on Easter Sunday. Check what it includes and whether there is a children's version. Ask about vegetarian and gluten free options.

Feeding a family

Families do better with an early lunch, a menu with simple choices and a place where children are welcome. Look for the family friendly tag on a place's page and read recent ratings for comments on service with children.

If everywhere is full

It happens, and it is not a disaster. Easter is a long weekend, so there is usually a day or a time that is quieter than the one you first chose. Look at the Saturday or Monday, or at a later time on the day. Cafes and bakeries are often open when restaurants are not. A picnic is also an option if the weather is kind, and a visit to a food shop beforehand gives you the makings.

Keeping everyone happy

A long weekend with family means a lot of meals. Agree a rough plan: one meal out, the others at home or in a cafe. Ask each person for their one must-have, whether that is a roast, a pastry or a coffee, and build around those. People who feel heard are easier to feed. If someone has a mobility need or a dietary restriction, put it at the front of the plan, not the back.

Chocolate and sweet things

Easter treats appear in bakeries and cafes in the days around the weekend. Order ahead if you want a specific cake or bake, since popular items sell out.

Travelling over the weekend

If you are travelling, check opening hours in your destination. Smaller towns may have fewer places open, and some close for the whole weekend. Save a few options to a Mosey list before you leave.

Eating out with a mixed group

An Easter table often holds several generations. Choose a menu with a few simple options, a few more adventurous ones and something light for those who ate a big breakfast. Check the room for step-free access, and ask whether you can have a table with a little space around it. A relaxed table feeds everyone better than a squeezed one.

After the weekend

If the weekend went well, rate the places you ate in and mention what you ordered. A rating from a busy weekend is useful to everyone who plans next year, and it helps small kitchens that had a long few days.

After the meal

If you had a good meal, rate the place so that others can find it. A rating from a busy weekend shows how a kitchen copes.