11 Best Restaurants In America For Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is all about the delicious food, time spent with family, and the opportunity to be grateful for and share blessings. But what if that time is filled with the stress of the holiday? Meal planning, trips to the market, and hours of cooking and baking aren't for everyone, especially when it's a crowd. That's without all the clean-up! What if you skip it all this year and get the best Thanksgiving dinner at one of these restaurants?
If you're ready to skip the hectic family tradition, try one of these over-the-top spots for a truly indulgent experience with no cleanup! From timeless classic city spots to your favorite upscale chains, there are options for a hearty Thanksgiving (plus a few extras) across the country.
Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut
This wine-forward restaurant recently won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the menu, from Michelin star-awarded executive chef David Standridge, more than matches their carefully curated wine list. At Thanksgiving, diners will find a three-course prix fixe, plus sides, including roasted oysters, heritage turkey, rib eye, and desserts like pumpkin marshmallow and apple tarts. After dinner, stroll through one of the cutest towns in New England.
Cherry Circle Room in Chicago, Illinois
This sumptuous, clubby restaurant (it won a James Beard award for the design) within the Chicago Athletic Association hotel will serve a three-course Thanksgiving meal. Cozy up with family and friends in a leather-clad booth and dive into a meal featuring shrimp cocktail, turkey breast, and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy. There's also a tempting vegetarian option that includes a winter vegetable pot pie, grilled carrots, and green beans. Wine and cocktail pairings are available.
Bubby's in NYC, NY
A Thanksgiving tradition for kitchen-challenged New Yorkers, Bubby's iconic Tribeca location is a buzzy thrill on Thanksgiving. Start with flaky buttermilk biscuits, and deviled eggs, then munch on roast turkey, glazed ham, or a vegetarian lasagne, along with cornbread stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, and more, much from tri-state farms. Finish with the homemade apple whiskey crumble pie.
Eiffel Tower at Paris, Las Vegas, Nevada
There's almost zero chance you can have Thanksgiving dinner at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. However, if that's always been a romantic dream, Las Vegas can deliver. The Paris hotel, in case you missed it, has a copy of the Eiffel Tower you can have dinner in, and diners will feast on a three-course menu by chef J. Joho, including favorites like cream of butternut squash soup, turkey, and pecan pie. Or swap your bird for filet mignon or filet of salmon, and drink in the prime view of the Bellagio fountains.
Grill 23 in Boston, Massachusetts
For almost 40 years, this Boston stalwart has hosted celebrations for both locals and visitors. Bedecked in gorgeous holiday decor, the steakhouse delivers top-of-the-line service alongside a curated menu that is perfectly complemented by one of the best wine programs in the region. Chef Ryan Marcoux will be serving up a special a la carte feast into the evening, including the best natural cut meats in New England, including juicy turkey (and steak).
Brennan's in New Orleans, Louisiana
The French Quarter landmark offers sprawling, opulent rooms and a courtyard where (weather permitting) you and yours can enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving dinner. Select from distinctly Creole options like turtle soup, bacon-wrapped turkey breast, paneéd rabbit, and of course, the restaurant's famous bananas foster.
The Capital Grille, Multiple Locations
One of our favorite fancy steakhouse stops, celebrate the season with a chef-prepared traditional Thanksgiving dinner with upscale touches, including slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans with Marcona almonds, cranberry-pear chutney, and the chains famous Sam's Mashed Potatoes. Still hungry? Add on pecan-crusted sweet potatoes with hot honey and pumpkin cheesecake, available for the holiday.
Eddie V's, Multiple Locations
Skip the seafood and steak (for once) at this prime spot, and enjoy a luxe Thanksgiving celebration with options such as hand-carved slow-roasted turkey with gravy, brioche sage stuffing, cranberry chutney, roasted butternut squash, hand-whipped mashed potatoes and finish with a pumpkin pie tartlet. The 29 locations will offer live music, a holiday toast with Veuve Clicquot champagne by the glass, and signature cocktails, turning Thanksgiving into a perfect party.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle, Multiple Locations
Throw tradition to the wind and spend your holiday money on a prime rib at Del Frisco's this Thanksgiving, because it's been a long year and you deserve it. The stylish chophouse is keeping it simple for the holiday, offering an extravagant 20 oz prime rib dinner with horseradish cream, red wine au jus, and fondant potatoes. Too much? The regular menu is also available. Have an ice-cold martini for us.
Seasons 52, Multiple Locations
If you're not familiar, Seasons 52 offers a lighter take, with an American bistro menu that's seasonally inspired. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will offer a spread of freshly prepared classics using peak-season ingredients. The menu includes Oven-Roasted Turkey, Cranberry Relish, Mashed Butternut Squash, and a Pumpkin Pie Mini Indulgence dessert, among other sides. Warm up with a Pumpkin Spice Margarita, available only for the month of November.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Multiple Locations
Always an outstanding choice, with a dependable wine list, Fleming's is offering a three-course menu featuring a traditional-style herb-roasted turkey, filet mignon, or prime bone-in ribeye served with sides to share and choice of dessert. Start with a salad or lobster bisque, and share sides like cinnamon orange cranberry sauce and green beans with apricots and onions. You'll also find a Thanksgiving signature drink, a nutty black walnut old-fashioned.
