Hard as it may be to believe, Thanksgiving is less than two weeks. On Thursday, November 28, Houstonians will gather with friends and family for delicious meals.
For any number of reasons, not everyone wants to celebrate at home. Some people don't like turkey. Others have family in far flung places that are difficult to visit.
Regardless of the circumstances, an alternative exist. More and more Houston restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day with an array of tempting options that offer an easy alternative to the endless debates about the best way to roast a turkey. Sure, you might not have leftover turkey sandwiches — unless you go to Rainbow Lodge (see below) — but going out also means someone else does the dishes.
This list focuses on restaurants serving some version of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. That means turkey, sides, and dessert. All of them are confirmed to have reservations available as of Monday, November 18 — or they don't accept reservations, making them perfect for procrastinators.
We've included a range of price points, too. Sure, some people will want to drop $185 plus tax and tip at one of Houston's Michelin-starred restaurants, but others will be just as happy rolling through a drive-thru for a $20 plate.
Of course, those celebrating at home who want a little assistance should consult our guide to iokiiiirestaurants offering Thanksgiving dishes to-go. Regardless of how you celebrate, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.
Amore
The Upper Kirby-area Italian restaurant will serve a four-course, $79 menu from 11 am-4 pm. Start with a choice of corn soup, roasted pumpkin salad, or seafood cocktail. Add an extra primi course of tagliolini with black or white truffles ($25 or $50). Entree choices include turkey, halibut, or lamb chops — all of which are paired with Thanksgiving-style sides such as sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and whipped potatoes. Finish with choice of dessert.
Annabelle Brasserie
Ben Berg’s French restaurant in Autry Park will serve a three-course, $85 Thanksgiving menu. Starters include French onion soup, butternut squash soup, and asparagus salad. Entree choices include turkey breast, streak frites, scallops, and short rib bourguignon. Finish with choice of dessert.
Bar Bludorn
Aaron Bludorn’s Memorial-area tavern will service a three-course, $75 menu (kids under 10 may opt for a $55, two-course menu). In addition to traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, diners may opt for dishes such as beignets, steak tartare, and flounder with sauce almondine.
Cleburne Cafeteria
For those looking for a more affordable option, this Houston favorite will be open for both dine-in and to-go from from 11 am-8 pm with a full range of starters, sides, entrees, and desserts. Keep in mind that lines may be long.
Etoile
The Uptown Park French restaurant will be open from 11 am-8 pm with a three-course, $78 menu ($28 per child). Begin with one of four appetizers, including leek and mushroom soup, pork and duck terrine, or shrimp cocktail. Entree choices include turkey with trimmings, braised short ribs, seared salmon, and vegetable risotto. Finish with one of two desserts.
Eunice
Join chef Drake Leonards for a Louisiana-inspired Thanksgiving. The restaurant will supplement its a la carte menu with dishes such as Cajun-stuffed turkey with sweet potatoes and cranberry marmalade, the Urban Harvest vegetable ragout, and pumpkin pie tart.
Himalaya
On Thanksgiving, chef-owner Kaiser Lashkari adds masala-spiced turkey and dressing to his extensive menu of Indo-Pak fare. Remember, the restaurant is BYOB, so plan accordingly.
Juliet
The Galleria-area steakhouse will host a Thanksgiving buffet from 1-9 pm. Priced at $59 per adult, $28 for kids under 12, and free for children 5 and under, selections include Caesar salad, lobster bisque, a full array of Thanksgiving sides (mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams), a carving station with turkey and steak, and desserts.
Le Jardinier
The Michelin-starred restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will serve a four-course, $185 Thanksgiving menu. Choices include poached Gulf shrimp, Carolina Gold rice risotto, turducken, and wagyu beef bavette. Finish with a choice of dessert.
Leo’s River Oaks
The recently-opened supper club will serve its full menu on Thanksgiving, including selections such as deviled eggs, lobster Thermidor, roast chicken, and prime steaks. We suggest pairing dinner with a movie at the River Oaks Theatre.
Navy Blue
The Rice Village seafood restaurant will serve a three-course, $85 menu (kids under 10 may opt for a $55, two-course menu). In addition to customer favorites such as crab cakes and seafood gumbo, diners may opt for roasted turkey roulade and hanger steak with bone marrow butter.
The Palm
The downtown steakhouse will supplement its usual fare with a $59, three-course menu that includes one of three starters, turkey with trimmings, and either pecan pie or cheesecake.
Pappas Bar-B-Q
Get a Thanksgiving plate with turkey, ham, and sides for $19.95. Served from 9 am-6 pm, it’s the only meal on this list that can be picked up at a drive-thru. The restaurant will also be serving its full menu, which means people can pick up brisket, ribs, or pecan pie to supplement their Thanksgiving table.
Phat Eatery
Both locations of the acclaimed Malaysian restaurant will supplement their regular menu with a $35 Thanksgiving plate that includes honey-glazed turkey breast, ginger-sake cranberry sauce, whipped potatoes, and lobster bisque.
Rainbow Lodge
The restaurant’s three-course, $79 meal includes duck gumbo, roast turkey, and smoked nilgai. Add a late-night snack pack with all the ingredients for a turkey sandwich for $7. Currently, the restaurant is mostly booked, but interested diners should call to be put on the waiting list, as people may cancel at the last minute.
Roma
The Rice Village Italian restaurant will serve a three-course, $55 menu (optional wine pairings, $35). Choices include butternut squash soup, green salad, turkey with trimmings, and a choice of pumpkin or pecan pie.
Saltgrass Steak House
The family-friendly restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving plate that includes roast turkey breast, dressing, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and choice of salad or soup for $23.99.
Steak 48
The bustling steakhouse will open at noon on Thanksgiving. In addition to its usual menu of Prime steaks, the restaurant will service a Thanksgiving dinner ($74) that includes roasted turkey, grab, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and maple-glazed carrots. Add a slice of pumpkin pie for $16.
Toro Toro at the Four Seasons Houston
Downtown’s pan-Latin steakhouse will feature a decadent brunch for $145 per person and $65 per child. Selections include roast turkey, rosemary-crusted prime rib, roast lamb, cornbread stuffing, and a Texas cheese display. Other choices include a cold seafood tower, sushi rolls, and plenty of desserts.
Truluck’s
The seafood restaurant will supplement its regular offerings with a three-course, $59 Thanksgiving dinner ($29 kids 12 and under). It includes choice of soup or salad, turkey and trimmings, and carrot cake or pumpkin cheesecake. Enhance the meal with some of the restaurant’s signature Florida stone crab claws.
Turner’s Cut
For the ultimate in Thanksgiving luxury, consider Ben Berg’s ultra-posh steakhouse in Autry Park. The $250 menu includes choices such as foie gras terrine, Caesar salad, turkey, wild mushroom risotto, American wagyu, and Colorado lamb choices. Family-style sides include roasted baby carrots, potato puree, and Brussels sprouts. For dessert, choose from pumpkin spiced medovik, pecan crunch petit gateau, or cran-apple tarte tartin.
The Warwick
The Galleria-area restaurant will supplement its regular menu with Thanksgiving specials such as deep-fried turkey, sweet potato pie, and Hawaiian-glazed ham. Finish with a slice of carrot cake that uses a recipe from co-owner Rob Wright’s mother.
Willie G’s
This seafood restaurant next to the Post Oak Hotel will serve an expansive Thanksgiving buffet that’s priced at $69 for adults and $29 for children. Expect a full spread of traditional Thanksgiving fare such as turkey, honey-roasted ham, stuffing, candied yams, and green bean casserole. In addition, diners will have access to a raw bar with oysters, smoked salmon, peel & eat shrimp, deviled egg, and spicy tuna rolls. Breads, pastries, and a couple of kid-specific dishes round out the offerings.
