Where to Eat on Thanksgiving

The ultimate guide to Thanksgiving dinner in Houston — dine-in and to-go

Cleburne Cafeteria will offer a full menu of Thanksgiving favorites.

Photo by PWL Studio

Thanksgiving will feel different this year. Large gatherings may not be recommended, but individual families can still get together for more intimate affairs.

As always, Houston’s restaurants are available with both to-go and dine-in options that take the stress out of holiday cooking. After all, we’ve had enough to argue about this year without debating the merits of spatchcocking or green bean casserole.

Thanksgiving to-go

Caracol
All four of James Beard Award winner Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught’s Houston restaurants are offering to-go options for Thanksgiving. Caracol has packages for both families of eight to 10 or couples as well as a selection of a la carte items. For example, the couple’s feast ($95) comes with pineapple and babanero sliced spiral ham, coal-roasted sweet potatoes with condensed milk, and jalapeño cornbread, plus four more sides and choice of dessert. Order by November 23 for pickup November 25.

Feges BBQ
The Greenway Plaza barbecue joint has whole briskets, racks of pork ribs, and smoked turkey breasts available for pre-order. Add a la carte sides such as loaded potato salad, braised collar greens, pimento mac and cheese, and sweet potato and banana mashers, or just purchase a smoked pork leaf lard to take that pie crust to the next level. Order by November 20 for pickup November 24 or 25.

Harold’s in the Heights
The Southern-inspired restaurant has a range of options ranging from complete turkey and ham dinners with all the trimmings to individually-packaged meals that are designed for socially distanced gatherings. Best of all, add an extra turkey leg to any order for $8.95. Order by November 19 for pickup or delivery (within five miles) on November 24 or 25.

Local Foods
Build a package from the a la carte selections at the Rice Village location of the popular sandwich shop. Choose from turkey, Texas ribeye with truffle butter, baked salmon, or mapo tofu. Then add sides such as challah-hazelnut dressing, sweet potato-apple kugel, green bean casserole, and orange-cranberry sauce. Add salad, Parker House rolls, and dessert to complete the meal. Order by November 22 for pickup November 24 or 25.

Lucille’s
The Southern-inspired, Museum District restaurant supplements the Thanksgiving meal with a selection of sides, desserts, and bottled cocktails. Options include: bacon, collard green, and cornbread dressing; baked mac & cheese, and smoked mashed potatoes, plus lemon ice box pie and holiday apple sangria. Order by Thursday, November 19 for pickup Wednesday, November 25.

MAD
The restaurant’s Spanish Thanksgiving features some of its signature tapas alongside a signature entree. The $65 per person menu comes with baby squid croquettes, the
MAD tomato, an entree of suckling pig with cardamom-apple compote, fideua, choice of dessert, and more. Pickup available November 24 and 25.

Pivot
Chef Dawn Burrell will serve her globally inspired comfort food to diners’ Thanksgiving tables via her meal preparation service. Options include, fried or roasted turkey, braised short ribs, and ham with praline glaze, plus sides like West Indian-braised collards, green bean casserole, and crawfish cornbread. See the full menu (including desserts) at chefdawnburrell.com. Order by Monday, November 23for pickup or delivery on Wednesday, November 25.

Revival Market
The market and cafe in the Heights offers a selections of proteins and sides for the Thanksgiving table. Options include whole turkey (raw, brined, or brined and smoked), smoked ham, and duck, plus stuffing, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, and herb roasted potatoes. Round out the meal with a charcuterie board and dessert. Order by November 20.

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar
Instead of turkey, consider a Thanksgiving dinner of sushi and Japanese-inspired small plates. The Katy restaurant has packages for groups of six or 12 that include a range of rolls, sides like ginger-soy Brussels sprouts and mac and cheese, and desserts. Order by November 24 for pickup November 25.

Tony’s
The Houston fine dining institution brings its catering expertise to Thanksgiving with a menu that includes roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing, whipped mashed potatoes, Italian-style green beans, cranberry relish, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin pie in packages designed to feed six or 12 ($270 or $540). Order by November 20 for pickup November 25.

Truth BBQ
Like most Houston-area barbecue joints, Truth is offering smoked turkey (whole or breast) plus whole briskets for Thanksgiving. Pans of green beans, corn pudding, and loaded mashed sweet potatoes are also available. Order by November 21 for pickup November 25.

TwoThirtyFour Kitchen
Make it a West African Thanksgiving courtesy of this project from chef Bethany Oyefeso, who has contributed to the buzzy ChòpnBlọk pop-up. The three-course, $35 menu comes with cornbread muffins stuffed with spicy goat, yaji mac and cheese topped with honey chipotle beef and braised collard greens, and sweet potato and plantain pie. Order by November 20 for pickup November 24.

Underbelly Hospitality
Let Chris Shepherd and team enhance Thanksgiving with sides such as cranberry sauce, creamed greens with bacon sausage, mushroom and green bean casserole, and jalapeno cornbread dressing. Other options include add-your-own-turkey gumbo and desserts such as vinegar pie and apple crumb pie. Order by November 21 for pickup November 25.

Weights + Measures
For the first time, the Midtown restaurant is offering a Thanksgiving to-go package. The meal ($125) includes a whole turkey, mashed red potatoes, roasted romanesco, cranberry jam, gravy and dressing, and dinner rolls. Order by November 24 for pickup Wednesday, November 25.

Thanksgiving dine-in

B&B Butchers
Ben Berg’s luxe steakhouse will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 10 am-9 pm. In addition to its regular dinner menu, the restaurant will serve a three-course, $75 prix fixe menu that includes choice of soup or salad, turkey or prime rib, all four side dishes, and choice of dessert. Plus, diners leave with a turkey sandwich to eat later. The menu is also available for curbside pickup. Reservations or pre-order required.

Bistro 555
The Memorial-area French restaurant will be open for both dine-in and to-go on Thanksgiving. The three-course menu ($39 for adults, $15 for children) includes choice of soup or salad, choices of salmon, ribeye, or turkey, and dessert. Reservations and a $20 deposit are required.

Bloom & Bee
The stylish restaurant in the Post Oak Hotel will be open from 11:30 am-8 pm with a four-course, $75 Thanksgiving meal. Start with Butternut Squash Bisque and Fall Salad before dining on an elevated take on the traditional meal that includes: apple cider-brined turkey roulade with Calvados-sautéed figs and cranberries; cornbread stuffing; sweet potato gratin and buttermilk mashed potatoes; and more. Finish with miniature portions of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and apple cobbler.

Brasserie du Parc
The downtown French restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 12-7:30 pm with a three-course menu ($42 per adult, $20 per child). Start with a choice of butternut squash soup, roasted shrimp, or a tartine with brie, pear, and arugula. Entree choices include roasted turkey, seared salmon, braised beef short ribs, and vegetable risotto. A choice of apple crepes or pecan pie finish the meal. Reservations available by calling 832-879-2802.

Brennan's of Houston
The Creole institution will present a three-course, $62 prix fixe menu on Thanksgiving Day. Entrees include: turkey with trimmings, lamb shank with farro risotto, grilled redfish with roasted vegetables, wild game cassoulet, and more. Call 713-522-9711 for reservations.

Cleburne Cafeteria
Procrastinators rejoice. The beloved Houston institution will be open from 11 am-8 pm on Thanksgiving Day for both dine-in and to-go with a menu that includes turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry sauce, baked squash, green casserole, mac and cheese, and more. Housemade desserts such as pumpkin pie, pecan pie, lemon pound cake, and other round out the meal. Large portions are available for pre-order. See website for details.

Himalaya
Head to the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Restaurant of the Year for chef Kaiser Lashkari’s Indian-spiced Thanksgiving. The plate includes masala-spiced turkey, chickpea and rice casserole, tamarind cranberry sauce, dhamaka mashed potatoes, and white chocolate rice pudding topped with raisins and cashews. Walk-ins welcome and to-go options available, 11:30 am-9:30 pm.

Indianola
Instead of a Thanksgiving buffet, the Gulf Coast-inspired restaurant in EaDo will utilize table service to offer wide array of dishes. The $55 offering includes turkey, ham, and beef shoulder filet, plus sides such as Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, chopped salad, and rolls. Finish with pie, apple crumble, Texas sheet cake, or cookies.

Jonathan’s The Rub Memorial Green
Join chef Jonathan Levine for a Thanksgiving Feast. The restaurant will be open from 11 am-8 pm with a special menu anchored by a choice of turkey breast ($45) or beef tenderloin ($58) that comes with a selection of seven, family-style sides. Add soup, salad, and dessert for additional cost. Reservations recommended.

Mala Sichuan Bistro
All three locations will be open for regular hours on Thanksgiving. In addition to its normal menu, Mala will serve a special Leshan Sweet Skin Duck (48-hour advance notice required). Call the restaurant for reservations.

Potente
Downtown's elegant Italian restaurant will serve a five-course, $99 Thanksgiving menu from 11 am - 3 pm. Chef Danny Trace's menu starts with artichoke hummus and cranberry holiday salad. Potente's signature spaghetti with black truffle precedes roasted turkey with all the trimmings. Pumpkin flan cheesecake completes the meal. Both dine-in and to-go available.

Turner’s
The Galleria-area supper club will serve what is undoubtedly Houston’s most decadent Thanksgiving dinner. The $250 per person spread starts with a welcome glass of champagne or a Kir Royale. Appetizers and unlimited hors d'oeuvres follow. Choose soup or salad, before dining on turkey, beef tenderloin, or Chilean sea bass — all of which come with a selection of six sides. Finish with a cheese course and a selection of six desserts. Seatings at 11 am and 4 pm. Reservations required.

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Where to Eat on New Year's Eve

25 Houston restaurants celebrating New Year's Eve with caviar, bubbles, and more

Photo courtesy of The Henry

The Henry, one of the city's newest hotel's, invites diners to enjoy a three-course meal that includes chicken frites.

Whether 2025 was great, awful, or just meh, there’s no reason not to end it on a high note. Houston restaurants are celebrating with indulgent menus featuring caviar, lobster, and steak, along with plenty of bubbly. Food and booze aren’t the only draws — many of these New Year’s Eve celebrations also bring DJs, live music, and even aerial performances into the mix.

Bari Ristorante
Life’s a circus at Cirque du Bari, the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve fete, where the adjoining lawn will be transformed into a whimsical experience complete with stilt walkers. A DJ will keep the atmosphere festive until 2 am, with patrons encouraged to “dress to join the circus.” Two dinner seatings are available from 7–7:30 pm and 9:30–10 pm, followed by a champagne toast at midnight.

Camaraderie
Find fan favorites and limited features on the menu at Camaraderie, such as roast muscovy duck breast in a cherry and foie gras jus, and a meringata with white truffle gelato and hazelnut praline. Reservations are required to snag this $98 per person curated menu. Seatings are available from 5 pm-10 pm.

Doc’s Jazz Club
Montrose’s new jazz club is sending off 2025 with 7 pm and 10 pm performances by Tianna Hall and the Houston Jazz Band. The four-course dinner opens with black-eyed pea soup and a grape-arugula salad, followed by a choice of stuffed pork tenderloin, 6-ounce Black Angus filet, or seared halibut. End on a sweet note with a spiced, red-wine poached pear and cinnamon whipped cream. The 7 pm seating includes a bubbly toast, while those at the 10 pm show will be served a full bottle of bubbles at midnight.

Eculent
There’s no reason to settle on just one restaurant for NYE, when you can visit all four of Chef David Skinner’s spots with a $99 “Ticket to Roam.” Patrons can move between eculent, ISHTIA, Meticulous Spirits Distillery, and Clear Creek Winery all in one night, with a hot buffet from 7–10 pm, a dessert bar from 10 pm-12 am, and champagne with party favors at midnight. Cocktails and wine will be available for purchase. The event is 21+ with reservations required.

Flora Mexican Kitchen
Toast to the new year at this Buffalo Bayou Park eatery where a live DJ will spin tracks from 8 pm-12 am, with complimentary champagne when the clock strikes midnight. A sparkling disco ball adds to the ambiance.

Guard and Grace
The luxurious downtown steakhouse will supplement its regular menu with NYE features, including dry-aged duck breast with foie gras dirty rice, bluefin tuna tataki, steamed crab and lobster wonton, pan-roasted Alaskan halibut, and smoked, bone-in beef short rib with black garlic glaze.

The Henry at Town & Country Village
One of Houston’s newest neighborhood restaurants invites diners to welcome 2026 with a three-course meal. Start with decadent bites such as the truffled brie toast, followed by entrees like a Korean prime skirt steak or roasted chicken frites. Dessert brings a chocolate fudge pie, lemon olive oil cake, or a molten butter cake. Priced at $85 per person, with optional wine pairings available as an add on. The Henry is open from 4 pm-12 am.

Juliet
Slip into the new year feeling like a spy at this James Bond-inspired, black-tie attire event. “Casino Royale” at Juliet is a $250-per-person celebration with casino-esque games, magicians, entertainment, open bar, and a three-course dinner. Standout dishes include a two-pound lobster thermidor and a 36-ounce tomahawk ribeye (+$150).

Kitchen Rumors
This fusion spot in the Arts District is marking New Year’s Eve with a $75 prix fixe menu of flavorful creations like roasted oyster tikka, shrimp ravioli, and beef vindaloo with basmati rice. The fifth and final course offers a choice between carrot halwa cheesecake or chocolate cardamom mousse. Kitchen Rumors is open from 4pm-10pm.

Little’s Oyster Bar
Seafood lovers will want to close out 2025 at Little’s Oyster Bar where features include Matagorda Pearl oysters on the half shell with champagne seafoam and Little’s white sturgeon caviar, Red Royal shrimp, lobster bisque, and Yellow Edge grouper. The fixed-price menu is $175 per person, served from 5 pm-10 pm.

Makiin
It’s “Midnight in Bangkok” at this Upper Kirby restaurant where live entertainment — like Thai dancers, aerial performance, and DJ — complement a $55, three-course menu. All diners can raise a complimentary pour at midnight. MaKiin is open until 12 am on December 31.

The Marigold Club
Goodnight Hospitality's decadent, Mayfair London-inspired French restaurant is celebrating New Year's Eve with a three-course, $175 per person prix fixe menu. Begin with choices such as beef tartare, tuna crudo, or Caesar salad. Entree choices include prime filet, duck Wellington, Dover sole, and lobster Thermidor. Four dessert choices complete the meal. Enhance the experience with additions such as caviar, truffles, and champagne.

Maximo
Executive chef Adrian Torres’ progressive Mexican cuisine is the star of Maximo’s NYE show. Smoked pork belly, masa cornbread with white truffle and caviar, and corn puree Basque cheesecake are just a few of the offerings on the five-course, $85 prix fixe menu. Add cocktail and wine pairings for an additional $45. Maximo will open at 5 pm on New Year’s Eve with a last seating at 10 pm, and return to regular service and menus on Thursday, January 1.

Milton’s
Say “Buon Anno” with a five-course feast at Milton’s. The curated dinner starts at $150 per person, with optional wine pairings available for $75. Find favorites such as the housemade sourdough tagliatelle with shaved black truffle, and a seafood risotto with poached lobster.

Murray’s Pizza and Wine
Raise a slice of pizza to the year’s end at this recently-opened pizzeria. The prix fixe menu features small plates and three limited-edition pizzas: caviar and with Norwegian salmon that's hot-smoked in house; duck confit pizza with roasted red grapes; and a truffle-wild mushroom pizza with a garlic cream sauce and salsa verde.

North Italia
Why not finish the year off with a sampling of new dishes? The restaurant’s three-course menu for NYE includes staples such as the Sicilian meatballs, alongside new creations like smoked prosciutto chicken parmesan and a lobster mezzaluna with tiger shrimp in a white vodka sauce. Pricing starts at $75 per diner.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
The Houston institution invites patrons to bid adieu to the year with a $150, four-course menu. Lobster deviled eggs, grilled double cut lamb chops, and “turtle” mousse tart are on the menu, as is the restaurant’s signature 16-ounce, prime ribeye. Both the Galleria and the downtown locations will host the celebration.

Sol 7 at the Thompson Hotel
Soar up to the seventh floor of the Thompson Hotel for Sol 7’s $70, three-course menu. Patrons can take in the restaurant’s downtown views while dishes of miniature crab cake with remoulade, a compressed melon carpaccio salad, and a red wine braised short rib are delivered to the table. A banana rum cake completes the meal. For those who want to continue the celebration, the hotel is offering a “Let’s Party” in-room decor package that includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

State of Grace
Join chef Ryan Lachaine at this River Oaks-staple for a four-course, $145 per person dinner. Everyone starts with house baked bread, served with butter and caviar, before choosing one of five starters such as raw oysters, chili crab, or yellowfin tuna crudo. Entree options include char sui-style duck breast, mushroom risotto, prime filet, or dry-aged cote du boeuf ($49 supplement) and are paired with shared sides including black-eyed peas. Add wine pairings for $65 or $125.

Street to Kitchen
James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter and her husband Graham Painter invite diners to join them for a surprise menu that features multiple courses showcasing "unapologetically Thai sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy flavors." Priced at $100, the meal begins at 7 pm with a cocktail hour at 6 pm. Reserve seats via Street to Kitchen's website.

Succulent Fine Dining
The Regent Square restaurant is capping off its first year in Houston with music from DJ Sound and Vision and a seven-course prix fixe menu. From the $125 per person menu, expect entrees like a poached halibut cheek with butter-braised leeks, and a pepper-crusted, 1855 Farms prime rib. The regular dinner menu will also be available. Succulent Fine Dining is open from 5 pm-12 am.

Turner's Cut
Those looking to splurge may want to indulge in the seven-course tasting menu at this ultra-posh steakhouse in Autry Park. Priced at $2,026 per couple, it includes selections such as a caviar tartlet paired with champagne; lobster ravioli paired with more champagne; both an American wagyu strip and a Japanese wagyu filet; and a welcome cocktail made with Rémy Martin 1738. A toast with Louis XIII cognac ends the meal. Live music, party favors, and a midnight balloon drop complete the experience.

Uchi and Uchiko
New Year’s Eve is an intimate affair at Uchi, where diners can reserve a $400 omakase experience for two. Selections include Siberian caviar service, A5 wagyu gyutoro, and bluefin akami. The restaurant’s sister restaurant, Uchiko, is also offering an omakase for two at $350. The regular menu will be available at both restaurants on NYE, but no happy hour or to-go orders will be. Reservations are available from 4 pm-11 pm.

The Woodlands Resort
2025 is going out big in the ‘burbs with a 14-piece live band and a buffet-style dinner at the Woodlands Resort. The festivities kick off with a champagne welcome and passed appetizers, with a live DJ cranking out tunes before a confetti countdown at midnight. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased via Eventbrite. “Midnight Noir” at The Woodlands Resort is from 7 pm-1:30 am.

Photo courtesy of The Henry

The Henry, one of the city's newest hotel's, invites diners to enjoy a three-course meal that includes chicken frites.

news-you-can-eat new years eve holidays