Are Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving? 21+ Picks (Updated)

Thanksgiving in the United States is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the blessings of the past year. It’s also a time for eating delicious food! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are just a few of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

Many families choose to cook Thanksgiving dinner at home, but others prefer to dine out at a restaurant. Restaurants can be a great option for those who don’t want to cook or clean up after a big meal.

Yes, many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving. In fact, some restaurants consider Thanksgiving to be one of their busiest days of the year. This is because many people don’t have the time or energy to cook a Thanksgiving meal at home, and they’d rather eat out and enjoy a relaxing meal with family and friends.

Are Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving? Popular Restaurants Open

#1. Applebee’s

Applebee’s may become your go-to holiday spot, whether you want a classic burger, an appetizer platter, or a more festive Thanksgiving-inspired meal.

Some of Applebee’s locations will be open, but not all, so call ahead to confirm your local restaurant’s hours and menu before bringing the whole family.

#2. Bob Evans

Bob Evans restaurants will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for breakfast or the chain’s Thanksgiving holiday meal. However, guests should check with their local restaurant for adjusted hours and availability.

#3. Boston Market

This Thanksgiving, Boston Market will be open for dine-in and take-out, though hours may vary depending on location.

Classics like roasted turkey breast or half rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable stuffing, a dinner roll, and a slice of apple or pumpkin pie are available for dine-in customers.

#4. Brio Italian Grille

Brio Italian Grille will be open on Thanksgiving, with the option of ordering from the standard menu or a special Thanksgiving meal, or taking its “Thanksgiving Feast To Go.”

Because the restaurant can get busy on the holiday, the chain recommends making a reservation or pre-ordering a pickup meal ahead of time.

#5. Buca di Beppo

Despite its reputation as an Italian restaurant, Buca di Beppo will offer its own Thanksgiving menu, including classic roasted turkey breast and side dishes. You can reserve a table online or order a Thanksgiving meal to be picked up later.

#6. Buffalo Wild Wings

Many Buffalo Wild Wings locations will be open for regular dine-in and take-out service on Thanksgiving, but you should check with your local location before making any firm plans to grab some food or watch the game.

#7. Burger King

If you’re sick of turkey by the end of the night, go to your nearest Burger King. However, hours vary by location, so double-check before hitting the drive-thru.

#8. The Capital Grille

The pre-fixe menu at the chain restaurant, which costs $50 for adults and $20 for children, features holiday favorites such as slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green beans. For an additional fee, sweet potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake can be added to the meal.

#9. Cracker Barrel

This Thanksgiving, Cracker Barrel will be open for dine-in service, with restaurants open during normal business hours beginning at 11 a.m., but guests are encouraged to check their local store hours here.

If you want to eat at Cracker Barrel on Thanksgiving, expect a limited menu that includes a “turkey n’ dressing” meal available only on Thanksgiving. Roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, country green beans, sweet-potato casserole with pecans, and cranberry relish are all part of the meal. Buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins, a refillable beverage, and a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert are also included.

Preorders for a heat-and-serve Thanksgiving feast, cinnamon-roll pie breakfast, and country-fried turkey are also available at Cracker Barrel.

#10. Denny’s

Denny’s will once again serve Thanksgiving favourites this year.

Customers can pre-order their Denny’s Thanksgiving meal as early as November 17 for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving celebrations, or they can visit a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day.

#11. Dunkin’

What better way to start your day of cooking than with a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts?

While many locations will be open as usual, you should double-check your local Dunkin’ Donuts hours before heading out, as some will have limited hours on Thanksgiving Day.

#12. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

While Eddie V’s is best known for its seafood and steakhouse, it also serves Thanksgiving dinner.

This Thanksgiving, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will serve a special Thanksgiving menu that includes slow-roasted turkey, green beans, brioche sage stuffing, gravy, cranberry chutney, mashed potatoes, and bread rolls.

#13. Fleming’s Steakhouse

Fleming’s Steakhouse will serve its regular menu as well as a special three-course Thanksgiving menu featuring herb-roasted turkey, filet mignon, or prime bone-in ribeye, as well as a starter, sides, and dessert.

The restaurant chain recommends making a reservation ahead of time for all locations, which will open at 11 a.m.

#14. Fogo de Chão

This year, Fogo de Cho is accepting Thanksgiving reservations, and the steakhouse chain’s Thanksgiving menu will include classic holiday dishes such as roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole, turkey au jus, and cranberry relish.

#15. Golden Corral

When it comes to feeding the masses, you can’t go wrong with a classic buffet like Golden Corral.

Golden Corral restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Some locations, however, will stay open even later, so call ahead to confirm your local restaurant’s Thanksgiving hours. If you don’t want to eat in, Golden Corral offers individual holiday meals to go as well as holiday feasts that can be preordered until Thanksgiving Day.

#16. IHOP

On Thanksgiving morning, a stack of buttermilk pancakes would be perfect. Fortunately, many IHOP locations will be open on the holiday, but customers should call ahead to confirm their local store’s hours.

#17. McDonald’s

Although holiday business hours may differ by location, most McDonald’s locations are expected to be open on Thanksgiving. It’s always a good idea to double-check with your local Golden Arches, just in case.

#18. Metro Diner

On Thanksgiving Day, all Metro Diner locations will be open for dine-in table service until 2:30 p.m.

A take-out feast with baked ham or roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans or corn, cornbread stuffing or macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, and Hawaiian dinner rolls will also be available.

#19. Popeyes

Popeyes will be open as usual and serving its regular menu this Thanksgiving, but the most Popeyes-crazed customers can also order a full-sized Cajun turkey for their at-home holiday feasts.

The turkey is pre-cooked, but you must reheat it in your own oven before serving. To order a turkey, call your nearest location or order one online to have it delivered to you.

#20. Red Lobster

According to FSR Magazine, all Red Lobster locations will be open for dine-in and to-go service on Thanksgiving Day, but guests should check with their local Red Lobster for special holiday hours.

#21. Ruby Tuesday

Most Ruby Tuesday restaurants will be open during regular business hours this Thanksgiving, but it’s best to call and confirm with your local restaurant before making any plans.

#22. Romano Macaroni Grill

Romano’s Macaroni Grill is famous for its pasta, but it also knows how to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner.

On Thanksgiving Day, the restaurant will be open for take-out and dine-in service from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering both its regular menu and a special Thanksgiving menu that includes a choice of starter, roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, a choice of vegetable, and dessert.

#23. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations will not only be open from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, but the chain will also be offering a special festive menu.

The Thanksgiving menu at Ruth’s Chris Steak House includes salad, roasted turkey, and a selection of side dishes, or guests can pre-order a full Thanksgiving dinner for pick-up.

#24. STK Steakhouses

If turkey isn’t your thing, consider having Thanksgiving dinner at a steakhouse.

STK Steakhouses will be open on Thanksgiving across the country, but it’s best to make a reservation or check the hours at your nearest location.

#25. Starbucks

Starbucks will also be open on Thanksgiving Day for any home cooks in need of a caffeine fix, though locations and holiday hours may vary.

#26. Subway

You won’t find any traditional Thanksgiving fare here, but why not skip the cooking by ordering a turkey sub?

While not all Subway locations have confirmed that they will be open on Thanksgiving Day, many will. However, you should double-check the hours of your nearest location just to be sure.

#27. TGI Friday

This Thanksgiving, many TGI Friday’s locations will be open for all of your burger needs.

However, hours and opening times may vary by location, so guests should call their local TGI Fridays for more information.

#28. Waffle House

Waffle House is well-known for being open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and Thanksgiving Day is no exception.

Waffle House locations will be open for all of your Thanksgiving breakfast or pre-Black Friday-feast needs, whether you choose a classic waffle or have your hash browns smothered and covered.

#29. Wendy

According to Wendy’s, many of its locations will be open on Thanksgiving Day, allowing people to fuel up on breakfast or a tasty burger before their Thanksgiving meals.

References

BusinessInsider