This year I am basking in the afterglow of a "normal" Thanksgiving season. The pandemic is finally far enough in the rear-view mirror where all the social distancing (2022), quarantining (2021), or just skipping the whole tradition (2020) feels like it was all a bad dream. We're back!
But my advice remains: don't cook! Despite the cost of turkeys coming down, inflation still has the cost of the meal at all-time highs so trying to save money on Cooking-It-Yourself (CIY) will be a futile endeavor.
Then there is just the stress of CIY. Just envision the 8-10 man/woman hours involved (when you factor in the shopping, cooking, and cleaning dishes). Ask yourself: is this really a worthy return on investment for the 30-45 minutes of gorging on the meal (and then the glorious tryptophan nap)? I say unequivocally, no!
Don't get me wrong--I love the Thanksgiving meal as much as anyone. It's a joyous union of about 8 of my favorite comfort foods all at the same table. Succulent turkey, savory stuffing, tart cranberries, buttery mashed potatoes--all of it comes together in one of the year's most delicious and nostalgic flavor profiles. And in a year where Thanksgiving has finally been released from the dark Covid cloud, I make an especially impassioned annual pitch for you to leave it to the pros!
Below is a list of places to dine in or take out options that will create gastronomic joy and most importantly render stress obsolete. Besides the list below, Open Table or Resy are great for locking in dine-in plans. Either way, leave the cooking and cleaning to the experts and enjoy!
Dine In
AltaToro is hosting a Latin Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m.-8
p.m. The menu features a variety of Latin-inspired foods like a turkey adovada
carving station, barbacoa de pollo, Camarones alla Mexican, yuca frita, arepas,
ceviche, empanadas, croquetas, chorizo and pineapple stuffing, aros rojo and plantains.
The cost is $55 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets via Resy.
5Church Midtown
is serving its annual Thanksgiving buffet on Nov. 23 with features such as
turkey and ham carving stations, salmon, roasted chicken, Caesar salad, shrimp
and crab cocktail, lasagna, grilled corn and a selection of desserts. The
restaurant is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and the cost is $70 for adults and $20 for
children 12 and under. Purchase tickets via Resy. 5Church Buckhead is serving its annual Thanksgiving buffet on Nov. 23 with features
such as a turkey carving station, salmon, fried chicken, Waldorf salad, deviled
eggs, collard greens and numerous desserts. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-8
p.m., and the cost is $70 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets via Resy.
The Sundial Restaurant atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza offers spectacular views along with a 5 Course Pre-Set Menu at $125 Per Person Plus Tax and Gratuity. Book your reservation here.
MARCUS BAR & GRILLE - Thanksgiving
buffet On Thursday, November 23 from
noon to 7 p.m., celebrate at the 'For The Love of Family' Thanksgiving
buffet ($70 for adults, $35 for children 12 years & under - includes
gratuity). Highlights include: Marcus
B&G fan-favorites, turkey & stuffing, wood-fired four cheese mac,
smoked chicken dressing, slow-cooked collards, pecan pie, banana pudding,
spiked cider & more!
Cattle Shed
introduces its Thanksgiving dinner with a traditional four-course meal from
11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. The meal starts with prosciutto deviled eggs followed by
course selections including beet and pear salad, wild-caught salmon, smoked
turkey breast, asparagus, rosemary and sage stuffing and bourbon whiskey
chocolate cake. The cost is $95 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and
under. Reservations can be made online.
Ray's at Killer Creek is open on Thanksgiving Day serving a vast buffet
from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Menu highlights include salmon pate, farmers market salad,
seasonal butternut squash bisque, savory herb-roasted turkey breast, roasted
herb-crusted prime rib, Faroe Island honey-glazed salmon, Southern-style
cornbread stuffing, crispy roasted Brussels sprouts and a variety of desserts
including homemade pumpkin pie. The cost is $75 per person plus tax and
gratuity. Make reservations online.
Three Arches will be offering a special prix fixe menu for Thanksgiving that will be offered from 3 pm to 8 pm (last seating at 8 pm). Three Arches will serve a limited regular menu for those guests who do not wish to participate in the prix fixe - at the bar only - until 10 pm. A credit card will be required to make reservations HERE, (cancellation policy: a 50% no-show charge will be applied; 25% charge for any reservations canceling within a 48-hour window).
Thanksgiving at Le Bilboquet-- Le Bilboquet, a French bistro and bar located in the heart of Buckhead Village, will offer a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu on Thursday, November 23. The special, three-course holiday menu is $95 per person and includes a selection of starters such as Hearty Lentil Soup, Butternut Squash Tart served with an arugula salad, Tuna Ceviche topped with yuzu dressing, marinated daikon and micro coriander; and several entrées including Cajun Chicken Breast served with French fries, mixed green lettuce & beurre blanc and Roasted Turkey complete with corn casserole, mashed sweet potatoes, Brussels sprout-carrots-walnut casserole, creamy spinach, cranberries sauce & gravy. Dessert offerings include Vanilla Creme Brulee with caramelized vanilla custard, Classic Carrot Cake topped with buttercream scotch sauce and more. To make a reservation, visit lebilboquetatlanta.com.
Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar and Kitchen will be open on Thanksgiving from 7 am-12 am Have a choice of herb-roasted turkey or slow-roasted molasses glazed ham complete with mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, roasted carrots, and cranberry compote for $35 a person. Finish with mouth-watering peach crisp or banana pudding at $10 a serving. End the evening with panoramic city views on the Rowdy Tiger rooftop to take in the beauty of Midtown Atlanta.
Dantanna's will be open on Thanksgiving, November 23rd, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for food and football. For more information, please call 404.760.8873 or
visit www.dantannas.com.
Dantanna's is located at 3400 Around Lenox Dr. Suite 304, Atlanta, GA 30326.
Stay connected on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @dantannas.
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is offering dine-in and takeout options for
Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving family meal to go includes a whole fried turkey,
a variety of sides, orange cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and a whole pumpkin or
pecan pie for $155 (serves six to eight). Guests have until Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.
to place to-go orders that can be picked up between 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesday,
Nov. 22 or between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23. Orders can be placed online. Families wanting to get out of the house for
Thanksgiving can head to any HOBNOB location for a three-course traditional
Thanksgiving dinner between 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Cost is $45 per person
(excluding tax and gratuity); a kids plate is available for those 12 and under
for $17.95. Make reservations online.
Nagomiya offers an authentic nine-course Thanksgiving meal for $90 per person. Sit back and enjoy as your table fills with soup, chawanmushi, sunomono, tempura, 7pcs premium nigiri, and a delectable Japanese sweets platter. Indulge in Manaka matcha wafer, chestnut mont blanc, and three kinds of Swiss rolls: chocolate, green tea, and strawberry. Thanksgiving Day Hours: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Select Restaurant + Bar in Sandy Springs offers an escape to a 1920s French atmosphere with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Bring the whole family for applewood smoked ham, butternut squash soup, and mac & cheese among other delicious options. $79 per adult and $37 for children aged 6-12.
South City Kitchen in Buckhead + Midtown is open Thanksgiving 11 am - 7 pm and will feature roast turkey breast with cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, garlic collards, mashed potatoes, and orange-cranberry relish. Kids' chicken fingers and grilled cheeses will also be available. Order the dinner to-go and receive buttermilk biscuits, corn muffins + whipped butter, green salad with locally grown Muir and butter lettuces, young kale, benne seed vinaigrette + pecorino romano, and oven-roasted turkey breast with giblet gravy + cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving at The Americano in the Intercontinental Buckhead-- Guests are invited to a special Thanksgiving celebration at Atlanta's Italian Steakhouse, The Americano, helmed by celebrity chef Scott Conant. The restaurant will serve a four-course prix-fixe menu with highlights including Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks with vegetable fregola & pumpkin seed "togarashi", Citrus Insalata with almonds, radicchio, feta & citrus vinaigrette, Turkey Dinner with porchetta brined turkey, pancetta chestnut stuffing, broccolini & Campari cranberry sauce, Brussels Sprouts with neonata, crispy shallots & crème fraîche, Pumpkin Budino with gingerbread crumble & bourbon whipped cream. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by visiting OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at 404.946.9070.
Botica will be open regular hours on Thanksgiving and Chef Mimmo will be serving his Smoked Turkey Taco as a special for $4.
Ruth's Chris is offering Thanksgiving dine-in.
Magnolia Room Cafeteria is open on Thanksgiving
This is a great list from Eater Atlanta.
Bring It Home
Murphy's Dinner for four, prepped, pre-cooked, packaged, and labeled, ready to reheat in 25-30 minutes! Feeds 4 with leftovers! Let Murphy's prepare your holiday feast this year! Our Thanksgiving to Go includes soup, salad, sides, and sliced turkey breast with a choice of pie. The dinner is enough to feed four with some left over for the next day. Order incredible turkey and fixings and add wines from Murphy's wine store to round out the meal! Order here! With Turkey $185, Without Turkey $100.
Fox Bros. BBQ Holiday Package with Sliced Turkey Breast (3 pounds) & Giblet Gravy for 4 Guests at $180 is still available. (the whole turkey and ham dinners and all pies are sold out). Includes Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar and pecans, Mac and cheese, Green Bean Casserole, Cornbread Dressing, and Mixed Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Order quickly, they will sell out!
Feast on wood-fired flavors and
fuel up for the holidays with a two-go meal from TWO urban licks. The
Thanksgiving feast bundle includes an 8-10 lb half turkey, brined and roasted
with turkey gravy, with a choice of dessert and sides, feeding 4-6 people for
$195 or the option to include two wine bottles for $215. With the option to
grab and gobble a la carte, TWO's trimmings include garlic whipped potatoes
& giblet gravy, white cheddar mac & cheese, cornbread dressing, corn
and bacon spoonbread, brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce. Well known to lovers
of the BeltLine favorite, salmon chips are an available addition to any order
as well as smoked brisket for $30 by the pound. Available now, order via email
at twothanksgiving@ctrxhs.com or
call 404-522-4622. Thanksgiving Two Go is available for pickup on Wednesday,
November 22 between noon and 4 p.m. For more information or to make
reservations, call 404.522.4622 or visit twourbanlicks.com.
Stay connected on Instagram at @TwoUrbanLicks and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TwoUrbanLicks.
Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails announces its Thanksgiving turkey and sides-to-go offerings. The turkeys feed six to eight people, and the sides feed two to four people. Sides include mashed potatoes, smoked Gouda mac and cheese, green beans, and more. Guests can place their orders online and pick up meals at the restaurant on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Meal orders placed before Oct. 31 are $20 off.
South City Kitchen Thanksgiving take-away dinner for two will be available to order via OpenTable (from Buckhead, Vinings & Midtown locations only) until Wednesday, November 23 at 5 p.m for pick-up on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Meal ($85 + tax), includes roasted turkey breast, salad, red bliss mashed potatoes, garlic collards, giblet gravy, cream biscuits & cornbread, dressing + orange-cranberry sauce.
of Le Bon Nosh's Thanksgiving offerings on your radar for any upcoming holiday coverage you may have in the works! While the restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving, chef and founder, Forough Vakili, has curated a selection of Thanksgiving specials that can be conveniently ordered to-go. These offerings are designed to simplify your holiday cooking and are a great way to add a few gourmet dishes to your celebrations. Listing their full offerings and links below: Sourdough Stuffing - $60, Lobster Macaroni and Cheese - $75, Apple Cake - $50, Pecan Tart - $50, Full Feast (including sourdough stuffing, lobster macaroni and cheese, apple cake and pecan tart) - $235. Guests will be able to order directly from the Le Bon Nosh website and pick up will be available after 2pm on Tues/Nov 21st or Wed/Nov 22nd.
Grab it and gobble at DBA Barbecue! This
Thanksgiving, skip cooking all day and messy cleanup as the local barbecue
haunt offers succulent smoked turkeys and a mouthwatering array of homemade sides,
all conveniently ready for takeout. Whole smoked turkeys, the centerpiece
of any Thanksgiving feast, are available for purchase for $100, while turkey
breasts are available at $24 per pound. For those looking to sit back and relax
all day, the entire Thanksgiving dinner includes a selection of homemade side
dishes such as garlic-infused green beans, delectable sweet potato soufflé,
creamy mashed potatoes, flavorsome dressing, and a savory gravy for $240.
Smoked turkeys and sides are available to order now through November 20th by
calling the restaurant at 404-249-5010. All dishes come with reheating
instructions and will be ready for pickup at both locations on Wednesday,
November 22, 2023, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. D.B.A. Barbecue
Virginia-Highland is located at 1190 N. Highland Avenue NE Suite B Atlanta,
Georgia 30306. DBA Barbecue Chastain is located at 4441 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta,
GA 30342. For more information, visit www.dbabarbecue.com or
call 404.249.5000.
McDaniel's QN2 offers a chance to BYOT where they'll cook it for $1.75 a pound or you can order a whole turkey smoked and brined for $7.99 a pound and grab some of their incredible sides.
CASTELLUCCI HOSPITALITY GROUP - One click or a-la-carte Thanksgiving dinner to-go From a "one-click" Thanksgiving dinner package starting at $299, to just the turkey, family-style sides like sage sausage stuffing or sweets like Dutch apple pie, choose what's best for you + your crew. Order online by Monday, November 20, for pickup from Double Zero, Sugo, or The Iberian Pig Buckhead on Wednesday, November 22, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Drawbar Take a break from cooking this holiday season and enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner To Go from Drawbar. Simply pick up your meal and enjoy the extra time with your family and friends. The deadline to order is November 20. Meals will be warm when picked up. You will select your protein, sides, and dessert at checkout. You may upgrade 1 of your protein choices to Rosemary Prime Rib Loin at checkout for an additional $30. Please email any questions to drawbar@bellyardhotel.com. Pickup times: November 23 from 10 am-2 pm. Please select the ticket time that you would like to pick up your order at checkout. Thanksgiving Menu for 2- $130.00
ECCO Say goodbye to stress this year & order your dinner via OpenTable by Monday, November 20 at noon for pick up at either their Buckhead or Midtown location on Wednesday, November 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. Choose between two dinner packages: turkey breast roulade ($165++) or the short rib wellington ($195++) - both served with sides of local lettuces, pommes dauphinoise, sweet potato casserole, broccolini and leek & chestnut dressing plus, enhancements available to add-on.
Old Vinings Inn is offering Thanksgiving to go. Serves 4-6 people, $225. Orders placed by 3 PM Sunday, 11/20 will be available for pick up Wednesday 11/23. 6% tax and 15% service charge added to all orders.
Hampton + Hudson Thanksgiving Meals To-Go - Hampton + Hudson will offer their annual Thanksgiving meals to go, featuring the below lineup. A la carte items will also be available, and each dish will include reheating instructions. Orders can be placed here. All orders must be placed by 6 p.m. on November 21 and picked up on Wednesday, November 22 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. The meals are $55 for two people or $100 for four.
This holiday season, El Super Pan will offer a special FESTíN Boricua Take-Home Menu - a special Puerto Rican holiday feast - available for pre-order beginning November 1! The menu consists of appetizer, protein, side, and dessert options, each portioned for 10-12 people. Menu highlights include the Paleta de Cerdo Asada, a succulent slow-roasted, bone-in pork shoulder with cuerito (crispy pork skin), Ham Croquetas, Empanadas and more. Perfect for large groups and families, the customizable, full-spread dinner features Chef Hector Santiago's inventive takes on Latin-inspired dishes. Starting November 1, customers can mix and match their own holiday feast using the link here or email catering@elsuperpan.com to place an order. Orders for Thanksgiving will be available for pickup on November 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Battery location (455 Legends Place). Thanksgiving and Christmas orders will be accepted until one week prior to pickup. Orders may also be placed throughout the holiday season with three days' notice.
Thanksgiving Eve and BLACK FRIDAY…
Thanksgiving Eve Feast at Lazy Betty Guests are invited to the newly minted Michelin Star-winner Lazy Betty to savor a sumptuous feast of plenty that goes beyond the traditional turkey on the night before Thanksgiving. Reservations for the elevated seven-course menu are available here for $275 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $150.
Your 3rd Spot is a fun place to gather with friends and family for food, drinks and games over the holidays. While closed on Thanksgiving Day, Your 3rd Spot is open on Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 22 from 3-11 p.m. and Black Friday, Nov. 24 from 1 p.m.-1 a.m.
LITTLE REY - Black Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., grab a quick pick-me-up - from breakfast tacos, café de ollas, cervezas, margaritas frozen or on the rocks & more.
SUPERICA - Black Friday beginning at 10 a.m. (at all locations), snack & sip on Tex-Mex classics such as famous Superica salsa, melt-in-your-mouth hotcakes, huevos rancheros, margaritas & more.