Guides

Where to Eat Out This Thanksgiving

Skip the hosting this year and let these restaurants handle your Thanksgiving feast.


Photo courtesy of Rat’s Restaurant

Eating Thanksgiving at a restaurant makes sense for many reasons: no fighting over oven space, no fighting over the correct way to carve a turkey, no doing dishes, no cleaning your bathroom. It’s a great way to streamline a holiday that can feel like nothing but an ever-lengthening to-do list. And there’s no shortage of restaurants in the city where you can choose the experience you want to have, from super traditional turkey and stuffing to outside-the-box options. Or, you could just order everything ahead of time and host at your home.

Wherever you go, don’t forget to TIP WELL. Many Thanksgiving menus are different from what restaurant staffs are accustomed to, so even if the service is bumpy, tip generously. Serving you on your holiday means restaurant staff, from servers to line cooks to dishwashers, can’t be home with their family or friends. Plus, tipping is a great way to show your gratitude, which is what this holiday is all about, remember?

Scarpetta, Rittenhouse
If an Italian inflected Thanksgiving meal sounds like your style, make a reservation for Scarpetta’s four-course Thanksgiving prix-fixe, featuring plenty of autumnal Italian items like chestnut soup and pumpkin pasta, plus classics like stuffing and turkey, so there’s something for everyone.

a.kitchen, Rittenhouse
a. kitchen’s Thanksgiving prix-fixe will be available for seatings from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Everyone will have their choice of two courses, plus sides and pies for the table. Details here.

Parc, Rittenhouse
Parc will be open all day on Thanksgiving, serving its regular menu. There may not be turkey, but a gigantic seafood tower is arguably more festive than a bird. Reservations through the restaurant’s website.

Photo courtesy of Chez Colette

Chez Colette at the Sofitel, Rittenhouse
Chez Colette’s epic buffet will run you $65 per person and includes a glass of champagne, a raw bar, appetizer bar, carving station, full spread of traditional sides, and plenty of desserts. Details here.

Urban Farmer, Logan Square
For $75 per person, Urban Farmer will offer a prix-fixe Thanksgiving meal with choice of starters, entrees and dessert, plus sides served family style with entrees. Details here.

Aqimero at the Ritz-Carlton, Center City
From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Aqimero will serve a special Thanksgiving buffet featuring a cold seafood display, a carving station, fixing station, dessert station and a hot chocolate bar. Reservations available through the restaurant’s website.

Inchin’s Bamboo Garden, Center City
For a break from the turkey, hit up Inchin’s Bamboo Garden for a taste of their Indian-influenced Chinese food. Reservations available by phone.

Square 1682, Center City
Square 1682’s five-course Thanksgiving feast will knock you out with rich, comforting dishes like bone marrow raviolo, brussels sprouts with parmesan fondue and your choice of ham, turkey, salmon or cauliflower as a main. Details here.

P.J. Clarke’s, Old City
Reservations are now available for P.J. Clarke’s Thanksgiving meal which includes a choice of appetizer, a Thanksgiving plates, plus pie. Details here.

Red Owl TavernOld City
For a more affordable option, the prix-fixe at Red Owl Tavern includes all the requisite items for only $24. Note that no dessert is included.

Jones, Old City
The Thanksgiving prix-fixe at Jones includes your choice of starter, a classic plate with turkey and sides, and your choice of pie for dessert for $34. Reservations available through the restaurant’s website.

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We're open on Thanksgiving!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In addition to our regular a la carte specials, we'll also be serving a special entrée for $34 that includes:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Roasted turkey breast ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Braised dark meat ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Gravy ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Stuffing (mushroom, onions)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Mashed potatoes ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Cranberry sauce ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Roasted winter squash- sage, brown butter⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Fried Brussels sprouts⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Dinner roll⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let us do the cooking this year!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #serpicoonsouth #starrrestaurants #thanksgiving2019

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Serpico, Society Hill
If you can’t choose between classic and modern, check out Serpico, which will have their regular menu available, plus a special entree for $34 that includes turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more. Reservations available through the website.

The Twisted Tail, Queen Village
For only $49 per person, everyone can choose their preferred protein and dig into family-style sides like mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing, plus three pies for dessert. Details here.

CO-OP Restaurant and Lounge, University City
If you’re dining with a group and don’t wait to fuss with choices, head to CO-OP, where a family-style meal for five to six people will run you $125 and includes all the fixings, a whole pumpkin pie and a bottle of wine. Reservations available through the restaurant’s website.

Dim Sum House by Jane G’s, University City
If you’re done with turkey but still want a special-occasion centerpiece, call ahead to reserve a King Crab cooked three ways, or order stay on the bird theme with a crispy duck served with fresh bao buns, all served with a full menu of wine, beer and cocktails. Reservations available through their website.

Photo courtesy of The Bercy

The Bercy, Ardmore, PA
The Bercy’s French-inspired Thanksgiving feast includes super-luxe options like escargots, truffle gnocchi, and creme brûlée, as well as classic turkey and sides. Details here.

Plough, Lancaster, PA
For a more traditional Thanksgiving experience, hit up Plough. A family-style menu will be available in the dining room with classic dishes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then a special bar menu will be available from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a more casual meal. Reservations available through the restaurant’s website.

Revolution Chop House, Valley Forge, PA
If you’d like to pair your Thanksgiving with a little gambling, check out Revolution Chop House’s three course meal with a choice of soup or salad, a classic turkey entree, and a dessert of pumpkin cheesecake. Reservations available through the restaurant’s website.

Rat’s Restaurant, Hamilton, NJ
For Thanksgiving with an activity, reserve for the holiday buffet at Rat’s, and plan to visit Ground for Sculpture before or after your meal, with seating available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rat’s buffet will include French-leaning Thanksgiving classics like herb-roasted turkey breast, maple-glazed candied yams, and pommes puree. Reservations available on the restaurant’s website.