Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC

Cooking a turkey in a tiny New York apartment is a miserable experience. We prefer to let the professionals handle it. Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to sit in a beautiful dining room, order a strong cocktail, and let someone else do the dishes. The city offers everything from historic midtown chophouses slicing massive prime ribs to neighborhood brasseries roasting classic heritage birds. You just have to know where to book.

Tavern on the Green

Central Park · W 67th St and Central Park West · $$$$ WebsiteMap

There is a reason out of town guests always ask to go here. The setting inside Central Park feels entirely removed from the city traffic. You sit in a glass dining room surrounded by trees strung with lights. The kitchen typically runs a four course prix fixe menu for $135 featuring a traditional spread of free range turkey, sausage and sage stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

Go for: the classic Manhattan holiday atmosphere. Know before you go: reservations disappear weeks in advance, so call early.

Gramercy Tavern

Flatiron · 42 E 20th St · $$$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Danny Meyer runs one of the most reliable dining rooms in the city. Executive chef Michael Anthony focuses heavily on seasonal greenmarket ingredients, meaning the vegetable sides often upstage the bird. The holiday tasting menu costs around $195 and guarantees a flawless plate of herb roasted turkey.

Go for: warm hospitality and a perfect meal. Know before you go: the front tavern area does not take reservations, but the dining room does.

Bubby's

Tribeca · 120 Hudson St · $$$ WebsiteMap

This corner restaurant built its reputation on American comfort food. They serve a homestyle Thanksgiving feast that skips the pretense for $125 per adult, and $70 for children. The kitchen carves up glazed ham and classic turkey, and they run one of the best bakeries in town for seasonal pies.

Go for: a casual, high quality family meal. Know before you go: they offer large takeout packages if you prefer to eat at home.

Balthazar

SoHo · 80 Spring St · $$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Keith McNally created a flawless replica of a Parisian brasserie right on Spring Street. The room is loud, crowded, and perfectly lit for a holiday dinner. They serve a special menu that blends traditional American food with French technique, meaning you can order roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing alongside fresh oysters.

Go for: a festive scene with excellent seafood. Know before you go: you can pick up holiday desserts next door at their bakery.

The Grill

Midtown · 99 E 52nd St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

Major Food Group runs this glamorous dining theater inside the Seagram Building. Their Thanksgiving service is a lavish affair that costs around $195 to $215 for three courses. You get bourbon gravy poured over roasted turkey, with the option to add spit roasted prime rib.

Go for: absolute decadence in an architectural landmark. Know before you go: dress up, as the crowd always leans formal.

COTE Korean Steakhouse

Flatiron · 16 W 22nd St · $$$$ MapProfile

You do not have to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. This Michelin starred Korean steakhouse offers a holiday feast for around $155 to $164 per person. The table grills are put to work cooking premium cuts of USDA Prime and American Wagyu beef, served with spicy kimchi stew and savory egg souffle.

Go for: an interactive, meat heavy celebration. Know before you go: everyone at the table must participate in the feast menu.

Hearth

East Village · 403 E 12th St · $$$ WebsiteMap

Chef Marco Canora focuses on locally sourced ingredients and Tuscan traditions inside a very cozy dining room. Their Thanksgiving menu is served family style for about $135 to $142 per person. You get poached breast and braised leg of heritage turkey, sourdough leek stuffing, and roasted market vegetables.

Go for: an intimate, farm to table holiday. Know before you go: check out our East Village guide for places to grab a drink afterward.

Le Crocodile

Williamsburg · 80 Wythe Ave · $$$ WebsiteMap

Located on the ground floor of the Wythe Hotel, this neighborhood brasserie turns out fantastic French cooking. The Thanksgiving menu runs $163 per person. The kitchen sends out roasted turkey breast, maple glazed brussels sprouts with pancetta, and chestnut stuffing in a space that feels upscale but completely unpretentious.

Go for: an expertly cooked bird in a beautiful brick room. Know before you go: head up to Bar Blondeau on the sixth floor for a nightcap.

Keens Steakhouse

Midtown · 72 W 36th St · $$$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Thousands of clay pipes hang from the ceiling of this legendary chophouse. It has been open since 1885 and remains a Midtown staple for heavy, satisfying meals. Their holiday dinner costs around $149 to $159, offering a choice between traditional turkey, their famous mutton chop, or prime rib. It easily ranks among the best steakhouses in the city.

Go for: a massive mutton chop and a side of history. Know before you go: they offer solo reservations for those celebrating on their own.

Carmine's

Times Square · 200 W 44th St · $$$ WebsiteMap

This is the place to bring a massive group. For Thanksgiving, they serve an 18 pound roast turkey with sausage and sage stuffing, sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts. The family style feast feeds six to eight people for $395 total in a loud, chaotic, and completely fun room.

Go for: feeding a large family without doing any dishes. Know before you go: you will absolutely need to ask for boxes to take leftovers home.

Locanda Verde

Tribeca · 377 Greenwich St · $$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Chef Andrew Carmellini serves rustic Italian food in a warm, brick lined room. The holiday menu costs $165 per adult, solidifying its spot as one of the top Italian restaurants in the neighborhood. They serve wood fired heritage turkey alongside sheep milk ricotta and chestnut stuffing.

Go for: a fantastic Italian spin on American holiday food. Know before you go: the wine list is extensive, so ask the sommelier for a pairing recommendation.

Francie

Williamsburg · 136 Broadway · $$$$ WebsiteMap

This brasserie throws a special event called Ducks-Giving. If you are tired of turkey, they serve a set meal starring their famous crown of duck, complete with chestnut sausage stuffing. It is a fantastic excuse to consult our Williamsburg guide and spend the holiday in Brooklyn.

Go for: the best roast duck in Brooklyn. Know before you go: you can still order from the full a la carte menu if you prefer.

Minetta Tavern

Greenwich Village · 113 MacDougal St · $$$ WebsiteMapProfile

The red leather booths and checkerboard floors make this room feel timeless. They stay open for the holiday and offer Thanksgiving specials a la carte, including turkey with sausage and chestnut stuffing. You can also ignore the holiday entirely and just order their famous Black Label burger.

Go for: a late night, classic New York vibe. Know before you go: getting a table is notoriously difficult, so set alerts online.

Rezdôra

Flatiron · 27 E 20th St · $$$$ WebsiteMapProfile

This pasta powerhouse serves a brilliant holiday menu for $195 per person. The courses mix Italian traditions with American classics in a highly refined setting. You might start with a squash and smoked ricotta dish before moving on to tortelli and turkey involtini.

Go for: perfect handmade pasta. Know before you go: the dining room is small, making it ideal for a quiet date.

Quality Meats

Midtown · 57 W 58th St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

This modern steakhouse has industrial design elements and a serious meat program. They typically offer a roasted turkey plate with candied sweet potatoes and porcini stuffing, though the exact holiday specials change yearly. If you prefer red meat, the standard menu of steaks and chops is also available.

Go for: excellent steaks and very strong cocktails. Know before you go: they are located close to Central Park, making it easy to walk off the meal.

The Smith

NoMad · 1150 Broadway · $$ WebsiteMapProfile

When you want a reliable, festive meal without the Michelin price tag, this lively American brasserie hits the mark. The three course Thanksgiving dinner costs $88 per adult. You get a choice of turkey pot pie, roasted turkey breast, or salmon, plus a massive spread of family style sides.

Go for: a great crowd pleaser that will satisfy picky eaters. Know before you go: they have multiple locations across the city, so make sure you book the right one.

The Shout NY take

Book your Thanksgiving dinner early, because the best reservations vanish by October. Tip your servers generously, order an extra bottle of wine, and enjoy a holiday without a sink full of dishes.