Where to Dine in Houston on Thanksgiving Day 2016

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it's time to make those Turkey Day plans. This year, why not let Houston restaurants do the work for you? From casual roast turkey dinners to elegant five-course affairs, check out our 2016 Thanksgiving Day Dining Guide.

Note: Don’t forget to make reservations, as many of these spots will fill up.

Artisans Restaurant, 3201 Louisiana, 713-529-9111
For $75 per person, this Midtown tour de force offers an impressive multi-course feast, featuring an oyster and cornbread amuse-bouche; choice of sweet potato soup with jumbo lump crab and corn cake or port-braised short rib and goat cheese ravioli; choice of wild-rice-crusted black cod, filet mignon de porc, or roast turkey breast entrée; and spiced pumpkin “opera” cake with bourbon ice cream for dessert. Reservations can be made between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 1814 Washington, 713-862-1814
B&B Butchers & Restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests have the option order from a prix fixe menu,  plus the entire dinner menu (which has several new dishes). The prix fixe menu features an amouse bouche, plus three multi-choice courses with options like butternut squash soup, roasted prime rib au jus and pumpkin pie. Cost is $55 per adult and $25 per child 12 and under.

benjy's on Washington, 5922 Washington, 713-868-1131
The Rice Village location will be closed, but the Washington benjy’s is ready to serve you a three-course feast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. For $40 per person, choose from red potato leek soup or arugula cranberry salad with pepper-crusted goat cheese before moving on to the main course: choice of garlic herb roasted turkey with Steen’s cane glaze, pork steak with miso apple butter, grilled local catch with saffron tomato fennel, or eggplant lasagna, all served with the proper T-Day accoutrements. Finish off the meal with sweet potato pie, pecan pie or mom’s chocolate cake. Kids menus are available for $17/child, with a fresh fruit appetizer, choice of cheese burger, turkey dinner or grilled cheese, and dessert.

Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, 713-827-8008
Owner Genevieve Guy will host this special event which will bring to the table a three-course menu created for the occasion. Diners will have a choice of soup or salad, fish, beef or fowl and a choice of desserts. There is also a menu for children 12 and under. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. only, and the cost is $33 for adults and $12 for the children’s menu, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required with a $20 deposit via Paypal.

Brennan's of Houston, 3300 Smith, 713-522-9711
Wine and dine, NOLA-style with a three-course dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $60 per person. Starters include turtle soup au sherry, oyster stew and shrimp remoulade; while entrée options include a Texas-Creole-style roast turkey dinner with dirty rice dressing, molasses sweet potatoes and cognac giblet gravy; Black Hill Ranch osso bucco, and boudin-stuffed quail. Make sure to save room for desserts like the restaurant's famous tableside bananas Foster or a big slice of rum carrot cake.

Brenner’s on the Bayou, 1 Birdsall, 713-868-4444
This picturesque restaurant will be offering a three-course menu — featuring choice of butternut squash soup or traditional Caesar salad, roast turkey breast with giblet gravy or prime rib au jus, and hazelnut chocolate cake or creamy vanilla cheesecake — for $42 per person.

The Burger Joint, 2703 Montrose, 281-974-2889
The Burger Joint is open on Thanksgiving normal hours and will be serving a turkey burger, of course.

The Capital Grille, 5365 Westheimer, 713-623-4600
Head to this Galleria hot spot to enjoy a full à la carte menu as well as a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner ($36 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The meal features slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans with Marcona almonds, mashed potatoes and cranberry pear chutney ($38 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under) along with a big slice of pumpkin cheesecake ($10) for dessert.

Charivari, 2521 Bagby, 713-521-7231
From noon to 8 p.m., guests are invited to dine on a $50 create-your-own Thanksgiving menu, featuring an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Choices include pumpkin lobster bisque, pan-fried foie gras, turkey and stuffing, wiener schnitzel and cranberry cobbler.

Edgar’s Hermano at the Whitehall Hotel, 1700 Smith, 713-739-8800
The Whitehall Hotel restaurant will be open regular hours with regular menu items on Thanksgiving Day.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101 Uptown Park, 832-668-5808
Etoile will be offering a three-course prix fixe menu, with dishes including onion soup gratinée and plat de côtes de boeuf braisés (braised beef short ribs with butternut squash mousseline, fall vegetables and Cabernet syrup) in addition to a full free-range turkey dinner. Dessert options include pistachio crème brûlée and pecan vanilla pie. Cost is $56 for adults and $25 for kids.

Genesis Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 5427 Bissonnet, 713-665-2222
In addition to a regular à la carte lunch, this Kosher steakhouse will be serving a special Thanksgiving Day turkey feast from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 3201 Louisiana #101, 713-491-2222
Join Holley's for a three-course prix fixe dinner ($60 per adult, $30 per child), with dishes such as garlic butter Nola oysters,  pumpkin soup with curried shrimp, tamarind-glazed duck, traditional turkey dinner with oyster cornbread stuffing and cinnamon-apple bread pudding. Reservations can be made from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Houstonian, 111 North Post Oak, 713-680-2626
The Houstonian offers three Thanksgiving day dining options. Let the festivities begin by dining in the elegant Grande Ballroom, with selections such as sweet herb roasted turkey, prime rib, smoked salmon and caviar service, marshmallow-stuffed French toast with chocolate banana caramel and more classic brunch selections, and a pastry shop. Complimentary champagne and signature mimosas are included for $79 for adults ($35 for children ages five to 12 and complimentary for children four and under). Brunch prices are subject to sales tax and service charge. To make reservations, call 713-812-6932, or visit Houstonian.com.

Olivette Restaurant in The Houstonian Hotel is serving a special “Texas-style” seated Thanksgiving menu with individually priced holiday season options such as sweet potato bisque, cornbread- and pecan-stuffed Texas quail, Gulf Coast crab cake and Texas Angus filet mignon. Finish with the pastry chef’s signature pumpkin pie with brandy sabayon. To make reservations in Olivette, call 713-685-6713 or visit OpenTable.com.

The elegant and historic Manor House Restaurant, with its Gulf Coast Creole style, has its own special menu for Thanksgiving celebrations including its signature seafood gumbo, shrimp étouffée, Texas jumbo lump crab cake with maque choux, and black pepper-crusted prime rib. Dessert choices are classic vanilla crème brûlée with linzer cookie and berries and pecan pie with caramel and bourbon ice cream. Cost is $58 per person, plus tax and service charge. To make reservations in The Manor House, call 713-685-6840 or visit OpenTable.com.

La Table, 1800 Post Oak, 713-439-1000
La Table will offer a family-style dinner menu available for take-out or dining-in from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with oven-roasted, free range organic turkey served with madeira gravy and seasonal side dishes including chestnut wild mushroom brioche stuffing, haricots verts almondine, honey-roasted sweet potatoes, potato purée, cranberry relish and parker house rolls. Dessert offerings include bourbon pecan pie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce and pumpkin pie with gingerbread chantilly and cranberry marmalade. Cost is $85 per adult and $39 for children ages five to 12, plus tax, gratuity and beverages.

Le Colonial, 4444 Westheimer, 713-629-4444
The Vietnamese restaurant will open its doors on Thanksgiving Day, offering guests a number of specials that day, along with the regular lunch and dinner menus. Specials include smoked turkey spring rolls with a creamy basil dipping sauce; roasted duck with a cranberry ginger sauce and wok fried brussel sprouts; and pumpkin cheesecake with a brandy cumquat sauce.

Le Mistral, 1400 Eldridge, 832-379-8322
Enjoy a four-course Thanksgiving menu ($55 per person) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 5 to 9 p.m. Dishes include velvety white corn soup with crispy bacon, wild mushroom duck confit strudel, sliced free-range turkey with fixin's, and pumpkin soufflé.

McCormick & Schmick’s, 791 Town & Country, 713-465-3685
In addition to classic steak and seafood offerings, guests can dine on a traditional two-course turkey dinner for $26.50, including choice of butternut squash bisque or field green salad with candied walnuts and blue cheese crumbles in a white balsamic vinaigrette; and dark and light meat turkey with gravy, traditional stuffing, butternut squash casserole, fresh cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Pumpkin pie will be available for $4 per slice and candied walnut apple pie for $10.

Mockingbird Bistro, 1985 Welch, 713-533-0200
This elegant restaurant will be serving a decadent three-course feast from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy starters such as lobster bisque or butternut squash soufflé before moving on to main choice selections, including herb-roasted turkey with the works; filet of beef with lobster mashed potatoes; or pepper-crusted Mediterranean sea bass. Save room for sweet stuff, your choice of pumpkin cheesecake, apple bread pudding or chocolate pecan pie. Cost is $75 per adult and $25 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Cost for adults with Sommelier’s Wine Pairings is $99, plus tax and gratuity.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 5061 Westheimer, 832-487-8862
For the first time, The Oceanaire Seafood Room will remain open from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, inviting area-residents to gobble a delicious Thanksgiving meal with family, friends and of course, lots of food.

Pappas Bar-B-Q, all locations
Head to this all-American joint from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m to get a classic turkey day plate for $12.95. The feast will include hickory-smoked turkey and pit-smoked ham alongside cornbread stuffing, yams, green bean casserole, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce and a dinner roll.

PESKA Seafood Culture, 1700 Post Oak, 713-961-9229
The Galleria-area restaurant is hosting its Thanksgiving dinner with a menu twist, serving a delectable menu with a variety of seafood and seasonal ingredients. For $60, guests can enjoy a menu of mussels (served family-style) with smoked tomato, chorizo and white wine to start; then dishes such as parsnip potato soup, whole roasted cornish hen or whole roasted branzino, family-style mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and pecan pie. A $20 kids menu and a private suite will also be available. The dinner can be booked in advance at peskathanksgiving.eventbrite.com. To book the private room, call the restaurant at 713-961-9229

Quattro at the Four Seasons, 1300 Lamar, 713-650-1300
Quattro at the Four Seasons will be offering both breakfast and lunch on Thanksgiving Day. An a la carte breakfast will be offered from 6:30 to 10 a.m., and a lunch buffet will be offered from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. ($95 for adults, $42 for kids ages 5 to 12). Reservations can be made online for both breakfast and lunch or by calling 713-276-4700. A credit card is required for lunch reservations, and there is a 72-hour cancellation policy, which includes hotel guests. Additionally, Vinoteca at the Four Seasons will be offering dinner/alternative seating on Thanksgiving Day from 3 p.m. to midnight. An a la carte menu with Thanksgiving-inspired items will be available. No reservations required.

Radio Milano, 800 Sorella Court, 713-827-3545
Radio Milano is offering a three-course, prix fixe Thanksgiving lunch menu from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Highlights include sunchoke creamy soup with smoked salmon, salmon rose and chives; roasted turkey breast with green beans, sweet potato mash and cranberry cake; and pumpkin pie with marshmallow and vanilla ice cream. Cost is $45 per person. An a la carte kid’s menu with items like turkey, spaghetti, burgers and French toast will also be available.

Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella, 713-861-8666
This historic 113-year-old log cabin will be serving a three-course Thanksgiving Day meal for $58 per person plus tax, gratuity and beverages. Choices include a trio of game with crispy sweetbreads, grilled buffalo on roasted pumpkin grits, and seared North American elk with fig preserves; rainbow trout with lump crab and pecan brown butter; or Southern-style roast turkey with cornbread dressing and all the fixin’s. Finish dessert with choices including a warm croissant bread and chantilly cream pumpkin pie. The restaurant also offers Thanksgiving Late Night Snack Packs, mini to-go containers that hold enough to make a sandwich with turkey, dressing and gravy, for $5 each.  

Red Lion British Pub, 2316 Shepherd, 713-782-3030
Red Lion British Pub is opening its doors to family, friends and neighbors to gather together on Thanksgiving Day. The authentic British pub will feature a Traditional Turkey Dinner and scrumptious desserts in addition to the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and remain open until 2 a.m.

Ristorante Cavour, 1080 Uptown Park Boulevard, 713-418-1000
Thanksgiving Day Brunch at Hotel Granduca's elegant restaurant will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Highlights of executive chef Enrico Glaudo's holiday brunch menu include a pasta and risotto station, fresh seafood display, carving station featuring roasted prime rib au jus, Thanksgiving traditions, breakfast classics and a sweets corner. Cost is $85 per person and $40 for children 5 to 12 years of age, plus tax and service.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill, all locations
All Macaroni Grill restaurants from coast to coast will offer the full menu in addition to a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner consisting of roasted turkey with roasted garlic rosemary gravy, buttermilk mashed potatoes, glazed carrots with candied bacon, sausage and apple stuffing and cranberry sauce.
The meals will be available for $18.99 from noon to close, by reservation only. Reservations are not required to order from Macaroni Grill’s regular menu.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 4608 Westheimer, 713-961-0333
The steakhouse will feature a limited dinner menu as well as a $39 three-course Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy hand-carved roasted turkey with sweet onion apple sausage stuffing and cranberry relish, plus choice of bisque or salad; choice of two sides, including sweet potato casserole with a pecan crust and hand-shucked creamed corn; and choice of dessert, including chocolate pecan pie, bananas Foster bread pudding, crème brûlée and chocolate mousse.

The Westin at the Woodlands | CURRENT, 2 Waterway Square, 281-419-4300
The Westin at The Woodlands gets an early start on Thanksgiving Day with a festive a la carte brunch offered from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Indulge in beginnings like butternut squash soup with cinnamon crème fraiche and spicy pumpkin seeds; or Lil’ Emma’s crispy calamari with fresh Gulf calamari, peppadew peppers and lemons, roasted tomato basil sauce, lemon infused Old Bay remoulade and scallions. Brunch selections include stuffing eggs benedict, traditional holiday stuffing cakes topped with tow poached eggs and spiced hollandaise sauce; and pumpkin bread french toast, housemade pumpkin bread with maple glaze and candied pecans. Guests can also indulge in lunch items like the turkey and pear sandwich made with house roasted turkey breast, poached pears, cranberry jelly, Boursin cheese and artisan pecan and cranberry bread.

The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center, 2301 North Millbend, 281-364-6292
The Resort’s culinary team has created an extravagant buffet spread of seasonal culinary delights including rotisserie turkey, roasted prime rib, bone-in Southern cured ham and sides such as white cheddar au gratin potatoes and maple butternut squash. Guests can also enjoy autumn inspired pies, pastries and confections by our in-house pastry professionals. Reservations for the Glass will be taken for three separate seatings: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. Reservation for The Woodlands Dining Room will be taken every half hour starting at 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

We will be updating this list throughout the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Please let us know if you'd like to be included at [email protected].