20 Chicago restaurants open on Thanksgiving
Preparing a Thanksgiving feast is no joke—there's brining and baking and peeling and roasting. Did we mention the mountain of dirty dishes at the end of the night? If you'd rather not step foot in the kitchen on November 22, make plans at one of these restaurants open on Thanksgiving. Whether you're looking for a traditional spread with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, or you're craving something a bit more refined (king crab, anyone?), these top Chicago restaurants have you covered. We even included plenty of takeout options for those who want to bring the feast home. As with any holiday, be sure to make a reservation or place your order in advance. And for the love of stuffing, tip the waitstaff appropriately—they're taking care of those dirty dishes at the end of the night, after all.
Thanksgiving restaurants
Booth One
Spend Thanksgiving under the glowing orbs at Booth One in the Gold Coast. The stunning upscale restaurant is offering a prix fixe menu filled with Turkey Day staples and modern indulgences. Nosh on charcuterie, herb-roasted heritage turkey, beef wellington and from-scratch desserts. $55 per person, reservations required.
Cochon Volant
If you have out-of-towners staying the Loop, book a table at Cochon Volant and treat everyone to a prix fixe family-style meal. Menu highlights include elevated classics like green bean casserole, French pommes puree, cranberry-orange sauce, 24-hour brined turkey breast and pumpkin pie. $85 per person ($35 for kids under 12), reservations recommended at 312-754-6560.
Parson's Chicken & Fish
If it's just the two of you for Thanksgiving this year, switch things up with a fried chicken dinner from Parson's in Logan Square. Each to-go package includes a whole fried Amish chicken, green chile cornbread, tomato- and bacon- braised green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy. Toss in hush puppies or Bang Bang pie slices for a little extra. $50 for two, orders must be placed by Wednesday, November 21.
Furious Spoon
Give thanks while tucking into a bowl of handmade noodles and savory broth at this Wicker Park ramen shop. Beyond staying open for the holiday, Furious Spoon will also give out free ramen bowls to those in need.
The Allis
Cozy up inside Soho House Chicago's impeccably designed lobby restaurant, the Allis. The West Loop spot will serve beloved Thanksgiving dishes like green bean casserole, creamed spinach, sweet potatoes and, of course, turkey. Finish the meal with your choice of a maple custard tart, pumpkin pie or cherry pie. $30 ($15 for children), reservations recommended.
Free Rein
Situated inside the new St. Jane hotel in the Loop, Free Rein will celebrate its first Thanksgiving by keeping its doors open to hotel guests and visitors. Chef Aaron Lirette will highlight seasonal dishes like honey nut squash with fermented apple, duck breast with chestnut puree and cauliflower soup with black cardamom. Just be sure to save room for brown sugar pumpkin pie with coffee chantilly.
Nico Osteria
Go prix fixe or a la carte at this Italian spot in the Gold Coast. The special holiday menu is filled with delicious Turkey Day alternatives: Pappardelle turkey Bolognese, winter squash tortelloni, smoked ham chop with polenta and pumpkin pie served with apple-butter gelato. $85 per person ($35 for kids 6–12).
Saint Lou's Assembly
West Loop neighbors Saint Lou's Assembly and Moneygun are teaming up on the perfect Turkey Day spread. First, pick a main dish (turkey leg confit or smoked turkey breast roulade) and then toss in three of your favorite sides from choices like dirty wild rice, roasted acorn squash and biscuits with foie ganache. Then, toss in a batched cocktail from Moneygun, with options like a White Russian, Manhattan and Bee's Knees. Orders must be placed by Friday, November 16.
Baptiste & Bottle
If you're more of an early bird, get in line for Baptise & Bottle's brunch buffet on Thanksgiving Day. There's no way you'll leave hungry with delicious options like sushi rolls, crab claws, quiche, carved meats and so much more. Little ones can help themselves to grilled cheese, chicken fingers and mac and cheese. The restaurant will also serve a special Turkey Dinner Plate for $25 from 5 to 9pm on Thanksgiving. $79 per person ($33 for children 4–10, free for kids under 4), reservations recommended.
The Commons Club
On Thanksgiving, it's all about building the perfect plate of food, which is exactly what chef Moosah Reaume is offering at the Commons Club inside Virgin Hotels Chicago. The dish includes herb-roasted turkey, confit dark meat with crispy skin, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. The special will appear on the menu from Monday, November 19 through Friday, November 23.
Longman & Eagle
Nab a reservation at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square and let someone else do the cooking. The restaurant's annual family-style dinner features decadent menu items like roasted turkey, squash and farro salad, cornbread dressing and pecan pie. (Psst: OSB will be serving "Thanksgiving leftovers" sandwiches and pie throughout the afternoon.) $65 per person, reservations required.
The Promontory
The Promontory in Hyde Park takes the guesswork out of Thanksgiving with its holiday to-go menu, which includes fan-favorite classics like turkey breast, green bean casserole, spinach and crispy onions and house-made pumpkin pie. $30 per person, orders available starting Thursday, November 1.
Cherry Circle Room
Tradition reigns supreme at Cherry Circle Room's family-style Thanksgiving dinner. You and your table will get to choose from dishes like endive salad, cheese soup, turkey roulade and garlic mashed potatoes. For dessert, ask for the tableside dessert cart, which comes stocked with plenty of options for every sweet tooth. Wine pairings are available, or order one of Paul McGee's signature cocktails. $90 per person, reservations required.
Acadia
Two-Michelin-starred Acadia won't leave hungry Chicagoans in the cold this holiday season. Stop in to feast on chef Ryan McCaskey's five-course Thanksgiving menu, which highlights contemporary takes on the holiday mainstays. Diners can expect soup, salad, a fish course, an entree and dessert. In other words, come hungry. $95, reservations required.
Mastro’s Steakhouse
Start a new tradition and celebrate Thanksgiving at one of Chicago's top steakhouses. Mastro's will stay open on Thanksgiving, offering its regular menu and a pumpkin-infused version of its famous butter cake. Reservations recommended.
Cafe Robey
Chef Kevin McAllister is offering one of the best deals in town for Thanksgiving dinner: His $35 two-course meal includes roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, apple-parsni stuffing, cranberry jam, housemade biscuits and pumpkin pie. Reservations recommended.
RPM Steak
A four-course feast awaits at RPM Steak in River North, where guests are treated to fried and roasted turkey, aged Parmesan risotto, roasted king crab, chestnut stuffing and a twist on the classic green bean salad. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without dessert, and RPM delivers with pumpkin pie, a roasted pear tart and 14K chocolate cake. $90 per person ($40 for children), reservations required.
Margeaux Brasserie
Kick things up a notch when you host Thanksgiving supper at Michael Mina's French restaurant inside the Waldorf Astoria in Gold Coast. Guests are treated to an elegant family-style tasting menu, which includes three courses with three to five choices per course. $75 per person ($45 for children).
Frontier
Save the day when you pre-order Thanksgiving goodies from Frontier in West Town. Chef Brian Jupiter is cooking smoked turkey, five-cheese mac, seafood gumbo, cornbread stuffing and so much more—all available for pickup and delivery on Thanksgiving. Orders must be placed by Friday, November 16.
