Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner in NYC

What is it? Andrew Carmellini's ode to French and Italian cuisines is housed in a package right out of the Gilded Age. All to say this is a swanky something to usher in the holidays. On Thanksgiving Day, Café Carmellini will serve a three-course prix fixe menu that starts with a choice of Oysters à la Pomme or luxurious Foie Gras & Figs. You can opt for the standard heritage turkey, served with all the accoutrements, or go out of the box by ordering the risotto Milanese or veal medallions ai funghi. Extra special add-ons include the Cannelloni with white truffles and ragout of lobster and fall squash. A fitting finish to such a luxe meal, the meal commences with the arrival of the dessert trolley, stocked with pies, cakes and tarts for the choosing. 

Address: 250 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Thanksgiving hours: Noon–9pm

Expect to pay: $195 per person, excluding beverage, tax and gratuity.

What is it? Post a $2 billion renovation, The Waldorf reopened its doors this summer, sparkling with refreshed touches that spell luxury. Part of the refresh is the introduction of Art Deco-inspired eatery, Lex Yard. Opened just in time for the holidays, this Thanksgiving, chef Michael Anthony will be serving holiday favorites using all things locally sourced and seasonal. Think herb-basted halibut, green circle turkey prepared roasted and confit, and the bone-in ribeye for two for entrees. No matter how you pick, the meal wil come with a trio of sides: mashed la ratte potatoes, mushroom and swiss chard stuffing and a root vegetable medley, as well as a basket of housemade breads. And surprise, surprise: the Waldorf Salad in all its glory will also be on display, this time with a fall dress of pumpkin seeds. 

Address: 550 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 

Thanksgiving hours: 11:30am–close

Expect to pay: $225 per person

What is it? You've probably seen the image of Francie's duck—a perfectly brandished bird lying on a bed of flowers and herbs. Now that you've seen it, it is time for you to taste it this Thanksgiving. Francie’s 3rd Annual Ducks-Giving returns to Williamsburg. In lieu of a prix fixe, guests can order raviolo al uovo with brown butter and burgundy truffle or go for the chestnut-stuffed fowl, a.k.a. the Ducksgiving Meal, a la carte. And if you somehow have room, order the When Pigs Fly Dessert with brown butter custard, apple confit and a scoop of maple-bacon ice cream

Address: 136 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Thanksgiving hours: 1:30-7pm

Expect to pay: $25 for the dessert; $48 for ravioli; $160 for Ducksgiving Meal

What is it? If you still want the fine fare of the city without actually staying inside the limits, you should set your sights on The DeBruce. Housed inside a 150-year-old inn in the Catskills, The DeBruce's fine dining creed is committed to all things seasonal and local. Chef Eric Leveillee's coursed Thanksgiving tasting follows suit with grilled little gem salads and butternut squash bisque. Whether you choose from the rosemary-crusted turkey or dry-aged duck, just know it all comes with a plethora of sides, including mushroom bread pudding, turnips and carrots, potato purée, salad of confit duck leg, and cranberry sauce. Even more so, it's all backdropped by the vibrant mountainous range thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.  

Address: 982 Debruce Road, Livingston Manor, NY 12758

Thanksgiving hours: 3–7pm

Expect to pay: $125 per person

Why we love it: Here's the dilemma: you want to host Friendsgiving, but your kitchen leaves little room for a whole turkey. The West Village's Cha Cha Tang will do the cooking for you. Made to serve four, the restaurant's Thankgiving To-Go Package comes with a deboned, four-pound Whole Cantonese Duck with all the trimmings. Signature sides also come with, including Chinese sausage stuffing, an assortment of dumplings and their famous Pearl Noodles with Bacon & Egg. And if you have more friends coming around the table this year, you can order more items à la carte. 

Address: 257 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10014

Expect to pay: $425 for the Thanksgiving package

Why we love it: There’s a lot of fun to be had at Kokomo, and Thanksgiving is no different. The Caribbean restaurant recently dropped its Friendsgiving menu, blending classic holiday traditions with flavors of the island. Meaning dinner looks like Curry Lamb Shank with breadfruit mash and lobster bisque spiked with scotch bonnets. Fill the table right with a few sides, including their four-cheese blend Baked Mac & Cheese or an order of their signature Fried Sweet Plantain. And if you already have plans on turkey day, set aside the following day, Friday, November 28, for their Friendsgiving brunch. Gather your crew and vent about your recent family gathering over Pumpkin Pancakes and Guinness Cornbread French Toast with crispy fried chicken.

Address: 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Thanksgiving hours: The Friendsgiving menu will be available from 4pm on November 17, 19, 20, 24 and 26. The exclusive Friendsgiving brunch will be held on Friday, November 28.

What is it? Daniel Boulud's skyward-bound French affair gives Midtown some well-deserved shine. Boulud's version of Thanksgiving at Le Pavillon will be doled out in three courses—starting with Glazed pig’s trotter “à la lyonnaise” with braised lentil, mustard, mushroom sauvage, onion tuile and pork jus and a duo of Sunchoke & Squash Velouté. The Roasted Turkey Breast keeps traditional, with a braised leg and all the sides, Brussels sprouts, chestnuts, cornbread stuffing, cranberry chutney and sage gravy. But you can veer away with an order of the roasted double R Ranch striploin or the seared Atlantic black bass. Hard to choose? Don't we know it. And it only gets harder as Boulud's dessert lineup includes pumpkin brûlée cheesecake with caramel sage ice cream and Wild Georgia pecan pie with bourbon ice cream.  

Address: One Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017

Thanksgiving hours: 1–9:15pm

Expect to pay: $195 per person for a three-course prix-fixe menu; $95 per child (under 10) 

What is it? Hoexters is that kind of place that we almost want to keep to ourselves, since it's cozy, welcoming, and, more importantly, good. But in the spirit of giving, we are here to let you know this Upper East Side neighborhood brasserie is offering a traditional meal. The holiday feast will include entrees such as herb-roasted turkey and Niman Ranch double-amoked country ham, paired with classic Thanksgiving sides. Experience all your favorites without doing any dishes this season.

Address: 174 E 82nd St, New York, NY 10028

Thanksgiving hours: 1:30–8pm

Expect to pay: $65-145 prix fixe

What is it? The popular Harlem soul food restaurant won’t just be serving a feast; they’re serving up an entire experience. Chef “Ro” Roshara Sanders will be cooking up two separate meals for the holiday. Bringing the vibe, the top floor will be dedicated to a turkey feast prix fixe, accompanied by live music all day long. If you want something less formal but just as fun, head down below to Ginny’s Supper Club for a Thanksgiving buffet. The jazzy speakeasy-like space will also have music to usher in the season. 

Address: 310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027

Thanksgiving hours: 11am–9pm

Expect to pay: Thanksgiving Buffet $80; Turkey Feast Prix Fixe $85

What is it? Depending on how you order, Thanksgiving at Loring Place can be classic or totally surprising. Keep it traditional with their Turkey plate, which includes roast turkey, cranberry chutney, stuffing, potatoes and gravy. But if your taste buds scream for something different, choose the tuna crudo or the slow-roasted halibut or spiced roasted cauliflower. And if you follow the ethos of more is more, you can add on the miso butternut squash, date pizza or turkey pot pie for an additional fee. 

Address: 21 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

Thanksgiving hours: 1–8:30pm

Expect to pay: $160 per person; children under 10 can order à la carte

What is it? Laurent Tourondel's take on Italian is hitting a milestone of ten years in service. Find out why they've stood the test of time by booking a table for Thanksgiving. L’Amico's three-course meal starts with crispy Parmesan sformato with San Daniele prosciutto, baby greens, truffle vinaigrette, or Burrata with apple and quince mostarda. Next to a wood-fired roasted heritage turkey, you also find a roasted dry-aged prime rib (for an extra $15) or the Raviolini, plump with a truffle crema. For even more indulgence, you can ask for shavings of white Alba truffles on top.  

Address: 849 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Thanksgiving hours: 11:30am–9pm

Expect to pay: $98 per person; wine pairing $38

What is it? A roasted turkey with rosemary? Fine, good, if not expected. A butter turkey simmered in an aromatic blend of onions, tomatoes and cream? Now we are listening. This year, Tamarind Tribeca is bringing Indian spices to the Thanksgiving table with tofu stir-fry and garlic shrimp for appetizers and halibut charred in a tandoor for dinner. And for dessert (cause you always have to have dessert!), you can find Tamarind's take on a pumpkin pie with the pumpkin halwa cooked with ghee, sugar and cardamom. 

Address: 99 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013

Thanksgiving hours: 11:30am–10pm

Expect to pay: Appetizers range from $15-24; Entrees $28-44; Dessert $15

Nothing says muchas gracias like a song. For Turkey Day, we count down the best Thanksgiving songs.