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Hill Country Barbeque Market
Photograph: Courtesy Hill Country Barbeque Market/Bradley Hoffman

The best restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC

Get out of the kitchen and into one of these top restaurants open on Thanksgiving for a deliciously stress-free feast

Written by
Holley Simmons
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Let’s face it, we can’t all be Martha Stewart (even if we actually wanted to be). If you’d rather spend maximum time eating and drinking and zero time slaving over a hot turkey, you can feast on everything from pit-smoked birds and prime rib to some of the city’s best seafood at these great restaurants open on Thanksgiving. Then waddle home and instead of washing dishes, binge on Thanksgiving-themed movies and Turkey Day tunes.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Thanksgiving in Washington, DC

DC restaurants open on Thanksgiving

America Eats Tavern
  • Restaurants

Chef José Andrés pays homage to America’s culinary heritage with colonial recipes and updated classics.

On the menu: Any menu that includes a version of Campbell’s Soup Company’s original green bean casserole is fine by us. You’ll also find roasted Virginia-sourced turkey, an oyster stuffing based on a colonial recipe, sweet potatoes with house-made marshmallows, shrimp and seafood sausage jambalaya, bourbon corn pudding and a dessert table where all of your sugar-laced fantasies will come true. 703-744-3999. 11am–7pm.

Price: $65, children 10 and under $25

The Black Squirrel

The Black Squirrel

The Adams Morgan gathering place brings back its wildly popular Thanksgiving feast.

On the menu: Since 2008, The Black Squirrel has been throwing a holiday all-you-can-eat buffet as a thank-you to regulars. All are welcome at the bash, which draws more than 200 people (could be the eye-popping price tag) and includes all the proper fixings, including whole roasted turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Food typically runs out around 9pm, but the booze flows until midnight. 202-232-1011, blacksquirreldc.com. Noon–9pm.

Price: $10

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BLT Steak
  • Restaurants
  • Steakhouse
  • price 4 of 4

Updated Thanksgiving classics meet prime beef cuts at this downtown power dining spot.

On the menu: Celery root soup with Honeycrisp apples, roasted turkey with cranberry-grenadine sauce and chestnut and sausage stuffing are just a few of the options on BLT Steak’s three-course menu. And no meal at the steakhouse would be complete without beef: A dry-aged roasted prime rib comes with confit garlic jus and a caramelized onion bread pudding. Come back on Friday for popovers stuffed with leftovers. 202-689-8999. 3pm–close.

Price: $75, children 12 and under $40

Hill Country Barbeque Market
  • Bars
  • Downtown

You might leave smelling of barbecue smoke, but you definitely won’t leave hungry from the all-you-can-eat buffet.

On the menu
: Sure, Hill Country is serving pit-smoked turkeys, Texas-style beef brisket and pork spare ribs. But leave room for the unlimited sides like Texas toast stuffing, sweet potato bourbon mash, collard greens, cheddar mac and cheese, skillet cornbread and buttermilk smashed potatoes. Desserts like banana pudding, bourbon pecan pie and caramel apple streusel pie won’t disappoint either. Want to enjoy it in the comfort of your home? Pick and choose dishes from the restaurant’s to-go Thanksgiving menu. 202-556-2020. 11am–7pm.

Price: $45, children 10 and under $20

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Equinox
  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Farragut Square

Now in its sixth year, the oyster roast at this Farragut Square staple is a health-conscious celebration with plenty of vegan options.

On the menu: Chef Todd Gray and his wife Ellen host a convivial oyster roast, which complements healthy options like crispy heirloom cauliflower, pan-roasted black sea bass filet, and Norwegian salmon pastrami. (This year, they’ll also be grilling oyster mushrooms for the vegetarians out there.) For those not watching their waistlines, house-made rigatoni in truffled almond cream and cider-brined turkey with butternut squash bread pudding do the trick. Vegan items on the dessert menu include a dairy-free pumpkin pie cheesecake. 202-556-2020. Noon–8pm.

Price: $65, children 12 and under $35

Fiola Mare
  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Georgetown

Savor views of the Potomac while dining on special dishes at chef Fabio Trabocchi’s seafood-heavy waterfront gem.

On the menu: You’ll find the requisite turkey at this Georgetown stunner (served with chestnut and sausage stuffing), but the main draw will be the shellfish and fresh catches for which the high-class spot is known. The four-course menu includes highlights such as lobster ravioli, Spanish branzino with melted leeks, and seared scallops with baby turnips and roasted brussels sprouts. Want to take things to the next level? Spring for a seafood tower ($75–$140), Italian caviar service ($110–$165) or truffle shavings (if you have to ask…). 202-628-0065. 1–7pm.

Price: $90, children 12 and under $28

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Other restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner

Ardeo+Bardeo, three-course dinner $45, $23 for children under 10; noon-8pm. 3111 Connecticut Ave NW at Maccomb St (202-244-6750).

Blue Duck Tavern, three-course dinner $110, $55 for children under 12; 11:30am-8:30pm. 1201 24th S NW between M and N Sts (202-419-6755).

Bourbon Steak, three-course dinner $115, $50 for children under 12; 2–8:30pm. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW at the Four Seasons (202-944-2026).

Brasserie Beck, à la carte dishes; noon-7pm. 1101 K St NW between 11th and 12th Sts (202-408-1717).

Central Michel Richard, three-course dinner $49, $25 for children under 12; noon-8pm. 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW between 10th and 11th Sts (202-626-0015).

DBGB Kitchen and Bar, three-course dinner $65, $35 for children under 12; noon-8pm. 931 H St NW between 9th and 10th Sts (202-695-7660).

Firefly, four-course dinner $65; 3-8pm. 1310 New Hampshire Ave NW at N St (202-861-1310). 

Founding Farmers, three-course dinner $35, $20 for children under 12; noon-8pm. 1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW between 19th and 20th Sts (202-822-8783).

Lincoln, three-course dinner $58, $21 for children under 12; 1–8pm. 1110 Vermont Ave NW Between L and M Sts (202-386-9200).

Lupo Verde, à la carte dishes; 11am–11pm. 1401 T St NW at 14th St (202-827-4752).

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