20+ Boston Restaurants Open For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Turkey by Ruocaled on Flickr / Creative Commons

The year is nearing its end, and with it, maybe so is your energy. This November, give yourself a break. Local chefs have drummed up Thanksgiving brunches, lunches, and dinners all across Boston. Reserve now to avoid the holiday stress.

This list will be updated in the weeks leading up to Thursday, November 23.

ArtBar

The Royal Sonesta Hotel’s ArtBar will offer a full Thanksgiving feast from noon to 8 p.m. Start with a creamy ginger pumpkin soup before the main event: a bourbon cider-brined turkey. The meal finishes with a selection of pies—but don’t forget to eat some seasonable vegetables before dessert.

$50 per person, $19 for children under 10, free for children 4 and under, 40 Edwin Land Blvd., Cambridge, 617-806-4122, artbarcambridge.com.

Action Kitchen. / Photo provided

Action Kitchen

From November 17-19 and 24-26, Seaport’s Action Kitchen will give guests the chance to bring up to 23 friends to “Friendsgiving,” a cooking class led by executive chef Richard Rayment. Snack on artisan cheese and fresh bread while you work, but save room for the rolled roast turkey roulade and sweet potato and marshmallow casserole. Wrap up the interactive experience by making Thanksgiving sugar cookies.

$90 per person, $36 optional beverage package, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston, 617-385-4212, actionkitchenboston.com.

Aura’s Thanksgiving spread. / Photo provided

Aura

Dine and dance at the Seaport Hotel’s Aura, which will feature a buffet and live music from the Lance Houston Jazz Quartet between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The varied spread includes traditional breakfast fare like eggs Benedict, Thanksgiving classics like roast turkey breast with gravy, and a raw bar.

$85 for adults, $25 for children under 12, free for children 4 and under, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston, 617-385-4304, seaportboston.com.

Bar Boulud

Bar Boulud will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu from noon to 8 p.m. The centerpiece bird comes with sourdough sage stuffing, pomme purée, roasted green beans, local cranberry compote, and rosemary turkey gravy. Other dishes have a classic fall flair: choose among items like a harvest salad with delicata squash, goat cheese, and spiced pumpkin seeds; and sweet potato gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms. And don’t miss the holiday pie pop-up.

$95 for adults, $48 for children 12 and under, 776 Boylston St., Boston, 617-535-8800, barboulud.com.

Bar Boulud’s pie pop-up. / Photo provided

Boston Chops

The South End bistro will offer a limited version of its full menu from noon to 8 p.m., plus options for a Thanksgiving dinner. A roasted turkey plate comes with stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato mash, and gravy. Grab some family-style sides for seconds.

$49 for turkey plate, $7-10 for sides, 1375 Washington St., Boston, 617-227-5011, bostonchops.com.

Beacon Hill Bistro

 The Beacon Hill Hotel spot will feature a prix-fixe menu from noon to 8 p.m. The centerpiece is cider-brined and roasted turkey—or a stuffed, roasted acorn squash—accompanied by a smorgasbord of sides. The restaurant aims to make guests feel at home, even offering a choice of house-made cranberry sauce or “the classic good stuff from the can.” Finish with a choice of seasonal desserts.

$63 per person, 25 Charles St., Boston, 800-640-3935, beaconhillhotel.com.

Bistro du Midi

Enjoy a Provençal Thanksgiving right next to the Public Garden. From 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Bistro du Midi will offer a three-course, prix-fixe menu, featuring choices like Belgian endive salad, Spanish octopus, sweet potato gnocchi, and loup de mer. The roasted turkey is served with pumpkin brioche stuffing and seasonal vegetables. Finish with a selection of desserts, including pumpkin spice cake paired with pomegranate gelee and thyme ice cream. A three-course sample menu is available for children.

$75 per person, $32 for children’s sample menu, 272 Boylston St., Boston, 617-426-7878, bistrodumidi.com.

Bristol

Reserve a spot for a double whammy at the Four Seasons restaurant. Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. with the last seating at 2:30 p.m.; dinner is from 5:30-9 p.m. Early risers can enjoy a raw bar, a hot breakfast station with omelets made to order, and a carving station with seasonal lunch offerings. For evening diners, a prix-fixe menu will feature wagyu beef carpaccio, lobster bisque, sweet potato culurgiones, and a traditional turkey dinner. A children’s a la carte menu is available.

Brunch: $98 per person, $49 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under. Dinner: $85 per person. 200 Boylston St., Boston, 617-338-4400, fourseasons.com.

City Tap House

This Fort Point beer bar celebrates its first Thanksgiving in Boston with help from Maine’s Allagash Brewing. Chef A.J. Beaulieu’s turkey is brined in Hoppy Table Beer, and comes with a brown ale gravy, chestnut-pear stuffing with Allagash Black, Allagash White orange-cranberry sauce, and Tripel-apricot glazed roasted carrots. Have it for Friendsgiving on Sunday, Nov. 19, or visit on Thanksgiving from noon to 7 p.m.

$25 per person, 10 Boston Post Road, Boston, 617-904-2748, boston.citytap.com

Davio’s

The Italian steakhouse will serve a full Thanksgiving menu from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The roasted turkey comes with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, creamy cipollini onions, and cranberry apple chutney, among other sides. Children under 12 can get a small plate with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy. Finish off with a selection of pies: pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Prepare for Black Friday by bringing home “Tomorrow’s Turkey Sandwich,” with turkey, stuffing, cranberry apple chutney, and gravy.

$59 per person, $23 for children under 12, 75 Arlington St., Boston, 617-357-4810, davios.com.

Deuxave

Executive chef Chris Coombs will prepare a Thanksgiving prix-fixe menu offered from noon to 8 p.m. Start with seasonal favorites like spiced heirloom pumpkin soup and roasted beets, then choose a meat for your main course—or if you can’t decide, try the turducken and get turkey, duck, and chicken all at once. Add a side of truffled macaroni and cheese with alba white truffles for $39.

$89 per person, $40 for wine pairing per person, 371 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-517-5915, deuxave.com.

Eastern Standard

The Commonwealth Avenue staple will offer a three-course meal from 1 to 8 p.m. Keep it simple with a roasted turkey plate and black bottom pecan pie, or shake it up New England style. The restaurant suggests roasted oysters as a first course and baked, stuffed lobster as a main. A kids’ turkey dinner is available for picky little ones.

$65 per person, 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-532-9100, easternstandardboston.com.

Five Horses Tavern Thanksgiving Gobbler photo provided

Five Horses Tavern

Both locations of this pub open up at 5 p.m. for Thanksgiving leftovers—and beer. In addition to the regular menu, specials this year include green bean casserole tots, the Gobbler Thanksgiving sandwich, with roasted turkey breast, pumpkin puree, cranberry-Brussels slaw, maple mayo, and sharp cheddar; and turkey sliders. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. at the Davis Square location, with the bar going until 1 a.m.; while food lasts until 10 p.m. in the South End, with the bar lights on until midnight.

400 Highland Ave, Davis Square, Somerville, 617-764-1655; 535 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-936-3930, fivehorsestavern.com.

The Frogmore

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy a family-style meal at the Frogmore in Jamaica Plain. Get the “Tom” for two or three people, the “Hen” for around five, or the “Gobbler” for eight or more guests. The roast turkey comes with Southern side options like braising greens, sweet potato soufflé, and creamed corn. End the meal with pie, tea, and coffee.

Tiered pricing, 365 Centre St., Boston, 857-203-9462, thefrogmore.com.

Grill 23 & Bar

In addition to a limited version of its regular menu, this Back Bay restaurant will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu. Choose from beet salad, butternut squash bisque, or shrimp cocktail before moving on to the main event. The roast turkey comes with cranberry-orange chutney, stuffing, rice pilaf, and green bean gratin. Not feeling the poultry? Try beef tenderloin or pan-seared salmon. End with one of three decadent desserts.

$70 per person or priced a la carte, 161 Berkeley St., Boston, 617-542-2255, grill23.com.

Harvest

Spend your Thanksgiving in Harvard Square. From 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Harvest will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu. On the menu: delicata squash and burrata, apples and brie, and a turkey breast with stuffing, potato puree, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and sage gravy. Finish off with rich pumpkin profiteroles or a light pomegranate sorbet.

$72 per person, $30 for wine pairing, 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, 617-868-2255, harvestcambridge.com.

La Voile

The Newbury Street brasserie will offer a very French prix-fixe menu for Thanksgiving. Start with butternut squash velouté or mesclun salad. Instead of a turkey, try a Cornish hen with sweet potato, sautéed mushroom, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry gravy. The holiday menu will be served alongside a la carte offerings from noon to 8 p.m.

$39 per person or priced a la carte, 261 Newbury St., Boston, 617-587-4200, lavoileboston.net.

Legal Sea Foods

Most of the Legal branches, including Legal Harborside and Legal on the Mystic, will be serving their full menu along with a special turkey dinner. Plates will feature turkey breast with sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The restaurant contends that the day-to-day menu may be more traditional: the first Thanksgiving did feature shellfish and fish.

$24.95 per person, $8.95 for children 12 and under, various locations, legalseafoods.com. 

Matadora

Have you checked out Woburn’s new tapas restaurant, with a menu designed by Yvonne’s culinary director Tom Berry? Get a taste of the Hilton hotel hotspot on the holiday. From noon to 5 p.m., Matadora has a prix-fixe feast including a choice of appetizer, family-style main courses, including wood-grilled turkey, and roasted Brussels sprouts with aged Manchego, pimenton, and garlic; and a spread of pie and petite fours. Or, go the a la carte route, and choose among turkey and the fixings, or wood-grilled salmon, pumpkin risotto, and more.

$45 per person, $24 for children, 2 Forbes Rd., Woburn, 781-904-0658, matadorarestaurant.com.

Meritage

From 4-9 p.m., order from a four-course prix-fixe menu while you look out over the Boston Harbor. Begin the feast with a roasted squash and pumpkin salad or foie gras torchon. Indulge in New England lobster for your second course before a third-course turkey breast with cranberry veil, brioche stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Finish with a sweet chocolate cremeux or a savory cheese cart.

$125 per person, $70 per person wine pairing, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617-439-3995, meritagetherestaurant.com.

Mirbeau

Take Thanksgiving back to where it all began: Plymouth. The Bistro & Wine Bar at Mirbeau will feature a traditional turkey dinner with stuffing, potatoes, haricots vert, and cranberry and citrus relish. From noon to 5 p.m., you can also choose from several appetizers and other entrees like pan-seared cod and a pork chop. Finish off with mini hand pies, pumpkin cheesecake, or apple cider beignets.

$29 featured entrée or priced a la carte, 35 Landmark Dr., Plymouth, 877-647-2328, mirbeau.com.

Pumpkin Pie by Kimberly Vardeman on Flickr / Creative Commons

Parsnip

Harvard Square’s Parsnip will offer a three-course, prix-fixe dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Try a Thanksgiving salad with turnips, fennel, sunchokes, and arugula, or order a pan-seared red snapper. The holiday bird dish comes with roasted turkey breast and sausage-stuffed turkey leg, cranberry chutney, Brussels sprouts, and turkey jus. Finish off family-style, with a homemade pumpkin and pecan pie and ice cream for the table.

$75 per person, $25 two-course menu for children 11 and under, 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge, 617-714-3206, parsniprestaurant.com.

Precinct Kitchen + Bar

The Loews Hotel’s Precinct will serve a Thanksgiving menu in three parts from noon to 7 p.m. The hors d’oeuvre station—featuring selections like local cheese and butternut squash soup—and the pastry and dessert station have all-you-can-eat pre-portioned dishes. Guests can select from four entrées, each of which comes with potatoes, yams, and a vegetable medley.

$72 per person, $25 for children 12 and under, 154 Berkeley St., Boston, 617-532-3827, precinctkitchenandbar.com.

Red Lentil Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant

Ditch the turkey this year and opt for one of Red Lentil’s four Thanksgiving seatings: noon or 2, 4, or 6 p.m. The restaurant is offering a five-course, prix-fixe menu of 100 percent vegan dishes, plus an optional wine pairing. Try creamy pear-shallot-curry bisque, then snack on harvest salad or beet bruschetta. Entrées include fig-mustard marinated cauliflower steak and Japanese eggplant. Finish with maple apple upside-down cake or a ginger coconut squash tart.

$55 per person, $25 optional wine pairing, 600 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, 617-972-9188, theredlentil.com.

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen

This newcomer brings a new twist to Turkey Day from 11 a.m. until late. The Hunanese, la carte specials include Mala-spiced turkey with chili soy sauce; pan-seared pumpkin cake with condensed milk and sesame; and crispy turkey with hoisin barbecue sauce. There are group prix-fixes priced from $125-$250, as well, if the whole family’s in town.

270 Third St., Cambridge, 617-945-0907, sumiaohunan.com.

Strega Waterfront

Strega Waterfront executive chef Salvatore Firicano has crafted a succinct, three-course prix-fixe menu, available alongside the regular dinner menu from noon to 9 p.m. Start with butternut squash ravioli before moving on to oven-roasted turkey and baked ham, coupled with parsnips, homemade Italian stuffing, and cranberry sauce. End the evening with holiday pie.

$49 per person or priced a la carte, 1 Marina Park Dr., Boston, 617-345-3992, stregawaterfront.com.

Temple Bar

The Cambridge spot will offer an a la carte Thanksgiving menu from noon to 9 p.m. Choices include squash bisque, fluke crudo, and ricotta ravioli. The traditional turkey dinner is served with chestnut-sage dressing, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, and cranberry sauce. Finish with pumpkin pie, or indulge in a cocktail of rum, walnut liqueur, and hot cider.

Priced a la carte, 1688 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-5055, templebarcambridge.com.

Top of the Hub

Enjoy your holiday from 52 floors up. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the restaurant will offer a four-course, prix-fixe menu featuring blackened tuna crudo, salad with roasted pears, and spiced pumpkin bread. Although five entrees are available, the turkey dish includes ciabatta stuffing, mashed potatoes, baked yams, harvest vegetables, cranberry relish, and rosemary gravy. Vegetarian options are plenty.

$75 per person, $25 for children under 12, 800 Boylston St. 617-536-1775, topofthehub.net.