More Maps

Where to Eat the Twin Cities’ Iconic Juicy Lucy

10 North Loop Restaurants For A Swanky Night Out

The Hottest Spots for Cocktails in the Twin Cities Right Now

View of Manny’s entrance and bar with a giant bull painting that is unquestionably male — Manny's is serving on Thursday.

Where to Dine Out on Thanksgiving in the Twin Cities

Let someone else deal with the mess.

by Alex Lodner and Joy Summers Nov 21, 2016, 11:10am CST

View as Map

Manny's is serving on Thursday.

| Facebook

by Alex Lodner and Joy Summers Nov 21, 2016, 11:10am CST

It's easy to point a finger at Norman Rockwell. One quaint picture of an idealized meal and forever after we spend the last Thursday of November stuffed in a heated, heady kitchen sweating our brains out trying to pull together an approximation of a once a year meal with those nature deemed our dinner buddies.

Why not forgo the stress and sup on something glorious: a chef-made dinner with an entire staff on hand to keep those wine glasses full and that starched, white napkin on your lap.

Whether you're looking for a back up, a stress-free option or a place to get a taste of turkey while far from home, these are your best bets for celebrating the most gracious of national holidays. Below are our picks for Thanksgiving meals at restaurants that will be open this weekend.

Did we miss your favorite place to gobble turkey on this special day? Leave a comment below!

Read More

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. 6Smith

294 Grove Ln E
Wayzata, MN 55391

(952) 698-7900

Visit Website

The Wayzata eatery will put on quite a spread on Thanksgiving. The buffet, which will run from 11 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. will include classics like hickory smoked ham and brined turkey with apple cider gravy, along with more outside the box choices like lobster scrambled eggs or quinoa and dried cherry almond stuffing, along with a Bloody Mary Bar for an additional charge.

Open in Google Maps

2. Lela

5601 W 78th St
Minneapolis, MN 55439

(952) 656-5980

At Lela, in the Hotel Sofitel, Thanksgiving means a massive buffet with carving stations overflowing with turkey, ham, salmon and more. There will be lots of sides to choose from, and of course, desserts galore.

Also Featured in:

21 Twin Cities Restaurants Open and Serving on Christmas Day

3. Ike's Food & Cocktails at the Airport

If you find yourself stuck at the airport this Thanksgiving, Ike’s is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner to comfort your soul. The menu includes sage roasted turkey served with sage stuffing, Yukon gold mash potatoes, and a slice of pumpkin pie. It may even be better than mom’s.

Open in Google Maps

4. French Meadow Cafe

2610 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408

(612) 870-7855

Visit Website

Local, organic, vegan, gluten-free - everyone has their politics of the plate and that doesn't stop at Thanksgiving. The O.G. organic restaurant in Minneapolis has got this - they cater to all those desires and more every day of the week. So, why not trust them for the holiday? The Saint Paul location on Grand Avenue is also open.

Also Featured in:

Where to Order Delivery and Takeout From Independent Restaurants in South Minneapolis

5. Monello

1115 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403

(612) 353-6207

Visit Website

For Thanksgiving feast at Monello, diners can choose from turkey with potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and gravy or ribeye with potato pave, cornbread stuffing, squash, and braised collard greens. For dessert, choices again: will it be pumpkin or pecan pie?

Open in Google Maps

6. Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403

(612) 332-1010

Visit Website

When was the last time you went to the Dakota just to dine? The club has great music, certainly, but the food from chef Derik Moran is deserving of its own spotlight. So, come here for the meal and stay for a special Thanksgiving concert with Robert Robinson (tickets to the show must be purchased separately.)

7. Manny's Steakhouse

826 S Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 339-9900

Visit Website

Some of the best steak, best wine and best cocktails available in downtown Minneapolis. Who wouldn't want to slink into that sexy dining room and feast upon them all?

Open in Google Maps

8. Marin Restaurant & Bar

901 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403

(612) 252-7000

Visit Website

If you are not having Marin cater your turkey dinner, consider stopping by for a relaxing meal instead. While the restaurant will serve its regular menu on Thanksgiving, there will be a few festive, turkey-esque specials as well.

9. Tullibee

300 N Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401

(866) 501-3300

Visit Website

Tullibee, the modern Scandinavian restaurant in the new Hewing Hotel, will be offering a pre-fixe menu from Chef Grae Nonas. The dinner will include three courses featuring an elevated take on traditional Thanksgiving dishes, showcasing the restaurant’s woods and lakes cuisine.

Also Featured in:

10. FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar

31 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 216-3473

Visit Website

Both FireLake Minneapolis Downtown and Mall of America offer a Thanksgiving menu crafted with seasonal, local ingredients from noon to 8:00 p.m.at FireLake Minneapolis downtown and all day at the Mall of America. The menu includes a gathered greens salad with Minnesota Amablu cheese, apples, dried cranberries, and candied walnuts with a sherry vinaigrette, a cider-cured and applewood smoked Wild Acre Farm turkey with wild rice stuffing, cheddar herb mashed potatoes and cider gravy.

11. The Oceanaire Seafood Room

50 S 6th St Ste 100
Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 333-2277

Visit Website

For the first time in its long tenure,The Oceanaire Seafood Room will open for Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. The downtown Minneapolis restaurant will serve many of its signature seafood items as well hand-carved prime rib for a bit of a festive touch.

Open in Google Maps

12. 331 Club

331 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 331-1746

Visit Website

Owner Jon Oulman will make an appearance behind the bar from 5 p.m. to close, slinging his famous Sunny Disposition, a citrusy take of a Sidecar. He’ll also be feeding anyone who bellies up to the bar with his home cooked turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

13. Forepaugh's Restaurant

276 Exchange St S
Saint Paul, MN 55102

(651) 224-5606

Visit Website

Transport yourself to the elegant days of yesteryear at Forepaugh’s, with a traditional four course Thanksgiving feast with all the fixins’, including Grandma’s green bean salad, butternut squash soup, oven roasted turkey, pomme puree and Button Poppin’ Pumpkin Cake.

14. Urbana Craeft Kitchen & Market

Hyatt Regency
Bloomington, MN

For a “Traditional Midwest Thanksgiving,” head over to Urbana Craeft (not a misspell) in the Hyatt Bloomington for an indulgent buffet of classics like turkey with sage and thyme gravy, Amish butter and cream mashed potatoes and praline pumpkin pie. Not a turkey person? Urbana Craeft Kitchen will also serve a full menu for breakfast and dinner.

Open in Google Maps

15. Afton House Inn

3291 Saint Croix Trl S
Afton, MN 55001

(651) 436-8883

Visit Website

Bucolic little Afton is just about as adorable a location as you kind find. Afton House Inn continues to be owned and operated by a tight-knit family who are infused with that small-town charm and hospitality. Thanksgiving here is like spending with long lost family that insists you don't lift a finger. The meal will be a large buffet with several items (including gravy) available gluten free.

© 2022 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

1. 6Smith

294 Grove Ln E, Wayzata, MN 55391

The Wayzata eatery will put on quite a spread on Thanksgiving. The buffet, which will run from 11 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. will include classics like hickory smoked ham and brined turkey with apple cider gravy, along with more outside the box choices like lobster scrambled eggs or quinoa and dried cherry almond stuffing, along with a Bloody Mary Bar for an additional charge.

294 Grove Ln E
Wayzata, MN 55391

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

2. Lela

5601 W 78th St, Minneapolis, MN 55439

At Lela, in the Hotel Sofitel, Thanksgiving means a massive buffet with carving stations overflowing with turkey, ham, salmon and more. There will be lots of sides to choose from, and of course, desserts galore.

5601 W 78th St
Minneapolis, MN 55439

3. Ike's Food & Cocktails at the Airport

Terminal 1 MSP Airport

If you find yourself stuck at the airport this Thanksgiving, Ike’s is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner to comfort your soul. The menu includes sage roasted turkey served with sage stuffing, Yukon gold mash potatoes, and a slice of pumpkin pie. It may even be better than mom’s.

Open in Google Maps

4. French Meadow Cafe

2610 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Local, organic, vegan, gluten-free - everyone has their politics of the plate and that doesn't stop at Thanksgiving. The O.G. organic restaurant in Minneapolis has got this - they cater to all those desires and more every day of the week. So, why not trust them for the holiday? The Saint Paul location on Grand Avenue is also open.

2610 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Visit Website

5. Monello

1115 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403

For Thanksgiving feast at Monello, diners can choose from turkey with potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and gravy or ribeye with potato pave, cornbread stuffing, squash, and braised collard greens. For dessert, choices again: will it be pumpkin or pecan pie?

1115 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

6. Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

When was the last time you went to the Dakota just to dine? The club has great music, certainly, but the food from chef Derik Moran is deserving of its own spotlight. So, come here for the meal and stay for a special Thanksgiving concert with Robert Robinson (tickets to the show must be purchased separately.)

1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Visit Website

7. Manny's Steakhouse

826 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Some of the best steak, best wine and best cocktails available in downtown Minneapolis. Who wouldn't want to slink into that sexy dining room and feast upon them all?

826 S Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

8. Marin Restaurant & Bar

901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

If you are not having Marin cater your turkey dinner, consider stopping by for a relaxing meal instead. While the restaurant will serve its regular menu on Thanksgiving, there will be a few festive, turkey-esque specials as well.

901 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Visit Website

9. Tullibee

300 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Tullibee, the modern Scandinavian restaurant in the new Hewing Hotel, will be offering a pre-fixe menu from Chef Grae Nonas. The dinner will include three courses featuring an elevated take on traditional Thanksgiving dishes, showcasing the restaurant’s woods and lakes cuisine.

300 N Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Visit Website

10. FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar

31 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Both FireLake Minneapolis Downtown and Mall of America offer a Thanksgiving menu crafted with seasonal, local ingredients from noon to 8:00 p.m.at FireLake Minneapolis downtown and all day at the Mall of America. The menu includes a gathered greens salad with Minnesota Amablu cheese, apples, dried cranberries, and candied walnuts with a sherry vinaigrette, a cider-cured and applewood smoked Wild Acre Farm turkey with wild rice stuffing, cheddar herb mashed potatoes and cider gravy.

31 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Visit Website

11. The Oceanaire Seafood Room

50 S 6th St Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55402

For the first time in its long tenure,The Oceanaire Seafood Room will open for Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. The downtown Minneapolis restaurant will serve many of its signature seafood items as well hand-carved prime rib for a bit of a festive touch.

50 S 6th St Ste 100
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

12. 331 Club

331 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Owner Jon Oulman will make an appearance behind the bar from 5 p.m. to close, slinging his famous Sunny Disposition, a citrusy take of a Sidecar. He’ll also be feeding anyone who bellies up to the bar with his home cooked turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

331 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Visit Website

13. Forepaugh's Restaurant

276 Exchange St S, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Transport yourself to the elegant days of yesteryear at Forepaugh’s, with a traditional four course Thanksgiving feast with all the fixins’, including Grandma’s green bean salad, butternut squash soup, oven roasted turkey, pomme puree and Button Poppin’ Pumpkin Cake.

276 Exchange St S
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

14. Urbana Craeft Kitchen & Market

Hyatt Regency, Bloomington, MN

For a “Traditional Midwest Thanksgiving,” head over to Urbana Craeft (not a misspell) in the Hyatt Bloomington for an indulgent buffet of classics like turkey with sage and thyme gravy, Amish butter and cream mashed potatoes and praline pumpkin pie. Not a turkey person? Urbana Craeft Kitchen will also serve a full menu for breakfast and dinner.

Hyatt Regency
Bloomington, MN

Open in Google Maps

15. Afton House Inn

3291 Saint Croix Trl S, Afton, MN 55001

Bucolic little Afton is just about as adorable a location as you kind find. Afton House Inn continues to be owned and operated by a tight-knit family who are infused with that small-town charm and hospitality. Thanksgiving here is like spending with long lost family that insists you don't lift a finger. The meal will be a large buffet with several items (including gravy) available gluten free.

3291 Saint Croix Trl S
Afton, MN 55001

Visit Website

Related Maps