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!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.)
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.)
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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