For some Houstonians, Thanksgiving means days of brining, basting, and baking; for others, it’s all about showing up hungry and letting someone else do the work. If you’re on the fence between cooking at home and booking a table out on the town, Houston’s restaurant scene makes the decision deliciously difficult. A wide range of restaurants across the city will be open on Thursday, November 27—from countless places offering special pre-fixe menus, hotels with lavish experiences, and trusted standbys that are keeping their regular menus on offer on Thanksgiving Day.
Here’s a look at the best places to dine out for the holiday. No roasting pans required.
Thanksgiving Menus
Etoile
Etoile is serving a three-course Thanksgiving meal, priced at $78 per person, and $28 for children. Highlights from the menu include pork and duck terrine; roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, and Cognac gravy; and vanilla bourbon pecan pie. 1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, etoilecuisine.com/
Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge’s cabin-like setting offers a magical backdrop in which to enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving Day meal, presented with Parker House-style rolls. The cost is $85 per person, and $45 per child. Highlights of the menu include the restaurant’s popular smoked duck gumbo, Southern-style roast turkey, a wild game mixed grill, and warm croissant bread pudding. 2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, rainbow-lodge.com/
Georgia James
Georgia James will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering a three-course pre-fixe menu with dishes like roasted turkey with a wild mushroom gravy and sides like mashed potatoes and green beans. Reservations are recommended, and can be made via OpenTable. 3503 W Dallas St, Houston, georgiajameshouston.com/
Leo’s River Oaks
From 2 to 9 pm, Leo’s River Oaks will be offering a three-course prix fixe menu, beginning with lobster bisque or Leo’s house salad, followed by herb-roasted turkey or filet mignon with classic sides, and slice of house-made pumpkin pie for dessert. A children’s menu will be available for $25 for turkey and $35 for the filet. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable. 2009 W Gray St # A, Houston, leosriveroaks.com
Le Jardinier
Le Jardinier is giving Houstonians a chance to enjoy a Michelin-worthy meal on Thanksgiving Day with its seasonal prix fixe menu, available from noon to 7:30 p.m. Crafted by executive chef Felipe Botero and pastry chef Tiffani Gkaris, the four-course menu is priced at $185 per guest and features Heritage Roasted Turkey and Rillette, plus shared fried Brussels sprouts, mushroom stuffing, and mashed potatoes for the table. Heighten the experience by adding Royal Kaluga caviar service. Reservations are available via OpenTable or Resy. 5500 Main St., Ste. 122, Houston, lejardinier-houston.com
King Steak
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. King Steak will offer a four-course holiday meal priced at $70 per person. The menu features appetizers like caviar deviled eggs and Southern corn bread with whipped honey butter; entrees like honey-glazed ham and roasted turkey; ample sides, including green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and homemade cranberry sauce; plus pecan and pumpkin pie. Reservations are recommended. 2200 Post Oak Blvd. #140, Houston, kingsteakhtx.com/
B.B. Italia
Head to this rustic Italian trattoria in Sugar Land Town Square on Thanksgiving Day and enjoy a three-course prix-fixe menu for $49.95 per person. The meal starts with a Caesar salad or baked potato soup, followed by a traditional turkey dinner with bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll. Finish with a decadent warm bread pudding for dessert. 16250 City Walk, Sugar Land, bbitaliabistro.com
B&B Butchers and Restaurant
Berg Hospitality’s beloved steakhouse in First Ward is offering a three-course pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu for $90 per person. Starters include a mixed green salad or butternut squash soup, followed by roasted turkey with cornbread and sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy, or roasted prime rib with creamy horseradish, au jus, and Yorkshire pudding. Each entrée is served with Brussels sprouts, sweet yams, corn soufflé, and mashed potatoes. Dessert options include pumpkin, pecan, or apple crumble pie. Reservations are available via OpenTable. 1814 Washington Ave., Houston, bbbutchers.com
Eunice
Chef Drake Leonards is putting a Cajun spin on his Thanksgiving Day offerings at Eunice. The restaurant has seatings available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last seating at 4 p.m., and will offer an à la carte menu featuring Cajun-stuffed turkey with sweet potatoes, dressing, cranberry marmalade, and rich gravy, plus pumpkin bisque with curry cream and toasted pepitas. Dessert options range from pumpkin bread pudding with brown butter caramel, candied pecans, and white chocolate to bourbon pecan pie with Chantilly cream. Eunice favorites like Drew’s smoked chicken and sausage gumbo and cast-iron cornbread will also be on offer. 3737 Buffalo Speedway Ste. 100, Houston, eunicerestaurant.com
The Annie Cafe & Bar
The Annie Café & Bar is offering a festive Thanksgiving menu with a Texas twist. Starters include butternut squash soup, avocado cucumber salad, and prime beef tips with gorgonzola polenta; entrées range from roasted heritage turkey with stuffing and gravy to prime rib roast with foie gras butter, sea scallops with romesco sauce, and coffee-roasted tenderloin; and dessert features are pumpkin pie, apple galette, and warm sticky date pudding. The cost is $90 per person, and $35 per child aged 11 and under. 1800 Post Oak Blvd. Ste. 6170, Houston, theanniehouston.com/
Roma
Roma is offering a three-course meal with options like butternut squash soup or a house salad; hand-carved turkey breast with gravy, dressing, green bean casserole, candied yams, and asparagus; and a choice of pecan or pumpkin pie. The cost is $55 for adults and $25 for children, and guests have the option to add wine pairings for $35. Reservations are recommended. 2347 University Blvd, Houston, romahouston.com
Amrina
Amrina will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. serving up a five-course meal made up of dishes that lean into the restaurant’s globally-inspired flavors. Expect items like spiced pumpkin pani puri, roasted turkey breast with Old Monk rum glaze, and apple and saffron jalebi. The cost is $95 per person, and $40 per child, 10 years or younger. 3 Waterway Square Place #100, The Woodlands amrina.social
Kitchen Rumors
Kitchen Rumors is offereing a four-course prix-fixe menu for $65 per person, and $30 for children 10 and under, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can pick from entrees like filet mignon with masala rub and roasted turkey with shared sides like mashed potatoes and cranberry chutney for the table. 2310 Decatur St, Houston, kitchenrumors.com
Hotel Restaurants
Safina at Intercontinental Hotel
Chef Ibrahim Alsharif invites hotel guests and visitors to enjoy a festive Thanksgiving celebration featuring a multi-course menu of holiday classics. For $85 per person, the meal includes roasted butternut squash soup with warm spices and crème fraîche; a radicchio and endive salad with dried figs, apricots, gorgonzola, candied pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette; and herb-crusted turkey breast served with traditional stuffing, green beans almondine, rosemary gravy, and house-made cranberry relish. Finish on a sweet note with a creamy pumpkin cheesecake on graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream. Reservations are available via OpenTable. 6750 Main St, Houston, ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/houston/houit/hoteldetail/dining/safina
Toro Toro at the Four Seasons Houston
The Four Seasons Hotel Houston is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day brunch at Toro Toro with a buffet featuring traditional and pan-Latin holiday dishes. Look forward to a lavish spread including dishes like roasted turkey with ancho gravy; Guajillo-marinated bone-in prime rib; spice-marinated leg of lamb; plus an interactive pasta station; turkey and waffle station; omelette station; sushi bar; dessert display; and a dedicated kid’s section. Reservations are available, and required, via OpenTable from 10 am to 3 pm. The cost is $145 per person, and $65 for children ages 12 and under. 1300 Lamar St, Houston, torotorohouston.com/
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
JW Marriott Houston Downtown will be open to guests and locals alike, offering a three-course menu featuring holiday classics with a twist. Start with items like curried pumpkin soup or baked brie with fig jam and toasted pecans, before digging into roasted turkey breast with braised leg, cornbread stuffing, and green beans with bacon and shallots, or Habanero Pineapple-Glazed Ham with mac and cheese and candied sweet potatoes. Desserts include a choice of chocolate pecan pie or pumpkin flan. The cost is $70 per person, with the option to add wine pairings for $25. 806 Main St., Houston, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/houdj-jw-marriott-houston-downtown/overview/
Remi at Hotel Granduca
Remi executive chef Maurizio Ferrarese is serving a pre-fixe Thanksgiving brunch with seatings available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu features oven-roasted heritage turkey, truffled mac and cheese, spiced pumpkin tarts, and apple Dutch pies. The cost is $105 per adult and $54 per child. Reservations are required via OpenTable or by calling the hotel at 713-418-1000. 1080 Uptown Park Blvd. Houston, remihouston.com
SwitcHouse Plates & Pours at Houston City Place Marriott Hotel
The lobby-level restaurant within the Houston City Place Marriott Hotel is hosting a family style feast from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Choices for starters include broccoli cheddar soup, Caesar salad, or a mixed green salad, followed by traditional roasted turkey with giblet sage gravy. Classic sides like cornbread stuffing, French bean casserole, whipped sweet potatoes will be on offer, as will desserts like apple cobbler and slices of pumpkin cheesecake or pecan pie. The cost is $32.95 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 832-823-2529. 1200 Lake Plaza Dr, Spring, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/houns-houston-cityplace-marriott-at-springwoods-village/dining/
Restaurants Serving Regular Menus
Nobu
For those looking for a fresh alternative to Thanksgiving Day grub, Nobu in the Galleria will be open from 5 to 8:15 p.m. offering its regular menu for dinner. 1115 Westheimer Rd. Ste. C-3515, Houston, noburestaurants.com/houston/home
Tavola
Tavola will be open from noon to 8:30 p.m., serving up a four-course menu crafted by executive chef Marco Incerti and executive pastry chef Marcela Kamiyama. Highlights include a potato and pumpkin soufflé to start, followed by agnolotti with chanterelle mushrooms and roasted chestnuts, and a turkey Porchetta with classic stuffing. Classic pecan pie with maple ice cream rounds out the special menu. The cost is $80 per person, and reservations can be made via OpenTable. A la carte offerings from Tavola’s regular menu will also be available. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 100, Houston, tavolahouston.com/
Ocean Palace
Ocean Palace is offering a tasty alternative to traditional holiday fare with its regular menu of dim sum offerings, available on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Escape the kitchen and gather around classic dumplings, seafood platters, and more.11215 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, oceanpalacehouston.com/
