I’ll be honest. I’m a little obsessed with . I’ve tried more spots in NYC than I can count, and these are the ones that earned a permanent place in my rotation.
For more on celebrity owned restaurants, see my guide to 10 Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in New York City Worth the Detour.
Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in New York City
Table of Contents. Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City
Table of Contents. Best Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
The Plaza Hotel
Website. The Plaza Hotel
Neighborhood.Midtown
Address.768 5th Ave, New York, NY
Price per person. $200+
The Plaza Hotel has been a fan-favorite for an step up Thanksgiving dinner in NYC for more than 100 years (here’s the Thanksgiving menu. Served in 1899). The luxury hotel’s elegance is second to none, so if you’re looking for a place to splurge, the Plaza gets my vote. The menu and pricing for 2024 hasn’t been announced, but in years past it’s been north of $200.
Friend of a Farmer
Website. Friend of a Farmer
Neighborhood.Gramercy Park & Upper West Side
Addresses. 77 Irving Place & 68 West 71st Street
Price per person. $100+
Opened in 1986, Friend of a Farmer is credited for spearheading the farm-to-table movement in New York City. The rustic kitchen and home style. At noon, those lucky enough to score reservations get a chance to feast.
The traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu is a simple affair. Oven roasted turkey is joined by incredible sides like cornbread, mashed potatoes and tart cranberry sauce.
Anton’s
Website. Anton’s
Neighborhood.Greenwich Village
Address. 570 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Price per person. $100+
A New York City gem, Anton’s oozes charm impossible to resist. Last year the traditional NYC Thanksgiving dinner menu was a three course, prix-fixe menu that featured roasted Turkey and classic sides (and a kids menu with chicken tenders). It’s safe to assume the 2024 menu will be similar.
Although the restaurant has yet to post their 2024 NYC Thanksgiving dinner menu, in 2023 it clocked in at $115 per person.
Pro tip. come during off-peak hours if you can. The food is just as good, the service is more relaxed, and you might actually get a seat without waiting.
Rudy’s Bar & Grill
Website. Rudy’s Bar & Grill
Neighborhood.Midtown
Address. 627 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Price per person. Free
Anyone who’s been to Rudy’s might be surprised to learn the bar serves one of the best Thanksgiving feasts in NYC. The joint is famous for cheap beer and hot-dogs (and a pig statue named Baron Von Swine). But don’t worry, you won’t need to sacrifice franks for turkey.
During Thanksgiving all the traditional fixings are on offer. Better still, in a tremendous show of generosity, Rudy’s serves a free Thanksgiving dinner in New York City for those who can’t make it home for the holidays. Faith in humanity.restored. The feast starts at 1pm and goes until food runs out (and it will run out).
Jacob’s Pickles
Website. Jacob’s Pickles
Neighborhood.Upper West Side
Address. 509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Price per person. $85+
A staple in New York City’s brunch scene, Jacob’s Pickle makes a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner. The southern restaurant swaps fried chicken and waffles for mashed potatoes and turkey, all prepared with the same excellence locals have come to rely on over the years.
The restaurant’s famous mac & cheese gives them a leg up on our list of the best Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC. As an added bonus, the location the Upper West Side makes it an easy destination after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Unpopular opinion. I’ll die on this hill. you haven’t really experienced NYC food culture until you’ve tried The Plaza Hotel.
Tavern on the Green
Website. Tavern on the Green
Neighborhood.Upper West Side
Address. W 67th St, New York, NY 10023
Price per person. $135+
Tavern On The Green is one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City. Cozy and decorated for the holidays. It’s also one of the first restaurants to open Thanksgiving dinner reservations, and they go fast. Prices in 2023 started at $135 per person with a mandatory 20% gratuity.
Frank Prisinzano’s Restaurants
Website. Frank’s, Lil Frankie’s, Supper, Daddies
Neighborhood.East Village & West Village
Price per person. Free
Frank Prisinzano is the celebrated chef behind Lil Frankie’s, Frank, Supper and Daddies. Incredibly, Prisinzano has made a tradition of hosting anyone celebrating Thanksgiving in NYC alone by offering a free four-course dinner at all of his restaurants, no questions asked.
Things like this make me love this city, because with 8.5 million residents there no reason to have Thanksgiving dinner in NYC alone. The only request is that you tip the staff.
Keen’s Steakhouse
Website. Keen’s Steakhouse
Neighborhood.Midtown
Address. 72 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Price per person. $149+
What do Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and Babe Ruth have in common? They’ve all enjoyed a meal at one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City, Keen’s Steakhouse. Contrary to what the name suggests, Keen’s is best known for mutton chops, and during Thanksgiving dinner the NYC restaurant offers even more variety.
In addition to the famous mutton chops you’ll also get to choose between turkey, prime rib, filet mignon and dover sole. In 2023, Keen’s four-course Thanksgiving dinner was priced at $149 per person.
Fraunces Tavern
Website. Fraunces Tavern
Neighborhood.Financial District
Address. 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
Price per person. $95+
Fraunces Tavern has been in operation since 1762, effectively making this one of the oldest (but not the oldest) bars in New York City. The iconic watering hole holds historical significance that can’t be beat, even hosting George Washington several occasions.
Needless to say, Fraunces Tavern is the ideal Thanksgiving dinner restaurant in NYC for history buffs. In 2023 dinner consisted of three courses that ran $95 per person. The main courses included traditional turkey, filet mignon, pan seared branzino and pesto pappardelle.
Rosemary’s
Website. Rosemary’s
Neighborhood.West Village & East Village
Addresses. 18 Greenwich Ave & 350 1st Ave
Price per person. TBA
Rosemary’s has its own rooftop vegetable garden that helps guide the menu, a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality. Warm and inviting, the Italian restaurant offers a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the night.
Carmine’s
Website. Carmine’s
Neighborhoods. Midtown & Upper West Side
Addresses. 200 W 44th St & 2450 Broadway
Price. $395+ for a group of 6-8 people
Carmine’s is a New York City mainstay that has been around for more than three decades. Catering to family style dining, it’s a perfect Thanksgiving dinner restaurant in NYC. In fact, their Thanksgiving dinner feast is meant for groups of 6-8 people, and can be enjoyed as take-out or dine-in experience.
Turkey, Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and gravy cover the table making it hard to know where to start. Plus, since the flagship location is located centrally in Times Square I’d recommend planning to watch a Broadway show afterwards because you’ll be too stuffed to walk.
Jacob Restaurant
Website. Jacob Restaurant
Neighborhood.Harlem
Address. 373 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027
Price per person. Free
Famous for dishing out some of the best soul food on the East Coast, Jacob Restaurant is worth a detour, especially on Thanksgiving. The reason? This Harlem mainstay has been serving free Thanksgiving dinner in NYC for 14 years.
The wait at Jacob Restaurant can get pretty long on Thanksgiving, why not take the time to chat with some of the other folks in line? At the end of the day Thanksgiving is a holiday meant to bring us together. Or, place your catering order ahead of time and enjoy it at home with friends & family.
Bubby’s
Website. Bubby’s
Neighborhood.Tribeca
Address. 120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Price per person. $125+
You know the way a dog’s ears perk up when they see a squirrel? Well mine do that when someone. Seriously, this joint is famous for their pancakes but craft a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner in NYC. The potatoes, biscuits and pies are all year-round dishes Bubby’s makes perfectly, and on Thanksgiving they team up with turkey or ham for a home-run.
In 2023 Bubby’s prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner ran $125 per person, reservations were required and each reservation was for an hour and a half.
The Smith
Website.The Smith
Locations.Four locations in NYC
Price per person.$78+
Serving a tons of traditional American fare, The Smith is a hot-spot for locals and tourists alike and one of the best restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner in New York City. Crowds are all but guaranteed but with so many locations sprinkled around New York City the restaurant shouldn’t be too hard to get a reservation at.
The restaurant has four locations across New York City. One in the Upper West Side (perfect for a post-Macy’s Day Parade meal), another in Nomad, one in the East Village and the last one in Midtown. In 2022 The Smith charged $78 per person for a three course, Thanksgiving Dinner, and the NYC restaurant will likely charge a similar price tag in 2024.
Craft
Website. Craft
Neighborhood.Flatiron District
Address. 43 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003
Price per person. TBA
Craft is a former Michelin star restaurant that exudes a level of sophistication that’s hard to beat. If you’re in need of a NYC Thanksgiving dinner restaurant to impress a special someone or treat your out of town guests, Craft will is sure to dazzle.
The seasonal, farm-to-table American fare will leave you stuffed and you’re going to be counting down the days until Thanksgiving rolls around the next year. 2024 menu and pricing is not yet available, but I will update this post as soon as I have more information.
How to Enjoy the Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City
Make reservations ASAP.
The holiday season in New York City is a madhouse. Folks travel from far and wide to see the lights, decorations and especially the Macy’s Day Parade. Do yourself a favor and make Thanksgiving dinner reservations in NYC now.
You can order the meal to-go.
Okay, if you didn’t listen to my previous tip listen to this one. If the restaurant you wanted Thanksgiving dinner in NYC is completely booked, ask about ordering to go. Oftentimes you can snag the exact same meal (and usually at a less expensive price) if you take it to go. This also a great way to host Thanksgiving dinner in a small New York City apartment, since you don’t have to actually cook!
Most restaurants offer prix-fixe menus.
You should be aware that if you want to visit one of your favorite restaurants in NYC for Thanksgiving dinner odds are they might not have the same menu. This because most restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu on Thanksgiving, which is where you get multiple courses for a set price.
Be aware of the cancellation policy.
As much as I recommend booking your reservations early, read the fine print in your reservation to avoid any fees if you have to cancel. The prix-fixe menu prices are steep, and if you cancel without enough time you might have to pay a portion of it anyways.
Be super kind to the waitstaff.
Thisn’t much of a tip, rather it’s a reminder. The folks taking your order and. Remember the golden rule. treat others the way you would want to be treated. Take it from someone who used to work on holidays, even if you love your job you’d rather be hanging out with your own friends and family.
List of the Best NYC Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants
- The Plaza Hotel
- Friend of a Farmer
- Anton
- Rudy’s
- Jacob’s Pickles
- Tavern on the Green
- Frank Prisinzano’s Restuarants
- Keen’s Steakhouse
- Fraunces Tavern
- Rosemary
- Carmine
- Jacob Restaurant
- Bubby’s
- The Smith
- Craft
Frequently Asked Questions
New Yorkers often celebrate Thanksgiving by enjoying traditional meals at a variety of restaurants across the city, including popular choices like Tavern on the Green, The Plaza Hotel, and Carmine’s.
New Yorkers typically enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast, featuring roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and various seasonal sides, followed by pumpkin pie for dessert.
Restaurant’s like Rudy’s, Jacob’s Soul Food, and Lil Frankie’s host Thanksgiving dinners for those who find themselves alone on Thanksgiving in New York City.
Yes, New York City is usually busy at Thanksgiving, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, holiday events, and an influx of visitors contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City (Map)
And there you have it, my friends. I hope this article about the best Thanksgiving dinner restaurants in NYC helps make your holidays a richer experience.
Until next time, cheers!
This pairs perfectly with my 17 Best New York City Cafes (Serving Great Coffee in NYC). locals swear by it.
I want to hear from you. What’s your favorite spot that I missed?
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Tantalizing Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in New York City. Drop a comment below and let us know!
Exploring the neighborhood? Check out our guide to things to do in Upper West Side for more local recommendations.
Have you been here before?
Can you also mention who is serving a buffet style thanksgiving? I know plaza is but curious of other offerings!
Hi Camille, that’s a great thing to add to our article. We’ll update it sometime this week or next to help you and anyone else who are wondering the same thing!
Great question! Thanks so much for reading — I hope you get a chance to explore some of these spots!