Thanksgiving Dinner Out in the US: What to Know

A Thanksgiving dinner out takes more planning than an ordinary night, because many restaurants close, many switch to a set menu and the best tables go weeks ahead. Hotel restaurants, steakhouses and large chains are the most likely to open, so book in October.

Check each restaurant directly, since independent places often close. Tip 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill on a set menu as on any table-service meal.

Which restaurants are open for a Thanksgiving dinner out?

Fewer than on a normal Thursday, but more than you might think. Hotel restaurants, steakhouses and large chains often open, because they serve visitors and families who do not cook. Many Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Korean and other restaurants open too, and diners and some cafes serve breakfast or lunch. Smaller independent restaurants often close so that staff can be with their families.

The only reliable way to know is to check each restaurant's own page or call. Online lists of restaurants open on Thanksgiving are often out of date.

Thanksgiving reservations: when to book

Book as early as you can. Restaurants that offer a holiday meal often release tables in October or early November, and popular ones fill within days. Large parties need more notice. If you cannot get a table at your first choice, ask to join a waitlist and call on the day, because cancellations happen.

Confirm your booking a few days before. Some restaurants ask for a deposit or a card number to hold a table, and have cancellation rules, so read the terms.

What is on a Thanksgiving prix fixe?

A prix fixe is a set menu at a fixed price per person. A Thanksgiving prix fixe usually includes a starter or soup, roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, vegetables and a pie or other dessert. Some offer a choice of entrees, such as ham, salmon or a vegetarian dish. Family-style versions bring platters to the table to share.

Look at the menu in advance. Check whether drinks, tax and gratuity are included, and whether children have a smaller menu. If a price is listed per person, ask whether wine pairings, coffee and service are extra, so there are no surprises when the check arrives.

Thanksgiving takeout: let someone else cook

Many restaurants, markets and caterers sell complete Thanksgiving dinners to take home, from a whole cooked turkey to individual sides. You usually have to order several days in advance and choose a pickup time, often on Wednesday or the morning of the holiday. Quantities are limited.

Check what comes in the package, how to reheat it and how many people it serves. Pick up on time and bring a cooler if the drive is long.

How do you tip on Thanksgiving?

In the United States, a tip of 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is the usual amount at a table-service restaurant, and many diners give more on a holiday when staff are working instead of being with family. Check whether a service charge is already included for large parties. For takeout, tipping is optional but appreciated.

If service is slow because the restaurant is full, remember that the staff are working hard.

What if you have dietary needs?

Thanksgiving menus are heavy on turkey, dairy and wheat. If you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergic to nuts, tell the restaurant when you book and again at the table. Ask what is in the stuffing and gravy, which often contain meat, bread and butter. A good kitchen will tell you honestly what it can and cannot change.

If you cannot find a suitable set menu, look for restaurants that serve an ordinary menu on the holiday, or ask the kitchen whether it can prepare a plate of sides and a vegetarian main. Many cooks are glad to help when asked well in advance.

How can visitors from abroad join in?

Thanksgiving is a family holiday, and many international visitors are unsure what to do. A restaurant meal is an easy way to join in. Ask the host about the traditions and the dishes, and be prepared for a big meal: the turkey, the sides and the pies are meant to be shared. Parades and football games are on television, and many shops close on the day and have sales on Friday. Public transport usually runs a reduced schedule, so plan how you will get to and from the restaurant, and if you are traveling a long way that week, expect busy roads and airports on the Wednesday before.

What else is happening around the holiday?

Cities start their holiday events around the same time. In Chicago, the Christkindlmarket opens in the weeks around the holiday, with hours that can change on Thanksgiving Day, and its food stalls make a good casual option; read the Chicago Christkindlmarket guide. For a Northeast autumn, see the New England fall food guide, and for a Louisville tradition that uses leftover turkey, the hot brown guide. All the cities are on the US guides page.

Once the plates are cleared, write down what worked. In the Mosey app, rate the dishes from your Thanksgiving dinner out and keep a list of tables to book early next year.