If you would rather relax on this year’s Thanksgiving than spend all day dirtying up your kitchen, look no further. Whether it’s just you or your whole family, restaurants throughout the D.C. metro area are cooking up specialties, both turkey-centric and not, for the holiday.
Here are some of the highlights for holiday meals around town — but don’t forget to check reservations early as some restaurants tend to book up. Looking for something a little more low-key? We’ve also got recommendations for Thanksgiving take-out meals from local spots.
ADA’S ON THE RIVER
Head to Old Town for views of the Potomac and a three-course holiday meal. Ada’s offers diners their choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert for $79, with highlights like crab cakes, shrimp stuffed sea bass, turkey roulade, and a cranberry tart. A separate three-course children’s menu is available for $29. (3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria. Reservations here.)
AMBAR
The Clarendon outpost of the Balkan chain serves up holiday specials in-house and to-go in addition to its typical all-you-can-eat menu at the restaurant. Seasonal offerings include turkey roulade or roast turkey, poached pear salad, and pumpkin soup. Dinner service includes a choice of dessert. For the $79 per couple to-go menu, expect roast turkey, truffle mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, pumpkin soup, pear salad, and raspberry and chocolate cakes. Orders must be placed by 9 p.m. on Nov. 21 and picked up on Nov. 23 between 1 to 6 p.m. (2901 Wilson Blvd, Clarendon. Reservations here. To-go orders here.)
BUSBOYS AND POETS
The Anacostia location hosts a free holiday lunch for anyone who needs a delicious meal, no questions asked. The community feast will include a traditional turkey dinner and dessert prepared by staff and volunteers. Guests should arrive between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m, with no registration or reservations required. (2004 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE.)
CAFE RIGGS
If you’re dining with children, Café Riggs offers a special for the holiday: kids under 6 get their meal free with an adult meal purchase. From 12 p.m.-9 p.m., enjoy starters like smoked duck breast or french onion soup, followed by a classic turkey breast with a foie gras stuffing, pomme puree, and brussel sprouts. End the meal with another classic: pumpkin pie. (900 F St. NW. Reservations here.)
CENTRAL MICHEL RICHARD
Opt for the holiday meal in-restaurant or place a to-go order from this longtime downtown spot. French fare such as branzino and profiteroles will be offered on the holiday menu alongside classics and kid-friendly food. For at-home dining, the $70 per person menu includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cornbread, peas, soup, chocolate truffles, and pumpkin pie. Pick up is available on Nov. 21-22. (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Reservations here, to-go orders call 202-626-0015)
CLYDE’S/THE HAMILTON/OLD EBBITT
Join Clyde’s Restaurant Group for Thanksgiving at all of their classic restaurants, including Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton, and all Clyde’s locations. Holiday specials include a turkey dinner with all the fixings and a piece of pie a la mode ($42.99), or opt for ham instead ($28.99). Pie slices are available a la carte, and if you’re not the biggest fan of turkey, each location will offer their regular menu as well. (Multiple locations.)
DAVIO’S
Is leftovers your favorite part of the holiday, but you still don’t want to cook? Davio’s in Reston is sending diners home with tomorrow’s turkey sandwich for $18 in addition to their holiday menu. For Thanksgiving, diners can enjoy turkey, butternut squash, and challah stuffing for $85. Dessert options include pecan, apple, or pumpkin pie for an additional $15. (1902 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston. Reservations here.)
ELLINGTON PARK BISTRO
The French bistro offers both a $80 three-course menu or a la carte options with starters such as beet salad and deviled eggs, a classic main course including turkey, pomme puree, brussels sprouts, stuffing, green beans, and rolls, and a slice of pumpkin or apple pie. (2033 M St. NW. Reservations here.)
ESTUARY
Whether you’re an early riser or want your holiday meal in the evening, the Conrad Hotel’s restaurant will be open with live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Brunch is buffet-style with a carving station and mimosa and bloody mary bar alongside breakfast options. ($139 with alcohol, $109 without, $50 for children). Dinner starts with complimentary sparkling wine or cider, and is family-style with buttermilk brined turkey, dry aged ribeye, sour cream mashed potatoes, sweet potato wedges, and more classics. ($130 per person with optional $60 wine pairing). (950 New York Ave. NW. Reservations here.)
ILILI
The Wharf restaurant serves a holiday meal with Lebanese takes on classics. Hot and cold mezze will be available alongside turkey roulade with mushrooms and peanut rice. For dessert, enjoy a pumpkin candy bar and apple pie. The multi-course menu is $98 per person and $50 for children ages six and up. (100 District Square SW. Reservations here.)
LA BISE
The French bistro puts their own spin on classic French fare for the holiday. The dine-in menu features gingered honeynut squash soup, beef tartare, and foie gras as starter choices, turkey roulade, branzino, boeuf bourguignon for entrées, and strudel or chocolate pots de crème for a sweet ending note. Diners can enjoy the three-course menu for $80 from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. (800 Connecticut Ave. NW. Reservations here.)
L’ARDENTE
L’Ardente offers both a dine-in menu and a special to-go offer for the holiday. For those eating at home, in addition to your food order, the restaurant is offering a Fizz with your Feast trio of Lambrusco wines for $65. Pickup is available on Nov. 17 and Nov. 20-22. On Thanksgiving itself, from 2-8 p.m., dine-in guests can enjoy a small menu of Thanksgiving specials alongside the regular dinner menu. Specials include roasted koginut squash ($18), agrodolce turkey with marsala gravy and gnocchi gratin ($36), and sweet potato mousse ($14). (200 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Reservations here. To-go orders here.)
L’AUBERGE FRANCOIS/JACQUES’
Great Falls French institution L’Auberge may have sold out its Thanksgiving reservations, but takeout is still available, or hop over to the attached Jacques’ Brasserie for an a la carte menu with many of the same dishes. Highlights include lobster bisque, escargot, turkey with chestnut stuffing, veal scallopini, and a venison chop. Seatings are from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and again at 5 to 6 p.m. (332 Springvale Road, Great Falls. Jacques’ reservations here.)
LE CLOU
This splashy restaurant near Union Market offers a four-course special menu on the holiday between 12 p.m.-8 p.m. For $80 per person, start with a country pâté paired with olives, ricotta, and a baguette, before diving into some more seasonal options like pumpkin bisque and a beet salad. The star of the show is a herb-roasted turkey or candied ham with sides like potato gratin and brussels sprouts, capped with desserts like apple tarte tatin and sweet potato pie. (222 M St. NE. Reservations here.)
LIA’S
Dining with kids? Head to Lia’s in Chevy Chase for holiday menus geared towards adults and children. For the adults: a three-course $59 meal with choices including pasta fagioli, classic turkey dinner or Italian entrees like braised short rib, and pumpkin cheesecake. For the kids: Thanksgiving classics like a little pilgrim plate for $20 with turkey and potatoes, or chicken tenders or sliders. (4435 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase. Reservations here.)
LYLE’S
Looking for an earlier feast? This Dupont Circle hotel restaurant offers both lunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) for Thanksgiving. Enjoy a three-course menu at both services for $55. Guests have a choice of small plates like camembert flatbread or honey roasted pumpkin, a turkey roulade for the main course, and pumpkin cheesecake or pecan pie brownies for dessert. (1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Reservations here.)
MGM GRAND CASINO
Enjoy a day at the MGM Casino followed by a holiday meal at one of their many restaurants offering Thanksgiving day menus. TAP Sports Bar serves up a $40 three-course meal of Old Bay turkey wings, choice of two sides such as collard greens or candied yams, and sweet potato cheesecake. (Reservations here.) For a more fine dining experience, the Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse offers a $115 four-course family style menu featuring shrimp cocktail, fennel salad, prime beef striploin, baked ziti, sweet potato hash, broccolini, and pear cobbler cake. (Reservations here.) Finally, try Osteria Costa for their classic brunch menu for $95 per person from 11 a.m-5 p.m., featuring some holiday specials, including fruit and shellfish displays, a carving station, and classics like sweet potato casserole and brussels sprout gratin. (Reservations here.) (101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill)
RASIKA
Both locations of the popular Indian restaurant are offering their own unique prix-fixe and a la carte menus for the holiday. At the Foggy Bottom location, enjoy the $60 three-course meal of spiced butternut bomb, turkey biryani, brussels sprouts curry, and sweet potato pecan halwa. Guests can dine between 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. or 5 p.m.-10 p.m. In Penn Quarter, the $60 prix-fixe menu includes brussels sprouts dosa, turkey drumstick with green bean korma and lemon cashew rice, and a pecan coconut jaggery pie. At both locations, guests can dine from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., or 5 p.m.-10 p.m., and valet parking is available for $15. (1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW or 633 D St. NW. Reservations here.)
SABABA AND LITTLE BLACKBIRD
The sister restaurants next to each other in Cleveland Park each offer their own seasonal specials a la carte on Nov. 22-23. Sababa serves up turkey schnitzel ($18), hummus sabich salad with eggs, eggplant, and cranberry ($18), honey glazed sweet potato ($14), and roasted lamb loin ($28) alongside the regular menu from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Wine bar Little Blackbird, open until 10 p.m., will have turkey roulade with pancetta stuffing ($26), beef tenderloin with fingerling potatoes ($32), or a hearth roasted artichoke. (3309 and 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW. Reservations for Sababa here. Reservations for Little Blackbird here.)
THE BOMBAY CLUB
Tired of plain old turkey? This D.C. institution offers a special menu of Thanksgiving dishes with Indian flavors, either a la carte or on a prix fixe menu for $60, from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. The menu includes tikka turkey with brussels sprouts poriyal, squash-kale bhaji, saffron pulao and cranberry naan ($32), sweet potato tikki ($14), and a pumpkin cheesecake with pomegranate sorbet ($14) as a dessert option. (815 Connecticut Ave. NW. Reservations here.)
THE SAGA AND QUADRANT
If you need to celebrate late or want another taste of turkey, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel restaurant and lounge offers a three-course Thanksgiving feast from Thursday through Saturday. The $95 menu includes an autumn salad to start, a feast of confit turkey breast and truffle mashed potatoes as the main, and pumpkin pie to finish. (1190 22nd St. NW. Reservations here.)
XIQUET
The Michelin-starred restaurant offers its first-ever Thanksgiving meal. For a luxurious holiday, join Chef Danny Lledo for a multi-course Spanish menu, including scallops with caviar, grilled squash, and seafood paella as welcome bites. The main course is a fire-roasted turkey with Iberica tenderloin, saffron biscuits, sweet potato casserole, and manchego creamed spinach. After the $250 dinner, guests will enjoy desserts and after-dinner drinks in the lounge. Seatings are available from 1-5:30 p.m. (2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Reservations here.)
WALDORF ASTORIA
Looking for a luxurious feast earlier in the day? The hotel is serving up a brunch buffet in the grand atrium of the Old Post Office Building. Guests can enjoy a soup and salad station, sushi and nigiri station, and cheese and charcuterie display, before diving into mains like garlic roasted turkey and prime rib. Classic side dishes and desserts are available, in addition to a kid-friendly corner with cheeseburgers, french fries, and more. The brunch is served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at $155 per adult and $70 per child, with kids under four eating free. (1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Email for reservations here.)
