Need dinner plans for Thanksgiving? Dine in or get a feast to go at these local restaurants
Whipping up a humongous meal isn’t everyone’s idea of a happy holiday.
That’s no reason to give up on having a feast, though.
Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants stepping up to fill the plate this Thanksgiving.
So whether you’d rather dine out or chow down in the comfort of your own home, here are some options for taking the work out of turkey day.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans offers a complete Thanksgiving spread for a decent price. Dine-in or order ahead for carryout. Options include a meal for four, eight or eight to 10 people.
Details: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 4115 14th St. W., Bradenton and 7393 State Road 70, Bradenton.
Info: bobevans.com.
Boston Market
Boston Market offers a full menu of Thanksgiving food order for carry-out, delivery or dine-in. In addition to sliced turkey breast and rotisserie chicken, choose from holiday sides, appetizers and whole pies.
Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 5002 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.
Info: bostonmarket.com.
The Capital Grille
If you’re looking for more of a white tablecloth experience, The Capital Grille in Sarasota offers a traditional holiday meal with a touch of gourmet. The full a la carte dinner menu is also available. Seats go fast, so reserve them early.
Details: Reservations recommended. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 180 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota.
Info: thecapitalgrille.com.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
At Cracker Barrel, Thanksgiving is a specialty. The restaurant chain has served approximately 3.8 million pounds of turkey, 49.6 million ounces of turkey gravy and 3 million pounds of sweet potato casserole since 2010. “Heat n’ serve” and to-go meals can be ordered as soon as 24 hours in advance, and the restaurant chain offers a special “Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressin” meal for dine-in guests.
Details: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Dine-in Thanksgiving meal available starting at 11 a.m. 2203 Cortez Road W., Bradenton and 636 67th St. Cir. E., Bradenton.
Info: crackerbarrel.com.
Cremesh European Restaurant
Cremesh European Restaurant will offer a set four-course dinner featuring creamy potato leek soup; a spring-mix salad with goat’s cheese and raspberry vinaigrette; a choice of entrée (roast turkey with trimmings, roast pork rouladen, and vegetarian stuffed mushrooms). Dessert is Chef Pavel Hasenohrl’s pumpkin cake with vanilla and caramel cream, or apple strudel with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A glass of house wine or beer is included with each adult meal.
Details: Reservation only. Reservations will be accepted for seatings from 1-2 p.m. and 4–5 p.m. 7232 Manatee Ave., W., Bradenton. Adults: $45. Ages 11 and under: $18.
Info: cremeshrestaurant.com.
Denny’s
Denny’s is open 24/7, and the chain offers special menus for the holidays. The “Sweet Holiday Delights” menu features apple bourbon pancake or crepe breakfasts, cinnamon roll pancakes, turkey and dressing dinners, chicken or steak meals and pumpkin and pecan pie.
Details: Open 24/7. 610 44th Ave. W., Bradenton. dennys.com.
Der Dutchman
This Sarasota Amish restaurant and buffet is open for Thanksgiving each year with a decadent spread of holiday favorites on the buffet line. Be forewarned, the wait time can be hours once crowds show up.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota. dhgroup.com/restaurants.
Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen at Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club
Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen at Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club in Holmes Beach will offer a gourmet three-course Thanksgiving meal.
First course: Choice of appetizer, including butter lettuce salad, butternut squash soup or crispy duck confit.
Second course: Choice of entree, including sage-roasted turkey with giblet gravy ($22 or $40 serving); blackened grouper ($44); seared scallop and pork belly ($46); or braised short ribs ($48) or vegan shepherd’s pie ($36).
Third course: Choice of dessert, featuring lemon gooey butter cake, deep fried bread pudding, a pumpkin cheesecake bar or an artisanal cheese plate.
Details: Reservations recommended. Available 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 5325 Marina Dr.ive Holmes Beach. 941-238-6262.
Info: waterlineresort.com/events.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral’s holiday dining menu features prime rib, carved turkey, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole and holiday-themed sweets — plus all the usual homestyle buffet offerings.
Details: Open Thanksgiving Day. 5525 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.
Info: goldencorral.com.
IHOP
IHOP restaurants offer a roasted turkey and stuffing entree on the menu, and they are open on Thanksgiving Day. Alternatively, you can skip right over Thanksgiving and go for the limited-time holiday menu themed around “The Elf on the Shelf.”
Details: Open 24/7. 5427 14th St. W., Bradenton and 6320 State Road 64 E., Bradenton.
Info: ihop.com.
Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
The Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota locations of Libby’s Neighborhood Brasseire will offer fixed price meals on Thanksgiving Day.
Main course choices include bourbon-basted turkey with sage-brioche stuffing, ribeye, rotisserie chicken, pork chop or a vegan cauliflower steak option.
There are also starters and decadent desserts to pick from, and each adult diner gets a free glass of champagne.
Details: Noon-8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, 8445 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch and 1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota. Adults: $80. Children: $45. Reservations required.
Info: tableseide.com/libbys-neighborhood-brasserie.
Mattison’s City Grille at Bradenton Riverwalk
All three Mattison’s will be open on Thanksgiving Day offering traditional holiday food as well as regular menu options. Reservations are recommended.
Mattison’s catering team will also offer family feasts to-go. The feasts include all-natural, antibiotic and hormone-free oven-roasted turkey, apple walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes green beans, giblet gravy, fresh cranberries and rolls. Upgrade the meal with a selection of pies or spiced pumpkin torte. A meal for up to six people with a 12-pound turkey is $149; a meal for up to 10 people with an 18-pound turkey is $189. Orders must be placed by Saturday.
Details: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Mattison’s City Grille, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. 941-896-9660. mattisons.com.
Pier 22
Pier 22’s award-winning culinary team will be whipping up a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. The meal includes roasted turkey, housemade stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, housemade dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. Alternatively, choose from a limited holiday menu featuring appetizers, soups, salads and entrees.
The restaurant will also offer Thanksgiving Day takeout. A “Family Feast” is priced at $125, feeds four to six and includes all of the same items as the dine-in dinner. Dishes are also available a la carte, and pies, cookies or mini desserts can be added fro an extra fee. Orders must be placed by Nov. 26.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton. Traditional meals are $34.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 10 and under. Reservations recommended. pier22dining.com.
Viento Kitchen + Bar at Zota Beach Resort
A Thanksgiving brunch buffet at Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key will feature carved, roasted turkey breast, honey-baked ham, seared citrus salmon, sirloin steak, a chilled seafood bar, salads and more. A full bar will be offered; upgrade a meal with bottomless mimosas for an extra $15.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Adults: $39.99. Ages 4-12: $19.99. Reservations recommended. 941-248-1207. zotabeachresort.com.
Waffle House
In an emergency, there’s always Waffle House. The restaurant does not offer a holiday menu, but all of your old favorites will be there. We recommend the pecan waffle.
Details: Open 24/7, 365. 2400 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 603 67th St. Circle E., Bradenton and 1515 51st E., Ellenton. wafflehouse.com.