Where to eat on Thanksgiving Day or order carryout in Chicago

Thanksgiving is the ultimate food holiday, and whether you’re looking for a cozy night in or a high-end splurge, Chicago offers no shortage of options to match your mood if you want to leave the cooking to someone else.

We rounded up a few of the best dine-in and carryout options for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Whatever the group size or taste, Chicago offers something that will fit your budget and taste.

Don’t wait until the last minute to make your reservations or place your orders. Whether the plans include dining out or ordering a catered meal to heat at home, most require advance reservations or preorders.

Where to dine in

Manchamanteles
2009 N. Western Ave.

Chef Geno Bahena, who came up in Rick Bayless’ kitchens, is known for his savory traditional moles that rival anything you'd find in a kitchen typically found a plane ride away. This fall, he’s offering a special mole negro Oaxaqueño con pavo (Oaxacan black mole with turkey), a rich, smoky turkey mole layered with chocolate, roasted chiles and warm spices. Turkey is indigenous to the state of Oaxaca, considered the birthplace of Mexico’s many culinary delights.

What’s on the menu: Guests eager for a whole turkey experience can order a whole bird for four ($185). The meal will include a choice of negro (black), verde (green) or rojo (red) mole; sautéed green beans, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and sweet potato purée with salsa macha.

How to reserve/order: Preorders are required for dining in by Nov. 20. The Bucktown restaurant’s large footprint is great for accommodating big groups. Thanksgiving catering packages are also available for pickup Nov. 20-30. Call 773-799-8148 to order or visit manchamantelesrestaurant.com.

MingHin Cuisine
2168 S. Archer Ave.

MingHin Cuisine is known for its extensive dim sum menu. Its mix of traditional and modern cooking has earned the restaurant Michelin Bib Gourmand honors for four years running. There are six locations in the Chicagoland area, including four in the city and two in the suburbs. The Chinatown location will be open for the holiday. That large dining room makes it perfect for big groups and it is family friendly.

What’s on the menu: Expect popular items like baked creamy egg yolk buns, siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), jiaozi (potstickers) and deep fried shrimp rolls as well and rare-in-the-city dishes like Malay sponge cake and black-vinegar pork hocks. Fried rice and noodle dishes are also offered alongside plenty of vegetarian items.

How to reserve: Make a reservation at minghincuisine.com or by calling the restaurant at 312-808-1999.

Omakase Shoji
1641 W. Chicago Ave.

Chef Takashi Iida and Takahashi Shoji are inviting diners to skip the turkey all together with an edomae-style omakase in their intimate 10-seater restaurant in West Town. The chefs bring a Japanese approach (i.e. precision and minimalism) to their work. This is a place where quality is measured not just by its looks but by its sourcing of high-quality ingredients, preparation and taste. Takahashi immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 from Sendai, Japan. He is Iida's protégé whose resume includes cooking for the Imperial Palace and serving Japan's royal family.

What’s on the menu: Diners can expect 17 to 25 courses. Fish served is imported from Japanese markets including Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market. Japanese tea, sake, whisky, beer and wine are among its beverage pairings.

How to reserve: Make a reservation at resy.com.

Sifr
660 N. Orleans St.

Modern Middle Eastern restaurant Sifr will be open for happy hour from 5-6 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The River North restaurant, which was added to the Michelin Bib Gourmand list last year, is a partnership between chefs Sahil Sethi and his mentor, Sujan Sarkar, who is also behind Michelin-starred Indienne, Nadu and Swadesi Cafe.

What's on the menu: Sifr is offering its full dinner menu — with most of the dishes cooked over a charcoal and wood-fired hearth — that's made for sharing in large groups, including the popular mezze platter, with vegetarian and meaty options, as well as the lamb shank with Persian pilaf.

How to reserve: Grab a table on OpenTable.

Travelle at The Langham
330 N. Wabash Ave.

For those who aren’t into cooking and watching football, the swanky Travelle at The Langham in River North is one worth considering for a holiday splurge. The “Gobble and Graze” is a high-end buffet for those who prefer a laid-back but still upscale dining experience.

“Our Thanksgiving celebration combines the classic comfort of the holiday with The Langham’s signature modern elegance,” said Chef Franco Diaz, director of food and beverage at the hotel. “It will be a festive feast for the whole family to enjoy together.”

What’s on the menu: With sweeping views of the Chicago River serving as the backdrop, guests will have their choice of endless charcuterie, seafood, carving stations, decadent desserts and Champagne. A live jazz band will set the mood for a chill and stylish evening out.

How to reserve: Reservations are available from noon to 6 p.m. and can be made through OpenTable. The dining experience costs $285 per adult and $85 for children ages 2-12.

Where to preorder and carry out

Cedars Palestine Kitchen
1206 E. 53rd St.

Cedars Palestine Kitchen in Hyde Park is offering a special catering order of its signature dish musakhan, which is colloquially known as “Palestinian chicken.” Traditionally made with sumac-seasoned chicken roasted over caramelized onions and served atop fresh taboon bread, musakhan is a dish that symbolizes gathering, home and heritage.

“At a time when Americans are rethinking what gratitude, justice, and belonging mean, we see musakhan as a bridge between Palestinian tradition and the spirit of Thanksgiving,” said Amer Abdullah, restaurant owner. “With moments like Zohran Mamdani’s historic win in New York [for mayor] signaling a broader shift in public consciousness, we’re reminded how quickly the national conversation around Palestine and shared humanity is evolving.”

What's on the menu: In addition to the musakhan, the regular catering menu, which includes “Arab swag taco bar,” a buffet-style fresh chicken shawarma with corn tortilla shells and sumac seasoned pico de gallo, is also available.

How to reserve: Musakhan is available by catering only, and preorders are required by Nov. 25. Call 773-324-6227 to reserve.

Daisies
2375 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The city's only restaurant with a Michelin Green Star — awarded to businesses for their commitment to eco-friendly practices — is giving the city the comforting flavors of the holiday without the kitchen chaos with their Thanksgiving meal kits. The Midwestern-inspired Italian restaurant led by Chef and Owner Joe Frillman, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, is offering diners a made-from-scratch, locally sourced classic Thanksgiving dinner kits.

“At Daisies, we want to create something delicious and meaningful for our guests that’s been thoughtfully sourced from small farms and partners throughout the Midwest,” said Frillman. “What I love most is that we make it as easy as possible for you: no prep, no mess, no drama. Just pop it in the oven for an hour to reheat, and you’re good to go with something as good as what you’d get in our restaurant.”

What’s on the menu: The restaurant's meal kits include a crispy confit leg and thigh, turkey breast, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, maple and sage stuffing, sweet potato casserole, broccoli gratin, rolls, cranberry sauce and green bean casserole. Add an apple or pumpkin pie (gluten-free options are also available) or the roasted vanilla ice cream. Wine packs come in white, red or mixed. Upgrades include sommelier-curated wine packs, and desserts from another James Beard Award finalist, Pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky. Kits are priced at $295 and feed four people.

How to order: Preorder now through Nov. 15 via Tock.

Frontier
1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.

James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Brian Jupiter, owner of Frontier, offers diners the chance to get in touch with their “pioneer” roots. The restaurant specializes in paying homage to what those adventurers ate and hunted on the trail to the Wild, Wild West: think fried alligator bites, wild boar sliders and chargrilled oysters. For Thanksgiving, the West Town restaurant is adding some of that flavor to its offerings.

What’s on the menu: For Thanksgiving, diners can bring home a heat-and-ready-to-serve turkey along with favorites such as a creamy mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing, Caesar salad and skillet green beans. For those who want to minimize the work on the holiday, the restaurant is also offering the same menu as hot and ready to eat. Items are available á la carte in order to diners to customize according to their group size. Prebatched cocktails like espresso martini, old-fashioneds and margaritas are also available.

How to order: Reserve your meal for Thanksgiving Day pickup on Tock.

The Goddess and Grocer
Multiple locations

The Goddess and Grocer is a one-stop shop for hosts serving guests who have dietary restrictions. To-go options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free dinners and for groups of two, six and 12 people. “Whether you’re going all in with a full feast or just grabbing those sides that save the day, we’ve got you covered. Because the holidays should be delicious — not stressful,” said Debbie Sharpe, owner of the Goddess and Grocer.

What’s on the menu: The classics — roast turkey, mashed potatoes and pies — “plus a few Goddess twists like baked brie and salted caramel tarts,” Sharpe said. The vegan menu includes a veggie gardener's pie, mushroom gravy, sage and apple stuffing, cranberry sauce, olive oil mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, sourdough rolls and apple crisp. The restaurant is known for its signature pie flavors. The pecan, pumpkin, dark chocolate salted caramel tart, apple and more are available vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.

How to order: Place an order online. Orders will be received until production capacity is reached or at noon Nov. 19, whichever comes first.

Nuevo Leon
3657 W. 26th St.

Nuevo Leon in Little Village is known for its hefty portions of Mexican food, vegetarian-friendly options and quick service. It’s been serving the community for almost 50 years. The restaurant closes at 2 p.m. on the holiday because staff arrives at 2 a.m. to prepare more than 500 free community meals, funded and organized by local leaders.

The restaurant, along with its community, has been negatively impacted by immigration raids. That hasn’t stopped them from doing what they do best — feeding Chicago simmering bowls of menudo, cheese-topped enchiladas and stuffed tortas overflowing with various meats and veggies.

What’s on the menu: Expect traditional Mexican dishes like flautas, chicken fajitas and steak. Side dishes include rice, beans and fresh salsa. Turkey is available upon request.

How to order: Place orders by Nov. 17 by calling 773-522-1515.

The Publican
Multiple locations

One Off Hospitality’s Publican brand (which includes The Publican restaurant; Publican Quality Bread and Publican Quality Meats) is offering some holiday favorites in one convenient location. Customers can choose a meal kit for delivery or pickup from four different locations across the city and suburbs.

What’s on the menu: Expect an elevated twists on traditional dishes such as garlic mashed potatoes, thyme sourdough stuffing, orange and ginger cranberry sauce (with vegetarian options) alongside your turkey. Baked goods include pumpkin, apple and maple pecan pies, cornbread and honey oat pull-apart rolls. Each order includes a bottle of wine. Publican Quality Bread is also offering preorders for its signature loaves.

How to order: Orders can be placed online and vary depending on the pickup/delivery location.

Soul & Smoke
Multiple locations

Soul & Smoke’s popular grab-and-go, heat-and-serve meal boxes are back (last year the barbecue chain received more than 900 orders across three locations).

“Thanksgiving is by far one of our busiest times of the year,” said Heather Bublick, co-founder and CEO. “Whether you’re hosting a full meal or bringing something to share, our goal is to make this holiday effortless and memorable, so you can spend more time around the table and less time in the kitchen.”

The restaurant will continue to sponsor meals for seniors and families, referred by the City of Evanston’s Youth & Advocacy Office, this holiday season.

“Beyond feeding families, we’re proud to extend that spirit of giving through our Thanksgiving meal drive where guests can purchase a meal for a family facing food insecurity this holiday season, which is important now more than ever,” Bublick said.

What’s on the menu: Traditional staples like turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing are being offered alongside Soul & Smoke's signature favorites such as house-cured pastrami, smoked chicken gumbo and mac and cheese. Diners can order á la carte to accommodate any size party with small (feeds two to four people) and large (feeds 10-15 people) options to choose from. The complete menu is available online and includes large-batch cocktails.

How to reserve: Preorders can be made on the restaurant’s website. Orders will be accepted until the Nov. 26 pickup at the Avondale, Evanston or West Loop locations, however, items are expected to sell out.

The sweet spots: Where to pick up dessert

Chicago and its suburbs are home to incredible, award-winning bakers. Treat yourself and your guests to something special at the end of your holiday feast with something sweet from these local bakers.

Brown Sugar Bakery
328 E. 75th St.

This Grand Crossing sweet shop is known for its classic Southern-style cakes and desserts. Sweet potato cheesecake, caramel cake and cobblers are among its most popular menu items. The bakery is offering two caramel and sweet potato pies for $64.98 while supplies last. If Lem’s Bar-B-Q, across the street, is open, make a pit stop for a bite. The 71-year-old barbecue joint is a Chicago institution and a James Beard Award winner.

Buck Russell’s
Multiple locations

Homemade pies are available for pickup from Buck Russell's Bakery & Sandwich Shop, and three other locations across the city and suburbs, through Nov. 23. Choose from pumpkin, Dutch apple, blueberry or bourbon pecan. Add-on options include a salted caramel sauce and cinnamon ice cream made in-house. Details on pickup dates and locations available here.

Justice of the Pies
8655 S. Blackstone Ave.

The James Beard Award-nominated bakery in Avalon Park offers flavors hard to find anywhere else. Among them is a sweet and savory blue cheese praline pear alongside classic items such as a bourbon pecan pie and sweet potato praline pie. Whole quiches are also available for hosts who have to entertain guests beyond dinner.

Swadesi Cafe
328 S. Jefferson St., #120

Grab a pastry box of Indian treats to sweeten up your holiday table. The West Loop cafe is selling boxes of four to six items. Choose from a menu that includes a date and plum mini loaf; gulab jamun, a deep-fried milk ball cheese croissant topped with brûléed sugar, and classic chocolate chip cookies. New seasonal beverages like a salted caramel latte and a Campfire Smoke (a smoky, nutty matcha) are also available.

Vistro Prime
112 S. Washington St., Hinsdale

Chef Paul Virant’s Vistro Prime steakhouse is giving diners a chance to elevate their dessert table with a hazelnut chocolate silk pie or a cherry lattice option. Orders can be placed and paid for in advance via OpenTable, with pickup from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 26.