November 20, 2024
Food & Drink, Guides,
Thanksgiving is all about the feast, but why not let someone else do the heavy lifting?
Leave the awkward family conversations, hours of preparation and pile of messy dishes for another year and let some of Austin’s finest restaurants serve you a delicious, elevated take on Thanksgiving classics—or something unique and non-traditional, if you’d prefer.
See also: 4 Best Pies in Austin
Below are a few of the finest options for Thanksgiving dining this year throughout the city, as well as options for takehome kits that make cooking the holiday meal a snap. Make sure you make reservations in advance, then thank us later.
Carpenter’s Hall
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400 Josephine St., 512-682-5300 / Website
It's a family-style, prix-fixe feast at the Carpenter Hotel's rustic restaurant with a menu that brings elevated touches to traditional classics. Each guest receives individual starters of mulled cider, butternut squash soup and Brussels sprouts, then enjoy plates of wagyu ribeye with black truffle jus, spiced pork loin with hot honey glaze and cranberry sauce, smoked turkey breast with roasted and stuffed turkey legs, jus gras and cranberry sauce; and poached cod loin with lemon butter sauce and smoked trout roe. A vegetarian spread offers roasted root vegetables, allium whipped potatoes, roasted oyster mushrooms, miso brown butter sweet potatoes and more. Plus, the dessert is pumpkin pie with ice cream, apple, pecan crumble and milk jam. Seatings from from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Driskill
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604 Brazos St., 512-439-1234 / Website
Step into the timeless elegance of The Driskill hotel in downtown Austin and be transported to a celebration of a bygone era. The gilded restaurant is set to serve a family-style buffet with a menu that boasts roasted turkey, pecan pie and all the classics. Looking for something different? Enjoy seafood gumbo, shrimp or catfish. Honey-glazed ham and roasted prime rib also provide turkey alternatives. Seatings are available from noon to 3 p.m., and a photographer will be on hand to capture portraits of you and your loved ones on this special day.
Fig
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3403 S Lamar Blvd., 512-749-4988 / Website
Chef Cole Fitzgerald is offering families an Italian spread from Fig. The full package includes a whole turkey brined and stuffed to perfection, as well as brioche rolls, rigatoni mac and cheese, charred carrots with salsa verde, mashed potatoes, lemon sage gravy and apple pie for dessert. Each dish is fully cooked with reheating instructions that are easy to follow.
Loro
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2115 S Lamar Blvd., 512-916-4858 / Website
Loro Asian Smokehouse is bringing a special package to go for your Thanksgiving at home. Feeding four to six people, you'll receive Post Oak smoked turkey breast, turkey and sage gravy with miso, smoked apricot chutney, kale and apple salad, confit marble potatoes, toasted brioche stuffing, creamed spinach and arugula, and yuzu and peach cobbler.
Aba
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1011 S Congress Ave., 737-273-0199 / Website
It's a Thanksgiving dinner for two with a Mediterranean twist. Enjoy classic hummus with crudite vegetables, pumpkin hummus with house bread, Greek village salad, truffle-baked orzo, beef tenderloin kebab, turkey breast with gravy and sticky date cake for dessert. Add Muhammara, whipped feta spread and grilled chicken kebabs at your preference, and if you'd like, there are wine and cocktail selections as well. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 25, and you may pick up your order Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Uchi Austin
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801 S Lamar Blvs., 512-916-4808 / Website
Another international take on holiday classics comes from Uchi Austin. This two-person package includes Japanese sweet potato, bluefin ringo, six pieces of nigiri, Zero sen rolls, Kinoko Usuzukuri, duck breast, Brussels sprouts and fried milk ice cream by the pint! The menu is available on Sunday, Nov. 23, the day Japan traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving Day for its labor force.
Photography by: Loro
