New York City doesn’t do anything halfway, albeit we do sometimes do things uniquely. Thanksgiving dinner in NYC is a perfect example, most folks have tiny kitchens and not a ton of room to host, so a lot of locals dine out.

Not to mention the influx of tourists lured in by the Macy’s Day Parade and holiday season. Needless to say, there’s plenty of mouthwatering restaurants eager to host you for Thanksgiving dinner in New York City.

In this article I’ll go over the best restaurants to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in NYC. I’ll skip the likes of fast food and grocery stores and stick to joints that serve up the classics (turkey, mashed potatoes etc.)

So without further ado let’s get right to it, we have a lot of ground to cover!

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

How to Enjoy the Best Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC (Tips & Tricks)

Make your reservations now:

The holiday season in New York City is a madhouse. Folks travel from far and wide to see the lights, decorations and especially the Macy’s Day Parade. Do yourself a favor and make Thanksgiving dinner reservations in NYC now.

You can also order your meal to go:

Okay, if you didn’t listen to my previous tip listen to this one. If the restaurant you wanted Thanksgiving dinner in NYC is completely booked, ask about ordering to go. Oftentimes you can snag the exact same meal (and usually at a less expensive price) if you take it to go. This is also a great way to host Thanksgiving dinner in a small New York City apartment, since you don’t have to actually cook!

Remember, most restaurants offer prix-fixe menus:

You should be aware that if you want to visit one of your favorite restaurants in NYC for Thanksgiving dinner odds are they might not have the same menu. This is because most restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu on Thanksgiving, which is where you get multiple courses for a set price.

Be aware of the cancellation policy:

As much as I recommend booking your reservations early, read the fine print in your reservation to avoid any fees if you have to cancel. The prix-fixe menu prices are steep, and if you cancel without enough time you might have to pay a portion of it anyways.

Be super kind to your waitstaff:

This isn’t much of a tip, rather it’s a reminder. The folks taking your order and making your food are working on a holiday. Remember the golden rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Take it from someone who used to work on holidays, even if you love your job you’d rather be hanging out with your own friends and family.

Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City

The Plaza Hotel

One of the most iconic buildings in New York City, The Plaza Hotel is hallowed ground for socialites, celebrities and politicians. It’s basically a playground for the rich & powerful, and has been for more than 100 years.

In fact, it’s been a local favorite for Thanksgiving dinner in NYC since 1899. How do I know? Because of this vintage menu owned by the New York Public Library that advertises all the tasty food being served

Present day The Plaza is still home to one of the best Thanksgiving dinners in NYC. The elegance is second to none and if you’re looking for a place to splurge, you’ve found it.

The food is traditional American fare and you’ll also have the chance to enjoy some drinks and desserts.

2023 menu and pricing has yet to be announced. In 2022 the price tag was a hefty $235 per person, and there was also an 18% gratuity added to all checks, bringing the grand total to $278 per person before taxes and drinks.

Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Friend of a Farmer’s

Opening in 1986, Friend of a Farmer’s has been spearheading the farm to table culinary movement for decades. You’d be correct in assuming the rustic kitchen is responsible for the best Thanksgiving dinner in NYC.

On the morning of November 23rd the restaurant will be fulfilling take out orders (that need to be placed in advance) from 9 to 11AM. Then, starting at noon, those who were lucky enough to snag a reservation get to feast.

The traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu is a simple but classic array of eats. Oven roasted turkey headlines a lineup that includes cornbread, mashed potatoes and cranberries.

Price-wise, Friend of a Farmer’s 2023 New York City Thanksgiving dinner runs $100 per person, before tax. Considering the holiday, restaurant’s charm and quality of food, it’s a great value.

Address: 77 Irving Place (Gramercy) & 68 West 71st Street (Upper West Side)

Anton’s

A New York City gem, Anton’s oozes a sense of timelessness that’s impossible to resist. During the day the space is bright and airy, and after sunset there’s a level of candle-lit coziness that’ll make you feel right at home.

Last year the NYC Thanksgiving dinner menu consists of traditional Turkey and classic sides. There was a kid menu as well offering chicken tenders, among other items. It’s safe to assume the 2023 menu will be similar.

With one of the best Thanksgiving dinners in New York City and you’ll never want to leave. Although the restaurant has yet to post their 2023 NYC Thanksgiving dinner menu, in 2022 it ran $105 per person.

Address: 570 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Rudy’s Bar & Grill

Anyone who’s been to Rudy’s might be surprised to learn the bar makes one of the best NYC Thanksgiving dinner feasts around.

The joint has been made famous for cheap beer and hot-dogs (and a pig statue out front named Baron Von Swine). But don’t worry you won’t be having to chow down on Franks in lieu of turkey.

The folks behind the bar cook up a full Thanksgiving feast, and in an amazing display of generosity serve it for free! Rudy’s specifically advertises it for the folks who “can’t go make it home for the holidays.”

In such a crazy world local joints like Rudy’s restore my faith in humanity. The food is served starting at 1PM and goes until the food runs out (and trust me, it will run out).

Address: 627 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Jacob’s Pickles

A staple restaurant for brunchers across New York City, Jacob’s Pickle also makes a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner.

The southern restaurant trades in fried chicken and waffles for mashed potatoes and turkey and you’re not going to want to miss it. Not to mention their famous mac & cheese helps give the restaurant a boost on the Best Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC power rankings.

As an added bonus their location on the Upper West Side makes it an easy destination after the Macy’s Day Parade. Speaking of which, for more insight into the neighborhood be sure to read 20+ Epic Things to Do in the Upper West Side.

Last year Jacob’s Pickles NYC Thanksgiving dinner cost $75 per person. Prices will likely be similar or a little higher this year, and you can choose between indoor or outdoor (covered + heated) seating.

Address: 509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Jacob's Pickles best brunch New York City

Tavern on the Green

Tavern On The Green is a special place, the building was originally meant to house the 700 resident sheep of Central Park. Robert Moses decided to turn the sheep-fold into a restaurant in 1934 and the rest is history.

The restaurant has become one of the most iconic in New York City, being featured in movies and frequented by celebrities. I’ll also be the first one to say Tavern on the Green’s success is well deserved.

For starters, the restaurant is stunning (you’d never guess it used to be the home of sheep). Even more so during the holidays, when it’s cozy and responsible for one of the best Thanksgiving dinners in NYC.

The restaurant is such a sought-after destination they’ve already released their 2023 NYC Thanksgiving dinner menu and pricing. This year prices will start at $135 per person and a 20% gratuity is added onto every check (so $162 total, per person).

Address: W 67th St, New York, NY 10023

Any one of Frank Prisinzano’s Restuarants

Frank Prisinzano is one of New York City’s most prolific restaurateurs. He runs Lil Frankie’s, Frank, Supper and Daddies. He’s a celebrated chef too, with nearly 200 thousand followers on Instagram.

Incredibly, Prisinzano has made it tradition to host anyone celebrating Thanksgiving in NYC alone, offering a free three course dinner at all of his restaurants, no questions asked.

Things like this make me love this city, because with 8.5 million residents there no reason to have Thanksgiving dinner in NYC alone. You can walk into any one of Prisinzano’s restaurants alone and walk out with a friend.

Keen’s Steakhouse

What do Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and Babe Ruth have in common? They’ve all enjoyed a meal at one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City — Keen’s Steakhouse.

Contrary to what the name suggests, Keen’s Steakhouse is best known for mutton chops, of all things. The servings are generous, with each chop clocking in at a 1.5 pounds.

But if you visit in search of the best Thanksgiving dinner in NYC Keen’s will offer a bit more variety. In addition to the famous mutton chops you’ll also get to choose between turkey, prime rib, filet mignon or a dover sole.

In 2022 Keen’s Thanksgiving dinner cost $144 per person, which is pricey but checks out considering the entree options are quality meats.

Fun fact: There’s more than 90,000 smoking pipes adorning Keen’s ceilings and walls. The reason? Well, similar to a coat check, patrons used to check their pipes before sitting down for a meal. Forgotten pipes found a permanent home on the walls of the restaurant. Some belonged to John F. Kennedy Jr., Buffalo Bill and Michael Jackson.

Address: 72 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018

Fraunces Tavern

Fraunces Tavern has been in operation since 1762, effectively making this one of the oldest (but not the oldest) bars in New York City.

This iconic watering holds holds historical significance that can’t be beat, it hosted George Washington on several occasions. Most notable when Washington came here to bid his troops an emotional farewell after the Revolutionary War victory in 1783.

Needless to say, Fraunces Tavern is a dream Thanksgiving dinner restaurant in NYC for history buffs. In 2022 dinner consisted of a three course, traditional meal that ran $90 per person.

Address: 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004

Rosemary’s

Named after the owner’s mother, Rosemary’s aims to make dishes with the same love as a home-cooked meal. The restaurant even has its own rooftop vegetable garden that helps provide the produce they serve their guests.

Even better, Rosemary’s is one of my favorite Thanksgiving dinner restaurants in NYC. The joint is cute as a button, just as warm and inviting as you’d expecting for a holiday.

The Italian restaurant goes traditional American for the night, but unfortunately I don’t have pricing for the restaurant just yet. I’ll update this post as soon as they release more information!

Address: 18 Greenwich Ave (West Village) & 350 1st Ave (East)

Rosemary's rigatoni alla arrabbiata Christmas restaurants in NYC

Carmine’s

Keeping in line with Italian restaurants, Carmine’s is a Midtown mainstay that has been around for more than three decades. Catering to family style dining, it’s a perfect Thanksgiving dinner restaurant in NYC.

Turkey, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and gravy cover the table making it hard to even know where to start. Since it’s located centrally in Times Square I’d recommend planning to watch a Broadway show afterwards because you’ll be too stuffed to walk.

There’s no information regarding last year’s pricing or menus online, but I’ll update this post as soon as the 2023 NYC Thanksgiving dinner details are released.

Address: 200 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

Jacob Restaurant

Famous for some of the best soul-food on the East Coast, Jacob Restaurant is a place you should go out of your way to visit. If you’re in town and looking to have one of the best Thanksgiving dinners in NYC, you’ve found it.

In a true example of selflessness, the folks who run Jacob Restaurant have gifted free Thanksgiving dinner in NYC for 13 years. As if the community needed another reason to love this restaurant dearly!

At the price tag you’d forgive Jacob Restaurant for serving mass produced but slightly less tasty food, but that’s not how they function. The food is just as satisfying and masterfully made as other fine dining restaurants making Thanksgiving dinner in New York City.

Fair warning, the line at Jacob Restaurant can get pretty long on Thanksgiving but take the time to chat with your neighbors as you wait your turn. At the end of the day Thanksgiving is a holiday meant to bring us together.

Address: 373 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Bubby’s

You know the way a dog’s ears perk up when they see a squirrel? Well mine do that when someone says, want to go to Bubby’s?

Seriously, this joint makes some of the best brunch in New York City! And with the same precision that they craft their famous pancakes, Bubby’s cooks up an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner in NYC.

Their biscuits are a home run no matter when you order them, but on Thanksgiving they taste a bit butterier. The potatoes are a treat all year, but on Thanksgiving you’ll have a double portion. The pies? Don’t even get me started on the pies!

In 2022 the price tag was $100 per person, and I’m expecting something comparable this year. If you’d rather stay home, they also offered a dinner box for two at $140.

Address: 120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013

The Smith

Serving a plethora of traditional American fare, The Smith is a hot-spot for locals and tourists alike and one of the best restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner in New York City. Although it’s a local chain don’t write it off.

Crowds are all but guaranteed but with so many locations sprinkled around New York City the restaurant shouldn’t be too hard to get a reservation at.

The restaurant has four locations across New York City. One in the Upper West Side (perfect for a post-Macy’s Day Parade meal), another in Nomad, one in the East Village and the last one in Midtown.

Plus the traditional American fare is comforting and filling. In 2022 The Smith charged $75 per person for Thanksgiving Dinner, and the NYC restaurant will likely do the same this year.

Address: Multiple locations in New York City

Craft

Craft is a former Michelin star restaurant that still exudes a level of sophistication that’s hard to beat.

If you’re in need of a NYC Thanksgiving dinner restaurant to impress a special someone or treat your out of town guests, Craft will is sure to dazzle.

The fresh American fare will leave you stuffed and you’re going to be counting down the days until Thanksgiving rolls around the next year.

2023 menu and pricing is not yet available, but I will update this post as soon as I have more information.

Address: 43 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003

Best NYC Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants (Post Summary)

The Plaza Hotel
Friend of a Farmer’s
Anton’s
Rudy’s
Jacob’s Pickles
Tavern on the Green
Any one of Frank Prisinzano’s Restuarants
Keen’s Steakhouse
Fraunces Tavern
Rosemary’s
Carmine’s
Jacob Restaurant
Bubby’s
The Smith
Craft