The weeks and days leading up to Thanksgiving aren’t necessarily quiet and peaceful. Whether it be extra work hours, illness or something else unexpected, sometimes people don’t get the time they expected for Thanksgiving preparation. Sometimes, you plan to cook the holiday meal, and something comes up. (Some people are naturally laid-back procrastinators who have faith that they’re just going to figure it all out. We admire your chutzpah.) 

By now, many Houston restaurants are either no longer accepting Thanksgiving to-go orders or completely booked up for dine-in. However, there are some that hold their deadlines open or still have some available seats. We have checked the reservation websites of the restaurants listed below that offer dine in, but please note that these final reservations can go very quickly. 

We’ll be adding to this list through Wednesday afternoon. If your restaurant either still has dine-in reservations open or is offering pickup as late as Thanksgiving Day, send us an email. 

Houston-Area Restaurants Offering Last-Minute Take-Out Thanksgiving 

Downtown Houston

Brasserie du Parc, 1440 Lamar: Treat yourself and your family and friends to a Thanksgiving feast by acclaimed chef José Hernandez. It includes two quarts of butternut squash soup, Thanksgiving Salad with apple, cranberries, goat cheese and toasted almonds with a mustard vinaigrette, an 18- to 22-pound slow-roasted turkey, whipped potatoes, seasonal vegetables, housemade stuffing, cranberry sauce and rosemary dinner rolls. In addition, there are two pies for dessert: apple and pumpkin with marshmallow. There are two sizes: one feeds from 5 to 6 for $170 while the other feeds from 10 to 12 for $250. To order, call (832) 879-2802 or send an email. 

East End

Mimo, 736 1/2 Telephone: This well-appointed Italian restaurant in the East End has elegant à la carte Thanksgiving dishes to go. Choose from a whole or half Roasted Lemon & Herb Turkey with root vegetables, Oven-Baked Skillet Bread with Herbs & Pecorino, Cherry & Almond Crostata and a dozen biscotti amaretto. To order and arrange your pickup time, call the restaurant at (713) 705-4426 between 5 and 9 p.m. 

Galleria

Musaafer, 5115 Westheimer in The Galleria: Order the Tandoori Turkey Feast, and you can tell your guests that they’re enjoying a Thanksgiving meal from a Michelin-starred restaurant. The Whole Tandoori Turkey Tray serves six and is made with baby potatoes, banana shallots and rainbow carrots. Alongside comes Makhini sauce, Truffled Cumin Potato Mash, Mushroom-Bacon Brussels Sprouts and more. The cost is $195 plus tax. The order deadline is Wednesday, November 27. Call (713) 242-8087 to place yours and schedule pickup.

Galveston

La Cocina Market, 1506 39th Street: If you’re in Galveston scouting out Thanksgiving food to go, you’re in luck. Chef Mary Eisenhour Bass’s market specializes in grab-and-go dishes and is offering pickup from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 and on Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. to noon. Delivery is available on Wednesday only for orders of $100 or more. For main courses, La Cocina has Mr. Mary’s Smoked Split Turkey, which weighs from 8 to 10 pounds and includes a breast, thigh and leg, and Brown Sugar Bourbon Spiral-Cut Ham for $75 each. There are several side dishes in half-pan sizes, too, such as garlic-herb mashed potatoes, green beans with carmelized onions, Brown Sugar Dijon Brussels and Sage Sausage Dressing. While you’re there, you can also grab some breakfast goodies from Bass’s Good Dough Kolache Bakery. 

River Oaks

Ojo de Agua, 4444 Westheimer: If you’d like to go completely off the traditional Thanksgiving meal path, or supplement your table with some exciting dishes, this Mexico City-based restaurant in the River Oaks District has a lot to offer. For example, you can enliven your holiday breakfast with Guava Pancakes,  offer Lobster Ceviche as an appetizer or satisfy pre-meal hunger pangs with Ribeye Tacos. Large to-go orders will be accepted until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Call (281) 974-2400. The restaurant is also open on Thanksgiving Day from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Added 11/27/24, 10:25 a.m.

Multiple Locations

Craft Pita, 1920 Fountainview and 5172 Buffalo Speedway: Chef Raffi Nasr is offering a delightful creative take on a Thanksgiving standard: Shawarma Turkey Breast, which is marinated for over 24 hours and then roasted. To go alongside, you can also order whole or half-pans of roasted potatoes, roasted cauliflower, rice, salads, spreads, sauces and desserts. Order online ASAP. Pick up is on Wednesday, November 27. 

Demeris Bar-B-Q and Catering, 2911 South Shepherd and 1702 West Loop North: A representative from this 50-year-old local barbecue company emailed us to say, “As a staple in Houston for 60 years, we take great pride in our Thanksgiving Feasts, which are one of our signature offerings and available only once a year.” For the centerpiece of your feast, which will serve 12 to 16, select a Cajun fried, roasted or smoked 14-pound turkey. Alongside comes cornbread stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, gravy, rolls and two housemade pies. These and additional dishes are also available a la carte, including mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, BBQ beans, potato salad, coleslaw, jalapeño corn, frijoles a la charra and Mexican rice. With so many options, you’ll have Thanksgiving spread the way you and your family want it.

KP’s Kitchen, 8412 I-10 and 5427 Bissonnet: According to owner Kerry Pauly, while turkey is sold out, they are still able to accommodate orders for side dishes. The Thanksgiving sides available are dressing, Brussels sprouts, mixed veggies, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy. Additionally, you can order sides from the regular menu, which includes treats such as crispy cauliflower and fried artichokes. 

Houston Restaurants Offering Thanksgiving Dine-In

Downtown

Toro Toro, 1300 Lamar: The upscale, pan-Latin restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Houston is open Thanksgiving Day and offering a special brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet will include both Latin-influenced and traditional favorites including roast turkey, applewood-smoked Prime rib, Dijon-roasted lamb, cornbread stuffing, a seafood tower, mini steak frites, an omelet station, sushi bar, dessert display and even a kids’ section. The brunch is priced at $145 per person ($65 for children ages 12 and under). Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable. At press time, there were still reservation times open, especially closer to the start time of 10 a.m. and end time of 3 p.m. 

Chinatown/Asiatown

Hongdae 33, 9889 Bellaire: You can spend Thanksgiving sweating over a hot stove, or you can spend it at this Korean barbecue all-you-can-eat restaurant in Dun Huang Plaza cooking meats to your liking over a fiery grill. I know; these sound similar, but one is work and the other is fun — plus someone else slices the meat and does the dishes. The all-day menu is $33 per person and, while it’s all-you-can-eat, there’s a disclaimer that you only get 90 minutes. Still, that’s plenty of time to eat your fair share of banchan (Korean-style side dishes), galbi marinated pork belly and bulgogi. Walk-ins are welcome. 

Conroe

Margaritaville Lake Resort, 600 Margaritaville: Escape to this lakeside resort for a traditional Thanksgiving brunch complete with all the trimmings, including traditional roasted turkey and honey-glazed ham, as well as seafood, classic brunch fare and a variety of desserts. Brunch is priced at $59.95 per person ($29.95 for children ages 6 to 12) and is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended and be made on the website or by calling (877) 286-9590. As of press time, reservations were still available between 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Galleria/Mid-West

Artisans, 5745 Westheimer: Celebrate Thanksgiving at the new location of this eclectic French restaurant. It is open Thanksgiving Day and offering a multi-course prix fixe menu for $99 per person. Le plat principal (main course) options includes Le Homard à la Sauce au Fenouil Doux Anisé (a 6-ounce, butter-poached Canadian lobster tail with fennel sauce), Le Filet de Porc Enveloppé au Prosciutto (prosciutto-wrapped Charman’s Reserve pork tenderloin served with spinach) or Le Rôti de Dinde au Ragoût de Champignons (roasted turkey breast with cream of mushroom). All main dishes are served with cranberry compote, yams and green beans. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. As of press time, reservations were still available from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Tavola, 1800 Post Oak: The upscale Italian eatery is celebrating Thanksgiving with a prix-fixe menu crafted by chef de cuisine Michael Lara. The menu is priced at $75 per person and features traditional holiday fare with an Italian twist. Guests can expect dishes such as pumpkin burrata soup, Cavatelli Cacio e Pepe and Turkey Parmigiana served along with family-style sides such as green bean casserole and mashed potatoes. Finish the festive meal with apple pie and pumpkin tiramisu. Upgrade and add honey-glazed ham carved table-side, or elevate any course with Alba white truffle. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. As of press time, most reservation times were still available. 

Greenway/Upper Kirby

Eunice, 3737 Buffalo Speedway: The Creole-Cajun restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is offering its full menu in addition to some holiday specials such as Cajun stuffed turkey with sweet potatoes and cranberry marmalade and Urban Harvest Vegetable Ragout. The featured dessert is Pumpkin Pie Tart with a graham cracker crust, meringue and pistachio ice cream. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. As of press time, daytime reservations were still available. 

Timbergrove/Lazy Acres

Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella: This 116-year-old log cabin and its beautiful grounds is an ideal setting for a celebratory feast. The restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving Day, with seating times from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., serving a 3-course meal for $79 per person. Options on the menu include traditional turkey dinner, seafood, smoked duck gumbo and grilled buffalo and venison. Dessert options include croissant bread pudding and chocolate pecan pie. A kids’ menu will also be available for $50 per child. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. As of press time, Open Table was showing available reservation start times between 2 and 3 p.m. In addition, the restaurant is known for its Thanksgiving Snack Packs. They hold just enough turkey, gravy and stuffing for a sandwich. You can order those by calling (713) 861-8666. 

The Woodlands

Amrina, 3 Waterway Square: Celebrate outside the box at chef Jassi Bindra‘s modern Indian restaurant. A five-course, prix fixe menu is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Priced at $95 per person, guests can expect a first course of roasted pumpkin soup or spiced pumpkin butter baked oysters. The second course will feature Sweet Potato Tikki and Chicken Khurchan Tamales. For the third course, choose between crispy cauliflower and bell pepper or turkey shami kabob. The entrée options include roasted Green Circle turkey breast, filet mignon and Hasselback paneer accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, spinach and corn casserole. For dessert, choose between mascarpone pumpkin gingersnap tart, pumpkin halwa cake or cardamom chocolate mousse. Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable.

The Audrey Restaurant and Bar, 9595 Six Pines: This new restaurant in The Woodlands offering contemporary cuisine in a stylish setting, inspired by Audrey Hepburn, is featuring a Thanksgiving dining experience with a three-course, prix fixe menu. The price per person is based on the choice of entrée. Start with a roasted parsnip bisque with coconut milk, crispy ginger and herb oil and then choose between herb-crusted turkey served with house made turkey gravy ($55 per person) or a Chateaubriand, beef tenderloin with Bordelaise sauce ($65 per person). Entrées are served with green bean almondine, Boursin mashed potatoes, butternut squash stuffing, Parker House rolls with honey agave butter and cranberry sauce. Round out the meal with the dessert course of pumpkin pie with candied hazelnuts and salted caramel. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. As of Wednesday, November 27 at 10 a.m., the only reservations left are at 7:45 and 8 p.m.

Multiple Locations

Duck N Bao, multiple locations: Take a tip from the trendiest Houston foodies: they don’t go where everyone else does on Thanksgiving Day aka places serving traditional turkey dinners. They hit up Houston’s amazing Asian restaurants on a day where not everyone is thinking in that direction. Visit a Duck N Bao location during regular business hours for its “Peking and Dim Sum Thanksgiving”. It’s just the regular menu that day, but still, will you really miss roasted turkey when you’ve laden your table with Peking duck and soup dumplings? We think not. No reservations; walk-ins are welcome. 

Phaedra Cook & Minh T. Truong