16 Places to Dine Out on Thanksgiving in Nashville

Whether you’re a local hosting friends and family from out of town or you’re the visitor who finds yourself in Music City around the holidays, sometimes it just pays to let someone else handle the food duties around Thanksgiving. In a town full of great dining options, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of spots willing to help you out with your Turkey Day feast. Here are some great ones–make your reservations now!

Not surprisingly, some of the same Nashville hotels that feature great restaurants also serve Thanksgiving meals for their guests and anyone who wants to drop by for a hearty holiday meal. Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill at the Fairlane Hotel is serving up a $60 prix fixe menu of traditional favorites like butternut squash bisque, herb crusted prime rib with mushroom demi sauce and smoked turkey with sweet cranberry sauce plus some fancy side dishes including collards with pork belly, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans with bacon lardons, pumpkin spiced crème brûlèe with ginger snaps and pecan pie with ice cream.

At the Hutton Hotel in Midtown, the West End Kitchen and Bar offers a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $58 with starters like Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque; entree choices including a traditional Southern Turkey Plate with cornbread stuffing, Filet Mignon with wild mushroom and red wine jus, Pan Seared Salmon with roasted red pepper coulis; and dessert options including Traditional Pumpkin Pie with whipped Chantilly cream or Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Kitchen Notes is the Omni Hotel’s all-day dining option, and their feast features choices like Rosemary Turkey, Prime Rib and King Crab Legs plus, wait for it, a pie bar! It’s only $50 and includes all-day validated parking so you can hang out downtown for awhile and experience the fun craziness of Lower Broad while you walk off the calories. There will also be a dedicated kids’ buffet for just $25 for children 6-12 and free for young un’s less than 6 years old.

Many Nashville diners recognize that The 404 Kitchen is one of the absolute best restaurants in town but forget that it is associated with the boutique 404 Hotel across the street. They’ll be serving up a 3-course menu served from 3:30 – 8 p.m. with choice of entrée serving with sides and dessert served family-style.

Little Fib is the new restaurant at downtown Renaissance Hotel that focuses on retro Americana cuisine, so Thanksgiving fare should be right in their wheelhouse. Drop in to enjoy a family-style feast served from 12:30 until 8:00 pm. The menu is straight-up traditional Thanksgiving, so it’ll feel like home. The cost is $50 a person and $20 for children.

TENN restaurant at Holston House will be offering a special Thanksgiving Day menu on Thursday, November 22 from noon until 8 p.m., giving families a chance to experience delicious food without worrying about messing up or cleaning up the kitchen. Created by Executive Chef Andrew Rodriguez, Holston House will offer a three-course pre-fix menu full of Turkey Day favorites for $38/adults and $15/children. Expect dishes like a Crab Toast, Short Rib Pepperpot and traditional Thanksgiving sides including Collards, Roasted Squash, Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes.

Makeready Libations & Liberation at the boutique Noelle features a 3-course family-style feast, and if you have out-of-town guests that you might prefer not stay in your guest bedroom, they’re offering a “Thanksgiving at Noelle” Package includes a complimentary room upgrade, dinner for two and valet parking.

Marsh House at the Thompson Hotel in the Gulch is a great dining destination on any day, but Thanksgiving might be even better, thanks to a special prix fixe dinner menu. They haven’t announced the specific bill of fare yet, but we’re betting it will rock!

Mason’s at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is aiming at the pre-football crowd with a brunch buffet in their grand ballroom. The talented culinary team at Mason’s has created a menu of breakfast favorites like waffles, pancakes, smoked salmon; savory options like turkey, short rib, Benton’s ham, and duck confit; a raw bar and sushi displays; and sweets from pastry chef Lexi. The price is $68 per adult; $28 per child 7-12; free for 6 and under and reservations are recommended.

Oak Steakhouse adjacent to the modern new Westin will be serving selections from their regular menu from noon until 8:00 on Thanksgiving plus a special prix fixe turkey dinner featuring a Bibb lettuce or chopped salad to start, roasted turkey with gravy, stuffing, crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce, and pecan pie or pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. At just $49 per diner, you’d have a tough time doing it cheaper and better at home!

Capitol Grille at the grand dame of downtown hotels, The Hermitage, offers your choice of brunch of dinner on the big day. Enjoy a champagne brunch buffet served in the lobby, cocktails in the Oak Bar or a traditional Thanksgiving three-course, prix fixe dinner with your loved ones at Capitol Grille. If you’re not into the idea of spending Thanksgiving at a hotel, some of your favorite Nashville restaurants will be open to take care of your holiday dining needs as well.

Puckett’s downtown is a stalwart for tourists and locals seeking great Southern food in a comfy environment. On Thanksgiving Day, guests can enjoy a holiday buffet featuring turkey, dressing and all the trimmings with seating from 11 a.mm to 3 p.m. The cost is $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children aged 12 and under. Reservations can be made by phone at (615) 770-2772.

In a town full of new steakhouses, Fleming’s occasionally gets overlooked. Do that at your peril, because it has remained a steady spot for steak and seafood for years. Beginning at 11:00 am, they’ll offer a three-course beefy meal for only $49/person. Save a turkey. Eat more tenderloin!

For a more exotic Thanksgiving meal, consider Chauhan Ale & Masala Housewhere chef Maneet Chauhan and her kitchen will be serving up Indian-inspired holiday fare. Think Turkey Tikka Masala, Sweet Potato Raita, Chestnut Naan, and Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with a special tasting menu for $32 per guest. Heck, don’t just think it. Eat it! (The regular menu will also be available all day.)

Chauhan’s sister restaurant next door, The Mockingbird, has planned a family-style Thanksgiving meal will be available in place of the regular menu, featuring roast turkey or vegetarian sweet potato-kale casserole, Oaxacan stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and cider gravy, green bean casserole, and a trio of tarts. A beverage pairing option is also available. The price is right at $38 per person ($30 optional beverage pairing); $20 per child 12 and under.

Finally if you can’t get your act together to make reservations or some day-of kitchen calamity forces you to drop back and punt on the whole meal, there’s always Monell’s where it’s always first come, first served! Their family-style Thanksgiving Day celebration includes roasted turkey and cornbread dressing, glazed baked ham, skillet fried chicken, sliced roast beef with gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, and caramel pumpkin pie, along with salads and bread. At just $26 per adult; $15 per child 4-12; free for children 3 and under, you might want to “accidentally” drop that dry turkey on the kitchen floor and take the whole crew out for dinner instead.