Whether you're looking to pre-order a stress-free feast for the holiday table or book a table out on the town, we've rounded up the best local downtown spots ready to make your holiday deliciously easy. Let's dive right into where to eat, sip, and celebrate this season!
Does your Downtown Raleigh business offer Thanksgiving exclusive specials? Email susietunnicliffe@downtownraleigh.org to be included in this guide.
Thanksgiving Menu Pre-Orders
Take the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner and let these Downtown Raleigh restaurants handle all the cooking by sending you home with à la carte entrees, sides, and desserts. Looking for libations? Find beer and wine at these downtown bottle-shops.
Restaurants/bakeries can submit their specials to susietunnicliffe@downtownraleigh.org.
Element Gastropub
Take & Bake Plant Based Meal for 4 People: Pre-order by Tuesday, Nov. 22nd
- Vegan turkey
- Sourdough stuffing and mushroom gravy
- Green bean and sweet potato casseroles
- Add ons: ham, Mac and cheese, pumpkin pie, turtle cheesecake
Irregardless
Take & Bake Meal for 4-6 people: Pre-order by Sunday, Nov. 22nd
- Roasted turkey
- 3 sides
- Cranberry Jam
- One dozen yeast rolls
- Dessert
- Vegan/vegetarian/GF options available
Longleaf Swine
A La Carte Menu: Pick up on Wednesday, Nov. 25th
- Smoked turkey breast
- Pulled pork
- Texas style brisket
- Sides
- Desserts
Midwood Smokehouse
Party Packs for 4-24 People: Pick up Tuesday, Nov. 24th
- Choice of Protein and 2 sides
- Whole smoked turkey, turkey breast, spiral cut ham, beef brisket, chopped pork/chicken, ribs, or half chicken
- Gravy, cranberry-apple compote, mashed potatoes, classic Mac & cheese, collard greens, baked beans, coleslaw, broccoli casserole, or pepper jack cornbread
- Bannana pudding
The Pit
Take-out Package for 2-16 People: Pre-order by Friday, Nov. 20th
- Spinach salad
- Smoked and glazed ham
- Pit-cooked carved bone-in turkey
- Chopped whole hog
- Dressing (contains pork)
- Cranberry chutney
- Sweet potato casserole
- Green bean casserole
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Mac & cheese
- King's Hawaiian rolls
- Choice of pecan or pumpkin pie
Sam Jones BBQ
Full Meal for 8-10 People: Pre-order by Friday, Nov. 20th
- Whole smoked turkey breast
- Bottle of Sam Jones Sweet BBQ Sauce
- Mac n Cheese
- Baked beans
- Green bean casserole
- 12 sweet potato muffins
- 1 whole pecan pie
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Take & Bake Options for 5 or 10 People: Pre-order by Thursday, Nov. 26th
- Choice of starter: iceberg wedge, caesar salad, or fresh greens with shallot dijon dressing
- Entree: Turkey, sweet onion, apple sausage stuffing & brown gravy
- Choice of side: Garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole with pecan crust, roasted brussels sprouts with apple smoked bacon, or buttered asparagus
- Choice of dessert: cheesecake with pumpkin anglaise or key lime pie
Thanksgiving Downtown Dining
Leave the cooking and clean-up to the pros this Thanksgiving. Downtown Raleigh restaurants are opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day, offering special multi-course menus, traditional holiday feasts, and elevated seasonal dishes.
Restaurants/bakeries can submit their availability to susietunnicliffe@downtownraleigh.org.
10th & Terrace
Holiday Small Plates: Thursday, Nov. 19th-Thursday, Nov. 26th
- Thanksgiving Sliders
- Glazed Ham & Pineapple Skewers
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Turducken cocktail: duck fat-washed Wild Turkey 101, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white
Irregardless
Prix Fixe Menu: Reservations are available from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Choice of appetizer: spanakopita, crispy artichoke hearts, tempura oyster mushrooms, Irregardless salad, harvest salad, salmon cigar, roasted garlic hummus, sweet potato ginger soup
- Choice of entree: roasted turkey breast, prime rib, pan-seared striped bass, heirloom carrot Wellington, or stuffed acorn squash
- Choice of dessert: traditional pumpkin pie, bread pudding with bourbon anglaise sauce, apple crisp with brown sugar oats
The Pit
Family-style Thanksgiving Dinner: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Appetizers: Fried pimento cheese bites and spinach salad
- Entrees: Smoked and glazed ham, carved bone-in turkey, and chopped whole hog BBQ
- Sides: Dressing, cranberry chutney, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes & gravy, Mac & cheese, biscuits, and hush puppies
- Dessert: pumpkin and pecan pie
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Three-course Turkey Dinner: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Choice of starter: iceberg wedge, caesar salad, market fresh greens, or shrimp & lobster bisque
- Entree: hand carved turkey, sweet onion apple sausage stuffing, gravy & cranberry relish
- Sides (select two): Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole with pecan crust, roasted Brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon, or buttered asparagus
- Dessert: key lime pie or crème brûlée
The Willard Rooftop
Thanksgiving Day Buffet: 2-7 p.m.
- Carving stations: roasted turkey breast with house-made cranberry sauce and maple bourbon-glazed ham
- Sides: mashed potatoes with gravy, roasted duck pilaf, cornbread dressing, balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts, rosemary and sage roasted root vegetables, Mac & cheese, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole with candied pecans, breads & spreads
Thanksgiving Day Events
The celebrations don't end when the dishes are cleared. Bring your family and friends downtown to keep the holiday spirit going with these local events.
Classic Cocktails and Classic Hip Hop | Boatman Spirits Co.
- A rotating cast of Raleigh's finest deejays
- Begins at 8 p.m.
- Classic cocktails for $10
Thursday Uncorked | Longleaf Hotel
- Half priced bottles of wine
- Available 4-10 p.m.
Date Night | Gravy
- Choose a salad to share, and entree each, a dessert, and a bottle of wine for $60
- Available 4-10 p.m.
Drop-in Improv Class| Leela Improv Theatre
- Come play, bring a friend, and meet new ones in Leela’s weekly drop-in improv classes!
- From 7-9 p.m. for $20
- Adults Only
Trivia with the Professor | Woody's at City Market
- Free to play - earn prized and bragging rights!
- $3 Miller Lite bottles, $5 craft bottles & cans, $5 Jager bombs, and $1 boneless fritters