Best Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner New Orleans

19 Best Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner New Orleans – 2024

ByKashish Jamal Hashmi

New Orleans is a city in Louisiana sharing its vicinity with the Mississippi river. It is often called the ‘big easy city’ because of its convenient disposition of displaying a bewitching nightlife scene and music festivals and representing an elegant fusion of French, African and American cultures.

Because of its spirited readiness and atmosphere, this place is considered the most diversified city in the US, whose influence has spread far and wide.

Most of New Orleans is viewed as a carnival city because of its festive nature, often depicted in movies. But its intriguing value doesn’t just stop at its zestful nature but also extends to its flourishing culinary scene that covers several regional flavors with tantalizing flavors.

So when festivity and scrumptious food come in one category, New Orleans is the best destination to celebrate special holidays like Thanksgiving dinner. Therefore, keeping in mind such thrill, we have made a list of some of the best New Orleans restaurants open on Thanksgiving.

Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving in New Orleans this Year

1. Seaworthy

Seaworthy

Why it’s a must visit?

The Seaworthy restaurant is a coastal diner that has an immersing atmosphere, just like a sailor boat.

Almost every menu option here is presented in a gulf style fashion and offers people the most exquisite range of seafood dishes.

The restaurant also holds a partnership with the Friendsgiving hotel and, therefore, can offer you a discounted stay for your vacation at this place if you ever decide to book your tickets.

Therefore if you love the seas and the cuisine inspired by it, then this place will offer you the most sophisticated getaway from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans into an entirely different place with lots of rejuvenation.

Chef’s Choice

As the restaurant takes its inspiration from its gulf setting, the food here is mostly seafood based, and therefore the varieties here are worth looking at.

Because of its convenient timings from late morning to early evening, the restaurant serves people the freshest catch of the sea through its many boiled dishes.

One of the most refined and filling dishes that you can try here is the shrimp boil which comes with 2 pounds of Louisiana shrimp and contains a generous amount of fillings.

The shrimp boil contains potatoes, button mushrooms, corn, and andouille sausages that feel incredibly gracious.

2. Nole Restaurant

Nole Restaurant

Why it’s a must visit?

The Nole restaurant is a diner that fuses entertainment with exquisite meals to display the festive nature of New Orleans.

So if you are someone who likes thrilling nights filled with fun, then this place could be your top destination, as the restaurant provides a complete drag show for you to enjoy.

One can also book their tickets way before the show with their friends so that they can be seated with them, or they can also go for their Friendsgiving, which is basically a Saturday brunch that the restaurant holds in honor of Thanksgiving.

It’s a great place to visit if you are a youngster and want to spend the night away celebrating this exciting holiday.

Chef’s Choice

The menu here is awesome, with delicious drinks like house margaritas and bottomless mimosas, which go perfectly well with their main entrées.

The drinks perfectly pair with their brunch buffet that contains almost any imaginable dish.

Among the many dishes available in the buffet option, it’s the roasted turkey that takes the crown here as it’s a traditional Thanksgiving dish.

3. Katie’s in Mid City

Katie's in Mid City

Why it’s a must visit?

The Katie’s in Mid City restaurant has become one of the most beloved destinations for New Orleans residents to stop by to indulge in staple food choices.

The restaurant has been welcoming its visitors since the year 1984 and hence holds such a reputable standing as a staple restaurant in New Orleans.

The restaurant is also relatively family oriented as it serves inexpensive meals with plentiful portions and fixed Prizes.

The fixed price policy makes the entire meal look a lot more affordable as all the dishes are discounted at the same rate, no matter how rich in flavor they are.

They deliver full menu options to any customer that walks into the restaurant but often present a special holiday menu as a unique feature on festivals.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant usually follows the policy of a three-course meal which starts with lighter meals, then continues with heavier ones, and ends on a sweet note.

So in their three-course meal policy, they provide people with exquisite salads, then subsequently follow it with a huge platter that contains beaucoup side dishes and their main dish, turkey, and in the end, finish it with a dessert named chocolate bread pudding.

The chocolate white chocolate bread pudding here is their signature dish and is highly praised by locals.

4. Copper Vine

Copper Vine

Why it’s a must visit?

The copper line restaurant is a spacious and cozy wine-plus pub restaurant that remains open from late afternoon to midnight.

This restaurant is celebrated for its unconventional cuisine that deviates from traditional norms by providing multiple comfort food choices.

The restaurant, besides having a regular menu, also displays a special menu exclusively for holidays so that people can get a taste of those in reference to various festivities.

Therefore, if you find yourself tired of celebrating Thanksgiving in the same feat again and again, then you can add a bit of a twist to your holiday by visiting this unique restaurant.

The one dish which remains delicious all year round is their dumb crab gnocchi which is highly adored by the visitors who consider it their staple dish.

Chef’s Choice

Besides their regular meal options, the restaurant also has unique holiday special dishes like short ribs with whipped Parmesan and veal demi, chicken, and boudin gumbo.

Their braised collards are also worth a mention, as they come in succulent forms.

Also, don’t forget to try their buttermilk pie with berry compote and their delectable goat cheesecake, which comes with a seasoning of basil ice cream that will surely give you a toothsome treat in the end.

Nothing beats the divine combination of desserts with a cup of coffee that must be given a try here as it tastes amazing.

5. Jack Rose

Jack Rose

Why it’s a must visit?

The Jack Rose restaurant depicts a genius take on Cajun and seasonal flavors that are available on Thanksgiving for dinner.

The restaurant is spearheaded by an outstanding chef named Brian Landry, who introduces its visitors to a four-course meal that comes in a fixed price range.

The price of the feast depends on the meal itself and therefore comes off as affordable but not cheap.

Sadly, the restaurant has only a few amounts of dishes that might not be perfect for families to visit if they wish to experiment with lots of food.

Chef’s Choice

Nevertheless, the dishes here are mouthwatering and quite innovative, with options like torched provolone or royal red shrimp with squid ink campanelle, which are delicious appetizer options.

Some other major main course highlights here are pompano stuffed roasted turkey and deliciously made king trumpet mushrooms which are incredibly flavorsome.

The restaurant often needs a reservation to be booked beforehand.

6. Compere Lapin

Compere Lapin

Why it’s a must visit?

If you want to indulge in the nostalgia of New Orleans’s vibrant culture with homey vibes, then this Compere Lapin restaurant will prove to be a haven for you because of its cozy food options and relaxing atmosphere.

It’s one of the most excellent family-oriented restaurants open Thanksgiving that serves three-course meals at a fixed price with plentiful options.

The restaurant has such a glamorous menu that it has won a streak of awards for providing the best gourmet food choices at reasonable prices.

So if you want to experience a fancy dinner with your family for an unforgettable Thanksgiving night, then this place should be your go-to spot in New Orleans.

Chef’s Choice

If you are familiar with the three-course meal strategy, then you would know that the feast at first begins with starters, then continues with the main dish, and ends with a dessert.

So when it comes to appetizer options, their roasted veggie salad and seafood stuffed mirliton take the crown here because of their delicate and soothing flavors.

Whereas for the main dish, their cauliflower gratin, turkey, and jerk sweet potatoes are the best options here as they are quite fulfilling and satisfying.

Don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note by trying their pumpkin flan pie which will give you a wholesome feast.

7. Couvant Bar & Brasserie

Couvant Bar & Brasserie

Why it’s a must visit?

The Couvent Bar & Brasserie restaurant is simply a hidden gem in New Orleans as its mysterious atmosphere and low promotional strategies have rendered it quite an intriguing destination for food fanatics to visit if they want something unique and unfamiliar.

The restaurant was previously magazine based and therefore has quite a fashionable image to it.

It’s all due to the famous ‘Great British baking show’ that one got to know about its whereabouts or it was completely impossible to locate this charming restaurant.

As soon as the restaurant streamed on the famous British show, it grew so much on the charts of Orleans’s best restaurants that its price level rose to unimaginable levels.

Chef’s Choice

To revamp, it’s crucial knowing that this restaurant provides a full-on four-course meal, especially for holidays like Thanksgiving.

Under that full-course meal comes the decadent and flavorsome appetizers that start on a light note.

It’s worth knowing that this restaurant has spectacular appetizers, but its main course meals are not that great, but their Pear frangipane pie is unimaginably delicious.

8. The Elysian Bar

The Elysian Bar

Why it’s a must visit?

The Elysian bar and restaurant give people a unique peek into unconventional food choices that cater to families, as the restaurant itself is run by a family.

Because of its accommodating atmosphere, the restaurant has become a significant attraction for celebrating a fun Thanksgiving dinner.

The restaurant is run by a genius chef named Alex Harrell, who personally hired his own staff from the hotel Paul & Peter, who are masters when it comes to family-oriented recipes.

By combining the cuisine techniques of multiple staff members, the restaurant successfully delivers a diversification of the menu through its rainbow choices.

Chef’s Choice

As we said above, the restaurant uses the fusion techniques of two staff members, one of which has created a combination dish of cornbread mushroom dressing that was made under the keen eye of chef Alex himself.

Another great innovative dish of his is their stuffed turkey breast roulade which also has won quite considerable admiration from the public.

But the one thing that keeps stopping the charts is their grandmother’s cornbread that comes seasoned with pumpkin butter which is adored by visitors who often order it every time they visit this place.

9. Brennan’s

Brennan's

Why it’s a must visit?

The Brennans restaurant is new to the entire culinary scene of New Orleans, but despite its recent opening, it has become one of the trendiest restaurants open on Thanksgiving.

Just like many other sophisticated restaurants, this diner also followed a policy of three meal course that comes in buffet form.

Almost every other dish here is quite unique in the sense of how it can’t be found in other restaurants.

Its distinctive dishes have also caught the eye of food buffs who are always looking forward to tasting experimental cuisine.

Chef’s Choice

It’s highly recommended that you start with their appetizers first, especially soups, which can help you warm your stomach.

When it comes to soup options, their turtle with sherry and oyster and artichoke gratin soup will leave you wanting more.

As for the main entrée options, their fried rabbit schnitzel and seared scallops will make for a fantastic main course meal.

One can also decide between the numerous drink options that are available here to sample with the main dishes.

10. The Country Club

The Country Club

Why it’s a must visit?

The country club restaurant is a place full of thrill and a rowdy atmosphere that enhances the overall festivity of Thanksgiving.

The restaurant is known for serving superb comfort food choices that specialize in American fare, which is perfect if you are looking for dinner delivery, as the restaurant is quite impressive in that area.

The restaurant sadly does not follow the policy of fixed price, and therefore has different prices for different eatery options.

One should also remember that this restaurant has a separate listing of dishes for various holidays, especially Thanksgiving, that one can take a look at.

Or if you still feel confused about where to eat, as the menu choices may not suit you, then you can always check out their website, which lists the menu choices.

By doing so, you won’t be apprehensive about what the restaurant has to offer.

Chef’s Choice

One can join their country club to indulge in a wholesome feast filled with double-cut porks, roasted LA drum, and rabbit & mushroom gumbo that are exceedingly filling.

If you join the club, you get access to several buffet options at different prices that can easily cater to your choices.

So make sure that you take a look at the website first and watch out for the dishes that might not appeal to you, as the food here can be quite experimental.

11. Picnic Provisions & Whiskey

Picnic Provisions & Whiskey

Why it’s a must visit?

Not sure what a picnic looks like and want to experience a productive day out celebrating Thanksgiving under the bright sun, then this picnic provisions and whiskey restaurant will give you the most daunting experience that you wish to look forward to.

This restaurant is well known for its fascinating dinner delivery and take out services that have won the hearts of local people who wish to dine in the comfort of their homes without visiting restaurants.

Because of this restaurant’s convenience services, it has continued to make people flock to its destination for various catering services that have helped thousands of families.

Chef’s Choice

Even though the restaurant has outstanding catering and last minute service, it’s essential to know what it has to offer when it comes to decadent menu options.

The dishes which are often raved about here are their smoked fish dip, Tory’s collard greens, and pimento cheese, which are all equally delectable.

Its scrumptious food will not only bring a smile to your mom’s face but will also delight your entire family and your friends because the food is delicious.

12. Blue Oak BBQ

Blue Oak BBQ

Why it’s a must visit?

The Blue Oak BBQ restaurant is a paradise for anyone seeking comfort food choices that no other restaurant can match against its soulful food.

All the dishes here are crafted in an efficient manner with creative fusions that make the feast a lot more exciting.

It’s important to remember that the restaurant’s holiday dinner delivery service ends on Friday, November 22, and therefore should be ordered before the deadline.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant has several creatively crafted traditional dishes like roasted mac & cheese, whole smoked turkey, cauliflower mash, and brisket.

These main dishes also come with flavorful side options like cranberry sauce and mouthwatering Bourbon bread pudding, which are delightful dessert treats.

So if you crave something appetizing and tasty, then this Thanksgiving restaurant near me will be your perfect destination to visit.

13. Bellegarde Bakery

Bellegarde Bakery

Why it’s a must visit?

The Bellegarde bakery restaurant is a paradise for baked goods lovers who also enjoy free and convenient takeout services.

This restaurant often gets overlooked by other bakeries and parlors but should definitely be called to attention as its baked goodies have a wholesome variety to them that feels fabulous. 

This place is ideal to visit for a delicate brunch in the morning if you want something rejuvenating and refreshing.

Also, the place has a beautiful aesthetic and is ideal if you want to grab some gorgeous snapshots of you feasting inside a delightful, quirky setting.

Chef’s Choice

Among its extensive menu options that display several delicious goodies comes its lovely cookies, bread, and pie, which have a delicate taste.

Before your central feast, it’s highly recommended that you try their rich and luscious spelled brioche tear rolls and herb and garlic focaccia as your pre-meal course.

After you finish with the above dishes, the perfect way that you can end your charming feast is by getting a bite of the Louisiana pecan pie, which is a favorite here.

Best Dinner Restaurants for Thanksgiving in New Orleans

14. Chophouse New Orleans

Chophouse New Orleans

Why it’s a must visit?

The chophouse New Orleans restaurant is celebrated to be the top-rated steakhouse in New Orleans for serving juicy steaks with numerous delicious side options.

The restaurant is designed in a classy sense by having brick walls nestled inside the metropolis’ central business district.

One of the most incredible things to note about this place is that all of its steak dishes are USDA-approved, which explains their rich flavor and quality.

The restaurant is the ultimate destination to celebrate Thanksgiving in New Orleans, as it has an annual feasting event that continues from noon to midnight.

Chef’s Choice

As we stated above, all of its prime steak dishes are USDA-approved, and they, therefore, are the star of the menu.

This famous dinner place is renowned for its high-quality prime chops and family-inspired dishes that feel reminiscent and tasty.

Some of the delicious sides here are the garlic spinach which is often layered with lots of greens, boiled asparagus, and patiently sautéed onions and mushrooms.

15. The Roosevelt New Orleans

The Roosevelt New Orleans

Why it’s a must visit?

The Roosevelt New Orleans restaurant is most famous for its magnificent Thanksgiving decorations that enrapture visitors with their gorgeous beauty.

The restaurant successfully delivers classic Thanksgiving brunch and dinner options that are given in the form of carving stations and a sidebar.

The restaurant also has a pretty historical location inside the central business district and remains open from late morning to early afternoon.

Chef’s Choice

Because of its traditional food options, the restaurant employs the feature of the buffet to deliver its visitors’ multiple food choices.

In the same way, the restaurant serves specialized drink mixes because of its separate bar.

So if you are craving some traditional food choices, then you must remember that roasted turkey is an option here.

16. Criollo Restaurant & Lounge

Criollo Restaurant & Lounge

Why it’s a must visit?

The Criollo Restaurant & Lounge diner has a pretty unique etymology for its title, as in Spanish, it means Creole, which is this restaurant’s cuisine specialty.

This fabulous restaurant is nestled inside the historical hotel Monteleone which is a celebrated French Quarter eatery known for serving several regional fusions of cuisine.

The restaurant opens its gates early morning, and its seasonal carousel bar is exclusively opened on Thanksgiving, which is perfect for any drink enthusiast.

Chef’s Choice

As we said above, the restaurant blends the flavors of different regional cuisines like African, Spanish, Caribbean, Italian, and French to create several innovative dishes.

Combining such authentic regional flavors, the restaurant serves the most exquisite Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes that are a significant hit here.

Also, its separate carousel bar is remarkable for tasting luscious martinis that can’t be found anywhere else.

17. Restaurant August

Restaurant August

Why it’s a must visit?

The restaurant August, is a five-star diner spearheaded by the renowned chef named John Besh, who has won several awards in the field of hospitality and gourmet food servings.

This is another restaurant located inside the central business eatery and has a reminiscent golden age American theme to it with an enveloping French creole setting.

After several experiments, the restaurant was named one of the best Thanksgiving restaurants to visit in New Orleans to get the full zest out of this lively festival.

Chef’s Choice

As the restaurant embodies the culture of French and Creole, the food here is also inspired by the regional cuisine and therefore has such an exotic feel to it.

The restaurant has a particular serving for Thanksgiving through a distinct menu covering both brunch and lunch, which are also available for dinner.

18. Josephine Estelle

Josephine Estelle

Why it’s a must visit?

Josephine Estelle restaurant has enraptured the attention of the local people and foreigners alike with its annual opening on Thanksgiving, which almost any person who knows about its existence looks forward to.

One never gets disappointed at this restaurant as it’s run by a celebrated Chef name Nina Compton who has won several flagship commendations for delivering superb food choices, be it for lunch or dinner in generous portion sizes.

The one thing which is quite splendid about this restaurant is that it features a four-course meal with fabulous food options that feel almost unreal.

Its food range is so extensive that it makes it hard to decide, as all of them are so appealing in taste.

Another fantastic news about this restaurant is that it requires no reservations beforehand for holidays like Thanksgiving and also gives numerous takeout services so that you can enjoy dinner at home with your family.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant features a distinctive menu that comes in a four-course meal form that begins with a chopped salad with bountiful seasoning, crab, and shrimp options.

It then continues its course with a pasta that people can choose between either Campanell adorned with wild mushrooms or truffle Sofrito and cavatelli, which comes with a separate dish of short ribs and eggplant.

It also has a third-course option which features either drilled Joyce farm turkey breast dish that comes with a lovely chestnut seasoning, brussels sprouts, and cipollini serving.

One can also try their roasted swordfish that comes with a complementary dish of brussels sprouts, Fennel, caviar, and faro.

It’s suitable for vegetarians as well, as the menu features some elegant dishes with exquisite desserts like chocolate tarts seasoned with sweet potatoes, Chantilly, and pecan.

19. Arnaud’s

Arnaud's

Why it’s a must visit?

The Arnaud’s restaurant has announced its opening for Thanksgiving dinner so that you are notified beforehand that you can celebrate your dinner feast for Thanksgiving with your family at this restaurant for a fixed price.

One is sure to leave with a satisfied smile after visiting this restaurant as it follows the authentic French way of serving its dishes with an appetizer first, followed by the main entrée, and a dessert at the end.

The restaurant boasts of traditional cuisine through its focalization on Thanksgiving classic dishes that families often want to feast on and relish.

Chef’s Choice

So coming to its splendid menu options, the appetizer menu contains light dishes like smoked gumbo, Arnaud salad, or shrimp Arnaud which are their signature starter dishes.

Their shrimp Aranud is the star of the appetizer menu as it contains freshly caught gulf shrimp pieces covered in their delightful savory creole remoulade sauce that feels unearthly.

As for the main entrées, the restaurant features several classic Thanksgiving dishes like Boudin stuffed quail, roasted turkey, and stuffed goldfish, which comes baked to quintessence and is loaded with crawfish, breadcrumbs, crab meat, shrimp, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

The cheese comes with a complementary seasoning of vegetable Parisiennes and butter, which give it its runny and creamy composition.

And the one thing which deserves high praise here is their charming dessert menu, mainly created for Thanksgiving, where one can choose between their two specialized options of cranberry cheesecake adorned with white chocolate bark or their chocolate pecan pie, whose taste goes beyond the definition of decadent.

Final Thoughts

New Orleans is a place that epitomizes the essence of festivity within its core by displaying a vibrant atmosphere and devoted public who are full of zeal and love. Celebrating such a memorable holiday at this place would almost feel magical as it is primarily known for its magnificence.

So anyone enthusiastic about traveling and commemorating festivals to their heart’s content, then New Orleans is the place they should visit to appeal to all those innate desires.

Therefore one must be acquainted with restaurants open for Thanksgiving in New Orleans, especially for dinner, as they cover the major section here. In that respect, we hope that this article delivered that purpose. Bon appétit!

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