Best Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving In Chicago
Acadia
1639 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 360-9500
www.acadiachicago.com
In this near Southside restaurant, Chef Ryan McCaskey focuses on classic American cuisine, making it the perfect go-to spot for the whole family on Thanksgiving. The turkey day spread goes from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. For $75 per person, you'll enjoy a five-course meal that includes wonderful takes on the classics, including a porcini ravioli appetizer, a side of potatoes made with duck egg lyonnaise, a skatewing "meuniere" and, of course, an entree of turkey, which hails from Swan Creek Farms (and these descriptions don't do the meal justice). If you can eat one more bite, for dessert you'll get a delicious pumpkin beignet served with some maple ice cream and apple butter. Add wine pairings to this feast for an additional $50 per person. And if you have some wee ones with you, Chef McCaskey offers a kids menu featuring smoked cheddar mac 'n cheese.
Cafe des Architectes
20 E. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 324-4063
www.cafedesarchitectes.com
While this restaurant is all about French cuisine, it's made with many local ingredients, especially from Green City Market. This Thanksgiving, Chef Greg Biggers and Pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky have designed a delightful menu that will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The three-course menu features a choice of appetizers (from truffle parsnip bisque to seared scallop), entrees (including both the traditional - bourbon brined turkey - to the less traditional - Lake Superior whitefish) and, of course, dessert such as pumpkin tart. The menu is $65 for adults, and just $19 for kids 12 and under.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse
33 W. Kinzie St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(773) 465-9269
www.harrycarays.com
The only thing more American than baseball is Thanksgiving. Celebrate both at this River North restaurant (or one of its locations in the 'burbs). For past Thanksgivings, the steakhouse has served a traditional Thanksgiving meal. But items off the regular menu, including steak, can be ordered as well. Want your turkey to go? Harry Caray's does that too.
Related: Guide for Thanksgiving Weekend Visitors to Chicago
NoMI Kitchen
800 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-1234
www.parkchicago.hyatt.com
For a casual but elegant Thanksgiving, head to the Park Hyatt's restaurant in Chicago's Streeterville/Mag Mile neighborhood. To celebrate Thanksgiving in past years, the restaurant has organized an amazing buffet with traditional and non-traditional items, like sushi, using fresh, local ingredients. A carving station is often usually set up too, and there's literally something for everyone to enjoy.
Big Jones
5347 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-5725
www.bigjoneschicago.com
For a Southern-inspired Thanksgiving, look no further than this popular Andersonville restaurant. Thanksgiving dinner will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Chef Paul Fehribach is planning on serving up everything from deep-fried turkey with giblet gravy, Brussels sprouts with shallot and pecan, she-crab soup and coconut cream, among other dishes. The day is expected to sell out, so be sure to get your reservations early.
Related: Best Thanksgiving Feasts in Chicago
Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's writing about a variety of topics for numerous websites and blogs, and working part-time at a culinary vacation company based in the Windy City. Some of her work can be found at Examiner.com.
