From stuffing to sides to pies, these Raleigh restaurants and bakeries will help you with an all-star holiday menu.
by WALTER staff

The countdown to Thanksgiving is on! Below, we’ve rounded up the Raleigh restaurants, bakeries and wine shops that can help you fill out your holiday menu, whether you’re looking to supplement your menu with appetizers, sides, desserts — or the turkey itself. They’re a great way to cook less and take the pressure off the big day, but also to show off some of your favorite chefs and bakers. Consider these spots to order Thanksgiving foods.

For seafood starters 

For many of us here in the South, Thanksgiving means smoked oysters by a fire with dozens of friends and family nearby. Locals Seafood Oyster Bar can set you up with ocean fare to add to your meat and veggie-forward dishes with fresh seafood from our North Carolina waters. Their farmers markets booths offer a pre-order period before the holiday. Click here for more info.

For the turkey and fixins’

Alimentari, a product of Mothers & Sons Trattoria in Durham, is bringing the meat for your Thanksgiving meal, with turkeys from Joyce Farms’ in Winston Salem and a variety of other protein options. Build your own Thanksgiving meal by selecting classics like turkey pot pies and braised greens, or opt for a bit of flair with the chicken liver mousse and Toulouse sausage. Check out their other meat options, ranging from Poussin Rouge Fermier (similar to cornish hens) to a smoked molasses half ham to filet mignon. Finish up with one of their charcuterie boards, and your order is complete. Click here for more info.

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey can provide you with shareable Southern sides and whole pies this Thanksgiving. The options include pimento mac and cheese, mashed yukon gold potatoes, creamed collards and turkey onion gravy for sides and chocolate chess, bourbon pecan and pumpkin pie choices. Pick up from Beasley’s starts on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and ends on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Capital Grille in North Hills has a suite of sides to accompany your Thanksgiving main meal so all you have to do is focus on the bird. They offer brioche sage stuffing, housemade gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry-pear chutney, French green beans and seeded rolls. They’ll also be open for service on Thanksgiving day, although spots are filling up fast. Capital Grille’s packages are $135 to serve four people. Pre-order by Nov. 26, and pick up on Nov. 27 and 28. Click here for more info.

Crú food and wine bar located in the popular Fenton shopping center offers a three-course Thanksgiving feast on the 28th that will host a variety of seasonal favorites from 12-9 p.m. Indulge in unique meals such as lobster & saffron risotto, as well as holiday classics like roasted turkey with all the fixings and pumpkin cheesecake. Plus, guests 21+ are welcomed with a glass of Angry Orchard Rosé Cider, made from rare French apples. Check out the menu here.

Donovan’s Dish online catering is taking Thanksgiving to-go meals to another level, offering the option to deliver your Thanksgiving dinner right to your welcome mat. Whether you are looking for a family or individual meal, Donovan’s Dish is providing all the classics, from a carved roasted turkey to house-made cranberry sauce to truffle whipped potatoes. Make sure to check out their hors d’oeuvres menu: baked brie en croute, “totally addictive” buffalo dip and signature ham rolls. Order online by Friday, Nov. 22 to receive your meal. Click here for more info.

Known for being a longtime (mostly) plant-based restaurant, Irregardless is offering vegetable forward mains and sides for Turkey Day this year with options for a group of three to four people. Along with a slow roasted turkey, they’ve got a mushroom wellington (vegan) and butternut squash and kale lasagna (vegetarian) with a handful of scrumptious vegetarian sides like creamed spinach and cauliflower casserole. For desserts pick between autumn spiced apple crisp (vegan and gluten-free) or brown sugar pecan pie. Order soon, and pick up your oder on Wednesday, Nov. 27 or Thursday, Nov. 28. Click here for more information.

Longleaf Swine BBQ has a Southern Thanksgiving menu that covers every item on your list, including a Smoked Bone-in Turkey Breast, sides like pimento mac and cheese, collard greens and roasted sweet potatoes, with and classic pie options for dessert. Add some BBQ and slaw so you can really relax the next day. From $75 for the turkey breast (10-12 lbs); order by Nov. 20 for pickup on Nov. 26. Click here for more info.

Mandolin, a refined American bistro with a Southern slant, is offering a classic complete farm-to-table meal with either a half or whole with everything from the turkey to the sides like green bean casserole to rolls and cranberry sauce and your choice of chocolate, pumpkin or apple pie. From $189; order by Nov. 15 for pickup on Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Midwood Smokehouse in Smoky Hollow is offering a variety of smoked meats from ham to brisket to pulled pork and chicken by the pound, and, of course, turkey. Go ahead and add on their sides to round the meal out. Specifically, the apple-cranberry compote, broccoli casserole and pepper jack cornbread caught our attention. Place order by Friday, November 20 to be picked up on Wednesday, November 27. Click here for more info.

Catering company Mitchell Casteel offers a “Thanksgiving Family Dinner Experience.” Along with a turkey, they have elevated sides and desserts to go with it, like brandied apple-apricot stuffing, blistered brussels sprouts and an autumn squash gratin, from $195 to serve four to six people. There’s also options to order things a la carte. Order by Nov. 22 for pickup on Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Perry’s Steakhouse wants to make your holiday easier with their family-style Thanksgiving box, including turkey breast, sides and the option to add dessert. The meal can be “heat & eat” if you pick it up on Wednesday, Nov. 27, or Perry’s Steakhouse will have the meal hot and ready to go if you pick it up on Thursday, Nov. 28. If turkey and mashed potatoes aren’t your style, skip the Thanksgiving meal altogether and try Perry’s signature Caramelized Prime Rib, also available on Thursday, Nov. 28. Click here for more info.

The Pit, an authentic barbecue restaurant, is offering a dine-in Thanksgiving meal and an at-home one. The feast includes everything from start to finish: spinach salad, smoked and glazed ham, pit-cooked sliced turkey, chopped whole-hog barbecue, dressing, cranberry chutney, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, mac & cheese, Hawaiian Rolls, and pie options. From $50 per person; order by November 22 for pick-up on Wednesday Nov. 27 and Thursday, Nov. 28. Click here for more info.

The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering is offering full meal packages and a la carte options this Thanksgiving. Start by choosing an oven roasted turkey, cranberry red wine-braised brisket or butternut squash lasagna for your entree, then decide on three sides the lemon and thyme roasted brussels sprouts and maple-ginger root veggies caught our eye). Add a bottle of wine to your meal, selecting from the Root Cellar’s recommendations. Order by Wednesday, Nov. 20 in order to pick up your meal a week later on Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Check out Royal Cheesecake’s Thanksgiving menu to put the icing on top of your meals. Choose from their classic, pumpkin, and sweet potato cheesecakes, or decide on one of the cakes, like the lemon pound cake or big mama coconut cake. If the decision-making gets too overwhelming, you can always opt for their variety option, the pie flight, and get a taste of the apple, sweet potato and pumpkin pie flavors. Click here for more info.

Sage and Swift Gourmet Catering is offering an elevated Thanksgiving meal. Alongside the traditional turkey, Sage and Swift provides options for sides like chile roasted beef and goat cheese salad, carrot ginger bisque and white bean soup with wilted greens. Make sure to order dessert from Sage and Swift’s several options, including Ocracoke fig cake and a gluten-free cranberry-apple oat crumble. Make sure to place an order for your turkey before they sell out, and remember to pick up the meal on Nov. 27 or 28. Click here for more info.

Salt and Lime Cabo Grille is offering a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving inspired by Baja California cuisine. The meal centers around the slow roasted turkey, stuffed with smoked chile gravy, ancho cranberry compote, and jalapeño cornbread. Don’t forget the sides though, which range from Mexican street corn salad to caramelized mango salad to chipotle mac and cheese. Order by Nov. 23 and pick up your meal on Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Enjoy a heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meal from Sam Jones fit to feed 8 to 10 people from the iconic barbeque hotspot. Feast from a whole smoked turkey breast, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, green bean casserole, pecan pie, a dozen sweet potato muffins and a bottle (yes, a whole bottle) of Sam Jones legendary sweet BBQ sauce. Order by Friday, Nov. 23 for pickup Nov. 27. Click here for more info.

Table & Twine, a chef-prepared meal kit delivery service in the Carolinas, is offering a chance to cook a succulent turkey in as little as 2 hours with from-scratch dishes for you to just simply reheat. The package includes an oven-ready, whole turkey with savory brioche stuffing, traditional gravy, creamed kale & butternut squash gratin, mashed potatoes, bacon bourbon collards, and more. They also have a Brunch option, so your whole holiday can be stress-free. Orders are due by Sunday, Nov. 24, and pickup is available on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov 27. Click here for more info.

For pies, breads and breakfast

Boulted Bread is offering items especially for Turkey Day like an assorted pastry box, brown butter muscadine pie, grits dressing, sweet potato pie and of course their beloved classics like morning buns, scones and more. The menu will be live on November 1; click here for more info.

Freshly Baked By Meg has the sweetest part of your holiday covered with Thanksgiving-themed cookies. The seasonal sugar cookies that come in fun shapes and colors can be adjusted for several dietary restrictions, like vegan and soy free batches. Other options for dessert include a honey pull apart cake (shaped like honeycombs), pumpkin pie cheesecake and apple cider doughnuts. Click here for more info.

La Farm Bakery exhibits what happens when a French baker takes to an American Thanksgiving menu. Think decadent, perfectly executed desserts and breads like brioche buns and fall harvest bread, almond apple tart, pumpkin sweet bread and more. These sweet and savory treats will elevate your meal and Thanksgiving experience. Click here for more information.

Yellow Dog Bread Company again has an extra festive and inventive dessert and bread menu this Thanksgiving. If you’re in charge of dessert this year, pick up their Salted Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Cheesecake, or Cranberry Apple Pie. For the kiddos, pick up some Videri Dark Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Turkey Cookies (or maybe just keep them for yourself.) Add some of their Yeast Rolls to sop up the gravy. Order by Nov. 18 by phone at 984 -232-0291 or stop by and see them on East Franklin Street. Check out their Instagram for menu updates

Sugar Euphoria’s Thanksgiving Dessert Collection created to grace beautifully decorated tables this holiday, has a plethora of options for the big feast. Ranging from sweet potato pound cake to Thanksgiving mini cupcakes to an autumn bounty cake, this online shop has something for everyone. Click here for more info. 

…and don’t forget the wine!

Let the pros do the work for you: several of our local wine shops, including Wine Authorities and Raleigh Wine Shop, are offering pre-packaged bundles of wine (say, a mix of reds, or a spectrum of colors to suit all tastes) to drink along with Thanksgiving and fall meals. Browse the options online, or give them a call to pull something together that will pair perfectly with, say, a Southern American meets Southern Italian meal.

If you want to go out…..

If you’re looking for an in-person dining experience, join this wood-fired kitchen’s Thanksgiving meal. Il Falò at The Westin is offering a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Nov. 28. Hosted in The Westin’s grand ballroom, the menu includes a Roasted Turkey Carving Station with gravy and pomegranate cranberry chutney and sides like Braised Collards and Sweet Potato Soufflé as well as assorted breads and house-made pies. The cost is $69 per adult and $29 per child ages 6-10, free for children under the age of 5. Click here for more info.

The Willard rooftop restaurant and bar in downtown Raleigh’s AC knows how to serve a feast! Join in on this unforgettable buffet experience from 4-8 p.m. that offers holiday favorites including maple bourbon glazed ham, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, three cheese mac and cheese and more. Also indulge in the delicious desserts offered, ranging from pumpkin chess pie to apple pie. See the full menu and make a reservation here.

This article was originally published on waltermagazine.com in November 2020, updated November 2023 and most recently on November 7, 2024.