From stuffing to sides to pies, these Raleigh restaurants and bakeries will help you with an all-star holiday menu.
by Addie Ladner and Isabella Sherk
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. We might not be able to gather in large crowds this year, but Locals Oyster Bar can set you up with ocean fare to add to your meat and veggie-forward dishes. Their farmers markets booths offer a pre-order period before the holiday. 2023 menu coming soon.
For the turkey and fixins’
Catering Works‘ Fig Market can set you up with a show-stopping Thanksgiving table from the turkey to the classic sides and desserts like sweet potato casserole and pecan pie. Delegate the roasting so you can enjoy the hosting and toasting! Non-traditional items are available too. The full package is available for $650, or you can do just sides for $465. Centerpieces and pies are available, too. Order by Wednesday, Nov. 15at 12 p.m. for pickup or delivery on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Click here for more info.
Capital Grill in North Hills is a suite of sides to accompany your Thanksgiving main meal so literally all you have to do is focus on the bird. They are brioche stuffing, housemate gravy, mashed potatoes, pecan-crusted sweet potatoes with hot honey, French green beans, cranberry-pear chutney, and seeded rolls. (They’ll also be open for service on Thanksgiving day.) $135 to serve four people; click here for more info.
GRAVY wants to put an Italian spin on your Thanksgiving. They’re offering a complete Thanksgiving package with turkey Breast glazed with balsamic peach reduction, Roasted blend of seasonal winter root vegetables and squashes, chocolate cakes with caramel filling topped with pecans and all sorts of add-on options like deviled eggs and sweet potato casserole. 2023 order form coming soon.
Hummingbird is offering classic Thanksgiving dishes with their New Orleans spin, available for order through PoshNosh, their catering service. They’ve got: 12-14 lbs of turkey, andouille gravy, mashed potatoes, Cornbread boudin stuffing , braised greens, apple pecan slaw, chocolate pecan chess or sweet potato meringue pie, plus baked goods from Union Special Bread. The cost starts at $225. Place your order by Wednesday, November 18 and pick-up at the PoshNosh kitchen between 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Click here for more info.
Irregardless is offering vegetable forward mains and sides for Turkey day this year with options for a group between 4 and 8 people. Along with a slow roasted turkey, they’ve got a lentil and mushroom Shepards pie as a main dish alternative and a handful of scrumptious vegan sides like creamed spinach and cauliflower casserole. For desserts you’ve got your pick between white chocolate cranberry bread pudding, pumpkin spice cheesecake or an apple and fig crisp. 2023 order form coming soon.
Longleaf Swine has a Southern Thanksgiving menu that covers every item on your list, including a Smoked Bone-in Turkey Breast, sides like oyster dressing, pimento mac and cheese and collard greens 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. 19 for pickup on Nov. 22. To order, click here then select “Order Ahead” and pickup on 11/22 from 2-6pm.
Mandolin 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 $170; order by November 10 for pickup on November 22. 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. Click here to order. Place order by Friday, November 17 to be picked up on Wednesday, November 22.
Mitchell Casteel offers a “Thanksgiving Family Dinner Experience.” Along with a turkey, they have some elevated sides and desserts to go with it, like brandied apricot stuffing, candied port relish, green beans with hazelnuts, and an autumn squash gratin, from $220 to serve 4-6 people. There’s also options to order things a la carte. Order by Nov. 17 for pickup on Nov. 22. Call 919-847-0135 to order, and click here to see the full menu.
Plates Kitchen on Glenwood South is offering a dine-in or takeout Thanksgiving meal this year, with each meal benefitting Food Bank of Central and Western North Carolina. The dine-in meal is $69 for a three-course meal, served from 12-5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The family-style takeaway Thanksgiving feast feeds 6 to 8 people, It includes a roast turkey breast and leg confit, smoked gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato hash, herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts & cauliflower, and your pick of figgy pudding or pecan pie. $195 per package, orders available until Monday Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. (or until they sell out). Book reservations here and call 919-828-0018 ext. 8 and ask for Stephanie or Justin to place and order. Click here for more information about their pledge to the Food Bank.
The Pit, while offering a dine-in Thanksgiving meal, is also offering 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 17 for pick-up on Wednesday Nov. 22 and Thursday, Nov. 23. Click here for more info.
Table & Twine 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. Menu items include: Savory Brioche Stuffing, Traditional Turkey Gravy, Bacon Bourbon Collards, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes more. Orders are due by Sunday, Nov. 19. Local Delivery and Pickup is on Tuesday, Nov. 21st and Wednesday, Nov. 22nd. Pickup at 5000 Departure Drive, Raleigh. Tuesday pickups are 1-5 p.m. Wednesday pickup is 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information and to order click here.
Union Special has a host of sides pies at the ready! Order classics like creamed collards, a baked Mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and stuffing made with their delectable bread. The pies include chocolate chess pie, apple pie, and butterscotch-pecan pie. Order by Nov. 18 for pickup at their Gateway Plaza location on Nov. 21 or 22. Click here for more information.
Zest Cafe and Home Art offers “everything but the bird” each Thanksgiving. From appetizers like the pimento cheese ball to a Lemon Butter Green Bean Salad and NC Sweet Potato Casserole to desserts like pumpkin cranberry pie and salted caramel pecan pie, Zest’s menu has options to choose from as your menu evolves. Order via phone (919-848-4792) by Saturday Nov. 18 to pick up Tuesday Nov. 21 or Wednesday Nov. 22. Click here for more information.
For pies, breads and breakfast
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 Person Street. Check out their Instagram for menu updates
La Farm. 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. Click here for more information.
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.
…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.
This article was originally published in November 2020 and was most recently updated November 2023
