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Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2026
Plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2026, which falls on Thursday, November 26: breakfast chains like Denny's, IHOP and Waffle House, family chains such as Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel, many fast-food drive-thrus, and a number of steakhouses serving holiday menus. Hours vary by location, so check the listing and call your local restaurant before you go.
The list below is based on what chains did on Thanksgiving 2025, mainly from 6abc's holiday roundup. Chains rarely publish their next Thanksgiving plans until November, so treat this as the pattern to expect, not a guarantee.
Sit-down chains usually open on Thanksgiving
These sit-down restaurants were reported open on Thanksgiving 2025. Some serve a traditional turkey plate, others stick to their regular menu.
| Restaurant | Thanksgiving 2025 status | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Evans | Open | Holiday meals, all-day breakfast, dine-in or curbside |
| Cracker Barrel | Open | Traditional turkey meal; take-home dinners offered |
| Denny's | Open | Not every location runs 24 hours |
| IHOP | Open | Hours vary by location |
| Golden Corral | Participating locations | Holiday buffet items such as carved turkey and ham |
| Buca di Beppo | Open | Family-style Thanksgiving meal |
| Maggiano's | Open | Dine-in, carryout and order-ahead |
| Del Frisco's Grille | Open | Special holiday menu |
| Waffle House | Open at most locations | Many run 24 hours |
All of these are "typically open" brands, not promises for 2026. Franchise owners set their own holiday schedules, so call your local restaurant to confirm.
Tips for a sit-down Thanksgiving meal
- Go early or late. Midday and early evening are the peak hours. A late breakfast or an 8 PM dinner usually means a shorter wait.
- Ask about the menu. Some restaurants switch to a holiday-only menu for the day, which may not suit picky eaters.
- Expect slower service. Restaurants open on the holiday are often packed and short on staff.
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Fast food and coffee open on Thanksgiving
Fast food is the easiest option if you just need a quick bite while traveling or between family visits. Coverage of Thanksgiving 2025 said McDonald's restaurants were usually open with hours that varied by franchise, most Jack in the Box and Dunkin' locations were open, Whataburger planned to open, and only select Starbucks stores were operating.
Waffle House deserves its own mention: staying open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, is part of the brand's identity, and most locations keep that schedule on holidays.
One big exception: Chick-fil-A closes on Thanksgiving, just as it does on Christmas Day and every Sunday.
For drive-thru hours, lobby closures and app tricks for checking which fast-food locations are serving right now, see our fast food open now guide. If you are on the road late on Thanksgiving night, our list of restaurants open around the clock can help.
Eating on the road on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and many people end up eating at a highway exit instead of a family table. Travel plazas, interstate-exit diners and fast-food restaurants near major highways tend to keep longer holiday hours than restaurants in quiet residential areas, because their customers are on the move. Airport food courts also stay open, though some outlets close early on the holiday.
If you are driving a long distance on Thursday:
- Check the next few exits ahead of time rather than waiting until you are hungry.
- Keep snacks and water in the car in case the place you planned on is closed.
- Fill up on gas when you stop to eat, since some smaller stations close for the holiday.
Thanksgiving dinner to go
Not everyone wants to eat out on the holiday. Picking up a complete dinner lets you eat at home without spending the day cooking.
- Decide how many people you are feeding. Pre-made dinners are usually sold in sizes for a set number of guests.
- Order early. Many restaurants stop taking Thanksgiving orders several days before the holiday, and popular pickup slots go first.
- Pick the pickup day. Many meals are picked up the day before, cold, with reheating instructions. Ask whether a hot pickup on Thursday is possible.
- Plan oven time. Reheating a turkey and several sides can take a couple of hours. Read the instructions when you pick up.
- Add your own touches. A homemade side or dessert makes a store-bought meal feel personal.
In 2025, Cracker Barrel offered take-home holiday dinners and Bob Evans offered curbside pickup, according to 6abc. Grocery stores with deli counters also sell cooked turkey and full holiday spreads.
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Steakhouses and prix-fixe dinners
Upscale and steakhouse chains are some of the most reliable Thanksgiving openers, partly because they can sell a fixed holiday menu at a set price. In 2025, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Del Frisco's Grille were among the restaurants reported open.
Independent fine-dining restaurants and hotel restaurants often do the same, offering a three- or four-course turkey menu instead of the regular menu. These typically:
- Require reservations, sometimes with a credit card to hold the table.
- Offer seatings at set times rather than open hours.
- Charge a per-person price, often with a separate kids' price.
- Sell out well before the holiday week.
If you like the idea of a holiday menu, start looking in early November. Read the menu before you book: some places offer a choice of entrees, while others serve one turkey plate for the whole table, which matters if anyone in your group is vegetarian or has allergies.
How to book and what to ask
A short call or booking-app check can prevent most Thanksgiving dining disappointments. Before you lock in a table, get answers to these questions:
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What are your Thanksgiving hours? | Many restaurants open later or close earlier than usual |
| Is it a set holiday menu or the regular menu? | Fixed menus can cost more and offer fewer choices |
| Is there a price per person? | Avoid a surprise on the bill |
| Do you have kids' options or kids' pricing? | Important for families |
| How long can we keep the table? | Some places run timed seatings |
| What is your cancellation policy? | Some holiday reservations require a card |
| Can you handle allergies or dietary needs? | Holiday kitchens are busy; tell them in advance |
When you call, ask for the hours for Thursday, November 26 specifically, since staff may answer with their regular schedule if you just ask "Are you open on Thanksgiving?"
Restaurants usually closed
Expect many independent restaurants to close so owners and staff can spend the day with family. Among chains, Chick-fil-A is the best-known example of a brand that closes every Thanksgiving. Restaurants in malls, office districts and food halls may also close if their building does.
| Type of place | Thanksgiving outlook |
|---|---|
| Independent neighborhood restaurants | Often closed |
| Mall food courts and mall restaurants | Often closed or short hours |
| Office-district lunch spots | Usually closed |
| Food halls | Depends on the building |
| Chick-fil-A | Closed every year |
The day after, Black Friday, is the opposite: most restaurants reopen with normal or extended hours, and places near shopping centers get very busy.
Many other national chains make the decision location by location, which is why you might find one branch open and the next one closed. For a broader look at which places open and close on each holiday through 2027, see our guide to holiday restaurant hours. If you are planning ahead for December, our page on eating out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day covers the next big holiday.
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Quick summary
- Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26; confirm hours for that exact date.
- Breakfast chains, family chains, many fast-food drive-thrus and steakhouses were open on Thanksgiving 2025 at participating locations.
- Chick-fil-A closes on Thanksgiving every year.
- Book sit-down holiday meals early and ask whether it is a fixed menu.
- Turkey dinners to go must usually be ordered days in advance and reheated at home.
Frequently asked questions
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day?
In 2025, news coverage reported Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, IHOP, Golden Corral, Waffle House, Buca di Beppo, Maggiano's and Ruth's Chris among those open, plus many McDonald's, Dunkin' and some Starbucks locations. Hours vary by location and franchise, so call your local restaurant to confirm before Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Is McDonald's open on Thanksgiving?
Many McDonald's restaurants open on Thanksgiving, but because most are independently owned franchises, hours are decided location by location. Some run normal hours, some close early and a few close for the day. Check the McDonald's app or your map listing, and call the restaurant if you are planning a late visit.
Do I need a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant?
For sit-down restaurants serving a turkey dinner or prix-fixe menu, yes. Popular spots and steakhouses often fill their Thanksgiving slots weeks ahead. Diners and breakfast chains usually take walk-ins but expect waits around midday. Book as early as you can, and ask whether the regular menu is also available.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Thanksgiving?
No. Chick-fil-A restaurants close on Thanksgiving Day every year, as well as on Christmas Day and every Sunday. If you want Chick-fil-A food for the holiday, ask your local restaurant about ordering catering trays for pickup the day before. Availability depends on the location.
Can I get a Thanksgiving dinner to go from a restaurant?
Yes. Several chains and many local restaurants sell complete turkey dinners for pickup, and grocery stores offer prepared holiday meals too. In 2025, Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans offered take-home options. These meals usually require ordering several days in advance and often arrive cold with reheating instructions.
Information can change. Always confirm hours and details directly with the business.
Sources
- 6abc (ABC): Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day 2025
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Wikipedia: Chick-fil-A
- AOL: Will Waffle House open on Christmas 2025 (24/7 policy)