Chicago’s holiday dining scene offers a broad spectrum of options for Thanksgiving 2025, from historic steakhouses and elegant riverfront buffets to internationally themed menus and convenient gourmet take-home feasts.
Premier Dine-In Celebrations
Restaurants across the Loop and Downtown are hosting special prix-fixe menus, buffets, and themed dinners that offer a stress-free, luxurious alternative to hosting at home.
- Gene & Georgetti: The historic Italian steakhouse is continuing its 85-year tradition on Thursday, November 27th, with a sumptuous $105 prix-fixe dinner. The multi-course meal blends holiday classics with Italian luxury, featuring options from Pumpkin Soup to Roast Turkey, with a Tomahawk Ribeye available as a high-end upgrade.
- River Roast: This picturesque riverfront destination is hosting its Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration ($85 per adult) featuring a plentiful buffet of seasonal classics, including Herb-Brined & Roasted Turkey, Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, and signature Mac n Cheese.
- The Albert at Hotel EMC2: Chef Steve Chiappetti presents a festive Italian-American Thanksgiving buffet for $65 per person, showcasing roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, Italian specialty cheeses, and pasta dishes, concluding with an abundant dessert table.
- Grill On 21: Perched on the 21st floor of The LaSalle Hotel, this venue offers an elevated three-course menu for $105, featuring sophisticated starters like Potato & Celery Root Soup with Caviar Crème Fraiche, and a choice of Roasted Turkey or Herb Marinated Beef Tenderloin, enhanced by live music.
International and Themed Menus
- Bandol: Blends holiday tradition with French flair in a family-style main-course setting ($75 per person), offering roasted turkey with all the classic sides, preceded by individually plated appetizers such as Oysters Rockefeller.
- Monarch & Lion: Offers a Thanksgiving Roast Menu with a distinct British touch for $55 per person, featuring Turkey or Prime Rib, served with Yorkshire Pudding and classic accompaniments.
- ALK (About Last Knife): The signature restaurant at Arlo Chicago offers a modern, chef-driven, three-course prix-fixe menu for $65, available throughout Thanksgiving Week, featuring Herb-Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing and a deconstructed Pecan Pie for dessert.
- State and Lake Chicago Tavern: Offers a festive all-day celebration ($65 per person) conceived by Chef Steve Chiappetti, featuring entrées like roasted turkey, herb-crusted prime ribeye, or seared Pacific Coast salmon.
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Bar (Lincolnshire, IL): Offers a two-course meal starting at $59, with diners choosing between traditional Roasted Turkey Breast or premium steak entrées like Filet Mignon or Prime Ribeye.
Gourmet Take-Home Feasts
For those hosting at home, several venues offer beautifully packaged, chef-prepared meals for easy celebration.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago: Offers a sophisticated Thanksgiving To-Go Menu, designed to serve six to eight guests and priced from $375. The package includes Herb Oven-Roasted Free-Range Turkey, Mascarpone Whipped Potatoes, and a choice of classic desserts, such as Cranberry Pecan Pie, available for pickup on Thanksgiving Day.
- Italian and Global Takeout: Eataly offers extensive catering services in Chicago, allowing full menu customization. ROOP & Bar Goa provides a unique Tandoori Thanksgiving Dinner package for pickup only, infusing the holiday meal with Indian spices. At the same time, Yasemi offers a Greek-inspired Turkey Dinner package for eight people ($175), featuring traditional turkey complemented by Mediterranean flavors.
