Where to Have Thanksgiving 2018 in CLT If You Don’t Want to Cook
By Allison Hancin
November 9, 2018
Love Thanksgiving but hate the hassle? We’ve researched the best places to eat out or take out this holiday, from lavish buffets to tasty desserts waiting to grace your table. Here’s where to enjoy your Thanksgiving feast sans oven:
Reid’s Fine Foods
The scoop: The pros at Reid’s Fine Foods have got your Thanksgiving spread covered from main dishes to dessert. Confirmed orders will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 20, and Wednesday, November 21. Orders placed after November 16 are subject to availability.
What’s on the menu: Cooked or uncooked turkey, beef tenderloin, spiral sliced honey ham, sides including sweet potato soufflé, classic herb stuffing, Brussel sprouts and more, plus tasty desserts like twelve layer caramel cake,
Make plans: Call SouthPark at 704.995.0108 or Myers Park at 704.995.1221.
5 Church
The scoop: Head to 5Church for a three-course, prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings. $45 per person, optional wine pairings $15, children 12 and under $20.
What’s on the menu: Highlights include a butternut squash bisque, turkey with stuffing and sides, smoked ham, roasted acorn squash, filet mignon, sea scallops and s’mores trifle for dessert.
Make plans: Book your table online.
Angeline’s
The scoop: Dine out at Angeline’s for a modern twist on the classic Thanksgiving feast for $45 per person. A portion of proceeds from their “Friendsgiving” will benefit No Kid Hungry’s mission to end childhood hunger.
What’s on the menu: Starters include a pizza with confit turkey leg, pickled cranberry, Asher blue cheese and baby mustard greens. Roasted squash lasagna, grouper and confit turkey take the main stage, while fried brussel sprouts and focaccia stuffing round out the savory bites. Dessert is your choice of pumpkin cheesecake or pecan tart. View the full menu here.
Make plans: Reserve your table online.
Mimosa Grill
The scoop: Whether you’re looking to celebrate at home or in the heart of Uptown, Mimosa Grill has you covered. Their Southern Table buffet allows you and yours to indulge in a smorgasbord of classic Southern holiday fare from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. $44.95 for adults, $15.95 for children under 12.
Prefer to pickup? Turkey on the Run orders include classics that are easy to serve and savor for $34.95 per person (minimum four per order). Orders must be placed by noon on November 17. Pick up times are November 21 from 2 – 8 p.m. and November 22 from 8 – 10 a.m.
What’s on the menu: On the buffet, expect starters like butternut squash and apple bisque, petite country ham biscuits , and betty’s pimento cheese, as well as shrimp cocktail, oysters and braised p.e.i. mussels from the raw bar. When it’s time for mains, find turkey, spit-roasted and herb-rubbed tri-tip, smoked ham with sorghum glaze and more. Leave room for classic sides and an assortment of desserts including a skillet apple pie. The Turkey on the Run menu includes many of the same items.
Make plans: 704.343.0700 or online.
Harper’s Restaurant Pineville
The scoop: Skip the fuss of preparing or cleaning up with Harper’s dine-in Thanksgiving menu. Adults are $28, children age 12 and under are $15.
Prefer to take your spread to-go? Turkey on the Run to-go offerings serve 6-8 people with multiple size options for sides. Orders must be placed by November 20 and can be picked up from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
What’s on the menu: Slow roasted turkey, brown sugar honey baked ham and prime rib take center stage, while homemade sides with warm jalapeño cornbread and cranberry chutney round out the menu. For dessert, indulge in your choice of New York style cheesecake, apple pie or pecan pie.
Turkey on the Run menu options include traditional roasted or cajun fried turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, sweet potatoes and additional sides. Plus, Harper’s apple and pumpkin pie.
Make plans: To dine in, book your table online. Call 704.541.5255 to place your Turkey on the Run order.
Harper’s Restaurant – SouthPark
The scoop: Spend more time on what matters when you make your Thanksgiving reservations at Harper’s SouthPark. Their dine-in menu offers all the classics for $32 per person, children age 12 and under are $15.
Harper’s SouthPark location is also participating in Turkey on the Run to-go orders. offerings serve 6-8 people with multiple size options for sides. Orders must be placed by November 20 and can be picked up from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
What’s on the menu: Slow roasted turkey, brown sugar honey baked ham and prime rib for mains, with homemade sides and warm jalapeño cornbread and cranberry chutney. For dessert, indulge in your choice of New York style cheesecake, apple pie or pecan pie.
Turkey on the Run options include your choice of a traditional roasted, cajun seasoned or deep-fried turkey, sides and Harper’s apple or pumpkin pie for dessert.
Make plans: Call 704.366.6688 to reserve for dine-in or Turkey on the Run orders, or book your table online.
Vivace
The scoop: Vivace will offer an expansive Thanksgiving Day buffet from 12 – 6 p.m. $35 per person, $15 for children 12 and under.
What’s on the menu: Find roasted turkey, prime rib and spiral ham at the carving station, accompanied by whipped potatoes, house dressing with Italian sausage and sweet potato and mascarpone. Desserts include pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie, tiramisu and pear rum raisin bread pudding.
Make plans: Reserve your table online.
JP Charlotte
The scoop: The annual Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet at JP Charlotte is a perfect way to enjoy a family celebration without getting stuck on dish duty. Served 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
What’s on the menu: Buffet items include Chef inspired omelets, brick oven flatbreads, glazed ham, free range turkey, delicious dessert bar and more. Full menu available at jpcharlotte.com.
Make plans: Call 704.335.2064 or reserve online.
Upstream Seafood
The scoop: Upstream’s family-style buffet boasts a mix of traditional and unexpected Thanksgiving flavors. Served 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
What’s on the menu: Expect classic options like roasted turkey breast, fried turkey, prime rib and sides, as well as a seafood bar with sushi and shellfish. View the full menu here.
Make plans: Call 704.556.7730 or book online.
Gallery Restaurant
The scoop: In addition to brunch, guests at The Gallery’s Thanksgiving celebration will also enjoy live music. $95 per person, $40 for children ages 5-12 and complimentary for those four and under.
What’s on the menu: An array of salads, carving stations and traditional accompaniments and desserts.
Make plans: (704) 248-4100 or online.
Oak Steakhouse
The scoop: Oak Steakhouse will be open on Thanksgiving from 12 – 8 p.m. serving a $42 prix fix menu featuring local turkeys from Joyce Farms from Winston-Salem. A kids menu is available for $25.
What’s on the menu: Choose from butternut squash bisque or a Caesar salad to start, followed by turkey with house-made pork sausage stuffing, roasted Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. Finish off your meal with pumpkin cheesecake or apple cobbler.
Make plans: Reservations can be made by calling 704-954-8900.
BLT Steak
The scoop: BLT Steak Charlotte will serve a three-course prix fixe menu on Thanksgiving from 2 – 9 p.m. for $80 per person. Can’t get enough? Their Thanksgiving Leftover Popover menu will be available November 23 – 25.
What’s on the menu: The menu, created by Chef De Cuisine Matt Slezak, features butternut squash soup with crispy garlic, fontina and bacon toast, roasted organic turkey with pecan stuffing and cranberry-orange sauce, seared Scottish salmon with potato leek hash and prime rib. As for sides and sweets, savor Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots followed by a chocolate tart or carrot cake.
Make plans: Reserve your table online.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
The scoop: Let Chef Alyssa cater the sides for your Thanksgiving feast with simple preorder and pickup. All items serve 6 – 8 and come with serving instructions. Place orders by November 16 for pickup on November 20 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and November 21 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
What’s on the menu: Sides include mashed sweet potatoes with goat cheese, smoked cauliflower and butternut squash, stuffing, a maple-pecan crumble along with pumpkin and pecan pie.
Make plans: Place your order online.
The Asbury
The scoop: After the Uptown parade, head to The Asbury for a three-course, prix fixe menu with family-style sides. Two seatings will be offered: 12:30 and 3 p.m. Make your reservations early to access free VIP seating tickets for the morning’s parade, while supplies last. $55 per adult, $25 for kids ages 6 – 10 and complimentary for those five and under.
What’s on the menu: Your choice of spiced pumpkin soup or fall salad, followed by ham, turkey or trout. Family-style sides include whipped potatoes, corn casserole, sausage and sage dressing, Brussel sprouts and more. Dessert is your choice of sweet potato pie or blondie.
Make plans: Call 704.342.1193 or reserve online.
VIA SCOOP CHARLOTTE
