Nobody says you have to cook on Thanksgiving. Maybe you’re worn out, maybe the oven picked this week to die, or maybe the guest list is two people and a dog. So you type what restaurants are open on Thanksgiving into your phone and get a pile of outdated lists. Let’s sort it out. Plenty of big U.S. chains do open, a few shut down completely, and a lot of them leave the call to individual owners, which is where people get burned.
Below you’ll find who’s usually open, who’s closed, what you can grab to go, and a few habits that keep you from standing outside a locked door on the fourth Thursday of November.
| Thanksgiving 2026 lands on Thursday, November 26. Chains usually don’t post final holiday hours until closer to the day, so what you see here comes from how they handled recent years, 2025 included. Call or check the restaurant’s own site before you drive over. |
When Is Thanksgiving in 2026?
November 26. It’s a federal holiday that always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management lists the full holiday schedule.
Here’s the part that trips people up. A lot of restaurants are franchised, so the owner of each location decides whether to open. Two restaurants from the same brand can keep different hours, even in the same city.
Restaurants Usually Open on Thanksgiving: Quick List
This is the short version. Hours are the piece that changes, so treat the table as a starting point.
| Restaurant | Usually open? | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | Yes | Known for staying open around the clock, holidays included |
| Denny’s | Yes, most locations | Many locations run 24 hours, with holiday turkey meals |
| IHOP | Yes, many locations | Breakfast all day, but hours vary by location |
| Cracker Barrel | Yes | Regular hours, with a traditional turkey meal from 11 a.m. in 2025 |
| Golden Corral | Yes | Holiday buffet that usually starts around 11 a.m.; many close by late afternoon |
| Bob Evans | Yes | Homestyle holiday meal; about 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in 2025 |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | Yes | Special Thanksgiving menu plus steakhouse regulars; book ahead |
| Eddie V’s Prime Seafood | Yes | Traditional turkey dinner through the afternoon and evening |
| Fogo de Chão | Yes | Reported normal hours in 2025 |
| McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King | Many locations | Hours vary and are often shorter |
| Starbucks and Dunkin’ | Many locations | Reduced hours; plenty close early |
All-Day Diners and Breakfast Spots
Diners are the safest bet. They’re built for odd hours, so they’re often the last ones standing when everything else goes dark.
Waffle House
Waffle House is famous for never really closing. Craving eggs at 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving? That works. Just don’t expect a turkey plate. It’s the usual waffles, hashbrowns and eggs, which for some people is the whole appeal.
Denny’s
Denny’s built its name on being open all the time, and most locations are open on Thanksgiving. In 2025 the chain pushed a turkey dinner and a turkey sandwich, plus a take-home turkey bundle for four. Some locations are franchised, so one phone call can save you a trip.
IHOP
Plenty of IHOP restaurants open on Thanksgiving, and breakfast is served all day. It’s a good pick for the family member who’d choose pancakes over turkey any day of the year. Hours depend on the location, so check the restaurant finder first.
Restaurants Serving Full Thanksgiving Dinners
Want turkey, stuffing, gravy and pie on one plate? These are the usual picks.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel said it would run regular hours on Thanksgiving 2025, with a traditional holiday meal starting at 11 a.m. It’s popular, so the dining room fills fast. Put your name on the online waitlist before you leave the house. The chain also sells Heat n’ Serve meals if you’d rather eat at home.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral works well for big groups because everybody builds their own plate and nobody argues over the menu. Most locations open late morning with a holiday buffet, and some have offered to-go meals. Closing times differ a lot, with plenty wrapping up by late afternoon, so ask your local restaurant.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans leans hard on its slow-roasted turkey. In 2025 it reported opening at 8 a.m. and running into the early evening. Your local restaurant might do things differently, so check before you go.
Upscale and Special-Occasion Restaurants
Steakhouses and seafood places are the move if you want a dressier meal and zero dishes. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Fogo de Chão and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. have all run Thanksgiving menus or holiday plates in recent years. Expect fixed menus, higher prices than a diner, and tables that book up weeks ahead. Call early.
Hotel restaurants and independent spots in big cities often host Thanksgiving buffets too. Search your city name plus “Thanksgiving dinner” a few weeks before the holiday and you’ll find options the national chains don’t cover.
Fast Food and Coffee Shops Open on Thanksgiving
Fast food is the hardest category to predict, mostly because so many restaurants are franchised.
McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King
A good number of locations stay open, usually with shorter hours, and the drive-thru does most of the work. Some close for the day anyway. The brand’s app or store locator will show your specific restaurant.
Starbucks and Dunkin’
Lots of stores open on Thanksgiving, mostly from morning into the early afternoon. Locations inside grocery stores or malls follow the host building’s schedule, so those are more likely to be dark.
Restaurants Closed on Thanksgiving
A few chains close on purpose so employees can be home with family. Based on recent years, don’t count on these:
- Chick-fil-A closes every year on Thanksgiving.
- Texas Roadhouse is normally closed.
- Chipotle, Chili’s, Panera Bread and Olive Garden were reported closed in 2025.
- Red Lobster and most Taco Bell restaurants were reported closed in 2025.
Policies shift, and some franchise owners break from the pack. If your plan hinges on one of these places, call first.
Takeout and Heat-and-Serve Thanksgiving Meals
Rather eat at home without cooking? A lot of restaurants will sell you a full holiday meal. Most want the order a day or more ahead.
Cracker Barrel Heat n’ Serve
In 2025 the Family Dinner fed four to six people and the Feast fed eight to ten. You ordered online at least 24 hours ahead, and the chain suggested eating the meal within 72 hours of pickup.
Denny’s Holiday Turkey Bundle
The 2025 bundle for four started at $54.99 and needed a pre-order. Prices change, so look at the Denny’s site this fall.
Other places to check
Golden Corral, Bob Evans and Boston Market have offered take-home meals in the past, and plenty of grocery stores sell ready-made dinners with ordering deadlines the week before.
Trying to keep the bill down? We’ve got more on Thanksgiving meal deals and grocery savings.
Tips for Eating Out on Thanksgiving
Confirm hours the day before
Use the restaurant’s own website or app and look for holiday hours. Still unclear? Call. Map apps get holiday hours wrong all the time.
Book a table
Sit-down places fill up fast. Reserve early and ask whether they’re serving a special menu or the regular one.
Expect limited menus and holiday pricing
Some restaurants switch to a fixed-price menu for the day. Got allergies or dietary needs? Ask before you show up.
Skip the mid-afternoon rush
Most families sit down around the same time in the afternoon. A late lunch or an early dinner usually means a shorter wait.
Take leftovers home safely
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says to refrigerate perishable food within two hours. More holiday guidance lives on the USDA FSIS website.
Think ahead to Black Friday
Stores change their hours again the next morning. Our Black Friday shopping tips can help you plan the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day near me?
Waffle House, Denny’s, IHOP, Cracker Barrel and Golden Corral are the usual starting points. Each brand has a restaurant locator, so check your exact address, because individual locations can differ.
Is McDonald’s open on Thanksgiving?
Many are, but hours vary and some stay closed. The app or a quick call will tell you.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Thanksgiving?
No. Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving.
Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving?
Many stores are open with reduced hours. Ones inside other businesses may be closed.
Do I need a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant?
Not for diners or fast food. For steakhouses, hotel restaurants and other sit-down places, yes, and the earlier the better.
Are there places open on Thanksgiving night?
Yes. Waffle House and many Denny’s locations are known for staying open late or overnight, and some IHOP locations do too. Check your local store.
Can I order a full Thanksgiving dinner to go?
Yes. Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Golden Corral and others have offered take-home meals, but most need an order at least a day ahead.
Final Thoughts
So, what restaurants are open on Thanksgiving? Diners like Waffle House, Denny’s and IHOP. Family-style spots like Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral and Bob Evans. A handful of steakhouses for a nicer night out. Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse and some other big names stay shut. Hours vary by location, so confirm before you go, book ahead where you can, and keep a backup in mind. Then enjoy the day. One less pan to scrub.
