Gobble gobble
These 7 Austin restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day offer something for everyone

Thanksgiving in Austin is full of traditions, from the lavish brunches at Mattie’s at Green Pastures to the more down home feasts at Threadgill’s. But sometimes it’s good to try something different. These Austin spots offer something for everyone, from classic thanksgiving fare such as turkey, trimmings, and loads of pumpkin spice, to innovative dishes and autumnal cocktails. Whether you're craving something traditional or something new, these seven restaurants open on Thanksgiving offer something for everyone.
Arlo Grey— The Line
Shake things up this year with Arlo Grey’s unconventional take on holiday dining. The menu, which can be orders a la carte or as a family prix fixe starting at $65, includes autumnal dishes like tempura squash salad with pomegranate, malt vinegar, and hazelnut; a fluffy pumpkin cheesecake with walnut and caramel; and a whole roasted pheasant with bitter greens, rutabaga, and green bean almandine with winter truffles as the main. Seatings from 3-10 pm.
Caroline— Aloft Austin Downtown
This downtown restaurant is putting a Southwestern spin on the usual turkey day spread with a selection of a la carte menu items. Enjoy roasted turkey with baked bread pudding, cheddar mac ’n’ cheese, heirloom carrots, and a cranberry jalapeño relish or poblano-chipotle grilled sweet potatoes with chicken chicharrones, corn salsa, and almond-chili salt. There’s also a specialty cocktail, Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice, with Tito’s, pumpkin spiced espresso, house marshmallows, and sweet potato foam. Seatings from 10 am-midnight.
Group Therapy— Hotel Zaza
The new Hotel Zaza’s cheekily named flagship restaurant is sure to set nerves at ease. Among the prix-fixe options are roasted beets with whipped brie, raspberry puree, spiced pecans, and maple vinaigrette; a forest mushroom soup with crispy shallots, and lemon oil drizzled pan-seared sea bass with a sweet potato and wild mushroom hash, haricot vert, and blistered vine cherry tomatoes. The full menu will also be available for those who don't want anything to do with turkey. $60. Seatings from 6 pm-midnight.
Lefty’s Brick Bar— Arrive East Austin
This Cajun-inspired bar in the Arrive East Austin hotel isn’t just a place to score post-feast cocktails. The watering hole is also offering a special plate on Thanksgiving especially geared to orphans. The special includes turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, Parker House rolls, and pumpkin pie bars. $10. Seatings from 3 pm-late.
Stagecoach Inn
Salado’s historic Stagecoach Inn offers the traditional take on turkey day. The spread includes freshly baked tea bread, the Inn’s famous hushpuppies, plenty of desserts, and a carving station featuring roasted turkey breast with cranberry orange relish and turkey gravy and herb and garlic crusted rib roast with horseradish sour cream and Parker House rolls. $45 for adults, $24 for children 6-12, and free for kids under 5. Seatings from 11 am-3 pm.
Trace— W Austin
The W Austin is doing up turkey day in style with a prix-fixe menu that includes classic choices like apple cider glazed turkey, cornbread and oyster stuffing, and sticky toffee pudding topped with a scoop of brown butter ice cream. Guests can also opt for a few unexpected courses like a winter squash custard with burnt meringue, plumped cranberries, and crispy sage or a beef Wellington reworked with everything spice. $65. Seatings from 11 am-8 pm.