From slaving over cranberry sauce and pounding mashed potatoes to disinfecting dishes and setting the seating arrangement, hosting Thanksgiving dinner can start to feel more like a chore and less like a treat. That’s why more and more families are choosing to abandon their aprons and dine out on Turkey Day. And with decadent dishes, boundless buffets, and multi-course meals, these Baltimore restaurants are making it easy to kiss the kitchen goodbye this Thanksgiving.
The Manor Tavern: This Monkton mainstay is serving a Thanksgiving buffet with tons of seasonal favorites, including apple harvest salad, glazed sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, oven-roasted local turkey, brown sugar glazed ham, house-made cranberry sauce, roasted prime rib, and tons of assorted breads and desserts. There are seating times at 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30 p.m., and the meal is $41.95 for adults and $16.95 for children (3-12). 15819 Old York Rd., 410-771-8155
Baldwin’s Station: Feast your stomach and your eyes at this rustic restaurant overlooking the Patapsco River. Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Baldwin’s will serve individually plated meals, like a traditional turkey plate and other options on the fall menu. Don’t miss out on the maple leaf duck breast or the bisque made with slow-roasted squash, topped with a touch of ginger, cinnamon, and maple syrup, and garnished with apple compote, fried sage, and star anise. 7618 Main St., Sykesville, 410-795-1041
The Capital Grille: The luxurious dining room makes this steakhouse a perfect escape from jam-packed, elbow-bumping Thanksgiving dinners. The Capital Grille will serve a $42 prix-fixe meal that includes dishes like slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans with Marcona almonds and cranberry pear chutney, and Sam’s special mashed potatoes. The dinner is $15 for kids, and you can add on the pumpkin cheesecake dessert for an extra $10. 500 E Pratt St.,443-703-4064
Cafe Troia: Baltimoreans flock to this Towson restaurant to satisfy all kinds of comfort food cravings. Starting at 1 p.m., Cafe Troia will host a prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner with roasted turkey, gravy, yams, whipped potatoes, string beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The meal is $40 for adults and $20 for kids, and the a la carte menu is also available for those who want to mix and match their favorite dishes. 31 Allegheny Ave., 410-337-0133
The Oregon Grille: Hop on the gravy train and head to this Hunt Valley restaurant for a Turkey Day feast. From 1-8 p.m., the restaurant will serve a special, three-course menu that consists of dishes like like butternut squash soup, turkey, pan gravy, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake, and pecan pie. Dishes from the regular dinner menu are also available, and the three course option is $55 for adults and $35 for kids.1201 Shawan Rd., Cockeysville, 410-771-0505
Mt. Washington Tavern: Starting at 2 p.m., this neighborhood go-to will host a feast complete with everything from martinis to ‘Grandma’s’ dressing. Order from the full dinner menu with added dishes like honey-glazed ham, turkey entrees, and traditional Thanksgiving sides. Or opt for the all-you-can-eat buffet with traditional sliced turkey with gravy, sausage and vegetarian stuffing, fingerling potatoes, sautéed green beans, and tons of other family-style faves. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903
Victoria Gastro Pub: This Howard County restaurant serves up pub-style dishes that never disappoint. From 11 am-9 p.m., try the prix-fixe menu and add on a la carte Thanksgiving sides. Guests choose from entrees like roast maple turkey, sweet potato gnocchi, turkey pâté de campagne, and Brussels sprouts topped with bacon, sweet chili soy vinaigrette, sesame and Sriracha aioli. Choose two courses for $32 or three courses for $42. 8201 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia, 410-750-1880
Chez Hugo: This downtown Baltimore bistro is whipping up creative twists on traditional Thanksgiving dishes. The prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu is $65 for adults and $20 for children and features delicious dishes like pumpkin and bacon soup, roasted turkey breast with hay cream gravy, sourdough stuffing, and creamed spinach with garlic, onions, and Comté cheese. 206 E Redwood St., 443-438-3002
Rusty Scupper Restaurant and Bar: From families reunions to Friendsgiving feasts, this harbor-side restaurant is perfect for large groups. The menu features traditional dishes like carved roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, and herb-crusted roast prime rib. Adding a Maryland twist, Rusty Scupper will also offer seafood-inspired dishes such as roasted salmon with crabmeat, sautéed Prince Edward Island mussels with marinara sauce, and a raw bar with fresh oysters. The buffet is $56.95 for adults and $28.95 for children (under 10), and reservations are required. 402 Key Highway, 410-727-3678
Zeke’s Coffee: This beloved Northeast Baltimore cafe is going beyond coffee this Thanksgiving. From 6 a.m.-12 p.m, guests can dig into brunch specials like chicken sliders with fried eggs, biscuits with gravy and fried eggs, apple cranberry pancakes, and flavorful maple sausage links. Pre-game your Thanksgiving the only way we know how—with more food. 4719 Harford Rd., 410-254-0122
Severn Inn: Pair scrumptious food with scenic views at this Anne Arundel County restaurant. The Thanksgiving buffet includes dishes like roasted turkey and gravy, prime rib, crab cakes with fried green tomatoes and corn salad, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. End the meal with a sweet seasonal pie in flavors like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and apple cobbler. Seating times are at 12, 2:45, and 5 p.m., and the buffet is $72.95 for adults and $26.95 for children (ages 5-12). 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Annapolis, 410-349-4000
Charleston: Gather at this award-winning restaurant to celebrate with Chef Cindy Wolf’s prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu for $85 per person. Dishes to look out for include butternut squash and andouille sausage soup, braised beef short rib with yukon gold potato puree, roasted turkey breast with turkey leg confit, pecan stuffing, and roasted sweet corn. Make sure you save room for dessert with options like pecan tart with bourbon caramel, pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust and cranberry compote, and southern chocolate pie with toasted meringue. 1000 Lancaster St., 410-332-7373
Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant: This farm-to-table Ellicott City spot will be open from 12-6 p.m. on Thanksgiving day, offering a prix-fixe four course menu that is $59 for adults and $30 for children (under 10). The first course is an Alsace potato soup, complete with leeks, bacon, house-made sausage, onion, caraway, and dill. The second course features assorted marinated salads like the golden beet. And the main course includes traditional treats like roasted turkey leg and breast, smoked ham leg, stuffing, mashed potatoes with sage gravy, and cranberry sauce. 8293 Main St, Ellicott City, 410-465-4004
Blue Moon Cafe and Blue Moon Too: Family and friends unite at these Fells Point and Federal Hill favorites for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner date. Blue Moon Cafe and Blue Moon Too will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and though the restaurants won’t be serving turkey, there will be enchiladas and other fun surprises in addition to their regular breakfast menus. 1621 Aliceanna St. and 1024 Light St., 410-522-3940
Rye Street Tavern: The three-course prix fixe at this Port Covington restaurant on the Sagamore Spirit distillery campus offers guests their choice of appetizer and dessert, and a main course served family style. Highlights will include an autumn salad, wood-broiled Choptank oysters, ember-roasted beets, crispy crab fritters, mashed potatoes with Sagamore Spirit whiskey-spiked gravy, and turkey sourced from Whispering Breeze farm in Taneytown that will be roasted over Maryland white oak logs. Save room for dessert with options like maple-buttermilk and black bottom pecan pie. 13 Rye St. 443-662-8000. $35-70
Wit & Wisdom: Bring the whole family to enjoy an Autumn-inspired buffet filled with favorites such as roasted marinated turkey, smoked prime rib, southern cornbread, and applewood-smoked bacon stuffing. The bottomless meal will be offered from 1-8 p.m. 200 International Drive. 410-576-5800. $45-95