Best Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Austin (2026)
Family-style feasts, hotel buffets, skyline brunches and a few places where nobody has to order turkey, with 2026 prices and booking links
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Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Austin has plenty of ways to skip the cooking: family-style turkey dinners passed around the table, big hotel buffets, skyline brunches and a few spots where nobody has to order turkey at all. This guide covers the best restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Austin, plus one Hill Country outing in Dripping Springs.
Carpenters Hall is our pick for a relaxed family-style meal. Freda's is the best buffet value at $49, Truluck's works for a table split between turkey and seafood, and Summer on Music Lane builds vegan options into its holiday menu. You'll notice a lot of hotel restaurants below: that's where most of Austin's Thanksgiving dine-in service happens. If you'd rather eat at home, see our Austin Thanksgiving takeout guide.
Find Your Thanksgiving Table in Austin
Use the map to find a Thanksgiving meal near where you're staying, from Downtown and South Congress to North Austin, West Lake Hills and Barton Creek.
Austin Thanksgiving Restaurants at a Glance
| Restaurant | Area | Adult price | Format and hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters Hall | South Lamar / Barton Springs | $70 | Family-style; 11 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| Summer on Music Lane | South Congress | $65 | Three-course menu or regular menu |
| Nido | Lady Bird Lake / South Shore | About $110 | Plated holiday menu; lunch and dinner |
| The Kitchen American Bistro | Downtown / West Sixth | $85.50 | Holiday set menu; kids 10 and under free |
| Corinne Downtown | Downtown / Cesar Chavez | $69 | Family-style; lunch and dinner |
| Serenade American Brasserie | Downtown / Second Street | $75 | Three-course menu |
| Caroline | Downtown / Congress Avenue | [Confirm] | Three-course menu; plated for 1–3, family-style for 4+ |
| Truluck's | Downtown; Arboretum | $59 | Three courses or regular menu; Downtown noon–8 p.m., Arboretum 11 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| Perry's Steakhouse & Grille | Downtown; Domain Northside | $59 | Turkey plate or regular menu; 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| The Peacock Mediterranean Grill | Downtown / Second Street | À la carte | Regular menu plus holiday specials |
| La Piscina | Downtown / Second Street | À la carte | Regular menu plus all-day holiday specials |
| The Carillon | University of Texas | $95 | Brunch buffet; 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Fairmont Austin | Downtown / Red River | $140 | Ballroom buffet; noon–4 p.m. |
| Ciclo at Four Seasons | Downtown / Lady Bird Lake | $158 | Brunch buffet |
| CARVE American Grille | Central Austin; Southwest Austin | $59 | Turkey plate or regular menu; 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Freda's Seafood Grille | Northwest Austin / Lakeline | $49 | Buffet; 10 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Casa do Brasil | North Austin / North Mopac | $49 or $75 | Tableside carving; 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| Laurel at Hotel Viata | West Lake Hills | $95 | Family-style; 2–10 p.m. |
| Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar | Barton Creek | $140 | Buffet; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Thanksgiving at Camp Lucy | Dripping Springs (outside Austin) | Prepaid tickets | Family-style feast; reservations 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Thanksgiving Restaurants in South Austin
South Congress, the Barton Springs area and the south shore of Lady Bird Lake, all a quick ride from Downtown.
Carpenters Hall
400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Carpenters Hall makes the holiday feel like a dinner party in a former union hall. The table starts with pretzel biscuits, elote hush puppies and deviled eggs, then a harvest salad, pecan wood-smoked turkey with sourdough sausage stuffing and green bean casserole, and a spiced pumpkin tart. At $70 it costs half what the big hotel buffets do, and there's a vegan, gluten-free entrée (a charred sweet potato steak) for anyone skipping the bird. Details: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. $70 adults; $25 kids under 10. Mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts are add-ons. 400 Josephine St.
Summer on Music Lane
1101 Music Ln, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Summer on Music Lane, inside Hotel Magdalena, runs a $65 three-course Thanksgiving menu with both classic and vegan picks, and its regular brunch and dinner favorites stay on too. Nobody ends up building a plate out of side dishes, and nobody has to commit to a buffet. It's an easy South Congress meeting point whether you're staying on SoCo or driving in. Details: $65 three-course menu; regular menu priced separately; children's menu available. Book the Thanksgiving experience. 1101 Music Ln.
Nido
Rooftop, 1211 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Nido, at The Loren, looks across Lady Bird Lake to the Downtown skyline, and its Thanksgiving menu is a composed, plated meal: squash soup, roast turkey with sourdough stuffing, mashed potatoes and brown-butter yams, then pumpkin panna cotta in place of pie. It's the prettiest setting in this guide for a couple or a small group. Details: Lunch and dinner seatings. About $110 adults; $55 kids; optional $45 wine pairing. Prepaid reservations. 1211 W. Riverside Dr.
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Thanksgiving Restaurants in Downtown Austin and Near UT
Most of the city's Thanksgiving tables are Downtown, so start here if you're staying near Congress Avenue or visiting a student at UT.
The Kitchen American Bistro
400 W 6th St #125, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Kids 10 and under eat free at The Kitchen on Thanksgiving, which changes the math fast for a family. Adults pay $85.50 for a menu that sticks close to tradition: soup or greens to start, roast turkey with potatoes, mushroom-and-leek stuffing, Brussels sprouts and mac and cheese, then an individual apple galette. Details: $85.50 adults; kids 10 and under free; drinks extra. Cancellations within 48 hours cost $50 per person. 400 W. 6th St., Suite 125.
Corinne Downtown
304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Corinne serves a family-style Thanksgiving for $69, dessert included: roast turkey, seasonal sides and house-made desserts passed around the table at lunch or dinner. That's about half what the big hotel buffets charge. Details: Lunch and dinner. $69 plus tax and fees; cashless. The holiday menu is at the Cesar Chavez location, so book that one specifically. 304 E. Cesar Chavez St., Unit 100.
Serenade American Brasserie
200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Serenade's $75 three-course menu gives everyone a real choice: sweet-tea-brined turkey, duck confit or smoked honey-baked ham. It's a polished brasserie on the ground floor of W Austin, with high ceilings, a big bar and an indoor-outdoor layout. Details: $75 per person. Pick a Thanksgiving seating, not a regular table. 200 Lavaca St.
Caroline
621 Congress Ave Suite 101, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Caroline sizes the meal to your table: parties of one to three get individually plated courses, while groups of four or more share a family-style spread. That makes it one of the few Downtown options that works as well for one person as it does for six. It's a bright, all-day restaurant on Congress Avenue at Seventh Street. Details: Three-course holiday menu. [Confirm 2026 price and hours before publishing.] 621 Congress Ave., Suite 101.
Truluck's Downtown
300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Truluck's $59 holiday menu is a full three courses (a starter, turkey with sides and dessert), and the regular seafood menu stays on, so half the table can do turkey while the other half orders off the seafood menu. Details: $59 adults; $29 kids 12 and under. Downtown (300 Colorado St.) noon–8 p.m.; Arboretum (10225 Research Blvd., Suite 4000) 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille Downtown
114 W 7th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Perry's $59 Thanksgiving plate covers a starter, smoked turkey, gravy, stuffing and the usual sides, and the regular steakhouse menu is still available. From 4 p.m. there's a $59 prime rib option for the beef people. Details: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. at both locations. $59 adults; $19 kids' plate for 12 and under; pumpkin cheesecake $10 extra. Downtown at 114 W. 7th St. and Domain Northside at 11801 Domain Blvd.
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill
Proper Hotel, 600 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
The Peacock adds a few holiday specials to its usual menu: turkey with merguez stuffing and cardamom cranberry sauce, then apple tarte Tatin with labneh ice cream. Order the holiday plate or skip it; the regular menu stays on all day. Details: Regular menu plus specials, priced individually. Ground floor of Austin Proper, which also houses La Piscina; they're separate reservations. 600 W. 2nd St.
La Piscina
Proper Hotel, 600 W 2nd St 5th Floor, Austin, TX 78701, USA
La Piscina swaps the turkey plate for turkey fajitas: achiote-seasoned turkey with sweet-potato rajas, chile-spiked cranberry sauce, tortillas, rice and beans. There's chorizo-stuffed acorn squash and pumpkin cheesecake too, and the full menu is available all day. Details: À la carte, with all-day holiday specials. It shares Austin Proper with The Peacock, so book La Piscina by name. 600 W. 2nd St.
The Carillon
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave Ste L078, Austin, TX 78705, USA
The Carillon's buffet at the AT&T Hotel puts smoked turkey and prime rib next to pastries, breakfast dishes, chilled seafood and a long dessert spread, plus a kids' station with chicken tenders and mac and cheese. It wraps up at 2:30 p.m., so the rest of the day is yours. Details: 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. $95 adults; $40 ages 6–12; 5 and under free. 1900 University Ave.
Fairmont Austin Thanksgiving Buffet
101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Fairmont turns its third-floor Congressional Ballroom into a full Thanksgiving production, with live music, herb-crusted prime rib alongside the turkey, and plenty of desserts. Self-parking is included, which helps Downtown on a holiday. At $140 it's a splurge, best when the occasion matters as much as the food. Details: Noon–4 p.m. $140 adults; $45 ages 6–12. 101 Red River St.
Ciclo at Four Seasons Hotel Austin
98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Ciclo, at Four Seasons on Lady Bird Lake, hosts a Thanksgiving brunch with holiday favorites, chef-made brunch dishes, festive drinks and live music. It's the dressiest brunch in this guide and the priciest ticket, so save it for a special occasion or the relatives you want to impress. Details: $158 adults; $50 children. Select Thanksgiving Brunch at Ciclo; the hotel's ballroom brunch is a separate booking. 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Thanksgiving Restaurants in Central and North Austin
The best-value tables in the guide are north of the river, handy if family lives near the Domain, Lakeline or the Arboretum.
CARVE American Grille Central Austin
2613 Perseverance Dr, Austin, TX 78731, USA
CARVE's $59 Thanksgiving meal brings soup or salad, smoked turkey and the classic sides, and the regular dinner menu stays on. After 4 p.m., the $49 prime rib is the better deal for anyone who'd prefer beef. Details: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; prime rib 4–9 p.m. $59 turkey meal; $49 prime rib; $19 kids' plate for 12 and under; pumpkin cheesecake $10 extra. Central Austin at 2613 Perseverance Dr. and Barton Creek at 7415 Southwest Pkwy., Building 1.
Freda's Seafood Grille
10903 Pecan Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78750, USA
Freda's $49 buffet is the best deal in this guide: roast turkey and smoked brisket alongside the restaurant's seafood specialties, plus sides and dessert. That mix gives picky eaters and big appetites plenty to work with, and the long hours work for an early lunch or a late-afternoon meal. Details: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. $49 adults; $19 ages 4–12; 3 and under free. Reservations recommended. 10903 Pecan Park Blvd.
Casa do Brasil
10515 N Mopac Expy NB, Austin, TX 78759, USA
Casa do Brasil runs two Thanksgiving packages. For $49 you get the salad bar, turkey carved at the table and dessert; the $75 Full Experience adds the full lineup of skewered meats. The holiday menu replaces the regular one for the day, and the $25 bonus card that comes with the Full Experience is for a future visit, not a discount on Thanksgiving. Details: 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 4 and under free; $19.50 ages 5–7; $27.50 ages 8–10. 10515 N. Mopac Expy.
Thanksgiving in West Lake Hills and the Hill Country
West of Downtown the views turn to hills. These three are worth the drive when the setting is part of the plan.
Laurel at Hotel Viata
320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills, TX 78746, USA
Laurel serves Thanksgiving family-style: seasonal starters, then turkey with smoked-gouda mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing and cranberry mostarda, and a dessert display of pies, cake bites and cookies. You get the hotel setting without anyone getting up for the buffet line, and service runs until 10 p.m., the latest in this guide. Details: 2–10 p.m. $95 adults; $50 ages 5–12; 4 and under free. Hotel Viata, 320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., West Lake Hills.
Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar
8212 Barton Club Dr, Austin, TX 78735, USA
Blind Salamander, at Omni Barton Creek, looks out over the golf course and the hills beyond. Its chef-prepared Thanksgiving buffet suits a multi-generational group where everyone wants to build their own plate. At $140 it's a splurge you pick for the resort setting, not the cheapest turkey in town. Details: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $140 adults; $40 ages 4–11; 3 and under free. Reservations required. 8212 Barton Club Dr.
Thanksgiving at Camp Lucy
3509 Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, USA
Thanksgiving at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs is a day out as much as a meal. A family-style feast is brought to the table at Sacred Oaks, the property's timbered event space, with lawn games and family activities on the Hill Country grounds around it. Booking runs through Tillie's reservation page, but you're booking the Camp Lucy Thanksgiving experience, not a regular table at Tillie's. Details: Reservation times 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Prepaid tickets, chosen when booking; full-bar drinks extra. 3509 Creek Rd., Dripping Springs (outside Austin).
Tips for Booking Thanksgiving Dinner in Austin
- Pick the format first. Family-style keeps everyone at one table (Carpenters Hall, Corinne, Laurel, Camp Lucy). Buffets let everyone eat what they want (Freda's, The Carillon, Fairmont, Ciclo, Blind Salamander). If not everyone wants turkey, go where the regular menu stays on: Summer on Music Lane, The Peacock, La Piscina, Perry's, CARVE or Truluck's.
- Book the Thanksgiving experience, not a regular table. At hotels, check the venue name too: Ciclo and the Four Seasons ballroom are separate bookings, and so are The Peacock and La Piscina at Austin Proper.
- Settle your headcount early. Nido, Fairmont and Camp Lucy take payment upfront, and several others charge for late cancellations close to the holiday.
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