Richmond Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

This is from 2010. Go here to see 2011.

The other day, my mom called to tell me she had decided not to make Thanksgiving dinner this year. Instead, we would be making a reservation at a restaurant so she could avoid the mess and stress.

Immediately, my heart sank. Don't get me wrong—I fully comprehend the three-day-long cooking extravaganza that making a dinner of this size requires. And, after many years of doing it, she deserves a break. It's just that, no matter what the restaurant, no matter how fancy or acclaimed it is, my mother's Thanksgiving is the best. Her mashed potatoes are always perfect. There is always turkey, red meat and seafood offered. The stuffing, with a different twist every year, is always unmistakably dense and fluffy at the same time. And there is no better way to eat a Brussels sprout than seared in butter with bacon.

Even though I am clearly very sad, there is nothing I can do to change her mind. Therefore, I am leaving my Thanksgiving meal in the hands of Richmond’s chefs. And while the choice was not mine to make, I am willing to try this new tradition.

My choices come down to a select few that provide classic Thanksgiving meals to Richmonders year after year. They never fail to be there when your house is too small for your guests, when you burn the turkey and don’t have a back up, or when you just don’t feel like cooking at all. From buffets to three-course meals, you can now enjoy your holiday while handing the stress over to someone else. Now that is something to be thankful for.

Amour Wine Bistro: One of Carytown’s newest editions is joining in on the Thanksgiving spirit. Amour Wine Bistro will host a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday November 28th at 3:00pm. In keeping with the original Thanksgiving in Virginia, all 30 guests will share one long table and a meal of 5 courses paired with 5 glasses of wines. All ingredients will be coming from local Virginia providers all paired with Virginia Wines. Prix fixe menu at $110 Maximum total 30 persons. Reservation only. 3129 W. Cary St (804) 353-4020

Bouchon: This Shockoe Slip favorite will present a three-course Thanksgiving Day dinner with a French twist. Each course will offer four different options, including a Pear, Goat Cheese, Walnut and Pomegranate Salad appetizer, a Pumpkin Seed Roasted Salmon with Napa Cabbage and Chive & Lemon sauce entree, as well as a Pumpkin or Apple tart for dessert. Adults $38, children $15. Open noon-8 p.m. Reservations recommended. 1209 E. Cary St. (804) 225-9116.

The Dining Room At The Berkeley Hotel: A traditional Thanksgiving four-course meal will be served at this Shockoe Slip spot for $59 per person. First course: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Chesapeake Bay Oyster and Crab Bread Pudding, Muscovy Duck Confit Ravioli or Mushroom and Asparagus Fondue Tart. Second course: Field Green Salad. Third course: Colorado Rack of Lamb, Free Range Breast of Turkey, Atlantic Salmon, Pork Loin or Black Angus Beef Tenderloin. Fourth course: Pumpkin Cheese Cake, Cinnamon and Apple Tart or Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie. Open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations accepted. 1200 E. Cary St., (804) 780-1300

The Glen Restaurant: A mix of the classics with a twist, this Thanksgiving buffet includes Slow Roasted Dark Turkey Meat in Pan Gravy, Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole with Cheddar Cheese and Crispy Tobacco Onions, Maraschino Glazed Ham with Pineapple Salsa, Roasted Mushroom and Barley Salad with Grilled Asparagus Tips and Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters to top it all off. Adults $42.95. Children ages 6-11 $19.95. Children under 5 are free. Reservations recommended. 1000 Virginia Center Pkwy., (804) 727-1480

Half Way House Restaurant: The Half Way House has been a local Thanksgiving staple for generations. From noon to 7 p.m. they will be serving traditional Thanksgiving meals, like the Roast Turkey dinner with Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Sweet Potato Soufflé and Fresh Cranberry Sauce for $29. With the same sides, you can get the Sugar-cured Virginia Ham with Pineapples and Cherries for the same price. All entrees are also served with Baked Stuffed Potato, Vegetable and Homemade Rolls. Other options from the regular menu are available for $32 to $38. Reservations accepted. 10301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., (804) 275-1760

Hanover Tavern: This Hanover County converted plantation is serving a delicious Turkey Day Buffet from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This Southern-style meal includes Oven Roasted Turkey with Traditional Gravy, Roast Beef au Jus with Horseradish Aioli, Maple and Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with a Spicy Grain Mustard, Cognac Candied Yams, Hanover Succotash, a Butternut Squash Bisque and much more. Adults, $26.95. Children under 10, $12.95. Children 2 and under, free. Reservations recommended. 13181 Hanover Courthouse, (804) 537-5050

Hondos: This West End steakhouse will have a bountiful Thanksgiving buffet, including Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto, Creamed Corn, Candied Yams, Roasted Tom Turkey and Braised Leg of Lamb, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults are $28.95, Children under 12, $13.95. Reservations recommended. 4024-C. Cox Road, (804) 968-4323

Lemaire at the Jefferson: Serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal but, you guessed it; they’ve been booked solid for months. Chins up though, there's always next year. 101 W. Franklin St., (804) 649-4644

Maggiano's: This Italian-American favorite is serving up a four-course family-style turkey dinner for $32.95 per person and $16 for children. 11800 W. Broad St., (804) 253-0900

The Omni Richmond Hotel: This Shockoe Slip favorite is serving a traditional Thanksgiving buffet including, Cider Braised Pheasant with Pearl Onions and Apples, Crème Fraiche Chive Mashed Potatoes, Crab Crusted Cod with Lemon Cream, Corn Bread and Chorizo Stuffing, Bourbon Glazed Spiral Ham with English Mustard and much more. There will be a Children’s Buffet as well as a Dessert Extravaganza. The buffet is $35.95 per person, $15.95 for kids 6 to 12 and $28.95 for seniors. There will be live music and ice sculptures. A complimentary family photo will be taken. Free valet parking. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations accepted. 100 S. 12th St., (804) 344-7000

Sam Miller's: Sam Miller's Thanksgiving feast menu will be a mix of traditional holiday favorites and Sam Miller's specialties (like crab cakes). It's a three course prix fixe menu for $27 per person served from 1 to 8 p.m. Course one: Crab Soup, Butternut Squash Bisque or Mixed Green Garden Salad. Course two: (all entrées served with Vegetable Medley, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce): Turkey Dinner, Turkey and Ham Dinner, Petite Filet or Sam Miller's Crab Cakes. Course three: seasonal desserts. Children’s turkey dinner is available for $12. Reservations accepted. 1210 E. Cary St., (804) 644-5465

Tarrant’s Café: This Monroe Ward jewel will be open for the Thanksgiving holiday and offering a special turkey dinner for those in the spirit. The dinner includes mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing for $21.95. They will also be offering their regular menu in full along with additional daily specials. Open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Reservations recommended. 1 W. Broad St. (804) 225-0035.

TJ's at The Jefferson: TJ's is serving Thanksgiving brunch and a prix-fixe dinner for $42 per person. And, you guessed it, they’ve been booked solid for months. Let this be a reminder that Mother’s Day is coming up. 101 W. Franklin St., (804) 788-8000

The Tobacco Company: This Shockoe Slip landmark is serving an old-fashioned Harvest Dinner, including Roast Turkey Breast and Cherry wood Baked Ham, Sweet Potato Casserole, Fresh Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Caramelized Onions, Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes and Southern Cornbread Stuffing, plus a special a la carte menu.. The per-plate price is $24.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 12 and under. Other menu items are also available. Reservations accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 pm. 1201 E. Cary St., (804) 782-9555 

Did we mist your restaurant serving Thanksgiving dinner? Send an email to content@richmond.com and we’ll add it to the list. 

Robin Hertel is Richmond.com’s Fall Intern and a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University. With a particular passion for food and culinary arts in the community, you can normally expect her to be perusing new restaurants or the local farmers markets and festivals. With any luck, she will graduate this fall and find a job that supports these expensive habits.