These North Jersey restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner — so you don't have to. Book now
Is anything more stressful than cooking Thanksgiving dinner?
Conceptualize struggling to get a turkey cooked by 3 p.m., trying to carry heavy platters while wearing socks on wood floors and slowly beginning to resent Will Ferrell as Elf plays on repeat, two rooms away, for the entire day.
Such is the life for American families on the fourth Thursday of November.
But it doesn't have to be for you. In North Jersey, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day, and they're serving special dinners, themed tasting menus and more.
So, if you don't want to drop the stuffing again this year (because you stepped on a sleeping dog on the way to the table), go out to eat instead.
At these Jersey restaurants, you can leave the stress — and the pets — at home.
Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, Ho-Ho-Kus
Thanksgiving dinner at The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn is so popular that the event is almost entirely booked for the season already. Including four courses — an autumn-inspired soup, appetizer, entrée and dessert — guests at the meal will enjoy the classic flavors of the holiday, but presented in innovative new ways.
Some appetizers to choose from include Burrata Salad and Pumpkin Ravioli, while main courses range from a Turkey Dinner to Norwegian Salmon. And after that? It's Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pecan Pie for dessert (well, as long as you reserve a table fast).
Cost: $70/person.
When/where: Noon to 6 p.m. at 1 E Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus; 201-445-4115, hohokusinn.com.
Lefkes Estiatorio, Englewood Cliffs
Lefkes may be a Greek restaurant, but that doesn't stop it from getting in the American spirit every year at Thanksgiving. This November 23, the upscale Mediterranean spot will be continuing its tradition of offering a fixed, three-course dinner of holiday dishes alongside its normal a la carte menu. Diners have a choice, then, between the turkey-centric specials, or their favorite branzinos and saganaki.
If you opt for the prix-fixe, some highlights include an Autumn Pumpkin Salad or Fried Artichoke Hearts for the first course, a Mediterranean spin on turkey and stuffing — a Greek-style Stuffed Chicken — for the second and a decadent Orange Cake a la Mode for dessert. If you're a Thanksgiving purist, however, a classic Turkey Platter is on the menu for course two, and pumpkin pie returns as a choice for the third.
Cost: $78/person.
When/where: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 495 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs; 201-408-4444, lefkesnj.com.
Cheng Du 23, Wayne
In America, eating out on holidays has become almost synonymous with getting Chinese food (thank you, A Christmas Story). One of our favorite places to do that? Cheng Du 23 in Wayne.
Serving up large, family-style dishes — from Tea Smoked Duck to crispy Kung Pao Shrimp — on lazy Susans, the restaurant is perfect for gathering around the table with loved ones. It's cozy atmosphere is comforting and relaxed, but just fancy enough to make dinner feel like a special occasion.
Cost: A la carte.
When/where: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 6 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne; 973-812-2800, chengdu23.com.
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
If buffets are what you're after this Thanksgiving, look no further than Crystal Springs Resort, which has three. Housed in various of the venue's properties (the Emerald Ballroom, Canyon Ballroom and Black Bear Golf Club), each option differs in price and level of luxury.
At The Black Bear, for example, a seat costs $58 for adults aged 12 and over, and includes access to endless shrimp, hot and cold dishes, family-friendly carving stations and desserts. The Canyon Ballroom takes that to the next level, however, with a seafood bar, and — topping both of those — the Emerald Ballroom offers a "grand buffet" with everything from "lavish cheeses" to a "decadent dessert station."
Regardless of which you choose, though, you really can't go wrong with "all-you-can-eat"; especially on Turkey Day.
Cost: $58-72/adult, $24-29/child ages 4-11. Children under 3 eat free.
When/where: Buffets begin 11:30 a.m. at 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 844-837-2990, crystalgolfresort.com.
Restaurant Serenade, Chatham
Restaurant Serenade has been serving Thanksgiving dinner since they opened in the fall of 1996. This year — over two decades later — the fine dining restaurant continues to pull out all the stops with a hearty, indulgent three-course menu.
To start the meal, diners will have a choice between autumn classics like an apple and squash salad or pumpkin soup, or a refined dish such as yellowfin tartare with mango or short rib tortellini in a black truffle emulsion. Following that course are entrées centered around turkey (two ways), halibut, filet mignon or vegetable panache. Desserts, from apple cobbler to a rich chocolate mousse cake, round out the menu, ensuring that the meal be as decadent and luxurious as possible (for a suburb in New Jersey).
Cost: $95/adult, $50/child (10 and under). Excludes tax and gratuity.
When/where: 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 6 Roosevelt Ave., Chatham; 973-701-0303, restaurantserenade.com.
Grain House at The Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
Another buffet option, Thanksgiving at The Grain House will feature unlimited servings of "cherished classic" dishes and "exciting new culinary delights" — all served from one of North Jersey's most charming and rustic little venues. Between the wooden furniture, fireplace and red and orange tones of the dining room's interior, the restaurant is about as "fall" as they come. Its menu also generally reflects the flavors of the season, and Thanksgiving will be no exception.
Current stations planned for the buffet include Tuscan Countryside (stromboli, kielbasa, lamb sliders, grilled vegetables), Classics ("traditions" such as ham, turkey, brussel sprouts and fluffy mashed potatoes, as well as "new" autumn dishes like butternut squash mac and cheese and pesto-crusted seabass) and Chopping Block (mushroom crusted prime rib of beef). Bananas foster, mini cheesecakes, mousse, meringues and homemade pies will be served for dessert.
Cost: $78/adult, $28/child age 4-11.
When/where: 11:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. at 225 Morristown Rd., Basking Ridge; 908-221-1150, oldemillinn.com/grain-house.
Chart House, Weehawken
Interested in celebrating Turkey Day with the most dazzling view North Jersey has to offer? Chart House, which sits on the shores of the Hudson River, will be hosting two Thanksgiving Day event options — both of which overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
The first, the Grand Reception, is a three-hour buffet filled with scrumptious "holiday favorites," and is perfect for children, or those wanting the ability to move around and hover by the windows. The second event is a formal, sit-down prix-fixe menu, and is a great option for those looking for more of an upscale, relaxed dining experience.
Whichever event you select, however, you can guarantee that it'll be served with a side of photo-ops; and memories to last a lifetime.
Cost: Grand Reception: $72/adult, $32/child. Prix-fixe: $69/person for traditional turkey dinner, $75/elevated holiday meal.
When/where: Noon to 9 p.m for prix-fixe, noon to 3 p.m. for Grand Reception at 1700 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken; 201-348-6628, chart-house.com/location/chart-house-weehawken-nj.
Jashan, Parsippany
Getting Indian food on holidays in America isn't normally as pop culturally prevalent as getting Chinese, but in New Jersey — especially in Parsippany — it might be. The Garden State has a large South Asian population, and they're constantly whipping up mouthwatering buffets to rival any all-you-can-eat turkey fest. In fact, at the Indian restaurants of North Jersey? It kind of feels like Thanksgiving every day.
Now, Jashan, a fantastic restaurant known for throwing over-the-top holiday buffets, hasn't officially announced its Grand Thanksgiving Buffet yet, but given its history, we're sure the team's going to throw down with all sorts of tikkas, koftas, saags and curries. Last year, they even offered a Tandoori Turkey.
But even if they don't go buffet-style? Still go. The spot's normal menu (with creamy Chicken Korma and giant, cheesy dosas) is killer, too.
Cost: TBD (last year was approx. $30/person). If there is no buffet; a la carte.
When/where: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 252 Route 46, Parsippany; 973-521-9100, jashannj.com.
Blue Morel, Morristown
Blue Morel is known for its creative, high-end sushi and seafood, so it makes sense that their Thanksgiving buffet would include some top-tier fish. Accordingly, the meal will showcase most of the same stations as other restaurants in the area (think carving blocks, a "standards" table and endless desserts), but it will also feature an all-you-can-eat raw bar stocked full of blue point oysters, littleneck clams and peeled shrimp.
If you're not a fan of fish — but still like the finer things — however, fear not. The high-end spot also plans a charcuterie and cheese station, and a sliced-to-order sweet glazed suckling pig.
Cost: $99/person, $29/kids under 12.
When/where: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2 Whippany Rd., Morristown; 973-451-2619, bluemorel.com.
Randolph Diner, Randolph
Thanksgiving is all about family, comfort and tradition. And in New Jersey? Nothing says family, comfort and tradition like a good-old diner.
The Randolph Diner — which has become so big over the past few decades that it's practically a Morris County landmark at this point — is one of the top restaurants in the genre, so we highly suggest it for the big day. Beginning at noon, the cozy spot will offer an extensive buffet of Thanksgiving dishes and diner classics alike.
So, if you've ever been motivated to chase your turkey with some shrimp scampi and fried calamari? Now's your chance.
Cost: $44.95/adult, $19.95/child.
When/where: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 517 Route 10, Randolph; 973-328-2400, therandolphdiner.com.
Jeong Yook, Palisades Park
Korean BBQ, like Thanksgiving, involves cooking a feast with your family. The difference between the former and the latter, though, is that at a K-BBQ restaurant like Jeong Yook? You don't have to do the dishes after you're done working.
With delicious meats and accoutrements served family-style, the whole Jeong Yook experience promotes togetherness; a central theme of the famous November holiday. As you sit around the fire pit — enjoying the process of preparing your entrées yourself — you'll appreciate the company of your loved ones (and a hassle-free clean up) more than ever.
Cost: A la carte.
When/where: 11:30 a.m. to midnight; 201-585-1202, jeong-yook.club.
1776 by David Burke, Morristown
We're not sure what's more American; Thanksgiving Day, or the year 1776. It's only suitable, then, that we round out this list with a restaurant that'll give you both.
At Chef David Burke's luxurious Morristown restaurant, high-end fall fare is the name of the November 23 game. To celebrate the occasion, the convivial spot will offer a three-course dinner menu with dishes from Duck Confit to Maple Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon.
And, to make things even more American? The restaurant is located in a Top Golf Swing Suite.
So, three cheers to golf, turkey and the USA.
Cost: $95/adult, children 10 & under half price.
When/where: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 67 E Park Pl., Morristown; 973-829-1776, 1776bydb.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: These NJ restaurants are open on Thanksgiving. Reserve now
