With Thanksgiving just around the corner we bring you a few dining options and special treats for the holiday. From a classic to non-traditional dinner you’ll find something to make the holiday extra special.

Hortus NYC is perfect for those looking to venture from a traditional turkey dinner. The Korean-focused menu is the perfect choice for an unconventional Thanksgiving meal.

This year, Hortus will offer a 5-course special dinner menu for the holiday. For $85, diners will receive: The Small Royal Platter to start; a choice of two small plates; one entrée such as Galbi Marinated Steak FritesPoached Codor Abalone Softbop; and a slice of Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Add on wine pairing for $40/per person.

Hortus NYC will be serving the Thanksgiving Menu from 5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. on November 28th, 29th and 30th. Reservations can be made on Resy and OpenTable.

~~

For another non-traditional Thanksgiving dining option, look no further than ISHQ, a newly opened casual fine-dining Indian restaurant in the East Village. 

Executive Chef-Owner Vamshi Adi has created a Thanksgiving special that will showcase the rich tapestry of regional Indian cuisine  while incorporating traditional American holiday flavors.

For $79, diners may enjoy a dish for two of Hyderabadi Roasted TurkeyMandi Biryani. Hyderabadi is a style of biriyani originating from Hyderabad, India, that’s characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and distinct cooking method in which partially cooked rice is layered over the marinated raw meat.

Sides of Tomato ChutneyJalapeno SalanRoast Malai GravyChili-Onion SaladCucumber Raita and Rumali Roti will accompany the biryani, followed by a dessert of Double Ka Meetha, or Indian bread pudding.

ISHQ will be open 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving and reservations can be made via Resy.

~~

Le Tout Va Bien, a landmark restaurant in the Theater District that features traditional French bistro fare with a juxtaposition of American classics,will beserving a three-course, pre-fixe priced at $75 per person. Diners can choose from a range of six appetizers, six entrees, and five desserts.

Reservations may be booked through Resy here.

Le Tout Va Bien will be open from 12 – 9 pm on Thanksgiving Day.

~~

Celebrate Thanksgiving at HYUNa Michelin-recognized Japanese wagyu beef Korean BBQ located on the fringes of Koreatown. HYUN has refined its offerings to a single, exquisite tasting menu, the HYUN-makase, priced at $159 per person. This immersive experience provides guests with a dedicated server to guide them through each course, making it a personalized dining journey.

The HYUN-makase begins with twelve hand-selected, daily cuts of beef, expertly butchered by the chef. Expect premium options like ribeye, striploin, culotte body, and short rib, followed by a marinated Wagyu course, portioned according to party size. Diners can then enjoy an encore course featuring three of their favorite cuts, complemented by house-made sides and optional à la carte accompaniments. Round out the meal with a curated selection of international wines, signature cocktails, Japanese sake, and Korean soju, ensuring a perfect pairing for each course.

Hours of Operation for Thanksgiving weekend:  Thursday – Sunday 4:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

~~

Enjoy Thanksgiving in Bodai’s intimate dining room, New York City’s  Chinese vegetarian tasting menu concept, by Master Chef Guo Wenjun. Bodai offers a unique dining experience that harmonizes health and tranquility within his first restaurant in NYC, Chef Guo. At the heart of Bodai is a meticulously crafted nine-course tasting menu inspired by the rich heritage of Qing Palace Cuisine. This culinary journey is a labor of love, and the result of two years of dedicated research into ancient recipes. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with an elaborate place setting designed specifically for the tasting.

The menu progression features a creative blend of global ingredients presented in visually stunning and complex ways. To begin, guests can choose from four complimentary varieties of tea or opt for a carefully selected wine pairing designed to enhance each course. With a maximum of 10 guests per seating, the dining room has a semi-private feel, perfect for dining with friends and family on Thanksgiving.

Hours of Operation for Thanksgiving: Thursday – Sunday seatings at 5 and 7 p.m.

~~

New Jersey Dining:

For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City, consider Blu on the Hudson, just a scenic six-minute ferry ride from Manhattan in picturesque Weehawken, New Jersey, offers stunning views and the perfect backdrop for Thanksgiving Day photo ops.

This Thanksgiving Day Executive Chef Juan Carlos “JC” Ortega will serve a $69 three-course prix fixe menu which includes his signature-style American-Mediterranean cuisine as well as special holiday dishes. Diners can choose from a large selection of appetizersentrees such as Free-Range Turkey, House-Made Pastas, Fish and Premium Cut Steaks; and festive dessert options.

Blu on the Hudson will be open from 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and reservations, which are filling up quickly, are now being accepted via OpenTable.

~~

 Products:

New York’s iconic Li-Lac Chocolates, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2023, is beloved by generations of locals, tourists and celebrities. Its confections are handmade daily in its Brooklyn Factory using many of the original techniques and equipment from 1923.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, Li-Lac Chocolates makes for the perfect gift idea. They have a broad selection of specialty molds and gifts, now offering more than 120 items making it one of the largest selections of gourmet chocolates in the world.

A few Thanksgiving host gift options, include, but are not limited to:

To view a variety of gift boxes, baskets for any occasion and holiday items visit Li-Lac Chocolate’s website.

Store locations: Industry City/Brooklyn, Greenwich Village, Bleecker Street, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards and Grand Central Market.

Ships: via FedEx in the United States and Canada.

~~

Looking to go beyond the traditional Thanksgiving turkey? THE HYUN Premium Butcher Shop offers an exceptional alternative with its luxurious A-5 Japanese Wagyu.

As the first Japanese Wagyu butcher in the U.S. to import whole boneless cattle and butcher on-site, THE HYUN brings Michelin-worthy cuts to NYC, curated by Jae Kim, owner of HYUN Korean barbecue restaurant.

Located in Gramercy Park, the shop combines Japanese minimalism with artisanal elegance, offering vacuum-sealed Wagyu cuts with step-by-step cooking guides and local delivery.

For a perfect Thanksgiving host gift, consider their beautifully wrapped Wagyu gift sets, which come in handcrafted wooden boxes with traditional Korean wrapping.

SHARE

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY

Sandra Escobedo

Author Profile