Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Houston

1. Cleburne Cafeteria – West University

The Cleburne Cafeteria has been serving great Texan food in Houston since 1941. Take-out orders can be placed in person the day before Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. For your kids with a sweet tooth, a wide variety of fruit and meringue pies are available.

2. Landry’s Seafood – Various locations

If a more upscale Thanksgiving dinner is what you’re looking for, look no further than Landry’s. The seafood restaurant is serving up their regular menu throughout the day at some locations and has a special Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner at others. You can pick up a $149 feast-to-go at Katy, Galveston, or The Woodlands which includes all the traditional turkey and trimmings. Cost and operating hours vary by location. 

3. Buca di Beppo – The Woodlands

For a restaurant open on Thanksgiving in Houston serving a traditional meal, enjoy your turkey dinner from Buca di Beppo. The Thanksgiving Feast is available to go or you can make reservations to celebrate in-house. In addition to the special Thanksgiving meal, patrons will also be able to order regular menu items. 

 

Cracker Barrel has several locations open on Thanksgiving in Houston. Photo courtesy of Cracker Barrel.

4. Cracker Barrel – Various locations

Cracker Barrel is ready to help make your holiday a success. There are three different dining options for patrons this year: dine-in with a full, traditional Thanksgiving meal starting at 11 AM (hours and pricing vary by location), carry-out their Thanksgiving Heat ‘n’ Serve Feast (feeds 8-10), or the Family Dinner (feeds 4-6).  Turkey or ham is available for their take out meals, which conveniently can be ordered not only for Thanksgiving Day, but from November 18. Pre-order now to get a $5 or $10 gift card. You can order online ahead of time here. 

Need to pick up a pie to take to dinner with family? They’ve got you covered there, too. Choose from pecan, chocolate pecan, apple pecan streusel, or apple pie. 

 

Get a pie or a whole meal at House of Pies. Photo courtesy of House of Pies, a local restaurant open on Thanksgiving.

5. House of Pies – Various locations

This Houston landmark establishment will be serving up their home-style cooking for the entire day on Thanksgiving. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites will be available all day, as well as a variety of their Houston-famous pies and cakes. Seating is first-come, first-served on Thanksgiving day. Pies cannot be ordered in advance for Thanksgiving week.

 

The famous Thanksgiving buffet, photo courtesy of The Aquarium

6. The Aquarium – Downtown and Kemah

The Aquarium will be serving up a fabulous buffet of Thanksgiving treats. Enjoy your Thanksgiving feast and keep the kids entertained with the beautiful tanks. Reservations are required.  

 

Want to pick up a Thanksgiving dinner to go? Luby’s has you covered. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

7. Luby’s – Various locations

Whether you’re dining in or simply want to pick up a Thanksgiving dinner to go, Luby’s has you covered at an affordable price. A traditional Thanksgiving meal including carved turkey and cornbread dressing, 2 sides, a dinner roll, and a dessert is available for $13.99 per person.

Looking to feed a crowd? Luby’s has you covered there, too, with Thanksgiving feasts to go, including traditional roast turkey, fried turkey, and spiral ham. They even have easy-to-follow reheating instructions for your to go orders. Pricing for the different Thanksgiving feast options can be found here.

8. Waffle House – Various locations

Choose from a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at Waffle House – which is open on Thanksgiving in Houston! Their kid’s menu includes options such as cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, eggs, and (of course) waffles; sure to please any kid on Thanksgiving. 

9. Denny’s – Various locations

For an affordable, family-friendly meal, head to Denny’s this Thanksgiving, where you can dine on popular favorites and seasonal treats. The restaurant features special, seasonal-inspired plates for a limited time and the ever-favorite pumpkin and pecan pies. With 27 restaurants in Houston, you’re sure to find one near you.

 

Photo courtesy of Babin’s Seafood House

10. Babin’s Seafood House – Katy and The Woodlands

Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at Babin’s Seafood House this year. Their Thanksgiving day specials can be enjoyed in-house. To-go packages with turkey, ham, and all the trimmings are also available for 4–24 people. Reservations are recommended.

11. Katz’s Deli – Various locations

Katz’s never closes…even on Thanksgiving! Houston’s four Katz’s locations will be open for Thanksgiving Day, offering a full menu of all of their New York-style deli favorites. Kids’ options include staples like cheeseburgers, spaghetti and meatballs, and cheese pizza. 

12. IHOP – Various locations

Not interested in a full Thanksgiving meal, but still want to get out of the house? Head to IHOP, an affordable and casual restaurant open on Thanksgiving in Houston, where you can enjoy your regular menu item favorites all day long, including seasonal favorites such as pumpkin pancakes. The kid’s menu has a range of options at affordable prices, including chicken and waffles for $6.49.

13. Boston Market – Various locations

The holiday experts at Boston Market are preparing a wide variety of tasty turkey, rib, chicken, and ham meals for you this year. From in-person dining to chilled Thanksgiving packs and hot catering packs, you can have the dinner made to suit you. You can place a delivery or order for pick up here. Holiday hours vary by location.

 

Roll a mini-vacation into Thanksgiving by heading to Moody Gardens. Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston.

14. The Moody Gardens Hotel – Galveston

Enjoy an extensive range of holiday dining with the family without having to worry about cooking and tidying up, with two fantastic dining options in the Hotel Ballroom or Garden Restaurant. After the festive food, you can explore the holiday attractions, including the Festival of Lights, 3D holiday movies, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, Arctic Slide, and train rides. Discover our guide for some of the best activities in Moody Gardens.

 

You can order off the regular menu if you want steak instead of turkey. Photo courtesy of Saltgrass Steakhouse

15. Saltgrass Steakhouse – Various locations

Looking for a great steak to enjoy this Thanksgiving? Look no further than Saltgrass Steakhouse. As well as a turkey dinner, they’ll be serving their regular menu on Thanksgiving day with options that include burgers, seafood, salads, tasty appetizers, and (of course) steak. You can also enjoy a slice of their seasonal pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Their to-go pack for a family of four includes Roasted Turkey Breast, Dressing, Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Salad, and Bread. Reservations recommended.

The legendary sign of Dot Coffee Shop in Houston- photo courtesy of the diner

16. Dot Coffee Shop – Downtown

This legendary south Houston diner traditionally offers a Thanksgiving day meal around the clock. Stop in for turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and a slice of their traditional pecan or apple pies.

17. South Shore Harbour Resort – League City

In 2023, South Shore Harbour Resort offers a Thanksgiving meal to go for 5-7 for $140, with pick up the day before.

 

Pumpkin Praline Pie photo courtesy of Maggiano’s

18. Maggiano’s – Various locations

Why not try out an Italian-American-style Thanksgiving this year when celebrating with your family at Maggiano’s? Enjoy a 3-course meal including ham, turkey, or fish entrees. Desserts include a delicious-sounding pumpkin-praline cheesecake. Reservations are recommended. 

19. Fogo de Chao – Various locations

The full Churrasco experience dinner is available all day to all patrons on Thanksgiving day. The amazing salad bar and unlimited meat are sure to please all the hungry family members. To-go orders are also available. Reservations are recommended. 

20. Fleming’s Steakhouse – Various locations

The upmarket Thanksgiving Day menu at Fleming’s Steakhouse features a three-course meal option with either an herb-roasted turkey or filet mignon main course as well as sides and dessert. A Thanksgiving children’s menu is also available. Opening at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Fleming’s will also serve their full menu in addition to its Thanksgiving specials all day. Reservations are recommended.

 

Photo courtesy of B&B Butchers, a restaurant open on Thanksgiving in Houston

21. B&B Butchers – Washington

You know your turkey will be a quality bird when you dine at this restaurant with a traditional butcher’s shop. In 2023, they are offering a fixed price menu of $90 for adults and $35 for children 11 and under. The menu has 3 courses with the entree choice of prime rib or turkey, and sides including corn souffle and the traditional yams with marshmallows. The meal also includes complimentary hot apple cider and pumpkin cookies to take home afterward. Reservations are recommended. 

22. Golden Corral – Various locations

A combination of Thanksgiving favorites and regular menu items makes this popular buffet an easy choice when you’re looking to please a variety of taste buds. Added bonus: the laid-back atmosphere is perfect for kids who have energy to burn. If you want to eat at home, they have some great to-go packages. 

23. Trattoria Sofia – The Heights

Trattoria Sofia is offering a prix-fixe menu for Thanksgiving Day, with a fresh Italian twist, on November 23, priced at $65 for adults and $25 for children 11 and under.  Reservations are available from 11 am to 9 pm. This Heights hotspot features a charming dining room and a covered & climate-controlled terrace.