More places to dine out in Indy for Thanksgiving

Many Indy restaurants close their doors for the Thanksgiving holiday, but for those that choose to stay open on Nov. 26, it’s one of the busiest days of the year.

Some offer special menus of traditional foods such as turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce; others stick with their regular offerings. Some evoke the feel of a Thanksgiving at home with family-style or buffet meals, while others serve by the plate.

No matter what your feelings about Thanksgiving may be, there are plenty of options to spend the holiday well fed and surrounded by others who are equally thankful for our city’s rich culinary scene.

1913 Restaurant at Omni Severin Hotel

40 W. Jackson Place, (317) 396-3623, 1913restaurant.com

The upscale Thanksgiving buffet takes place in the Omni Severin Hotel’s ballroom, with seatings every half hour from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and if past years are any indication, they fill up fast. The buffet will feature appetizers such as bacon-wrapped stuffed dates and vegetable crudité; a pumpkin and white bean bisque; and farro salad with beets and goat cheese. The carving table will feature roasted turkey, maple bourbon ham and smoked sirloin, complemented by a selection of smoked and cured meats, seafood and cheeses and an array of traditional sides like whipped potatoes, green beans and sweet potato casserole. The buffet costs $45 for adults, $37 for seniors, $21 for children 6-12 and free for kids 5 and younger. (The restaurant will also be open that day with its regular breakfast buffet and a la carte menu.)

Market Buffet at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino

4300 N. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, (877) 386-4463

No reservations are needed for the Thanksgiving buffet at Indiana Grand's Market Buffet. It's open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving day and is $23.95 per person. Pile your plate with rosemary crusted turkey, brown sugar-bourbon glazed ham, peel-and-eat shrimp, broccoli slaw, Cajun fried turkey with lobster cornbread stuffing, caramel apple pie, pumpkin bread pudding and more.

Prime Harvest Buffet and VooDoo BBQ at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

4500 Dan Patch Circle, Anderson, (765) 642-7223

Prime Harvest Buffet will be serving from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and its neighbor, VooDoo BBQ & Grill, is taking orders for whole smoked turkeys to take home. The Thanksgiving Buffet includes roasted turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, as well as smoked ham, country smoked sausage, rosemary crusted prime rib, steamed Alaskan snow crab and an array of decadent desserts. VooDoo's pre-ordered turkeys can be picked up Wednesday, Nov. 25, or Thursday, Nov. 26. Order it solo for $34.95, with sides for six people for $59.99 or with sides for 12 people for $79.99. Call the restaurant directly at (765) 609-4758 to place an order.

Circle City Bar and Grille at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

350 Maryland St., (317) 405-6100, indymariott.com/dining/ccbg

There's still plenty of space left at the Thanksgiving table at Circle City Bar and Grille at the Downtown Marriott. The restaurant is open 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with its regular breakfast menu from 6:30 to 11 a.m. and a special Thanksgiving menu 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For the first course, diners choose between a creamy sweet potato carrot soup or an autumn grain salad with figs, walnuts, prosciutto and goat cheese. The main course is slow roasted turkey with traditional giblet gravy and cornbread, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans with caramelized onions and bacon. Pumpkin pie is for dessert. The meal is $23 for adults and $12 for kids, and valet parking is included.

Amber Indian

12510 N. Meridian St., Carmel, (317) 580-0828, amberindianrestaurant.com

Amber Indian will be open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. serving its regular lunch buffet, with no reservations necessary. Offerings include a variety of Indian vegetable, chicken and lamb dishes for those who aren’t in the mood for the usual Thanksgiving turkey. So, go ahead: swap the mashed potatoes and rolls for rice and naan, and have yourself a non-traditional holiday.

Binford Cafe

6404 Rucker Road, (317) 466-9631

This cozy diner on the Northeastside is about as close to a home-cooked meal as you’ll get away from your own kitchen. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the local favorite will serve a traditional turkey dinner for $6.95 that includes dressing, mashed potatoes, noodles, cranberry sauce and bread. The regular breakfast menu will be available as well.

Buca di Beppo

6045 E. 86th St., Castleton Square, (317) 842-8666; 35 N. Illinois St., Downtown, (317) 632-2822; 659 U.S. 31, Greenwood, (317) 884-2822; bucadibeppo.com

For a family-style Thanksgiving feast away from home, bring the clan to any of Buca di Beppo’s three area locations. They’ll each be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with reservations required for groups larger than eight. The turkey dinner includes white meat turkey with gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. There will also be a limited selection of pastas available from the regular menu, like spaghetti marinara and fettuccine alfredo. If you’d rather eat at home but don’t want to cook, there’s a carryout Thanksgiving feast you can call in at least an hour in advance.

Capital Grille at Conrad Hotel

50 W. Washington St., (317) 423-8790, thecapitalgrille.com

Another of the more upscale options on our list, Capital Grille’s Thanksgiving meal is served a la carte from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant will also be open from 6:30 a.m. that day serving its regular breakfast menu. The Thanksgiving meal is turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans with almonds, cranberry-pear chutney and mashed potatoes, finished off with pumpkin cheesecake. It’s $36 a plate for adults and $15 for children. The regular menu will be available that day as well, and you have the option of ordering the pumpkin cheesecake on its own for $10. Reservations may be made by calling the restaurant or on Opentable.com, but they go fast. Groups larger than 10 should call.

Chef Mike’s Charcoal Grill

7102 Woodland Dr., (317) 295-9490, chefmikescharcoalgrill.com

This neighborhood grill will serve a Thanksgiving brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The spread will include carved-to-order roast turkey and baked ham with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, grilled salmon, pasta salad and homemade desserts. The buffet is $19.99 for adults, $10.99 for kids 6-12 and 99 cents for children 5 and under. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by photo or on OpenTable.com.

Claddagh Irish Pub

2539 Futura Parkway, Plainfield, (317) 838-9917; 3835 E. 96th St., Northside, (317) 569-3663; claddaghirishpubs.com

The Northside and Plainfield locations of Claddagh Irish Pub will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving a limited menu of Thanksgiving entrees and a Thanksgiving buffet 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Selections for both the buffet and a la carte dining include a traditional Irish entree, baked ham, roast turkey with stuffing or 8-oz. prime rib, served with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and Irish soda bread. For dessert, choose from pumpkin or pecan pie with whipped cream. The Downtown location (234 S Meridian St.) will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving its regular menu.

Fogo de Chao

117 E. Washington St., (317) 638-4000, fogodechao.com

Put a Southern Brazilian twist on your Thanksgiving feast at this Downtown staple. Fogo de Chao will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a selection of Thanksgiving dishes like roasted turkey breast, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, in addition to its regular menu of fire-roasted Churrasco meats. Brazilian sides like polenta and farofa will also be part of the spread. The menu is $49.95 per person all day, with half-price for children 7 to 12 and free for kids under 6.

Gray Brothers Cafeteria

555 S. Indiana St., Mooresville; (317) 834-0285, graybroscafe.com

For those with more sweet tooth than baking skill, carryout pies from this longtime Mooresville establishment are available starting at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving and on the day before. The restaurant will serve Thanksgiving classics 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in its usual cafeteria-style line. Options include roast beef, turkey with dressing, pork ribeye with apples and sweet potatoes, chicken and noodles, fried chicken, chicken tenders, ham and meatloaf. The selection of sides includes green beans, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, corn, beets, Brussels sprouts, spinach casserole, broccoli and cauliflower. The busiest time is from 1 to 4 p.m., so plan to come early for the shortest line and best selection.

Henry's Pub and Grill

14159 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel; (317) 575-9005; henryspubandgrill.com

Reservations or walk-ins are welcome at this Carmel pub. It’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving a Thanksgiving special of oven-roasted turkey with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and sage stuffing. The regular menu will also be available. For dessert, treat yourself to pumpkin pie, house-made ice cream sandwiches and peach crisp.

Kimu Restaurant

1280 U.S. 31 North, Greenwood, (317) 893-2221

If you’re looking for some international flavor but Indian isn’t your thing, give Burmese food a try at Kima Restaurant. It’s open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the regular menu, though it may close early if not busy so be sure to call ahead. Burmese food is influenced by Chinese and Thai cuisine, so look for dishes like pho, noodle stir-fry and curry. Patrons rave about the Burmese hot sweet tea.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

3550 E. 86th St., (317) 814-0700, maggianos.com

Maggiano’s will be open 11 a.m to 7 p.m. with a four-course Thanksgiving meal served family-style. Start with a platter of bruschetta, and two salads to share — house, Caesar, chopped or Italian. For the main course, the table will share two meats (roast turkey, baked ham or Parmesan-crusted tilapia), two sides (creamed corn, sweet potatoes, garlic potatoes, creamed spinach or focaccia sausage stuffing) and two pastas (baked ziti, rigatoni, spaghetti and meatballs, cheese ravioli, gnocchi with Italian sausage or butternut squash pasta of the day). Finish it off with pumpkin praline cheesecake, warm apple crostata, chocolate zuccotto cake or tiramisu (choose two of those as well). The meal costs $39.95 for adults, and $17.95 for children 5-12. Reservations are strongly recommended, but the bar does have open seating if you’re with a small party and need a last-minute option.

Market Table at the Alexander

333 S. Delaware St., 317-624-8222, thealexander.com/dining/market.asp

Located in CityWay’s stylish boutique hotel The Alexander, Market Table is already well known for its brunch buffet. The Thanksgiving brunch buffet will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the last reservation seating at 2 p.m. They’re filling up fast, so your best bets are to come early or late. The cold bar will have an assortment of salads, toppings, local farmhouse cheeses, quinoa salad and charcuteries. The sauté station will feature roasted pumpkin gnocchi, seafood paella and saffron risotto. There will also be a carving station for turkey and lamb, as well as an array of smoked short rib, duck confit, sea bass, fall vegetable lasagna, Brussels sprouts with lamb bacon, roasted sweet potatoes and smoked gouda mashed potatoes. For dessert, take your pick of 16 flavors of gelato, cake pops, pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie. Cost is $36 for adults, $17 for kids 5-12, free for kids under 5, and a 10% discount for seniors.

Matt the Miller’s Tavern

11 W. City Center Dr., Carmel, (317) 805-1860, mtmtavern.com

The Thanksgiving buffet at this Carmel tavern will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stack your plate with turkey and prime rib from the carving station, complemented by traditional sides like mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry relish, green beans and sweet corn casserole. Other options include shrimp cocktail, salads, rolls and flatbreads, and a chef’s pasta dish. For dessert, choose pumpkin or pecan pie. The buffet costs $29.95 for adults, $10.95 for kids 5-10, and free for kids 4 and under.

McCormick & Schmick's

110 N Illinois St., (317) 631-9500, mccormickandschmicks.com

This Downtown favorite for seafood and steak will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and still has plenty of spots available for reservations. In addition to the regular menu, it will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal for $25 for adults and $9.99 for children 12 and younger. The meal starts with your choice of squash bisque or walnut mixed green salad, and the turkey is accompanied by mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread stuffing, seasonal vegetables, apple squash casserole and cranberry sauce. You can add pumpkin pie for an extra $2.99.

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard

4050 Dandy Trail, (317) 290-9300, rickscafeboatyard.com

Perched on Eagle Creek Reservoir, Rick’s Cafe Boatyard serves a seafood-focused menu with a beautiful lake view. The full menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, along with a special turkey dinner. The turkey comes with mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread and pumpkin pie. It’s $23 for adults, $10 for children 10 and younger. Reservations aren’t required, but they’re still a good idea if you’re bringing a big group.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

45 S. Illinois St., (317) 633-1313; 2727 E. 86th St., (317) 844-1155; ruthschrisindy.com

The Downtown location of Ruth’s Chris will be open noon to 7 p.m., with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for $34.95 per plate for adults and $10.95 per plate for children 12 and under. The roasted turkey is served with giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, sausage and herb stuffing and cranberry relish, with chicken and andouille gumbo or mixed green salad to start. For dessert, choose pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie a la mode. There will be no regular menu that day at the Downtown location. The Northside location will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will have its regular menu, as well as the Thanksgiving dinner option. Reservations are required for both locations.

Ted's Montana Grill

5910 W. 86th St., (317) 875-8337; 14490 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, (317) 569-8300; tedsmontanagrill.com

Though Ted’s Montana Grill does have a regular turkey dinner on Sundays, the one for Thanksgiving is something special. For $25 a person, the Thanksgiving turkey feast includes a side salad or cup of soup or chili, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, herb dressing, buttered carrots, squash casserole and cranberry sauce, with apple pecan crisp for dessert. Otherwise the regular menu is limited, though most of the favorites will be there. Appetizers include crab cakes, bison nachos and chili. Entrees include bison pot roast or meatloaf, cedar plank salmon, ribeye and burgers, to name a few. The full Thanksgiving Day menu is available at the restaurant’s website. Hours for both locations will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Szechwan Garden

3649 Lafayette Road, (317) 328-2888, szechwangardenonline.com

Chinese food is a longstanding tradition for some families on holidays when most restaurants are closed. Szechwan Garden is a popular local spot, offering Cantonese and Szechuan styles of Chinese cuisine. It's open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving, with the a la carte menu available in the morning and the weekend dim sum cart in the afternoon. Reservations aren’t required, but it gets busy for the holiday so it’s a good idea to call ahead anyway.

Weber Grill

10 N. Illinois St., (317) 636-7600, webergrillrestaurant.com

According to one manager we spoke with, Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for Weber Grill but there are still a few openings for small parties. It will be open noon to 8 p.m. with the regular dinner menu as well as a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $29.95 per adult and $10.95 per child 10 and under. Starters include roasted butternut squash soup or a choice of salads. The main course of grill-roasted smoked turkey comes with grilled sausage stuffing, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, with your choice of potatoes (garlic mashed potatoes or whipped sweet potatoes) and vegetables (grilled asparagus or Brussels sprouts). For dessert, choose pumpkin pie or chocolate espresso pie. Spiced cider sangria is also available by the glass or pitcher at extra cost.