The short answer
The restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2026 (Thursday, November 26) include Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Waffle House, IHOP and Shoney’s for a casual meal, plus The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Seasons 52 and Yard House for a sit-down dinner. However, Chick-fil-A shuts every US restaurant for the day, and franchise hours vary, so call your local restaurant before you drive over.
- Open around the clock: Waffle House runs normal 24-hour hours, and most Denny’s restaurants stay open 24 hours.
- Cracker Barrel: the Thanksgiving meal starts at 11 a.m. local time, and the Heat n’ Serve Turkey Feast is typically $189.99 for 8 to 10 people.
- Closed: Chick-fil-A, at every US location.
- Cheapest cook-at-home deals: Walmart’s basket is $35 for 10, Aldi’s meal is under $39 for 10, and Target’s meal is $30 for six.
- Not confirmed for 2026: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Golden Corral and Bob Evans had not posted Thanksgiving Day hours as of November 13, 2026.
Nov 26
Thanksgiving Day 2026
11 a.m.
Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving meal starts
24 hrs
Waffle House and most Denny’s
$35
Walmart meal basket for 10
In this article
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving make the holiday easier for anyone who is traveling, working a shift, hosting a small group, or simply not in the mood to roast a turkey. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, and most national chains have now shared their plans. So this guide lists who is open, who is closed, and who has not said anything yet, with the source for every row.
We also cover Cracker Barrel’s dine-in meal and Heat n’ Serve prices, plus the 2026 grocery meal deals from Walmart, Aldi and Target for families who would rather cook. Every fact comes from the chain’s own announcement or a 2026 news report, and we checked each one on November 13, 2026.
Which Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving 2026?
At least 10 national chains have confirmed they will open on Thanksgiving Day 2026, according to Food Network’s roundup published November 3, 2026. The list runs from 24-hour diners such as Waffle House and Denny’s to steakhouses such as Ruth’s Chris and The Capital Grille. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A remains the best-known chain that shuts for the day.
A franchise, in this case, is a restaurant that a local owner runs under the chain’s name, and that owner usually sets holiday hours. As a result, the national “open” status tells you the chain’s plan, not a promise for your corner location.
| Restaurant | Thanksgiving 2026 status | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracker Barrel | Open | Traditional Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. local time; Country Fried Turkey returns; online wait list | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Denny’s | Open (most locations 24 hours) | Turkey & Dressing meal; pumpkin and pecan pies by the slice or whole | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Waffle House | Open 24 hours | Same hours as a regular day; no special holiday menu announced | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| IHOP | Open | A spokesperson confirmed it will open; hours vary by location | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Shoney’s | Many, not all, locations open | Thanksgiving Feast with turkey, gravy and sides, plus a free slice of pumpkin pie, 11 a.m. to close | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| The Capital Grille | Open | Chef-prepared turkey dinner plus the full menu all day; sides to go | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Eddie V’s | Open | Thanksgiving menu from $52 for adults and $20 for children; some locations open early for lunch | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | Open | Three-course Thanksgiving meal; meals to go with pre-ordering | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Seasons 52 | Open | Traditional turkey dinner; to-go box for four to six people | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Yard House | Open | Thanksgiving plate with roasted or Nashville Hot fried turkey at select locations | Food Network, Nov 3, 2026 |
| Maggiano’s Little Italy | Hot carryout pickup on Thanksgiving Day | Hot carryout bundle for four to five at $220; order 24 hours ahead | FOX 29, Nov 5, 2026 |
| Chick-fil-A | Closed | All US restaurants shut for the day; order catering before the holiday instead | Chick-fil-A website |
| McDonald’s | Not confirmed for 2026 | Franchise owners set hours; check the app | No 2026 announcement found |
| Starbucks | Not confirmed for 2026 | Check the store locator in the app | No 2026 announcement found |
| Dunkin’ | Not confirmed for 2026 | Check the store locator in the app | No 2026 announcement found |
| Golden Corral | Not confirmed for 2026 | Has opened on past Thanksgivings, but no 2026 hours yet | No 2026 announcement found |
| Bob Evans | Not confirmed for 2026 | 2026 Farmhouse Feast to-go prices are out; Thanksgiving Day dining hours are not | FOX 29, Nov 5, 2026 (to-go prices only) |
Watch out. Even when a chain says it will open, individual franchise owners can close early or skip the day entirely. So call the exact restaurant, or check its page in the chain’s app, before you plan your meal around it.
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving for a sit-down dinner
If you want a full turkey dinner with someone else doing the dishes, the steakhouse and upscale chains are your best bet. For example, Eddie V’s, an upscale seafood and steak chain, lists a Thanksgiving menu that starts at $52 for adults and $20 for children, and its regular menu stays available. Similarly, Ruth’s Chris Steak House offers a three-course meal with soup or salad, sliced turkey breast, a side and pumpkin cheesecake.
Meanwhile, Seasons 52, a seasonal grill chain, serves oven-roasted turkey with cranberry relish and mashed sweet potatoes. Book early if the restaurant takes reservations, because holiday tables are limited, and remember that prices vary by location.
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving for a quick, cheap meal
For a fast, low-cost meal, Waffle House and Denny’s are the most dependable choices. Waffle House keeps its normal 24-hour schedule on Thanksgiving, and Food Network notes that the holiday is one of its busiest days. Also, most Denny’s restaurants stay open 24 hours and serve a Turkey & Dressing plate through January 12.
IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, also confirmed it will open, although hours vary by location. Shoney’s, a Southern family-dining chain, says many but not all locations will serve a Thanksgiving Feast from 11 a.m. until close, and diners get a free slice of pumpkin pie.
Is Cracker Barrel Open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes. Cracker Barrel, the Southern-style restaurant and country store chain, will serve its traditional Thanksgiving meal starting at 11 a.m. local time on November 26, 2026. In addition, the Country Fried Turkey meal is back, and Cracker Barrel suggests using its online wait list and Pay & Go to cut the wait, according to Food Network.
Cracker Barrel has not published a single national closing time, so check your local store’s hours on its website or app. Also, expect long waits at midday, because Cracker Barrel is one of the most popular restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving Heat n’ Serve meals and prices
If you would rather eat at home, Cracker Barrel’s Heat n’ Serve meals are ready to eat in two hours or less. According to Cracker Barrel’s October 20, 2026 holiday announcement, pickup runs from November 21 through November 29, and you can pre-order now on the website or in the app.
| Meal | Typical price | Feeds | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Family Dinner | $119.99 | 4 to 6 | One oven-roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet rolls |
| Turkey Feast | $189.99 | 8 to 10 | Two turkey breasts, sweet potato casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet rolls, pumpkin pie and pecan pie |
| Holiday pie | $14.49 | One pie | Pumpkin, pecan, chocolate pecan or cinnamon roll |
So the Turkey Feast works out to roughly $19 to $24 per person, while the Family Dinner works out to about $20 to $30 per person, based on our own division of the typical prices. Because Cracker Barrel says prices may vary by location, check the final total in the app before you pay.
Pro tip. If you plan to pick up a Heat n’ Serve meal on Wednesday, November 25, order a few days ahead, because pickup times close to the holiday can fill up. For a side-by-side look at Costco, Sam’s Club and other prepared dinners, see our Thanksgiving dinner to go guide.
Which Restaurants Are Closed on Thanksgiving?
Chick-fil-A is the biggest chain that closes on Thanksgiving. Chick-fil-A’s customer support page says all US Chick-fil-A restaurants shut for the day so that restaurant teams can spend time with family and friends. Instead, the company suggests ordering catering and scheduling pickup or delivery before the holiday.
Beyond Chick-fil-A, many independent restaurants and local cafes close for the day. Meanwhile, several big fast-food brands, including McDonald’s, Starbucks and Dunkin’, had not posted 2026 Thanksgiving hours as of November 13, 2026. Because local owners run most of those locations, the answer can change from one street to the next.
Is Fast Food Open on Thanksgiving Day?
Some fast food is open on Thanksgiving Day, but the hours depend on the local owner rather than the brand. Waffle House and most Denny’s restaurants run 24 hours, while McDonald’s, Starbucks and Dunkin’ have not confirmed 2026 hours.
So if you need breakfast on the road or a late-night bite, check the chain’s app first, because a store locator may show special holiday hours. Then call the restaurant if the app shows normal hours, since some owners do not update the listing.
- Most reliable: Waffle House (24 hours) and Denny’s (most locations 24 hours).
- Likely but unconfirmed: McDonald’s, Starbucks and Dunkin’, which depend on franchise owners.
- Closed: Chick-fil-A at every US location.
Walmart, Aldi and Target Thanksgiving Meal Deals 2026
If you plan to cook, the 2026 grocery meal deals cost far less than any restaurant. Walmart’s basket costs $35 for 10 people, Aldi’s meal costs under $39 for 10, and Target’s meal costs $30 for six, according to each retailer’s own announcement.
| Retailer | Price | Feeds | Turkey | Price valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $35 (about $3.50 a person) | 10 | Butterball, 10 to 16 lb | Oct 28 to Dec 24, 2026 |
| Aldi | Under $39 (under $4 a person) | 10 | Farmer’s Choice, 16 lb | Oct 14 to Nov 25, 2026 |
| Target | $30 (about $5 a person) | 6 | Butterball, up to 10 lb | Nov 8 to Nov 29, 2026 |
| Lidl | $35.86 | Up to 10 | 14 lb frozen | Nov 11 to Nov 25, 2026; needs Lidl Plus app |
Walmart Thanksgiving meal
The Walmart Thanksgiving meal basket costs $35 and feeds 10, which Walmart’s October 28, 2026 announcement calls the lowest-priced basket in the program’s history. The basket holds 26 items, including a Butterball frozen turkey priced at $0.97 per pound, Stove Top stuffing, cranberries, russet potatoes, gravy mix, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole ingredients, corn casserole ingredients, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie ingredients.
However, the offer excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin. You can buy it in stores or with one click at Walmart.com/HolidaySavingsBasket, and pickup or delivery fees of $0 to $19.95 may apply.
Aldi Thanksgiving meal
Aldi’s 2026 Thanksgiving meal costs under $39 and feeds 10, with no coupons, loyalty cards or memberships needed. The bundle includes a 16-pound Farmer’s Choice turkey, three boxes of stuffing, three pounds of sweet potatoes, Hawaiian sweet rolls, fresh cranberries, frozen peas, a carrot and celery tray, pumpkin pie mix, pie crusts, heavy whipping cream and whole milk.
Look for the small turkey icon on shelf tags in the store. Also note that Aldi prices these items only through November 25, so finish shopping by Wednesday.
Target Thanksgiving meal
Target’s 2026 Thanksgiving meal costs $30 before tax and feeds six, running November 8 through November 29 everywhere except Alaska and Hawaii. It includes a Butterball turkey of up to 10 pounds, a 3-pound bag of russet potatoes, jellied cranberry sauce, two cans of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, Stove Top stuffing, turkey gravy and two take-and-bake baguettes.
Target’s meal suits a smaller table, while Walmart and Aldi fit a crowd of 10. For turkey prices by the pound at each store, see our turkey prices guide.
How to Find Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Near Me
The fastest way to find restaurants open on Thanksgiving near you is to check the chain’s own app, then call the restaurant to confirm. Map apps help too, but owners do not always update holiday hours there.
- Pick two or three chains from the table above that have a location near you.
- Open each chain’s app or store locator and look for a holiday-hours note for November 26.
- Call the restaurant directly, because franchise owners can change hours late.
- Book a table or join the online wait list if the restaurant offers one, as Cracker Barrel does.
- Have a backup, such as a 24-hour Waffle House or Denny’s, in case your first choice fills up.
Also, plan around the day’s big events. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade runs in the morning, and the Thanksgiving football schedule fills the afternoon and evening, so a late lunch around 2 p.m. often means a shorter wait.
Is Eating Out on Thanksgiving Worth It?
Eating out on Thanksgiving makes the most sense for small groups, travelers and anyone working the holiday. By contrast, a grocery meal deal costs far less for a group of eight or more, while a Heat n’ Serve meal sits in the middle.
- Best for one to four people: a restaurant open on Thanksgiving, such as Cracker Barrel or Denny’s, because you skip buying a whole turkey.
- Best for a crowd on a budget: Walmart’s $35 basket or Aldi’s under-$39 meal, if someone is happy to cook.
- Best for hosts who hate cooking: Cracker Barrel’s $189.99 Turkey Feast for 8 to 10, which you only reheat.
- Skip dining out if: you have a large family, a tight budget, or kids who will not sit through a long holiday wait.
Our verdict
If you want a guaranteed meal out on November 26, go to Waffle House or Denny’s for something quick, or Cracker Barrel for a classic turkey plate from 11 a.m. For a nicer dinner, book The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s, Ruth’s Chris or Seasons 52 now, because tables go fast.
Meanwhile, if you would rather eat at home, Walmart’s $35 basket is the best value for 10 people, and Target’s $30 meal suits a smaller table. Whatever you pick, call your local restaurant first, since franchise hours can change right up to the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2026, which falls on Thursday, November 26, include Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Waffle House, IHOP, Shoney’s at many locations, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Seasons 52 and Yard House, according to Food Network’s November 3, 2026 roundup. Hours vary by location, so call your local restaurant before you go.
Is Cracker Barrel open on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. Cracker Barrel serves its traditional Thanksgiving meal starting at 11 a.m. local time on November 26, 2026, and it suggests joining the online wait list. For eating at home, the Heat n’ Serve Turkey Family Dinner is typically 119.99 dollars for 4 to 6 people, and the Turkey Feast is typically 189.99 dollars for 8 to 10, with pickup November 21 to 29.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Thanksgiving?
No. Chick-fil-A says all US Chick-fil-A restaurants close on Thanksgiving so that restaurant teams can spend the day with family and friends. If you want Chick-fil-A for the holiday, the company suggests ordering catering and scheduling pickup or delivery before Thanksgiving Day. Catering menus and availability vary by location.
Is McDonald’s open on Thanksgiving Day?
McDonald’s has not announced 2026 Thanksgiving hours as of November 13, 2026. Most McDonald’s restaurants belong to franchise owners who set their own holiday hours, so one location may open while the next one stays shut. Check the McDonald’s app or call the restaurant, and expect shorter hours if it does open.
How much is the Walmart Thanksgiving meal in 2026?
The Walmart Thanksgiving meal basket costs 35 dollars in 2026 and feeds 10 people, about 3.50 dollars per person, according to Walmart. It has 26 items, including a Butterball turkey of 10 to 16 pounds, stuffing, potatoes, green bean casserole items and pumpkin pie ingredients. The price runs through December 24, but it excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin.
What is in the Aldi Thanksgiving meal this year?
The 2026 Aldi Thanksgiving meal costs under 39 dollars and feeds 10. It includes a 16-pound turkey, three boxes of stuffing, sweet potatoes, Hawaiian sweet rolls, fresh cranberries, frozen peas, carrots and celery, plus pumpkin pie mix, pie crusts, whipping cream and milk. Aldi prices the items through November 25, the day before Thanksgiving.
