The idea of a homecooked, scratch-made Thanksgiving meal is quintessential. Is it essential? Absolutely not.
We live in a world where life gets busy, and not everyone feels like a pro-home chef. We also live in an area where plenty of restaurants offer takeout and sit-down meals, inviting you to make like a chicken, buck tradition and flock to your favorite local eatery for a turkey cooked by someone else.
You can even take the whole non-traditional thing a step further and order something other than turkey as your main course. It sure beats swallowing humble pie and calling for pizza at the last minute because the bird you didn’t want to cook (or eat) is burnt to an (apple) crisp. Speaking of which, traditional and creative desserts are also on the Turkey Day menu at many of these Hamptons restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals in-house or to-go.
Quick shout out to chef Rémy Ertaud, pastry chef extraordinaire at Maison Ertaud, who is making his own riffs on classic pies, cakes and sweet treats for the Thanksgiving holiday. Orders must be placed by Sunday, Nov. 24, at 10 p.m. and 15% of all sales will be donated to ARF Hamptons. Now ain’t that sweet?
L&W Market, 2493 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-1123
Takeout or sit down: Takeout
A Hamptons mainstay loved for its fresh-as-they-come food as a Thanksgiving menu for hors s’oeuvres and appetizers, mains and dessert, too. Think a cheeseboard with dried fruit and a lobster pumpkin bisque that blends the Hamptons’ seafaring legacy with seasonal tastes. A brined, butter and trussed free-range turkey comes in medium (12-14 lbs.) or large (18-20 lbs.), and fixings include cranberry sauce, Almond (their big sister resto operation) mac n’ cheese and stuffing. Orders must be placed online by Monday, Nov. 25. Pick-up is available on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. and Thanksgiving morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Sydney’s Taylor Made Cuisine, 32 Mill Road A, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-4722
Takeout or sit down: Takeout
Sydney’s Thanksgiving menu has a daring entrée section. Sure, the bird of the hour is on it — so is glazed country ham, pan-roasted chicken, salmon, lamb, and other non-traditional options, with sides like the cranberry wild rice stuffing, a tangy, savory win. Ordering began Nov. 1, and you can place yours by emailing [email protected].
Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, 239 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-763-6300
Takeout or sit down: Sit down
Live music from the Ken Fowser Trio, featuring Leandro Pellegrino, will be an appetizing side dish to this Thanksgiving dinner at Canoe Place Inn & Cottages’ Good Ground Tavern. A slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing and natural gravy is one of three entrée choices (salmon and grilled sirloin are the others). Guests will continue to request that people pass family-style sides like caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon and whipped mashed potatoes. The dinner runs from 1 to 7 p.m. and costs $115 per person, with live music starting at 5 p.m.
The Cookery, 83 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, 631-604-6317
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
Cynthia Sestito has privately served the likes of Beyonce and Chris Martin, and, along with her Cookery partner Trudy Craney, will serve you and yours this Thanksgiving. Turkey is on the menu (of course), but the spot loved for its vegan and gluten-free menu has a fresh veggie mozzarella lasagna that’s sure to please those who consider everyday Meatless Monday.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-2345
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
Start the holiday season at The End at Gurney’s Montauk & Seawater Spa for a Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 8 p.m. in the bright, airy waterfront Scarpetta Beach dining room. Appetizers and first course dishes, such as lobster bisque and roasted pumpkin salad with sweet-meets-spicy candied ginger pecans, tee up a meat or veggie main course, including turkey and tortellini. Pumpkin and peach pie served with vanilla ice cream are among the desserts. A kids’ menu is also available.
Stone Creek Inn, 405 Montauk Highway, East Quogue, 631-653-6770
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
Gorgeously classic, Stone Creek Inn has long stood out as one of ultimate special-occasion spots in the Hamptons — and for the holidays, there’s no lovelier spot. This year, they’re offering a three-course prix fixe of classics and suprises for $85 from 1 to 7 p.m. Book your res here.
Stonewall Restaurant, 967 Reeves Ave, Riverhead, 631-506-0777
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
Set on a woodsy golf course, a trip to Stonewall Restaurant feels approachably elegant. The menu follows suit, with body-and-soul-warming options like butternut squash soup, roasted young stuffed turkey with quintessential sides like stuffing and cranberry sauce and pie for dessert.
Art of Eating, 264 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton, 631-267-2411
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
Art of Eating’s Thanksgiving menu feels like an endless scroll. Savory classics include Pigs in a Blanket, a smoked salmon platter, and corn and lobster chowder. Off-the-beaten-path selections include a relish tray with organic, fresh and house-pickled veggies from local farms.
Sweet endings are a mix of classic and creative, like brownie bites and vegan pumpkin pecan pie tea bread. Orders must be placed by Thursday, Nov. 21, on the phone or online here.
1770 House Restaurant & Inn, 143 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-1770
Sit down or takeout: Both
Take a load off and stay a while with a three-course menu ($135) in the warm tavern or dining room, complete with a fireplace. Or, order a feast to-go ($500). Either way, you’re getting some of Chef Michael Rozzi’s best. The in-house three-course feast can be paired with wines, including an Amish turkey and pumpkin pie from a nearby favorite farm, Milk Pail. As for the take-home feast, all that’ll need cooking is the 15-pound organic Amish turkey trussed with herbs and spice blend (ETA three hours — meat thermometer included). Sides like stuffing and gravy only require reheating.
Pierre’s, 2468 Main St, Bridgehampton, 631-537-5110
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
A trip to a French-centric restaurant for Thanksgiving? It might sound like hogwash at first blush, but your tastebuds will say otherwise simply by looking at Pierre’s menu for 2024. Sure, it calls French fries “pommes frites.” But the twist on the turkey (packed with organic chicken and pork stuffing with chestnuts and Alsatian spice bread)? Amour. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
Baron’s Cove, 31 W. Water St., Sag Harbor, 844-227-6672
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
Head to Sag Harbor’s cozy waterside spot for Thanksgiving dinner in the old whaling village. Their prix fixe gives you a choice start, a mid-course autumnal salad or soup and then mains of the traditional ilk (turkey dinner with all the trimmings), beach-plum glazed ham for the turkey averse or a mushroom and sweet potato pie for the vegetarians in the crowd (plus pumpkin or pecan pie to finish). Extra sides, like mac n’ cheese or an extra scoop of stuffing (hey, it’s what it’s all about) are an extra 12 bucks above the $99 per person dinner fee. Make your res between 3 and 9 p.m.
Round Swamp Farm, Multiple locations, 631-668-8488
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
This East End waterfront farmstand and country market is loved for its fresh fare, familial service, and to-die-for pie that tastes straight out of grandma’s oven. Naturally, the Thanksgiving menu includes fresh Amish turkeys, sides like cornbread and mashed potatoes (Traditional or sweet) and fresh apple, pumpkin and pecan pies. Pre-orders are available at roundswampfarm.com through the weekend before Turkey Day.
Nick & Toni’s, 136 N Main St, East Hampton, 631-324-3550
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
Nick & Toni’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but the Hamptons institution isn’t one to leave people hanging on a holiday. The restaurant is offering a take-home menu, allowing guests to bring the summer-favorite spot’s fall-holiday dishes into their homes. Classic lasagna, Amish turkey braciola (with wild Mushrooms, Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh herbs, and gravy), and gelato are a few of the Mediterranean-meets-‘Merica offerings. Orders are due by Monday, Nov. 25, at noon. You can pick up food on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m.
R.Aire at the Hampton Maid, 259 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-728-4166
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
If you’re looking for something special with some culinary surprises in the mix, chef Alex Bujoreanu is fixin’ to feast you on a three-course Thanksgiving meal to remember, like organic crispy artichokes dipped in black garlic aioli, manchego-kissed meatballs, a fig demi-glace Crescent duck breast or Bujoreanu’s famous paella done up in autumnal flair with butternut squash, mushrooms and cauliflower (who says meat eaters have all the spoils on Thanksgiving?). And, of course, roast turkey if you so desire. Meals $85, $25 or kids under 12, 1 to 7 p.m.
The Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S Ram Island Dr, Shelter Island Heights, 631-749-0811
Sit down or takeout: Sit down
A seaside jaunt a quick boat trip away, The Ram’s Head Inn offers a welcome escape from the chaos of Thanksgiving. But you can ditch the world and have your turkey and stuffing, too. A menu with the aforementioned bird and side (plus braised collard greens and bacon, cranberry relish, an apple tart…) will be served on the big day. Cozy beds offer a welcome spot to take a tryptophan-induced nap.
Windmill Lane Bakery, 17 Windmill Lane, Southampton, 631-998-0430
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
New kid on the block and Southampton chef Karoline Cerqueira recently opened her irresistible, homey baked goods spot on Windmill Lane, offering sweet treats and filling her bright pastry cases with the buttery, flour-centric standard versions, as well as vegan and gluten-free options, too. But Cerqueira, who also makes a mean charcuterie board, is doing the full-on turkey day take-out, too. Stop by or call the shop and get your orders in this week (bonus: you can get the pie of your dreams for dessert, too).
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
The adored upmarket grocery store frequented by locals and famous summer vacationers alike is offering a predictably luxe Thanksgiving turkey breast dinner. Guests can order takeout meals that serve four or eight. Each includes the likes of pumpkin bisque, wild rice stuffing, cornbread, and pumpkin pie. An upgraded ultimate menu includes small luxuries like caviar and cookies. Order online (citarella.com/holiday), in-store, via email ([email protected]) or by phone (631-283-6600).
Silver Spoon, 19 Race Lane, East Hampton, 631-604-5300
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
Edamame and chicken teriyaki dumplings? You don’t say, but they kick off the twisty-yet-traditional Silver Spoon Thanksgiving menu. Squash, turkey and fresh-baked pies are among the comforting classics you’ll find. Orders must be in by Thursday, Nov. 21 for pickup either Nov. 27 or 28.
Lulu Kitchen & Bar, 126 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-0900[BC2]
Takeout or sit down: Both
The Sag Harbor spot loved for its subtly smoky pizza cooked in a woodburning oven and grill is letting turkey take center stage this Thanksgiving. A quintessential multi-course meal for two with all the fixings is available in-house for $110. Guests will gobble up roasted Turkey with cranberry sauce, chestnut-sunchoke stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, roasted lemon-brussels sprouts and house gravy. Reservations recommended. A takeout menu is also available, and guests can order at [email protected].
Golden Pear, Multiple Locations, 631-287-4242
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
The casually cool café ubiquitous with the Hamptons is giving people the chance to bright its “kitchen to their dining rooms.” A Thanksgiving menu includes an artisanal cheese and berries platter, fresh-baked breads, the expected (and cherished) sides like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and sweet endings like apple crumb pie and cookies. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. Have it show up at your doorstep on Thanksgiving Eve between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for a fee of $50.
Fauna, 149 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-998-9600
Sit down or takeout: Takeout
The Westhampton Beach fine-dining staple (as well as their sister spot, Flora) have such a bountiful holiday meal to go, you might need a post-dinner stroll to the canal and back. From herbed popovers and pickled deviled eggs and truffle mushroom soup to the full on herb roasted turkey breast and thigh with chorizo brioche stuffing, there’s a multitude of options to create the perfect Thanksgiving meal for you and yours. Orders must be in (and paid for) by the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, and you can place yours by calling the number above.
Kyle’s, 27 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0579
Takeout or sit down: Takeout
Maybe you like watching that bird turn golden brown in your oven, finding a wax-on, wax-off sense of Mr. Miyagi higher purpose in the act of constant basting. Or maybe you just don’t dig turkey. If this is you, look to Kyle’s annual “Everything But the Turkey” Thanksgiving menu, chock full of starters, soups, sides and pies to fill out your table with its annual supporting cast of starch and veg. Chef Kyle Seddio’s menu offers options like mini crab cakes, oysters Rockefeller in tidy little edible phyllo cups, mashed Yukon Gold taters with rosemary butter, roasted Brussels sprouts with Dijon vinaigrette and maple glazed pecans, creamy pearled onions, kicky chipotle cranberry relish, gravy, and classic pecan, apple and pumpkin pies. Orders must be placed via phone by Friday, Nov. 22; pick up is the day before Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. to noon.
