In St. Louis Over Thanksgiving? Let These Local Restaurants Take Care of Dinner

By Rachel Huffman

Arguably the best holiday, Thanksgiving centers on food, family and friends, promoting gratitude, love and inclusivity. If you’re going to be in St. Louis for Thanksgiving this year – and you don’t have the will or the way to cook – let these local restaurants take care of dinner for you.

Big Sky Cafe

In Webster Groves, Big Sky Cafe prides itself on offering brined Buttonwood Farm turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving. If you don’t want turkey, you can also order rosemary and red wine pot roast or soy-glazed salmon, along with salads, sides and desserts. Don’t overlook the shaved Brussels sprouts salad with smoked bacon and blue cheese vinaigrette, the maple mashed sweet potatoes with basil butter and toasted pecans and the gratin with roasted cauliflower and Prairie Breeze Cheddar. For dessert, we recommend the double-decker pecan-pumpkin pie. Ordering closes on Nov. 19, and pickup will be scheduled for Nov. 23.

Butler’s Pantry

Celebrate gratitude, tradition and togetherness with Butler’s Pantry this Thanksgiving. The highly acclaimed St. Louis caterer offers a full buffet for 10 to 12 people for $700. Choose between scrumptious dishes such as roasted turkey breast, curried pumpkin soup with canela crema, molasses-braised greens, maple-pecan roasted yams, spaghetti squash arrabbiata, chocolate-butterscotch bread pudding and Hummingbird cupcakes. To add to the festive atmosphere, order a paint-your-own cookie kit, which includes Thanksgiving-themed iced cookies, an edible paint palette and paint brushes, for $25.

Café la Vie

European classics get a splash of St. Louis flavor at Café la Vie inside the newly renovated Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton. The stylish yet relaxed restaurant will offer an exclusive Thanksgiving buffet, available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 24. The meal will include roasted turkey breast and gravy, brown sugar-horseradish glazed ham, herb stuffing, pumpkin bisque, a green salad with spiced vinaigrette, a cranberry salad, green bean casserole and roasted sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows and pecans. As with every memorable Thanksgiving meal, this one will end with seasonal desserts, such as pecan pie shortbread. The buffet is $45 per adult and $25 per child, and reservations are required. Secure your spot on OpenTable today.

Casa Don Alfonso

Casa Don Alfonso invites St. Louis residents and guests to indulge in a festive holiday season marked by the delicious traditions of Italy’s Sorrento Coast. Working closely with the renowned culinary team behind Don Alfonso 1890, Casa Don Alfonso has prepared inspired meals, offering an experience brimming with impeccable flavor and sincere hospitality. On Thanksgiving, guests are welcome to start the holiday with Casa Don Alfonso’s signature breakfast service, available from 6 to 10 a.m. An enticing brunch will also be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a carving station with maple-bourbon glazed ham and a delightful selection of entrées, for $75 a person. Then, from 5 to 9 p.m., guests who dine with Casa Don Alfonso can indulge in a three-course, Thanksgiving-inspired dinner service, priced at $70 a person.

Cinder House

Gather with family and friends at Cinder House at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis to celebrate Thanksgiving. Chef de cuisine Peter Slay has designed an artful turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Rejoice in the aromas, flavors and textures of the prix fixe menu, featuring wood-fired Joyce Farms Heritage Black turkey, sweet potato mole, charred corn brioche stuffing, Brussels sprouts and cranberry turkey jus. For dessert, it’s got to be pumpkin pie, which Slay elevates with vanilla Chantilly cream and fried pepitas. Reserve your spot on OpenTable today.

City Foundry

Turkey and cheesecake – what a pair. This Thanksgiving, two local vendors at City Foundry will offer specials and to-go options for your dining pleasure. As part of its “Scratchgiving,” Chicken Scratch will whip up six seasonal dishes: whole chicken and whole turkey (both dry-brined with salt and sugar, rubbed with housemade Scratch and Sniff rub and cooked rotisserie style); kale salad with cherries, Feta, sunflower seeds and lemon-Parmesan dressing; potato gratin with sharp Cheddar and thyme; sweet potato soup with maple yogurt, pomegranate seeds and dill; and cranberry-cinnamon-orange compote. You can also order a quart of Liquid Gold Jus to make gravy, reheat leftovers or simply save for a rainy day. Ordering opens on Nov. 11, and customers can choose their desired pickup time between 2 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 23. To satisfy your sweet tooth, order slices, petite cheesecakes or full-size cheesecakes from Patty’s Cheesecakes. Irresistible flavors include cherry-chocolate, cranberry-white chocolate, maple-pecan pie, sweet potato pie, pumpkin, banana pudding, cinnamon roll and s’more. Place your orders for 7- or 9-inch cheesecakes before Nov. 15.

Eckert’s

The Thanksgiving pies from Eckert’s family farm and country restaurant in Belleville, Illinois, never disappoint. Flavors include apple, cherry, pumpkin and French silk, and you can pre-order now until Nov. 21. If you’re in the area before Thanksgiving, snag a seat at one of Eckert’s Friendsgiving celebrations. Hosted at the new Cider Shed, the mini Thanksgiving feasts will include traditional dishes and a flight of Eckert’s original hard cider. Check here for more information.

Juniper

Juniper has got you covered this Thanksgiving. Order a roasted chicken dinner or a roasted ham dinner, both of which come with your choice of two sides and rolls for $75. If your family and friends demand turkey, just order sides from Juniper. The collard greens, mac ‘n’ cheese and sweet potato pie are delicious. Pickups will be scheduled for the morning of Thanksgiving.

Salt + Smoke

Want your Thanksgiving turkey and sides to-go? Salt + Smoke, known for its St. Louis-style barbecue, is now accepting orders for pickup from its location at 6525 Delmar Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Along with a whole turkey and gravy or a whole smoked brisket, feast on the restaurant’s signature White Cheddar Cracker Mac, green bean and tomato salad and Hawaiian rolls. For dessert, grab one of Salt + Smoke’s Thanksgiving pies, and wash everything down with batched Manhattans.

Seven

Let’s talk turkey. This Thanksgiving, Seven, a bistro and bar inside Seven Gables Inn in Clayton, will offer house-smoked turkey breast with giblet gravy or honey-bourbon baked ham, sides and pie to-go. Sides range from green apple and sage stuffing to Yukon gold mashed potatoes to a green salad with pickled onion, Feta, dried cranberries and apple cider vinaigrette. Prices start at $60 for two, and Thanksgiving orders must be placed over the phone by Nov. 18. You can also add a perfectly paired bottle of wine to your order for $25 or a whole pie for $40.

SqWires Restaurant & Market

Housed in a luxuriously renovated Victorian factory in Lafayette Square, SqWires Restaurant & Market specializes in American cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. This year, the restaurant’s to-go Thanksgiving menu will feature elevated dishes with reheating instructions. Create your own spread with whole roasted turkey, skin-on mashed potatoes, roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts, green bean and caramelized onion casserole, sweet potato-Gruyère bake, fresh cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, pecan pie and more. If you’re not feeding a crowd, opt for a plated dinner, which also comes with reheating instructions. Each plated dinner includes sliced turkey breast, savory stuffing, skin-on mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean and caramelized onion casserole, fresh cranberry sauce, a dinner roll and a slice of pumpkin pie for $35. Place your order by 5 p.m. on Nov. 16.

Sugarfire Smoke House

This Thanksgiving, skip the stress and let Sugarfire smoke the bird. The local smokehouse will offer whole smoked turkey and smoked turkey breast, or you can spring for The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Pack. Priced at $25.99 per person, the dinner includes smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, sage stuffing, cornbread, green bean casserole, cranberry chutney and a slice of pumpkin pie. You can also add other freshly baked desserts, such as pumpkin gooey butter cake, Mississippi mud pie and pastry chef Carolyn Downs’ award-winning sweet potato cheesecake pie with toasted marshmallows. All holiday orders must be placed over the phone by Nov. 20 for pickup on Nov. 24.

Union 30

Comfort food meets innovation at Union 30, located downtown in Hotel Saint Louis. The restaurant draws inspiration from singular St. Louis culinary traditions to develop creative takes on hometown favorites. For Thanksgiving, it will offer a special menu, which you can enjoy at the restaurant or at home. Choose house-smoked turkey breast with giblet gravy or honey-bourbon baked ham, four sides and apple or pumpkin pie. Sides include buttermilk cornbread, cranberry chutney, Cheddar and Gruyère mac ‘n’ cheese and roasted butternut squash and green beans, among other tasty bites. The dine-in menu is $35 per adult and $19 per child (kids five and younger are free). If you would rather get your Thanksgiving dinner to-go, the price ranges from $60 (feeds two) to $250 (feeds 10).

Winslow’s Table

A one-stop shop for local food, delicious drinks and distinct gifts, Winslow’s Table is also a go-to destination for Thanksgiving fare. Save yourself some time and let the eatery prepare the sides and desserts for your holiday gathering. You’ll be blown away by its brilliant recipes – think roasted and marinated beet salad with sesame-ginger vinaigrette; kale and mushroom stuffing made with focaccia breadcrumbs; roasted carrot salad with pesto, whipped goat cheese, hot honey and toasted seeds; poultry gravy; and compote with cranberries, apples, pears and citrus. Top off your meal with apple crumb pie, available in mini and large sizes. You can pick up your order on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wherever you choose to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we hope your day is full of good food and great company.