Restaurants Open In Seattle On Thanksgiving Day

So, Thanksgiving is creeping up again. And maybe you’re not feeling the whole “turkey in the oven for 12 hours” vibe this year. Or maybe you just forgot to thaw the bird? It happens.

Let’s be real: cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner is a marathon. It’s messy, it’s expensive, and someone always burns the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes. You don’t have to be that someone.

Thankfully, Seattle has your back. A whole bunch of restaurants stay open on Thanksgiving Day. Yes, on the actual day. No shame in outsourcing the bird.

The Classic Thanksgiving Dinner (Served By Someone Else)

First up, the heavy hitters. You know, the places that do a full turkey dinner with all the fixings. They’ve got the gravy on lock.

Palace Kitchen in Belltown is a solid bet. They do a family-style Thanksgiving feast. Think roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce you didn’t have to wrestle from a can. You just show up and eat.

Another gem? Lola, also from Tom Douglas. It’s a little Greek flair on your Thanksgiving plate. They’ve got the turkey, but also some spanakopita on the side. It’s a glorious mashup of cultures.

Then there’s 13 Coins. This place is open 24/7, 365 days a year. They don't even know what a holiday is. You can get a turkey dinner at 3 AM if you want. Power to you.

But What If You Want Something Weird?

Maybe you hate turkey. Maybe you’re allergic to cranberries. Maybe you want ramen on Thanksgiving. I respect that.

These Seattle-area restaurants are open (or serve to-go feasts) on

A lot of Asian restaurants in the International District are open on Thanksgiving. It’s actually brilliant. Think about it: everyone else is fighting over the last piece of white meat, and you’re slurping down pho or dim sum.

Check out Jade Garden for incredible dim sum. They don’t care about your bird. They care about your har gow. Priorities.

Or hit up Gainsbourg in Greenwood. It’s a French bistro that does a prix-fixe menu. They’ll do a proper turkey, sure. But they also might have a duck confit or a mushroom tart that completely steals the show. Sacré bleu!

The Coffee & Casual Vibe

Don’t want a sit-down dinner? Totally fine. Some days are just for coffee and pajamas.

A surprising number of local coffee shops stay open until noon or so. Victrola Coffee on Beacon Hill is usually open half the day. You can grab a latte and a scone, pretend you’re in a movie where people don’t eat turkey.

These Seattle-area restaurants are open (or serve to-go feasts) on

And let’s not forget Beth’s Café in Green Lake. Open 24 hours. You can get a 12-egg omelet on Thanksgiving morning. It’s a monument to greasy spoon independence.

The “Wait, It’s Open??” Wildcards

Okay, here’s the thing about Seattle on holidays. You never know what’s going to be open. Some pizza joints operate on pure chaos.

Pagliacci Pizza often stays open and delivers. Imagine ordering a pizza on Thanksgiving. You’re a rebel. You’re a legend.

A few dive bars also stay open. They don’t advertise it. They just turn the lights on and wait for the brave souls who need a beer after arguing with their uncle about politics. You know who you are.

I once found a tiny teriyaki place in Wallingford open on Thanksgiving. It was just a guy and a grill. Best chicken teriyaki of my life. Never underestimate the power of a spontaneous teriyaki.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Seattle for Families | 2022 - Tinybeans

A Few Pro-Tips (Because We’re Friends)

First, call ahead. Seriously. Restaurants change their hours faster than Seattle changes weather. One year they’re open. Next year, the chef is hiking Mount Rainier.

Second, make a reservation. If a nice place is open, everyone knows about it. Don’t be the person crying outside Lola because you didn’t book a table.

Third, be nice to the staff. They’re working on a holiday so you can eat pie in a booth. Tip like you just won the lottery. A 20% minimum, friends. Let’s be real: they deserve 30% for keeping the gravy warm.

The Bottom Line

You have options. You really do. You can have a classic turkey dinner at Palace Kitchen. You can rebel with ramen in the ID. Or you can eat a massive omelet at Beth’s and call it a day.

Don’t let the “perfect Thanksgiving” pressure get you. The perfect Thanksgiving is the one where you don’t have to do dishes. Or it’s the one where you wander into a random bar and find a lifetime of teriyaki. That’s the Seattle way.

Now go forth, be lazy, and let someone else handle the stuffing. You earned it. Happy stuffing, friend.