Where to Dine out on Thanksgiving in the Hudson Valley

Local restaurants serve up new takes on seasonal flavors alongside classic turkey dinners and pumpkin pie.

BY SABRINA SUCATO

Does the thought of turning on your oven induce fear?

Are there too many people in your dinner party to even attempt a turkey roast?

Do you crave something besides turkey and pumpkin pie?

Whatever your dilemma is this Thanksgiving, find a solution in the form of the Hudson Valley’s restaurant scene. This year, local eateries delight with seasonal ingredients and artful preparations that turn even the most uninspiring turkey and mashed potato traditions into multi-course culinary affairs.
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Be warned, however. Reservations fly as the holiday approaches, so call in a spot sooner rather than later if you plan to eat out for Turkey Day.

The Adelphi HotelTurn Thanksgiving into an impromptu November getaway with an overnight at The Adelphi Hotel. Check in early on November 28 to enjoy the three-course holiday menu at The Blue Hen by David Burke. The hyper-seasonal lineup begins with appetizers like roasted acorn squash with burrata and toasted pumpkin seeds, then transitions to heartier fare like the braised short rib with lobster ravioli and artichoke.
For dessert, the pear butterscotch cornmeal pudding with warm anglaise sauce is a dreamy alternative to the standard apple sweets. By the time you finally retreat to your hotel room, you’ll feel happily stuffed and ready for that traditional Turkey Day nap.
365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
12-7 p.m.
$68/person, $30/children 12 and under, free for children under 5


Anthony’s Pier 9 - SOLD OUTIf a classic Thanksgiving dinner, sans stress, is calling your name this year, take a look at the menu at Anthony’s Pier 9. The New Windsor eatery melds traditional dishes with international flavors for a dining experience that features the best of sweet and savory.
Diners can score turkey, maple-glazed ham, and prime rib au jus at the carving stations, then snack on an assortment of homemade soups and salads alongside them. Italian influences in the form of chicken madeira, pasta a la vodka, and eggplant rollatini add a welcome twist to the Turkey Day essentials.
2975 Rte 9W, New Windsor
12:30-3:30 p.m.
$36.95/person, $18/children​

Aroma Thyme Bistro

Aroma Thyme is a saving grace for vegans and vegetarians who want to eat out for Thanksgiving. The “think green” establishment keeps dishes as local and organic as possible on both its regular menu and its prix fixe turkey dinner special.

For a set price, diners can choose a soup or salad as an appetizer, then dig into a roast Plainville free-range turkey, creamed organic corn, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and Bread Alone whole wheat and raisin bread stuffing. For vegans, skip the turkey and go straight for the tofurky in mushroom sauce. Gluten-free stuffing is also available upon request.

165 Canal St, Ellenville​
12-5 p.m.
$35/person


Blu Pointe - SOLD OUT

Craving seafood with your turkey? Call in a reservation at Blu Pointe for a fish-friendly dinner that provides surf options to pair with the traditional turf spread. Although classics like turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy are on the lineup, swap them out this year for grilled marinated vegetables, Maryland crab stuffed sole, and fig and prosciutto flatbread.

Eaters who swoon over Italian fare can eat happy here, thanks to a full station dedicated to dishes like lasagna, Sicilian meatballs, and seafood fra diavolo.

120 Front St, Newburgh
12-5 p.m.
$45.95/adult, $22.98/children 10 and under


Le Chambord - 3 p.m. SOLD OUT

Forgoing prix fixe in favor of a cozy, communal buffet, Le Chambord brings a gourmet influence to the longstanding American celebration. Make a detour from the same ol’ fare with decadent options like chestnut stuffing, roast sirloin with bordelaise sauce, and chicken francaise.

Of course, mainstays like mashed potatoes, turkey, and holiday pies make an appearance on the menu to satisfy picky and adventurous eaters alike.
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2737 Rte 52, Hopewell Junction
12 and 3 p.m.
$44/adult, $15 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under​

Charlotte’sHoping to hold the Turkey Day feast in the afternoon so there’s time for football, napping, and early Black Friday shopping later? Hit Charlotte’s in Millbrook for a no-frills prix fixe luncheon that features staples destined to please every eater.
The brunchy Thanksgiving fare includes lighter plates like shrimp and dill salad and salmon with hollandaise sauce alongside heartier sweet potatoes with rum and brown sugar and thin-sliced Italian ham.
4258 Rte 44, Millbrook
12-3 p.m.
$65/adult, half price for children under 10


CucinaExperience the finest of Italian-inspired farm-to-table in the Hudson Valley at Cucina. The Woodstock eatery packs gourmet treats into a prix fixe foodie lineup of starters, delectable mains, and desserts. Anyone who books a reservation for the holiday meal will be treated to bites of pan-seared scallops with cauliflower crema, roasted organic turkey with potato puree and Brussels sprouts, and pecan pie with caramel bourbon cream, to name only a few highlights.
While that’s all enough of a temptation, the heavenly bread basket stuffed with focaccia, peasant bread, cornbread, and biscuits that arrives at the start of the meal is an excuse to make a reservation all on its own. Did we mention it comes with local maple butter?
109 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock
$57/person​

Diamond Mills

Celebrate the bounty of autumn in the Hudson Valley by inviting family and friends to dine at Diamond Mills on Thanksgiving. Executive Chef Giuseppe Napoli delivers all the best fall flavors in a station-style fete that seats until 4 p.m.

Quench your thirst with house-made mulled apple cider, then savor baked brie with almonds and dried cherries, carved Murray’s cage-free turkey, cranberry corn bread stuffing, and more. For a sweet finale, sample a serving of pumpkin cheesecake, pecan tarts, or apple cobbler.

25 South Partition St, Saugerties​
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$45/person, $22/children 12 and under, free for children under 4


Fish & Game

In the mood for a gourmet dinner this Thanksgiving? Tuck in by the fireplace at Hudson's Fish & Game to savor a to-die-for menu from award-winning chef Zakary Pelaccio. Now in its seventh year, the holiday fest includes bites like chestnut soup, cauliflower with sauce mornay, and roasted carrots with labneh and pistachios. To pair with the meal, the restaurant's wine director has a curated selection of natural wines and ciders onhand as well.
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13 S 3rd St, Hudson
2-7 p.m.
$150/person, complete wine pairing for additional $75/person​

Goosefeather

Goosefeather may be new to the Hudson Valley, but it steps up to the plate with a gorgeous, gourmet Turkey Day spread. With openings for lunch and dinner, the restaurant goes prix fixe with a three-course menu that includes an appetizer, dinner with a side, and dessert. Anyone who loves fall flavors will want to begin with the roasted honey nut squash and gala apple appetizer, then follow it up with cider-braised pork with horseradish gremolata. Add a side of sausage with candied walnut dressing to any order, then throw in a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert. 

P.S. Everyone who dines at Goosefeather for Thanksgiving receives a half turkey sandwich to-go. Not a bad take on leftovers, huh?
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49 E Sunnyside Ln, Tarrytown
1-6 p.m.
$75/person, $110/person with wine pairing

​Hudson House

One look at Hudson House’s Thanksgiving dinner menu and you might permanently forgo eating the holiday dinner at home. Executive chef John Guerrero takes standby dishes to the next level with the help of seasonal ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Although everything on the menu sounds sumptuous, standouts include the housemade burrata with beefsteak tomatoes and truffle balsamic syrup, the New Zealand rack of lamb that’s coated with whole-grain mustard and dusted with porcini mushrooms, and the pumpkin pie topped with vanilla bean whipped cream and raspberry coulis.

2 Main St, Cold Spring
$48/person


Mohonk Mountain House

Mohonk makes its name on unforgettable overnights, retreats, and day trips in the Hudson Valley, so it comes as no surprise its Thanksgiving luncheon buffet is one for the books. Diners have the best of Thanksgiving fare at their fingertips here. Think potatoes in crispy pancetta vinaigrette, wild mushrooms with pine nuts, and maple-braised yams with oranges and cranberry. For the main course, Mohonk delivers with roasted salmon, turkey, prime rib, and crown pork roast. 

Dessert, meanwhile, is the cherry on top. Family favorites like pecan tarts, sour cream apple pie, bread pudding, and raspberry swirl cheesecake offer a sweet end to a delectable dining experience.
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1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz

Shadows on the Hudson​

Anyone who wants to turn Thanksgiving into a large group affair should take a look at Shadows. The riverfront eatery offers an a la carte holiday menu instead of a prix fixe one so diners can eat according to personal preference. Fall flavors shine across the board in dishes like the roasted beet salad with orange zest and goat cheese, roasted parsnip and squash risotto, and maple bourbon cheesecake with candied pecans.

Kids can enjoy some pretty fine dining, too. For $10.50, eaters under 12 can score a turkey dinner, mac and cheese, or chicken tenders, plus a scoop of ice cream at the end.
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176 Rinaldi Blvd, Poughkeepsie
11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.