Thanksgiving. It’s almost here?
That American holiday traditionally manifests memories of family and friends gathered around a dining room table as the aroma roasted turkey, seasoned stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie waft in with the melody of mom’s or Autie Em’s voice from the kitchen, while the fury of the fellas fuming over a football game and the kiddos with their cousins ripping and running through the house douse it all with din.
Many Mohawk Valley friends and neighbors will pile the cars of family and friends up in their driveway and down the street to welcome them from over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house to break Thanksgiving bread.
But many more … are far from family … even friends. The walks of life that lead them to Central New York have led them far from that postcard Thanksgiving. Others are empty nesters or downsized to duplexes, condos and 55-plus complexes.
Below is a list of Mohawk Valley venues serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
Castlewood Cafe – Utica
Contact: 1307 Champlin Avenue, Utica, 315-733-9663, email contact form
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: noon – 5 p.m. (open 8 a.m. – noon for breakfast)
Style: Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Menu
Cost: Ala Carte – Apps $15.99 choose from 2 – Entrees range $21.99 – $33.99 choose from 5 Children’s turkey dinner available for $15.99
Reservations: Call to make reservations. Recommended but not mandatory. (reservations are appreciated for parties of 6 or more)
“It’s that time of year again!” Says the Castlewood Cafe on their Facebook post promoting their annual prix fixe Thanksgiving Day menu. For almost a decade, this home-cookin’, diner-style, family-friendly eatery has been serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 7 days a week, and Thanksgiving Day is no different. Kids are welcome. Note this venue does not serve alcohol.
Castlewood’s Thanksgiving 2025 prix fixe includes a choice of two appetizers, Maryland crab cakes or jumbo shrimp cocktail, and a choice of five entrees – Traditional roasted turkey with stuffing, seafood grille, baked Virginia ham, roast prime rib of beef, or crab-stuffed haddock – where the price includes choice of salad or soup (choose from roasted butternut squash, cream of broccoli, or baked french onion), choice of potato, yams, squash, and corn, a relish tray, and dinner bread and butter.
Delta Lake Inn – Rome
Contact: 8524 Fish Hatchery Road, Rome, 315-533-7710, info@deltalakeinn.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Style: Buffet
Cost: Adults $44 / Seniors $40 / Children 12- $18
Reservations: Strongly Recommended
One of the most highly recommended Mohawk Valley options for Thanksgiving dinner “out,” The historic Delta Lake Inn offers an expansive buffet, fireplace and views of the Delta Dam and reservoir. Plate to preference roasted turkey, grilled chicken and greens, applewood smoked bacon and pork tenderloin, haddock oreganata, mac ‘n cheese, butternut squash, whipped potatoes w/ gravy, sweet potato casserole, a full salad bar.
Top your holiday meal with a treat from the buffet’s dedicated dessert station, featuring seasonal and holiday classics confections.
A holiday/seasonal cocktail menu, and full bar are available at this venue.
Horned Dorset Inn – Leonardsville
Contact: 2000 Route 8, Leonardsville, 315-855-7898, info@horneddorsetinn.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: 1 – 4 p.m.
Style: Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Day Menu
Cost: $84 per person (not inc. tax-gratuity)
Reservations: Required (as space allows inc. Nov. 27) Call 315-855-7898
A unique Madison County venue with a bend toward French cuisine, as well as guest rooms for a holiday retreat. Start with a hot cheese souffle’, then choose an appetizer from Maine lobster and corn chowder (gf), mushroom cappuccino soup with nutmeg cream and crushed hazelnuts (v), butternut gnocchi with pancetta, walnut sage, and brown butter, or veal meatballs with ricotta, sage, lemon, and basil leek aoli.
A fall salad will be served, featuring fennel, pickled red onion, dried fruit, and pomegranate vinaigrette.
The main course holiday meal consists of traditional roasted turkey breast with truffled madeira gravy, raw cranberry orange relish, maple roasted Brussel sprouts, honey baked acorn squash, green bean almandine, sausage and apple bread stuffing, sweet corn and chili pudding, and crushed potato.
The dessert course will feature pumpkin spice cake, cocoa mousse, and apple walnut crisp served with caramel sauce and fall garnishes.
Mr. G.’s Food and Spirits at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel – Vernon
Contact: 4229 Stuhlman Road, Vernon, 315-829-6800
Find us on Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: noon – 5 p.m.
Style: Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Menu
Cost: $24 per person
Reservations: Strongly Recommended – Reserve online via OPEN TABLE or call 315-829-2800 x2123
Choose from roasted turkey or prime rib with au ju sauce, apple stuffing, garlic rosemary mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes with caramelized marshmallow topping, risotto with onions and parmesan, bourbon-glazed brown sugar green beans, roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon.
Ocean Blue Restaurant and Oyster Bar – Utica
Contact: 118 Columbia Street, 315-735-2583, aholmquist@commonwealthrestaurants.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Style: Regular Menu or Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Buffet
Cost: Thanksgiving Buffet Soft Drinks, Coffee, Tea included Adults $69 Kids 12- $25.
Reservations: Required
Utica’s only rooftop restaurant and bar in the heart of its historic downtown fete, Ocean Blue offers an upscale, urban dining experience, together with breathtaking views of the cityscape and Mohawk River Valley foothills. Known for its sleek, stylish decor, professional staff, and signature menu items such as its Lobster Bisque, this vibrant venue is also open to serve your holiday dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
Their three course prix fixe menu includes salad, focaccia bread, turkey, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts, creamed corn, roasted carrots, cranberry sauce, and a variety of desserts.
A full bar with crafted seasonal cocktails will be available.
Otesaga Resort Hotel – Cooperstown
Contact: 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown ~ 607-947-9931 ~ OtesagaHotel@Otesaga.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Thanksgiving Feast at Glimmerglass
Hours: noon – 5 p.m.
Style: Buffet
Cost: Adults $85 / Children 4-11 $30 /Children 3- FREE (+tax, gratuity)
Reservations: Required – Call 607-544-2524
“A lavish holiday buffet” served in the Glimmerglass Dining Room, Fenimore Room and the Grand Ballroom. This grand feast features traditional Thanksgiving dishes, including Mulligan Creek Acres turkey, herb-crusted ribeye of beef, charcuterie with cured meats, local cheeses, and breads. Sushi and shellfish on ice, assorted salads, and sides including Yukon gold mashed potatoes, roasted heirloom carrots, classic green bean casserole with crispy shallots, roasted fingerling sweet potatoes with rosemary-pecan streusel, granny smith apple and sage sausage dressing and mac-and-cheese carbonara style, all to accompany an entree selection – further to the carving station – of spice-rubbed breast of chicken, seared Chilean sea bass. Top it off with a treat from a selection of almost two dozen confections.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Hawkeye Bar &Grill
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: 5 – 9 p.m.
Style: Prix Fixe Menu
Cost: $40 per person (+tax, gratuity)
Reservations: Required – Call 607-544-2524
A more relaxed Thanksgiving meal experience, traditional three-course holiday prix fixe menu with regular fall menu available. “Enjoy a cozy atmosphere with stunning views of Lake Otsego.”
Shades Restaurant at Delta Hotel by Marriott Utica – Utica
Contact: 200 Genesee Street, Utica, 315-797-8010, info@shadebarandgrillutica.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Style: Brunch Buffet
Cost: Adults $39.95 / Seniors $34.95 / Children 6-12 $14.95 /Children 5- free.
Reservations: Required (Walk-ins welcome only if space allows)
Shades Restaurant at Delta by Marriott Hotel in Utica offers a full traditional Thanksgiving buffet during brunch hours. Enjoy the stylish vibe and verve of the contemporary lounge with warm holiday decorations, attentive staff and all your favorite traditional holiday foods, all-you-can-eat, together with a full bar.
The Tavern at The Colgate Inn – Hamilton
Contact: 1 Payne Street, Hamilton, 315-824-2300, info@colgateinn.com
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Hours: Seatings at noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Style: Buffet
Cost: Adults $45 / Children 7+ $20 / Children 6- free.
Reservations: Strongly recommended
The Tavern at The Colgate Inn offers a rustic setting, with a full bar and dining room set off by rich woods tables with Colebrook chairs, orbiting an original stone hearth with a crackling fire. The ‘Grazing Table’ will feature baked goods, Crudités, garden salad, brussel sprout salad, German potato salad, and seasoned stuffing. The Carving Station offers slow roasted turkey, applewood smoked ham, cedar roasted salmon, pan gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, country mustard, and dinner rolls. Holiday sides include mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, and green bean casserole. Choose from assorted pies: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, and Flourless Chocolate Torte w/ whipped cream or ice cream.
A seasonal cocktail menu and full bar will be available.
Turning Stone Casino Resort – Verona
Contact: 5218 Patrick Road, Verona, 800-771-7711, Email Contact Form
Social Media: FACEBOOK
Consider three different venues and versions of enjoying your Thanksgiving Day meal at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Turning Stone – The Oneida Room – Verona
Hours: noon – 6 p.m.
Style: 4-Course Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Menu
Cost: Adults + Children 11+ $49 / Children 5 – 10 $25 / Children 4- FREE
Reservations: Required with non-refundable prepayment (tax and gratuity inc.)
Turning Stone’s Thanksgiving Dinner features a family-friendly environment, live entertainment, and a 4-course, full service, prix fixe holiday menu where diners enjoy a roasted butternut squash soup, an autumn salad featuring fresh local apples, shaved fennel, and cider vinaigrette dressing, choice of entree from traditional turkey dinner, braised beef short ribs, or a vegetarian entree featuring Grilled Cauliflower Steak, Caramelized Carrot Purée, King Trumpet Mushroom, Thumbelina Carrot, Muddled Herbs. Browse a dessert table with over a dozen treats, from pies, to cheesecakes, to cookies, and more, including gluten-free, low-fat, and sugar-free options.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Turning Stone – TS Steakhouse – Verona
Hours: 3 – 9 p.m.
Style: Prix Fixe Thanksgiving Dinner
Cost: Per menu
Reservations: Strongly recommended
Turning Stone’s award-winning steakhouse will be open and serving on Thanksgiving Day. Voted Central New York’s Best Steakhouse and USA TODAY 10BEST Casino Restaurants, TS Steak House offers diners an elevated, classic dining experience, featuring panoramic views, aged USDA prime steaks, and unique craft cocktails, to celebrate the beginning of the 2025 holiday season with family and friends.
A prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner will be offered, complete with a Butternut Squash appetizer, set off with brown butter crème fraiche, candied hazelnuts, pickled pomegranates, crispy sage roasted organic turkey with maple bourbon winter spice brine, cranberry apple relish, black garlic miso gravy, heirloom baby carrots with pistachio gremolata and Steakhouse stuffing made with cornbread, sweet sausage, apple, and sage. The traditional holiday option joins other app, entree, and dessert selections, as the venue’s seasonal dinner menu will also be available.
Attire is business casual or cocktail attire.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Turning Stone – 7 Kitchens Buffet – Verona
Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Style: All-You-Can-Eat Buffet with traditional Thanksgiving and other options
Cost: Adults + Children 13+ $49 / Children 5 – 12 $18.99 / Children 4- FREE R
Reservations: Not Required
Discover 7 culinary worlds at Turning Stone’s award-winning buffet. Enjoy unlimited flavors at the restaurant that’s redefining all-you-can-eat dining! This innovative eatery, with seven market-style stations, offers a delicious combination of cuisine choices, all prepared by our award-winning culinary team. Experience everything from savory Italian fare to the freshest seafood buffet, from Asian and Dim Sum to your favorite comfort foods — and more, including our show-stopping dessert station, overflowing with irresistible sweets, pastries, and pies.
Expect traditional Thanksgiving dishes and desserts, elevated with touches of holiday elegance at 7 Kitchens’ Thanksgiving Day buffet. Choose from Cider-glazed carved turkey breast with gravy, or slow-roasted prime rib, Dijon and herb-crusted, served medium-rare. A selection of comfort-food sides include house mashed potatoes, three different kinds of stuffing – sample cranberry and wild rice – and 7 Kitchen’s renowned green bean casserole with roasted mushrooms.
Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 27, with no reservations required or even accepted and special low prices for children, 7 Kitchens is a great go-to for folks still deciding upon Thanksgiving plans.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: These Utica, Mohawk Valley restaurants are open on Thanksgiving
Reporting by Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
