Fall is here, and that means Thanksgiving is near! Since the Ozarks make such a beautiful destination for a fall vacation, don’t let the upcoming holiday keep you away. If you want to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner in the Ozarks, you’ve got options galore!

Whether you just don’t feel like cooking this year or you’re unable to because you’re traveling, there is no shame in turning to restaurants for help in preparing this special meal on this thankful day of the year.

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You can enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner in the Ozarks in 3 ways:

• Sit Down / Dine-in
• Pre-Order / Reheat at Home
• Carryout / Hot Takeout

Sit Down Thanksgiving Dinner in the Ozarks

Thanksgiving dinner is a big undertaking. It takes at least a week of prep, including buying and defrosting a turkey, planning the sides, buying ingredients, and then spending a day or more cooking it all for one big family meal. It’s no wonder that some families opt to eat out for Thanksgiving dinner.

Here are your choices for sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner inside a restaurant in the Ozarks.

Black Bear Diner | Fayetteville, AR | St Charles, MO | Tulsa, OK | Little Rock, AR |

Black Bear Diner is a family-friendly, community-focused restaurant themed around bears. But you won’t find made-in-China gift shop level loot here. At each location, you’ll find unique, hand-crafted wood carved sculptures of bears and one-of-a-kind paintings.

On Thanksgiving Day, enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving meal in person, carryout, or delivered. 👉See Black Bear Diner’s holiday menu options.

Showboat Branson Belle | Branson, MO

Spend your Thanksgiving on Table Rock Lake on a Dinner Cruise where you’ll feast on a 3-course meal while enjoying live entertainment. While the menu isn’t tailored specifically to typical Thanksgiving Day cuisine, the food is exquisite. This dinner cruise will be departing at noon and again at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets are $79/Adult and $47/Child. Reserve Tickets Here ↗

Buca Di Beppo | Kansas City, MO

This Italian restaurant opens at 11am on Thanksgiving Day and serves a traditional Turkey-Day meal all day, including sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and pumpkin pie. They also have their Italian menu available if you’re not feeling the traditional holiday selections. Make Reservations Here↗ or scroll down to see take-out options (hot or cold).

Grand Country Buffet | Branson, MO

The Grand Country Buffet is open on the holiday and puts on a traditional Thanksgiving feast for this special day. Bring your family and enjoy turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and more! Plus, there’s lots more to do at this family-focused resort, including an indoor water park! Read more about our family’s experience here.

Silver Dollar City | Branson, MO

If you have Silver Dollar City passes, the park is open on Thanksgiving Day and there are multiple buffets (no less than 3) opening at 2pm inside the park for a special holiday meal. Tickets are required. Check out our Silver Dollar City post to learn more about what this unique park offers. Silver Dollar City gets extra-special around Christmas Time.

Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner in the Ozarks

If cooking isn’t your thing, and you’d like to just pop a fully prepared Thanksgiving Day meal into your oven to reheat, that can be done in the Ozarks!

Buca Di Beppo | Kansas City, MO

This Italian restaurant mixes things up for the holidays, offering a full Turkey Dinner for dine-in, take-out (served hot), or take-and-reheat (cold). Last year, two sizes were available for different size families, with one under $100 serving 3 or one under $150 feeding 6. We were not able to find the options or costs available this year for 2024.

Preorder by Tuesday, November 26 if you plan on ordering a Thanksgiving dinner to reheat later. You can pick up cold pre-orders Thanksgiving week, and hot pre-orders on Thanksgiving Day or the day before. Pre-order Here↗

Southern Food Company | Fayetteville, AR

Get your ham or turkey Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time from Southern Food Company. Sides include mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and green bean casserole. Two serving size options include (4-6 people) or (8-12 people). Pre-order ahead of time for pick up on Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Pre-order Here↗

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Keep your food just the right temperature or make your own sides in this triple dish slow cooker. A perfect option for hotel rooms and campsites, plus it has a custom-fit carrying case for your on-the-go buffet.

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Takeout Thanksgiving Dinner in the Ozarks

If you’re looking for an “out” for cooking this holiday, but you don’t want to eat inside a restaurant—these places in the Ozarks offer takeout Thanksgiving dinner “to-go”. It’s also a fantastic option for those staying in a hotel or vacation rental without the facilities to prepare a full holiday meal.

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen | Branson, MO

If you’ve never been to Paula Deen’s, it’s an experience worth checking out if your family is really hungry! This comfort food establishment serves food family-style, in endless portions of community dishes at your table for your group.

The Branson location may be closed on Thanksgiving Day (we’re trying to find out), but you can still get Paula Deen’s good cookin’ on your table one or two days before Thanksgiving.

See Branson’s Paula Deen holiday catering menu, where you’ll find roast turkey, ham, fried chicken, chicken & dumplings, apple cobbler, and much more! Serve-ware is included and a minimum order of $250 is required, along with 20% gratuity and 48 hour advance notice before pick-up.

Penguin Eds Bar-B-Que | Fayetteville, AR

Pre-order your deliciously smoked Turkey or Ham for Thanksgiving from Penguin Eds in Fayetteville, AR by Nov 22. Comes pre-cooked along with gravy for an affordable price to feed the family. Additional sides, like stuffing are available to add to your order as well. Preorder now for pick up on Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Check out their 2024 Thanksgiving Menu and Order Here↗.

Buca Di Beppo | Kansas City, MO

This Italian restaurant makes the list three times, since they offer multiple ways to enjoy your traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. Along with dine-in, Buca Di Beppo also offers take-out—served hot or cold. You can even get it delivered. Order by Nov 20 to secure your meal, which can be picked up hot on Thanksgiving Day or the day before! Pre-order Here↗

More Places to Go for Thanksgiving Dinner in the Ozarks

If you’re striking out with the above options, here is a list of restaurants in the Ozarks that are usually open during Thanksgiving. Most of these can be found in major cities of the Ozarks like Branson, Springfield, Springdale, Tulsa, Little Rock, Fort Smith, Bentonville, St. Louis, etc.

1. Shoney’s
2. Cracker Barrel
3. Applebees
4. Bob Evans
5. Denny’s
6. Boston Market
7. Golden Corral
8. iHop
9. Waffle House
10. Local Steakhouse