Stuck at school for Thanksgiving this year? You can still enjoy a mouthwatering meal that feels just like (or even better than) home—without carving a turkey in your dorm room. With many restaurants staying open for the holiday, Thanksgiving for college students can be as indulgent as the turkey feasts you grew up with.
From homestyle comfort food to creative twists on culinary classics, here are our top picks for Thanksgiving dinners at five major schools across the USA.
UCLA
Located in the stylish West Hollywood EDITION, Ardor brings a sophisticated California-inspired approach to Thanksgiving. This chic spot just five miles from UCLA feels like stepping into a lush urban oasis. Plants everywhere, rooftop views, and food so good you’ll forget you’re in LA. Ardor’s three-course Thanksgiving tasting menu focuses on fresh, vegetable-forward dishes with a California twist. Highlights include pumpkin agnolotti, sweet potato curry, and roasted turkey with cranberry sauce. Between the dessert buffet and the dazzling Los Angeles skyline as your backdrop, you might not want to leave.
For a cozier vibe with rustic-chic interiors and a heated patio, Charcoal is the place to be. Roughly seven miles from campus, this lively hotspot serves up a hearty five-course Thanksgiving feast. Dig into smoked turkey or prime rib paired with indulgent sides like pecan praline yams, wild mushroom stuffing, and cranberry sauce. End your meal with a decadent selection of seasonal pies. Charcoal serves up the perfect balance between elevated dining and approachable comfort for an unforgettable holiday meal.
If you’re willing to take a 15-mile drive, Castaway Burbank is well worth it. Known for its scenic views and high-energy atmosphere, this joint offers a Thanksgiving brunch that’s perfect for students looking to start their festivities early. Embrace panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley from way up high in the hills of Burbank. Savor flavorful options like lobster eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, and traditional Thanksgiving dishes, along with $30 bottomless mimosas. Prefer sticking with dinner? Book a table to enjoy their usual à la carte dinner menu.
University of Florida
Just 15 minutes from campus, Pomodoro’s Cafe is a cozy, family-owned gem with an inviting atmosphere and murals of Italian countryside scenes that’ll transport you. Chow down on holiday staples like roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Alternatively, go the Italian route with baked lasagna or eggplant parmesan. For dessert, don’t miss trying a slice of silky pumpkin cheesecake.
Looking to get out of Gainesville for a few hours? Head to the nearby town of High Springs to enjoy the Thanksgiving spread at Great Outdoors Restaurant. Set in a historic 1895 opera house, this down-home eatery is serving a robust buffet from 11 AM to 4 PM. Choose between slow-roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham, complemented by Southern staples like cornbread stuffing, mac and cheese, and buttery rolls. If you like the sound of $5 mimosas and bellinis, you’ll love this spot (of course, if you’re 21 and over).
As America’s quintessential comfort food destination, Cracker Barrel is an easy pick for a homestyle Thanksgiving feast. Less than 10 minutes from campus, this nostalgic joint is both convenient and budget-friendly. Embrace the warm, rustic interiors, complete with faux-brick floors. Their Thanksgiving plate features roast turkey, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry relish, and pumpkin pie. Don’t feel like dining in? Pre-order a Thanksgiving feast for ten and be the hero of your Friendsgiving.
NYU
Located in Tribeca, just a short subway ride from campus, Bubby’s is a legendary brunch spot known for its vintage diner feel, and homestyle comfort eats. From 12 PM to 8 PM on Thanksgiving Day, you can enjoy a three-course holiday meal. Start with deviled eggs and buttermilk biscuits, followed by roast turkey or glazed ham with the traditional fixings. Save room for a slice of Bubby’s famous pie—you can get pumpkin, sour cherry, or apple whiskey.
With its welcoming atmosphere and accessible location near NYU’s Manhattan campus, The Smith is a great spot for college students to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Choose from appetizers like butternut squash soup and ricotta gnocchi before digging into mains like roast turkey, turkey pot pie, and braised short rib. Pair your entree with signature sides like crispy Brussels sprouts and apple brioche stuffing. Cap off your holiday feast with a sticky apple toffee pudding.
If you’re in the mood to splurge, head to Union Square Cafe—it’s less than a mile from campus. The James Beard Award-winning restaurant offers a $175 prix fixe menu featuring seasonal dishes. Start with savory apps like duck liver mousse or celery root soup, then choose between roast turkey with stuffing or beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes. If you manage to save room for dessert, the spiced apple cake and pecan tart are not to be missed.
University of Michigan
Housed in a restored 1886 train depot just a mile from the University of Michigan, Gandy Dancer offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. The ambiance alone is worth the trip, but the food (of course) is the star of the show. Begin your three-course meal with butternut squash bisque or seafood chowder. For the main course, enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Wrap up your meal with seasonal pies, cheesecake, or creme brulee. At $49 per person, it’s a classy way to celebrate without blowing your budget.
Weber’s Restaurant has been an Ann Arbor favorite among college students and families alike for nearly a century. Between the intimate interiors, stained-glass windows, and A-frame ceiling, this charming spot is perfect for an indulgent homestyle meal. Best of all, it’s only two miles from campus. Dine here for lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, or come for dinner between 4:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Order the Thanksgiving special –a plated turkey dinner– or opt for something off the usual dinner menu. Alternatively, you can pre-order a family-style feast to bring home.
For a homier vibe, head to Carlyle Grill on Ann Arbor’s west side—roughly 15 minutes from campus. The relaxed farm-to-table restaurant celebrates the flavors of Michigan through comforting dishes made with local ingredients. Take your pick between hand-carved turkey, stuffed butternut squash, or premium options like prime rib and Faroe Island salmon. Expect family-style sides like maple mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, and homemade cranberry sauce. After dinner, dig into pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or a seasonal fruit crumble.
Texas A&M
If you go to Texas A&M, you don’t even have to leave campus to enjoy an epic Thanksgiving meal. Every year, the Texas A&M Hotel hosts a family-style brunch and dinner between 11:30 AM and 7 PM. Chow down on holiday staples like slow-roasted turkey with giblet gravy, cornbread dressing, whipped potatoes, and desserts like bread pudding and chocolate fondue. Between its convenient location and a mouthwatering menu, this is a go-to option for students wanting to celebrate with their fellow Aggies.
Prefer to venture off-campus? For a Thanksgiving feast with a twist, Casa do Brasil in College Station offers a Brazilian-style all-you-can-eat experience. Open from 11 AM to 8 PM, the steakhouse offers sizzling meats carved tableside, including turkey, beef, lamb, and pork. Pair your protein with Brazilian sides like crispy polenta and caramelized bananas, or opt for traditional American Thanksgiving staples. The stuffing is a must-try, and don’t forget the pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
If you don’t feel like cooking but aren’t in the mood to dine out either, Saltgrass Steak House offers a fantastic Thanksgiving feast to-go. For $90, you get a roasted turkey dinner with all the fixings (mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad, and more) for a family of four. It’s an easy way for college students to host Thanksgiving dinner without setting off the smoke detectors. Just place your order, then make the 15-minute drive from campus between November 26 and 28 to pick up your ready-to-eat meal.
