Between expensive airfare and long distances, it’s not always possible for college students to travel home for Thanksgiving break. The idea of cooking and hosting an entire dinner in a tiny apartment or dorm is also intimidating.
Eating out for Thanksgiving seems like a viable option, but a quick Google search will turn up fancy restaurants charging in the triple digits per person. Most college students aren’t inclined to drop $200 on a dinner.
In the spirit of frugality, here’s a list of 18 restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner for $75 or less. It is possible to celebrate without totally breaking the bank!
Local 92 — East Village
92 2nd Ave
Price: $40
Located less than a mile from The New School, this restaurant is an easy option for students living nearby. While their menu isn’t been finalized, Local 92 says they “are refining the classics” and that “there will be plenty of pumpkin pie to go around for dessert.” At just $40, this meal is relatively affordable.
Reservations: through OpenTable or call (212) 432-2232
Irvington — East Village
201 Park Ave South
Offering an a la carte Thanksgiving menu, Irvington is a great option for students who want to dine somewhere nearby without completely stuffing themselves. Sweet potato soup costs $14, while the turkey entree with potato mash, cornbread apple stuffing and brussel sprouts will set you back $34. A $28 vegetarian alternative is the Acorn Squash Lasagnette. If you’re still feeling hungry, you can grab some pumpkin cheesecake mousse for $12.
Reservations: through SevenRooms or call (212) 677-0425
Philip Marie — West Village
569 Hudson St.
Price: $54.95 (tax and gratuity excluded)
This is one of the best prix fixe deals in the city. For $55, you get your choice of appetizer of either Spinach and Artichoke Terrine, Baked Brie, soup or salad. Main dish selections include turkey, ham, sea bass, New York sirloin (+$10), braised buffalo ragout or mushroom ravioli. You get to finish with your choice of a caramel apple cobbler, pecan or pumpkin pie, chocolate or tres leches cake, or bread pudding. At the end of the meal, you will receive a box of “leftovers” (meaning an additional serving of the main course) in a Philip Marie tote bag.
(As I personally spent Thanksgiving 2016 here, I can attest to the quality of food. Although I wouldn’t recommend it for parties larger than four, I found the experience to be worth the buck.)
Reservations: through OpenTable or call (212) 242-6200
Rosemary’s — West Village
18 Greenwich Village
Price: $65
The Italian family-style menu has does not skimp on carbs. After beginning with your choice of antipasto, you will be served housemade pasta before even getting to the main turkey dish. Along with the turkey you can decide between brussel sprouts or sweet potatoes. Dessert is either spiced date cake, pumpkin tiramisu or salted caramel gelato.
Red Farm — West Village, Upper West Side
529 Hudson St., 2170 Broadway
Price: A la carte menu. Starters range from $9-22, main dishes cost $19-57, dumplings are $12.50-$19.50
While there is no prix fixe Thanksgiving menu, this Chinese restaurant will be serving a Peking Turkey special. Seating is generally at two large communal tables, so this could be a good way to meet and chat with new people.
No reservations for parties smaller than eight.
Hill County BBQ — Flatiron
30 W. 26th St.
Price: $60
This Texan-style Thanksgiving is sure to leave you stuffed. Feast on turkey, beef brisket, pork spare ribs, sausage or chicken. There will also be stuffing, sweet potato bourbon mash, green bean casserole, white shoepeg corn pudding, collard greens, mac ‘n cheese and cornbread. Dessert options are apple streusel pie, pumpkin or pecan pie, banana pudding, or a pb&j cupcake. For football fans, you can dine and catch the Cowboys game at 4:30.
Leftovers may be purchased separately.
Reservations: Call (212) 255-4544
Cote — Flatiron
16 W 22nd St.
Price: $72
The established restaurant will be serving a prix fixe Korean-inspired Thanksgiving feast. You will eat four-selected steak cuts, grilled tableside in the traditional Korean barbecue style, along with “Thanksgiving-inspire additions,” such as pomme aligot (cheesy potatoes), squash soup, roasted vegetables and cranberry and gravy sauces.
Reservations: OpenTable or email event@cotenyc.com
San Marino — SoHo
66 Charlton St.
Price: $40
While their Thanksgiving menu has not been published yet, a $40 prix fixe dinner is too good of a deal not to share with college students.
Reservations: through OpenTable or call (212) 206-3766
Hourglass Tavern — Hell’s Kitchen
373 W 46th St.
Price: $35
Enjoy this traditional three course prix fixe menu in the heart of New York. Start with either a soup or salad, and then eat an entree consisting of turkey, turkey sausage, sweet potatoes and cranberry compote. Finish your meal off with a slice of pumpkin pie, dark chocolate chili spiced mousse or a coffee/tea. For an extra $6, you can upgrade to a fancier dessert menu, including pecan praline cheesecake, mascarpone cake or apple berry cobbler. The Thanksgiving menu will be available from 2 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Reservations: through OpenTable
1 Nocello — Upper West Side
257 W 55th St.
Price: $59
This Italian restaurant’s menu boasts an array of harvest dishes, ranging from butternut squash gnocchi to turkey to lamb chops. Alternatively, you could order sea bass, pork shank, or fettuccine with lobster and shrimp. A soup or salad comes with every dinner and you can munch on a variety of pies or gelato at the end.
Reservations: through Yelp Reservations or call (212)713-0224
The Cecil — Harlem
210 W 118th St.
Price: $65
This Harlem restaurant brings an Afro-Asian twist to Thanksgiving. For $65 per person, you can indulge in a collard-green salad, oxtail dumplings, pal-sugar-brined turkey, poussin yassa (a sweet chicken dish), coconut sticky rice, and pumpkin pot pie. Dessert options include sweet potato pie, goat cheese cheesecake and bread pudding.
Reservations: through OpenTable or call (212)866-1262
Convivium Osteria — Park Slope, Brooklyn
68 5th Ave
Price: $65
As a slightly more expensive option, this restaurant makes up for it by catering to sophisticated palates. Appetizers include stuffed quail, puntarelle salad, polenta, pumpkin tortelli, and seafood salad. Main course offerings include turkey, rabbit, ravioli with duck ragu, red snapper, and lamb. Desserts are either apple tart, pumpkin pie, tiramisu, or flourless chocolate cake.
Reservations: through OpenTable or call (718) 857-1833