Eating out for Thanksgiving has grown in popularity in recent years. The cost, time and skills needed to properly set a Thanksgiving meal can be daunting to most people, so eating out simplifies things and in many cases, costs can be comparable to cooking a feast at home.

Many New Jersey restaurants are offering brunch and dinner specials so you can celebrate turkey day in a very tasty fashion.

Here are some local restaurants offering special Thanksgiving menus and some food outlets making it easier to host the holiday at home with special prepared foods. 

*** I’ll be updating this post as new information becomes available***.

Bergen County

Chakra (www.chakrarestaurant.com  144 NJ-4, Paramus) will offer a three-course Thanksgiving feast for$49/person (plus tax & gratuity) and children’s a la carte menu. Call for reservations 201-556-1530.

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern (http://hohokusinn.com  1 E. Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus) will offer a four-course menu featuring classic family favorites from 12PM to 6PM. Cost is $49 for adults and $19.95 for children 15 and under, plus tax & gratuity. Reservations required, call 201-445-4115.

Essex County

Anthony’s Cheesecake (www.anthonyscheesecake.com  71 Washington Street, Bloomfield) has a vast array of cheesecakes to go for the perfect ending to turkey day. Call 973-415-8885 to reserve a dessert.

The Manor Restaurant (www.themanorrestaurant.com  111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange) is offering a four-course menu from 12:30PM to 7PM for $79.95 per adult or $29.95 for children 10 to 3 years old, plus tax and gratuity. It offer has a buffet from 12PM to 7PM for $68.95 per adult or $22.95 for children 10 to 3 years old, plus tax and gratuity. Call 973-731-2360 for reservations.

Calandra’s Italian Village will celebrate Thanksgiving at its various venues:

Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill – 118 US Highway 46, Fairfield. Will offer a deluxe dinner buffet for $58 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under and free for children 4 and under. Seatings are 2PM to 4PM, 5:30PM to 7:30PM. Call 973-575-6500 for reservations.

Cucina Calandra – 216 US Highway 46, Fairfield. Thanksgiving Day specials along with full a la carte menu. Open seating available from 12PM until closing. For reservations, call 973-575-7720 or 973-575-7200.

Il Vecchio Café – 234 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell. A buffet dinner is offered for $48 for adults, $20 for children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under eat free. Buffet includes a free glass of Calandra’s White or Red. Seatings are from 12PM to 2PM, 2:30PM to 4:30PM and 5PM to 7PM. Call 973-226-8889 for reservations.

Hudson County

Amanda’s (http://amandasrestaurant.com  908 Washington Street, Hoboken) will offer a three-course menu starting at 1PM for $55 plus tax and gratuity. Call to reserve at 201-798-0101.

Liberty House (https://libertyhouserestaurant.com  76 Audrey Zapp Dr. Jersey City) will offer a three-course menu from 1PM to 6PM for $62 per adult or $30 per child. For Reservations call 201-395-0300.

Mercer County

Agricola (www.agricolaeatery.com  11 Witherspoon St, Princeton) will offer a four-course prix fixe menu from 12PM to 7PM for $75 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 609-921-2798.

Middlesex County

Catherine Lombardi (www.catherinelombardi.com  3 Livingston Ave New Brunswick) will offer an Italian-American Thanksgiving menu along with its standard menu from 1PM to 7PM for $49.95 per person plus tax and tip. Call 732-296-9463 for reservations.

Due Mari (www.duemarinj.com  78 Albany Street, New Brunswick) is doing a three-course menu from 1PM to 7PM for $49 per adult and $25 for children under 10. Call 732-296-1600 for reservations.

Stage Left Steak (www.stageleft.com  5 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick) will offer a special Thanksgiving menu from 1PM to 7:30PM for $59.95 per adult or $29.95 for children under 12. Regular menu also available. Call 732-828-4444 for reservations.

Monmouth County

Avenue (www.leclubavenue.com  23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch) will feature a three-course menu from 12PM to 6PM for $42 per person plus tax and tip. Call 732-759-2900 for reservations.

Restaurant Nicholas (www.restaurantnicholas.com 160 Route 35 South Red Bank) will offer 3-course tasting menu for $75pp, four-course garden menu for $75pp, six-course tasting menu for $95pp ($155 with wine) and a children’s menu for $32pp (plus tax and gratuity). Reserve at 732-345-9977.

Morris County

Blue Morel Restaurant & Wine Bar (http://bluemorel.com  2 Whippany Road, Morristown) will offer a 3-course menu for $64 per adult and $32 per child 11 and under plus tax and gratuity with seatings from 1PM to 9PM. The Wine Room is also available for parties up to 18 guests. For reservations and more information call 973-451-2619.

Denville Meat Shop (www.denvillemeatshop.com  28 Diamond Spring Rd, Denville) has a complete selection of to-go foods to make hosting a breeze. Offering ranges from raw turkeys to roasted or smoked birds to all the sides and even non-traditional foods like chateaubriand and pork crown roast. Visit the website for online ordering or call 862-209-4088.

Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen (www.jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com  110 South St, Morristown) is helping diners with a to-go feast for eight for $320 ($160 for each additional four people). Food must be picked up 11/21/18 between 11AM-7PM. Call 973-644-3180 for details or reserve on the restaurant’s website.

Morris Tap & Grill (http://www.morristapandgrill.com 500 Route 10 West, Randolph) is offering a Thanksgiving Grand Buffet from 11AM until 6PM. $29.95 for adults, $15 children 12 and under (children under 4 are free). Call 973-891-1776 for reservations.

Mr. Crabby’s (www.mrcrabbys.com  399 Route 10 East, Randolph) will offer a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11AM to 7PM for $32.50 for adults and $15 for children under 10. Call 973-343-7688 for reservations.

Somerset County

Olde Mill Inn & Grain House Restaurant (www.oldemillinn.com  225 Hwy 202, Basking Ridge) will offer a buffet from 11:30AM to 5:30PM for $59 adults, $24 children ages 4-11, 20% service charge and sales tax apply. Grain House will offer a four-course menu from 11:45AM to 7:15PM for $59 adults, $24 children ages 4-11, 20% service charge and sales tax apply. Reservations required 908-696-2335.

The Bernards Inn (www.bernardsinn.com  27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville) will offer a Grand Buffet for $69 for adults, $35 for children 6 to 12 years old, $15 for children 2 to 5 years old and free for children 2 years old and younger with seatings from 11:30AM to 5:30PM.  Seatings for the Three-Course Prix-Fixe dinner are from 12PM to 6PM and pricing is $79 for adults, $35 for children 12 years and under. Reservations are required and can be made by calling: (908) 766-0002.

Sussex County

Andre’s Restaurant (www.dresrealfood.com  112 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta) will offer to-go prepared foods including free range organic turkeys, brined and oven ready WITH INSTRUCTIONS!!! There will also be a la cart items like soups, hors d’oeuvres, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, sides and desserts. Call 973-726-6000 for details and to order.

Crystal Springs Resort (www.crystalgolfresort.com  1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg) will offer Thanksgiving specials at its various restaurants and ballrooms: Grand Cascades Lodge offers three different options perfect for families. The Emerald Ballroom will host a grand buffet from 11AM – 4PM for $59 for adults, $25 for children 4-11. Crystal Tavern will offer a three-course Thanksgiving dinner from 12PM – 9PM for $65/person, $35 for an optional wine pairing, $25 for children under 11. Springs Bistro will offer a three-course Thanksgiving menu from 3PM to 8PM for $65/person, $35 for an optional wine pairing and $25 for children under 11. A limited a la carte menu will also be available. Minerals Hotel’s Diamond Ballroom will offer a buffet from 11:30AM to 3PM $49.95/person, $24.94 for children 4-11. Call 855-977-6473 for reservations.

Stone Water (http://stonewaternj.com  125 NJ-181, Lake Hopatcong) will offer a buffet of traditional favorites from 11AM to 7PM for $45/person. Call 973-810-3858 for reservations.

Union County

Summit House (www.summithousenj.com  395 Springfield Avenue, Summit) from 12PM to 5PM, a three-course prix fixe menu will include four choices per course and abundant family-style sides. $85/adult + tax & gratuity and $25 for children under 10, optional wine pairing available.