If you are spending Turkey Day in Iowa’s capital, the lineup of thanksgiving restaurants open Des Moines 2026 choices is stronger than most Midwestern cities its size. The Des Moines metro has a well-documented tradition of restaurants opening on Thanksgiving โ from a casino steakhouse’s elegant prix fixe to Italian chains, classic comfort-food institutions, and the national chains that never close. Whether you are hosting out-of-town family, visiting relatives, or simply opting out of cooking this year, this guide maps the metro’s holiday dining landscape. One essential habit: always confirm 2026 holiday hours and menus directly with each restaurant, since details change every year.
Thanksgiving in Des Moines has a distinctly heartland character. This is a city where the holiday still feels like an event โ where restaurants decorate, families dress up a little, and the meal itself is treated with the seriousness it deserves. The local media covers the holiday dining scene closely each year, which means the information ecosystem is good: by early November, you can usually find confirmed lists of who is open and what they are serving. Use them, call ahead, and book early.
AJ’s Steakhouse: The Altoona Tradition
AJ’s Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows โ 1 Prairie Meadows Drive in Altoona โ is arguably the metro’s signature Thanksgiving dining room. Set inside the casino and racetrack complex, AJ’s has served a traditional dine-in Thanksgiving meal for years: a multi-course menu running from late morning into the evening, built around slow-roasted turkey breast but offering plenty of non-turkey options for mixed groups โ filet mignon, prime rib, salmon, and vegetarian entrees alongside the holiday bird.
What makes AJ’s work so well for Thanksgiving is the combination of occasion and ease. White tablecloths, attentive service, and a wine list built for celebration, with free parking and an easy drive from anywhere in the metro. The prix fixe format means no menu deliberation at the table โ you choose your courses and the kitchen handles the rest. For families blending turkey loyalists and steak devotees, it is close to ideal.
Reservations are highly recommended, and the prime-time seatings are the first to go. If you are combining dinner with an evening at Prairie Meadows, plan the logistics in advance โ Thanksgiving is a busy day at the casino, and the restaurants absorb a share of that traffic. Book the meal first, then build the rest of the outing around it.
West Des Moines: Bravo, Fleming’s, and Ruth’s Chris
The Jordan Creek area in West Des Moines is the metro’s upscale dining corridor, and three restaurants there anchor the Thanksgiving scene.
Bravo! Italian Kitchen at 120 South Jordan Creek Parkway has served a Thanksgiving feast built around sliced turkey with gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Italian sausage stuffing, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie โ typically preceded by a choice of salads. It is the holiday dinner with an Italian accent, and at a price point that keeps it accessible for families. The restaurant usually runs extended holiday hours from late morning into the evening.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at 150 South Jordan Creek Parkway brings the steakhouse tradition: a special Thanksgiving menu with turkey and premium beef options, served from late morning. Fleming’s holiday seatings are popular enough that the restaurant has been known to fill completely, with walk-in availability limited to the bar โ book early or risk eating at the bar top.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 950 Jordan Creek Parkway rounds out the trio with its long-standing Thanksgiving program: a holiday turkey menu served alongside the full steakhouse lineup. Like Fleming’s, it is a prime-time sellout most years. The Jordan Creek cluster makes it easy to have a backup plan โ if your first choice is full, the alternatives are minutes away.
Cracker Barrel and the Comfort-Food Classics
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store at 11701 University Avenue in Clive is the metro’s Thanksgiving workhorse. Open with holiday hours, Cracker Barrel serves turkey-and-dressing plates and country-fried turkey from late morning, plus a holiday sampler that has become something of a tradition. The heat-and-serve holiday meals to go โ turkey breast, dressing, gravy, sides, and rolls for the whole crew โ are equally popular for families who want the food without the restaurant.
The Cracker Barrel experience on Thanksgiving is a known quantity: expect a wait at peak times, use the online wait list, and embrace the country store while you wait. It is affordable, family-friendly, and unpretentious โ for many Des Moines families, it simply is Thanksgiving.
Other comfort-food names worth checking include Boston Market, which builds its holiday business around take-home feasts, and the metro’s family-dining chains. These are the restaurants where the holiday meal costs about the same as a normal dinner out, which matters when you are feeding a crowd.
More Local Options Across the Metro
Beyond the headliners, the Des Moines metro has a supporting cast of local and regional restaurants that have participated in Thanksgiving service.
Mulberry Street Tavern and Proudfoot & Bird in downtown Des Moines, Filet Steakhouse in Ankeny, and the Big Steer Restaurant & Lounge in Altoona have all appeared in local Thanksgiving dining coverage. These are the kinds of places that give the metro’s holiday its local flavor โ neighborhood steakhouses, downtown taverns, and supper-club-style rooms where the regulars are on a first-name basis.
Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in West Des Moines represents the buffet end of the spectrum โ abundant, affordable, and welcoming to the largest and pickiest of groups. And Oak Park restaurant on Ingersoll Avenue has offered a modern, creative take on the holiday menu for diners who want Thanksgiving with a contemporary twist.
The honest note: the local tier shifts more from year to year than the chains do. A restaurant that served Thanksgiving last year may sit this one out, and vice versa. Treat local coverage as your starting point, then verify each restaurant’s 2026 plans directly โ a quick call or a check of their social media in early November.
The Always-Open Safety Net
When plans fall through โ or when you simply need food at an odd hour โ the national always-open brigade has Des Moines covered. Denny’s, IHOP, and Waffle House traditionally keep their doors open on Thanksgiving, with hours varying by location. These are the no-reservation, no-dress-code, no-stress options, and there is genuine comfort in knowing they exist.
Many McDonald’s and Starbucks locations open with reduced holiday hours, and Whataburger-style late-night chains keep select locations running. On the closed side, expect Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Olive Garden, and Texas Roadhouse to be dark. The rule never changes: check the specific location’s posted holiday hours before you go.
In Pictures
From white-tablecloth dining rooms to glowing restaurant entrances dressed for the season, Thanksgiving in Des Moines is a photogenic holiday. Many metro restaurants share their holiday setups on social media throughout November โ follow your shortlisted spots to preview the atmosphere, and do not be shy about capturing your own table. A well-documented holiday meal is a gift to future you.
Watch
The video below is a news look at restaurants opening their doors to families on Thanksgiving โ the chefs, the servers, and the diners who make the holiday happen away from home. It is a nice reminder of what the day is really about, wherever you eat it.
At a Glance
Quick-reference table of Des Moines-metro restaurants with established Thanksgiving traditions. Always confirm 2026 hours, menus, and pricing directly โ holiday details change every year.
| Restaurant | Type | Thanksgiving Tradition | Planning Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJ’s Steakhouse (Prairie Meadows, Altoona) | Upscale steakhouse | Multi-course holiday menu, late morning to evening | Reserve; prime times sell out |
| Bravo! Italian Kitchen (W. Des Moines) | Italian chain | Thanksgiving feast with turkey and fixings | Family-friendly price point |
| Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse (W. Des Moines) | Upscale steakhouse | Holiday menu from late morning | Book early; fills completely |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House (W. Des Moines) | Upscale steakhouse | Turkey menu plus full steakhouse menu | Reserve weeks ahead |
| Cracker Barrel (Clive) | Southern comfort | Holiday plates from late morning; meals to go | Use online wait list |
| Big Steer (Altoona) / Filet (Ankeny) | Local steakhouse | Holiday meals per local coverage | Verify 2026 plans directly |
| Mulberry Street Tavern / Proudfoot & Bird | Downtown local | Thanksgiving service per local roundups | Check social media in November |
| Denny’s / IHOP | Family breakfast | Open; hours vary by location | Walk-in backup plan |
Thanksgiving Takeout in the Des Moines Metro
Dining in is not the only way to let a restaurant handle your holiday. The Des Moines metro’s takeout scene covers every style and budget, and for many families it is the ideal middle ground.
Cracker Barrel’s heat-and-serve holiday meals are the volume leader: turkey breast, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, sides, and rolls, ordered in advance and picked up before the holiday. Boston Market offers a similar full-feast-to-go program. Both require advance ordering with firm cutoff dates โ start looking in early November.
Local restaurants get in on the act too. Steakhouse and Italian spots in the metro have offered family-style holiday packages for pickup, and grocery stores and specialty markets run complete meal kits. The logistics are the same everywhere: order early, note your pickup window, bring insulated bags, and plan about an hour of oven time for reheating. A takeout feast still needs a schedule โ it is just a much shorter one than cooking from scratch.
Planning Timeline for a Des Moines Thanksgiving
Six to eight weeks out, choose your tier and book the headliners: AJ’s, Fleming’s, Ruth’s Chris, and Bravo. These are the metro’s scarcest Thanksgiving tables, and prime seatings disappear first. If you are considering a casino-adjacent evening at Prairie Meadows, lock the dinner reservation before planning anything else.
Three to four weeks out, place takeout orders and confirm mid-tier plans. Cracker Barrel’s heat-and-serve program and other to-go feasts have cutoff dates that creep up fast. This is also when local restaurants announce their holiday intentions on social media โ follow your candidates and be ready to book the moment a local favorite confirms.
Thanksgiving week is for verification only. Call every reservation, confirm pickup windows, check holiday hours for backup spots, and make sure the whole party knows the plan. Des Moines weather in late November can include the season’s first real snow โ allow extra drive time, especially for the Altoona and Ankeny trips, and keep an eye on the forecast.
Dining With Kids, Grandparents, and Big Groups
Thanksgiving tables in Des Moines tend to be big and multigenerational, and the restaurant scene is well set up for it. Cracker Barrel and the family chains are naturals for kids โ children’s menus, high chairs, and a relaxed attitude toward noise. AJ’s and the steakhouses handle large parties gracefully, with private and semi-private options for groups that want their own space.
For parties of eight or more, call the restaurant directly. Online systems often cap party sizes, but a conversation unlocks pushed-together tables, set menus for groups, and clarity on separate checks. Mention high chairs, booster seats, and any mobility needs when you book โ holiday dining rooms are crowded, and advance notice gets you the right table rather than the leftover one.
Buffets and family-style service are the easiest formats for mixed groups: everyone eats what they like, dietary needs are navigated visually, and the food keeps coming. Whatever format you choose, arrive fifteen minutes early and keep the group coordinated โ Thanksgiving seatings run on tight turnarounds, and grace periods are short.
Thanksgiving Morning: Breakfast and Brunch in the Metro
Not every holiday meal happens at dinner, and the Des Moines metro’s morning options are worth their own plan. If the big feast is midday or evening, breakfast out is one of the day’s small luxuries โ no cooking, no dishes, and a fed family before the main event.
Denny’s and IHOP hold down the morning as always: full breakfast menus, walk-in friendly, affordable, and fast. They are ideal when overnight guests are still arriving or when kids need food before they can be trusted in a formal dining room. Expect a cheerful holiday crowd and waits that are noticeable but nothing like the dinner rush.
For a step up, watch for hotel restaurants running Thanksgiving brunch buffets โ late morning to early afternoon spreads that blend breakfast favorites with carving stations and holiday sides. A big late-morning brunch can effectively serve as the day’s main meal, which is a smart strategy for families with young children or for anyone who wants the afternoon free. As with all seasonal programming, confirm brunch hours and pricing directly, since these events are planned fresh each year.
Dining With Dietary Restrictions on Turkey Day
Thanksgiving is the toughest restaurant meal of the year for restricted diets, because holiday menus are often fixed and built around wheat, dairy, and more wheat. The solution is advance communication โ not hope.
At AJ’s, Fleming’s, Ruth’s Chris, and Bravo, call when you book to discuss vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free needs. Kitchens running a set holiday menu can often prepare an alternative entree with notice, but they cannot improvise one mid-service on their busiest day. Be specific: “no gluten, including gravy and stuffing” produces better results than vague requests.
Buffets are the unsung heroes here. At a hotel Thanksgiving buffet, you can see every dish, ask about ingredients, and build a plate from what works โ roasted vegetables, salads, carved meats, fresh fruit. Restaurants running regular menus alongside holiday specials, like the steakhouses, keep their standard gluten-free and vegetarian options available too.
For severe allergies, takeout offers the most control: read every label, reheat safely, and supplement with your own dishes. Whatever your situation, communicate early, confirm twice, and never assume a holiday menu will flex without warning.
Beyond Dinner: Thanksgiving Weekend in Des Moines
Thanksgiving in Des Moines stretches well beyond Thursday dinner, and visitors who linger will find the metro in full holiday mode. The weekend brings festive lights, holiday markets, and the start of the shopping season around Jordan Creek Town Center โ natural outings for out-of-town guests between meals.
Friday is also the restaurant industry’s exhale. Spots that closed on Thursday reopen with normal menus and calmer dining rooms, making it a lovely day to try the restaurants you skipped on the holiday โ a favorite breakfast spot, a leisurely lunch downtown, or dinner at a neighborhood place that felt too risky to gamble on Thursday. Some families even make Friday the “second Thanksgiving,” gathering the extended crew at a restaurant once the pressure of the actual holiday has passed.
If you are hosting, consider the division of labor across the weekend: restaurant for the main event Thursday, home cooking for the relaxed Friday leftovers session, and one more meal out before guests head home. It spreads the joy, supports local restaurants twice, and keeps any single day from becoming a production.
Parking and Getting Around on Turkey Day
A practical note for metro diners: Thanksgiving restaurant trips have their own logistics. The Jordan Creek corridor and University Avenue see heavier traffic during peak meal windows, and restaurant lots fill fast โ arrive a little early rather than cutting it close, since holiday seatings run on tight turnarounds with short grace periods. Downtown parking is generally easy on the holiday itself. And if anyone in your group plans to enjoy wine with dinner, sort out a designated driver beforehand; Thanksgiving is one of the most heavily patrolled driving days of the year.
FAQ
Which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving in Des Moines?
Established options include AJ’s Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows, Bravo! Italian Kitchen, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cracker Barrel in Clive, the Big Steer, Filet Steakhouse, Mulberry Street Tavern, Proudfoot & Bird, and the always-open diners (Denny’s, IHOP). Confirm 2026 hours directly with each restaurant.
Do I need reservations for Thanksgiving dinner in Des Moines?
For AJ’s, Fleming’s, Ruth’s Chris, and Bravo โ yes, and early. These are the metro’s most popular holiday tables and prime seatings sell out. Mid-tier and local spots are more flexible but still recommend booking. Diners and fast-food restaurants are walk-in friendly.
Are there Thanksgiving buffets in Des Moines?
Hotel restaurants are the traditional source of Thanksgiving buffets in the metro โ check properties downtown and in West Des Moines. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet offers a buffet-style alternative. Announcements typically appear in late October and early November.
Can I order Thanksgiving dinner to go in Des Moines?
Yes. Cracker Barrel’s heat-and-serve holiday meals and Boston Market’s take-home feasts are widely available, and local restaurants offer family-style pickup packages. Order in early November โ cutoff dates are firm and pickup slots are limited.
What is the best Thanksgiving restaurant in Des Moines?
For an upscale holiday, AJ’s Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows is the metro’s signature pick; Fleming’s and Ruth’s Chris deliver classic steakhouse Thanksgiving; Bravo offers the best mid-range value; and Cracker Barrel is the beloved comfort-food tradition. Choose by vibe and budget โ all are proven holiday performers.
What restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving in Des Moines?
Many local independents close for the holiday, and chains like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Olive Garden, and Texas Roadhouse are typically closed. Verify any favorite directly rather than assuming, and keep a backup from the confirmed-open list.
Conclusion
Des Moines does Thanksgiving dinner out with genuine heartland hospitality โ and genuine variety. From AJ’s white-tablecloth prix fixe to Cracker Barrel’s down-home plates, from Jordan Creek steakhouses to takeout feasts eaten at your own table, there is a holiday meal here for every family and every budget. The winning formula never changes: decide early, book early, confirm twice, and arrive hungry. Start your planning in early November to secure the best tables and pickup slots before they fill. However you spend the day, we hope it is full of good food and the people you love. For more holiday planning, visit our Thanksgiving hub, see the Des Moines Thanksgiving parade guide, or compare notes with San Antonio’s Thanksgiving restaurant roundup.
