Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there’s plenty to plan for before the holiday arrives. From making dinner reservations and ordering pies to preparing for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lincoln Square is full of ways to celebrate.
Dine Out
Whether you’re in the mood for traditional holiday favorites or something a little different, Lincoln Square restaurants have plenty to offer this Thanksgiving. Special menus are on the table at P.J. Clarke’s (44 West 63rd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue), Nougatine (1 Central Park West), La Pecora Bianca (61 Columbus Avenue at West 62nd Street), Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), Atlantic Grill (50 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Central Park West), and Rampoldi (49 West 64th Street, between Broadway and Central Park West).
At Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle at West 60th Street), guests can enjoy a Thanksgiving Day buffet at MO Lounge. The Bar, also located at the hotel, will open early for hotel guests before welcoming the public at 5:00pm. Nearby, Rosa Mexicano (44 West 63rd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) and Noi Due Carne (141 West 69th Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) are also worth keeping in mind. Both featured Thanksgiving specials last year and may do so again.
You can also make a night of Thanksgiving at Dizzy’s Club (Broadway at West 60th Street), where dinner comes with live jazz on November 26. New Orleans drummer Herlin Riley and his quartet will perform alongside a special three-course holiday meal.
If you’re hoping to dine out, reserve your table soon. Robert (2 Columbus Circle) and Café Fiorello (1900 Broadway, between West 63rd and 64th Streets) have limited availability. Others seem to be fully booked, including Brasserie Boulud (1900 Broadway at 64th Street), Per Se (10 Columbus Circle), The Smith (1900 Broadway, between West 63rd and 64th Streets), and Tavern on the Green (Central Park West at West 67th Street).
A few more neighborhood restaurants are accepting Thanksgiving Day reservations, although they haven’t announced special holiday menus. These include Momofuku Noodle Bar Uptown, Twin Tails, and Bad Roman, all at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle), as well as Unglo (35 West 64th Street, between Broadway and Central Park West) and El Fish Marisquería (155 Amsterdam Avenue at West 67th Street).
Host at Home
Hosting Thanksgiving at home? You don’t have to make everything from scratch. The Smith has your early celebration covered with its limited-time Teamsgiving Feast, a hot, ready-to-eat turkey dinner for 8 to 10 people, available through November 20. For the holiday itself, DIG INN (100 West 67th Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) and Momofuku Noodle Bar Uptown offer Thanksgiving catering.
You’ll also find plenty of options for groceries, catering, and other holiday essentials at Gourmet Garage (155 West 66th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), Morton Williams (2015 Broadway, between West 68th and 69th Streets), and Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle). For anyone cooking from scratch or picking up a few last-minute items, Target (1863 Broadway at West 61st Street) and the Richard Tucker Park Greenmarket (Columbus Avenue between West 65th and 66th Streets) are also convenient stops. The Greenmarket will be open on Wednesday, November 25, for Thanksgiving shopping, instead of on Thursday.
Save room for dessert! Lincoln Square bakeries and restaurants are offering a delectable selection of holiday pies, cakes, and other seasonal treats. Pick up Breads Bakery’s (1890 Broadway at West 63rd Street) signature Babka Pie, or try Épicerie Boulud’s (1900 Broadway at West 64th Street) chocolate bourbon pecan pie and spiced apple crumble. Lady M (1 West 60th Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) is offering Pumpkin Nuage and Apple Pie Mille Crêpes. UNGLO is offering a Pumpkin Dulce Cheesecake with a buttery Biscoff crust and pumpkin dulce de leche for $48, available for take-home pre-order. Magnolia Bakery (200 Columbus Avenue at West 69th Street) offers pumpkin, pecan, and apple crumb pies, along with seasonal puddings and cupcakes. At Maman (152 Columbus Avenue, between West 66th and 67th Streets), seasonal favorites include Martha Stewart’s cinnamon swirl apple pie, mascarpone-topped pumpkin pie, and classic pecan pie. Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West) rounds out the neighborhood offerings with caramelized apple, spiced pumpkin, chocolate pecan, and vegan pumpkin pies.
For a festive touch around the house, stop by West Elm (1870 Broadway, between West 61st and 62nd Streets), Pottery Barn (1965 Broadway at West 67th Street), Williams Sonoma (10 Columbus Circle), or Paper Source (10 Columbus Circle) for holiday decorations, tableware, and entertaining essentials. Target is another stop for seasonal finds.
Looking for a creative way to celebrate with friends? Color Me Mine UWS (177 Amsterdam Avenue at West 68th Street) is hosting a Friendsgiving Paint & Sip on Friday, November 27, with sessions from 4:30pm–6:30pm and 7:00pm–9:00pm. Guests can paint their own pottery, including something special to use at next year’s Thanksgiving table, while enjoying light bites and a glass of wine.
Give Back
Make the holiday brighter for neighbors in need! On Sunday, November 22, DOROT is holding its annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery. Manhattan volunteers can sign up for a shift from 10:00am to 12:30pm to pick up meals and deliver them to older adults on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. Volunteers can also spend time visiting with recipients. You can learn more and sign up here.
Goddard Riverside will host its annual Holiday Meals program on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, serving dinner from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at its Older Adult Community Center at 593 Columbus Avenue (at West 88th Street). Volunteer opportunities for meal preparation, delivery, and dining service are full, but the organization still welcomes donations of turkeys, wrapped utensils, bagged cookies, holiday cards, and reusable grocery bags. Visit Goddard Riverside’s website for complete donation guidelines.
Enjoy the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, with giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and performances making their way through Manhattan. On Thanksgiving Day, The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) typically has select shops and restaurants open, offering a potential option for parade viewing.
The excitement starts a day early on Wednesday, November 25, when the parade’s iconic, larger-than-life character balloons take shape during the annual inflation event on the Upper West Side, just north of Lincoln Square. Both the parade and balloon inflation bring street closures and traffic restrictions to the neighborhood, so plan accordingly if traveling through the area. Visit the official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website for updated schedules, viewing details, and street closure information.
As you make plans for the holiday weekend, take some time to explore the neighborhood, too. Our Map & Guide features local shops, restaurants, and other destinations, with plenty to explore on Black Friday. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy Thanksgiving!
