Have you ever eaten Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant? This year, consider saving yourself the stress of cooking the perfect Thanksgiving feast by reserving a table, or getting carryout for the entire meal! 

Our family has eaten Thanksgiving dinner at restaurants several times, and I can tell you that it's actually quite enjoyable. Most important (to me, at least): NO COOKING IS INVOLVED! No worrying about buying all the ingredients at the store. No worrying about digging up recipes and timing things so that everything comes out of the oven at the proper time. No worrying about dragging chairs to the kitchen from all over the house. No setup. No cleanup, either!

So, have I convinced you? If so, here are some places in Fort Wayne that will offer delicious meals on Thanksgiving Day and carryout for day-of or day-before!

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day in Fort Wayne

Thanksgiving Pumpkin - Stock Photo

Applebee's

Applebees will have special hours on Thanksgiving Day, open from 5p - 11p offering their normal menu.

4510 N Clinton St
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(260) 484-6060

6525 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46818
(260) 497-7404

5788 Coventry Ln
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
(260) 436-9445

Arbor at The Bradley

The Bradley is hosting its second annual Thanksgiving Day feast from 11AM to 5PM. Their Executive Chef has created a spectacular meal for you and your loved ones in their beautifully designed space.

Reservations are required. Call 260-428-4018 or make them online here.

Arbor
204 W Main St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 800-8685

Bob Evans

Fort Wayne's three Bob Evan's locations will all be open on Thanksgiving. Hours will be 8am – 11pm. All locations will offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal, as well as some of their other menu items. You can also pre-order your "Farmhouse Feast" to pick up and take home. All you need to do is heat, serve, and enjoy!

5785 Coventry Lane
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
260-436-2566

5135 Meijer Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
260-492-2035

2935 East Dupont Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260-490-6096

China House

Open from 10:30am - 9pm serving their full standard menu.

3119 E State Blvd #A
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
260-408-8888

Cracker Barrel

Both Fort Wayne Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores will be serving their good home-cookin' on Thanksgiving. They will serve meals with turkey and all the trimmings, as well as most "regular" menu items if you prefer those.

The restaurant also offers "heat and serve" pre-ordered meals, if you'd like to eat at home but prefer not to cook. These meals need to be ordered at least a day or two prior to the holiday. Cracker Barrel restaurants are open 7am – 10pm.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
1609 W. Washington Center Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46818
260-489-1855

10427 E. Maysville Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
260-492-7500

Shrimp Cocktail at Eddie Merlot's

Eddie Merlot’s

Eddie Merlot’s will be offering their full dinner menu as well as a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

Open 11am-8pm

Make reservations here.

Eddie Merlot's
1502 Illinois Rd S
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
(260) 459-2222

Elijah's Restaurant and Bakery

Elijah's Restaurant and Bakery will be open Thanksgiving Day with this special menu offer.

Open 1pm - 8pm

Elijah's Restaurant and Bakery
301 W Jefferson Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 278-1085

Golden Corral

Get Holiday Meals to Go at Golden Corral! Choose from holiday glazed ham, whole roasted turkey, with mashed potatoes and gravy, your choice of homestyle sides, and their famous yeast rolls, plus a whole pie for a complete family meal. New this year, try the Holiday Beef Roast.

Order here, or dine in at a Golden Corral's Fort Wayne location from 10am - 5pm on Thanksgiving day.

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
5335 Distribution Dr
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260-480-0193

Granite City

Granite City will be open on Thanksgiving day and offering their Traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet feast for $34.99/person. Reservations are strongly suggested, however walk-ins will be accepted where they can fit them in. 11am - 6pm. You can also order ahead for carry-out!

Granite City Food and Brewery
3809 Coldwater Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
260-471-3030

Liberty Diner

Liberty Diner will be open 7a - 3p on Thanksgiving Day offering turkey, mashed potatoes, soup or salad, stuffing, and of the Thanksgiving fixins' for $16.95 per person. All specials for the day include pumpkin pie!

2929 Goshen Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 484-9666 

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Enjoy a traditional 3-course Thanksgiving dinner and don't forget to enjoy the legendary carrot cake or pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

Ruth's Chris will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11pm – 8pm. Reservations required here.

224 W Wayne St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 444-5898

Sapporo

Sapporo Japanese Restaurant will be open 12p - 8p on Thanksgiving Day offering their full standard menu. Reservations are recommended.

6150 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(260) 739-6064

Wu's Fine Chinese Cuisine

Looking for something different than your traditional Thanksgiving dishes? You might want to try the delicious fare at Wu's Fine Chinese Cuisine.

The restaurant will open on Thanksgiving and will be serving its regular menu from 11am – 9:30pm.

Wu's Fine Chinese Cuisine
4411 Coldwater Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260-483-0899

Restaurants offering Thanksgiving Specials for Pick Up:

GK Baked Goods

GK Baked Goods is offering special order on whole pies, quiche, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and any pastries to be picked up Wednesday, Nov 22. Email Katie Jo at affinefoods@gmail.com by 10:00pm on Friday, Nov 17th to place your order.

202 W Berry St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 424-2600

Shigs In Pit

Holiday Meal Deals and Bundles are available for pick up ahead of time at Shigs In Pit locations! Orders are due by Sunday, November 19 to be picked up on Wednesday, November 22.. View the menu here and call ahead to order.

Fairfield Location
2008 Fairfield Ave
​Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 387-5903

Maplecrest Location
6250 Maplecrest Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
(260) 222-8802

Illinois Rd Location
8506 Illinois Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
(260) 338-4888

Three Rivers Distilling Co.

Three Rivers Distilling Co. is currently taking orders for Thanksgiving deserts. Orders must be placed by 12pm Friday November 17th and pickup will be Wednesday 11/22 from 4pm - 8pm. Order here for Southern Pecan Pie Cheesecake, Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings + Vanilla Ice Cream, Key Lime Pie, Death by Chocolate Cheese Cake, Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, and Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bread Pudding + Vanilla Ice Cream.

224 E Wallace St
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(260) 745-9355

Know of a restaurant open for Thanksgiving that we missed? Email us at emilyh@visitfortwayne.com to let us know!

This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated.