Click here for Thanksgiving dining in Iowa 2023.
Gratitude is the best attitude, and together is the best place to be on Thanksgiving. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities for Thanksgiving dining in Iowa to bring you all of the coziness of your favorite comfort foods.
Bubba
Des Moines
When it comes to comfort food, you can’t get much better than Bubba, a restaurant that is renowned for its southern comforts put on a plate. A buffet of delicious delicacies, best enjoyed with loved ones, is the pinnacle of Thanksgiving dining in Iowa. Even though Bubba won’t be open for dining on Thanksgiving, they do offer tempting takeout options for pickup the day prior. The mouthwatering menu begins with Bubba’s bread basket, brimming with buttermilk biscuits and cornbread with whipped honey butter. In addition, guests can order deviled eggs, pimento mac and cheese and garlic buttermilk mashed potatoes with country gravy. And be sure to save room for dessert because Bubba is also serving up pumpkin bread pudding and whiskey pecan pie. While you pick up your Thanksgiving feast, you can also check alcohol off the list if you’re looking to enjoy some stone fruit Old Fashioned on Turkey Day. For more information, visit bubbadsm.com.
Cyd’s Catering
Johnston
Your grandma may have made a fantastic Thanksgiving feast in a flash, but everyone knows that it takes more time and effort than it seems. Thankfully, this year you can unwind knowing that you’re giving your family a tried-and-true Thanksgiving feast with the help of Cyd’s Catering. By putting emphasis on the happiness of being together, you can avoid the hassle of cooking by ordering your own personal Thanksgiving buffet. The show begins with a scrumptious salad of fresh in-season garden greens with carrots, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and Champagne vinaigrette dressing. From there, guests will also be wowed by garlic knots, roasted turkey breast with gravy, green bean casserole with French onions, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and, of course, pumpkin pie with fresh vanilla-bean cream. This Thanksgiving dining experience in Iowa is one that everyone in the family will cherish. For more information, visit cateringbycyd.online.
Gateway Market
Des Moines
Secure your bird in time for Thanksgiving. Gateway Market is currently offering fresh, free-range Ferndale Farms turkeys; choose from whole birds from 10 to 24 pounds or bone-in turkey breasts weighing six to eight pounds. From complete dinners to a la carte appetizer platters, entrées, sides, baked goods and more, Gateway Market’s holiday catering menu is designed for celebrations of all sizes. For starters, guests can choose from a variety of fruit, meat and cheese platters. Then, family-style entrees include roasted pork loin with an apple-cranberry compote, brown sugar and mustard-glazed ham, and of course, herb-brined roasted turkey. In addition, there are plenty of side dishes including: buttermilk mashed potatoes, brown-sugar-glazed carrots, mac and cheese, green bean casserole and shaved Brussels sprout salad. And in traditional Thanksgiving fashion, be sure to top off your feast with an apple, cherry, pecan or pumpkin pie. Aside from the food, guests can also take home a stunning centerpiece of seasonally-inspired blooms to enhance the Iowa Thanksgiving dining experience. For more information, visit gatewaymarket.com.
Iowa River Power Restaurant
Coralville
If you’re looking for some Thanksgiving dining in Iowa, look no further than Iowa River Power Restaurant for a buffet brimming with all of the classics. There’s nothing better than dinner with a view, and with the help of the Iowa River location, you and your loved ones can enjoy your meal in a peaceful atmosphere. There are several options, including private dining, semi-private spaces, the relaxing riverview lounge, and the outside patio if weather permits. Known for perfectly seasoned seafood, pork, chicken and beef, Iowa River Power Restaurant will bless your taste buds with plenty of flavor. At the same time, the bar will be serving up wine and beer all day long. For more information, visit iowariverpower.net.
Bread Garden Market
Iowa City
This Thanksgiving, you can eat, drink and be thankful with good company thanks to Bread Garden Market’s dinner to-go. Obviously, there will be plenty of herb-marinated turkey and gravy to go around. Alongside a beautifully braised bird, guests can also indulge in sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, scalloped corn casserole, green beans with caramelized onions, Hawaiian wreath rolls, cranberry sauce and kale salad. And to sooth your sweet tooth, the dessert menu consists of oatmeal, apple, pecan or pumpkin pie. This meal is made in Bread Garden Market’s kitchen so that yours can stay clean. Guests can either get their feast made hot and ready for pickup on Thanksgiving Day between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. or pre-prepare it for baking before the big day. For more information, visit breadgardenmarket.com.
Prime N Wine
Mason City
To make your heart as full as your plate, be sure to visit Prime N Wine for their traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Without having to lift a finger, guests can savor all of their favorite Thanksgiving bites. From perfectly cooked turkey to flavorful side dishes, Prime N Wine will have you going back for seconds. And of course, the buffet will also be dishing out plenty of desserts that you will be thankful that you tried. At the same time, Prime N Wine is also known for its expansive selection of wines. From rich reds to airy, light whites, the bar will have the perfect pairing for your Iowa Thanksgiving dining experience. For more information, visit primenwine.com.
Great Caterers of Iowa
Pleasant Hill
Prepare to go into feast mode this Thanksgiving as you indulge in moist turkey and fluffy stuffing. For all of your feasting needs, you can rely on the Great Caterers of Iowa to do all of the work so that you don’t have to deal with any hassles during the holiday. This catering company knows that family time is important on Thanksgiving, so by preparing the feast from scratch and letting you take advantage of the deal, you can spend more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. After pre-ordering, guests can pick up their mouthwatering meal between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving. Once you receive your order, you can kick back and relax while watching football and creating plenty of memories with your friends and family. For more information, visit greatcaterersofiowa.square.site.
Mullets
Des Moines
If you’re looking to take a more casual approach to Thanksgiving this year, Mullets is the perfect place for Thanksgiving dining in Iowa. So gather your friends and family on Thanksgiving Day for a celebratory feast at Mullets between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Start off your meal with some savory shareables, like fried cauliflower, cheese curd flights and sweet potato tater tots. Then, guests can get creative and build their own pizza, or better yet, test out the brisket mac and cheese pizza with a creamy Sriracha cheese sauce. But if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, definitely go for the country-fried steak skillet or a pulled pork salad. No matter how you decide to personalize your plate, you can’t miss out on the funnel fries and warm doughnuts dunked in sweet bourbon sauce, caramel and chocolate. In addition, the bar will also be serving up all kinds of unique cocktails to keep the celebration going. For more information, visit mulletsdm.com.
Ox Yoke Inn
Amana
There’s a lot to be thankful for at the Ox Yoke Inn, especially if you’re dining at this charmingly historic inn on Thanksgiving Day. Create a new tradition by enjoying classic meals made using time-tested Old World German recipes that have been passed down for generations. Or, if you’d rather enjoy the flavors from the comfort of your own home, be sure to look into the meals-to-go option for a convenient feast. With everything from fried chicken meal packs to roast beef or Jägerschnitzel meals for four, the Ox Yoke Inn is a prime spot to experience Thanksgiving dining in Iowa. You also can’t miss out on the chance to try out some scrumptious side dishes, like fluffy dinner rolls with jam, buttery corn, creamy coleslaw, spaetzle cheesy noodles, green beans and hot German potato salad. When it comes to dessert, there are plenty of options, ranging from apple strudel to larger-than-life cinnamon rolls, perfect to eat while watching football by the fireplace. For more information, visit oxyokeinn.com.
Granite City Brewery
Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Ellsworth
Get ready to gobble up all of your Thanksgiving favorites at Granite City Brewery’s Thanksgiving buffet. You may already know this brewery if you’ve been tempted by their craft beers and endless menu, but what is in store for you on Thanksgiving is like nothing else. And if you’re looking to try something other than what’s offered at the buffet, definitely ask for the maple-pepper bacon flatbread for all of the fall flavors that you’ve been craving. This crispy flatbread is topped with candied maple-pepper bacon, roasted garlic aioli, Roma tomato, fresh basil, mozzarella and provolone cheese. Or, for comfort in a bowl, guests can order piping hot bowls of French onion soup, beer cheese soup and creamy clam chowder. No matter what, you’ll leave stuffed. For more information, visit gcfb.com.