Restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2025: Who’s serving today—and typical hours to expect

If you’re hunting a last-minute meal or coffee on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, plenty of chains are open (often with reduced hours), while many big-box retailers remain closed. Here’s a clean, practical guide you can use right now. Always check your specific location in the app or by phone—holiday hours vary by city and franchise.

Quick picks (most reliable today)

• 24/7 diners & breakfast spots: Denny’s, Waffle House (generally open around the clock). IHOP is open in most areas with reduced hours.

• Coffee & donuts: Many Starbucks and Dunkin’ locations are open with varied hours; morning closures happen in some grocery or mall sites. Krispy Kreme outlets commonly run morning/early-afternoon windows.

• Casual steakhouses & holiday menus: Ruth’s Chris opens early (often 11 a.m.) with a special Thanksgiving menu; select premium steakhouses and Brazilian grills do the same.

• Country/kitchen classics: Cracker Barrel is open and begins serving the Thanksgiving meal at 11 a.m. Many Bob Evans restaurants run 8 a.m.–7 p.m. with in-house turkey plates and to-go options.

• Buffets: Golden Corral locations are open with a holiday buffet; hours commonly cluster 11 a.m.–4/7 p.m. depending on market.

• Fast food (varies by franchise): McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, Whataburger—many sites open with shortened hours; late-night service isn’t guaranteed.

Typical Thanksgiving hours by category

*Local exceptions are common, especially in malls, airports, and college areas.

Notable closes or mixed operations

• Many mall food courts and mall-based chains run short windows or close entirely.

• Several bakery-café concepts and fast-casual spots are closed today; check your app before driving.

• In parts of New England and other blue-law states, additional holiday restrictions can reduce options further.

How to confirm in 60 seconds

1. Check the app’s “Holiday Hours” on the exact store page; retail and pharmacy hours are listed separately where applicable.

2. Call the location if the app shows “hours may vary,” especially for late-night or 24-hour sites.

3. Reserve if dining in. Steakhouses and Brazilian grills fill early; add a backup time nearby.

4. Ordering to-go? Place the order at least 60–90 minutes before your desired pickup time; curbside queues build quickly.

Smart ordering tips (so you’re not stuck in line)

• Go early for coffee and breakfast. Staffing is lean; opening hour has the shortest wait.

• Aim for late lunch (1:30–3:30 p.m.) at sit-down spots to miss the noon rush.

• Buffet play: Arrive near open (11 a.m.) or after the first turnover to avoid carving-station lines.

• Turkey to-go backups: If a location sells out of full feasts, individual turkey plates are often still available—ask for dine-in packaging to travel.

Quick reference: chains commonly open today

• Open at many locations: Denny’s, Waffle House, IHOP (varied), Starbucks (varied), Dunkin’ (varied), Krispy Kreme (often morning/early PM), Cracker Barrel (meal from 11 a.m.), Bob Evans (about 8 a.m.–7 p.m.), Golden Corral (holiday buffet mid-day), select premium steakhouses and Brazilian grills, numerous fast-food franchises.

• Often closed or limited: Many bakery cafés, some sandwich chains, and mall-only sites.

You have options. For the surest bet on Thanksgiving Day 2025, target 24/7 diners, coffee chains with app-listed hours, Cracker Barrel/Bob Evans for classic plates, or Golden Corral for a mid-day buffet. Verify your specific store before heading out—and if you need a table, reserve now.