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If the thought of planning for the holidays, Thanksgiving in particular, is enough to induce panic, then this is the guide for you. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, metro Detroiters are preparing for marathon cooking sessions in the kitchen, hosting friends and family, running to the neighborhood bakery for last-minute desserts, or celebrating the holiday at one of the city’s dining establishments that are pulling all the stops to prepare special holiday spreads. Get ahead of the game and start planning.
The following restaurants and bakeries in metro Detroit — which occupies the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabek, the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples — either have reservations available or are offering takeaway options. Whether you’re looking for a few specialty sides to bring to the meal, want the entire spread taken care of, or you’re searching for the perfect dessert, here’s a primer of restaurants, bakeries, and other food businesses that are working to help make holiday feasts enjoyable.
Be sure to note reservation and ordering deadlines as many establishments have cutoff dates. This list will be updated as new options become available. Email [email protected] if we’ve missed a spot.
Thanksgiving Day Dining In
San Morello (1400 Woodward Ave.) — The swanky downtown restaurant inside Shinola Hotel will offer a couple of dine-in options. For dinner, a three-course pre-fixe menu will be on hand for $120 per person, featuring antipasti, secondi, and dolci courses. Diners can select their starters (which includes pasta like a tortellini with squash); a main course with sides such as turkey in a Sicilian orange glaze, with marsala gravy, smoked squash puree, cranberry mostarda, and roasted Brussels sprouts or grilled swordfish; and desserts, like a pumpkin ricotta cheesecake. Planning a dinner party at home, but don’t want to cook? For $95 per person, customers get three courses, ready for pickup ahead of the big day.
Union Assembly (2131 Woodward Avenue) — Catch a front row seat with a Detroit Lions Game Day brunch menu with a prime view of America’s Thanksgiving Parade from the terrace at Union Assembly. Starting Friday, November 1, Union Assembly will begin accepting reservations a first-come, first-served basis. To secure a spot, send an email [email protected]. In addition, Union Joints — the spot’s hospitality group — is offering take-and-bake options for sides and pies. The sides package feeds four people for $85 and includes Union Joints’ popular mac ‘n cheese, dinner rolls, cranberry chutney, sweet butter, spicy onions, pumpernickel sage stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet mash, and more. Pies are also available for $30 and include pecan, apple, chocolate marshmallow, or pumpkin cheesecake) for just $30 (feeds 6-8 people), as well as Tastee cakes for $35, and take-and-bake and sticky buns for $16.
The Whitney (4421 Woodward Avenue) — Woodward Avenue’s historic mansion hosts a traditional Thanksgiving dinner spread featuring three courses for $79 per person. The meal includes green beans with lemon and rosemary, either a sweet potato casserole or Hasselback sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, cranberry relish, herbed stuffing, and dessert. Or opt for the vegetarian option, made up of butternut squash risotto. A $10 deposit per person is required when making reservations.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse (1128 Washington Boulevard) — Situated on the ground level of the Westin Book Cadillac, Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers a roasted turkey meal for $51 per person that includes turkey complemented with sweet onion apple sausage stuffing, gravy, and cranberry relish, as well as a starter, two sides, and a dessert. Kids eat for $25 and folks who wants to forgo turkey can still order from the dinner menu. Customers wanting to host at home can order a feast that feeds five to 10 people, available for pickup the day before Thanksgiving or on the holiday itself.
Madam (298 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham) — This gorgeous restaurant situated on the ground level of the Daxton Hotel is featuring a Thanksgiving Day Grand Buffet 2 p.m. 8 p.m., featuring live jazz music. The meal includes roasted bone-in turkey breast, glazed ham, cedar baked salmon, seafood towers, fresh seasonal salads, and other trimmings. Dessert includes an assortment of pies and other seasonal treats. Reservations are required.
Eddie Merlot’s (37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills) — For $49 per person, visitors get hand-carved roasted turkey, sage stuffing, brown gravy, and cranberry relish, as well as two side options, an appetizer, dessert. Kids eat for $24 and the regular dinner is also available. Catering is also available for those who want to host from the comfort of their homes.
Turkeys, Meal Kits, and Dinner to Go
Marrow (8044 Kercheval Ave.) — Marrow’s holiday offerings include many of the necessities for hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at home. On deck, whole turkeys available in three different sizes for $7 a pound (brining and carving service are both available for an extra charge), hams, Sabbath Farm Beijing duck, and basic sides like turkey gravy, stock, and local cranberry relish. All protein offerings require a deposit. Orders can be placed online.
Coeur (330 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale) — One of Ferndale’s newest editions to its dining scene, Coeur is offering family-style Thanksgiving dinner packages for two for $120. Each meal comes with spatchcocked turkey with gravy, mushroom and leek dressing, roasted carrots and root vegetables, cranberry gelée, a green bean and foraged mushroom casserole, potato purée, and chicory salad. For an additional charge, order a pecan or pumpkin pie. Orders are placed online and can be picked up between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27.
Oak & Reel (2921 E Grand Boulevard) — The Detroit eatery from chef Jared Gadbaw is offering a complete Thanksgiving dinner to go that includes roasted turkey, stuffing available with or without oysters, roasted Brussels sprouts and cippolini onions, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. Meals are available in two sizes, a half turkey meal serves four to six people and goes for $195. A whole turkey meal is $385 and feeds eight to 12 people. Pumpkin Basque cheesecake or apple pie is also available for $29, as is wine. Pickups take place 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Orders can be placed online.
Breads, Pastries, Desserts to Go, and More
Warda Pâtisserie (70 W Alexandrine Street) — Preorders from the city’s James Beard Award winning patisserie open on November 1. Expect a variety of traditional pies with fun Warda twists, such as a silk pie. Be sure to keep an eye on the cafe’s social media for updates.
Sister Pie (8066 Kercheval Ave.) — Preorders for this beloved West Village bakeshop will commence for the bake shop’s 13th year starting at 7 a.m., Friday, November 1 through Friday, November 22 (or until items sell out) and, as in years past, demand is expected to be high. Several pick up windows will be available on Tuesday, November 26 through Thursday, November 28, while walk-in sales will take place on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 7 a.m., Thursday, November 28. In addition offering a handful of the shop’s iconic pies, customers can also order a selection of boxed cookies and brownies.
Good Cakes and Bakes (19363 Livernois Ave., Detroit) — Thanksgiving preorders are now available online for all baked goods needs. Select yeast dinner rolls, a variety of whole pies like sweet potato chess pie, Southern caramel cake, and more options for the sweet tooth in the family. Vegan and gluten-free options are also on hand. Pickups take place on Tuesday, November 26 or Wednesday, November 27.
Sweet Potato Sensations (17337 Lahser Rd., Old Redford) — Fans of all things involving sweet potatoes should place their orders in advance from this beloved Old Redford institution. Sweet potato pies, cookies, ice cream, as well as savory options like cornbread are all available. Local delivery is now available, as are online orders. Or call 313-532-7996.