Asheville restaurants open on Thanksgiving

Perhaps you're visiting Asheville for the holidays. Or maybe your Thanksgiving-dinner prowess is such that even opening a can of pumpkin pie filling seems daunting. Whatever your reason for avoiding the kitchen during the holidays, Asheville has you covered for dining-out options. Here are just a few.

Remember to check back often, as this list will be updated frequently, right up until the day before Thanksgiving. If your restaurant is open on Thanksgiving and not mentioned here, please email mlunsford@citizen-times.com with hours and details. 

Highlighted special dinners:

The Blackbird has a Thanksgiving supper for $55 per person ($15 for kids). Appetizer choices include roasted butternut soup and beet-and-arugula salad. Entrees run the gamut from the traditional (sage-brined turkey) to the not-so (truffle and wild mushroom bread pudding with broccolini). Finish your meal with pumpkin pie, chocolate truffle cake, or with the restaurant's famous coconut cake. Gluten-free options are available. 47 Biltmore Ave., reservations at 828-254-2502.

Buffalo Nickel chef Ryan Kline has put together a Thanksgiving feast with choices from the traditional turkey and fixings to pan-roasted salmon with creamed potatoes and savoy cabbage. Choose from other options in this three-course meal, all of which can be seen on the West Asheville restaurant's website, www.buffalonickelavl.com. 747 Haywood Road. Three courses, $30. Make reservations by calling 828-575-2844.

Cornerstone Restaurant in East Asheville opens at its regular time, 7:30 a.m., on Thanksgiving. The restaurant begins serving supper at 10 a.m., with traditional dinners for $16.99. Dinners come with a choice of turkey and dressing, baked chicken and dressing, or baked ham and pineapple sauce, two sides and a piece of pie or cobbler. Steak and seafood options will be available at market price. The restaurant will serve dinner until 9 p.m. Cornerstone is at 102 Tunnel Road. No reservations are accepted. More information at 828-236-0201. 

Isa's Bistro, situated below the Haywood Park Hotel, has an ambitious three-course Thanksgiving meal for $55 per person, with a wine pairing option at $25. Choose between a Hendersonville apple and local-lettuce salad; roasted curried cauliflower; a charcuterie and cheese platter and more for the first course. Second course options include pan-seared Sunburst trout; bison-brisket pasta; and herb-brined turkey breast with pulled turkey-leg stuffing. There's even a strip steak for those who eschew tradition. Dinner is available 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; make reservations by calling 828-575-9636. Isa's Bistro is at 1 Battery Park Ave.

Moose Cafe: This home-style Asheville classic will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with a few turkey day options. Try a regular plated turkey dinner or Virginia baked ham dinner with choice of two sides (corn, green beans, sweet potato casserole and the like) for $9.99. Or order up the $12.99 Thanksgiving turkey or ham dinner option, and the restaurant will keep the sides coming until you cry uncle. Kids' plates are $6.99, and there are vegetarian options, too. The Moose Cafe is at 570 Brevard Road in Asheville. The restaurant also has a location in Hendersonville.

The Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian has availability between 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. for its four-course holiday supper. In keeping with the contemporary hunter's lodge theme of the hotel and dining room, course choices include garlicky baked oysters and grilled venison with wild berry gastrique. Find also more classic dishes, like heritage turkey and lamb chops with mint pistou, plus four decadent desserts like the bourbon-chocolate pie. Vegetarian options are also available. Read the full menu and book a table at www.bohemianhotelasheville.com. The Red Stag is at 11 Boston Way in Biltmore Village.

Roux's annual Thanksgiving buffet has everything from healthy kale and quinoa salad to the traditional, butter-drenched Thanksgiving dishes of your childhood. But no matter how old you are, there always seems to be room for sweet potato casserole with plenty of toasted marshmallow topping. Get it from 1-8 p.m. at 43 Town Square Blvd. $36 for adults and $16 for children 12 and younger. Make reservations by calling 828-209-2715.

Strada Italiano veers from its classic Italian routine to present a classic turkey day menu with the bird and all the trimmings. Start with baked brie en croute and pumpkin bisque, and then choose from entrees like apple-stuffed pork loin, spinach-stuffed salmon, prime rib and, of course, traditional turkey. Sides read like mom's house: mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish. There's nary a noodle in sight. Dinner is served from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 828-348-8448 for reservations. Strada is at 27 Broadway St. in downtown Asheville.

Storm Rhum Bar chef Owen McGlynn has designed a $40 prix fixe dinner which includes a starter, appetizer and dessert. Options include classic heritage turkey and all the trimmings, or local beef, pork or fish. Vegetarian options and kids' plates are also available. Dinner is served from 2-8 p.m. Make reservations by calling (828) 505-8560. The bar is open until midnight. 125 S. Lexington Ave., No. 103-A, 828-505-8560.

More restaurant open for Thanksgiving: 

The Bier Garden: Open at 4 p.m.-2 a.m., 46 Haywood St., 828-285-0002.

Biltmore Estate: Thanksgiving menus are being offered at Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern and Deerpark (more below). In order to dine at one of these Estate restaurants, guests must have a valid estate admission ticket or accompany a Biltmore Annual Passholder. All menus can be found at www.biltmore.com under each individual restaurant. Advanced reservations are highly recommended for Bistro and Cedric’s, and reservations are required for Deerpark. Reservations can be made by calling 800-411-3812.

Bistro: Thanksgiving Day menu, 2-8 p.m. $59 per person; children’s menu also available.

Cedric’s Tavern: Thanksgiving Day menu available all day in addition to regular lunch and dinner menu, $39 per person.

Deerpark: Thanksgiving Day menu served 11 a.m.-5 p.m., reservations required. Adults $47; ages 6-12 $22; children 5 and younger dine free.

Brasilia Churrasco Steakhouse: Meat, meat and more meat (but there are some veggie options, too). 5-9 p.m. 26 E. Walnut St., 828-785-1599.

Carmel's Kitchen & Bar: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Grove Arcade with a special holiday menu. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 828-252-8730.

Edna's of Asheville: get your coffee and pastry on at this 870 Merrimon Ave. cafe until 4 p.m., 828-255-3881. Check Edna's by the River's Facebook page for holiday hours.

Glass Onion: This Weaverville restaurant will serve a traditional turkey dinner from 1-7 p.m. 18 N. Main St. Make reservations by calling 828-645-8866.

Hickory Tavern: Just want to watch some football and eat wings? Here's your spot (and there are plenty of salads and sandwiches, too). Open at 4 p.m. until close with a regular menu. 30 Town Square Blvd. 828-684-0975.

Kathmandu Cafe: Himalayan food in downtown Asheville. 90 Patton Ave., call for hours, 828-252-1080.

Omni Grove Park Inn: All restaurants are open, but availability varies. Call 828-252-2711 or visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park for dining details. The Omni GPI is at 290 Macon Ave.

oneFIFTYone Boutique Bar and Kitchen: Try a special Thanksgiving menu at the Hotel Indigo at 151 Haywood St. Reservations not required. Call 828-239-0185 for more details.

Pack's Tavern will have two buffets, one upstairs and one downstairs, for $29.99 (adults) and $14.99 (children under 10).Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted.  20 S. Spruce St., 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 828-225-6944.

Scully's Bar and Grill: Opens late afternoon at 13 W Walnut St., 828-251-8880.

Sovereign Remedies: This craft cocktail bar will have plenty of good cheer and some Thanksgiving-themed bites, too. Open until 2 a.m. at 29 N. Market St.