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If your intention this year is to enjoy a Northern Michigan Thanksgiving and skip the shopping, chopping and washing up, then this list of Northern Michigan restaurants will serve your Thanksgiving fare. Here are restaurants serving traditional Thanksgiving dinners on November 26, 2015, some with interesting add-ons like sushi, crab dip and a chocolate fountain. So make Thanksgiving reservations, remember the camera and linger over conversations, not the dishes.
Blu
5705 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 1 to 7 p.m.
Again this year Blu will feature Ben Brown’s local Pilgrim turkeys from Sonny’s Farm on M-22. Goose, duck, venison, lamb and yes, some fish will also be on the menus! Blu sells every seat at every time, so make reservations early. Call 231.334.2530 to make a reservation.
Bluebird Restaurant
102 River St., Leland
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12 to 6 p.m.
Traditional turkey and trimmings as well as prime rib will be served at the Bluebird in downtown Leland. Meals include a Thanksgiving-themed salad bar, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, fresh vegetables, and more. The dessert line-up includes pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and other handmade desserts. Call 231.256.9081 for reservations.
Boathouse Restaurant
Old Mission Peninsula, 14039 Peninsula Dr., Traverse City
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 1 to 6 p.m.
An extensive menu that includes traditional organic turkey from Malem Farms, a local Old Mission Farm, as well as turducken, lamb, seafood and more. Reservations are recommended: 231.223.4030
Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12 to 4 p.m.
Join the Thanksgiving Celebration at Boyne Mountain where they’ve added a long roster of activities and entertainment to one of our favorite holidays. And whether you decide to dig into Everett’s special holiday buffet, or have a complete meal delivered to your door, you’ll experience the perfect Thanksgiving with all the trimmings—and none of the stress. Call for reservations: 800.462.6963
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A buffet that includes a kid-friendly portion as well as a traditional turkey, fresh salad, cheeses, mashed potatoes, green beans and much more! Reservations are required: 888.968.7686.
Firefly
310 Cass St., Traverse City
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12 to 5 p.m.
A delicious Turkey day buffet spread that offers traditional turkey, stuffing and much more, including a select sushi menu, several homemade desserts and chocolate fondue. For reservations call: 231.932.1310
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s Aerie Restaurant & Lounge
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard, Acme
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A buffet with an omelet station, cornbread, mashed potatoes, carving stations of Dearborn ham and butter and herb braised turkey and more, click here for the whole menu. Reservations recommended: 231.534.6000 or make a reservation online.
Great Wolf Lodge
3575 U.S. 31, Traverse City
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12 to 7 p.m.
A Thanksgiving buffet with all the traditional Turkey day fare—think green bean casserole with fried onions on top—and then some! Artisan cheeses, several salads to choose from and acorn squash bisque. Carving stations include turkey and prime rib, but one can also order entrées of salmon, rigatoni bolognese, cajun shrimp and more. The kids’ menu includes chicken tenders and tater tots. For the grand finale, dessert includes a chocolate fountain. The best part? No cleanup and it’s prepared by a culinary team! Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are available based on availability. Call 231.941.3600 or email azehner@greatwolf.com.
Shanty Creek Lakeview Restaurant Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet
5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy your holiday in The Lakeview Restaurant as we do all the cooking (and cleaning up!). The buffet includes: garden, caesar and broccoli salads, domestic and international cheeses with artisan breads, housemade crab dip with vegetables and crackers, peel & eat shrimp; carving station with roast turkey and slow-roasted prime rib with mushroom jus; traditional stuffing, butter-whipped potatoes, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, fire-roasted vegetables with bowtie pasta, garlic and herb cod, green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes and homestyle mac and cheese; selection of fine pastries. Reservations are recommended: 231.533.8621, x7100
Stafford’s Bay View Inn
2011 Woodland Ave., Petoskey
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Reservations are recommended: 231.347.2771
Turkeys To Go:
A complete Thanksgiving meal to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Serves 6 to 8 people. Reservations are recommended: 231.347.2771.
Stafford’s Perry Hotel
100 Lewis St., Petoskey
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Reservations are recommended: 231.347.2771
Stafford’s Pier Restaurant
102 E. Bay St., Harbor Springs
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Reservations are recommended: 231.526.6201
Turkeys To Go: A complete Thanksgiving meal to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Serves 6 to 8 people. Reservations are recommended: 231.526.6201
Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant
106 Pine River Ave., Charlevoix
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Classic Holiday Buffet. Reservations are recommended: 231.547.4311
Turkeys To Go: A complete Thanksgiving meal to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Serves 6 to 8 people. Reservations are recommended: 231.547.4311
West Bay Beach Resort
615 East Front St., Traverse City
Thanksgiving Day Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Carving stations with prime rib & turkey breast, traditional sides, salad bar, butternut squash bisque and assorted desserts. Reservations are ecommended: 231.947.3700
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