Barbara Clark
| Special to Cape Cod Times
Watch Thanksgiving pies disappear at Friday Club sale in Yarmouth.
The annual Friday Club in Yarmouth Port’s Thanksgiving pie sale had 49 pies and 38 other baked goods, which moved out quickly.
It’s true — some folks love the kitchen chaos that accompanies the Thanksgiving feast — too many or too few kitchen helpers, not enough oven space to keep all the dishes warm, or the person who makes the gravy is somehow missing.
Others like nothing better than to relax at an inn or restaurant with family and friends, savoring the buffet choices or just grinning when a special holiday plateful is delivered to your place at the table, after the heaviest work you’ve done is to hang up your coat.
Cape Cod offers a wide variety of restaurants and inns where people in this latter category can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal “out,” ranging from cozy-informal to candle-elegant. Besides special holiday menus, most venues include vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as kids’ choices. Many offer holiday takeout options for singles and groups.
The online restaurant reservation service OpenTable (www.opentable.com) can be a time-saver, listing in one place many of the local venues that are open on the holiday, allowing customers to compare menus and the status of available seatings.
Advance reservations are required everywhere. Be sure to check each venue’s cancellation policies, as some charge full price for cancellations after a specific date. First and foremost – reserve early, as holiday seatings fill up fast.
Dan’l Webster Inn, 149 Main St., Sandwich
In Sandwich Village, this popular spot is back in the Thanksgiving lineup, after last year’s forced closing due to a roof fire. Guests can enjoy a main course of turkey breast with seasonal veggies and potato sides, and stand-out desserts like Indian Pudding. Alternative menus include both fish and meat, and there are vegetarian options. Seatings from noon to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $51.95, kids under 12, $23.95; under 4, $13.95.
508-888-3622, www.danlwebsterinn.com/
Captain Kidd, 77 Water St., Woods Hole
Thanksgiving at the Captain Kidd may be just the ticket for diners who enjoy visiting this scenic village. The restaurant overlooks Woods Hole’s picturesque Eel Pond, and ocean-going scientific vessels are docked just across the street on the harbor, looking toward Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeths.
508-548-8563, www.thecaptainkidd.com/
Sea Crest Beach Resort, 350 Quaker Road North, North Falmouth
The Lantern Room at this resort offers ocean views of Buzzards Bay along with Thanksgiving fare. Choose from roasted turkey breast or prime rib, with seasonal sides such as seafood paella. Seatings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $95. 508-356-2129, thelanternroom@seacrestbeachresort.com/
Villagio Ristorante, 4631 Falmouth Road, Cotuit
This restaurant is located in the 1809 Federal-style Rowland Crocker House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s a turkey dinner with all the fixings, plus a menu of Villagio favorites. Three Thanksgiving seatings, at noon, 3 and 6 p.m.
508-428-0000, www.villaggiocapecod.com/
Roadhouse Cafe, 488 South St., Hyannis
Among several dining options in Hyannis, The Roadhouse Café, formerly Columbo’s, offers a Thanksgiving buffet from 1 to 9 p.m. with turkey, ham and pasta choices and a variety of sides and desserts. Cost: $69, 12 and under: $29.
508-774-8100. www.roadhousehyannis.com/
Rooftop at Pelham House Resort, 14 Sea St., Dennis
This spot, which made the USA Today Restaurants of the Year list for 2024, offers unparalleled views of Nantucket Sound, with seatings from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carving stations for turkey and beef, with salad and hot food selections, plus dessert buffet. Cost: $155, ages 5-12: $75.
508-398-6076; dining@pelhamhouseresort.com/
Yarmouth House, 335 Route 28, Yarmouth
Centrally located on Route 28, the family-owned Yarmouth House, open since 1978, displays its familiar water wheel turning in the window. The restaurant offers a variety of entrées, with kids’ menu available. Seatings are: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The dinner menu is available for takeout during the same hours.
508-771-5154, www.yarmouthhouse.com/
Wild Goose Tavern, 512 Main St., Chatham
Situated at the Cape’s elbow in Chatham, the Wild Goose Tavern offers a buffet with reserved seatings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus more than 15 entrée and side dish options, appetizers and desserts. Cost: $95, under 12: $50.
508-945-5550, www.wildgoosetavern.com/
Pate’s Restaurant, 1260 Main St., Chatham
Pate’s is a longtime favorite spot for local diners-out. Thanksgiving reservations are from 1 to 7 p.m., including “to go” options for meals on that day.
508-945-9777, www.patesrestaurant.com/
The Red Inn, 15 Commercial St., Provincetown
At the tip of Provincetown, The Red Inn overlooks beautiful Provincetown Harbor. The restaurant has been in business since 1915. In addition to the three-course Thanksgiving meal, there’s a raw bar and a la carte appetizers. After dinner, enjoy a variety of homemade desserts. Cost: $90 and up; under 12: $45 and up.
508-487-7334, www.theredinn.com/
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Dining and Cooking