Americans are increasingly trading their ovens for reservation books this Thanksgiving. Restaurant reservations for Thursday’s holiday are up 13% compared to last year, according to OpenTable, a platform covering over 60,000 venues nationwide. This marks a clear shift toward more people opting to dine out or pick up meals from restaurants rather than preparing a full home-cooked feast.
This rise in restaurant bookings comes amid a backdrop of climbing grocery prices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have surged at one of the fastest rates seen in three years as of late 2025. Several factors are pushing prices higher: tariffs on imports, stricter immigration policies affecting labor availability, and weather that has disrupted food production. Despite this, dining out is generally not a cheaper alternative. Restaurants are raising prices faster than both groceries and general inflation. This means that even as more Americans choose restaurants, the cost of a Thanksgiving meal away from home tends to exceed making one at home.
Still, the convenience and reduced stress associated with restaurant dining are powerful draws this year. The holiday cooking process can be exhausting and time-consuming, and for many, the idea of someone else handling the entire meal, from preparation to cleanup, justifies the added expense. It also offers a chance to avoid the emotional labor often associated with hosting extended family dinners. Some consumers are mixing it up, ordering big takeout meals from their favorite spots and enjoying Thanksgiving at home without the hassle. In fact, catering orders are almost doubling compared to last year, reflecting a surge in demand for ready-made holiday meals.
The pattern of dining out on Thanksgiving is not entirely new but appears to be gaining unprecedented momentum. Traditionally, restaurants open on Thanksgiving to accommodate smaller households, travelers, or those skipping the pressures of the traditional holiday meal. But this year, economic pressures combine with social and emotional factors, leading more Americans to embrace this option. Meanwhile, the National Restaurant Association notes that, despite restaurant prices climbing overall, the rate of menu price increases slowed in September, offering a slight easing that could make dining out somewhat more palatable to budget-conscious diners.
From a business perspective, restaurants that remain open on the holiday or offer Thanksgiving meal pickups are tapping into a growing market segment. The increased reservations reflect shifting consumer priorities where time, convenience, and the experience of a restaurant meal are valued alongside traditional holiday customs. This year’s trend may signal a lasting change in how Americans approach Thanksgiving meals, blending tradition with modern lifestyle demands.
