It's that time of the year when the leaves are falling off the trees, and the orange of pumpkins colors the backyard of many houses across the country. After the hot months of the year are gone, we take out our boots and coat to feel warm under the autumn breeze. Thanksgiving is coming. And although it's been a challenging year in so many ways, there are also many things to be grateful for, starting with the fact that you are reading this article ready to celebrate Thanksgiving!

It makes sense if you don't feel like cooking this year. Many of us have been working from home since March, and our favorite slippers have almost become an extension of our feet. The overall mood of people around the world is not precisely excitement, but we still want to have the joy of a delightful Thanksgiving dinner, without the pain and anxiety of grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning the kitchen. It is a tradition, a beautiful tradition that is worth celebrating. If you want to keep this tradition without having to cook all day and night, here are some restaurants where you can get your Thanksgiving dinner this year in Columbus. 

The Guild House

A group of Artisans in the Culinary Team

624 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 |+1 614-280-9780  | theguildhousecolumbus.com 

This restaurant sources local ingredients as much as possible for seasonal dishes that are prepared with artistic techniques in a welcoming and inviting space. 

The special Thanksgiving menu is a Roasted Parsnip Soup, a squash with warm delicata, bacon vinaigrette, toasted cardamom pepitas, and lemon whipped mascarpone. The main dish is a roaster turkey with garlic whipped potatoes, winter succotash, and cranberry gastrique. And last but not least, the dessert is a Sweet potato roll with maple mousse, candied pecans, and Linzer sable. This restaurant offers the option of pairing up each dish with a wine that complements your meal smoothly. The cost of the Thanksgiving menu per person is $49 and $79 with wine pairings. Reservations are available to eat in the restaurant or order your food online to take it home with you and your family.

Very good steakhouse, even better drinks! One of my favorite places to have dined in Columbus so far. I buy their gin in stores all the time now, portions are just right. Yelp Review.

Lindey's

The legacy of a teacher from Dayton who loved food and hospitality

169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206 | +1 614-228-4343 | lindeys.com

Sue Doody was born in 1934 in Dayton, Ohio. She was a teacher in public schools for many years, and she taught cooking classes in her home before she realized how passionate she was about food and hospitality. Finally, in 1981 Sue opened Lindey's restaurant with the support of her sons, Rick and Chris Doddy, and Sue's legacy continues on till today. 

If your family is one of those families who struggle to decide what to have for dinner as everybody has different preferences, this is the perfect option for your Thanksgiving dinner. The menu for this special occasion includes five different options for appetizers, two soups, nine different entrees, and four side orders. You will see that there is the option to order salmon, pork, duck, or ravioli instead of the traditional turkey. It is your dinner, so you make your own rules! Make a reservation to eat in the restaurant or order your food ahead of time so that you can eat at home with your beloved ones. 

Favorite lunch spot! I've taken multiple people here over the past few weeks and the service is always spectacular.  I would die for their orange blossom mule. Yelp Review.

AAB India Restaurant

Award-Winning North Indian Cuisine

470 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 | +1 614-486-2800 | aabindiarestaurants.com/

The business owner Avtar Singh moved to Ohio back in 1992 to work with his family's Indian restaurant that brings together wood-fired cooking with traditional Indian food. The Aab Indian restaurants have been a success ever since, as now they have a restaurant in Columbus and another one in Bexley. 

Some of the specialties of this restaurant include the Shrimp Tandoori, fresh jumbo shrimp in spiced yogurt with fresh herbs, and barbecued on skewers. The Chicken Dal is another great option, a roasted chicken with creamed lentils and prepared with a buttery sauce and a hint of spice. 

Everything I have ordered here is amazing. After trying saag mushroom, chicken saag, chicken curry, rice dishes, and many others, Aab worked its way up to my absolute favorite Indian restaurant. Yelp Review.

Berwick Manor Restaurant

Homemade Italian Goodness Since 1955

3250 Refugee Rd, Columbus, OH 43232 | +1 614-235-7100 | the-berwick.com

Tony and Maria Susi opened the doors of Berwick Manor back in 1955. At that time, the small business could only serve about 100 people. Time passed, and their business expanded to an 11,5000 square feet local with two lounge rooms, six on-site banquet rooms, and off-site catering services to private residencies, offices, and special events. The management team consists of three generations of Susi's family, so the essence of the couple who founded the business more than 60 years ago is still there. 

This local restaurant offers a special Thanksgiving dinner that you can pick-up, or order online to be delivered to you. The Thanksgiving menu comes with a Green Salad, a sliced roasted turkey with white and dark meat, whipped potatoes, rolls & butter, buttered corn, and pumpkin, apple, or cherry pie with whipped cream. It's very simple to order, as you will select the serving size depending on how many people are having dinner with you. If you are tired and annoyed with eating turkey every third Thursday of November, you can order the Tired-of-Turkey meal! Homemade lasagna, layers of egg noodles, sautéed ground beef, ricotta cheese, Pecorino cheese, romano cheese, and Italian meatballs. A menu as fabulous as you are! The delivery time will depend on the area where you live, so plan accordingly and place your order before November 21st. 

 This weekend's wedding, every guest we spoke to raved about the food. They served Chicken Marsala over risotto, Pork Tenderloin with a fig port reduction, and Portabella mushroom ravioli. All were amazing! Yelp Review.

The Trout Club Public Resort

A marvelous space for a very special holiday

2250 Horns Hill Rd Newark, Ohio, 43055| thetroutclub.com/

A little bit less than an hour away from Downtown Columbus, this beautiful resort with a golf course, a pool, restaurant, bars, and attractive spaces for special events, hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner, and this year is no exception. The menu is a green salad with choice of dressing, choice of turkey served with gravy or Mapleline bourbon-glazed ham, homestyle stuffing, choice of roasted garlic mashed potatoes or sweet potato hash, green beans almondine, or baked cream corn, and last but not least, choice of Dutch apple pie, pumpkin pie, or pecan pie. Make your reservation between 11 am and 6 pm by calling or emailing at reservations@thetroutclub.com. If you are interested in becoming a member of this club, take a look at the annual rates and packages available for you.

A GREAT find. We have been there on several occasions and had very good experiences. We found the food to be very good and the prices very reasonable. Yelp Review.

Smith & Wollensky

Hand butchered and dry-aged steaks

4145 The Strand W, Columbus, OH 43219 | +1 614-416-2400 | smithandwollensky.com

Since 1977, this restaurant has always presented some of the best quality steaks there are. You might recognize this place as it has locations in some of the most important cities of the country like New York, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Columbus, of course! Some of the chef's recommendations are the Cajun bleu stacked filet, filet medallions with bleu cheese, and confit bacon. There is also the Kurobuta Pork Porterhouse, with Uncle Nearest whiskey lacquer, granny smith gastrique, and pickled serrano chile. Enhance your meal with Brandy Peppercorn Sauce, some grilled shrimp with garlic and olive oil, or bleu cheese crusted with bacon and scallions. You can eat in the restaurant, pick-up your order to take it home, or ask for it to be delivered to you. This delightful food will be memorable, delicious, and will please the whole family. 

Great spot to chill and people watch at Easton Towne Center. S&W is a classic steakhouse/seafood restaurant, which anchors the fountain area! The steaks are always well cooked, and the sides are generous and can be shared by the table! Yelp Review.

Rodizio Grill

An Authentic Brazilian Churrasquería

125 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215 | +1 614-241-4400 | rodiziogrill.com

This Brazilian Steakhouse offers a buffet with unlimited Brazilian sides, a gourmet salad bar, and a huge range of rotisserie-grilled meats. Rodizio is the Executive chef and founder of this restaurant with delightful flavors and excellent quality dishes. Reservations for Thanksgiving are now available so you can enjoy a traditional dinner eating turkey, sweet mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more for only $38.99 per person. The restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving at 11 am, so you can eat in the restaurant or pick-up your food. It's worth taking a look at the drinks menu as Rodizio Grill works very closely with some award-winning Brazilian wineries to make sure they import only the best bottles for you.

A variety of Brazilian beer is available as well. Don't hesitate to try something new this holiday season! You might discover your new favorite drink. Also, every family who dines at Rodizio Grill this Thanksgiving will receive a coupon for 2021. One free dinner with the purchase of two dinners. You will love it so much that you will want to be back soon! 

Loved it here!! We celebrated our one year Wedding Anniversary , and were not disappointed! Great food, great service, friendly staff! A must place to eat for quality food, all the way from the grilled veggies to the desert! Yelp Review.

This will be a different Thanksgiving. Many family members might not get together if they are in other states, and they don't want to travel due to the pandemic. Those of you who are doctors, nurses, or essential workers, might be in an even more stressful scenario this year. But remember that Thanksgiving is not relevant because of the kind of food you eat, or where do you eat, or how much you spend on your outfit. It is about bringing people together and having a good time. 

Despite the distance, time, and anything else you might be stressed about, take a deep breath, think of a few great things that happened to you this year, including the great dinner you will have. Mention these things when you are sitting ready to have dinner with your beloved ones. After all, it's Thanksgiving, and there is always something grateful to be for.