Experience Downtown Blog

It's Turkey Time! Where to Gobble Up Eats & Treats

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November is brimming with ways to celebrate, from indulgent Thanksgiving brunches and dinners to take-home feasts that make hosting stress-free. Add in festive Friendsgiving mixers, turkey trots, and holiday markets, and you’ve got a month packed with seasonal fun. Whether you’re planning a cozy meal, shopping for unique gifts, or looking for events to kick off the holidays, we’ve rounded up the best happenings in and around downtown Milwaukee for Thanksgiving weekend.

Dine-In 

Thanksgiving Bountiful Brunch at The Pfister Hotel
Thursday, November 27 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adults: $104 | Kids (3–10): $35 | Ages 2 & under: Free
Celebrate Thanksgiving in style at The Pfister Hotel’s newly renovated Grand Ballroom. This elegant space sets the stage for a memorable holiday meal with family and friends. The brunch features an impressive spread, including fresh seafood displayed on ice, seasonal salads, an artisan Wisconsin cheese station, and live chef stations serving eggs and carved meats. Of course, all your favorite traditional sides and trimmings are included.
Reservations are required.
https://www.thepfisterhotel.com/happenings/thanksgiving-bountiful-brunch/

 
German Thanksgiving Dinner & Brunch Buffets at Mader’s Restaurant
Thursday, November 27 | Brunch 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Dinner 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a touch of authentic German flair at Mader’s! Enjoy a brunch buffet featuring traditional holiday favorites alongside a schnitzel station and German classics like sauerbraten, herring, and Black Forest torte. Later, savor a dinner buffet with the same festive mix of American and German specialties.
https://madersrestaurant.com/ 

Thanksgiving Day Dining at Mason Street Grill
Thursday, November 27 | 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Indulge in an elegant Thanksgiving experience at Mason Street Grill. Choose from a seasonal à la carte menu or enjoy a thoughtfully crafted three-course Thanksgiving Prix Fixe for $74 per guest. For a cozy, private gathering, reserve one of the intimate dining spaces, perfect for creating lasting holiday memories. Sit back and savor the occasion while they take care of every detail.
Reservations are required.
https://www.masonstreetgrill.com/happenings/specials-events/  
 

Harvest Dinner at The Studio Kitchen & Cocktails – Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
Thursday, November 27 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving experience that feels like home but with an elevated twist, The Studio Kitchen & Cocktails at Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel is a great choice. Their prix fixe holiday menu features all the traditional favorites, prepared with care so you can relax and enjoy the day. It’s the perfect spot to savor the season and make lasting memories with family and friends.
https://www.thestudiomke.com/specials/  
 

Thanksgiving Lunch or Early Dinner at Tre Rivali
Thursday, November 27 | Noon to 4:30 p.m.
Tre Rivali offers a cozy setting in the Historic Third Ward for a Thanksgiving lunch or early dinner. From noon to 4:30 p.m., guests can enjoy a buffet featuring traditional favorites alongside creative dishes like gruyere whipped potatoes, butternut squash and carrot soup, and a kale, apple, and dried cherry salad, plus so much more.
https://www.trerivalirestaurant.com/menus/thanksgiving   

Carry-Out
 

Thanksgiving Take & Bake at Mason Street Grill
Pickup:  Wednesday, November 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Order by: Monday, November 24 
Enjoy a chef-crafted Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of your own home with Mason Street Grill’s Take & Bake Dinner. For $48 per person, guests receive a complete holiday plate featuring chopped salad, roasted Amish free-range turkey, mashed potatoes, sausage, sage and fennel stuffing, green beans almondine, confit giblet gravy, and pumpkin pie. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared by the culinary team and comes ready to heat and serve, delivering all the traditional flavors without the hours in the kitchen.
https://www.masonstreetgrill.com/happenings/specials-events/  
 

Stress-Free Thanksgiving Meals with Saz’s Catering 
Order by: Friday, November 21 
Pickup: Wednesday, November 26 (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) or Thursday, November 27 (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.).
Saz’s Catering makes Thanksgiving easy with fresh, ready-to-reheat holiday meals that include classics like roasted turkey, homestyle bread stuffing with sage, freshly baked pie, and more. Guests can also customize their holiday feast by ordering from a selection of à la carte favorites, such as Saz’s award-winning baby back ribs and applewood smoked ham. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a delicious, stress-free holiday without the hassle of cooking.
https://sazs.com/thanksgiving/  

Thanksgiving All Boxed Up or À La Carte from Smoke Shack
Order by: Monday, November 17 at 5 p.m.
Pick Up: November 25 or 26
Smoke Shack is serving up convenience and flavor this Thanksgiving with its All Boxed Up meal. Designed to feed around six people, the menu includes tender turkey bites, cornbread muffins, creamed corn, pumpkin pie, and other holiday staples. For those who prefer to mix and match, a variety of à la carte options are also available, making it easy to create a feast that fits your family’s style.
https://thesmokeshopbbq.com/thanksgiving/  
 

Turkey Dinners from Ward’s House of Prime 
Order by: Tuesday, November 25
Pick up: Thanksgiving Day
Ward’s House of Prime in the Cathedral Square Park neighborhood offers Thanksgiving dinners for any size gathering, from a single plate to a full feast for 10–12 guests. Larger meals include a whole turkey dinner with whipped sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, a house salad, and all the traditional favorites, while individual options feature the same festive flavors in a perfectly portioned plate. No matter the size of your celebration, Ward’s has a Thanksgiving solution ready for you.
https://www.wardshouseofprime.com/thanksgiving/ 
 

Both

Thanksgiving Dinner by The Capital Grille 
Reserve now or preorder by Tuesday, November 25 
Pick-up: November 26 or 27
The Capital Grille offers two ways to enjoy Thanksgiving this year. Guests can dine in for a special holiday menu featuring slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, cranberry-pear chutney, pecan-crusted mashed sweet potatoes, and pumpkin cheesecake—or order from the full dinner menu. For those celebrating at home, the restaurant also offers a take-home dinner for four, complete with sides ready to reheat and serve, making it easy to enjoy a festive meal without the fuss.
https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/events/thanksgiving-dinner-menu 
 

Events

Milwaukee Turkey Trot 
Thursday, November 27 | Register by Sunday, November 23
The 11th Annual Milwaukee Turkey Trot invites runners and walkers to hit the streets of Veterans Park for a festive 5K or 8K on Thanksgiving morning. Participants can choose from chip-timed or fun-run categories, plus special options for kids. After crossing the finish line, enjoy Cranky Al’s donuts and take home a premium performance fleece hoodie or long sleeve. It’s a great way to start the holiday, keep the tradition alive, and make room for dinner!
https://wisconsinruns.com/milwaukeeturkeytrot   
 

Other

Deer District Holiday Market at the Fiserv Forum
November 21-30 (closed on Thanksgiving)
The inaugural Deer District Holiday Market, organized by Deer District BID #53, brings a festive shopping experience to Fiserv Forum. Visitors can browse a curated selection of local vendors offering apparel, food, beauty products, home furnishings, and more. The market also features holiday-themed photo opportunities, seasonal food and drink specials from Deer District businesses, and daily entertainment—including the city tree-lighting ceremony on November 21, appearances by Santa Claus, and performances from the cast of The Grinch and The Pigeon Gets a Bigtime Holiday Extravaganza.
https://deerdistrict.com/event/deer-district-holiday-market/ 

Saint Kate Holiday Marketplace
November 29 & 30 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy the holiday ambiance of Saint Kate’s ARC Theatre while interacting with over 60 local artists and vendors. Find the perfect gifts for friends and family, all while taking in the sights and sounds of local music and art!
https://www.saintkatearts.com/events/holiday-marketplace 

Milwaukee Makers Market at Discovery World
Saturday, November 29 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Support local crafters, artists and creators by browsing dozens of booths featuring clothing, visual art, candles, home goods and so much more. This no-charge-to-enter artisan showcase is the perfect opportunity to shop for co-workers, pets, uncles, aunts and everyone in between.
https://www.milwaukeemakersmarket.com/