By Claire Noack

Skip the hassle this Thanksgiving and enjoy a gourmet dinner at a restaurant in the Twin Cities. Not only will you get to avoid spending hours in the kitchen, but Minneapolis and St. Paul’s eateries provide world class service and the freshest food. Plus, there’s no need to worry that the turkey will be overcooked or that someone brought the wrong type of cranberries. If you want in on this laid-back holiday feast, act quickly as reservations are going fast and you wouldn’t want to get the short end of the wishbone. Check out some of our favorite local restaurants who are hosting festive meals this Thanksgiving:

Citizen

Dig in to Citizen’s Thanksgiving Brunch at the InterContinental Hotel Great River Ballroom from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The newly reimagined downtown St. Paul eatery upgraded its supper club space for a sleek design, modern American dishes and craft cocktails. For $43 for adults and $17 for children ages 5-11, Citizen serves up a delicious buffet with a build-your-own salad bar, artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, shrimp cocktails, a carving station with free range turkey and black pepper crusted ham, a selection of pies, a kids menu, and all the other Thanksgiving fixings you could want. Complimentary parking is available n the InterContinental ramp.

French Meadow

This organic eatery in Uptown serves up a bounty of holiday favorites, including soups, salads, desserts and Thanksgiving entrees. With items suited for vegetarians, vegans and celiacs, French Meadow Bakery & Cafe makes sure everyone in your party can feast on a variety of sustainable dishes that suit their dietary needs. Make a reservation to try the special holiday menu from 1:30-6 p.m. or dine on their standard brunch menu from 7:30 a.m-1 p.m. Price determined by order.

The Oceanaire

The renowned seafood restaurant in downtown Minneapolis trades the lobster for oven roasted turkey roulade with savory sage cranberry stuffing this Thanksgiving. And don’t forget about the sides—The Oceanaire Seafood Room is serving up the finest with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and homemade cranberry chutney. Wash it all down with a bottle of Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Contact for reservations.

McCormick & Schmicks

Take a seat at one of the best steakhouses in the Twin Cities for your holiday feast. Indulge on a roasted turkey dinner with all the fixings, including butternut squash bisque, walnut mixed greens, cornbread stuffing, apple squash casserole, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes and gravy. And if that doesn’t fit your fancy, McCormick & Schmicks‘ dinner menu is also available all day. Contact for reservations and pricing.

Mystic Lake

Winner winner, (turkey) dinner. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake hosts three Thanksgiving meals, so even if you don’t win big in the casino, you can still eat like a king. Each dishes up harvest favorites at varying price points. Minnehaha Cafe’s Turkey Dinner offers traditional bites for $17, while The Buffet’s Thanksgiving Feast adds in roasted goose, grilled London broil, rosemary rotisserie chicken and green bean casserole along with the carved bird for $26.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids ages 5-12. And to top it all off, the Holiday Harvest in the Grand Ballroom features seafood, Thanksgiving classics, and a mimosa and Bloody Mary cash bar at this all-you-can-eat celebration that is $49.95 for adults and $23.95 for kids 5-12.

Looking for more options for your Turkey Day dinner? Try places like Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, Mercy Bar & Dining Room, The News Room, Ten 01 Social, The Normandy Kitchen, Beacon Public House, Jacques Restaurant and Bar, or Buca di Beppo.