Oysters on the half shell are sharing a Thanksgiving buffet with roast turkey and slow-roasted New York strip. That’s an unexpected holiday spread, especially at a Maryland restaurant overlooking the harbor.
The chilled seafood display also includes cocktail shrimp and tuna poke.
Traditional favorites haven’t been forgotten. There’s cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, and smoked Gouda mac and cheese.
Butternut squash bisque and clam chowder add another choice before dessert, where a chef’s sweet table awaits.
What catches my interest is the freedom to build a holiday plate that doesn’t follow the usual script. You could keep it classic with turkey and cranberry sauce or make seafood the main event.
The buffet takes place on November 26, 2026, and reservations are strongly encouraged. That waterfront view comes with plenty to eat.
Mark November 26 Now Because Seats Will Go Fast
Thanksgiving Day 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks is ready for it. The Baltimore restaurant is rolling out a full holiday buffet instead of asking you to juggle a turkey and a timer.
Planning ahead matters here. Reservations are highly recommended, and you can book through OpenTable by looking under the experiences section.
That small step saves a lot of stress. Holiday tables near the water are popular, and nobody wants to stand around hungry while the gravy waits.
The buffet setup also takes pressure off everyone in your group. Picky eaters can build their own plate, and big eaters can head back for round two without a single raised eyebrow.
Coffee, decaf, hot tea, and milk come with the meal. So do local rustic breads and assorted rolls, which feels like a friendly nod to every family that fights over the last dinner roll.
My advice is simple and very practical. Book early, pick a time that fits your family’s rhythm, and leave the oven off for once.
Honestly, the hardest decision of the day might be choosing between seconds of turkey or seconds of steak. That sounds like a pretty nice problem to have.
Turkey, Steak, and Salmon All Showed Up for Dinner
Three main dishes share the spotlight at this buffet, and each one brings its own crowd. Roast turkey breast arrives with classic turkey gravy, cornbread dressing, and cranberry sauce, which covers every traditional base.
Steak fans get a serious reason to celebrate. Slow roasted New York strip loin comes with creamed horseradish, chimichurri, and peppercorn demi on the side.
Three sauces for one steak? That means you could technically try a different combo with every trip back to the buffet.
Seafood lovers aren’t left out either, which makes sense for a seafood house. Glazed salmon gets a brown sugar glaze and a bright orange gremolata on top.
I believe this lineup solves an age-old family puzzle. Some relatives want tradition, some want beef, and somebody always asks if there’s fish.
Here, every one of those requests gets a yes without anyone making a special trip to the store. The cook in your family finally gets a day off, and the menu still feels like a holiday.
A smart move is to take small portions first. That way, you can sample all three mains before deciding which one earns a full second plate.
Save Room, Because the Sides Steal Plenty of Attention
Good sides can make or break Thanksgiving, and this buffet clearly knows it. Smoked Gouda mac and cheese leads the pack, giving a cozy classic a slightly fancier twist.
Sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole round out the trio. Both are the kind of dishes that make a holiday plate feel complete.
Before you even reach the mains, starters wait for you. Butternut squash bisque is on the menu, and it fits a chilly November day perfectly.
Two salads add some crunch and color to the spread. You’ll find the M&S Seasonal Mixed Greens Salad and a Hearts of Romaine Caesar Salad.
Bread lovers have plenty to cheer about as well. Local rustic breads and assorted rolls come with the buffet, ready to mop up any leftover gravy.
Pacing yourself is the real trick at a spread like this. A cup of bisque and a little salad make a nice warm-up without filling you up too early.
Then, save a corner of your plate for that mac and cheese. Skipping the cheesy option on Thanksgiving just feels wrong, and nobody here will judge an extra scoop.
Your Holiday Plate Comes With a Lighthouse on the Side
Few Thanksgiving tables come with a lighthouse view, but this one does. McCormick & Schmick’s sits on Pier 5 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, looking out toward the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse.
That red, round lighthouse is a real harbor landmark. Having it nearby gives the meal a true Maryland waterfront feel.
You’ll find the restaurant at 711 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202. It’s part of the Pier 5 Hotel Baltimore, which makes it handy for anyone staying downtown for the holiday.
The location works well for more than dinner. Sports venues, shopping, and other harbor attractions are all close by.
That opens up some fun plans for the long weekend. You could stroll the harbor after your meal and walk off a little of that cornbread dressing.
Outdoor dining is also available on a first-come, first-served basis when the weather cooperates. November in Maryland can be chilly, so bring a jacket if you’re hoping for a patio moment.
Even from inside, water views help the day feel special. Watching the harbor while passing the cranberry sauce sure beats staring at a kitchen sink full of pots.
Walnut Wood and Stained Glass Make It Feel Like an Old Club
Hand-crafted walnut wood wraps the dining room, and it sets the tone right away. Beveled and stained glass adds sparkle, giving the space a classic look that feels warm instead of stuffy.
The overall mood lands somewhere between sophisticated and relaxed. It’s often described as intimate and clubby, the kind of room that suits a long, slow holiday meal.
That style matters on Thanksgiving more than any other day. Families want to linger, tell stories, and maybe argue a little about football.
A cozy room makes all of that easier. Rich wood tones and soft glass details create a setting that feels like a celebration without any extra decorations.
The brand designed its restaurants to feel inviting, original, and relaxed. The Baltimore location carries that idea forward with a polished look that still welcomes families.
There’s also a bar area known for being beautiful and laid-back. It gives the space another comfortable corner beyond the main dining room.
I like how the decor feels timeless rather than trendy. Holiday photos taken here won’t look dated in five years, which is a quiet bonus for anyone building a family album.
A Story That Started in Portland Found Its Way to the Harbor
Back in 1974, two guys named Bill McCormick and Douglas Schmick formed a company called Traditional Concepts. Five years later, in 1979, the first McCormick & Schmick’s opened in Portland, Oregon.
That West Coast start still shapes the menu today. Seafood from the Pacific Northwest shows up often, right next to local catches.
The Baltimore location joined the story in 1998. It has been serving the Inner Harbor for well over two decades now.
That’s a long run in a busy waterfront dining scene. It also means many Maryland families have marked birthdays and anniversaries here over the years.
In January 2012, Landry’s, Inc. acquired the company. The restaurant kept its name and its focus on fresh seafood and well-prepared steaks.
Knowing the history adds a little flavor to your visit. You’re eating in a spot with roots stretching across the country and back.
Fun fact for the dinner table: the restaurant’s name comes straight from its two founders. Toss that out between bites of turkey, and you might win the trivia round before dessert even shows up.
Come Back After the Holiday for the Famous Fresh List
The menu here often gets printed twice a day. That’s because McCormick & Schmick’s highlights a Fresh List showing which seafood varieties are available right now.
It’s a clever system that keeps things honest. Fish comes from local waters and faraway places, with a focus on seasonal, local, and sustainable choices.
The rest of the year, that list might feature Alaskan halibut or Northwest salmon. Hawaiian mahi mahi and Oregon petrale sole can also make an appearance.
Oysters get plenty of love too, with a wide selection. Maryland crab soup, Maine lobster bisque, and crab cakes sit on the menu as well.
Steak lovers have choices beyond the holiday strip loin. The lineup includes a center-cut ribeye, center-cut filet mignon, and Wagyu steak frites.
Sides go big here, from herbed mashed potatoes to truffle frites. Lobster mashed potatoes might be the fanciest spud upgrade in town.
Save room on a future visit for dessert. The Chocolate Bag and the Upside Down Candied Walnut Apple Pie both sound like perfect excuses to return once the leftovers run out.
Big Family? There’s a Room Ready for Your Whole Crowd
Got a family reunion that rivals a small parade? The restaurant has private dining spaces that can seat up to 220 guests.
Open-air patio events can stretch even bigger, holding up to 300 people. That’s a lot of room for cousins you only see once a year.
Each private space has its own name with a local twist. There’s the Lighthouse Room, the Harborview and Chesapeake Rooms, and the Maryland Room.
Those names fit the waterfront setting nicely. They also remind you that this Baltimore spot leans into its harbor home.
Private rooms work well for holiday parties, office dinners, and milestone birthdays. The flexible spaces can shrink or grow depending on the size of your group.
Regular hours make planning easy outside of the holidays. The restaurant opens at 11:30 AM daily and serves lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus.
So the Thanksgiving buffet might just be your first taste of this place. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks offers a harbor view, a cozy room, and plenty of reasons to plan your next family gathering by the water.
