Thanksgiving will be here before you know it—on Thursday, Nov. 26, to be specific. Don't feel like cooking this year? Forget making (then cleaning) heaps of holiday dishes and leave the cooking to the pros, instead. We're here to help you get ahead of the game with reservations at one of these local restaurants.

Michael’s on East

1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota, (941) 366-0007, bestfood.com

Spend Thanksgiving at Michael's on East, where you can partake in a traditional turkey dinner starting at 12.:30 p.m. Michael’s also offers robust takeout options with 15 lb. or 20 pound lb. (and accoutrements) alongside individual dinners, too. Note that takeaway must be ordered by Tuesday,  Nov. 24.

Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie

1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, (941) 236-5826; 8445 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch, (941) 357-1570, eatatlibbys.com

Available at both the Libby's Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch locations, this traditional turkey dinner will be served 10 a.m.-9 p.m.  Guests can gather at the table at Libby’s or skip the kitchen entirely by pre-ordering online and picking up their meal hot and fresh on Thanksgiving Day.

Allswell Sarasota

7500 Island Cove Terrace, Unit 102, Lakewood Ranch, (941) 233-5448, allswellsarasota.com

Head out to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch for Thanksgiving at one of the area's favorite gastropubs. A traditional turkey dinner and à la carte favorites are available starting at noon.

Café Gabbiano

5104 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, Sarasota, (941) 349-1423, cafegabbiano.com

A fantastic choice if your crew is craving a traditional turkey dinner alongside Italian favorites like veal Milanese and lobster ravioli. Reservations for Thanksgiving service begin at noon.

Duval’s Fresh Local Seafood

1435 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 312-4001, duvalsfreshlocalseafood.com

Downtown Sarasota's Duval's offers Thanksgiving meals for dine-in as well as substantial family-style takeout feasts. This year's menu includes turkey and ham with traditional sides and nontraditional options like salmon, filet and a seafood sampler. Reservations begin at 11:30 a.m.

Marina Jack

2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, (941) 365-4232, marinajacks.com

What could be better than bayfront views while dining with friends and family? Marina Jack's annual Thanksgiving buffet offers a carving station, pasta, salads and antipasto beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Drift Kitchen & Bar

Inside Lido Beach Resort, 700 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, (941) 388-2161, opalcollection.com

Indulge in panoramic Gulfside views at Drift's Thanksgiving buffet inside the Lido Beach Resort. Dish up traditional turkey and prime rib along with fun options like shrimp and grits or short rib lasagna. Reservations are available beginning at 11 a.m.

GROVE

10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, (941) 893-4321, grovelwr.com

Speaking of buffets, Grove sets up a solid one from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in its ballroom. A plated Thanksgiving meal is also available in the restaurant from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., as are takeout orders—just get those in by Nov. 25.

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota

1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota, (941) 309-2000, ritzcarlton.com

We love a fancy Thanksgiving, and The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, does it right. We’re talking a buffet including oysters, caviar, charcuterie, whole-roasted grouper and all the traditional fixins, served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year the hotel's takeaway options return, and orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 20.

St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, (941) 231-1000, marriot.com

Another great swanky option: gather with family and friends for an elevated Thanksgiving feast featuring traditional favorites, fresh Gulf seafood, carving stations, decadent desserts, and live music at The St. Regis Longboat Key's Riva. Reservations begin at 1 p.m.

Tzeva

Inside Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, (941) 413-7425, tzevasarasota.com

Indulge in brown sugar-glazed salmon and sesame tuna at Tzeva’s Thanksgiving buffet, where you’ll also find traditional offerings like roast turkey, glazed ham, mashed potatoes and more. Make your reservation from noon to 7 p.m.

Pier 22

1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 748-8087, pier22.com

Pier 22′s holiday menu includes a traditional Thanksgiving plated dinner with roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, house-made dinner rolls and house-made pumpkin pie, available from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Takeout options are available, too; orders must be placed by Wednesday, Nov. 25.

EnRich Bistro

5239 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 231-4577, enrichbistro.com

This year's annual Thanksgiving Buffet includes canapés, a carving station, sauce bar, and delicious dessert minis. Reservations are available from noon to 6 p.m.