Friendsgiving — gathering with friends for a Thanksgiving-style meal, usually the weekend before or after the actual holiday — has become one of the busiest restaurant weekends of November. If you're planning one in New Jersey, here's how to approach it.
The Restaurant Route: What to Look For and When to Book
New Jersey's restaurant scene has grown significantly in 2026, particularly in Jersey City, Asbury Park, and Newark. Book at least two weeks ahead for the weekend of November 22-23 — it's consistently one of the busiest of the year for full-service restaurants. Look for prix-fixe Friendsgiving menus — many NJ restaurants create dedicated seasonal menus for the weekend. Ask about private dining rooms — even restaurants that don't advertise private dining often accommodate group buyouts for the right group size. Check the brewery and beer-garden scene — several NJ breweries now operate full kitchens or partner with food vendors for seasonal events.
Hosting at Home: Making It Work
Assign dishes by category, not by specific item — give guests flexibility rather than assigning specific dishes. Order the protein — New Jersey has excellent butcher shops, specialty grocers, and pre-order programs for turkeys and alternatives. Check with your local grocer about pre-order deadlines, most run through mid-November. The Shore towns and suburban areas have excellent specialty food shops and prepared-food options for rounding out a home Friendsgiving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I host Friendsgiving? Most happen the Saturday or Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 22-23 in 2026) or the weekend after (November 27-29). The weekend before tends to have fewer conflicts.
Do NJ restaurants do special Friendsgiving menus? Many do, particularly in Jersey City, Montclair, Asbury Park, and Red Bank. Call ahead and ask specifically about November holiday programming — most restaurants confirm by early November.
