Where to Go on Thanksgiving to Try a Chef’s Holiday Treat
Written By: Karli Karandos San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
The holidays can be a joyous yet stressful time. Rather than spending Thanksgiving Day within the confines of your kitchen preparing dish after dish, why not take this year off? There happens to be plenty of restaurants open in San Diego this Thanksgiving Day. We’ve rounded up a list of the top restaurant options for where to dine with your loved ones. That means no grocery shopping. No setting the table. No cooking. No clean up. Now there’s something we can all be thankful for! So, treat yourself by dining out this Thanksgiving Day. Who knows? It could even become a new tradition!
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
Twenty/20 Grill
Located in Carlsbad is the restaurant Twenty/20, applicably named for the spectacular views it offers. This Thanksgiving Day, Twenty/20 will be hosting a superb, chef created Thanksgiving buffet from 3-8 p.m. A roasted beet salad with goat cheese and balsamic, sweet potato salad with maple bacon and scallions, a carving station of slow roasted free range turkey with orange cranberry chutney and giblet gravy, traditional cornbread stuffing, sautéed brussels sprouts, and vanilla bourbon bread pudding are just some of the delectable dishes being served. Reservations for this event are required and can be made by calling the restaurant. Pricing for the buffet is $50 per person and $25 for children ages 12 and under.
Turkey Day Tip: A credit card is required in order to hold reservations for this event.
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Dr
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760.827.2500 | www.twenty20grill.com
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
Cafe Gratitude
Could there be a more fitting place to dine on Thanksgiving than a restaurant whose name exemplifies the very meaning of this holiday? Cafe Gratitude in San Diego is part of a small chain of organic plant-based restaurants with multiple locations throughout Southern California. At Cafe Gratitude, they strive for health and sustainability, as well as expressing gratitude every day of the year–not just on Thanksgiving. However, this Thanksgiving they are going above and beyond to show gratitude and give thanks to all by giving free Thanksgiving dinner! Yes, you read that correctly. Menu items include red lentil holiday loaf, mashed Yukon gold potatoes with mushroom gravy, autumn salad, and more! Meals will be provided from 11-3 p.m. on a first come first served basis. No reservations will be taken.
Turkey Day Tip: Feel like really showing thanks and giving back to the community? Cafe Gratitude is accepting volunteers for their free Thanksgiving meal event. To get on the volunteer list, simply contact contact niels.tervoort@cafegratitude.com or call the restaurant directly!
1980 Kettner Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
619.736.5077
www.cafegratitude.com
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
The Green Dragon Tavern & Museum
You’re already out of your kitchen; how about getting a bit out of your comfort zone as well? This restaurant is sure to make it a Thanksgiving dinner to remember. The Green Dragon Tavern located in Carlsbad is not only a restaurant, but also a Revolutionary War museum. History buffs will certainly give thanks for this exact replica of the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, where the planning of the Boston Tea Party took place in 1854. So, pretend you’re Paul Revere for Thanksgiving Day and come dine inside The Green Dragon Tavern, where a buffet spread of butternut squash bisque, oven roasted turkey breast, sausage apple and chestnut stuffing, salad bar, and much more will be provided. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pricing for the buffet is $49.95 per adult, $19.95 for children aged 3-12, and free for children three and under.
Turkey Day Tip: Access to the museum is included in the Thanksgiving buffet purchase.
6115 Paseo Del Norte
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.918.2421
AVANT at Rancho Bernardo Inn
The Rancho Bernardo Inn’s signature restaurant AVANT is offering a three course prix-fixe menu to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Providing an indoor-outdoor designed setting and seasonal ingredients, it is sure to give a more sophisticated and upscale touch to your Thanksgiving. The event takes place from 2-7 p.m. and will have live music for additional ambiance. The prix-fixe menu will include options to choose from, such as seared scallops for a first course, roasted turkey breast for the second, and a pumpkin tart to finish. Pricing is $70 for adults; $35 for children 12 and under. Reservations are encouraged.
Turkey Day Tip: AVANT also offers an extensive beer and wine list, as well as seasonal cocktails such as the Smoked Fig–maker’s mark, fig and rosemary syrup, with charred rosemary.
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr
San Diego, CA 92128
855.574.5356 | www.ranchobernardoinn.com
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
Breakfast Republic
Who said Thanksgiving meals can only be lunch or dinner? At all Breakfast Republic’s locations they’re serving up Thanksgiving breakfast and brunch. You may even consider this your warm up for Thanksgiving dinner. November specials include organic black rice breakfast risotto with parmesan cheese, shiitake mushrooms, and three eggs any style, or bacon infused pancakes topped with Jurassic Pork house special thick-cut bacon, butter, and a maple espresso infused syrup. Do you need any more reason to be thankful?
Turkey Day Tip: Come early! Breakfast Republic opens at 7 a.m. and will stay open until 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Newest Location:
251 N Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.452.2121
www.breakfastrepublic.com
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
Brian’s 24
This one’s for those who wish to celebrate Thanksgiving early. Or late. Or anytime, really. Brian’s 24 is aptly named for their 24-hour service—even on Thanksgiving. Maybe you don’t want turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving like everyone else in America. Maybe you want biscuits and gravy on Thanksgiving. Or chocolate chip hotcakes. Or pepperoni pizza tater tots. Or fish tacos. Or a BLT. Or a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings. Or hot wings. Or chili cheese fries. Or a caesar salad. Anything is possible at Brian’s 24. Thanksgiving can become whatever you want it to be! This place is like a food wonderland. If you want it, it’s on the menu. Let us give thanks for that.
Turkey Day Tip: Brian’s 24 will be offering a special Turkey Pot Pie in addition to their regular menu.
828 Sixth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619.702.8410
www.brians24.com
San Diego Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals
Bellamy’s
Come celebrate Thanksgiving at Bellamy’s Restaurant in Escondido this year! Bellamy’s is a French-inspired restaurant with farm-to-table dining. Their Thanksgiving menu was specially handcrafted by French Master Chef Patrick Ponsaty and Chef Jonathan Freyberg. Bellamy’s Thanksgiving event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are offering a three course prix-fixe menu with options to choose from, one of which is a Thanksgiving plate with herb stuffing, potato puree, green beans, roasted acorn squash, sage gravy, cranberry sauce, and of course, turkey. The price for this decadent meal is $50 per person. Children’s options are also available upon request. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling the number below.
Turkey Day Tip: Bellamy’s Thanksgiving dinner will include live music and a $25 corkage fee per bottle.
417 W Grand Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
760.747.5000
www.bellamysdining.com
A.R. Valentien
The Lodge at Torrey Pines’ signature and top-rated restaurant for a fine dining experience is offering a special Thanksgiving Day menu from noon to 10 p.m. The price per person is $105 and includes a four-course meal. To start, it’s Tahitian squash soup. The first course options offer an autumn salad, potato gnocchi, and more. Main courses include a roasted turkey with traditional “fixins”, as well as five other courses to choose from. Lastly, dessert choices: pear and Nutella mousse, pumpkin cheesecake brûlée, chocolate pecan tart, or black bottom caramel pudding. Price for children 12 and under is $55. For adults 21 and over, pay an additional $20 to receive free flowing sparkling wine with your meal!
Turkey Day Tip: A.R. Valentien was named after an early-1900s California artist whose work can be seen on display in the restaurant’s decor. Consider it a free exhibit included in your meal!
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.777.6635
www.lodgetorreypines.com
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