These Local Restaurants Are Bringing the Goods—Stuffing Included
Turkey Day is right around the corner, and while there’s nothing quite like a home-cooked feast, you can enjoy all of the Thanksgiving classics without stepping foot into the kitchen. Skip the stovetop and dirty dishes and get straight to the feasting with those that matter most this Thanksgiving. Leave the cooking to the pros and snag yourself a seat at one of San Diego’s best restaurants for a holiday spread that’ll give you plenty to be thankful for! Here are 12 places to wine and dine this year! Thanksgiving in San Diego
Callie
At Callie, enjoy a family-style spread from Chef Travis Swikard, complete with traditional holiday favorites along with Callie-influenced seasonal takes on the classics. Highlights of the shareable feast include Diestel turkey, housemade pumpkin ravioli and braised Moroccan lamb shank. Guests will also get a leftover turkey sandwich to take home! Reservations can be made by visiting the Callie website.
Price: $80 per person (with a $50 optional wine pairing) and $35 (for kids 10 and under)
Location: East Village
Thanksgiving in San Diego
20|Twenty
​​20|Twenty, the oceanview dining venue located inside The Westin Carlsbad, is offering a three-course Thanksgiving dinner with roasted pear and frisée salad, butternut squash soup, organic roasted turkey breast and plenty of sides like whipped potatoes and maple-glazed candied yams. They’re also offering a signature seasonal cocktail, the Autumn Rum, that’s a spicy concoction of Malahat rum, apple cider reduction and cozy fall spices.
Price: $98 per person and $30 (kids 12 and under)
Location: Carlsbad
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
If you have kids, you’ll love the Thanksgiving Brunch deal at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s Greenfinch Restaurant & Bar. Children under 5 are free, and for children over 5, their age is the price! While immersed in garden views, enjoy a feast of eggs made to order, a carving station, French toast station and more.Â
Price: $85 per person
Location: La Jolla
Thanksgiving in San Diego
Herb & Wood
For an elevated version of a traditional Thanksgiving spread in Little Italy, head to Herb & Wood! In addition to turkey, enjoy additional main-dish options like red wine-braised short rib with horseradish creme fraiche, plancha-seared branzino with olive tapenade or vegetarian curry-crusted celery root. For dessert, take your pick of pies: apple pie with cranberry cream cheese ice cream or pumpkin pie with chai-spiced ice cream.
Price: $85 per person
Location: Little Italy
VAGA Restaurant & Bar
Chef Claudette Zepeda invites you to a beachside Thanksgiving at VAGA Restaurant & Bar at the Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. Her five-course meal will feature locally inspired and seasonal dishes, including roasted pepper and squash bisque, turkey roulade with corn and chorizo stuffing, corn-stuffed butternut squash and more. Top off the evening with a specialty fall cocktail like the Rhino Chaser—a refreshing yet savory tequila cocktail with spiced red wine reduction and ginger.Â
Price: $135 per person
Location: Encinitas
Thanksgiving in San Diego
Ranch 45
If you’re looking to pick up a Thanksgiving meal but get your choice of the menu, check out Ranch 45’s customizable feast. Main course options include smoked Cornish game hen, herb-crusted prime rib and smoked turkey legs. Then add side dishes like roasted carrots, green bean almondine and olive oil smashed potatoes. For dessert, pick from classics like pumpkin pie, pecan pie or apple crisp!
Price: Varies
Location: Solana Beach
Cafe Sevilla
For a Spanish flair to your Turkey Day, dine at Cafe Sevilla while listening to live Latin and rumba music. Their three-course Thanksgiving menu features Spanish twists to Thanksgiving staples, such as roasted turkey breast with glazed Black Forest ham and barbacoa pineapple chutney along with homemade pumpkin pie with cinnamon ginger whip.
Price: $49.50 per person
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Thanksgiving in San Diego
STK Steakhouse
STK Steakhouse’s Thanksgiving specials include options to either dine in or take a turkey dinner to go. In addition to a classic roasted free-range turkey, sides include cornbread and sage stuffing, shallot and thyme confit turkey thighs, sauteed green beans with crispy shallots, maple baked sweet potato, Yukon gold mashed potatoes with parmesan crust, classic gravy and cranberry orange chutney. Spiced pumpkin pie can be added for $12 per slice for those dining in.
Price: $59 per person (dine-in) and $119 for two (takeout)
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Bleu Bohème
Bleu Bohème is serving up a three-course meal available from noon to 4 p.m on Thanksgiving. Appetizer selections will include pumpkin-hominy soup and crab croquettes; entrée options will feature herb-roasted turkey breast with confit-style thighs and legs, boeuf bourguignon and more selections. For le fin, there are four French-inspired desserts to choose from, plus a pumpkin pie cocktail will be offered!
Price: $68.95 per person
Location: Kensington
Thanksgiving in San Diego
International Smoke
If you’re seeking a dinner that can accommodate dietary restrictions like gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free, International Smoke has festive options for everyone. Holiday starters include curry pumpkin soup, persimmon salad and roasted cauliflower skewers. Alongside the maple roasted turkey, seasonal sides like Yukon mashed potatoes, sauteed haricot verts, focaccia sage stuffing, giblet gravy and port wine citrus cranberries will be offered. The sweet finish is the Chef’s Horn of Plenty—an assortment of fall harvest desserts and petit fours. The menu is also available to pre-order and pick up for dining at home.
Price: $88 per person (dine-in) and $320 (takeout; serves four)
Location: Del Mar
Cardellino
For a Thanksgiving meal at home with none of the shopping or prep, Cardellino has you covered. The 20-pound Mary’s Free Range Organic Turkey will come ready for the oven (with cooking instructions included!) and all other dishes just need to be heated and served. The menu will feed six to eight people and include cheesy truffled potatoes, glazed butternut squash with carrots, apple crisp and much more.Â
Price: $325 (takeout)
Location: University Heights
Thanksgiving in San Diego
The Wise Ox
Looking for a turkey for your own Thanksgiving feast? The Wise Ox, a local butcher and eatery, is selling all-natural Diestel Farms turkeys for pick up between Monday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 24. You can also add on The Wise Ox gravy to skip another step in your Thanksgiving prep!
Price: $5.99 per pound
Location: North Park
About the author
Michelle Stansbury is a San Diego-based freelance writer who writes about travel, food, cocktails, and events. Misuse of the word ""literally"" drives her figuratively insane.
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Michelle Stansburyhttps://localemagazine.com/author/michellestansbury/
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Michelle Stansburyhttps://localemagazine.com/author/michellestansbury/
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Michelle Stansburyhttps://localemagazine.com/author/michellestansbury/
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Michelle Stansburyhttps://localemagazine.com/author/michellestansbury/
