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 in San Diego. 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 13 places to wine and dine this year.

 

Callie

Price: $90 per adult (additional $55 for optional wine pairing); $40 per child

Chef Travis Swikard is at it again this year, putting his Mediterranean-inspired flair on the classic Thanksgiving feast. Gather the friends and family at Callie, where shareable plates of Lebanese muhammara, pappardelle, Tuscan sourdough stuffing and more come together for an unforgettable meal. Diestel Farms organic turkey, Moroccan lamb shank tagine and slow-baked salmon are the main events of this four-course feast, which ends with pumpkin cheesecake and Turkish rice pudding. 

Location: East Village

Ranch 45

Price: Varies by dish

Ranch 45 encourages you to spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen, which is why this Solana Beach restaurant has full Thanksgiving meals for pick-up. You’ll choose from salads, soups and a variety of delectable sides, including their country-style baked mac and cheese. Main course proteins include whole Brandt grilled Tomahawk steak, smoked beef tenderloin, or whole smoked cornish game hen. Ranch 45 is currently accepting pre-orders for pick-up on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Location: Solana Beach

 

Lakehouse Hotel & Resort

Price: $70 per person

The Grill at St. Mark Golf Club is a lakeside dining retreat at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort in San Marcos. Whether you want to enjoy the day or get away for the entire weekend, Lakehouse has got your Turkey Day meal covered with a decadent Thanksgiving dinner buffet. You’ll find a delectable spread of festive classics, from turkey to dessert. This is a true family affair with crafts for the kiddos and live music throughout the afternoon. 

Location: San Marcos

 

The Shores

Price: $72 per adult; $36 per child

If the idea of buffet-style dining is enticing to you but you’d prefer the setting of a beachside paradise, then consider reserving a table for the family at The Shores restaurant located within the La Jolla Shores Hotel. Available from noon to 7 p.m., the mouthwatering spread has highlights like linguini with clams and mussels and wild mushroom risotto. Guests can also enjoy elevated spins on all the classics like crab mac and cheese. Plus, there’s a special buffet just for the kids.

Location: La Jolla

 

20|Twenty at The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa

Price: $89 per person

20|Twenty in Carlsbad is the place to be if you’re looking for a quality meal without the fuss. Serving locally grown ingredients with their own Southern California flavor, 20|Twenty’s Thanksgiving menu includes slow-roasted free-range turkey, pan-seared Verlasso salmon, cabernet-braised short rib and fall harvest root vegetable quinoa coconut curry. Expect all your classic fixings with these entrees along with homemade pumpkin and chocolate pecan pie for dessert.

Location: Carlsbad

 

Cafe Sevilla

Price: $49.50 per person

Downtown’s Cafe Sevilla is offering Thanksgiving “From Another Feather” this year. Look forward to a Spanish-influenced feast that features Spanish beer-glazed duck in place of traditional turkey. The full three-course meal comes with champiñónes y crema soup and deconstructed pumpkin empanadas for dessert. Enjoy live Latin music throughout the evening to set the mood for a fun and festive celebration with your loved ones. Dinner officially begins at 4 p.m. but will be available all day in case you can’t wait. 

Location: Downtown

 

Animae

Price: $130 per adult

One of downtown’s top dining destinations this year, Animae exquisitely fuses fine-dining steakhouse culture with the flavors of Far East Asia. This chic art deco haven is the perfect setting to celebrate Thanksgiving in style. Executive Chef Tara Monsod has crafted an upscale three-course meal served family-style. Expect caviar shrimp toast and Wagyu wontons to start, followed by branzino cha ca and filet mignon, plus a chocolate taiyaki mousse bar for dessert.

Location: Downtown

 

Herb & Sea

Price: $87 per adult, $38 per child

East Coast natives who now call Southern California home might find nostalgic comfort at this beachside dining room. Herb & Sea’s Thanksgiving feast blends traditional East Coast seafood with California execution. This year’s three-course meal includes your choice of oysters Rockefeller or steelhead crudo for starters, broiled seafood royale or pistachio-crusted lamb chops for your main and simple but delicious pumpkin tarts or apple crumble pie for dessert. Reserve your table for dinner from 1-7 p.m. 

Location: Encinitas

 

Herb & Wood

Price: $92 per adult, $38 per child

If you’re looking for more rustic flavors on your Thanksgiving menu, look no further than Herb & Wood. One of Chef Brian Malarkey’s most celebrated restaurants will host Thanksgiving in the heart of Little Italy, offering what they do best in terms of wood-fired dishes. Your choice of crispy pork belly or seared scallops will lead to a main course of turkey roulade or swordfish. End the meal with a brown butter blondie or apple cake.

Location: Little Italy

 

Mustangs & Burros at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Price: $90 per person

Mustangs & Burros is a charming outdoor restaurant located at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, which is a great place for larger groups. Thanksgiving includes all-day eats served buffet-style. Expect a mimosa and bloody mary bar, a turkey and ham carving station, made-to-order eggs, the Estancia toast station, plus a parade of desserts with three kinds of pies, cheesecake and more. 

Location: La Jolla

 

Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar

Price: Varies by dish

A classic San Diego restaurant known for its breathtaking views of the ocean and a coastal menu to match, Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar is celebrating Thanksgiving with brunch starting at 10 a.m. Alongside classic breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict and lobster toast, you’ll also find prime rib roast, roasted turkey, honey ham and fennel-glazed salmon. They will also have a seafood display that includes oysters, crab claws, shrimp cocktail, poke, ceviche and more. 

Location: Del Mar

 

Mister A’s

Price: $95 per person

Celebrate Thanksgiving at the top of the world–at least that’s what it feels like when you’re dining at Mister A’s. Between the exceptional service and the stunning views of downtown, Mister A’s is the best option when you want a classy Thanksgiving meal. They’re serving a three-course meal that includes a decent number of choices for your starters, main course and dessert. From Maine lobster salad to slow-roasted Brandt Farms prime rib, it’ll be a meal you won’t stop dreaming about.

Location: Downtown

 

The Winery Restaurant at Westfield UTC

Price: $79+ per adult; $29+ per child

The classic California regional cuisine at The Winery Restaurant at Westfield UTC gets some Thanksgiving flair with a three-course prix-fixe menu that includes Scottish smoked salmon, pumpkin and ricotta ravioli, traditional maple-glazed free-range turkey and Maple Leaf Farms duck breast. If you decide to celebrate in the comfort of your own home, however, The Winery is also offering its Thanksgiving menu for takeout, or you can opt for a full Thanksgiving meal that you can heat up and serve at home. 

Location: La Jolla