From special restaurant menus to takeout meals—we’ve rounded up some delicious ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in San Diego.
Let’s talk turkey. From traditional Thanksgiving dinner enjoyed at your favorite San Diego restaurants, to decadent to-go meal packages, turkey is no doubt the star of most menus this holiday weekend. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots offering special menus filled with classic Thanksgiving dishes. We’ve also mixed in a few restaurants offering some nontraditional—but equally delicious and festive—holiday menus. So if cooking isn’t in the cards for you this year, San Diego’s top chefs are glad to do it for you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Adelaide at L’Auberge | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The elegant ocean-view restaurant at L’Auberge Del Mar Resort is offering a lavish lunch buffet (11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) for $125 per person, serving citrus-roasted king salmon, braised turkey thigh, cornbread-sage stuffing, heirloom apple salad, pumpkin pie and more. Or come for dinner and enjoy a prix fixe meal by executive chef James Montejano (4-9 p.m.) for $99 per person, including prime beef tataki, yellowfin tuna tartare, pumpkin soup, Diestel maple-honey-roasted turkey, Farro Island prime rib of salmon, prime beef tenderloin, pan-seared scallops and roasted beet sirloin. 1540 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.793.6467
Barleymash | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The popular Gaslamp hangout is offering a three-course Thanksgiving meal with choices for the first and last course, such as salad or squash soup to start; andouille-stuffed turkey roulade with wild turkey brown-butter gravy, garlic-mashed potatoes, biscuit stuffing, corn pudding, farmhouse veggies and habanero-cranberry jelly as the main course; and Dutch-crumb apple pie or pumpkin sponge cake to finish—available from 3 p.m. until supplies last. $57 adults; $27 kids. 600 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.255.7373
Catamaran Resort Hotel | Dine-In
Nov. 28. Take in views of Mission Bay at this decadent buffet served in the Catamaran Resort Hotel’s upstairs ballrooms. Offerings by chef Bryan Stuppy include a seafood station with oysters, crab claws shrimp cocktail and sushi; soups and salads; a carving station with spiral-cut ham and apple-cider-citrus-brined turkey breast; a pasta station; holiday favorites like herbed cornbread stuffing, sweet-potato casserole and garlic-whipped potatoes; and desserts such as pumpkin-honey cheesecake and mini pumpkin pies. 2-8 p.m. $150 adults; $68 kids ages 5-12. 3999 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.539.8635
Dockside 1953 | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The revered bayside restaurant at Bahia Resort Hotel is offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet feast, including turkey, ham, seafood, a mac ‘n’ cheese station, classic side dishes, desserts and a made-to-order crepe station; plus live music. 2-8 p.m. $150 adults; $50 kids ages 5-12. 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay, 858.539.7634
Duck Dive | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The casual Pacific Beach haunt is serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie; a prime rib dinner with horseradish cream and sides; and fall-inspired libations. Duck Dive is also hosting a canned food drive; bring a can of food, which will be donated to a local food pantry helping the community, and receive a Jameson Irish coffee for 1 cent. Beginning at 11 a.m. 4650 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.273.3825
George’s at the Cove | Takeout
Pickup on Nov. 27. Dine-in reservations at George’s at the Cove are sold out for Thanksgiving, but the restaurant is offering house-made holiday pies available for prepaid pickup the day prior. Choose from three pies baked by pastry chef Anna Adams: gingerbread-pumpkin, chai-apple and pecan-caramel. Order online stat before they sell out! 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.4244
The Grill at Torrey Pines | Dine-In
Nov. 28. Located adjacent to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course overlooking the Pacific, The Grill at Torrey Pines is celebrating the holiday with a three-course prix fixe menu from executive chef Kelli Crosson and chef de cuisine Ryan Dzierzawski. Feast on butternut squash soup or pear salad to start; chimney-smoked turkey with cornbread-pecan stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish and giblet gravy as the main; and pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. $110 adults; $65 kids ages 11 and under. The Lodge at Torrey Pines, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.777.6641
Herb & Sea | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The acclaimed Encinitas eatery will be offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu—with starters like Caesar salad, Shrimp Louie and winter sumac tomatoes; second course choices such as pork belly, mussel toast and caramelized leek soup; mains including turkey, boneless short rib, eggplant, and broiled seafood royale; sides such as stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and Parker House rolls; and desserts like apple cake and a pecan tart with ginger ice cream. Reservations required. 1-7 p.m. $92 adults; $38 children. 131 D St., Encinitas, 760.704.8300
Hotel del Coronado | Dine-In
Nov. 28. The iconic historical resort will host an equally grand Thanksgiving dinner buffet in its restored Crown Room (pictured) and Coronet Rooms, and the Ocean Ballroom featuring a recently discovered and preserved original 1888 fresco mural—complete with all your favorite dishes, traditional trimmings, live music, and stunning holiday lights and decorations. The buffet menu includes a chilled seafood display, sushi and sashimi, lobster bisque, whole-roasted turkey, pepper-crusted prime rib, Baja California Paella, a culinary square with cured meats and artisanal cheeses, a pasta and risotto station, and a decadent dessert buffet. Afterward, head outside for Skating by the Sea, and stroll around the resort grounds—which are decked out with Hollywood-glam decorations and lights that embrace this year’s theme: “Lights, Camera, Holiday!” Noon-6 p.m. See website for reservations and pricing. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611
Friendsgiving Feast at Lionfish | Dine-In
Nov. 27. This might be our all-time favorite pre-Thanksgiving celebration. Book a table at the Pendry San Diego Hotel’s flagship hotspot, Lionfish, and indulge in the “Friendsgiving Feast” the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The meal comprises a deep-fried turkey bucket (complete with executive chef JoJo Ruiz’s face on it!), Boursin-mashed potatoes, truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, and buttermilk biscuits. Lionfish is also offering shots for $5 each, in recognition of the day also widely known as “Drinksgiving.” 5-10 p.m. The feast is priced at $45; with regular menu items also available. 435 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.738.7200
Little Frenchie | Takeout
Preorder by Nov. 24. Let Coronado’s quaint French bistro do the baking for you this year. Little Frenchie is offering several desserts available for pickup on Nov. 27: a 10-inch apple-crumble cheesecake ($65), a 10-inch pumpkin-cinnamon-roll cake ($45), and a 9-inch bourbon-pecan pie ($45); as well as charcuterie and cheese boards that serve 4-6 people ($85), and 8-12 people ($125). 1166 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.675.0041
The Plot | Takeout
Pickup on Nov. 27. Looking for a plant-based Thanksgiving feast? The Plot has you covered. Choose from a stuffed yam with truffle cheesy sauce and apple sage “sausage” (pictured), or “chorizo” stuffed squash; fall quinoa salad with garden kale, bleu cheese, radicchio, persimmon and pomegranates, and maple-olive-oil dressing; and pumpkin cheesecake with pepita creme and chocolate crumble for dessert. Preorder your meal online for pickup on Nov. 27, between noon and 9 p.m. (Meals come ready to reheat, with instructions.) $35 per individually packaged meal. 1733 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 442.266.8200
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | Dine-In, Takeout
Preorder by midnight on Nov. 24. The luxe resort is offering an array of family-friendly fun on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28)—including its signature buffet offering a raw bar, carving stations and desserts; along with carriage rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, face painting, lawn games, and arts & crafts. Rancho Valencia is also offering “Thanksgiving To-Go,” with full meals that serve four people. Offerings include whole roasted turkey, stuffing, sides, sauces and whole pies for dessert; plus wines by the bottle. Call for dining reservations; see website to order to-go meals ($350 minimum food order), and to schedule a pickup time on Nov. 27. Onsite Thanksgiving dining runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $235 adults; $95 kids ages 3-11. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.759.6246
Sandpiper Wood-Fired Grill & Oysters | Dine-In, Takeout
Preorder for Pickup on Nov. 28. Take your pick at Sandpiper: Dine on-site on Thanksgiving Day (seatings begin at 2 p.m.); or preorder a to-go meal, available for pickup on Thanksgiving morning (10-11:45 a.m.). The restaurant is offering a la carte dine-in options, such as turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, traditional stuffing, white-cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, green-bean casserole and Parker House rolls. Or order a similar meal to-go, serving four people ($186 per package); and add on a whole pie, such as gingerbread-pumpkin, chai-apple and pecan-caramel ($38 each). Order here. 2259 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla Shores, 858.228.5655
STK Steakhouse | Dine-In, Takeout
Nov. 28-Dec. 1. The Gaslamp steakhouse is offering Thanksgiving specials all holiday weekend long, available for dine-in as well as takeout. Offerings include roasted free-range turkey with cornbread-sage stuffing and shallot-and-thyme confit thighs; with sides including sauteed green beans with crispy shallots, maple-baked sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with a Parmesan crust, classic gravy and cranberry-orange chutney; plus add-ons such as spiced pumpkin pie. Reservations recommended. See website or call for pricing. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.354.5988
Thanksgiving Family Cruise on Mission Bay
Nov. 28. Celebrate the day on Mission Bay! Step aboard the majestic William D. Evans sternwheeler for its Thanksgiving Family Cruise around the bay. The family-friendly fun includes a dessert and coffee station; interactive activities such as face painting, balloon artists, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating; and a photo-op station. Cruises depart from the Bahia Resort Hotel at 3 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Photo credits: Lionfish by Robert Reyes. Other images are courtesy of the venues featured.
