Celebrate Thanksgiving at These San Diego Restaurants

For some, multiple trips to the grocery store and hours spent in the kitchen preparing the perfect feast is what they look forward to on Thanksgiving, while others look to avoid the fuss (and dishes) and head to local restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinner. We’ve lined up a list of San Diego restaurants offering traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving feasts that will have everyone’s taste buds feeling grateful. 

Photo Courtesy of The Lakehouse Hotel & Resort

The Grill at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort

This Thanksgiving, Lakehouse Hotel & Resort is offering a Thanksgiving Day Buffet at The Grill, the hotel’s main dining outpost. Happening on November 24th, the buffet costs $70 for adults and $25 for children under 12, with seatings from 12pm to 5pm. Enjoy Thanksgiving day fare including carved meats, seafood, salads, sides and desserts while looking out onto the beautiful greens of St. Mark Golf Club and listening to live music from 12pm to 4pm. Menu items include a Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash Salad with candied pecans, dried cranberries, fresh sage and balsamic reduction, Oven Roasted Turkey, Lemon Butter Cod with fried garlic and parsley, Pesto Cheese Tortellini and for dessert Pumpkin Pie, Assorted Cakes and Cookies & Bars. Reservations can be made through OpenTable or by calling The Grill at 760.653.3224.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Valentina

Leucadia's favorite European-style bistro Valentina, is serving a traditional Thanksgiving feast along with their signature dishes including fresh oysters, steak tartare, steak frites and more to be paired with an extensive wine collection featuring a rotating list of worldly wines and natural wines in addition to a large selection of legendary, well-known and worldly bubbles. Offering a pre-fixed Thanksgiving menu from 12pm to 7pm for $65 per person, the menu will feature a turkey plate, mashed potatoes, butternut squash soup and classic Thanksgiving sides and desserts. Guests who want to gather at Valentina this Thanksgiving can book a reservation through OpenTable.

Photo Courtesy of Ranch 45

Ranch 45

Turn over your Thanksgiving to Ranch 45 and cater to your family’s taste buds with a completely a la carte Thanksgiving pick up menu. Fully customize your Thanksgiving feast with main course choices including festive favorites like Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Smoked Beef Tenderloin, Whole Grilled Brandt Tomahawk and more. Compliment your main course with a selection of soups, salads and hot sides like Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables, Honey & Thyme Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Mac & Cheese, Green Bean Almondine and Gravy. Before you retire to the couch with family and friends, embrace the Thanksgiving food coma with dessert offerings like Assorted Cookie Box, Pecan Pie, Apple Crisp or Pumpkin Cheesecake. Avoid the cooking and cleanup this year by placing an order via the Ranch 45 website before Sunday, November 20th, to pick up fresh on Wednesday, November 23rd for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner guests won’t soon forget.

Photo Credit: Dustin Bailey

Animae 

Indulge in a not-so-traditional Thanksgiving at the captivatingly elegant Animae, where Executive Chef Tara Monsod will be preparing a luxurious multiple course meal for her guests. Choose from a selection of sophisticated dishes like Animae’s signature Caviar Shrimp Toast and Tuna Crispy Rice or choose from new dishes like Mantao with sweet soy, chives and sesame. For the second course indulge in options like the Filet Mignon with ginger scallion oil, a5 potatoes, and chinese sausage jam and Cha Ca with rice noodles, nuoc cham and dill turmeric as well with family style sides of Roasted Caulini, with sesame, cilantro, and szechuan cashew crumble, and Chili Vinaigrette Brussel Sprouts. The meal comes to a sweet ending with a choice of a Chocolate Taiyaki Mousse Bar or the Pear & Hojicha Roll Cake. Reserved via OpenTable, seatings are available from 3pm to 7pm on November 24th, priced at $130 per adult.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Vistal

Vistal, the InterContinental San Diego’s signature restaurant, will be offering Thanksgiving dinner for hotel guests and visitors alike. Featuring an expansive and elevated Thanksgiving buffet, the dinner will highlight all of the Thanksgiving classics, including a full carving station with Cherry Smoked Turkey with garden sage gravy, and Chateau Briand with peppercorn demi-glace, as well as an elaborate Cold Seafood Display, Vegan Ravioli, Black Kale & Roasted Kabocha Squash Salad with blood orange vinaigrette, antipasti, crudité and more. Indulge in classic Thanksgiving desserts like Apple Crumble, Pumpkin Pie, and Pecan Pie. Enjoy your meal surrounded by loved ones, all while soaking in Vistal’s stunning views of the San Diego bay. Reservations are available from 2pm to 7pm on Thanksgiving day and can be made via Resy, priced at $85 for adults and $35 for children.