California’s abundance of culinary experiences is driven by its vast agricultural production, diverse cultural influences, and leadership in the farm-to-table movement. All of which makes California a particularly delectable place for locals and visitors to enjoy the year’s most beloved meal: Thanksgiving dinner.
Superlative Californian cuisine shines brightest during the holiday season. Chefs pull out the stops to create innovative dishes that raise the bar on Thanksgiving classics by celebrating local ingredients and adding their own twists for memorable meals.
With such wealth of restaurant choices for superlative holiday feasts — and mouth-watering catering options for entertaining at home — it’s no wonder that so many Californians are thankful to leave the cooking to the professionals this (and every) Thanksgiving.
BOA Steakhouse
West Hollywood & Manhattan Beach
BOA Steakhouse redefined the classic American steakhouse when it opened its flagship location in 2001. This year, a new tradition is born with BOA’s first-ever Thanksgiving feast. Diners can celebrate the holiday the BOA way with Executive Chef Brendan Collins’ curated menu of Thanksgiving favorites. The complete feast includes seasonal starters, a choice of decadent mains (roast turkey, prime rib, or salmon), traditional holiday sides elevated in true BOA fashion, and Pumpkin or Derby Pie. All can be paired with BOA’s curated wine list and beloved cocktail menu, served in two of the LA area’s most stylish dining rooms.
Boxwood at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
West Hollywood
Give thanks in true London style this holiday season with a festive three-course Thanksgiving Dinner at Boxwood at The London WeHo, my favorite hotel on the legendary Sunset Strip. Indulge in a culinary celebration from Chef Anthony Keene, featuring a beautifully roasted Free-range Turkey with brioche bread stuffing, tender Roasted Beef Wellington, center-cut Filet Mignon, Charcoal-Grilled Sea Bass, and a succulent Roasted Rack of Lamb — among other seasonal delights, each artfully prepared to showcase the finest ingredients of the season. Chef Keene’s Autumn Harvest Salad and New England Lobster Risotto are sheer bliss. Set against the hotel’s elegant backdrop, the evening offers exceptional cuisine for $110 per adult, $55 for children.
Hollywood Distillery
Los Angeles
Hollywood’s only distillery is an exciting new venue with a distinctly casual and friendly take on Thanksgiving. Grab a festive cocktail, a freshly baked pizza to share, and play board games with friends new and old during Hollywood Distillery’s Friendsgiving on Friday, November 21, from 5-9 pm. It’s the perfect time to sample the Hollywood Distillery’s award-winning Oasis Vodka in an Oasis Rose cocktail, a dry Nopalera Gin in a Sting martini, or their new Zanja-Madre Bourbon shaken with pomegranate, lemon, and mint for a lovely Bourbon Smash.
Fuego at Hotel Maya
Long Beach
Providing spectacular oceanfront views, Hotel Maya’s open-air, signature restaurant, Fuego, is serving up a festive feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Executive Chef Luis Torres is whipping up a three-course Thanksgiving Dinner ($90 per person). featuring starters like a honey-roasted pumpkin soup with chile-spiced pepitas and yuzu, or a shaved apple and fennel salad. For the main entrees, guests can choose between dishes such as: herb roasted Mary’s Farm turkey served with haricot verts, herb garlic potato puree, cranberry chutney, brioche stuffing; a rosemary and garlic crusted Prime Rib with creamed Bloomsdale spinach, jumbo asparagus, buttery whipped potato; an unrivaled pan-seared Loch Duart Salmon from Scotland; or, for vegetarians, delish arbol-spiced wild mushrooms with creamy polenta. Pumpkin pie mousse or warm apple pie ends the meal on a sweet note.
For those who prefer to dine at home with a catered feast, Thanksgiving Family Dinner Takeaway option ($285) can be pre-ordered, serving four to six people. The pick-up package includes garlic and herb-roasted Mary’s Turkey breast, market salad, herb-brioche stuffing, brown butter haricot verts, truffle turkey gravy, roasted garlic potato puree, spiced cranberry compote, and fresh-baked pie. All items can be purchased individually and a la carte.
Peaks Restaurant
Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is taking Thanksgiving Day dining to new heights with a holiday menu at The Peaks restaurant, recently named #8 on Architectural Digest’s list of the World’s Best Cliffside Restaurants. Make an unforgettable day of it with a lunch reservation, and a breathtaking ride to get there via the world’s largest rotating tram car. Opened in 1963, the Tram’s 80-passenger cars travel along the scenic cliffs of Chino Canyon from Palm Spring’s Valley Station up 5,000 feet to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.). The Peaks’ culinary experience above the clouds features a selection of oven-roasted turkey breast, pan-seared salmon, or filet mignon, accompanied by a seasonal appetizer and yummy sides. For dessert, apple brown butter tart or pumpkin cheesecake will be offered. Thanksgiving Day dining begins at 11 a.m. and is $79 for adults, $39 for children.
Hudson & Nash, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
San Diego
San Diego – long known for its beach vibe and coastal vistas – is a multi-cultural community with a mouthwatering array of regional culinary offerings, from the deliciously decadent to the effortless classics. For Thanksgiving, Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s signature restaurant, Hudson & Nash, will serve a seasonal spread of savory and sweet holiday favorites on November 27 from 5-10 pm. The prix-fixe menu offers pumpkin arancini as an amuse-bouche and butternut squash bisque or baby lacinato kale & frisee salad for starters. For the main course, an herb-roasted turkey breast with brioche & apple stuffing or broiled Branzino awaits. Guests can end the meal on a sweet note with options such as an apple-cranberry crostata or a Bailey’s chocolate tres leches cake. We dare you not to drool when you check out the full menu here.
Sante at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Sonoma
The grand Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa invites guests to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country with grand and gracious Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve dinners at Sante, the resort’s renowned restaurant. Gather on Thursday, November 27 for a lavish Thanksgiving buffet ($149 per adult, $39 per child) featuring all the classic favorites. Groups of 2-8 can also soak up the enchanting atmosphere of the historic resort with cozy gatherings in the property’s charming Sonoma Swiss Chalets. November through February, the Fairmont Sonoma’s three Instagram-worthy Chalets are simply brimming with festive cheer, serving delectable a la carte bites and holiday-inspired cocktails.
The Set at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Santa Barbara
Situated along Santa Barbara’s beautiful Pacific shore, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s signature restaurant, The Set, is whipping up a Thanksgiving celebration with all the classic flavors of the holiday, elevated by a touch of California coastal flair. Gather around with loved ones for the Family Style Feast ($160), featuring oven-roasted white and dark meat turkey, squash and brioche stuffing, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, and cranberry pear sauce. For a more individualized option, guests can choose from entrées like the Coastal Harvest Dinner ($42) with turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings, Lemon Herb Salmon ($38) with rosemary sweet potatoes and citrus beurre blanc, or Seared New York Strip ($42) with mashed potatoes, roasted broccolini, and a red wine demi-glace. Desserts include classic Pumpkin Pie ($12) topped with candied pecans and cinnamon whipped cream, Apple Galette ($12) a la mode, indulgent Carrot Cake ($16), and the decadent Wave Breaker Brownie Sundae ($28).
Luke’s Lobster
Santa Monica & Newport Beach
Luke’s Lobster is a family-owned Maine seafood business, founded by third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden. When Luke expanded with West Coast restaurant locations, he also ramped up flash-frozen shipments to deliver the flavors of Maine right to customers’ homes — nationwide. This year’s special Holiday Gift Set ($119) features 1/2 pound of succulent frozen lobster claw and knuckle meat for two lobster rolls in New England-style split-top buns, plus 12 oz. of Maine-made New England Clam Chowder, and two chocolate peppermint whoopie pies from Portland, Maine’s Two Fat Cats Bakery. Everything stays fresh in the freezer until you’re ready to celebrate, making it perfect for gifting or indulging as a welcome change from turkey leftovers.
