Photo c/o Lou Hammond Group
Ybor City’s beautiful Hotel Haya pays homage to the district’s Latin roots (and the Mediterranean) with its thanksgiving dinner.
Did we miss your Thanksgiving special? Add it to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's events calendar, then email [email protected].
Bar548 Far from your traditional dinner, this “misfits Thanksgiving,” is a pot-luck style celebration that welcomes everyone who might spend this holiday season alone. The St. Pete bar will provide the turkey and stuffing, as guests that bring side dishes can receive 20% off their entire tab. Oh, and make sure to bring plenty of tip money, too. 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. bar548.com
Black Radish Tampa and St. Pete locations of the popular vegan grocery store and deli are now taking orders for their single-order "The Solo Vegan" TV-style dinner featuring a choice of gardein or field roast entree, plus sides (creamy garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing made with Gulf Coast Sourdough bread) and a side of cranberry sauce. You can order until Nov. 20, and pickup at either location Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 22-23 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $14.99. deli.blackradishgrocer.com
Bon Appétit Although this Dunedin favorite is keeping its regular seafood-focused menu this holiday season, it will also offer exclusive a-la-carte Thanksgiving dishes like baked ham and roasted duck. Pan-seared sea bass over gulf shrimp hash anyone? 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin.bonappetitrestaurant.com
The Capital Grille This Thanksgiving dinner has a slightly upscale twists and includes traditional dishes like roasted turkey, cranberry relish and mashed butternut squash. Reserve your tables by calling (813) 830-9433. $47. 2223 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa. Thecapitalgrille.com
Caddy’s Treasure Island’s Caddy’s— in addition to its sibling locations in Madeira Beach and Gulfport—is offering a casual, beachy spin on a traditional Thanksgiving spread of turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and more. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. caddys.com
The Club at Treasure Island This “oven-ready” Thanksgiving feast brings the culinary creations of Executive Chef Paul Daubert right to your kitchen. For $270 you can feed a family of six with The Club’s herb-roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole, your choice of pecan, pumpkin or apple or pie and much, much more. $195-$450. 400 Treasure Island Cswy., Treasure Island. theclubti.com
Columbia While reservations for its flagship Ybor City restaurant might already be booked up, there are several more Columbia locations throughout Tampa Bay that still have open availability. The popular Cuban eatery is known for its traditional Thanksgiving menu of roast turkey and Spanish-style stuffing. Locations in Ybor City, Sarasota and Clearwater Beach. columbiarestaurant.com.
Cool Vibes Pub & Grub Far from white tablecloths and fancy forks, this no-frills bar and restaurant offers a casual (and extremely affordable) holiday spread of slow-roasted turkey, mac and cheese, stuffing and green bean casserole. $7-$12. 5488 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. mycoolvibes.com
Cooper’s Hawk Naturally complete with a November “Wine of the Month” add-on, the turkey day offering from Chef Matt McMillin is a “heat & serve” package from includes appetizers (pretzel bread & butter, butternut squash soup), slow roasted slices of bird (with gravy and homemade cranberry sauce), sides (Mary’s mashed potatoes, roasted & glazed carrots and green beans), plus pumpkin praline cheesecake. Pickup is on Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 22-23. If you’d rather dine-in, Cooper’s Hawk is open on Thanksgiving, with the same menu. $199 ($14.99-$33.99 for dine in on Thanksgiving day). 4110 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa. chwinery.com
Don Cesar A bougie beachside brunch buffet rises up at the Don with some of the usual suspects (turkey), but also a smattering of special items like the seafood and oyster bar, berry French toast, orange brined duck breast, lamb ribs, three-pepper crusted swordfish, chicken and waffles, and more. The King Charles Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet includes eight timed entries from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with discounts for kids 5-12 years old. $50-$125. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach. doncesar.com
Drunken Turkey Fry A long-running “Friendsgiving” style pre-Thanksgiving bash in Ybor City where Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge, plus friends and local hospitality workers don the aprons and fry up turkey for patrons. Special for DTF 2022 is a Led Zeppelin tribute concert where a who’s who of Tampa rockers (including the return of expat multi-instrumentalist Matt E Lee) will recreate the setlist from Zeppelin’s 1973 concert at Madison Square Garden. 6 p.m. $15. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. @crowbarlive on Facebook
Eddie V’s Carver City is an appropriate place to have a Thanksgiving meal, and the neighborhood’s resident fancy seafood restaurant turns to fowl for this eight-item meal that includes brioche sage stuffing and pumpkin pie tartlet and pecan ice cream for dessert for an extra $12. 1 a.m.-8 p.m. $17-$47. 4400 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. eddiev.com
Epicurean One of South Tampa’s premier fine dining restaurants has a three-course meal where diners can pick between four different items per course (we’d go with the bourbon-glazed toasted pecan pork belly for starters, turkey roulade entree, and pumpkin pie with bourbon whipped cream for dessert). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, too. Limited lounge, bar and a la carte kids menu is available as well. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $40-$75. Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar at Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com
Fenway Hotel Your amuse bouche (butternut squash soup), salad, entree (pick between smoked prime rib, honey-brined turkey or apple-cranberry-stuffed pork roulade), sides and dessert (we want the spiced praline bread pudding) will probably have you feeling sleepy, but don’t forget to walk out of the Fenway’s Hew Chophouse and straight to the rooftop bar for crazy views you’ll be grateful to live next to any day. Kids under five are free. $25-$75. Hew Parlor & Chophouse, 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. fenwayhotel.com
Flor Fina Ybor City’s beautiful Hotel Haya pays homage to the district’s Latin roots (and the Mediterranean) with a thanksgiving dinner that includes butternut squash empanadas, oyster and chorizo stuffing, plus choco flan. Sides include smoked beet & manchego montedito (tapas style bread) and bacon-wrapped green beans with mushroom crema. Kids under 5 are free. $25-$75. 1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com
Floridan Hotel This all-day buffet features brunch dishes in the morning and Thanksgiving classics for dinner. Main courses are honey-glazed ham, roasted turkey and grilled salmon, while a few comforting sides include sweet potato casserole and traditional stuffing. $70.80. 11 a.m.-5 p.m, 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa. floridanpalace.com
Foodys Restaurant This Tampa-based American restaurant hosts a no-frills feast with all of the expected trimmings. Take-out and catering options are available as well. $20.99. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 7512 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. Foodtampa.com
Found Family Feast The inaugural "Found Family Feast" will be hosted by the Found Family Collective (FFC), a Tampa Bay-based group that seeks to be a source of support for those ostracized by heteronormative society at large. "We know queer and trans people have complicated relationships with holidays," Angel D'Angelo, one of the organizers of the event, wrote to CL in an email. "Some people are disinvited and others don't feel comfortable going home. Others had to move away from their home city so they can be more safe expressing their queer identity." D'Angelo said that whatever the case may be, the event is open to all queer and trans people who want to join, no questions asked. 2 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Allendale United Methodist Church, located at 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg—Justin Garcia
The Galley Don’t let its dive bar reputation deter you. The Galley dishes out some of the best food in downtown St. Pete, and its special Thanksgiving menu will pair well with its stiff drinks. From a full turkey spread to a “steak n’ legs” special with filet mignon & a half-pound cluster of snow crab legs, The Galley has got you covered this holiday season. For reservations, call 727-575-7071. $34.95 & up. 27 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. thegalleystpete.com
The House of Grace Inc. This St. Pete-based nonprofit hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner for those that might not have families or turkey funds. Donations and volunteers are always welcome, and folks that would like to help can call 727-888-4777 or email [email protected] for more information. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 1071 62nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. kenyaallen.com
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach This year, Clearwater Beach’s Hyatt Regency will offer an “in room feast” that can be delivered directly to hotel guest’s doors, or a sit-down dinner experience at its Shor American Seafood Grill. Both meals are slightly different, but will feature holiday classics like sage sausage stuffing and candied sweet potatoes. 3 p.m.- 9 p.m. $70. 301 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater. hyatt.com
The Karol Hotel Three words: mashed potato bar. But seriously, potatoes aside, this Clearwater hotel is dishing out a full holiday spread with multiple turkey carving stations, andouille sausage cornbread stuffing, butternut squash bisque, fried green beans and honey mustard-glazed carrots. A build-your-own pie station finishes the meal off, and the hotel’s tasty waterfront views are free of charge. Noon-7 p.m. $65. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com
Luna Lux This three-course dinner is chock full of fall flavors and holiday favorites, including cranberry-stuffed turkey breast, prime rib, acorn squash salad and stuffed mushrooms. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (727) 954-2140. $65. 3 p.m-9 p.m. 950 Lake Carillon Dr., St. Petersburg. lunastpete.com
Mazzaro’s St. Pete’s popular Italian market Mazarro’s might not be open on Thanksgiving Day (and even if it was, trust us, it’d be packed), but there’s still time to pre-order its packaged dinners—which run from $150-$220—or its a-la-carte dishes like whipped brown sugar yams and honey-baked ham. 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. mazzarosmarket.com
Ocean Hai This upscale Asian fusion restaurant offers a buffet-style traditional Thanksgiving spread that lets you choose your perfect plate. And what’s a hotel restaurant buffet without multiple meat carving stations? 1 p.m.-9 p.m. $55. 100 Coronado Dr, Clearwater Beach. oceanhaiclearwater.com
The Portico Sometimes the best way to celebrate the holiday season is by putting others first, and downtown Tampa nonprofit The Portico has an opportunity to do just that. Come share and serve meals to our unsheltered neighbors on Thanksgiving Day, as folks interested in volunteering or participating can sign up at hydeparkumc.ccbchurch.com. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa. theportico.org
Pure Kitchen So maybe you have a few plant-based family members, or perhaps you’re a diehard vegan that wants an extravagant holiday spread on your own terms. This popular Tampa-based grab-n-go food business is now accepting orders for its vegan and allergen-friendly meals—like its garlic oyster and lion's mane mushrooms and chestnut stuffing—even carrying desserts from other popular businesses like Gabby’s Bakes and WeVeganEats. The deadline to place an order is Monday, Nov. 21, as folks can pick-up their orders on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. 813-484-0558. Pure Kitchen on Facebook
Rusty Pelican This staple Tampa restaurant offers a four-course brunch or a-la-carte dinner—both chock full of favorites like salt-roasted turkey and hearty wild mushroom pasta. But perhaps the star of Rusty Pelican’s Thanksgiving feast is its desserts, like mini pumpkin pies and white chocolate cafe con leche. Reservations can be made on opentable.com. $82. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa. therustypelicantampa.com
Sea Dog Brewing Co. This waterfront brewpub is offering a buffet full of holiday classics like cornbread casserole, collard greens and mac and cheese, in addition to carve-your-own turkey and prime rib stations. And if you don’t plan on sticking around to sip on craft brews, a take-out box is only $27. Kids under six eat for free, too. $42. noon-7 p.m. 9610 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. seadogbrewing.com
Salt Rock Grill This popular waterfront eatery typically offers a prix-fixe menu of Thanksgiving favorites in addition to its regular offerings of seafood and steaks. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by calling 727-593-7625. 19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. saltrockgrill.com
Sculley's Seafood Restaurant This beachside family restaurant has a reputation for hosting annual Thanksgiving dinners, and this year is no different. Dishes like apple and sage stuffing, skillet cornbread and stuffed grouper occupy its a-la-carte holiday spread. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 190 Boardwalk Pl. E, Madeira Beach. sculleysrestaurant.com
The Tampa EDITION This newly-opened hotel’s signature restaurant Lilac is still taking reservations from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Chef John Fraser’s four course, prix fixe menu is full of upscale renditions of holiday favorites— like turkey leg confit with walnuts and candied orange. $175-$250. 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa.
Editionhotels.comWilla’s Although you can’t spend Thanksgiving day inside this suave NoHo restaurant, taking home a complete Willa’s feast might be the next best thing. Orders for its a-la-carte dishes like rotisserie chicken, brioche stuffing and smashed fingerling potatoes must be placed by Sunday, Nov. 20 and can be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. 1700 W Fig St, Tampa. willastampa.com
Yacht Starship This local yacht business had made a name for itself as a unique alternative to the expected, landlocked Thanksgiving feast. In addition to tasty views of Tampa Bay (that will definitely impress your out-of-town relatives), a full feast will be provided by the boat’s executive chef. There are three different yachts that run from noon-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. $69.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. yachtstarship.com
