Make not having a sink full of dishes your new Thanksgiving tradition.
Whether you are dining solo or with your blood or chosen family, it’s not about what or where you are eating, but the intention and gratitude you have while enjoying it.
These local restaurants are perfect if you’re craving a Turkey Day feast without the tradwife vibe. Follow the links below to make a reservation this year instead of following a recipe—you’ll be thankful you did.
Retstaurants to Eat Out on Thanksgiving in San Francisco
For an affordable Thanksgiving meal, try McCormick and Kuleto's in Ghiradelli Square.
(Courtesy of @mcandschmicks)
3rd Cousin (+ Takeout)
Whether you are dining with any of your actual cousins or not, this exquisite meal made by chef Greg Lutes at Bernal Heights’ 3rd Cousin will not disappoint. The three-course menu ($145/adult, $49/kids 12 and under) includes a first-course choice of cream of potato and cauliflower soup, spaghetti squash fritters with kale and toma cheese, or a little gems “seven-layer salad.” Main courses are herb-roasted turkey, roasted beef rib with sausage stuffing, or a vegetarian lumachel pasta with Di Napoli squash and chanterelle mushrooms. Four classic pies, one of which is gluten-free, top off the meal. Add wine pairings for $59 per person. // Reservation required; 919 Cortland Ave (Bernal Heights), 3rdcousinsf.com
Brenda’s French Soul Food (+ Takeout)
Brenda's French Soul Food's ever-popular Thanksgiving meal kit and dine-in options are back to celebrate the holiday Creole-style. Pre-order the five-person meal ($235 plus tax), which includes brined turkey breast along with delicious butter-whipped potatoes, braised collard greens, andouille-cornbread dressing, brown gravy, cranberry compote, and house-made peach jam and biscuits (keep in mind that turkey and sides will require some cooking at home). On Thanksgiving Day, the restaurant will be serving up the holiday turkey supper as well as its classic menu. Open 8am to 3pm. // Reservation required for dine-in; Place an order for pick up on November 25th; 652 Polk St. (Tenderloin), frenchsoulfood.com
Fior d’Italia
If you are craving Italian family energy (or just the food) sans the Sopranos table drama, Fior d’Italia, the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S., is open on Thanksgiving Day and serving their full menu along with a special holiday menu. Their ravioli di zucca—ravioli stuffed with pumpkin, amaretto, and mustard fruit in a butter, pine nut, and sage sauce—is fall on a plate. // 2237 Mason St. (North Beach), fior.com
International Smoke
They say where there is smoke, there is fire. While that's true when it comes to the celebrated collaboration of chef Michael Mina and author and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry, it’s the food at International Smoke that’s fire. The restaurant’s take on Thanksgiving is a buffet-style feast with signature starters including Curry’s jalapeño cornbread, a shellfish bar, and carving stations with salmon, roast beef, St. Louis-style pork ribs, and, of course, turkey—along with seasonal sides and decadent desserts ($130/adults, $49/kids 12 and under). Get ready to fill your plate and check out the full menu here. Open 11am to 7pm. // Reservation required; 301 Mission St. (SoMa), internationalsmoke.com
Lily on Clement (+ Takeout)
Lily invites you to celebrate the season with “flavor, comfort, and joy.” The four-course Thanksgiving menu ($88/person) is a mashup of festive Vietnamese and American delights. Curry pumpkin soup sets the stage for elevated takes on classics, including a salt-baked turkey breast over sweet potato hash. The restaurant is open from noon to 8pm on Thanksgiving Day, or you can take the whole thing to go. Take a look at both their regular and plant-based Thanksgiving menus. // Reservation required; Pre-order for pickup. 225 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), lilyonclement.com
McCormick & Kuleto’s (+ Takeout)
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving with a view at McCormick & Kuleto’s. This affordable Thanksgiving meal comes complete with sliced turkey, butternut squash bisque, cranberries, green beans, and more, topped off with a classic slice of pumpkin pie. ($39/adults, children $15/kids, or pre-order for $137.50 for four to go). // 900 North Point St., (Ghirardelli Square), mccormickandschmicks.com
Park Chalet + Beach Chalet
Spend Thanksgiving with “ocean views, cozy vibes, and a feast to remember” at Golden Gate Park’s chalets. The three-course prix fixe at both Park and Beach includes roasted turkey, pan-seared bass, or farro and delicata squash risotto, with butternut squash soup or radicchio-endive salad, and pumpkin cheesecake or apple crisp ($85/adult, $37.50/kids under 12 for a two-course prix fixe). A selection of add-on starters (think crab and shrimp cakes, oysters, burrata, and buttermilk fried calamari) and holiday cocktails like glögg and hot buttered rum will make the day all the more joyful. // Reservation required at Park Chalet and Beach Chalet ; 1000 Great Hwy. (Outer Richmond), parkchalet.com
Terrene
The 1 Hotel’s lush, sustainably-minded restaurant Terrene is cooking up a Thanksgiving feast from 4pm to 10pm that tastes good and does a little good, too. A four-course prix fixe menu ($115/person) highlights local produce purveyors. It kicks off with sweet potato pavé and za’atar parker house rolls, with a main course of turkey breast roulade served with cornbread stuffing, smashed potatoes, and bitter farm greens salad with local figs and candied walnut, plus a spiced plum turnover with cardamom icing. Enjoy these options à la carte as well. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s celebration will be donated to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. // Reservation recommended; 1 Hotel San Francisco, 8 Mission St. (Embarcadero), 1hotels.com
The Cavalier
Who knew spending Thanksgiving at a British-inspired restaurant could be so delicious? The Cavalier’s Thanksgiving Day celebration is a truly decadent “choose your own adventure” prix-fixe menu. Start with a wild mushroom tart, duck Scotch egg, curried pumpkin soup, or a seafood cocktail. For the main course, you can get your turkey fix with the herb-marinated breast with thyme and rosemary gravy, opt for braised beef short rib, or try the petrale sole meunière with scallops and breadcrumbs, or crispy polenta cakes with burrata, broccolini, cauliflower, and pepper purée. Sides for the table include brioche stuffing, baby carrots, and mashed potatoes. Finish strong with a choice of apple, pumpkin, or pecan pie, or chocolate delice. And for a uniquely luxe spin, add caviar service. Lunch is 11am to 3pm ($130 per person) and dinner goes from 3:30pm to 7:30pm ($150 per person). Guests 12 years and under can partake in a two-course prix-fixe for $50. // Reservation recommended; 360 Jessie St. (SoMa), thecavaliersf.com
Tommy’s Joynt is a San Francisco institution. Open at 11am for both takeout and dine-in, at this holiday favorite you’ll get a choice of ham or turkey, gravy, a roll, cranberry sauce, and a slice of pumpkin pie, along with three sides of your choosing: turkey stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, green beans, or salad ($34/person). They don't take reservations, so if you opt to eat there, you might have to wait in a bit of a line (estimated wait time around 30 minutes), but it’s all part of the experience. // Pre-orders accepted online; 1101 Geary Blvd. (Lower Nob Hill), tommysjoynt.com
San Francisco Restaurants Offering Takeout + Delivery on Thanksgiving
SPQR has a bountiful Cal-Italian Thanksgiving kit.
(Courtesy of @spqrsf)
Abacá
Flip the script on Thanksgiving with a Kamayan Box from Abacá ($260, feeds up to 4), which reflects a traditional Filipino way of eating and communal feast. This box is packed with hearty, inventive dishes: turkey stuffed with longanisa; roulade America Wagyu steak; and grilled fish seafood chowder with salt spring mussles and shrimp-smoke scallops—along with coconut green bean casserole, sisig bread pudding, pork lumpia, sweet potato gratin, and more. Add-on desserts will truly wow a crowd: buko pandan pie with pistachio pandan crumble ($60) or smoked ube pie with maja blanca and blueberries ($60). // Pre-order for pick-up Nov. 26 at 2pm; 2700 Jones St. (Fisherman’s Wharf), restaurantabaca.com
Bi-Rite Market
Everyone's favorite local grocer knows their stuff when it comes to quality ingredients and prepared foods. Pick up their small ($200, feeds 4-6) or large ($300, feeds 8-12) meal kits that include turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and a Bi-Rite Creamery pumpkin pie (with an additional apple crumble version for the large kit). Alternatively, order à la carte honey mustard-glazed ham, heirloom bean gratin, or even more desserts. // Pre-order for store pickup and delivery Nov. 24–27; 3639 18th St. (Mission), 550 Divisadero St. (NoPa) or 2140 Polk St. (Russian Hill); biritemarket.com
Che Fico
Give thanks with a bit of Italian seasoning when you order takeout from this popular eatery. There are meal kits for omnivores ($350, serves 4) and vegetarians ($325, serves 4) alike, with entree options of bone-in heritage turkey breast and braised turkey lasagna or butternut squash lasagna and Brussels sprout casserole, and sides including sweet potato mash, braised heirloom carrots, and stuffing—plus a beverage pairing. Items may also be ordered à la carte. // Pre-order by Nov. 19 for delivery or pick-up Nov. 26 (also available in Menlo Park); 838 Divisadero St. (Fillmore), chefico.com
Jessie and Laurent
Snag your full spread from this beloved meal delivery service. The many, many options include oven-roasted turkey, honey smoked ham, Cornish hens, two types of stuffing, beef Bourguignon, turkey gravy, and pecan pie. // Available for delivery Nov. 24-26 throughout the Bay Area, jessieetlaurent.com
La Mar Cocina Peruana
If you’re looking for a coastal twist on Thanksgiving fare, La Mar offers a gourmet to-go feast. Their whole roasted pork chop ($180, feeds 6-8) leads with an aji panca-cranberry glazed Frenched pork loin. Sides including beets and quinoa salad, quinua chaufa, chocolos a la Huancaina are available for $30/dish and other items, including empanadas and tres leches cake are also available. // Pre-order by November 25th for pickup from 10:30am to 1:30pm on Nov. 27; Pier 1 ½ (Embarcadero), lamarsf.com
SPQR
Once again, perennial favorite SPQR is putting their California-meets-Italy spin on Thanksgiving dinner. Their meal kit, a bountiful spread that includes turkey with black truffle gravy, mushroom filled crespelle with marsala crema, cranberry kumquat conserva, and both honeynut squash and pecan pie, comes in sizes just right for four to six ($365) or eight to ten people ($595). // Pre-order for pick-up Nov. 26 from 12pm to 6pm; 1911 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights), spqrsf.com
