Thanksgiving in South Florida: Where to Feast This Holiday
This Thanksgiving, the only thing you should be stressing over is whether to order seconds (or thirds).
South Florida's dining scene is bringing plenty to the table this holiday season, with festive feasts, creative twists on Thanksgiving classics and celebrations that go well beyond the traditional turkey dinner. Local restaurants are pulling out all the stops, swapping ordinary holiday gatherings for lavish waterfront celebrations, glamorous Friendsgiving affairs and indulgent menus that might just give Grandma's cooking some competition.
Ready to trade your apron for a dinner reservation? Let South Florida's chefs handle the heavy lifting while you focus on the important things: good food, great company and another round of dessert.
Photo Credits: Plum Market
This Thanksgiving, Coconut Grove hot spot Grand Public Kitchen + Bar is serving up a hearty plate of Turkey & Trimmings, complete with slow-roasted turkey, rich turkey jus, wild mushroom and chestnut stuffing, buttery mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and cranberry compote.
For one night only, on Wednesday, November 25, Delilah Miami is bringing a festive twist to its signature supper club experience with a special Roast Turkey Croquette featuring cranberry, Dijon and sage. With glamorous 1920s-inspired interiors and sweeping Biscayne Bay views, the stylish venue offers an elegant setting for a Friendsgiving celebration.
R House Wynwood is giving its iconic prix-fixe Drag Brunch a Thanksgiving makeover for two festive weekends for Friendsgiving (November 21-22) and post-Thanksgiving celebrations (November 28-29). For $65 per person, guests can expect the same show-stopping drag performances and bottomless drinks, alongside a holiday-inspired menu featuring Turkey Sliders, Hot Honey Fried Chicken, Jalapeño Cornbread and Pumpkin Spice French Toast, plus bottomless Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martinis for an extra $10. Groups of four or more booking through the special link receive a $50 gift card and front-row seating upgrade, while parties of eight or more score a giant Piña Loca cocktail on the house!
Photo Credits: R House Wynwood
Who says Thanksgiving can’t come with a little joie de vivre? Vilebrequin La Plage Miami is offering a three-course Thanksgiving menu at its chic Miami Beach rooftop. The feast begins with a refreshing Shaved Fennel and Citrus Salad with goat cheese and toasted nuts, followed by Roasted Turkey Breast and Confit Thigh served with pomme purée, honey cornbread, cranberry compote and gravy. For a sweet finale, enjoy Sweet Potato Cake with apple cider caramel and brown butter ice cream, with wine pairings available to complement the celebration.
dōma Wynwood is giving Friendsgiving an Italian twist with a special three-course, truffle-inspired prix-fixe menu. The feast begins with appetizers such as Soft Egg, Octopus and Beef Carpaccio, followed by a selection of entrées, including Filet Mignon and Truffle Tagliolini. To toast the occasion, guests can sip on The Bourbon Garden, a fall-inspired cocktail made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, cranberry, Averna, allspice dram, herbs, lemon and honey.
Photo Credits: dōma
LT Steak & Seafood’s à la carte Thanksgiving menu from award-winning Chef Laurent Tourondel features traditional favorites like Organic Roasted Turkey, served with cranberry-orange mostarda, chestnut and pork sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Beyond the bird, holiday offerings include Roasted Squash Agnolotti with brown butter and crispy sage and Filet Mignon with creamy green peppercorn sauce. Dessert options include Pumpkin Pie topped with amaretto whipped cream, or raise a glass with a festive cocktail.
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club is putting an Italian twist on the traditional holiday feast with a three-course Thanksgiving dinner from 5-10 p.m. The menu features Slow-Roasted Organic Turkey with Italian sausage, focaccia and truffle stuffing; Rosemary & Garlic Prime Rib; and Handmade Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli, accompanied by family-style sides including Parmigiano Mashed Potatoes and Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Guests can finish on a sweet note with seasonal desserts like Pumpkin Tiramisù and Pear & Almond Crostata. A dedicated children’s menu and optional holiday wine pairing round out the celebration.
Photo Credits: Cristian Gonzalez
Celebrate Thanksgiving on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach’s iconic open-air promenade, where restaurants such as MILA will offer holiday specials. After dinner, stroll past public art installations, including the new “The Stories We Carry.” The festivities continue that weekend with Live on Lincoln Road, the free outdoor music series at Euclid Oval from November 27-29.
Skip the traditional feast and indulge in a little extravagance at Brickell’s Sexy Fish Miami, where Japanese-inspired cuisine, theatrical cocktails and opulent underwater-inspired interiors set the stage. Trade turkey and trimmings for sushi, sashimi, premium seafood and wagyu before diving into Champagne & Pearls, the restaurant’s signature Thursday night event featuring two live shows and luxurious caviar pairings, all set to an electric soundtrack.
Trade the kitchen for ocean views this Thanksgiving at Oceans 234, where guests can gather just steps from the sand over a special Thanksgiving Plate, which includes Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast, Wild Mushroom Sage Stuffing, Green Beans Almondine, Crispy Turkey Chicharrón, Grand Marnier Cranberry Compote and Giblet Gravy. Save room for Golden Apple Tart with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. A gluten-free option is also available, along with a kids’ portion for $29. Reservations are available via SevenRooms.
Photo Credits: Oceans 234
Thanksgiving looks a little better with boats cruising by. Shooters Waterfront is serving a sprawling Thanksgiving Buffet from noon to 7 p.m. along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal, with herb-infused Roasted Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham, Prime Rib au Jus and all the classic fixings. A dedicated Kids Station keeps the youngest guests happily fed, while Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cobbler and Petit Fours end things on a sweet note.
Family-owned specialty grocer Plum Market Aventura is offering a Thanksgiving catering menu featuring gourmet starters, sides, entrées, desserts and floral arrangements. The Thanksgiving Dinner Package serves eight and includes a 14- to 16-pound all-natural turkey, gravy, vegetarian stuffing, mashed potatoes and housemade cranberry sauce. Complete the table with seasonal arrangements, including a Thanksgiving Cornucopia, a Thanksgiving Centerpiece and more. Forgot something? Plum Market Aventura will be open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Catering orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 24. Order in-store, by calling 248.487.7000 or online HERE.