How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in San Francisco in 2021

Thanksgiving may be a mash up this year. Last year, indoor dining was reduced to 25 percent capacity, so most restaurants were doing takeout. This year, we’re fully vaxxed and back to 100 percent, and there are a few reservations available, even including — gasp! — holiday buffets. But far more restaurants are sticking with take-and-bake options, which seems to be how San Franciscans feel comfortable eating these days.

Presidio Social Club, for instance, was once a hot Thanksgiving reservation for glam grandmas and toddlers alike, but owner Ray Tang reports they had so much demand for takeout last year, and the same customers are coming back this year asking to double their orders. So they did the hard turkey math again, and they’re sticking with birds to go. But whether you’re ordering takeout, eyeing reservations, or debating between the two, here are the Thanksgiving feasting options this strange season in San Francisco.

Thanksgiving Takeout

The clubby classic, Presidio Social Club is sticking with takeout this year. A fully prepared feast is $345 for 4 to 6 people, and that includes a sizeable 12 to 16 pound turkey and enticing caramelized brussels, with an option to add on a small cask of barrel-aged negroni.

To feed a crowd, Brenda’s French Soul Food has two serving sizes: A turkey breast dinner is $165 for 2 to 5 people, but the whole turkey dinner for $330 feeds 8 to 12 people (hey, that’s 27 bucks per serving). The turkey comes fully brined but it’s a roast-it-yourself situation, and it comes with quarts of andouille cornbread dressing, brown gravy, and take-and-bake biscuits.

For a vegetarian feast, Che Fico is serving either a roasted turkey or a beautiful seasonal veggie menu for $295 for 4 people, starring a Full Belly farm butternut lasagna, brown butter brussels, and that includes a bottle of red wine.

The hottest hot bar in town remains Bi-Rite Market, and the Thanksgiving homepage is now open for business, with a large turkey kit ($295 for 8 to 12 people), small turkey kit ($175 for 4 to 6 people), and back by popular demand! The one-and-only turkey TV dinner for solo diners at the low price of $18.99.

In affordable options, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a turkey leg from Tommy’s Joynt. The original Hofbrau is taking orders for complete turkey or ham dinners, and either one is $125 for 4 people.

Thanksgiving Reservations

Bringing back the buffet, the Fairmont Hotel is laying out a feast in the Laurel Court. There’s a carving station with turkey and New York strip, jumbo shrimp cocktails, and miniature desserts, all for $129 per adult or $79 per child.

If you prefer prix-fixe, Villon at SF Proper Hotel has four courses for $105 per adult or $40 per child. No specific menu details yet, but you know star chef Jason Fox will do it up right, and there is an option to add vintage bourbons.

For Black Friday brunch, Harborview has reservations open across the entire Thanksgiving weekend, including dinner slots on Thanksgiving Day, and midday openings for Black Friday, whether you prefer feasting on peking duck or fueling up for shopping with soup dumplings.

Both Reservations & Takeout

International Smoke is back in person with a full buffet, priced at $89 per adult or $39 per child, and fully loaded with smoked turkey, wagyu prime rib, cedar-smoked salmon, and pumpkin “It’s It” ice cream sandwiches. It’s also offering a slightly different menu for pickup and delivery from inside sister restaurant Pabu, including smoked turkey breast, truffled caesar salad, and apple crumble, at $299 for 4 people.

One Market has reservations for a three-course set menu, priced at $85 per adult or $49 per child, with options like roasted turkey, caramelized pear and arugula salad, and pumpkin tart. And a similar takeout option is $79 per person, with an option to throw in a smoked turkey drumstick.

Or for something completely different, Lord Stanley’s Turntable will be hosting guest chefs Mercedes Solis (Cafe San Juan, La Cantina, La Vermuter) and Narda Lepes (Narda Comedor), who will be serving Argentinian seafood, starting at $79 per person for a set menu, or $125 per person for a tasting menu. And also Carrie and Rupert Blease of the original Lord Stanley are doing a takeout feast, at $375 for 4 people, including a stuffed and truffled turkey breast, winter squash and persimmon galette, and pumpkin bundt cake.