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Turkey at MKT
Courtesy of MKT

Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving in San Francisco

These restaurants want to do the Turkey Day cooking for you

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Turkey at MKT
| Courtesy of MKT

In a city teeming with transplants, holiday plans can have a tendency to skew far from the traditional, especially for those of us living with shoe box-sized kitchens. However, there's no need to go hungry, especially when so many noteworthy restaurants will be executing meals that present Thanksgiving at its finest (or just be open for business).

We've rounded up all of the tastiest Thanksgiving meals in San Francisco taking place outside of your kitchen. Whether your tradition is eating early or late, there’s a place for everyone (reservations willing) at these tables. Reserve as early as possible, especially if you're bringing any out of town family and friends along.

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Park Tavern

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Park Tavern has all the hallmarks of the Big Night Restaurant Group, including indulgent bistro fare in a stylish setting, but it boasts much more generous seating than sister restaurant Marlowe. Bring the whole family for Thanksgiving, and tuck into brown butter pumpkin soup, heritage turkey, caramelized onion stuffing, and all the trimmings. The same menu will also be offered at the Cavalier, if you’d prefer to toast the holiday with friends at the downtown bar.  

Details: $95 per person. Reservations are available online for Park Tavern or the Cavalier. See the full menu.

Lamb chops at Park Tavern Park Tavern

Balboa Cafe

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Balboa Cafe will open its doors at 2 p.m. to welcome all holiday revelers. With a special, a la carte menu filled with pumpkin soup, beet risotto, filet mignon, and turkey paired with sourdough stuffing, you'll leave your Thanksgiving feast more than satisfied. Details: 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Menu here. Reservations available by phone only at 415-921-3944

Presidio Social Club

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If you're angling for cozy atmosphere, look no further than Presidio Social Club's quaint, white-washed environs, where you can dine on a family style meal including butternut squash soup, roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, and holiday pies. The three-course menu is $68 for adults, $33 for kids (10 and under), though starters like hot crab dip and oysters are available a la carte. Details: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Full menu here.

Courtesy of Presidio Social Club

Z & Y Restaurant

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Do away with tradition and expand your culinary horizons this Thanksgiving with a meal at Z & Y Restaurant, the beloved Sichuan Chinatown spot that serves up notoriously fiery dishes, like its signature "Chicken with Explosive Chile Peppers" as well as beef pancakes, spicy wontons, and frog cooked in chile oil. Details: Open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Seven Hills

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Seven Hills, the intimate Italian restaurant in Russian Hill, is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot you’d like to cozy up in on a holiday. Thankfully and unexpectedly, it stays open on Thanksgiving, serving a special four-course menu with turkey, prime rib, house-made pasta, and chicory salad in anchovy vinaigrette. 

Details: $85 per person. Reservations are available online.

Pasta at Seven Hills Seven Hills

Yank Sing

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There's plenty of room for your family, extended family, friends, and more in Yank Sing's immense 250-seat dining room. With platters of Peking duck, Shanghai soup dumplings, and classic Cantonese dim sum dishes regularly emerging by the tray-full from the kitchen, you're certain to leave feeling both full and festive. Details: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Big 4

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Inside the Huntington Hotel at the top of Nob Hill, the Big 4 is a trip back in time, loaded with clubby green leather, wood paneling, and black-and-white photos. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant offers three courses, with jumbo shrimp cocktail, truffled filet mignon, and plenty of pie. 

Details: $165 per person. Reservations are available at (415) 771-1140. See the full menu.

The dining room at the Big 4 The Big 4

International Smoke

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It’s a buffet-style feast at Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s SoMa restaurant, with Ayesha’s jerk spiced turkey and gravy, smoked sweet potatoes with maple and bacon, and more.

Details: Reservations are available from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.; the buffet is $79 for adults, $35 for kids (ages 5 to 11). See the full menu here.

Taj Campton Place

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The Taj Campton Place, the landmark hotel right on Union Square, offers a glittering hotel dinner. Chef Srijith Gopinathan has two Michelin stars, and mixes holiday traditions with upscale Indian, including slow-roasted turkey with cranberry chutney, lobster in coconut curry, and butternut squash velouté with a hint of coffee. 

Details: $175 per person. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available online.

The dining room at Taj Campton Place Taj Campton Place

MKT Restaurant and Bar

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Opt for a high swank factor at the Four Seasons this year, with views to match. Stop in for a Thanksgiving three-course with an appetizer and a dessert buffet, plus a choice of entrées like turkey, grilled beef fillet, or branzino. Details: $110 per adult, $55 for children ages 5-12 from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. Check out the menu here.

Courtesy of MKT

Bluestem Brasserie

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Bluestem Brasserie invites you to set aside your oven mitts and abandon your kitchen for its lush, mid-Market ambiance, where dishes like roasted winter squash, filet mignon, and pumpkin pie will be served Details: 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; the three-course menu with choice of entrée is $75 ($35 for children under 11). Check out the menu here.

Ryan Hughes

Tommy's Joynt

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For a very SF Thanksgiving, everyone’s always welcome at Tommy’s Joynt, no reservations required. The institution fills up a cafeteria-style tray with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, one additional side, pumpkin pie, and coffee for the low price of $24.95. Add on extra turkey legs or ham. 

Details: $24.95 per person. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No reservations. See the full menu.

Storefront of Tommy’s Joynt Tommy’s Joynt

Make yourself at home at the Proper Hotel’s restaurant Villon. For Thanksgiving, it’s serving a three-course menu that includes a choice of heritage turkey or smoked salmon for the entrée. Details: 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., $80 per person with an optional $35 wine pairing.

Omakase

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If you disdain either turkey, tradition, or both, splurge on Omakase's Edomae-style sushi menu for a Michelin-starred multi-course meal of fresh fish. Details: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., serving its usual prix fixe menus with dining options starting at $195.

Golden Crab House

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If the holidays call for a big Dungeness crab feast, head directly for the fog of the Inner Sunset. The sister restaurant of PPQ Dungeness Crab Island, Golden Crab House stays open for Thanksgiving, serving its usual menu of butter-soaked Vietnamese-style roasted crab, peppercorn crab, and lobster, with set menus for parties of two, four, six, or 10 people. Details: Reservations are available online. See the full menu.

Golden Crab House

The Old Clam House

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This classic SF spot is serving its regular menu of seafood favorites alongside a special Thanksgiving menu of clam chowder, turkey, stuffing, and more. Details: Thanksgiving menu is $39.99 for adults, $19.99 for children. Menu here.

3rd Cousin

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Stop by this cozy Bernal Heights restaurant for a three-course Thanksgiving feast, with main course options like roast turkey or king salmon for the turkey-averse. The menu is $84 for adults, $39 for kids 12 and under.

Details: No other menu will be offered; reservations available from 12:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Brenda's French Soul Food

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If you’d rather take a trip to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, Brenda Buenviaje, the reigning queen of Cajun cooking in the Bay Area, does keep her original location open on the holiday. The restaurant will be serving the full weekday menu, including the crawfish beignets and chicken etouffée, as well as a turkey plate with all the trimmings for $29.

Brenda’s French Soul Food Brenda’s French Soul Food

Park Tavern

Park Tavern has all the hallmarks of the Big Night Restaurant Group, including indulgent bistro fare in a stylish setting, but it boasts much more generous seating than sister restaurant Marlowe. Bring the whole family for Thanksgiving, and tuck into brown butter pumpkin soup, heritage turkey, caramelized onion stuffing, and all the trimmings. The same menu will also be offered at the Cavalier, if you’d prefer to toast the holiday with friends at the downtown bar.  

Details: $95 per person. Reservations are available online for Park Tavern or the Cavalier. See the full menu.

Lamb chops at Park Tavern Park Tavern

Balboa Cafe

Balboa Cafe will open its doors at 2 p.m. to welcome all holiday revelers. With a special, a la carte menu filled with pumpkin soup, beet risotto, filet mignon, and turkey paired with sourdough stuffing, you'll leave your Thanksgiving feast more than satisfied. Details: 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Menu here. Reservations available by phone only at 415-921-3944

Presidio Social Club

If you're angling for cozy atmosphere, look no further than Presidio Social Club's quaint, white-washed environs, where you can dine on a family style meal including butternut squash soup, roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, and holiday pies. The three-course menu is $68 for adults, $33 for kids (10 and under), though starters like hot crab dip and oysters are available a la carte. Details: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Full menu here.

Courtesy of Presidio Social Club

Z & Y Restaurant

Do away with tradition and expand your culinary horizons this Thanksgiving with a meal at Z & Y Restaurant, the beloved Sichuan Chinatown spot that serves up notoriously fiery dishes, like its signature "Chicken with Explosive Chile Peppers" as well as beef pancakes, spicy wontons, and frog cooked in chile oil. Details: Open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Seven Hills

Seven Hills, the intimate Italian restaurant in Russian Hill, is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot you’d like to cozy up in on a holiday. Thankfully and unexpectedly, it stays open on Thanksgiving, serving a special four-course menu with turkey, prime rib, house-made pasta, and chicory salad in anchovy vinaigrette. 

Details: $85 per person. Reservations are available online.

Pasta at Seven Hills Seven Hills

Yank Sing

There's plenty of room for your family, extended family, friends, and more in Yank Sing's immense 250-seat dining room. With platters of Peking duck, Shanghai soup dumplings, and classic Cantonese dim sum dishes regularly emerging by the tray-full from the kitchen, you're certain to leave feeling both full and festive. Details: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Big 4

Inside the Huntington Hotel at the top of Nob Hill, the Big 4 is a trip back in time, loaded with clubby green leather, wood paneling, and black-and-white photos. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant offers three courses, with jumbo shrimp cocktail, truffled filet mignon, and plenty of pie. 

Details: $165 per person. Reservations are available at (415) 771-1140. See the full menu.

The dining room at the Big 4 The Big 4

International Smoke

It’s a buffet-style feast at Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s SoMa restaurant, with Ayesha’s jerk spiced turkey and gravy, smoked sweet potatoes with maple and bacon, and more.

Details: Reservations are available from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.; the buffet is $79 for adults, $35 for kids (ages 5 to 11). See the full menu here.

Taj Campton Place

The Taj Campton Place, the landmark hotel right on Union Square, offers a glittering hotel dinner. Chef Srijith Gopinathan has two Michelin stars, and mixes holiday traditions with upscale Indian, including slow-roasted turkey with cranberry chutney, lobster in coconut curry, and butternut squash velouté with a hint of coffee. 

Details: $175 per person. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available online.

The dining room at Taj Campton Place Taj Campton Place

MKT Restaurant and Bar

Opt for a high swank factor at the Four Seasons this year, with views to match. Stop in for a Thanksgiving three-course with an appetizer and a dessert buffet, plus a choice of entrées like turkey, grilled beef fillet, or branzino. Details: $110 per adult, $55 for children ages 5-12 from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. Check out the menu here.

Courtesy of MKT

Bluestem Brasserie

Bluestem Brasserie invites you to set aside your oven mitts and abandon your kitchen for its lush, mid-Market ambiance, where dishes like roasted winter squash, filet mignon, and pumpkin pie will be served Details: 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; the three-course menu with choice of entrée is $75 ($35 for children under 11). Check out the menu here.

Ryan Hughes

Tommy's Joynt

For a very SF Thanksgiving, everyone’s always welcome at Tommy’s Joynt, no reservations required. The institution fills up a cafeteria-style tray with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, one additional side, pumpkin pie, and coffee for the low price of $24.95. Add on extra turkey legs or ham. 

Details: $24.95 per person. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No reservations. See the full menu.

Storefront of Tommy’s Joynt Tommy’s Joynt

Villon

Make yourself at home at the Proper Hotel’s restaurant Villon. For Thanksgiving, it’s serving a three-course menu that includes a choice of heritage turkey or smoked salmon for the entrée. Details: 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., $80 per person with an optional $35 wine pairing.

Omakase

If you disdain either turkey, tradition, or both, splurge on Omakase's Edomae-style sushi menu for a Michelin-starred multi-course meal of fresh fish. Details: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., serving its usual prix fixe menus with dining options starting at $195.

Golden Crab House

If the holidays call for a big Dungeness crab feast, head directly for the fog of the Inner Sunset. The sister restaurant of PPQ Dungeness Crab Island, Golden Crab House stays open for Thanksgiving, serving its usual menu of butter-soaked Vietnamese-style roasted crab, peppercorn crab, and lobster, with set menus for parties of two, four, six, or 10 people. Details: Reservations are available online. See the full menu.

Golden Crab House

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The Old Clam House

This classic SF spot is serving its regular menu of seafood favorites alongside a special Thanksgiving menu of clam chowder, turkey, stuffing, and more. Details: Thanksgiving menu is $39.99 for adults, $19.99 for children. Menu here.

3rd Cousin

Stop by this cozy Bernal Heights restaurant for a three-course Thanksgiving feast, with main course options like roast turkey or king salmon for the turkey-averse. The menu is $84 for adults, $39 for kids 12 and under.

Details: No other menu will be offered; reservations available from 12:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Brenda's French Soul Food

If you’d rather take a trip to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, Brenda Buenviaje, the reigning queen of Cajun cooking in the Bay Area, does keep her original location open on the holiday. The restaurant will be serving the full weekday menu, including the crawfish beignets and chicken etouffée, as well as a turkey plate with all the trimmings for $29.

Brenda’s French Soul Food Brenda’s French Soul Food

Related Maps