If you're not up for the whole production of doing a turkey at home, you can still stay local without settling for Chinese takeout (not that we don't love boxed noodles delivered to our door).
Enjoy a proper Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings—plus a few decadent surprises—at these restaurants from San Francisco to Berkeley to St. Helena.
Rambler
Head to this hip, two-story bar and restaurant downtown for herb-roasted turkey, brown sugar glazed ham, sweet potato gnocchi, Yukon gold potato puree, cornbread stuffing, and smoked gouda mac n' cheese. The menu will be served a la carte. // Main courses $18-$35; seatings (2pm to 8:30pm) are available by reservation at OpenTable; 545 Post St. (Union Square), ramblersf.com.
Park Tavern
This Washington Square Park favorite is pulling out the stops for a cozy, holiday meal out. Enjoy fall dishes like spiced pumpkin soup, stuffing, wild mushroom raviolo, herb-roasted turkey breast, caramelized onion and mushroom stuffing, cranberry sauce, and more. Wine pairings will be sourced from wineries hurt by Sonoma's Kincade Fire. // $95/adults, $35/kids; seatings (11:45am to 8pm) by reservations at Tock; 1652 Stockton St. (North Beach), parktavernsf.com.
Omakase
If turkey's not your thing, go for sushi at Michelin-starred Omakase, where there's no shame in a feast of nigiri, A5 wagyu, live lobster tamago, owan, kanmi, and sashimi. // $195 per person; seatings (5:15pm, 5:30pm, 5:45pm, 8:30pm, and 8:45 pm) by reservation at Tock; 665 Townsend St. (SoMa), omakasesf.com.
Big 4
If it's classic vibes you seek, slink into a booth and enjoy some live piano music at Big 4. Thanksgiving Day dishes will include roasted butternut squash soup, turkey with cornbread and fall herb stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin and pecan pie. // $165 per person; seatings (5:30pm to 10pm) can be reserved by calling 415.771.1140; 1075 California St. (Nob Hill), huntingtonhotel.com.
Campton Place
Michelin-starred Campton Place sets the bar for exquisite service and cuisine. On Thanksgiving, look for chef Srijith Gopinathan to mingle his signature Cal-Indian cooking into holiday favorites in such dishes as slow-roasted turkey with cranberry chutney and Maine lobster with coconut curry sauce. // $175 per person; reservations (11:30am to 9pm) can be made a OpenTable or by calling 415.781.5555; 340 Stockton St. (Union Square), tajcamptonplace.com.
Berkeley Boathouse
For East Bay friendsgivings, Berkley Boathouse is a lovely spot to celebrate with marina views. Four courses will include butternut squash soup; apple, pecan, and cranberry salad; and turkey or honey ham with sides. Save room for a spread of pies (pumpkin, apple, and pecan), cakes, tortes, French pastries, and chocolate mousse. // $40-$45/adults, $16-$20/kids; reservations for seatings (noon to 4pm) can be made online or by calling 510.665.7171; 200 Marina Blvd. (Berkeley), berkeleyboathouse.com.
The Cavalier
The Cavalier offers chic, London-inspired digs and a multi-course prix-fixe menu for city-dwelling revelers. Expect gourmet takes on traditional recipes, like last year's spiced pumpkin soup with bacon-toasted pecans, slow-cooked turkey with giblet gravy, and horseradish and crème fraîche potato purée. Sweet finishes like the blood orange creamsicle and gingerbread with apple compote are not to miss, nor are the bar's signature craft cocktails. // $98/person; 360 Jessie Street (SoMa), thecavaliersf.com, reservations on opentable.com.
Americano
This sleek spot on Embarcadero will be serving an impressive three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu that starts with options like last year's warm butternut squash panzenella and follows with mains that include prime rib with gorgonzola bread pudding or heritage turkey with sausage stuffing, glazed carrots and gravy. Finish with your choice of delectable desserts, like the apple fritters or pumpkin pie tartlets, and then walk it off with a stroll along the Embarcadero. // $70/person; seatings (2pm and 7pm) available by reservation at OpenTable.com; Hotel Vitale, 8 Mission St. (Embarcadero), americanorestaurant.com.
Scala's Bistro
Hop off the cable car at Powell Street and into newly updated Scala's Bistro for a holiday menu inspired by French and Italian flavors. The three-course menu includes options like butternut squash soup with crème fraîche, roasted polenta with wild mushroom ragu, and cranberry and pear tart Tatin, but doesn't miss staples like turkey breast and confit leg and thigh and pumpkin cheesecake. // $75/adult, $40/child, 11:30 am to 3 pm; 432 Powell St. (Union Square), scalasbistro.com.
Fog Harbor Fish House
Waterfront favorite Fog Harbor Fish House will be open for business this Thanksgiving, offering a traditional holiday dinner (think turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy) alongside its seafood-based regular menu. Don't miss the pumpkin bread pudding or the sweeping views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge from the prime location on Pier 39. // 11am to 10pm at Pier 39, fogharbor.com.
Bluestem Brasserie
Glam downtown outpost Bluestem Brasserie will be serving up three courses, with options ranging from classic, like roasted turkey, stuffed delicata squash, and garlic mashed potatoes, to innovative, like winter chicories salad and roasted cauliflower and pear soup. // Seatings between 2 pm and 7:45 pm, $75/adult, $35/child, 1 Yerba Buena Lane (SoMa), bluestembrasserie.com, reservations on opentable.com
Michael Mina
If anyone can outdo a home-cooked Thanksgiving, it's Michael Mina. At the chef's signature restaurant downtown, a three-course gourmet dinner will feature unexpected offerings such as white truffle tagliatelle with parmesan foam, Maine lobster with saffron acquerello rice, and Schmitz Ranch prime ribeye with king trumpet mushroom, parsnip-potato pavé and red wine jus. Also expect shareable sides of classic Thanksgiving favorites, indulgent desserts, and an optional wine pairing. // $179/person, $135 beverage pairing; 252 California St. (FiDi), michaelmina.net, reservations on opentable.com.
Lake Chalet
Views of Lake Merritt pair with a three-course prix-fixe menu. Dishes include classic roasted turkey, pan-roasted king salmon, slow-roasted lamb shank, and fresh egg pasta, bookended by autumn-inspired starters and desserts. For an all-out extravaganza, opt for the buffet with carving stations for pork, turkey, and prime rib, a chilled seafood bar, and an array of sides, salads, and desserts. Thanksgiving specials also available at SF sister restaurants, Park Chalet and Beach Chalet. // $65/adult and $29/child for prix fixe, $79/person for buffet; seatings from 1 am to 9:45 pm; 1520 Lakeside Drive (Oakland), thelakechalet.com.
Left Bank Brasserie
Along with its other locations in the Bay, Left Bank Brasserie in Larkspur will be serving prix-fixe and à la carte Thanksgiving menus. Expect gussied-up French versions of your holiday favorites like butternut squash soup topped with crème fraîche and roasted pumpkin seeds, smoked honey-mustard-glazed pork, and autumn mushroom risotto imbued with Brussels sprouts, truffle oil, and parmesan. Don't worry—they didn't skip the pumpkin pie. // $59/adult, $12/child, noon to 8pm; 507 Magnolia Ave. (Larkspur), leftbank.com.
The Girl & The Fig
Foodie favorite The Girl & The Fig will be open and serving Thanksgiving dinner at both its Sonoma restaurant and sister cafe in Glen Ellen. At the Sonoma flagship, the four-course experience ($60/adult, $20/child, $18 wine pairing) includes starters like roasted cauliflower bisque or pear salad; entrees of roast turkey breast, wild mushroom risotto, sautéed flounder, or smoked short ribs; and an array of dessert choices, including a certain chocolate-caramel cream tart. The three-course feast at Glen Ellen's The Fig Cafe features equally impressive plates ($45/adult, $20/child, $15 wine pairing). Reservations by phone encouraged. // Noon to 8 pm at The Girl & The Fig, 110 West Spain St. (Sonoma); 1pm-6pm at The Fig Cafe, 13690 Arnold Dr. (Glen Ellen), thegirlandthefig.com and thefigcafe.com.
Spoonbar
In Healdsburg, H2hotel's innovative culinary hotspot, Spoonbar, puts a spin on Thanksgiving classics with a four-course feast featuring inventive sides like yellowtail tuna tartare and a pecan pie to rival grandma's. // $65/adult, $35/child, 2pm-7pm; 219 Healdsburg Ave. (Healdsburg), spoonbar.com; reservations available on opentable.com.
Acacia House
Chris Cosentino's Acacia House, at Las Alcobas Napa Valley, promises to wow with a three-course dinner starring family-style turkey breast and a supporting cast of sausage and oyster stuffing, coffee-roasted carrots, and persimmon pudding. Set in a 1907 mansion, the cozy-luxe surrounds will make you feel right at home. // $98/person, $39 and $59 beverage pairings; reservations (11:30am to 9pm) available at opentable.com; 1915 Main St. (St. Helena), marriott.com.
Napa Valley Wine Train
For something a little different, journey into the Napa Valley and enjoy all of your Thanksgiving favorites en route. The Wine Train's three-and-a-half hour voyage includes a welcome glass of wine and a multiple-course dinner and dessert, plus a scenic backdrop of Wine Country in all its autumn glory. // $164/person; lunch (11:30am to 3pm) and dinner (5pm to 8:30 pm) trips available; 1275 McKinstry St. (Napa), winetrain.com
