Looking For Thanksgiving Dinner In California? These 11 Restaurants Are Worth Checking Out
A turkey dinner served from a carving station next to honey baked ham and prime rib sounds like a holiday daydream. In California, at least one old Hollywood steakhouse has offered exactly that on Thanksgiving.
I love that idea more than I can explain.
Other spots on this list go in wildly different directions. One sits in a Western saloon on a mountainside with a fireplace.
Another serves a five-course holiday meal right by a lake.
I can’t think of a better excuse to skip the dishes this year. Nobody has to wrestle a frozen bird or argue over oven space.
You just show up, sit down, and let somebody else handle the gravy.
So which table sounds like yours? A pastrami counter in the city, a plaid-clad dining room, or a desert patio might be waiting for you this November.
1. Tommy’s Joynt
Turkey legs at a San Francisco counter joint? Yes, and they come with a side.
Tommy’s Joynt is a neighborhood institution on Geary Boulevard. It serves American comfort food in a kitschy, historic room with loads of personality.
Thanksgiving here keeps things refreshingly simple. Expect turkey, dressing, gravy, string beans, three sides, and pumpkin pie.
Portions are big, so pace yourself. Brisket, corned beef, and pastrami plates also show up if someone in your group skips the bird.
Service works counter-style, with no table service. You order, grab your plate, and find a seat, which keeps the meal quick and easy.
The regular menu goes well beyond holiday food. Tommy’s Famous Meatballs, a braised lamb shank, and the classic Hof-Brau Sandwich are menu highlights.
Want something sweet that isn’t pie? Carrot cake and chocolate cake both sit on the dessert list.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan around the crowds. Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings tend to be the busiest stretches.
Parking nearby is paid street parking and often tough to find. Public transit or a rideshare could save you a few frustrating laps around the block.
Families are welcome, and high chairs are available for little ones.
This is the spot for anyone craving a no-fuss feast at a friendly price. Bring stretchy pants and an honest appetite.
Address: 1101 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94109
2. Tam O’Shanter
Plaid-clad waiters and prime rib make for a very Scottish kind of Thanksgiving. In Los Angeles, that combo lives inside a Tudor-style building on Los Feliz Boulevard.
Tam O’Shanter has a historic, old-school feel with fireplaces inside. It’s the sort of setting that makes a holiday meal feel like an event.
Prime rib is the headliner here. It pairs nicely with sides like creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding.
Creamed corn deserves a spot on your table too. French onion soup makes a comforting opener before the main event.
Save room for the C C Brown’s Hot Fudge Sundae. Hot fudge on Thanksgiving might bend tradition, but your table probably won’t complain.
Table service is part of the charm, and the plaid outfits add a playful touch. Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner, so book early for the holiday.
Parking choices include a free lot and valet. That’s a small blessing on a busy holiday evening.
Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are available.
Saturday evenings are typically the busiest time. Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be calmer if you return for lunch later.
Tradition is the whole point of Thanksgiving. Few places in California lean into it quite like this one.
Address: 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
3. The Firehouse Restaurant
A fancy dinner at a place called the Firehouse sounds like the setup to a joke. In Old Sacramento, the punchline is filet mignon.
The Firehouse Restaurant is a longtime local name with an upscale, historic feel. It serves elevated, seasonal American food in a polished dining room.
Big families, take note. This dining room can handle a crowd, and large holiday parties have gathered here for Thanksgiving.
Starters set a fancy tone. Oysters, oysters with caviar, and a Yukon Gold potato bisque are strong ways to begin.
For the main course, the prime filet mignon gets plenty of attention. Seared day boat scallops, sea bass, and duck breast give you more choices.
Dessert is where things get playful. A burnt orange crème brûlée and a soufflé share the spotlight with a chocolate mousse cake of the day.
A fireplace adds to the special-occasion mood. There’s outdoor seating too, plus a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
Vegetarians aren’t stuck with side dishes here. A full vegetarian menu is available, and kids have their own menu as well.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially for a holiday. Valet and paid parking options are nearby.
Doors open in the evening, with an earlier start on Sundays. This is a sit-down dinner spot only, so don’t plan on takeout leftovers.
Address: 1112 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814
4. Cold Spring Tavern
Thanksgiving in a stagecoach-era saloon on a mountainside? Santa Barbara has you covered.
Cold Spring Tavern is a rustic Western spot filled with antiques. It’s been around for roughly 140 years, and the old-time setting is a huge part of the fun.
A fireplace adds plenty of charm on a fall afternoon. Live music is also part of the scene here.
The food leans hearty and smoky. Baby back ribs and garlic mashed potatoes are big draws, and American fare includes wild game.
Tri-tip fans have options too. Grab the Tri Tip Sandwich with onion rings, or go smaller with the junior version.
Want to sample a little bit of everything spicy? The chili sampler is a fun choice for indecisive eaters.
Timing matters here. The tavern keeps daytime hours and closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so check holiday hours before you drive up.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so arriving early is smart. Weekend afternoons are usually the busiest.
Parking can be somewhat tricky to find. Give yourself extra time for the winding trip into the mountains.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. A full vegan menu means plant-based guests won’t feel left out.
Address: 5995 Stagecoach Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
5. Bear
Sourdough ice cream after turkey might be the most Napa idea ever. Bear, at Stanly Ranch, makes it a signature.
This refined American restaurant sits inside an Auberge Collection resort. The space mixes a swanky industrial look with a scenic patio for outdoor dining.
Thanksgiving here has featured a prix fixe menu. One option leaned toward a more traditional holiday meal, which is great news for turkey loyalists.
The regular menu is farm-to-table and pleasantly unpretentious. Short rib is a signature dish, often paired with new potatoes.
Small plates make sharing easy. Crispy rice, grilled asparagus, lamb ribs, and wood-fired oysters are a few tasty possibilities.
Scallops show up as well for seafood fans. Dessert brings that famous sourdough ice cream and a butterscotch panna cotta with crumble.
A fireplace gives the room extra appeal as the evenings cool down. A full vegetarian menu helps guests with different diets eat well.
Bear opens early and stays open late, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That makes it easy to turn a Thanksgiving trip into a full day of eating.
Families are welcome, with high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially around the holidays.
Free parking and valet are available on site. If your idea of a holiday includes vineyard country, this one deserves a look.
Address: Located at Stanly Ranch, Auberge Collection, 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, CA 94559
6. Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
Pops of bright color and a retro look make Thanksgiving feel a little bit glamorous. Palm Springs does style well, and this spot proves it.
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge serves refined New American food in a sleek space. It sits right on North Palm Canyon Drive.
Appetizers are a highlight here. Coconut shrimp, a lobster boule, steak frites roulade, and slow roasted forest mushrooms make a fun spread for the table.
Mains cover a lot of ground. Chilean sea bass, chicken Milanese, and pasta e ragu bucatini are all on the lineup.
Fried chicken fans should look for Willa Jean’s Fried Chicken. It’s comfort food with a bit of polish.
Vegetarians get some of the most creative plates. Cauliflower steak, cauliflower bisque, and a poblano chile relleno are worth a look, and there’s a full vegan menu too.
Dessert has a playful side. The Brandini Toffee S’mores Fondue turns the end of the meal into a group activity.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Evenings late in the week tend to be the busiest.
Free parking is usually easy to find nearby. That’s one less thing to stress about on a holiday trip to the desert.
Address: 849 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
7. Herb & Wood
Wood smoke and holiday cooking go together like gravy and potatoes. San Diego’s Herb and Wood builds its whole menu around that idea.
The restaurant is sprawling and upscale, with rustic, wood-fired dishes. A fireplace adds even more glow to the dining room.
Creativity rules the menu. Venison loin, baba ganoush, and oxtail gnocchi show how far beyond basic this kitchen goes.
Portions run larger than you might expect for a fancy spot. That’s a nice surprise on a day built around eating.
Veggie starters are surprisingly exciting. Cauliflower and carrot dishes, including a baby carrot and hemp seed salad, get the meal going in a fresh way.
Meat lovers can go for pork chops, pork belly, or filet mignon with mushrooms. Roasted oysters with bone marrow make a rich, shareable starter.
Dessert deserves real attention here. A huckleberry soufflé and a date cake both sound like great reasons to skip pie.
Full vegetarian and vegan menus are available. That makes holiday planning easier for mixed groups.
Expect a wait, even on regular nights. Dinner reservations are recommended, so lock in your Thanksgiving table early.
Valet and nearby lots help with parking. Families are welcome too, and high chairs are available.
Address: 936 W Ivy St, San Diego, CA 92101
8. SUR at The Barnyard
A traditional turkey dinner at a reasonable price, right in Carmel? That’s a holiday win most people wouldn’t expect.
SUR at The Barnyard serves a playful Californian menu. The rustic-chic space has regional touches and a quirky personality, plus outdoor seating.
Thanksgiving here has included a classic turkey dinner. It’s a great pick if you want the familiar flavors without fussy extras.
Not a turkey person? The Kona Steak Plate comes tender and charred, and it pairs well with grilled shrimp.
Seafood lovers have plenty to like too. Grilled salmon with lemon beurre blanc, seafood linguine, and tempura seabass fish and chips are on the menu.
Comfort food fans can grab Southern fried chicken and waffles. SUR’s French dip is another menu favorite worth trying.
Finish with mud pie for a sweet, old-fashioned ending. Sashimi wontons make a fun starter if you’d rather begin light.
Portions run large, and the service is known for being friendly and quick. Kids have their own menu, and dogs are allowed.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Weekend afternoons tend to be the busiest.
Free parking is usually easy to find at The Barnyard. A quick holiday stroll through the shopping village afterward could help you make room for dessert.
Address: 3601 The Barnyard Ste A-21, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
9. The Landing Lakeside Dining
Five courses, a lake view, and mountains in the background sound like a holiday postcard. In South Lake Tahoe, that’s what Thanksgiving can look like.
The Landing Lakeside Dining serves Californian food in a chic space. Fireplaces, a patio, and a bar round out the setting.
Thanksgiving here has been offered as a five-course experience. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to book a table.
The views are a huge part of the appeal. Lake and mountain scenery make the meal feel extra special.
Seafood shines on the regular menu. Diver scallops, salmon, and halibut are standouts.
Meat lovers can choose the rack of lamb or porcini crusted ribeye. Duck breast is another rich option for a holiday splurge.
Portions are generous for the price. That’s not always true at a lakeside spot, so it’s a pleasant surprise.
Breakfast and brunch are served too. A holiday morning by the water could become its own tradition.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest times.
Free parking is usually easy to find, and dogs are welcome. There’s a full vegetarian menu and a kids’ menu as well, so the whole crew can find something.
Address: 4104 Lakeshore Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
10. Five Crowns
Half a roasted turkey on one plate? That’s how Thanksgiving has been served at this English-inspired spot in Corona del Mar.
Five Crowns takes its design cues from England’s oldest country inns. The result is an upscale, historic-feeling room serving classic cuisine.
The holiday turkey has come tender and moist, with stuffing on the side. It’s a bold portion for anyone who loves leftovers.
Lobster bisque makes a popular starter. Crab cakes are another smart way to begin.
Prime rib is a house classic. The Delmonico ribeye gives steak fans an even bigger option.
Creamed corn is a must for the table. The Pride of the Crowns Salad offers a lighter bite before the heavy hitters arrive.
Dessert lovers should look for the vanilla bean dark chocolate soufflé. An artisanal cheese plate works for anyone who prefers savory endings.
A fireplace and patio give you two different moods to choose from. The patio is a nice perk with the Southern California climate.
Valet and paid lot parking are available nearby. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are on hand.
Address: 3801 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
11. Smoke House Restaurant
Garlic cheese bread and old movie star photos make a pretty great opening act. Burbank’s Smoke House Restaurant brings classic Hollywood energy to the holiday table.
Dark wood, leather booths, and dim lighting set the mood. Live music adds to the old-school steakhouse feel.
Thanksgiving here has featured a carving station with roasted turkey, honey baked ham, and prime rib. Trimmings included stuffing, mashed potatoes, au jus, and horseradish.
That lineup solves the classic family debate. Turkey people and beef people can finally share a table peacefully.
The famous garlic cheese bread is hard to skip. Clam chowder and Caesar salad are other strong ways to start.
Steak lovers should check out the Steak Sinatra. Beef stroganoff and ribs bring even more comfort food to the menu.
A turkey dinner also appears on the regular menu. It comes with whipped mashed potatoes that get plenty of praise.
Cheesecake makes a classic ending. A salad bar and a fireplace round out the details.
Reservations are recommended, and there’s usually a wait. Weekend evenings and Sunday nights get especially busy.
Valet and paid lot parking are available. If you want a California Thanksgiving with a side of movie history, this is your table.
Address: 4420 Lakeside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505