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This year, we’re thankful for many things—including the bounty of regional-favorite restaurants that keep their doors open and our bellies full this Thanksgiving holiday. Throughout Southwest Florida, chefs present their take on the celebration, with Italian-inflected menus at Angelina’s in Bonita Springs and The French in Naples; seafood-filled spreads at Tarpon Bay Lodge in Bokeelia and The Claw Bar in Naples; and five-star suppers at elegant locales like The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and The Silver King Ocean Brasserie in Fort Myers. For those wanting to keep the tradition close to home, many of these fine establishments also offer full feasts to-go.
Angelina’s Ristorante, Bonita Springs
If you’re flexible on plans, add yourself to the waitlist for this Bonita institution, where you can enjoy a four-course meal of Italian favorites, like snapper piccata and veal saltimbocca. Trust us, it’ll be worth it. Alternatively, the to-go Thanksgiving dinner feeds six to nine people and includes a wine pairing hand-selected by the restaurant’s sommelier Dinah Leach to go with your meal. Whether you choose to dine in or do take-out, book quickly. $79 per person, $39 for optional wine pairing; $379 for to-go dinner party.
Bar Tulia Mercato, Naples
Bar Tulia takes on the holiday with its trademark upscale-gastropub flair. The three-course feast at the new Mercato location comes with entrees, like chestnut-stuffed turkey, wood-grilled New York strip steak frites and butternut squash risotto. Dine-in or pre-order by Nov. 18th to pick up your meal on Thanksgiving Day. From $65 for adults, $32 for children.
Bellasera Resort, Downtown Naples
The resort’s chic, downstairs seafood lounge, The Claw Bar, offers a traditional Thanksgiving three-course menu that includes herb-roasted turkey and pumpkin pie from 12-8 p.m. and its upstairs lounge will feature live jazz music and the same menu from 4-8 p.m. Call for reservations. From $65 for adults, $10 for the children’s turkey plate.
Crave2Go, Bonita Springs (delivers from Marco Island to Fort Myers)
For those who insist it’s not Turkey Day without the bird, chef Brian Roland’s Crave Culinaire offers a traditional family turkey dinner package with sides that riff on classics, like Southern-style sweet potato brûlée and lavender-roasted carrots. Place your pre-orders by Nov. 18 for pick-up or delivery on Nov. 24. From $225 for four people (pricing dependent on delivery time slot and location).
The French, Naples
For a Thanksgiving feast made by one of the best chefs in town, Vincenzo Betulia’s bistro puts a European-rustic twist on the American tradition. At the restaurant, the chef is serving up a special menu with elevated seasonal delicacies, like duck confit and Burgundy black truffle risotto. Diners who’d rather celebrate at home can order from the same special menu or get the more traditional turkey dinner the restaurant is also offering. Order by Nov. 18 for pick-up or delivery on Nov. 25. From $65 for adults, $32 for children.
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs
Avoid the headache of trying to please everyone at the Thanksgiving table with the Hyatt Regency’s have-it-your-way take on the holiday. The on-site restaurant, Tarpon Bay will offer its regular menu with seafood offerings like lemon parmesan-crusted salmon, there’s also a prix-fixe menu for the traditionalists with turkey and green beans and a kids’ menu for the picky eaters, with chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. Reservations required; menu available from 5-10 p.m.; from $100 for adults and $45 for children for prix-fixe menu.
Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro, Cape Coral
Soak up the views of the Gulf at the waterfront Westin restaurant, located at Tarpon Point Marina while indulging in a festive buffet of butternut squash bisque and cider-brined turkey. Thanksgiving meals are served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., so whether you go early or late, we encourage you to linger and fully appreciate the setting. From $79 for adults, $29 for children, free for children under 5.
Naples Grande Beach Resort
The season of giving wouldn’t be so without a philanthropic touch. Indulge on a feast for eight that includes a 20-22 lb. Turkey; stuffing with apricot, sage and chicken; and other holiday favorites, like sweet rolls and mashed potatoes. For every order purchased, the hotel donates one turkey to St. Matthew’s House. Place your order by Nov. 21 for pickup on Nov. 25.
For the resort dining experience, enjoy a traditional meal with sage and garlic butter roasted tom turkey, and brioche and chive dressing soufflé from 12-8 p.m. in the Vista Ballroom. From $80 per person, $40 per child, $299 for to-go option.
The Rusty Putter, Ave Maria
If you’re a member of the Del Webb-designed Panther Run Golf Club and you’d rather spend your day on the course, make reservations by Nov. 23 for a post-game, holidaymeal at the on-site restaurant. Enjoy a traditional meal with roast turkey, stuffing and green bean stuffing on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations required for the 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. menu. $19.95 per person for dining in, from $34.95 for to-go option from the same menu, feeds two.
The Silver King Ocean Brasserie, Fort Myers
The elegant, lobby-level restaurant at the Luminary Hotel & Co., in downtown Fort Myers, serves up a prix-fixe menu of traditional favorites—like roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, Cinderella pumpkin soup and butternut squash ravioli—for the holiday. Stop in for an early dinner (they stop serving at 6 p.m.), before heading upstairs to Beacon Social Drinkery to give thanks with a sunset view overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. Menu available from 12-6 p.m.; from $39 per person.
Tarpon Lodge, Bokeelia
Another waitlist worth adding your name to (the GM promises that spots often open up last minute): The 1926 charming waterfront inn on Pine Island offers a dose of Old Florida with its a la carte Thanksgiving Day menu that mixes fan-favorite seafood dishes with festive updates, like brown sugar-cured salmon and spiced pumpkin cheesecake. Reservations are required for the menu that’s offered from 12-7 p.m. $9.95 for children, $14 for children's turkey plate.
Mark Them for Next Year!
These favorite spots filled up way ahead of the holiday. Make it a point to reserve early next year.
The Bay House
This stellar waterfront restaurant offers a three-course meal where you can mix its seafood fare with traditional holiday classics while overlooking the Cocohatchee River and its wildlife preserve. SOLD OUT FOR 2021
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The beachfront resort offersa prix-fixe holiday menu, as well as a to-go spread that includes a whole turkey, your choice of sides and dessert for up to eight people prepared by the hotel’s chefs. SOLD OUT FOR 2021
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel
Thanksgiving traditions meld with the Southwest Florida lifestyle at the Sundial, where the holiday comes with live music and dinner overlooking the Gulf. SOLD OUT FOR 2021
‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa
On the islands, the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce hosts a Thanksgiving buffet at the Old Captiva House, as well as at The Crow’s Nest. SOLD OUT FOR 2021