Who's Serving Thanksgiving in 2022?

Each November my inbox is swamped with the same question: Which restaurants serve a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day? For the 16th year in a row, I made a hundred phone calls to find the answers, which I serve below.

Make your reservations early because many places will sell out; some are booked out three months in advance. And the competition isn't just from your immediate neighbors: Based on the analytics of who is reading my online posting of this list, it appears that slightly more than half of the people exploring the idea of a Santa Barbara Thanksgiving feast are from outside of the county.

- The Restaurant Guy

  • Ca' Dario, Goleta: 3-9 p.m.; (805) 884-9419
  • Ca' Dario, Montecito: 3-9 p.m.; (805) 884-9419
  • Ca' Dario, Santa Barbara: 3-9 p.m.; (805) 884-9419
  • Ballard Inn Restaurant: sold out; reservations start in late September; (800) 638-2466
  • Belmond El Encanto: sold out; reservations start in late September; (805) 845-5800
  • bouchon: sold out; reservations start in late September; (805) 730-1160
  • The Caya, The Leta Hotel: $90 adults, $30 ages 10 and below; 3-7:30 p.m.; (805) 964-1288
  • Coast & Olive: sold out; reservations start in late September; (805) 690-3920
  • Cold Spring Tavern: $85 adults, $35 ages 10 and below; noon-7 p.m.; (805) 967-0066
  • Convivo Restaurant, Santa Barbara Inn: $100 3-course, $125 4-course adults, $30 ages 12 and below; noon-9 p.m.; (805) 845-6789
  • Costa Kitchen & Bar, Mar Monte Hotel: $89 adults, $39 ages 12 and below; 1-7 p.m.; (805) 882-1234
  • Crocodile Restaurant & Bar, Lemon Tree Inn: $34; noon-8:30 p.m.; (805) 687-6444
  • Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant: $32.95; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; (805) 568-0702
  • Finch & Fork, Kimpton Canary Hotel: $110 adults (wine pairing add $55), $45 ages 3-10; 3-8 p.m.; (805) 884-0300
  • First & Oak, Mirabelle Inn, Solvang: sold out; reservations start in early October; (805) 688-1703
  • Harbor Restaurant: $34.99; noon-9 p.m.; (805) 963-3311
  • Harry's Plaza Cafe: $28.95; 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; (805) 687-2800
  • Helena Avenue Bakery: everything but turkey; takeout with at least four days’ notice; priced à la carte; (805) 880-3383
  • Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: Reagan Room: buffet, $115 adults, $50 ages 4-12; noon-7 p.m.; (805) 884-8535
  • Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: The Set: priced à la carte; 3-10 p.m.; (805) 884-8535
  • Holdren's Steaks & Seafood: $39 turkey, $49 prime rib; noon-9:30 p.m.; (805) 965-3363
  • Jack's Bistro & Famous Bagels: takeout only, at least six days' notice; $265 feeds 10 people, $22 by the plate; (805) 319-0155
  • Joe's Cafe: $32.95 ham, $34.95 turkey, $39.95 prime rib, $19.95 turkey or ham for ages 12 and below; noon-9 p.m.; (805) 966-4638
  • Little Dom’s Seafood: take-out only, deep fried turkey $100, sides/desserts extra; (805) 749-7400
  • Louie's California Bistro, The Upham: $75; 12:30-7 p.m.; (805) 963-7003
  • Mulligan's Cafe & Bar, Santa Barbara Golf Club: sold out; reservations start in early November; (805) 682-3228
  • Pea Soup Andersen's, Buellton: $39 turkey, $39 ham, $22 ages 4-10; 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; (805) 688-5581
  • Poe & Coe: Thanksgiving to-go with at least five days' notice; priced à la carte; (805) 669-7187
  • Ritz-Carlton Bacara: Angel Oak: priced à la carte; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; (805) 571-4220
  • Ritz-Carlton Bacara: The Bistro: $95; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; (805) 571-4220
  • Rosewood Miramar Beach: Caruso's: sold out; reservations start in early October; (805) 303-6169
  • Rosewood Miramar Beach: Chandelier Ballroom: brunch buffet; $165 adults, $65 ages 4-12; noon-7 p.m.; (805) 303-6169
  • Rosewood Miramar Beach: Revere Room: Brunch: priced à la carte; 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner: $125 adults, $55 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and below; 5-9 p.m.; (805) 303-6169
  • Roy: turkey, prime rib, or salmon stuffed with crab & lobster; $75; 3-9 p.m.; (805) 966-5636
  • Santa Barbara Sunshine Cafe: $24.95; 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; (805) 898-9121
  • San Ysidro Ranch: Plow & Angel: sold out; reservations start in early October; (805) 565-1720
  • San Ysidro Ranch: Stonehouse: sold out; reservations start in early October; (805) 565-1720
  • Shoals Restaurant, Cliff House Inn: $75-$90 adults, discount ages 11 and below; 1:30-6:15 p.m.; (805) 652-1381
  • Stella Mare's: $69 adults, $29 ages 12 and below; noon-6 p.m.; (805) 969-6705
  • Chumash Casino Resort: Grains & Grounds: $175 take-out, feeds 4-6; $20 pies; (805) 686-0855
  • Chumash Casino Resort: Willows: $60; 3-9 p.m.; (805) 686-0855