Who's Serving Thanksgiving in 2023?
Each November my inbox is swamped with the same question: Which restaurants serve a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day? For the 17th 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.
- Ca' Dario, Goleta: $85 for 4 courses, à la carte available; 2-9 p.m.; (805) 884-9419
- Ca' Dario, Montecito: $95 for 4 courses; 2-9 p.m.; (805) 884-9419
- Ca' Dario, Santa Barbara: $95 for 4 courses; 2-9 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
- Black Sheep: $85; 5-9 p.m.; (805) 965-1113
- bouchon: sold out; reservations start in late September; (805) 730-1160
- Brass Bear: $60 adults, $20 children 12 and under; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; (805) 869-4014
- Bree’Osh: side dishes only, priced à la carte; (805) 969 2500
- The Caya, The Leta Hotel: à la carte; 1-7 p.m.; (805) 964-1288
- Coast & Olive: $145; 1-7:30 p.m.; (805) 690-3920
- Cold Spring Tavern: $110 adults, $35 ages 10 and below; 2:30-5:30 p.m.; (805) 967-0066
- Convivo Restaurant, Santa Barbara Inn: $110 3-course, $135 4-course adults, $30 ages 12 and below; noon-9 p.m.; (805) 845-6789
- Costa Kitchen & Bar, Mar Monte Hotel: $95 adults, $30 ages 12 and below; 3-8 p.m.; (805) 882-1234
- Crocodile Restaurant & Bar, Lemon Tree Inn: $36; noon-8:30 p.m.; (805) 687-6444
- Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant: $34.95; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; (805) 568-0702
- Finch & Fork, Kimpton Canary Hotel: $110 adults, $55 ages 3-10; 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; (805) 884-0300
- First & Oak, Mirabelle Inn, Solvang: sold out; reservations start in early October; (805) 688-1703
- Harbor Restaurant: $95; 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
- Holdren's Steaks & Seafood: $45 turkey, $55 prime rib; noon-9:30 p.m.; (805) 965-3363
- Jack's Bistro & Famous Bagels: sold out, takeout only; (805) 319-0155
- Joe's Cafe: $34.95 ham, $36.95 turkey, $41.95 prime rib, $21.95 turkey or ham for ages 12 and below; noon-8:30 p.m.; (805) 966-4638
- Little Dom’s Seafood: take-out only, deep fried turkey $138, sides/desserts extra; (805) 749-7400
- Louie's California Bistro, The Upham: price and time pending; (805) 963-7003
- Merci Montecito: priced à la carte, order 5 days in advance; (805) 220-0877
- Mulligan's Cafe & Bar, Santa Barbara Golf Club: sold out; reservations start in early November; (805) 682-3228
- Pea Soup Andersen's, Buellton: $45.95 turkey, $45.95 ham, $27 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
- Reagan Room, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: buffet; $120 adults, $55 ages 4-12; 3-8 p.m.; (805) 884-8535
- Ritz-Carlton Bacara: Angel Oak: $125 (add $85 for wine pairing) or priced à la carte; 2-9 p.m.; (805) 571-4220
- Ritz-Carlton Bacara: The Bistro: priced à la carte; 5:30-7:30 p.m.; (805) 571-4220
- Rori's: ice cream pies $68, order at least 4 days in advance; (805) 220-6019
- Rosewood Miramar Beach: Caruso's: $215, $95 children, under age 4 free; (805) 303-6169
- Rosewood Miramar Beach: Chandelier Ballroom: brunch buffet; $175 adults, $65 ages 4-12; noon-7 p.m.; (805) 303-6169
- Rosewood Miramar Beach: Revere Room: Brunch: $130 adults, $65 ages 4-12; 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: $27.95; 10 a.m.-2 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; 12:30-7 p.m.; (805) 652-1381
- Stella Mare's: sold out; (805) 969-6705
- Terra, The Steward Hotel: $65; 5-10 p.m.; (805) 683-6722
- Tee-Off Restaurant & Lounge: $28.95; 3-9 p.m.; (805) 687-1616
- Chumash Casino Resort: Grains & Grounds: $195 take-out, feeds 6-8, must pre-order; (805) 686-0855
- Chumash Casino Resort: Willows: $75; 3-8 p.m.; (805) 686-0855