Thanksgiving on the Suncoast has a flavor all its own: a table by the water, a turkey you didn’t have to wake up early for, and a familiar face greeting you by name. This year, as you plan your holiday, we hope you’ll think local first.
When you dine at, order from, or give a gift card to a Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant, you’re supporting the independent chefs, servers, bakers and owners who make our corner of Florida so delicious, from Anna Maria Island to downtown Sarasota and every neighborhood in between. Here’s a roundup of what our members are cooking up for Thanksgiving 2026 and the weeks after.
Thanksgiving Day Dining: Let Someone Else Do the Dishes
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, and the best tables go fast. A few favorites:
Mattison’s at the Van Wezel
Celebrate in the Van Wezel’s Grand Foyer with a Thanksgiving Buffet featuring carving stations (turkey, prime rib and ham), a hot buffet, seafood stations and desserts, 11 am to 6 pm. Adults $78.50++, children $39.25++. Details at mattisons.com/thanksgiving-buffet.
Mattison’s City Grille
Downtown Sarasota and Bradenton Riverwalk locations are serving a Thanksgiving menu, including a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast ($39), a Turkey Bowl ($28) and other entrées ($22 to $45). See the City Grille Thanksgiving menu.
Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen
Plated, à la carte Thanksgiving dining (not a buffet) with a full bar, 11 am to 9 pm. Maple Roast Turkey is $32.90, with entrées from $29.90 to $59.90. Online reservations require a credit card hold, and the Widows & Singles Communal Table at 3 pm is reserved by phone. Reserve on Resy or view the Thanksgiving menu.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
Trade the kitchen for a beachfront view at the Thanksgiving Day Buffet, noon to 8 pm in Bradenton Beach, with holiday favorites and coastal dishes for $65. Event details.
Harry’s Continental Kitchens
A relaxed three-course Thanksgiving dinner on Longboat Key, 1 to 8 pm. Reservations are recommended: book on Resy.
Michael’s On East
A limited holiday dinner menu, including a traditional turkey dinner and live music outdoors, 12:30 to 8 pm. Reservations are required with a credit card hold (a $50 per person fee applies to cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead). Call 941-366-0007 or visit bestfood.com.
Café Gabbiano
On Siesta Key, enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings ($48) alongside Italian favorites, seafood and signature entrées ($28 to $60), 2 to 8 pm. Reserve early at cafegabbiano.com.
Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.
Downtown Sarasota’s seafood favorite is serving Thanksgiving for dine-in, with reservations strongly recommended. The Thanksgiving Feast is $57.95 for adults and $32.95 for kids. See the menu.
Chaz 51 Steakhouse
Not a turkey person? Chaz 51 is open noon to 8 pm with its full regular menu plus a special holiday menu (no turkey). Call 941-484-6200 or visit chaz51.com.
Thanksgiving To Go: Feasts to Pick Up and Take-and-Bake
Hosting at home? These chef-prepared feasts let you enjoy the day instead of the dishes. Mind the order-by dates.
Mattison’s Forty-One
The Thanksgiving Feast To Go ($285) serves up to six, with a 15 lb turkey, sides, gravy, cranberry, cornbread and pumpkin pie. À la carte items include a whole turkey ($135), pumpkin pie ($26) and apple pie ($35). Pickup is November 26 at Mattison’s Forty-One. Order here.
Michael’s On East
Take-home Family-Style Feasts serve up to 10 ($469) or up to 6 ($359), with pickup 10 am to noon. Also available: holiday pies ($39), turkeys only (20 lb $275 / 15 lb $225) and individual meals (turkey dinner $46, 18 oz prime rib $62) for pickup noon to 2 pm on the Wine Cellar side. Order by Tuesday, November 24; changes and cancellations by Friday, November 20. Details and ordering.
Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.
The Family Style dinner serves 4 to 6 with turkey, glazed ham, all the sides and pie: $209.95 when purchased by November 14, $219.95 after. Add loaded mac & cheese for $19. Takeout and free local delivery run Thanksgiving Day, or choose Take-and-Bake pickup on November 25. Individual dinners are also available. Pre-order at (941) 312-4001 or order online.
Harry’s Gourmet Deli
Harry’s Thanksgiving carry-out menu from the Gourmet Deli makes hosting easy. Orders are due by November 23. View the deli menu.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day
Our hardworking teams deserve a holiday too. These members are closed on November 26, so plan accordingly:
Holiday Events to Put on Your Calendar
The fun doesn’t stop when the leftovers run out:
- Chef Ray’s Gingerbread House Workshop at Michael’s On East, Sunday, November 29, 10 am, $75. A sweet way to kick off the season. Details.
- Sips With Santa at Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Saturday, December 12, 5 pm, $65. Dress in your most festive gear for the holiday photo booth and raffle, and enjoy exclusive gift card promotions. Details.
- Before the holiday, don’t miss the French Wine Dinner at Fins at Sharky’s (November 18) and Pineapple To Plate at Selby Five Points Park (November 19).
Browse everything on our events calendar.
Give the Gift of Local Flavor
A restaurant gift card is the gift that always fits, and it keeps your holiday dollars right here at home.
- Taverna Toscana Holiday Gift Card Bonus: Buy a $100 gift card and get $25 in Promo Bucks, or buy a $50 gift card and get $10. Available in-store only through December 24; Promo Bucks are valid January 1 to February 28. Learn more.
- Event tickets make great gifts, too. A seat at a workshop or holiday party is a memory, not just a present.
Plan Early, Eat Local
Thanksgiving tables and to-go orders fill up every year, so call or reserve early, note those order-by dates, and check each restaurant’s page for the latest details. For more holiday happenings, visit eatlikealocal.com/events. From all of us at Sarasota-Manatee Originals: thank you for choosing local, and happy holidays.
Thanksgiving FAQ
Which Sarasota-Manatee restaurants are open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Many Sarasota-Manatee Originals members are serving on Thursday, November 26. They include Mattison’s at the Van Wezel (buffet, 11 am to 6 pm), Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen (11 am to 9 pm), Beach House Waterfront Restaurant (noon to 8 pm), Harry’s Continental Kitchens (1 to 8 pm), Michael’s On East (12:30 to 8 pm), Café Gabbiano (2 to 8 pm), Chaz 51 Steakhouse (noon to 8 pm), Duval’s and Mattison’s City Grille. Reservations are recommended.
When do I need to order Thanksgiving dinner to go?
Order from Michael’s On East by Tuesday, November 24 (changes by November 20) and from Harry’s Gourmet Deli by November 23. Duval’s Family Style dinner is $209.95 if purchased by November 14 and $219.95 after, with Take-and-Bake pickup on November 25. Mattison’s Forty-One Feast To Go is picked up on November 26, so order early.
