Thanksgiving 2021 falls on Thursday 25 November. While it’s an American holiday, there are plenty of opportunities for American expats, former USA residents and foodies in general to celebrate Thanksgiving here in London. This year, for many Americans who can’t travel home, these London-based celebrations will be more important than ever. Get yourself booked-in to sample these special Thanksgiving menus, and celebrate at these one-off events around the capital.
You’ll need to book in advance for all of these, and do check directly with the venue for latest updates on Covid restrictions.
Thanksgiving at Smith & Wollensky
American-style steakhouse Smith & Wollensky offers a traditional Thanksgiving menu — turkey (or steak), cranberry sauce, stuffing, whipped potatoes and side dishes, followed by pumpkin pie, apple and blueberry cobbler, or Oreo cheesecake.
Thanksgiving at Smith & Wollensky. £69 per person, 25 November 2021
Thanksgiving at The Blues Kitchen
All three London branches of soul food and live music venue The Blues Kitchen celebrate Thanksgiving in the lively manner to which we have become accustomed.
Start your evening with a Thanksgiving feast, soul-food style. Begin with smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, followed by buttermilk fried turkey (it’s not one for the roast turkey traditionalists) in bacon gravy, accompanied by chorizo and corn bread stuffing, mac ‘n’ cheese and green bean cassoulet. Dessert is pumpkin pie with marshmallows, though a completely vegetarian menu starring a nut roast is also available.
Once you’re completely stuffed, enjoy an evening of live music as musicians take to the stage at each of the venues, performing a mix of American blues, funk, soul & rock n roll.
Thanksgiving at Blues Kitchen Brixton | Camden | Shoreditch. Free entry and walk-ins welcome at the bar for the live music. Booking required for Thanksgiving feast, which is £29.95 per person (£25.95 vegetarian). 25 November 2021
Thanksgiving at The Berkeley
Swish Belgravia hotel The Berkeley serves a special four-course, candlelit Thanksgiving meal in its private dining area, the Collins Room. It’s a traditional — but fancy — affair, beginning with poached lobster before segueing into butternut squash and apple chowder, roast turkey with all the trimmings (or sea bass, if turkey’s not your thing), finishing with pumpkin or pecan pie.
Thanksgiving at The Berkeley, £95 per person. 25 November 2021
Thanksgiving dinner at The Milestone Hotel and Residences
The 5* Milestone Hotel and Residences in Kensington opens its Cheneston’s Restaurant to those in search of American goodness. Just reading the menu choices for the Thanksgiving feast is enough to make you feel full; homemade breads, sweetcorn chowder, slow braised beef short rib, sweet potato gnocchi, turkey with all the trimmings, salmon fillet, roast pumpkin pithivier — then pecan pie, spiced pumpkin cheesecake or caramelised apple tart to finish off.
Thanksgiving at Cheneston’s, £85 per person. 25 November 2021
Thanksgiving at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus
The Piccadilly Circus branch of Hard Rock Cafe is the one to head to if you’re looking for Thanksgiving celebrations. Sittings take place throughout the day, and it’s a great option if you’ve got kids in tow, as a mini version of the menu can be served to under-10s.
It’s a traditional turkey situation, with roasted veg, stuffing, creamy mash, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Finish up with pumpkin pie, and an optional cocktail for the grown-ups. Live music with an American twist begins at 6.30pm.
Thanksgiving at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, from £26.20 adult/£9.95 child. 25 November 2021.
Thanksgiving at Indigo at One Aldwych
Indigo, the restaurant inside One Aldywch hotel, begins its Thanksgiving menu with pumpkin soup, followed by stuffed turkey leg with all the trimmings, and warm pecan pie.
Thanksgiving at Indigo, One Aldwych. £55 per person, 25 November 2021.
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