TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and with society pretty much opened back up for business, plenty of families are planning on forgoing multiple prep days in the kitchen in favor of a memorable experience dining out.

Of course, pre-ordering a fully cooked holiday repast is also a tempting option, too.


What You Need To Know

  • Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 25 this year

  • Multiple Tampa Bay restaurants are offering both dine-in and take-home holiday meals

  • Make sure you get your pre-orders for take-home meals in on time

Here’s a list of Tampa Bay restaurants more than willing to do the holiday cooking for you this year.

*includes pre-order/take-home option

4 RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE* This barbecue chain is a Florida favorite, and it’s once again taking pre-orders for full Thanksgiving meals for pick-up, from delicious mains (turkey, brisket, ham, leg of lamp, prime rib, salmon) to traditional sides and even desserts. Various prices. Multiple locations.

400 BEACH SEAFOOD & TAP HOUSE The upscale Beach Drive eatery has a special Turkey Day three-course menu that lets you select your entree (turkey, sea bass, short rib or vegetarian), sides and dessert, $42. Reservations required. 400 Beach Dr., St. Petersburg.

BAHAMA BREEZE* One of the most popular waterside restaurants in the area, Bahama Breeze serves up jerk turkey, cranberry-pineapple chutney and pumpkin praline cheesecake as well as flavorful versions of other Thanksgiving favorites. The holiday feast will be available for dine-in or takeout, and their regular menu will be served, too. 3045 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa.

BON APETIT This Dunedin restaurant is hosting both a special holiday dinner menu (noon-9 p.m.) and themed buffet (noon-5 p.m.) at the same price point. Um, an appetizer called Maine Lobster “Martini”? Yes, please. $79.95/14.95 children under 10. 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin.

THE CAPITAL GRILLE* The steakhouse chain will offer a “chef-prepared dinner” available in-store or for dining at home. The meal features turkey with brioche stuffing as well as contemporary takes on traditional sides and optional pumpkin cheesecake. 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa.

COOPER’S HAWK WINERY* Choose between eating in or pre-ordering a heat-and-serve dinner to go in Tampa. Both options feature slow-roasted turkey, butternut squash soup and all the traditional sides plus pumpkin praline cheesecake for dessert. Make sure you pre-order a take-home dinner by November 19. 4110 W. Boy Scout Rd., Tampa.

CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN* This year Cheddar’s is spotlighting its take-home Family Bundles for Turkey Day. Featured entrees include grilled salmon and chicken tenders, and you can opt for a combination, too. Starting at $24.99. Multiple locations.

THE COLUMBIA* This beloved historic Tampa Bay institution is making Thanksgiving easy on everyone this year. In addition to a holiday menu featured at all of its locations, The Columbia is also taking pre-orders for a take-home feast that includes a 12-pound turkey, stuffing, the famous 1905 Salad, Cuban bread, plenty of sides and dessert options (key lime pie!). Pick-up orders must be placed before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18. $175 for take-home meal. Multiple locations.

THE DON CESAR Head out to the beach for a fancy and memorable brunch (10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) or dinner (2 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) buffet at one of the Bay area’s most iconic locations. The brunch buffet is in the King Charles Ballroom, while dinner is served at Society Table and Rowe Bar. $88/29 children 5-12 for brunch, $80/40 children 4-12 for dinner. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.

EDDIE V’S PRIME SEAFOOD Nosh on hand-carved slow-roasted turkey, roasted butternut squash, hand-whipped mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie tartlet while enjoying live music and sipping on Veuve Clicquot champagne by the glass or one of Eddie V’s signature cocktails. 4400 W. Boy Scout Rd., Tampa.

ELEVAGE SOHO KITCHEN & BAR The Epicurean Hotel’s flagship restaurant will offer a three-course prix-fixe family-style dinner on Turkey Day. Choose your entree (rosemary and garlic crusted prime rib; lemon, herb and honey roasted turkey; sausage stuffed porchetta; chestnut crusted salmon; vegan butternut squash) to go with a ton of delicious sides then enjoy the “Dessert Social.” 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $50-75/$25 children 12 & under. 1207 South Howard Ave., Tampa. 

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR* Their three-course Thanksgiving Day dining experience stars herb-roasted turkey, or either filet mignon or bone-in ribeye for the beef people. You can pre-order and pick it up to go, too. 4322 W. Boy Scout Rd., Tampa.

HEW PARLOR & CHOPHOUSE Head to Dunedin’s Fenway Hotel for a family-style feast and get all the traditional mains and sides, plus salad, artisanal rolls and an assortment of seasonal pies for dessert. Noon-8 p.m. $75/$25 children 6-13/free for children 5 & under. 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. 

K CLUB BAR & BISTRO Clearwater’s Karol Hotel will be serving a gut-busting prix-fixe three-course Thanksgiving meal featuring your choice of salad, entree, two sides and dessert. Mains include honey glazed ham, roasted turkey tenderloin, pan-roasted salmon, herb-rubbed rack of lamb, or prime rib. 3-8 p.m. $36-44/$14 12 and under. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater.

OCEAN HAI Food stations abound on Thanksgiving at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater’s flagship restaurant. Traditional dishes are available alongside innovations such as cranberry-braised short ribs and pork belly, with seafood available too. $52/25 children 12 and under. 100 Coronado Dr., Clearwater Beach.

RIVER’S EDGE RESTAURANT & BAR This restaurant, located in the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, will be doing things up with a big-time buffet to loosen your belt a notch or two. Featured items include bourbon maple glaze roasted turkey, lavender cruised pork loin and a butternut squash velouté for the vegheads. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $45/$20 children. 200 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa.

RUSTY PELICAN The Rusty Pelican’s buffet is a thing of decadent beauty, and they’ll be hosting a special Thanksgiving edition on Turkey Day from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with all kinds of seafood and themed mains. If buffet-style isn’t your thing, there’s also an a la carte holiday dinner from 5-9 p.m. $75/35 children. 2425 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa. 

SEASONS 52* The popular Tampa franchise with the seasonally changing menu offers a fresh take on a traditional Thanksgiving feast in the dining room or to-go. The take-home meal feeds from four to six and can be pre-ordered for pick-up on the 24th or 25th. 204 Westshore Plaza, Tampa.

SAFETY HARBOR RESORT & SPA Another legendary Tampa Bay brunch spot is augmenting its menu for the big day, this one a brunch. Expect all the usual tasty options along with holiday-specific fare. $49.95/15.95 children 10 and under. 105 N. Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor.

SMOKIN’ J’S REAL TEXAS BBQ* You’ll have to hurry to pre-order a take-home smoked turkey from this beloved Gulfport restaurant — the cutoff is November 20 but they’ll probably sell out before then. The full birds are 12-16 pounds. $59 plus tax, pre-pay only. 5145 Gulfport Blvd., Gulfport.