After Hurricane Ian, we can all use a little extra comfort and community. This year, we’re especially thankful for all the good that prevails in our region and the moments we have to come together and celebrate. There’s nothing quite like the holidays in Southwest Florida, with the pleasant weather, twinkling lights on palm trees and all the festive events that kick off in November. For Thanksgiving, restaurants throughout the region are offering chef-cooked meals, elaborate to-go spreads and elegant buffets at places like Mango’s Dockside Bistro on Marco Island; The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Industry Beer & Barbecue and Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs. Dining out this holiday also allows you a great opportunity to support local businesses after Hurricane Ian—a win-win.
NAPLES
Sails Restaurant
Want to get an early start? One of Naples’ most elegant restaurants offers a Champagne brunch for the holiday with unlimited drinks and pastries. Or, you can plan for dinner when the Fifth Avenue South establishment offers a three-course feast with day-boat seafood and those to-die-for steaks chef Darren Villieux is known for executing so flawlessly. There are few better places to indulge in an epic feast (pro tip: add the award-winning Tajima Wagyu Bone-In Ribeye). $129-$163 per person.
The Catch of the Pelican
The seafood hub attached to the Naples Grande Beach Resort offers a four-course meal with dishes like butternut squash soup, turkey and bourbon-pecan tart. Dine-in: $95 per person, $45 for children 12. p.s. If you’re hosting the holiday this year, check out the resorts take home option below!
Coast
If you love a good hotel restaurant, the waterfront Coast, at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, serves an extravagant Thanksgiving buffet, starting with its stellar appetizers of charcuterie cheeses and cured meats and snow crab claws. The main event includes all the classics: turkey, ham, prime rib, butternut squash ravioli, green bean casserole and honey-glazed sweet potatoes. The meal is just like mama made—except with modern flair and no clean-up needed. $105 per person, $40 per child.
Bistro 821
The Fifth Avenue South favorite offers a traditional Thanksgiving spread but with a Southwest Florida spin. Along with roast turkey with stuffing, green beans and gravy, expect seafood risotto with Gulf shrimp, crispy lemon and parmesan sole and top-notch wagyu. $43 per person for the classic Thanksgiving dinner; varied prices for other menu items.
The Capital Grille
This steakhouse—a locals’ favorite from the Darden group—goes all-in on the bird with a beautiful turkey plate loaded with holiday goodness. The meal comes with extra mashed potatoes to pass around the table and is capped with pumpkin cheesecake. Can’t make it to dinner? The restaurant offers a package for carryout sides (with dishes like green beans, cranberry-pear chutney, brioche stuffing) that serves four for $135. You’ll only be in charge of the turkey. Order ahead and pick up your order on Nov. 23 or 24. $47 per person, $17 per child for dinner at the restaurant’s Thanksgiving Dinner.
Lamoraga Restaurant
Known for its inspired Mediterranean and vegetarian-forward menu, this Spanish restaurant, on Tamiami Trail, serves up plates of roasted ham or turkey for the holiday, along with classic sides, like stuffing and green beans. The price is a steal at $27 per person.
M Waterfront Grille
The Naples institution welcomes families for a classic turkey dinner with veggies, cranberry sauce and other comfort foods. Anyone who’s not into the traditional holiday fare can order from M Waterfront’s acclaimed fine-dining menu (the chicken Milanese is a favorite for many) and get in on those stellar cocktails. Choose this spot for dinner, and the stunning Venetian Village water views will make everyone in your clan feel extra grateful. $43 per person for the holiday menu.
Naples Grande Beach Resort, Naples
Want to host a Thanksgiving Dinner but don’t want to cook? Naples Grande Beach Resort offers a To-Go Thanksgiving feast that serves six to eight people. Feed the whole family with the 20-to 22-pound turkey seasoned with sage and roasted with apple; nine sides (think orange-cranberry sauce, classic brioche, rosemary bread stuffing); and two desserts. For every feast purchased, the Naples Grande donates one turkey to St. Matthew’s House, so you can feel good about giving back, too. Place your order by Nov. 20. From $349 for the feast.
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
In true The Ritz-Carlton fashion, the North Naples resort over-delivers on hospitality and good food for the holiday. Dine at the Tiburón Ballroom, where they’ll have stations set up for roasted turkey, prime rib, build-your-own charcuterie board and seafood (including poached Gulf shrimp, Kumamoto oysters and dragon sushi rolls, to name a few). Every guest receives a complimentary beverage, or you can add a bar package for bottomless cocktails, beer and wine. And for dessert, opt for the tried-and-true pumpkin pie, or go tart with the lemon petit gateaux. The children’s buffet includes all their favorites, from chicken fingers to pan-seared salmon. From $145 per person, $60 per child (ages 2 to 12), complimentary for kids under 2; $50 for bar package.
Industry Beer & Barbeque, Naples
Another stellar option for a to-go feast in Naples, Industry Beer & Barbeque—one of our Best New Restaurants for 2022—celebrates the holiday with several smoky options to suit your needs and tastebuds. If your clan is extra-large this year, go for the pit-smoked whole turkey that feeds up to 16 people. There are smaller packages with prime rib and brisket, and plenty of add-ons for Southern-tinged holiday favorites, like smoked sausage stuffing and smoked gouda mac ‘n’ cheese. Pick up your order at the crew’s newest locale, The BBQ Shop in North Naples. Place your order by 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. From $90 for a pit-smoked turkey breast that feeds six to 10 people.
MARCO ISLAND
La Tavola Restaurant and Bar
A staple on Marco Island for years, La Tavola has ample dining rooms that offer the perfect locale for big-family celebrations. For the occasion, La Tavola offers a special turkey dinner, with gravy, stuffing, roasted shallot mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes and other classic holiday goodness. If someone in your group is not into turkey, they can easily go for filet mignon or a rack of lamb as a couple of choice alternatives. $30 per person for the turkey dinner.
Mango’s Dockside Bistro
The tropical restaurant trades its island flair for Thanksgiving lunch and dinner, where they’ll be offering thyme-and-pepper roasted turkey, along with honey-baked country ham, prime rib and grilled salmon. You’ll find all the classic sides at this holiday event, where the dishes are served family-style for your table. Menu available all day from 12 to 6 p.m., reservations requested; $46+ per person, $18 for children 10 and under.
Bistro Soleil
Located at the Olde Marco Inn, Bistro Soleil is known for its French cuisine and stellar seafood. Those culinary influences come through in their Thanksgiving dinner, complete with lobster bisque, pâté and shrimp cocktail appetizers, and main dishes like the turkey served with gravy, cranberry relish and honey-cornbread pecan dressing and crab meat with vegetables simmered in a cream base. You can forego the bird in favor of New York strip or pan-seared yellowtail snapper (all served with mashed potatoes and French green beans). And the kids get their own menu, too, made up of lighter versions of the holiday classics. Make a reservation for your preferred time from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. $63 per person, $40 for children 12 and under.
BONITA SPRINGS
Angelina’s Ristorante, Bonita Springs
A go-to for prix fixe and early dining, Angelina’s Ristorante forgoes its classic Italian fare for the day to offer an All-American apple cider-brined turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Grouper, lamb and veal dishes are also available. Elevate your dining experience by adding wine pairings chosen by the restaurant’s sommelier. And for dessert—holiday staples like pumpkin and pecan pie—won’t disappoint. $89 per person, $39 for wine pairing
Crave Culinaire, Bonita Springs
It’s no surprise that one of the region’s best catering groups—owned by Brian Roland, a chef with a big heart for our community—would deliver an epic Thanksgiving spread. The Family Turkey Dinner gets you turkey, gravy, a salad and three sides, like lavender-honey carrots, Southern-style sweet potato brulee and their “Mom’s” traditional stuffing. Or, you can go à la carte with smoked holiday ham or roasted cod. The generous homemade pies serve up to eight people, but you’ll probably want to get two or three (yes, they’re that good). Place your order by 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. $225 for the Family Turkey Dinner that feeds four.
FORT MYERS
Luminary Hotel
There’s something for everyone at this stylish new hotel for the holiday. The Silver King Ocean Brasserie (reserve here) offers fine dining through a three-course, prix fixe menu (with options for roast turkey, grilled beef tenderloin, roast cod or smoked pork shank) and the option to add wine pairings. For more family-style dining, the retro-inspired Ella Mae’s Diner (reserve here) offers a simple, home-cooked Thanksgiving plate with turkey, stuffing and sweet potato pie with Oreo crust. For pre-or post-dinner drinks and some game-day revelry, walk across the street to the dockside Oxbow Bar & Grill (reserve here), the hotel’s waterfront restaurant. Football fans will appreciate the specials on craft beers and cocktails—including a Wild Turkey cocktail—to toast the holiday and favorite teams. The Silver King Ocean Brasserie: $59 per person, $99 per person with the wine pairing; Ella Mae’s Diner: $18.99 per person; Oxbow Bar & Grill: $5 craft drafts, $7 Wild Turkey cocktail.
The Veranda
You’ll have to lock in your reservation this year for 2023 if you want to catch one of Fort Myers’ best Thanksgiving meals. The Veranda’s holiday sittings sold out well in advance. And it’s no wonder considering the chef’s Southern-inspired Thanksgiving spread is only matched by the ambiance and service at this storied, downtown Fort Myers white-tablecloth institution. SOLD OUT FOR 2022
CAPE CORAL
Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro
A local favorite for alfresco dining in Cape Coral, Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro, at the Westin Cape Coral Resort, opens its doors at 11 a.m. for guests to enjoy holiday feasts throughout the day. Kick off your meal with nibbles, like butternut squash bisque or sliced pastrami salmon, then dig into hearty plates of mahi-mahi, roasted vegetables and green bean casserole. For extra morsels, a chilled seafood display and pasta station are available. Final seating is at 7:30 p.m., reservations highly recommended; $99 per person, $29 for children aged 6 to 12, and complimentary for kids under 5.
