Thanksgiving Dinner Offerings in Sarasota County

Want to taste fall flavors for Thanksgiving in Sarasota County without having to deal with the prep, cooking or—most dreaded—the cleanup? These local restaurants are dishing up special holiday menus for takeout or dine-in for everyone's favorite Thursday of the year.

Thanksgiving Dinner Specials

Michael’s On East

Arguably the most exquisite Thanksgiving dining experience awaits at Sarasota’s famous AAA Four-Diamond Award restaurant Michael’s on East. Traditional favorites with an upscale twist make up the holiday dine-in menu with either a traditional turkey dinner or favorites a la carte from a limited dinner menu. Live music and outdoor dining are available.

Family-style feasts for pickup or individual meals for takeout are also available for call-in. Orders must be placed online or by phone in advance by November 22. Tables are open starting at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving, with reservations currently on a waitlist. Call 941-366-0007 to join.

Mattison's

Let Mattison's take care of the cooking and catering this year by ordering a Thanksgiving Complete Feast To Go for pickup at any one of their three locations: Mattson's Forty-One, Mattson's Riverwalk Grille or Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota. The full turkey feast includes a whole roasted turkey, apple-walnut stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, maple-ginger roasted vegetables and rolls with Boursin-infused butter. The feast serves up to 8 people for $295, and orders must be placed by calling 941-921-3400.

Prefer to eat out? Set up a lunch or dinner reservation for a la carte dining at any one of Mattison's three locations. 

Bevardi’s Salute! Restaurant

For a homemade, traditional Thanksgiving with an Italian twist, Bevardi’s Salute! Restaurant guests can enjoy a special menu at their downtown Sarasota location from 1 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27.  Bevardi's offers a three-course Traditional Thanksgiving Feast with highlights such as house-made butternut squash bisque, a slow-roasted traditional turkey dinner, chef-made stuffing, roasted honey-glazed sweet potatoes, Chianti cranberry sauce and warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Dinner runs $49.95 for adults and $29.95 for children under 12. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 941-365-1012.

Element: Steak. Seafood. Pasta.

Element: Steak. Seafood. Pasta. is ready to delight guests of all tastes for the holidays. Previous holiday menus have featured  turkey legs with an orange-cranberry-ginger glaze, turkey, potatoes (both regular and sweet), sausage-and-sage stuffing, roast cauliflower gratin and baked acorn squash. Their non-traditional menu has house favorites like scallops, salmon and a la carte steak or sides.

Make a reservation online or by calling 941-724-8585.

Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

At downtown Sarasota’s Duval's, dine-in or preorder a family-style Thanksgiving Feast with free delivery or takeout. The meal comes complete with a house salad; herb-and-butter-roasted turkey; honeyed, mustard-glazed ham; sides like sweet potato mash and rustic mashed potatoes; orange-ginger cranberry sauce; and a pumpkin or key lime pie. The “Something Different” menu includes seafood-driven cuisine like pan-roasted local Gulf fish or salmon.

Dine-in prices run $54 for adults and $30 for children under 10. Takeout orders serve 4-6 people and run $189 (if ordered by October 31) or $209 (if ordered after October 31). For reservations, call 941-312-4001 or book online.

Pop’s Sunset Grill 

Chef Alyson Zildjian is an award-winning culinary artist known for creativity, sustainability and fresh, locally sourced meals. For a truly “from scratch” holiday meal, look no further than Thanksgiving catering from Pop’s Sunset Grill. Past takeout menus have included roast turkey, apple cider-glazed pork loin, acorn squash, traditional stuffing, yams, cauliflower rice pilaf and desserts like pumpkin cheesecake.

To reserve an order for pickup, call 941-363-1709.

Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie

With two locations, one in Southside Village and the other in Lakewood Ranch, this local hot spot serves up seasonal New American cuisine in a stylish space. In addition to its regular menu, take advantage of a Thanksgiving plate, which includes roasted turkey breast, mushroom cream gravy, sage-brioche stuffing, sweet potato mash and hot honey carrots.

Make a reservation online or by calling 941-487-7300. Libby's will be serving this special menu for takeout or dine-in on November 27.

Columbia Restaurant

Columbia Restaurant in St. Armands Circle offers a delicious holiday meal with a Cuban twist. In addition to their regular menu, find Thanksgiving specials that have included dishes like sliced roast turkey, sausage-and-apple stuffing, sweet potato pecan casserole, rich turkey gravy and pumpkin flan.

For reservations, call 941-388-3987.

Ophelia’s on the Bay

Celebrate Thanksgiving at Ophelia’s on the Bay, one of the region’s most elegant eateries. This peaceful waterfront destination offers a traditional Thanksgiving menu alongside their seasonal offerings. Savor a traditional turkey dinner, or opt for dishes like Alaskan halibut drizzled in a dashi-infused beurre blanc.

Ophelia’s will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. To make a reservation, call 941-349-2212.

Cafe Gabbiano

Love authentic Italian? Café Gabbiano on Siesta Key offers an intimate setting ideal for small family gatherings. Savor a traditional turkey dinner complete with garlic mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, or opt for aged filet mignon, braised veal and honey-truffle salmon. An extensive wine list ensures there’s something for every palate.

The cafe will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 2 to 8 p.m. Reserve a table by calling 941-349-1423.

Drift Kitchen

With panoramic waterfront views, Drift Kitchen—the signature rooftop restaurant at Lido Beach Resort—sets the scene for an unforgettable holiday feast. Indulge in a special Thanksgiving Day buffet featuring classic favorites, or savor menu items like spicy harissa-roasted chicken or pork chops topped with pineapple agrodolce.

Want to make a reservation? Call 941-388-2161.

Year-round Home-cooking Favorites

Yoder's Restaurant

Sarasota's famous Amish and Mennonite community, Pinecraft, is a favorite stop during the holidays—especially Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village. Stroll through Yoder's adorable gift shop, farmers market and deli before grabbing a cozy, home-cooked meal or a slice of pie (there are more than 30 flavors to choose from!).  While the restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving Day, guests can order desserts for pickup. Past flavors have included pumpkin cream, Southern pecan and cherry.

Orders must be placed in advance. To order, call 941-955-7771.

Der Dutchman

Located at the edge of Pinecraft is Der Dutchman Restaurant, an Amish bakery and café. Stop in for a made-from-scratch meal or enjoy several mouth-watering selections from their buffets, which are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Come in on Thanksgiving Day for a traditional meal—think turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and vegetables—or order a family feast for up to 20 people. Looking for the perfect crisp-and-flaky pie? The bakery offers flavors like pecan, pumpkin and Dutch apple.

Thanksgiving orders can be picked up on Tuesday, Nov. 25 or Wednesday, Nov. 26. For reservations, call  941-955-8007.