Dining Out for Thanksgiving 2016 in Sarasota County

Turkey with all the trimmings, roasted fall vegetables, buttery rolls, creamy mashed potatoes with gravy, and apple, pumpkin and sweet potato pies… What's not to love about Thanksgiving Day?

Sure, setting the table for a crowd requires a certain finesse, the oven-shuffling game to make sure every dish arrives at the table piping hot can be a stress, and the Mount Everest-esque mountains of dishes to tackle after the feast can be a daunting mess... But imagine a Thanksgiving feast that requires none of the work—even the giblets are out of your hands. Doesn't that sound nice?

Restaurants across Sarasota County are gearing up (or shall we say, gravy-ing up) with a smorgasbord of holiday specials for Thanksgiving 2016. All the work you'll need to do is to reserve your spot at the table—but be sure to call ahead to make reservations, as seats fill fast for this feast.

Stress-free Thanksgiving feasting? Sign us up—and pass the cranberry sauce, please.

Bijou Cafe

Bijou Cafe in the downtown theatre district celebrates its 30th year of serving up Thanksgiving feasts in Sarasota. Bijou's feast includes all the traditional favorites: Oven roasted turkey (or lamb or fresh fish), sweet potatoes, fall veggies, cornbread and cranberry sauce—finished off with a slice of pecan pie. Adults feast for $29.95; kids 10 and under for $14.95. Call 941-366-8111 for reservations.

Cafe Baci

Cafe Baci will be open from 12pm-8pm on Thanksgiving Day, serving select menu items in addition to a three course Thanksgiving dinner for $32. Dinner includes coffee or tea, and a choice of mixed greens salad, butternut squash soup, or Italian wedding soup. The main course features turkey with all the fixings, porcini mushrooms, mascarpone mashed potatoes, and pancetta-sausage stuffing. Finish out the feast with a choice of pumpkin pie or pecan pie for dessert. Call 941-921-4848 for reservations.

Cafe L'Europe

Cafe L'Europe is open all day on Thanksgiving and will be offering à la carte traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings for $38.95. Cafe L'Europe will also feature a shortened version of its regular menu on Thanksgiving Day. Call 941-388-4415 for reservations.

Columbia Restaurant

Columbia Spanish Restaurant on St. Armand's Circle will be open for regular business hours on Thanksgiving Day, offering its regular menu as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The three-course roast turkey dinner is $21.95 per person, and just $5.95 for kids under 10 years of age. Call 941-388-3987 for reservations.

Cafe Gabbiano

Cafe Gabbiano will be open from 2pm-8pm on Thanksgiving Day, offering a special à la carte menu that features the restaurant's most popular menu items, favorite specials, and holiday favorites — including the traditional turkey option. Call 941-349-1423 for reservations.

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille at University Town Center will be open on Thanksgiving Day and offering its full menu. In addition to everyday menu items, the Capital Grille will feature the executive chef's take on Thanksgiving favorites. Call 941-256-3647 for reservations.

Der Dutchman

Der Dutchman will be open on Thanksgiving Day presenting an all-you-can-eat buffet with turkey, roast beef and ham—as well as all the traditional Thanksgiving sides. The restaurant will also feature carry-out package Thanksgiving meals for groups of five, ten or twenty. Der Dutchman asks that carry-out orders be placed by 5pm on Mon., Nov. 21 by calling 941-955-8007.

Duval's

Expect all the fall favorites this year at Duval's Thanksgiving dinner: carrot-ginger bisque, roasted corn and zucchini chowder, or a mixed greens salad, followed by roasted turkey or maple-brown sugar glazed ham, dressings, and a choice of baked apple crisp, pumpkin or key lime pie for dessert. Everyone who dines at Duval's will be sent home with a to-go bag of leftovers at no extra charge. Thanksgiving at Duval's is $42.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids. Call 941-312-4001 to make reservations.

Euphemia Haye

Euphemia Haye will be open from 1pm-9pm on Thanksgiving Day and serving its full menu, in addition to a three-course sliced turkey or roast duck special—price TBA the week before the holiday. Contact the restaurant at 941-383-3633 for details.

Harry's Continental Kitchens

Harry's Continental Kitchens will be serving up three-course Thanksgiving meals from 12pm-8pm: $36.99 per person, $48.99 with premium wine spirits, or $28.99 for the entree only. Enjoy five-spiced butternut squash soup or a fall salad, turkey with all the fixings, and a choice of pumpkin pie, apple cheesecake, or chocolate pecan pie.

Want to dine in for Thanksgiving without doing the work? Order a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to-go from Harry's Deli by Sun., Nov. 20 and pick up on Weds., Nov. 23 between 11am and 7pm. Reach Harry's Kitchen at 941-383-0777.

Libby's Cafe + Bar

For Thanksgiving 2016, Libby's Cafe + Bar will offer a limited menu and a Thanksgiving feast ($35 for adults; $15 for kids). Plates include roast turkey with savory herb gravy, yukon potato puree, butternut squash and quinoa pilaf, green bean casserole, bacon brussel sprouts, stuffing, and pumpkin-cranberry cheesecake topped with a salted caramel whipped cream.

Libby's Thanksgiving hours are 11:30am-9pm. Call Libby's at 941-487-7300 for more info.

Marina Jacks

Opportunities to enjoy Thanksgiving on the water are abundant at Marina Jack's this year, with all areas of the restaurant opening at 11am. Marina Jack's main dining room features holiday specials including traditional turkey dinners as well as pepper-crusted prime rib. The restaurant will also offer two Thanksgiving cruises (1pm-3pm and 5pm-7pm) with a special buffet including Thanksgiving turkey, herb crusted mahi, and pumpkin spice cake. The Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill and Deep Six Lounge and Piano Bar will both serve their regular menus all day. Call 941-365-4232 to reserve your spot.

Mattison's City Grille

Celebrate Thanksgiving with al fresco dining at Mattison's City Grille. Mattison's in downtown Sarasota will be serving up a Thanksgiving feast from 11am-11pm with all the holiday favorites priced at $24 for adults and $12 for children. The restaurant will feature its signature live music on the patio with The Venturas from 7:30pm-11pm. Call 941-330-0440 for more info.

Mattison's 41

Mattison's 41 will offer two Thanksgiving feast options this year. At $29.95 is the Joyce Farms oven roasted turkey dinner with giblet gravy, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, apple walnut stuffing, green beans, fresh cranberry relish, and focaccia rolls with boursin butter. For $36, the Joyce Farms turkey roulade comes with apricot-pecan stuffing, black pepper-red wine gravy, maple glazed acorn squash with house make bacon. Other fall-themed dining options for Thanksgiving at Mattison's 41 include pecan-crusted Faroe Island salmon with pumpkin risotto and lamb porchetta with maple-glazed acorn squash. To reserve your spot, call 941-921-3400.

Ruth's Chris

Ruth's Chris is known for its steaks, but turkey takes the spotlight one day a year. The restaurant opens at 12pm on Thanksgiving Day to serve up a succulent three course meal: $39.95 for adults and $12.95 for the kids menu. Enjoy a choice of steak house salad or seafood gumbo, followed by roast turkey with all the trimmings, and a dessert duo of pumpkin cheesecake and vanilla ice cream. Call 941-924-9442 for reservations.

Salute!

Salute! in downtown Sarasota will offer up a three course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner at $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids. Dinner includes choice of butternut squash bisque or spinach salad, turkey dinner with all the fixings, and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert.