Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of things to a lot of people. Sometimes, it’s an opportunity to entertain in a fresh setting, or to enjoy everyone’s company without worrying about all the cooking.
If, for whatever reason, you’re looking to celebrate Thanksgiving by dining out, Downtown has many excellent options for you. Check out these 10 alternatives; They’ll all be open on Turkey Day, ready to offer you and yours a fabulous Thanksgiving feast.
Keep in mind that “Friendsgiving” can be any date near Thanksgiving you want it to be! There’s a great chance these establishments can help you with that as well.
PARKER’S LIGHTHOUSE / 435 SHORELINE VILLAGE DR
There’s no rain in the Thanksgiving weather forecast, making it a fine day to enjoy the stunning seaside views at Parker’s Lighthouse while savoring their three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu.
From 11:30 AM until 9:00 PM, Parker’s will serve a Thanksgiving meal that will include a traditional turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings. Other entrée options include steaks, chicken and a selection of their mouth-watering signature seafood dishes.
Reservations are strongly recommended! Click here or call (562) 432.6500 to make a Thanksgiving reservation.
555 EAST / 555 E OCEAN BLVD
Spend your Thanksgiving in style and comfort at 555 East, which boasts of “the best patio in town” and a warm, wood-and-brass interior that will make you and your people feel right at home.
555, an Ocean Boulevard mainstay for decades, is offering a splendid menu that features a solid selection of traditional Thanksgiving favorites.
For reservations, hours, and menu details, click here.
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC / 100 AQUARIUM WAY
Here’s a truly unique idea for you: Since you’re so close to the magnificent Pacific Ocean, How about gathering your crew for a Thanksgiving buffet at the Aquarium of the Pacific?
Reservations are being accepted hourly between 11 AM and 4 PM for a memorable Thanksgiving meal on the Aquarium’s Rooftop Veranda. NOTE: The Aquarium will be OPEN so you can share your holiday with over 12,000 sea creatures!
For complete event information and to make reservations, click here.
SOLITA / 1 PINE AVE
Solita will be open from 11 AM to 8 PM on Thanksgiving Day, so if tacos and margaritas (among MANY other fine food and drink selections) are your Thanksgiving thing, you are in luck. Perhaps Solita would be a proper destination for that second meal that happens on Thanksgiving — the one where you and your out-of-town guests watch your tacos being grilled in Solita’s open kitchen at lunchtime!
To check out Solita’s extensive menus and to reserve a table, click here.
THE CARVERY / 201 PINE AVE
Interested in hosting Thanksgiving this year, but wishing someone else would do the cooking? The Carvery will take care of that for you! Their Thanksgiving meal packages will make your Thanksgiving a breeze.
The Carvery is offering two different Thanksgiving turkey dinners and a prime rib dinner, served with classic holiday sides.. See meal details on Instagram.
Meal orders are being accepted through Monday, Nov. 20! Place your order here or call (562) 317-5237.
FUEGO / 700 QUEENSWAY DR
Thanksgiving by the sea never looked (or sounded) so good! Celebrate with live music, spectacular views, and the cuisine of Executive Chef Victor Juarez at Fuego, the indoor/outdoor restaurant at Hotel Maya that will be open from 11 AM to 8 PM on Thanksgiving Day.
Enjoy live Latin music on Thanksgiving at Fuego while dining in seaside splendor. To make a reservation, click here.
CITY CRUISES / RAINBOW HARBOR DOCK 6A
Put a nautical twist on your Thanksgiving: Go on a brunch or dinner cruise hosted by City Cruises!
The brunch cruise, which sets sail from 11 AM to 1 PM on Thanksgiving Day, features ample feasting and bottomless mimosas, expansive views, and live entertainment. The dinner cruise menu includes oven roasted turkey among several tasty entrees.
For brunch cruise details and reservations, click here. Dinner cruise info and reservations can be found here.
SHENANIGANS / 423 SHORELINE VILLAGE DR #A
A neighborhood favorite for its rockin’ live music, great food, and 14 big screens, Shenanigans will be open on Thanksgiving, serving traditional turkey and ham dinners.
Your Thanksgiving entree will be accompanied by cornbread stuffing, sweet potato hash, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, a cranberry roll — and, if you’re there between 7 and 11 PM, live music!
For more info, click here.
GLADSTONE’S / 330 S PINE AVE
Gladstone’s, known from here to Malibu for its magnificent seafood menu, is also a Thanksgiving hub, offering a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings for dine-in or take-out from 11 AM to 7:30 PM.
A limited regular menu and a kids menu will also be available. After dinner, take the gang on a seaside stroll and look at the pretty harbor lights!
Click here or call (562) 432.8588 to make a reservation.
CAFE SEVILLA / 140 PINE AVE
This place has such an authentic atmosphere; You feel like you’re in Spain! Cafe Sevilla is serving a Thanksgiving menu starting at 4 PM that perfectly complements the Iberian ambiance.
From 5 to 9 PM, you’ll be serenaded by live Latin music that will put the icing on the cake, imagination-wise. It will be like spending Thanksgiving overseas.
For more about Cafe Sevilla and to make reservations, click here.