2020 might be one dumpster fire of a year for many, but Canadians coast to coast will still observe the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday, Oct. 12.
Even though Dr. Bonnie Henry has told British Columbians we can still go ahead with our at-home celebrations - gathering at the table with our tiny bubble of loved ones - it's clear that our "Turkey Day" is going to go down a lot differently.
With smaller gatherings in, massive family feasts are out. So long to those long tables loaded with potluck holiday dishes, or piles of sides and a turkey that feeds 20 people. Will that mean more holiday cooks stepping out of the kitchen and heading to their phones or laptops to order up a take-out feast for two, four, or six?
If you count yourself among those skipping the cooking, here are a slew of Vancouver restaurants that will do the cooking for you, whether you choose to dine-in (tables of six or fewer only) or do take-out. Thanks to Vancouver's diverse dining scene, Thanksgiving offerings include everything from tried-and-true classics to veggie and vegan feasts, to meals featuring flavours from Latin America or Asia. There's even a Turducken - because why not?
Happy gobbling!
Juke
Photo courtesy Juke Fried ChickenJuke Fried Chicken has their Turducken Feast back on for this holiday. The Turducken Feast is available for $159 plus tax, feeds four hungry adults and includes a full turducken — a three-in-one showstopper of a centrepiece that features roasted turkey, duck and chicken — an array of hearty, homespun (and, in true Juke fashion, gluten-free) sides, as well as detailed written and video instructions from Juke Chef and Co-Owner Bryan Satterford. The sides include Scalloped Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam, Roasted Squash with Carrots and Pumpkin-seed Dukkah, Jalapeño Cornbread with Whipped Schmaltz, Honey and Thyme, Cranberry Sauce, Turkey Gravy. Orders can be placed online. Order online and pick up between Oct. 9-11.
H Tasting Lounge
The Thanksgiving Turkey Takeout (traditionally offered through H2 Rotisserie & Bar) has returned, with a decadent feast fit for 6-8 people. The menu includes: Rossdown Farms free-range turkey breast and confit thigh; Bayshore honey and herb glazed winter vegetables; roasted garlic and parmesan brussels sprouts; goat cheese and chive mashed potatoes; fig and brioche stuffing; sage pan gravy and cranberry relish; and, house pumpkin pie stacked with caramel rum whipped cream – all for $325. Those with fewer guests to feed can partake in the festivities with a Thanksgiving Carvery To-Go, available for $45 per person (two-person minimum required). Available for pick-up on October 11 and 12. Book your order through Tock.
Dine-In Thanksgiving Feast: On Oct. 11 and 12 you can opt to dine-in for Thanksgiving. For $29, you'll enjoy roasted Rossdown Farms free-range turkey breast, cranberry compote, root vegetable pave, and thyme jus. For an additional $11, satisfy your sweet tooth with pumpkin white chocolate cheesecake topped with spiced cream and candied pecans. Reserve your table through Tock.
JOEY
Let JOEY do all the work, and you get all the credit. Get all the tried and true Thanksgiving classics with an elevated twist. JOEY's Thanksgiving 2020 kit serves up to six people with optional add-ons including sommelier-recommended wine pairings. The kit includes: Fall kale salad; Warm dinner rolls with creamy butter; Oven-roasted turkey breast with turkey gravy; Caramelized apple & sage stuffing; Cranberry sauce with orange zest; Roasted garlic mashed potatoes; Butter glazed harvest carrots and yams; Steamed broccoli and cauliflower with currants and almonds; Freshly-baked apple and bourbon cherry pie; and Maple syrup ice cream. Pre-order online by October 4 and you can schedule a pick-up for anytime Oct 9-12. The kit comes with simple instructions for easy (really, really easy) re-heating, including time allotted to sip on some wine. Speaking of wine, make sure to get that four-bottle wine set, and you'll have perfect pairings and everything covered for the feast.
El Santo
Photo courtesy El SantoNew West's El Santo has two take-home Turkey Day meals on offer - one is a vegetarian option as a nod to their just-shuttered Amaranthus. The meal kits include all the fixings as well as simple heating instructions for pick up in-restaurant on Sunday, Oct. 11. Both options generously feed four with a high probability of leftovers - exactly what Thanksgiving is all about. For $150 plus taxes, the meat option features an achiote-rubbed turkey galantine with sides including house-made chips and salsa; Amaranthus’ fried Brussels Sprouts with gremolata and pumpkin seed hummus; creamy mushroom risotto; and crispy potato pavé. For dessert, it's churros with dulce de leche. The vegetarian version of the Thanksgiving spread ($95) includes a caramelized sunchoke terrine, fried Brussels Sprouts with gremolata and pumpkin seed hummus, coffee roasted beets with pickled beet stems and a beet top chimichurri, crispy potato pavé with rosemary and thyme, creamy mushroom risotto, and churros. Upgrade your feast by adding the el Santo Tequila Kit, comprised of your choice of tequila, el Santo margarita mix, a bottle of Cointreau, a cocktail shaker, and house-made garnishes. Choose between the Cazadores Tequila Blanco or the Sombra Mezcal Artesanal priced at $100 and $130 respectively. Order the take-home feast via email at [email protected] or by phone at 604-727-8176. Order cut-off is Thursday, Oct. 8 at 1 pm with pick-up available on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 2-5 p.m. For those who prefer to dine in, a plated individual version of the Thanksgiving feature, minus the mushroom risotto, will be available for dinner service on Sunday, October 11 at $28 and $26.
Kashani Fine Foods @ Le Marché St. George
The charming market and cafe at St. George and 28th Ave has been rocking a great new line of prepared sauces, nibbles, and heat-and-serve meals from talented local chef Sarah Kashani. For Thanksgiving, Chef Kashani is creating a limited batch of full holiday spreads, designed to serve four and priced at $150. You'll get Dry-Rubbed Turkey with fresh herbs and lemon; Garlic Roasted Root Veggies; Red Potatoes with rosemary and thyme; Pan Gravy and Stuffing made with homemade bread and sage. Order through Le Marché St. George by Thursday, Oct. 8. There will be twelve meals available, six each for pick-up on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday Oct. 11 from 2-3 p.m. at the cafe.
Dockside Restaurant
Enjoy delicious turkey and fixings with none of the prep and cleanup, and dine at Dockside at Granville Island. Served Oct. 10, 11, and 12, the $39.95 menu includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, gravy, and cranberry sauce. More portions of the sides, or additional ones, like Brussel sprouts or yams, are available as add-ons for $8-10. For dessert, house-made pumpkin pie for $8. To reserve, call 604-685-7070 or visit the Dockside website.
Potluck Hawker Eatery
Photo courtesy Potluck HawkerIt's the first Thanksgiving for this new Cambie Village South Asian casual resto, but they've got plenty for feasting: a Whole Coconut Milk-Fried Chicken Set, Whole Singaporean Black Pepper Crab Set, and a Surf & Turf Set. Available for take-out or dine-in on Oct. 10 and 11, each meal comes paired with a variety of Potluck “fixings." The Whole Coconut Milk Fried Chicken Meal Set ($130) feeds up to four people and features a local Farmcrest chicken brined in coconut milk and spices, then fried and served whole. It includes two sauces, four sides and dessert. The Whole Singaporean Black Pepper Crab Meal Set ($150) feeds up to four people and features a fresh, B.C. Dungeness crab, coated in Cheung’s famous black pepper butter sauce, alongside four sides and dessert. For those wanting the best of both worlds, Potluck has created a special Surf & Turf Meal Set ($200) that feeds up to six people. This includes both the Whole Coconut Milk Fried Chicken, the Whole Singaporean Black Pepper Crab, and all the Potluck fixings. Potluck Thanksgiving Meal Sets are available for take-out by emailing [email protected] to pre-order. For dine-in options, guests can also either reserve a Meal Set and make a reservation ahead of time or walk-in (limited quantities available) for the 10th or 11th; Potluck is closed Mondays.
Belgard Kitchen
Enjoy Belgard's annual Thanksgiving feast in the restaurant or at home (as a meal kit). Trading their long-table "orphan's" dinner for some 2020-appropriate options, the Railtown eatery will dish up a sit-down meal for groups of up to six Oct. 10-12 featuring turkey two ways (stuffed and rolled breast and confit legs) with gravy and cranberry sauce; twice-baked rosemary and goat cheese bread pudding; mashed potatoes; roasted root veggies; pumpkin mousse with caramelized white chocolate. For the meal kits, Belgard has a $65 meal for two that has minimal prep, and stars the same dishes that are in the dine-in menu. Plus you can add-on beer or wine, or a donation to the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society or Mealshare. Order the kits online and pick up on Sunday, Oct. 11. Reservations for dine-in can be made through the restaurant’s website or through OpenTable.
Forage
Robson Street's Forage has been slaying the dine-in and take-out game, and they've got plenty of options for diners for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend - though they will be closed on the Monday stat for some well-earned rest. You can tailor your order her in several ways - go for a whole turkey and the trimmings to serve 12 to 15 people (in your bubble, right?) or order a smaller feast for dine-in ($62 per person) or take-out ($49 per person, two-person minimum). Reservations are strongly recommended for dining in.
Railtown
Photo courtesy RailtownOne of the city's long-standing champs of excellent to-go meal kits for holidays and special occasions, Railtown is doing its Turkey To-Go again this year. The heat-and-serve packages will be available for pickup and delivery Oct. 10-12. On the menu: Sage-Roasted Turkey complete with all the fixings, including Dried Apricot Chestnut and Brioche Bread Stuffing, Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes and an array of other traditional sides prepared to perfection. To finish, a house-made pumpkin pie complete with piped Chantilly cream. Packages will be available in two sizes; the full package which includes a whole turkey feeds 8-10 for $339; and a half package that feeds up to 5 for $239. Add on additional sides or BC wines and craft beer. All orders must be placed by Wednesday, Oct. 7, at noon. Packages will be available for pickup from the 397 Railtown St. location, while delivery is offered throughout the Lower Mainland for an additional charge. Additionally, the team will be offering a ready-to-eat “Hot Pick Up” service available Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12, between 3-5 p.m. available for an additional $50 per package. As with previous holiday packages, partial proceeds from packages sold will go directly to Mission Possible, a non-profit organization that supports vulnerable community members in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The Lazy Gourmet
Vancouver’s pioneering catering company has created a new Thanksgiving Menu, fit for two or small groups, and features a salad, sliced Herb de Provence Lemon Roasted Turkey or vegan Beet Wellington, all the fixings, and dessert. Orders can be made online, by calling 604-734-2507 or emailing [email protected] by Oct. 7, 2020, at noon. Pick-up and delivery options are available.
Five Sails
Inspired by fine-dining traditions, Five Sails' signature Thanksgiving Dinner features premium dishes that showcase the finest fall bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Chef Pascal Georges and his culinary team will elevate the traditional Thanksgiving feast by preparing a multi-course menu that includes Pumpkin Velouté to start, followed by a Duck Duo (Seared Duck Breast and Duck Leg Ballotine) served alongside Yukon Gold Espuma, Beet Puree, and White Asparagus. Diners will end their evening on a sweet note courtesy of a velvety crème brulee from pastry chef Daria Meloma. Sit down in Five Sails' waterfront dining room on Sunday, Oct. 11 or Monday, Oct. 12. As seating is limited for Five Sails' Thanksgiving Dinner service, tables must be booked in advance with reservations available via Seven Rooms here.
Torafuku
Torafuku. Photo by Leila KwokTorafuku has a five-course Thanksgiving Turkey Set available Oct. 9-11 (note, not available for Monday, Oct. 12). The $100 meal is made fresh ahead of your pick-up time (5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday due to on-site private event). Enjoy two appetizers showcasing fall flavours, Apple & Beets (pickled beets, honey crisp apple, candied walnut, house-made ricotta, peach vinaigrette) and Brussel Sprout Salad 2.0 (cauliflower, broccoli, miso garlic dressing, sage, almond). The main is a turkey breast with green beans, roasted almond, and leg confit on rice. For dessert: Pumpkin pie Brulee with chantilly cream. Order online here.
Fable Diner
Fable Diner will be offering a special Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, Oct.11 from 4 p.m. to close. The $20 classic turkey dinner includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, house-made cranberry sauce and gravy, and you can add a slice of pumpkin pie for only $5. Reservations are highly recommended. This dinner is also available all day for pickup on Fable Diner’s website through F1rstbite.
Bacchus Restaurant at the Wedgewood Hotel
Sit down to an elegant meal at the award-winning Bacchus to feast for Canadian Thanksgiving and a three-course menu from Executive Chef Montgomery Lau. You can also opt to add-on carefully-selected wine pairings for each course. The featured menu will be available Saturday, October 10, Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12. (PS, they're also doing a U.S. Thanksgiving menu, so stay tuned for details in November).
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
Photo courtesy JW Marriott Parq Vancouver The turkey to-go feast, expertly prepared by the talented chefs at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, offers a stress-free way to impress dinner guests with an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner that includes a slow-roasted Maple Brined Roast Turkey, a choice of a variety of traditional fixings, and a delicious selection of homemade dessert. Those looking to sit back and enjoy the occasion with their loved ones can simply email [email protected] with their order details by Wednesday, Oct. 7 and pick-up their feast on Oct. 10 or 11 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Specialty menu items such as Country Roast Ham or Braised Beef are also available for an additional charge.
Homer Street Cafe
Executive Chef Bobby Milheron’s Thanksgiving menu showcases a selection of holiday favourites with including Butternut Squash Bisque with Brandy Chantilly and Maple Oat Crumble; Rotisserie Hayter’s Farms Turkey served with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Yam, Potato Puree, Cranberry and Giblet Gravy; finishing with Pumpkin Tartlet, Marshmallow Meringue and Vanilla Anglais. Thanksgiving menus are $50/person (minimum 2 people) and reservations can be made through Open Table or by phoning the restaurant directly at 604-428-4299. Homer’s menu is also available for delivery via DoorDash and advance order for take-out via Tock or calling the restaurant directly. The restaurant's regular menu will also be available that weekend, too.
Boulevard
Boulevard to-go for Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy BoulevardYou can dine-in or do to-go from Boulevard, recently named the city's Best Restaurant in the Van Mag Restaurant Awards. On Sunday, Oct. 11 pair creative cuisine with exceptional service and enjoy the classics. The three-course menu commences with decadent Corn Bread and Spiced Butternut Squash with maple cream. Follow up with Sage-Roasted Turkey and all the fixings and classic sides. The meal price is $69 per person, and you can book your seat via Tock. For those celebrating at home, Boulevard's, chef-curated package includes all the necessary components to cook up a holiday feast. Don't miss Chef Kenta's Pecan Apple Pie with caramel apple compote. Order via Tock by Oct. 7 for pickup Oct. 9,10 or 11.
AnnaLena
Join Chef Mike Robbins and the AnnaLena team for a limited edition seven-course dine-in tasting menu for Thanksgiving on Oct. 7-11. Dinner will be $74/person, with optional drink pairings and daily features. Make reservations via Resy.
The Flying Pig
The Flying Pig is offering traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 11 at all its Vancouver locations. Enjoy Slow Roasted Free Range Turkey - white and dark meat, Brioche Stuffing, Peas and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, house-made Cranberry Sauce and house-made Gravy for $29 per person. Reservations are available online and via phone.
Cibo Trattoria
Photo courtesy Cibo TrattoriaCibo's Thanksgiving feast offers a trio of dishes available à la carte or as a three-course menu for $50 per person plus tax and gratuity, with a special feature cocktail available at both Cibo and its next-door sister hotspot Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar. The full menu includes an Antipasti of Tortellini in Brodo, Roasted Turkey, and all the fixings including Roasted Turkey, Brown Butter Brussels sprouts, Cranberry Sauce, Whipped Crème Fraîche Potatoes, Cotechino, Lemon Stuffing, and Pumpkin Pie for dessert featuring roasted heirloom pumpkin mousse, spiced Chantilly, butter crumble. Reservations can be made online.
Glowbal
Glowbal is offering Thanksgiving at Home for only $35 per person (minimum two guests/orders). Food will be in packages and fully cooked to be re-heated at home. The feast includes: Roasted Pears & Spinach Salad; BC Beet Salad; Ancient Grain Salad; Artisan Greens; Seasoned Turkey Breast with Turkey Leg Roulade, Traditional Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce; Maple Glazed Root Vegetables; Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole; Roasted Brussels Sprouts; Pumpkin Tart. Glowbal also has a Seafood Add On Package for $35 featuring a Lemon Butter Poached half Lobster Tail; 6 piece Poached Tiger Prawns Cocktail; 1/2 Cluster Snow Crab Legs; 4oz Smoked Salmon, Capers, Pickled onion; and 4oz Marinated Seafood Salad.
Honey Salt
Available from Friday, Oct. 9 to Monday, Oct. 12, Honey Salt will be offering a three-course prix fixe menu for $49 or available as a la carte as well. Start with Thai Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup, then enjoy a turkey entree: Turkey two ways (Roasted Breast and Dark Meat Roulade) with Brussel sprouts and smokey bacon, maple ginger glazed baby carrots, mashed potatoes and house-made cranberry sauce with stuffing and gravy. Finished with a house-made Pumpkin Pie with butter crust, chantilly & salt caramel. Guests can also enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Family in the comfort of their homes with a take-home option. Give Honey Salt a call for bookings or orders at 778-370-8200.
Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
Photo courtesy PICAThis year, PICAchef is happy to offer a three-course Thanksgiving Dinner. Preorder by calling 604-734-4488 and let them know when you would like to pick up during Thanksgiving weekend. The menu is $39-41 per person (your dessert choice will affect the pricing) and includes: Thyme & Honey Brined Oven Roasted Turkey Breast; Maple Bacon Shredded Brussel Sprouts; Smoked Paprika Roasted Baby Carrots; Sage & Cranberry Walnut Stuffing; Nutmeg Duchess Potatoes; Classic Turkey Giblet Gravy; Orange Cranberry Sauce; Choice of Pies with Chantilly Cream (Pumpkin, Lattice Apple or Pecan). Individual Turkey To-Go Meals are available Oct. 7-11 in Blue Hat Bakery-Café (smaller portions of roasted turkey breast, veggies, potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce) as well as containers of Turkey Giblet Gravy and Orange Zest Cranberry Sauce in their convenient Grab ‘n Go fridge.
Sequoia Company of Restaurants (The Teahouse, Seasons in the Park, Cardero's, The Sandbar)
- The Teahouse's Thanksgiving Dinner menu ($42 per person) begins with a choice of roasted butternut squash soup or autumn salad followed by traditional turkey served with mashed potatoes, chestnut stuffing roll, creamed corn and green beans, sage apple jus and cranberry sauce. For a sweet finish, guests can indulge in sticky sweet caramelized apple cheesecake with cranberry glaze and hazelnut crust. The Teahouse Thanksgiving Dinner for Two ($69) take-home option will include autumn salad, turkey and side dishes, and two slices of caramelized apple cheesecake.
- For Thanksgiving weekend, Seasons in the Park will be serving a special three-course Thanksgiving Dinner ($42 per person) that includes an appetizer choice of butternut squash soup or a harvest salad, a main course of oven-roasted turkey served with mashed potatoes, cranberry herb stuffing, autumn vegetables, cranberry sauce and pan gravy, and classic pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert. Those who want to enjoy Seasons' signature menu at home can pre-order a Thanksgiving Dinner for Two ($69), which features harvest salad, hand-carved turkey with potatoes and vegetables, and two slices of pie for dessert.
- Cardero's guests can enjoy a multi-course Thanksgiving Dinner menu ($42 per person) on the water with a choice of butternut squash soup or kale rustic salad to start; oven-roasted turkey accompanied by buttery mashed potatoes, pork and herb stuffing, autumn vegetables, cognac pan jus and traditional cranberry orange sauce; and pumpkin cheesecake with Chantilly cream and caramel sauce. Cardero's take-home Thanksgiving Dinner for Two ($69) will feature kale rustic salad, turkey and side dishes, and two slices of pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
- The Sandbar is switching things up for the Thanksgiving weekend by offering a seasonal menu of traditional holiday fare. The Thanksgiving Dinner menu ($42 per person) begins with a choice of butternut squash soup or fall salad followed by the main course of oven-roasted turkey with sage au jus, garlic mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, candied carrots and stuffing accompanied by a pear and cranberry chutney. In true Thanksgiving fashion, guests will end the meal with a classic pumpkin pie topped with caramel sauce and Chantilly whip. Alternatively, diners can opt to enjoy The Sandbar's signature Thanksgiving Dinner for Two ($69) at home with a fully prepared package that includes fall salad, turkey with all the fixings, and a pair of pumpkin pie slices.
Fairmont Hotel restaurants
Fairmont Vancouver Airport:
- To-go: Fairmont Vancouver Airport takes the work out of hosting with a signature Turkey-to-Go offering for $399 for 8 to 10 people. The culinary team is also offering a Home Harvest Dinner for Two, available for $99. Orders should be placed by October 7 for pickup from Oct. 11-12.
- Dine-In: The hotel’s Globe@YVR Restaurant is also offering a Family Style three-course Thanksgiving Dinner, which serves 2 to 6 guests and is available Oct. 10-2.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver:
- To-go: The hotel’s Notch8 restaurant is offering its Turkey-to-Go holiday dinner priced at $499, which serves 10 people. The meal includes a slow-roasted turkey and house-made dessert to warm for guests. Orders should be placed by Oct. 5 at 5 p.m., and are available for pick up on Oct. 11.
- Dine-In: Notch8 is also offering a three-course Family Style Thanksgiving Menu, priced at $68 per person ($34 for children 12 and under) on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fairmont Pacific Rim:
- Dine-In: Fairmont Pacific Rim is inviting guests to celebrate Thanksgiving at in-house restaurant Botanist for brunch during the Thanksgiving weekend for $56 per person for two courses and $62 for three courses.
Fairmont Waterfront
- Dine-in: Fairmont Waterfront is providing AYCE brunch specialties, Thanksgiving Harvest BYOB (Build Your Own Brunch), priced at $49 per person ($29 for children ages 6 to 12, 5 and under are complimentary), available Oct.10-12. The hotel is also offering a homestyle Thanksgiving Family Dinner priced at $55 per person ($38 for children ages 3 to 12, 2 and under are complimentary), available Oct. 10-12. Reservations are required.
