Best Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco (That Kids Love!)

Thanksgiving in San Francisco means you can enjoy the holiday without having to do any cooking. With one of the best food scenes in the country and Michelin-star restaurants galore throughout the Bay Area, having someone else cook for you on Thanksgiving in San Francisco might be a stress-free option. 

With no side dishes to make and no dishes to clean, there are fantastic kid-friendly restaurant options that are open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco. You'll still be able to enjoy traditional turkey feasts in cozy settings but without any preparations. The one thing you will need to do is act quickly and book a reservation, as places fill up fast. Keep reading below for a delectable list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco with outdoor dining, prix fixe menus, kids's menus, and more. 

Gobble up kid-friendly Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities, and start planning Christmas and Hanukkah festivities with Polar Express trains near San Francisco. Check out all the festive fun in San Francisco in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids. 

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco

1. International Smoke — Yerba Buena 

Buffet is $120 per adult, $49 for kids 12 and under
Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry’s International Smoke is globally inspired, but this Thanksgiving buffet will please even the most ardent traditionalist. First, it is a true feast with delicious starters, a carving station, tons of sides, custom cocktails, and dessert. Second, the menu has the greatest hits: SF sourdough stuffing, roasted turkey (and even barbeque options), whipped potatoes, mac and cheese, and assorted pies. 

2. One Market — Financial District 

$95 four-course dinner for adults, $49 for kids 10 and under
One Market has views of the Bay Bridge, the trolley, and the Ferry Building. That alone is enough for my kids, but the food here is also amazing. My pick for the main course would be the roasted Diestel turkey with cornbread sausage stuffing, root vegetables, and shallot thyme gravy. If this sounds like your pick, too, be sure to reserve your table as soon as possible, as reservations were fully booked early last year.   

3. Tommy’s Joynt — Western Addition 

$32 + tax per person 
A list for places to eat Thankgiving in San Franciso has to include the iconic Tommy’s Joynt. This Western Addition Hofbrau has been open for Thanksgiving dinner for 75 years, and it is a whole vibe. Kids love the cafeteria-style trays, and there are no reservations. They’re open until 7pm or until they sell out. Each tray has turkey or ham, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and two sides of your choosing (candied yams, mashed potato, green beans). Thanksgiving pre-orders for takeout are also available. 

 
Take in beautiful Bay views while enjoying a Thanksgiving buffet. Photo courtesy of City Experiences

4. City Experiences Thanksgiving Cruise — The Embarcadero

$140 per person for dinner, $110 for brunch. Kids three and under are free
City Experiences is hosting a delightful array of Thanksgiving cruises in San Francisco. Departing from Pier 3, both a Thanksgiving dinner and a brunch cruise experience are available. The dinner cruise spans two and a half hours and features a lavish buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner, and the brunch cruise, lasting two hours, also offers a delightful buffet. As you soak in the captivating sights from the boat, children can stay engaged while parents savor their meals. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Thanksgiving with the backdrop of the serene San Francisco Bay. 

East Bay Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

5. Lake Chalet — Oakland

$85 three-course menu for adults, $37.50 two-course menu for kids
Awarded Best Restaurant View for 2023 (thank you, Lake Merritt), Lake Chalet is once again offering a Thanksgiving dinner to remember. Every year, they are so enthusiastic about creating a family-friendly Thanksgiving tradition, and the enthusiasm is contagious. You’ll have your choice of clam chowder or coconut curry to start, Turkey, salmon, or ravioli as entrees, and pumpkin cheesecake or apple crisp for dessert.  

6. Zut on fourth — Berkeley

2023 menu and prices to be released soon
This Berkeley spot specializes in seasonal California-Mediterranean fare, and its Thanksgiving menu is always an absolute celebration. The 2023 menu isn’t out yet, but I called to confirm the offerings this year would be similar to 2022. Last year, there were three protein options (turkey, steak, and fish) with apple and ginger-tinged squash soup, quince and pomegranate-topped crostini smeared with goat cheese, spinach, or Caesar salad. Last year’s dessert options were pumpkin pie, flourless chocolate cake, or a tuxedo sundae. 

7. City Experiences Berkeley Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise 

$112 per person for dinner, $100 for brunch. Kids three and under are free
Similarly to the City Experiences Thanksgiving cruises in San Francisco, if your kids are going through a boat phase, this Thanksgiving dinner cruise in Berkeley is the one for you. Everyone can get dressed up, there is plenty of room to explore onboard, and your kids will definitely find something they want to eat from this enormous buffet. They also have a brunch buffet earlier in the day with traditional brunch fare and a station just for kids. 

Peninsula Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

8. Pasta Moon — Half Moon Bay

$88 three-course menu for adults, $25 two-course menu for children 12 and under
Pasta Moon has been one of our family’s favorite spots for almost 15 years. It’s newly remodeled but still cozy inside and out. Each course has four or five options, traditional Thanksgiving sides, and if you’re not tied to the traditional turkey option, I recommend the lasagna. The children’s menu is also delightful and genuinely kid-friendly. 

RELATED: Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families 

 
Eat a Thanksgiving feast in perfect ambience. Photo courtesy of Menlo Tavern

9. Menlo Tavern — Menlo Park 

Prices vary by item
Melo Tavern gains inspiration from collegiate eating clubs, and it is one of the most relaxing places on the peninsula for me because the aesthetics are immaculate. The patio has multiple cheerful firepits with semi-circular seating that fits our whole family. Their regular menu is all available for Thanksgiving, and they have included some festive additions. My pick would be the slow-roasted turkey with cranberry and gravy, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato gratin for $36 (and a pumpkin cheesecake for $14). 

RELATED: Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids and the Whole Family

 
Thanksgiving with a French twist. Photo courtesy of Campagne One Main Bistro

10. Campagne One Main Bistro — Los Altos

$85 three-course menu for adults, $35 two-course menu for kids
This chic little hotel restaurant truly feels like bringing your family into an actual fairy tale. Plus, the menu features a classic Thanksgiving feast with a French twist. Last year that included pommes aligot (translation: cheesy mashed potatoes), pumpkin crème brûlée, and croissant stuffing. Yes, croissant stuffing.

North Bay Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 

RELATED: Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near San Francisco

 
A delicious Thanksgiving feast awaits. Photo courtesy of Insalata's

11. Insalata’s — San Anselmo

$78 for adults, $30 for kids 12 and under
Another year on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list, Insalata’s is one of the best value-for-money spots in the Bay. Not only is the food delicious, but kids feel welcome, and parents won't feel stressed at this table. Thanksgiving dinner includes family-style appetizers, soup, salad, and main course options for traditionalists, vegetarians, and vegans. Dessert has four options, and I wish you the best of luck choosing only one. 

12. Farm at Carneros Resort — Napa

$145 for adults, $59 for kids ages three to 12
This family-style feast presents classic Thanksgiving dishes prepared with fresh produce from the culinary gardens right on their farm. Dinner opens with pumpkin soup with a wild pecan granola and a farm salad. The main course is free-range turkey with cranberry relish, gravy, sourdough, brioche stuffing, vegetables from the garden, potato puree, and Parker house rolls. Then, a trio of desserts to round out this farm-to-table work of art. 

13. Napa Valley Wine Train — Napa 

The Vista Dome is sold out, but Gourmet Express reservations are still available for $375
If your kids are older, consider the Napa Valley Wine Train for Thanksgiving this year. Listen, I know they don’t have a dedicated kids' menu; it’s a three-hour train ride, and it’s unquestionably a splurge. I hear you—this wouldn’t have worked when my kids were younger. But, you guys, it’s on a train! Every year, you can either book in the Vista Dome or the Gourmet Express, and you’ll enjoy the Napa Valley countryside and four beautiful courses. 

South Bay Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

14. Left Bank — Santana Row

$79 four-course menu for adults, $15 two-course menu for kids 12 and under
I haven’t been to the San Jose location, but the menu is the same in San Jose, Menlo Park, and Jack London Square, and it looks excellent. Dinner begins with a persimmon salad, butternut squash soup, and then several hearty selections for the main course. Dessert is your choice of pumpkin pie or apple pie. They also usually have crayons for the kids who might need a little distraction. 

RELATED: Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area for Kids 

 
Devour a traditional Thanksgiving meal in a cozy setting. Photo courtesy of Il Fornaraio

15. Il Fornaraio — San Jose

$59 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under
Il Fornaraio makes it to every local Thanksgiving list for a reason. It is familiar in the coziest, most trustworthy sense of the word. There are white tablecloths, but it’s not too fancy for the family. This year's dinner starts with butternut squash soup and Insalata invernale. Then, the dreamiest roasted turkey and gravy with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, yams, and green beans. Dessert is traditional pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. 

16. Fairchild’s Public House — Mountain View

Prices vary by item
This year we’ll have to be a little more flexible with South Bay Thanksgiving restaurant options, but one less-traditional option is Fairchild’s Public House. They will be open for a Thanksgiving brunch until 2pm, and your family can sit on the fresh-air veranda, in the library lounge, or in the dining room. Opt for Thanksgiving specials like burgers, pasta, and steak.  

Restaurants for Thanksgiving Takeout

17. Farmshop — Marin

Prices vary by item
Embracing its "farm" namesake, this Marin-based restaurant proudly sources its Thanksgiving offerings from local California farmers and artisanal providers. Stars of the feast include Diestel Family Farms turkey and Snake River Farms Kurobuta ham. Traditional Thanksgiving essentials share the menu with indulgent treats like caviar. Don't forget to pre-order and mark your calendar for pick-up options on November 20-22, as well as Thanksgiving morning from 9am to 12pm on November 23. You can conveniently find Farmshop within Marin's Country Mart. 

18. Whole Foods — Multiple Locations

Prices vary by serving size
If you find yourself looking for a last-minute option, do not delay on Whole Foods’ Thanksgiving menu. It is so delicious that I go there all November long. Meal options are available for different serving sizes. Holiday meals must be placed with a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the pickup date and time. Check the individual stores for Thanksgiving hours. 

Happy Thanksgiving, and bon appétit!