Maybe you're visiting from out of town and don't have to cook the full holiday meal. Or, maybe you really just don't want to deal with the chaos that can be cooking a whole Thanksgiving meal and hosting family and friends.
Don't worry, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thursday around Tampa Bay.
Busch Gardens
The Tampa theme park is open until 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, and its Serengeti Overlook restaurant hosts Santa’s Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Thursday meal includes an added Thanksgiving Feast entree. Brunch tickets also include a family photo with Santa. Dishes include butternut bisque with cinnamon cream, fried chicken and waffles with apple butter and maple syrup, shrimp and grits and sweet potato pie jar with toasted pralines. Adults $34, kids $24.
10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa
Make reservations here.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Four of the hotel’s restaurants feature Thanksgiving menus on Thursday. From 3-9 p.m., Council Oak has holiday specials like roasted baby beets, acorn squash bisque, roasted turkey roulade and spiced pumpkin cake. At The Rez Grill, the newest restaurant has sous vide turkey and herb and garlic prime rib from 3-9 p.m. The Fresh Harvest Buffet will have a Thanksgiving buffet from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with traditional and creative entrees and a dessert bar with autumn pies. $40 per person. Then, at Rise Kitchen & Bakery there will be a traditional turkey dinner with pumpkin pie from 7 a.m. to midnight. $23 per person.
5223 Orient Rd, Tampa
More information here.
Yacht StarShip
The cruise line offers three cruises on Thursday with a traditional Thanksgiving buffet, reserved seating, a DJ, cash bar and coffee and ice tea service. The menu includes slow-roasted turkey with gravy, apple cheddar cornbread stuffing, smoked ham, roasted salmon with cranberry orange chutney, corn pudding, chefs holiday desserts and more. Board times are 12-2 p.m., 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Adults $59.95, children $39.95. The cruises sail from Tampa and Clearwater.
603 Channelside Dr, Tampa
25 Causeway Blvd Slip #55, Clearwater
Make reservations here.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
The Tampa restaurant has a family-style dining menu with four courses. Choose from traditional turkey and gravy with mashed potatoes and stuffing Italian favorites like baked ziti, ravioli and spaghetti and meatballs. Dessert includes options like pumpkin praline cheesecake and warm apple crostata. Dine-in on Thanksgiving for $39.95 for adults, $17.95 for kids ages 5-12. Maggiano’s also has carryout packages that feed about five people for $200.
Make a reservation here.
203 Westshore Plaza, Tampa
More information here.
Rusty Pelican
The Thanksgiving Day Champagne Buffet at the waterfront restaurant is from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The buffet menu features roasted turkey, prime rib, beef tenderloin, crab legs, traditional sides and bottomless mimosas. $70 for adults, $35 children ages 5-12.
2425 N Rocky Point Dr, Tamp
More information here.
Marina Jack
All areas of the Sarasota waterfront spot will open at 11 a.m. Thursday, including the piano bar and two holiday cruises. The main dining room will have traditional Thanksgiving dishes along with specials like a pepper-crusted prime rib. The Deep Six Lounge and Piano Bar will have a lunch menu until 4 p.m. and Rock Lee will perform on the piano bar at 6 p.m. The Blue Sunshine Patio Bar and Grill will have live music at 4 p.m. The two Marina Jack II cruises will have live music and a special buffet menu.
Main dining room: $27-$33
Cruises: 1-3 p.m.; 5-7 p.m. $59.95 adults, $39.95 children ages 3-9.
2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota
More information here.
Columbia Restaurant
The famous Columbia Restaurant has served Thanksgiving dinner for more than 113 years. The holiday dinner menu is served at all five locations in Ybor City, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach and Celebration. Entrees include roast turkey with Columbia stuffing, Italian sausage, sweet potato casserole and homemade cranberry sauce. Adults $23, children under 10 $6.
Make a reservation here.
Parkshore Grill
The downtown St. Petersburg restaurant has a holiday menu with appetizers and salads, dressed turkey with local season vegetables and three choices for dessert. The regular dinner menu is also available. $35 adults, $15 children. The Thanksgiving menu is also available at sister restaurant 400 Beach in St. Petersburg.
300 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg
More information here.
12th Annual Tampa ThanksVegan Feast
The Thanksgiving day tradition has a social from 1:30 to 2 p.m. then a potluck dinner until 5:30 p.m. Admission is $7.50 with a dish, $21 without a dish. At the door, it’s $15 with a dish, $30 without a dish. All food must be vegan (no animal products). Microwaves are available for warming and plates and utensils will be provided.
More information at thanksvegan.com. To RSVP or volunteer, contact thanksvegan@gmail.com or (813) 758-7419.
UU Church of Tampa, 11400 Morris Bridge Rd, Tampa
More information here.
Cracker Barrel
One of the few restaurants that seem to never close, Crack Barrel is, of course, open on Thanksgiving. The regular menu is available, but restaurants will have a special holiday menu on Thanksgiving that includes the classic turkey and dressing with gravy, ham, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, sides and a slice of pumpkin pie. That menu starts at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Find a Tampa Bay location here.
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