6 places to celebrate Thanksgiving in London
In case you weren’t aware, this Thursday (23 November) is Thanksgiving. You’d be forgiven for not knowing – it’s not a holiday traditionally celebrated in the UK – but in America, Thanksgiving is a BIG DEAL. Think decorations, the annual parade in New York, the legendary NFL football game and, of course, the dinner.
Oh, Thanksgiving dinner. It’s like your traditional Christmas roast gone wild. Yes, there’s the classics (turkey, veg, potatoes) but then there’s the cheese grits, cornbread, candied yams, pumpkin pie… It’s a seriously decadent feast.
And why not? It’s a celebration, after all. In the US, it’s a time to give thanks (it’s all in the name) and hold a feast like the Pilgrims did back in 1621 on the first Thanksgiving.
So basically, it’s a great excuse for a huge dinner – but also a major effort to cook. So whether you’re an American living in London or you just want to join in the Thanksgiving fun, we’ve rounded up our favourite places to celebrate in London this year for maximum fun with minimal effort.
The real deal: Rail House Café, Victoria
For a serious feast, head to the sister restaurant of Soho’s Riding House Café (which is also hosting its own dinner). The Victoria-based brunch haven is marking Thanksgiving with a £40 dining extravaganza that swaps its starter for a festive cocktail (our kind of menu). And if the main course of a whole turkey served family-style for the table plus EIGHT sides isn’t enough for you, there’s a choice of two desserts: pumpkin brulée pie or pecan pie. It’s the American dream. railhouse.cafe
The unusual snack: HipChips, Soho
London’s first crisp and dip café is known for putting a modern spin on our favourite snack, and it’s taking that idea one step further with its Thanksgiving-inspired specials. Taking flavours from the traditional dinner (think cranberry sauce, sweet potato), the café’s handcrafted crisps will be served with festive dips such as cranberry and pear crumble with custard. Weird? Yes. Delicious? Definitely. hipchips.com
The hearty meal: The Breakfast Club, throughout London
Yep, The Breakfast Club is branching out for the holiday with a special three-course menu. It starts with a classic butternut soup served with cornbread (using the exec chef’s mum’s recipe, cute). Then there’s the turkey – and The Breakfast Club takes sides seriously. Hasselback potatoes, a triple cheese mac ‘n’ cheese, spiralised sweet potato, beetroot and courgettes with a pretzel topping… We could go on. Oh, and it finishes with pumpkin pie and vanilla cream – all for £28. Sign. Us. Up. thebreakfastclubcafes.com
The high-end dinner: The Savoy, Strand
If you’re feeling fancy, then Kaspar’s at The Savoy is where you need to spend your Thanksgiving. It’s a classic three-course menu of cured salmon to start, turkey for main and pumpkin pie for dessert, served with a Thanksgiving cocktail. It’s the most expensive meal
out of our selection (£45 for two courses or £55 for three) but, hello, this is The Savoy. It’s one of London’s most historic hotels, the food is guaranteed to be divine and who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up? It’s the ultimate celebratory spot. kaspars.co.uk
The informal celebration: The Crown & Shuttle, Shoreditch
The East London pub puts an alternative spin on the holiday, with a host of American craft beers on offer (including some special pumpkin-spiced flavours). Ditch the traditional three-course fare for some Thanksgiving-inspired treats, from clam chowder to a turkey schnitzel burger with cranberry and port sauce. There’ll also be the Deep South-inspired band Dr Bluegrass and the Illbilly 8 playing throughout the night for some real Americana vibes. It’s a Thanksgiving party, for sure. crownandshuttle.com
The major menu: Big Easy, Covent Garden
For £35, you can get a three-course feast at the American ranch-style restaurant, beginning with a soup or salad for starters and ending with a banana cream or pumpkin pie for dessert. But it’s the mains where things get interesting: there’s Big Easy’s spin on the classic turkey (it comes pit-smoked for extra flavour) or you can opt for the ‘lobster fest’ for a £10 supplement. Believe us, it’s worth the extra dollar – you can choose from a whole lobster, lobster roll or lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. YES. Oh, and if Covent Garden isn’t the location for you, Big Easy King’s Road and Canary Wharf are also offering their own Thanksgiving menus. bigeasy.co.uk
