10 Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner Carlsbad (2025)

If you’re looking for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner in Carlsbad, California, look no further. Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and indulge in a feast of traditional dishes. Carlsbad boasts an array of restaurants that serve up mouthwatering turkey, delectable sides, and scrumptious desserts. This article explores some of the best Thanksgiving restaurants in Carlsbad.

As a local for over twenty years, our family spends every Thanksgiving in Carlsbad. This post lists the best Carlsbad restaurants open on Thanksgiving. Whether you plan to dine in, or order your holiday meal to-go, these restaurants serve a delicious Thanksgiving dinner that is sure to leave you feeling grateful and satisfied. Keep reading to find out which Carlsbad restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day.

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Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner in Carlsbad

Without question, the Thanksgiving holiday is all about the food! If you want to skip the stress of making your holiday dinner from scratch, visit one of the Carlsbad restaurants open for Thanksgiving.

1. VIGILUCCI’S CUCINA ITALIANA

If you are looking for a Carlsbad Village restaurant for Thanksgiving, check out Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana. Their Thanksgiving menu offers pasta, fish, rib eye and prime rib. Other mouthwatering Italian favorites include pan seared scallops, cioppino, and chicken parmesan. They even offer a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner complete with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce.

The Thanksgiving menu at Cucina Italiana is served:

• November 28, 2024 11:30 am- 9:00 pm
• Prices are noted on the menu
• Kids menu for ages 12 and under is $14 for a variety of pizza or pasta dishes

Address for Vigilucci’s in Carlsbad Village:

• 2943 State Street Carlsbad, CA 92008

Seeking Stamps Tip: Book your Carlsbad Thanksgiving dinner reservation here. Vigilucci’s Trattoria in Leucadia is also serving Thanksgiving dinner south of Carlsbad.

2. VIGILUCCI’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

For ocean views and a delicious feast, visit the second Vigilucci’s location in Carlsbad. Vigilucci’s Steak and Seafood is serving lunch and dinner with salad, pasta, fish, steak and dessert options this Thanksgiving. It’s prime location offers stunning sunset views of the Pacific that can’t be beat.

Vigilucci’s Thanksgiving is served:

• The Vigilucci’s Thanksgiving lunch menu is available 11:30 am- 3:00 pm
• Vigilucci’s Thanksgiving dinner menu is available 3:00 pm- 9:00 pm
• Prices are noted on their menu and cost $25 for children 12 and under.

Vigilucci’s Address:

• 3878 Carlsbad Boulevard Carlsbad, CA 92008

3. CHANDLER’S RESTAURANT

Soak up stunning beach views this Thanksgiving at Chandler’s Restaurant. At the Cape Rey Hotel, they are serving up a coastal Thanksgiving buffet. Chandler’s Thanksgiving dinner includes a raw bar, charcuterie, soup, salad, carving station, hot buffet, and dessert station. This is one of the best Carlsbad restaurants with an ocean view!

Chandler’s Thanksgiving Buffet is served:

• Breakfast buffet 7:00 am-10:00 am $30 per person
• Thanksgiving brunch buffet 11:30 pm-3:30 pm $110 per person
• A six-course Thanksgiving dinner is also available from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm $65 per person
• Prices are $45 for children 12 and under.

Cape Rey Hotel Address:

• 1 Ponto Road Carlsbad, CA 92011

Seeking Stamps Tip: Call to make reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at Chandler Carlsbad (760) 683- 5500.

4. GREEN DRAGON TAVERN

For a tasty holiday meal without the stress, celebrate Thanksgiving at the historic Green Dragon Tavern. The expansive holiday buffet includes charcuterie, salad, and carving station with prime rib, roasted turkey breast, and salmon.

Thanksgiving Buffet at Green Dragon Tavern:

• Green Dragon Buffet is offered 11:30 am- 4:00 pm
• Prices are $79.99 for adults, $29.99 for children ages 5-10.

Address for Green Dragon Tavern:

• 6115 Paseo Del Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011

Seeking Stamps Tip: This is another great restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner near Legoland in Carlsbad.

5. 20|TWENTY

A fabulous option for Thanksgiving dinner is 20 Twenty Grill at the Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa. They offer a hearty prix fixe menu for their Thanksgiving dinner in Carlsbad. The 20 Twenty Thanksgiving menu includes selections of appetizers, entrees including turkey, salmon, prime rib or stuffed acorn squash. This is an excellent restaurant for Thanksgiving near Legoland and the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

20 Twenty Grill is serving Thanksgiving:

• 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Price is $94 per person

Address for The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa:

• 5480 Grand Pacific Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008

Seeking Stamps Tip: Make your reservation for Thanksgiving at 20|Twenty on OpenTable.com.

6. THE CANYONS RESTAURANT

Next, consider a Thanksgiving meal at the Canyons Restaurant at the Crossings Golf Course. Enjoy a holiday meal crafted by Executive Chef Felix Jimenez. Relax with live music and distant ocean views from the patio. Enjoy traditional dishes such as roasted turkey, prime rib, with herb stuffing, fresh salads, seafood, dessert station, and more.

Thanksgiving at the Canyons is served:

• 11:00 am-4:00 pm
• Prices are $99 Adult, $69 Senior, $39 Kids 4-12, Kids 3 & Under Eat FREE
• Include bottomless mimosas, John Dalys, or Bloody Marys for $22.
• Make your Thanksgiving reservations online.

Address for The Crossings Golf Course:

• 5800 The Crossings Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008

7. PARK HYATT AVIARA

This year, Ember and Rye at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort is serving up a festive Thanksgiving brunch and dinner. The Thanksgiving brunch menu includes a seafood station, carved meats, breakfast station, and pastries. Thanksgiving dinner menu includes your choice of smoked turkey or rack of lamb with all the fixings.

A Thanksgiving feast is also served at Ponte Lago which includes turkey, prime rib, paella and more!

Ember and Rye Thanksgiving is served November 28th 2024:

• Brunch is offered from 10:30 am-2:30 pm. Prices are $60-155 per person.
• Thanksgiving dinner is available from 5:30 pm- 9:30 pm. Prices are $136 per party, $34 for children (ages 3-12). Tax and service charges are additional.

Ponte Lago Thanksgiving:

• Thanksgiving dinner 4:00 pm- 8:30 pm
• Prices start from $105 per adult and $45 for children over 2.

Address for Park Hyatt Aviara Resort & Spa:

• 7100 Aviara Resort Drive Carlsbad, CA 92011

Seeking Stamp Tip: Make sure to book your Thanksgiving dinner reservation at Ponto Lago on Opentable.com

Order Your Carlsbad Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go

8. OMNI LA COSTA

The Omni La Costa Hotel is serving brunch this holiday. This year’s feast will feature a seafood bar, carving station, build-your-own salads, breakfast classics, desserts, and a children’s buffet.

Omni La Costa Thanksgiving Brunch:

• Available 11:30 am- 2:30 pm
• Prices are $155 for adults, $65 for children ages 3-11 and free for children under 2.
• Buy tickets online in advance for specific seating times.

Address for Omni La Costa Resort & Spa:

• 2100 Costa Del Mar Road Carlsbad, CA 92009

Seeking Stamps Tip: This is one of the best SD restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals to-go.

9. TIN LEAF FRESH KITCHEN

In the heart of La Costa, Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen is another restaurant offering Thanksgiving meals to go. These roasted turkey family feasts serve 4-6. Meals includes butternut squash soup, green salad, sage stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts and your choice of one bottle of wine or sparkling cider. You can even add on a whole pumpkin pie for $25.

Tin Leaf Thanksgiving To-Go:

• Price for the Thanksgiving Family Feast is $135
• Order your Thanksgiving meal online.
• Pick-up order 11/27 between 10:15 am-4:00 pm.

Address for Tin Leaf:

• 6985 El Camino Real Carlsbad, CA 92009

10. URBAN PLATES

Grab a turkey feast from Urban Plates this holiday. They offer Thanksgiving meals in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. Meals include all the traditional things you love including turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread and sides.

Urban Plates Carlsbad Thanksgiving Meals To-go:

• Family feast $174.95 (serves 6-8)
• Family meal $99.95 (serves 4)
• Turkey Plate $24.95 (serves 1)
• Family sides to-go $17.95
• Trays of Feast sides $29.95 (serve 6-8)
• Whole Pies to-go $23.95-$59
• Must be pre-ordered by 11/24 and picked up on 11/26 or 11/27 (check the website for hours)

Address for Urban Plates Carlsbad:

• 1923 Calle Barcelona Carlsbad, CA 92009

Thanksgiving Dinner Carlsbad: Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Carlsbad offers a variety of exceptional dining options for a delicious Thanksgiving feast. Without question, these fabulous restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in Carlsbad will leave you feeling satisfied and grateful! Stay in San Diego for special Thanksgiving events that will be memorable for years to come.