Millions of Americans and their families will forgo the mess and hassle of cooking at home this Thanksgiving in favor of heading to one of the many restaurants in town serving a traditional Turkey Day dinner. Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll escape the familial drama, but these restaurants are happy to help you say “stuff it” to cooking this Nov. 27.
310 Park South
310 S. Park Ave, Winter Park, 407-647-7277; 310 Lakeside, 301 E. Pine St., 407-373-0310; 310parksouth.net
A traditional Thanksgiving menu at both the Winter Park and downtown locales will feature the usual suspects (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole) as well as pumpkin pie. Cost: $20.
Alfond Inn
300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park,
407-645-6604; thealfondinn.com
New chef Mark Kusche presents a display of antipasti and tapas, along with chilled salads and fruits, soups, fresh seafood on ice, a buffet, a carving station, and a dessert station serving pies, tarts, crepes, cakes and more. Cost: $69 adults; $24.95 children 3-12; free children under 3.
American Q
1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 407-827-3080; americanq.com
The smorgasbord laid out on the back of the ’50s-era Ford F-1 flatbed truck inside this barbecue joint features everything from roasted pumpkin chili and maple baked beans to kale-and-apple coleslaw and apple sausage stuffing. Guests can choose from 10 different tableside carvings, including cider-brined turkey breast, chimichurri-marinated turkey thighs and mahogany-glazed turkey drums. Cost: $34.95 adults; $10 children under "seven chickens tall" (about 4-foot-7); free children under 5.
Bistro CloClo
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 407-745-5045;
bistrocloclo.com
Highlights of the special three-course Thanksgiving menu include watercress salad, turkey roulade stuffed with sage and prosciutto, and pumpkin crème brûlée. Cost is $30 and includes a glass of house wine.
Bluezoo
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-934-1111; swandolphinrestaurants.com
Celeb chef-owner Todd English won’t be present, but the Thanksgiving menu of buttermilk-brined turkey breast served with turkey thigh croquette, honey-glazed heirloom pumpkin, organic root vegetables and apple fluid gel is still worth considering. Dessert, unfortunately, is extra. Cost: $36 adults; $16 children 12 and under.
The Boheme
325 S. Orange Ave., 407-581-4700; grandbohemianhotel.com
The grand buffet on the fifth floor of the hotel includes a carving station along with an impressive array of dishes: everything from whiskey salmon to pumpkin-lobster bisque. Cost: $69 adults; $30 ages 4-12.
Buca di Beppo
1351 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-622-7663; 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-859-7844; bucadibeppo.com
Dining here may be the closest thing to replicating a traditional family-style Thanksgiving Day meal. Cost: $53.99 (serves three); $98.99 (serves six)
Capital Grille
4200 Conroy Road, 407-351-2210; 9101 International Drive, 407-370-4392;
thecapitalgrille.com
Both the Millenia Mall and International Drive locations will serve a traditional Turkey Day meal for $36, though ending with a pumpkin cheesecake will cost you an extra $10. Cost: $36 adults; $15 children 12 and under.
Chez Vincent
533 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-2929; chezvincent.com
A traditional turkey dinner will be offered, but if you’re looking for a French twist to the holiday, pâté, escargot and duck à l’orange will be available too.
Columbia Restaurant
649 Front St., Celebration, 407-566-1505; columbiarestaurant.com
If you happen to be in the Celebration area, this venerable restaurant will serve roast Vermont turkey along with an ages-old stuffing recipe that involves Italian sausage, ground beef, chicken liver, apples, water chestnuts and raisins. Soup or salad, dessert, soft drinks and hot Cuban bread included. Cost: $21.95 adults; $5.95 children under 10.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery
8005 International Drive, 407-956-3400; 529 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-374-2464; coopershawkwinery.com
A traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings awaits patrons of both the I-Drive and UCF-area restaurants, and includes pumpkin cheesecake. Cost: $24.99; $9.99 12 and under.
Drunken Monkey
444 N. Bumby Ave., 407-893-4994; drunkenmonkeycoffee.com
Annual Thanksgiving dinner features both turkey and tofurkey dinners, with vegan or non-vegan side dishes. Cost: $24.99 adults; $12.99 for children 12 and under. Call for reservations at one of the three seatings: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Eddie V’s
7488 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-355-3011; eddiev.com
For a high-end steakhouse, the traditional Turkey Day meal here seems reasonable – until you realize it doesn’t include dessert (pumpkin pie is $8 extra). Cost: $32 adults; $15 children 14 and under.
Fiorella’s Cucina Toscana
9501 Universal Blvd., 407-233-2950; fiorellasorlando.com
The Thanksgiving buffet inside the Westin’s signature resto includes assorted autumn antipasti, a domestic and imported cheese display, prime rib, turkey and a slew of desserts like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cannoli. Cost: $29.95 adults; $15 children 4-12; free children under 4.
Fiorenzo Italian Steakhouse
9801 International Drive, 407-284-1234; orlando.regency.hyatt.com
The Hyatt’s Italian steakhouse (winner of our 2014 Best of Orlando award for Best Special Occasion Buffet) features a buffet brunch of roast turkey, smoked rib, baked ham, braised lamb and so much more that it’s truly worth the hefty price tag. Cost: $70 adults; $28 children 5-12; free kids 4 and under.
Fogo de Chão
8282 International Drive, 407-370-0711; fogodechao.com
For the holiday weekend, the popular churrascaria introduces roasted turkey breast, pork chops, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish and seasonal veggies to its regular protein-packed menu. Cost: $48.50; half-price children 7-12; free children 6 and under.
Mitchell’s Fish Market
460 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-339-3474; mitchellsfishmarket.com
A special three-course meal features your choice of seafood gumbo or clam chowder to start, followed by roast turkey and sides, capped off with three dessert options, including pumpkin pie. Cost: $27.99 adults; $6.99 children 10 and under.
Norman’s
4012 Central Florida Parkway, 407-393-4333; ritzcarlton.com
As always, Norman’s does it up for Thanksgiving with such plates as tamarind-marinated tuna tiradito, jerked pheasant, mojo verde turkey roulade and pumpkin-spiced cheesecake. Cost: $110 adults; $45 children 12 under.
Park Plaza Gardens
319 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-2475; parkplazagardens.com
The pretty people will flock to this venerable Park Avenue spot for a three-course meal featuring harvest salad, roasted young tom turkey and a pumpkin-pecan cheesecake. Cost: $30 adults; $14.95 children 12 and under.
The Palm
5800 Universal Blvd., 407-503-7256; thepalm.com
Three-course prix fixe menu includes arugula salad, lobster bisque, roasted butternut squash soup, slow-roasted hand-carved turkey and two different desserts. Cost: $50 adults; $24 children under 12.
Peach Valley Café
multiple locations; peachvalleyrestaurants.com
If you like to have your Thanksgiving dinner early (that is, before 2:30 p.m.), PVC’s menu of an open-face turkey sandwich on Texas toast served with smashed red potatoes, cranberry relish and turkey gravy should be right up your alley.
Seasons 52
7700 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-354-5212; 463 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, 407-767-1252; seasons52.com
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings is planned for both Seasons 52 restaurants in Dr. Phillips and Altamonte Springs. Cost: $26.95; $12.95 for children 10 and under.
Taproom at Dubsdread
549 W. Par St., 407-650-0100; taproomatdubsdread.com
The carving station at the historic tap room serves up roasted prime rib, turkey, ham and three different pies in three seatings at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cost: $31.95.
Tchoup Chop
6300 Hollywood Way, 407-503-2467; emerilsrestaurants.com
Chef Ryan Vargas offers up a special à la carte menu of such creative Turkey Day dishes as pumpkin patch squash bisque with coconut meringue “kisses” and roast turkey breast, kalua leg and thigh served with a Hawaiian sweet bread, apple and chestnut stuffing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe you’re just not that into turkey? Try these spots, all open on Thursday, Nov. 27:
Chuan Lu Garden
1101 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-8966; chuanlugardenorlando.com
If you’re not up for turkey and stuffing, Chuan Lu’s peppercorns will certainly spice up your holiday meal.
Mi Tomatina
433 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 321-972-4881; mitomatina.com
With all the various tapas dishes offered at this popular Spanish eatery, serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal hardly seems necessary – so they don’t.
Tamarind
501 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 321-207-0760; 12309 E. Colonial Drive, 407-237-0920; tamarindfl.com
There’s no special Thanksgiving menu, but both the Winter Park and east Orlando locations will be open for those looking to give their holiday the tandoori treatment.
Turkey Day restaurant meals: 24 traditional feasts, plus three out-of-the-ordinary ones
