Maybe your flight out of town has been canceled. Maybe you want to avoid the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Maybe you’re just rolling solo this year. If you’re looking for something different this Thanksgiving, we’re here to help.
We’ve gathered a few noteworthy restaurants offering dine-in and to-go meals that don’t just feature the typical turkey dinner — some suited for larger parties, others for small groups or a solo eater.
Roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, green beans and sweet potatoes — all classic staples eaten on the fourth Thursday of November every year. But don’t sleep on Chinese-style barbecue, freshly grilled pork cheeks at your table or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. For those not eating meat this year, we’ve also included a vegetarian and a vegan option.
Please check with the restaurant or organization for the most up-to-date hours and information. Everything is subject to change.
China Yuan: The Cantonese-style restaurant off North Armenia Avenue in Tampa is known for live seafood offerings like Dungeness crab and Maine lobster, Chinese-style barbecue and dim sum before 3 p.m. A family-style establishment with large tables equipped with lazy Susans and jars of hot chili oil, China Yuan also offers smaller and individual portions. Beer, wine and sake are available. Plan on China Yuan closing around 8 or 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Usually closed on Wednesdays, they will be open normal business hours, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., on Nov. 26.
813-936-7388; chinayuanrestaurant.com
Flaming Mountain: Lauded by Tampa Bay Times food and dining critic Helen Freund and the 2024 Michelin Guide alike, this Chinese grill and skewer bar in Tampa offers northeastern China regional fare alongside classic Sichuan cuisine. Ranked No. 19 on this year’s Tampa Bay Times Top 50 Restaurants list, Flaming Mountain serves up plenty of smoke and spice. The restaurant will serve a special Thanksgiving menu to be released the week of Monday, Nov. 17, available on Thanksgiving Day. They will not be offering their regular menu on Nov. 27. Beer is served. They plan to be open normal business hours, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
813-609-8888; flamingmountaintampa.com
Kpot: The rapidly growing hot pot and Korean barbecue chain with two Tampa Bay locations, Brandon and St. Petersburg, offers a hands-on, choose-your-own-adventure eating experience. If you opt for Korean barbecue, expect to grill beef bulgogi, pork cheek, king oyster mushrooms and spicy baby octopus over an open flame at your table. Prefer hot pot? You’ll simmer similar and more varied options in the broth of your choice. It’s fun, communal — and you can do both for the full experience. Both locations will be offering dinner all day. Kpot serves beer, cocktails, sake, soju and wine. They plan to be open normal business hours, noon-10:30 p.m. in Brandon and noon-11 p.m. in St. Petersburg, on Thanksgiving, though locations said they may close early if business slows.
Brandon, 813-381-3377; St. Petersburg, 727-317-2957; thekpot.com
Manila Eats: The Riverview food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar spot, which opened in September 2023, is known for its ever-changing menu posted almost daily on Facebook. Chef-owner Veronica Meneses and her team serve Filipino classics such as pork adobo, pork ribs sinigang and lechon belly roll. Manila Eats will accept preorders through Monday, Nov. 24, for pickup; it will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Message through Facebook Messenger or call directly to order.
813-443-5014; manila-eats.com
Naked Farmer: For a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner option, Naked Farmer has you covered with two locations in Tampa. The local chain highlights regionally sourced produce. The menu includes spiced farro and butternut squash, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans with crispy shallots, cinnamon sweet potatoes, cranberry chutney, homemade cornbread and several add-on options. Orders for pickup are available through Nov. 26 on the website. The St. Petersburg location was under renovation at press time.
South Tampa, 813-413-6154; Tampa, 813-608-0329; eatnakedfarmer.com
Olive Tree: Tampa’s popular Palestinian and Jordanian restaurant from chef Yousef Samara will be open normal business hours Thanksgiving Day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Olive Tree’s dishes are meant for sharing, fitting for the communal spirit of Thanksgiving. Ranked 29th on this year’s Top 50 Restaurants list, Freund advises us not to skip the Olive Tree mixed grill and mansaf, a slow-cooked lamb shoulder over a bed of marigold rice. Note: Olive Tree does not serve alcohol.
813-899-0111 or 813-899-0112; olivetreebychefyousef.com
Station House BBQ: The Seminole Heights-based barbecue spot and caterer offers Thanksgiving dinners to-go. Orders close Nov. 23, or until they sell out. Featured proteins include smoked turkey, glazed ham and smoked brisket, with traditional Thanksgiving sides and house barbecue staples such as smoked mac and cheese, loaded smoked tallow potato salad, and Mexican street corn. Order online or email catering@stationhousebbq.com or text 786-431-9292.
813-625-1082; stationhousebbq.com
ThanksVegan 2025: Florida Voices for Animals will host its 16th annual Thanksgiving Potluck from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Carrollwood Recreation Center, 3515 McFarland Road, Tampa. Tickets are available on the organization’s website: $10 for adults with a dish to share, with varying prices for children, seniors and volunteers. This is a vegan-only potluck, which means no dishes with animal protein or byproducts of any kind (including honey). The potluck has space for 180 people, board member and Treasurer Trevor Chin said.
727-656-8368; floridavoicesforanimals.org
La Teresita: The long-established Tampa Cuban restaurant plans to be open its regular hours (6 a.m.-9 p.m.) and serve its normal fare Thanksgiving Day, but may close early depending on business. The split-concept institution — diner-style on one side and a sit-down experience on the other — has served Tampeños since 1972. They play all the Cuban hits, such as croqueta de jamón, bistec de palomilla and arroz con pollo.
813-879-9704; lateresitarestaurant.com