London celebrates American Thanksgiving with these stylish menus

For our cousins across the pond in the US, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of holiday season, often beating even Christmas with its feast of abundance and togetherness in some states. If our favourite TV shows are any indication, this is a day of sports, friends, family and feasting – as well as the precursor to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday retail events, both of which have made their mark on the UK in recent decades.

Held on the fourth Thursday of November each year — this year it’s 23 November — Americans across the world will gather to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and the powers that helped them achieve it. Despite its winter date, the day itself has its roots in the harvest festivals of Europe, adapted by the US to mark the settlement and founding of American in the 1600s –– the first is commonly held to have been celebrated by Pilgrim settlers in 1621.

The centrepiece of Thanksgiving is, of course, the food and, whether you’re seeking a slice of home by way of a classic roast turkey or are keen to experience a traditional Thanksgiving feast, we have found the best fine dining events in London to celebrate the bounties of the year.

A traditional Thanksgiving menu at the Lanesborough

Situated in Hyde Park Corner, the Lanesborough is all set to serve a traditional three-course Thanksgiving menu for one day only on Thursday 23 November. This menu, specially created by executive chef Shay Cooper, will feature all the Thanksgiving classics like lobster chowder, turkey roast and caramelised pecan tart. 

This menu can also be experienced as part of a special Thanksgiving overnight stay experience at the hotel, which also includes an English breakfast served in-room or at the Lanesborough Grill, and a special Thanksgiving amenity that will be available in your room upon arrival.

A candlelit feast at the Berkeley

On 23 November, the Berkeley will host a special candlelight Thanksgiving dinner at the Collins Room with a brilliant four course menu.

Combining the best of British produce with traditional American flavours, this menu features dishes like Norfolk bronze turkey and warm roasted pecan pie. If you’d like a meat free alternative, there is also a bespoke vegetarian menu available with squash potato and corn chowder served with a cheese toastie and a butternut squash gnocchi, and more.

Italian-inspired menu at Sette

This Thanksgiving, Italian restaurant Sette will be serving a Thanksgiving menu that combines the traditional American dishes with Italian flavours. The sister-restaurant of Scarpetta in New York, Sette will begin the festivities with some delicious amuse bouche, followed by a three course Thanksgiving meal.

Alongside fresh salad selections, pasta, risotto and short ribs, and blackened cod, traditionalists can savour macaroni cheese with black truffle and a roast bronze turkey with all the USA-style trimmings. Desserts feature a traditional pecan pie, NYC cheesecake and Italian bomboloni.

This menu will be available for both lunch and dinner that day, with evening guests treated to live music for a fully immersive event.

Afternoon Tea at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park

The Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park has devised a beautiful afternoon tea menu in collaboration with its sister hotel in New York –– perfect for this festive holiday. Named after the approximate distance between Central Park in NYC and Hyde Park in London, the 364Tea: A Tale of Two Cities menu promises to take guests through a transatlantic journey of flavours and textures that fuses the two iconic cities and their parks.

Guests will be able to enjoy dishes like Scottish smoked salmon and classic reuben pastrami beef sandwich. Not to forget, the irresistible New York-style cheesecake and traditional Eton mess and profiterole, among others. To conclude the experience guests will be offered the perfect combination of both cuisines with the finest American-British cookie crumble. 

Limited edition Thanksgiving menu at Sea Containers Restaurant

This fine dining restaurant in Southbank has curated a special, limited edition Thanksgiving menu that will be available for one day only on 23 November. This three course menu will include familiar favourite American dishes to delight the palate and make you feel closer to home.

The menu will include all the traditional staples like Norfolk turkey with sage and onion stuffing, cranberry relish and gravy, served with all the trimmings and finished off with pumpkin pie and whipped cream. 

Sea Containers will also be donating £2,000 to The Felix Project, who deliver surplus food to charities and schools so they can provide healthy meals and help the most vulnerable in our society. This is one feast you wouldn’t want to miss.

Traditional Thanksgiving menu at The Stafford London

The Stafford London is a longtime favourite destination of guests from across the pond. The hotel’s American Bar is filled with a huge collection of memorabilia, which have been donated largely by American guests over the years. So it is not surprising that this five-star St James’s hotel is honouring its American guests by hosting a lavish traditional Thanksgiving feast.

Available for lunch and dinner on 23 November, this three course menu will feature the best of traditional holiday dishes like the butternut squash velouté and the maple-glazed Kellybronze turkey with garlic mash, sage and onion stuffing. Staple side dishes like the green bean casserole and roasted pumpkin will also be available. And for dessert? Chocolate pecan pie with mocha ice cream. 

Thanksgiving feast at Wiltons

Wiltons, located in the heart of St James’s London, will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on 23 November. Curated by head chef Daniel Kent, this Thanksgiving feast promises to introduce diners to rich seasonal flavours, bringing the taste of American history to one of England’s most traditional dining establishments.

The menu will feature dishes like the bronze turkey alongside pigs in blankets, stuffing, bread sauce, and gravy, finishing off with the classic pecan pie and vanilla ice cream. For an additional cost, guests can also choose some delicious seasonal vegetables including green beans, braised red cabbage, Lancashire sprout tops and more.

Thanksgiving at the Beaumont

On Thanksgiving, the Beaumont will be serving a special holiday menu at the Colony Grill Room. Head chef Ben Boeynaems has curated a celebratory menu to pay homage to the American holiday, with an array of flavours and supplements to match.

Some highlights include the traditionally garnished sharing Thanksgiving turkey, Parkerhouse rolls with cultured butter, cured sea bass with sweetcorn, lime and ginger and pumpkin risotto with smoked ricotta and toasted hazelnut. Guests will also enjoy teas, coffees and infusions, along with a traditional pumpkin pie with spiced coffee ice cream. 

A vegetarian menu will also be available alongside some wine expertly paired by The Colony’s sommelier team.

Thanksgiving feast at Dovetale

On Thanksgiving, Dovetale, the recently opened restaurant at 1 Hotel Mayfair, will be inviting guests for a specially curated Thanksgiving menu. 1 Hotel’s executive head chef Tom Anglesea and two Michelin starred chef Tom Sellers have curated a seasonal feast using responsibly sourced produce which will be served from 6-9pm.

Guests will be treated to a limited edition aperitif on arrival, before feasting on a family style Thanksgiving menu. To start, there will be a Jerusalem artichoke soup, black truffle and apple & bacon jam served with maple glazed milk buns. The main courses will include dishes like the roast bronze turkey with sausage stuffing or Dovetale nut roast. No Thanksgiving meal is complete without side dishes, and Dovetele is making sure guests have plenty to choose from with dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted squash, sprout salad, cranberry jam and turkey gravy all on the menu.

To finish the feasts, dessert will be holiday classics like pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan Pie all served with ice cream, all with the perfect wine accompaniments curated by the hotel’s sommelier team.