When Thanksgiving comes around it’s the start of the holiday season, but it can be hard to get in the festive spirit without the days off, family and traditional ingredients to lay on the perfect feast. At The Florentine we’ve picked out some of Florence’s most delicious Thanksgiving events, meaning you can put the apron and cookbook back in the cupboard, get some friends together, eat pie and be thankful!
18 years of turkey at Ristorante Accademia
For more than 20 years this restaurant has been at the forefront of piazza San Marco. Founded by two brothers, a chisel away from Michelangelo’s David, the cosy traditional atmosphere and warm welcome means you won’t even be thinking of going home for the holidays! On November 22, the feast will be the 18th Thanksgiving Dinner the restaurant has thrown for Florence dwellers. The menu has all the favourites, such as pumpkin soup with cornbread, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and three irresistible options for dessert. The dinner costs 35 euro; drinks not included. Reserve early.
To book, call 055 217343 or email info@ristoranteaccademia.it.
Holiday spirit at The Diner
The Diner is serving up bountiful fare for all to enjoy this Turkey Day at the popular via dell’Acqua location. Squash soup, roast turkey and apple pie make up the menu at Florence’s American diner. You’ll feel right at home and in the holiday spirit in this relaxing spot. There will be two servings of the Thanksgiving dinner on November 22 at 6.30 and 8.30 pm. For 25 euro you get three courses with two glasses of wine and water.
Book ASAP by calling 055 290748.
Music and mac ‘n’ cheese at Gilò
Dress to impress at Gilò in via dei Fossi, not far from piazza Santa Maria Novella, for a musical evening with a culinary accompaniment. A four-course dinner with American favourites like macaroni cheese, caramelised pumpkin and the usual Thanksgiving classics, for 40 euro per person with wine included, is a great reason to get down to this classy joint where you’ll be serenaded by musician Andrea Caciolli while feasting amongst family and friends.
Book now by calling 055 283393.
Gluten-free Thanksgiving at Quinoa
The Thanksgiving dinner at cute Quinoa (close to the Duomo, tucked away in vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1) returns for another gluten-free edition this November accommodating Italian, American and international palates. Chef Simone Bernacchioni brings autumnal flavours to the table with pumpkin soup and pie alongside all the other classics. The dinner costs 25 euro a head with water and a glass of wine included.
Reserve by calling 055 290876.
Sing for your turkey at the Hard Rock Café
The Hard Rock Café Firenze hosts Thanksgiving Day from midday to midnight on November 22. Stuff yourself silly with traditional turkey with all the trimmings as you’re “teleported” to the USA for lunch or dinner. Courses include corn chowder soup, chestnut-stuffed roast turkey, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables with cranberry sauce, and a delicious pumpkin pie with lashings of whipped cream. From 10pm onwards, join in the “Sing for Your Turkey” karaoke with music from the café’s house band with favourites from Blink 182, Oasis, Green Day and Pink. Menu with soda and 1 bottle of beer costs 33 euro per person, while the menu with soda costs 28 euro per person.
For more information call 055 277841 or email florence.sales2@hardrock.com
Classic Thanksgiving at Hotel Bernini Palace
The perfect American evening takes place on November 22 from 6 to 9pm at the Hotel Bernini Palace, one of Firenze’s most palatial hotels between piazza della Signoria and piazza Santa Croce. The soirée, in the hotel lounge, consists of an aperitivo with the barista’s best cocktails—try the Manhattan made using Wild Turkey 81 whisky—followed by classic stuffed turkey at the chef’s table. A pianist adds sophistication to the evening’s proceedings.
Call 055 288621 or email info.hotelbernini@duetorrihotels.com to book.
Fabulous forking at the Four Seasons Florence
On November 22, Il Palagio restaurant at the Four Seasons is laying on a holiday banquet for everyone wishing to celebrate Thanksgiving in an opulent location with a menu devised by Michelin-star chef Vito Mollica, who places the provenance and quality of produce over all else. The traditional dinner mixes American and Florentine traditions with its four-course menu that includes lobster with green gazpacho, truffle pumpkin risotto and of course, traditional turkey. At 110 euro per person, beverages excluded, expect a scrumptious, sumptuous treat to celebrate amongst family and friends.
Call 055 2626450 or email ilpalagio@fourseasons.com to book.
Thanksgiving for kids at My Tata Inglese
My Tata Inglese (via dello Statuto) are holding a Thanksgiving event with children’s activities, including arts and crafts and a mini buffet. Come and prepare your Thanksgiving ‘turkey’ and learn all about how American children celebrate this traditional holiday while learning English. There will be a Thanksgiving themed treasure hunt, all things Turkey arts and crafts and baking of individual pumpkin pies. The first session for ages 3 to 6 starts at 3pm and the second session for ages 7 to 11 starts at 6pm.
The workshop costs 15 euro and is booked by RSVP only on 338 6584939.
And in Tuscany…
Seven courses at Castello Del Nero
A 40-minute drive south of Florence lies the beautiful 5-star hotel Castello Del Nero. Rich with history, it’s the perfect place to experience authentic Tuscany, especially during the autumn when the drive alone reveals the copper hues of the surrounding Chianti countryside. This November, the hotel hosts an extravagant dinner to satiate all those Thanksgiving cravings. A seven-course meal at 110 euro per person includes many of the season’s favourites such as a cornbread antipasto, stuffed turkey and pumpkin pie with cinnamon gelato.
Reservations required. To book, call 055 806470 or email info@castellodelnero.com.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
This rural idyll founded by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo opens the doors of its luxury resort near Montalcino throughout the winter season. The lavishly furnished villas mean there’s enough space for even the largest of families to get together for Thanksgiving, with room for up to 12 guests. Indulge in Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s Thanksgiving package, including Thanksgiving dinner in your villa (wines not included), a cooking class for 4 people, a Tuscan wine tour at the estate’s winery and truffle hunting. Rates start at 3,805 euro per night from November 21 to 24 with a 3-night minimum stay.
For more information, visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/castiglion-del-bosco.
