42 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 20-26, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com There are meals associated with holidays—Christmas dinner and the Passover seder come to mind. But for Thanksgiving, gathering around the table is the holiday. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pie are the reasons for the season. Or at least that’s how a day dedicated to giving thanks has turned out. Many area restaurants and hotels are serving Thanksgiving meals. There are prix fixe menus and buffets. A few places offer full or partial takeaway dinners, so families can have a restaurant meal at home. There are benefits and drawbacks to either approach, of course. Dining out means no preparation or cleanup, but it deprives you of leftovers. The takeand-heat option comes with the possibility of a turkey sandwich for lunch on Friday. Because buffets at least allow you to return for seconds, we’ve chosen to highlight some of those options on this page (go to montereycountynow.com for a more inclusive list, including sitdown dinners and takeaway dinners). But in the original spirit of the holiday, one might consider giving back. See Morsels (right) for just a partial list. Thanksgiving Buffets Carmel Valley Ranch 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel (855) 687-7262, carmelvalleyranch.com 11:30am-2:30pm Stuffing: Sage-apple sourdough Don’t want turkey?: Maple-glazed ham Good gourd: Pumpkin pie Hell yeah: No host bar Setback: $155+ Lucia Restaurant & Bar Bernardus Lodge 415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley (831) 298-5389, bernarduslodge.com 11am-3pm Stuffing: Brioche Don’t want turkey?: They have it all covered Breaking the mold: Sushi, poke Something unexpected: A gelato station Setback: $165; $45/children 12-under Monterey Marriott Ferrante’s Bay View Room 350 Calle Principal, Monterey (831) 647-4018 11am-5pm Stuffing: Cornbread with dried cranberries Don’t want turkey?: Salmon, spinach ravioli, pan-seared chicken Brunch it up: Omelet and eggs Benedict station A must: Crabcake station Setback: $95; $80/seniors; $40/children 5-12 Monterey Plaza Hotel 400 Cannery Row, Monterey (877) 862-7552, montereyplazahotel.com Noon-7pm Stuffing: Italian sausage Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, misoglazed salmon, pasta alfredo A nod to tradition: Green bean casserole with crispy onions Something unexpected: Truffled popcorn Setback: $145; $49/children 6-13; free/5-under Pacific’s Edge Hyatt Carmel Highlands 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel (831) 622-5429, hyatt.com 11am-8pm Stuffing: Herbed brioche Don’t want turkey?: No problem; a number of options Good gourd: Pumpkin pie Something better: Pecan pie Setback: $105; $50/children 3-11; free/children 3-under Portola Hotel & Spa 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey 1-8pm (831) 649-7870, portolahotel.com Stuffing: Traditional Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, catch of the day Nod to tradition: Candied yams Go back for: Pecan and pumpkin pie Setback: $90; $80/seniors; $40/children 6-12; Free/5-under Sea Root Hyatt Regency 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey 1-7pm (831) 657-6588, hyatt.com Stuffing: Traditional Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, honey-baked ham, roasted salmon A little atmosphere: Live music 2-6pm Good gourd: Butternut squash soup Setback: $90; $40/children 6-12; free/5-under Stillwater 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach (800) 761-5952, pebblebeach.com Noon-6pm Stuffing: Traditional Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, fried chicken, roasted salmon—they have you covered Good gourd: Pumpkin empanada Bonus: A lot of seafood Setback: $165; $77/children 6-12; free/children 5-under FIRST COURSE Area restaurants can put out a good spread on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, turkey is the centerpiece. TURKEYS FLY…A community drivethrough Thanksgiving dinner takes place Tuesday, Nov. 25. Meal kits are for either four or six to eight people and are free. Hosted by Kiwanis of Monterey, Food Bank for Monterey County and the City of Monterey Recreation Division. Reservation required at monterey.gov/ rec. Pick up 9:30am-1pm at 777 Pearl St., Monterey. (831) 646-3866. ARMY FOOD…The Salvation Army Salinas Corps serves a Thanksgiving meal from noon-2pm Nov. 27 on a firstcome, first-served basis. Free. 2460 Main St., Salinas. (831) 443-9655, salinas.salvationarmy.org/salinas_corps. FAIR GAME…The Monterey County Fair & Event Center hosts a Thanksgiving drive-through dinner on Nov. 27 from noon-2pm. Meals on Wheels will deliver to homebound seniors. Free. 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. (831) 372-5863. SHAKE UP…The Shake family (Old Fisherman’s Grotto, The Fish Hopper) and the Salvation Army of the Monterey Peninsula are accepting donations to purchase turkeys and hams to distribute to families in need. To contribute, call (831) 372-2406. JOIN THE LEGION…American Legion Post 31 in Salinas serves Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 27 starting at 11:30am until food runs out. Last year they served 800 people. Free. 14 West Laurel Drive, Salinas. (831) 449-2294, alpost31.org. ON A MISSION…Victory Mission at 43 Soledad St. in Salinas is providing free Thanksgiving meals to those in need starting at 6pm on Nov. 27. (831) 424-5688, victorymissionsalinas.org. THE RIGHT PLACE…Dorothy’s Place, 30 Soledad St. in Salinas, serves free Thanksgiving dinner to those in need noon-2pm on Nov. 27. (831) 7573838, dorothysplace.org to help out. STIR IT GOOD…Learn the art of the martini at Pearl Hour’s Martini Masterclass at 5pm on Saturday, Nov. 22. Dry, dirty, shaken, stirred—learn all the variations for $30. 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. pearlhour.com. GOOD TO GO…Salinas Valley Health Foundation is the beneficiary of Coastal Roots Hospitality’s Pick It Up, Pay It Forward campaign through the end of the year. Montrio, Tarpy’s and Rio Grill will donate 10 percent of every takeout order. coastalrootshospitality.com. By Jacqueline Weixel MORSELS eatanddrink@montereycountynow.com EAT + DRINK SHUTTERSTOCK Big Bird Restaurants offer Thanksgiving dinner in many forms, but buffets stand apart. By Dave Faries
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