Here are five great places to eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017. I shared this info on Orlando's Good Day Orlando at Fox 35 about 9:45 on Sunday morning, November 19.
The basics: No one needs to cook on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017, since every hotel restaurant in town will offer meals, most turkey-based. A whole bunch of tourist-corridor restaurants will be open too.
Let's support our independent restaurants, though. The staffs of these five establishments (well, four; one's a caterer, sort of) are giving up their family holiday time so you can enjoy yours at ease.
Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017: DoveCote
The lovely French brasserie in Downtown Orlando feels like a special (and not necessarily dress-up) occasion even if you stop in for a post-workday glass of wine. On Thanksgiving, it will serve a three-course dinner with four hors d'oeuvres options, a set turkey plate with veggies, potatoes and cranberry sauce, and dessert. $52, with an optional $19 beverage pairing.
Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017: Urbain 40
Another sprawling brasserie, the jazz-themed Urbain 40 is located right on Orlando's Restaurant Row, easily reachable via I-4, surrounding neighborhoods and the tourist corridor. For Thanksgiving 2017, the chefs will plate up a three-course menu. Choose from three appetizers, including a fragrantly spiced pumpkin bisque. You can have turkey for your entree -- a hearty plate with all the fixings, or opt for salmon, pasta with shrimp or a pork shank. Choose an apple or pear dessert. $49 plus tax and tip
Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017: 1921 by Norman Van Aken
This warm, personable restaurant in Mount Dora specializes in New Florida cuisine -- modern takes on local classics. The two-course Thanksgiving menu embraces that in Americana splendor. Honestly. For the entree, choose a turkey roulade stuffed with chestnut and foie gras, or go wholesome with brown sugar-glazed smoked ham ... updated with pineapple chutney. You'll receive five classic sides with either one. Choose your own pie for dessert. $65
Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017: Crafted Block & Brew
In MetroWest, this food-focused pub makes a tradition of serving this most traditional of meals. Here, you choose an entree of herb-roasted turkey or house-cured brown sugar-glazed ham. Then you choose two sides: corn pudding or garlic-mashed potatoes, and haricot vert (skinny green beans) or honey-glazed carrots. Dessert is pumpkin pie or pecan pie. Everyone receives Cointreau cranberry sauce and a black pepper biscuit. $23.95/kids $11.95
Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Orlando 2017: Swine & Sons
If you want to eat at home but don't want to cook, Swine & Sons has got you covered. This Modern Southern specialist will pack two kinds of turkey dinners to go, available for pick-up the day before: a brined turkey that you can roast yourself, hassle-free, or a fully cooked smoked turkey that only needs to be reheated. Coffee-rubbed pork is an alternative. You choose your appetizers, sides and dessert a la carte, in advance. Sample options are pimento cheese with ham jam, cranberry-mango mostardo, apple-fennel stuffing, and kale and Brussels sprouts. Turkeys are $135 apiece; they are 14 to 16 pounds and serve 10 to 12 guests. Other prices vary. YOU MUST PLACE YOUR ORDER BY END-OF-DAY Sunday, November 19, in person or by phone or email.
Enjoy your holiday, please, wherever and whatever you eat. And stay safe.