Though many American expats revel in eating local food, hitting up the city’s famed street carts and food courts with regularity, there are still others that need a regular dose of foods from home, whether they cook it themselves or hit up a local pub every Sunday for a roast dinner like mom used to make.
However, Thanksgiving is the great equalizer. Even those who never want Western food seem to crave the traditional Thanksgiving when far from home. There’s nothing like the cozy feeling of pulling up a chair to a huge plate of turkey with all the fixings. And Americans spread this gospel even in Thailand: It spiderwebs out to Thai friends and partners, British and Australian coworkers, and further until tables around Bangkok become ringed with friends from around the world breaking bread and enjoying good company.
Here we have a list of some of the best places around the city to have turkey dinners with all the trimmings, paleo versions that won’t upset your six-pack, veggie versions for plant-based people, and all-out boozy buffets at the city’s grand hotels.
Waldorf Astoria
A Thanksgiving buffet at the Waldorf is sure to be next level. In their Brasserie restaurant, they’re offering a meat-heavy menu: Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, oysters, poached tiger prawns and, of course, roasted turkey and honey ham. There will also be pork loin served with barbecue sauce, lamb rump with five-spice glaze, beef striploin with pomme mustard, and a selection of Thanksgiving desserts.
THB2,500
Thursday, Nov. 22, 5-10:30pm
151 Ratchadamri Rd.
BTS Ratchadamri
Nourish Cafe’s Veggie Menu
Here’s a plant-based version of the traditional celebratory meal full of comforting and tasty offerings. The main course is a lentil and walnut loaf with balsamic glaze, sage, and thyme mini sausages, apricot and chestnut stuffing, roasted root vegetables, creamy sweet potato mash, pan fried sprouts with smoky maple tofu lardons, crispy roast potatoes with rosemary, caramelized onion gravy and apple cider cranberry sauce. The dessert and cheese course are not quite so traditional — nut cheeses from Barefood Bangkok, pumpkin spice pots with coconut vanilla whipped cream, chili and lime chocolate cheesecake, and peanut butter filled dates dipped in sea salted dark chocolate.
Prices from THB700 for two courses
Thursday, Nov. 22, 12–10pm
137 Sukhumvit 50 Rd.
BTS On Nut
Paleo Thanksgiving at The Hive
For those that want to keep the tradition and feeling of Thanksgiving without straying from healthy eating, The Hive Bangkok coworking space and Paleo Robbie have joined forces to create an ultimate Thanksgiving meal. This one happens the day before the actual holiday, on Wednesday. They’re cooking up roasted whole capon chicken, roasted whole turkey, pumpkin mash, Brussel sprouts, and cranberry sauce.
THB200 for Hive members, THB400 for non-members
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6-9pm
46/9 Soi Sukhumvit 49
BTS Thong Lor
The Londoner
This brewpub, formerly located in Phrom Pong but now relocated to the outskirts of the city where they have a large glass-walled space with indoor and outdoor seating, is having a Thanksgiving dinner but, of course, the menu has a slight Brit twist — Yorkshire pudding with your turkey, anyone? And don’t miss their own beers, brewed right on the premises
THB990
Thursday, Nov. 22, 12-10pm
1178 Pattanakarn Rd.
Westin Grande Sukhumvit
For one night only, the Westin has made over their regular dinner buffet to reflect Thanksgiving seasonal tastes. They are offering every guest a starter of Alaskan king crab legs before they unleash their hunger on a buffet of festive classics including roasted Butterball turkey with herbs, dried fruit and nut stuffing, caramelized chestnuts, cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy.
THB 1,999
Thursday, Nov. 22, 6-10:30pm
259 Sukhumvit Soi 19
BTS Nana
Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Deli
Go for a slightly more chill vibe at this deli, situated in the front of 137 Pillars Hotel. They are whipping up roast turkey with cranberry sauce and traditional stuffing, honey glazed ham, blackened tuna tataki, smoked duck salad, poached cod fillet, and rib eye fillet, among other savory dishes. For dessert, there will be pumpkin pie, apple crumble, pecan pie, pistachio apricot cake, chocolate hazelnut crepe cake and other treats.
THB1,590
Thursday, Nov. 22, 6:30-10:30pm
59/1 Soi Sukhumvit 39
BTS Phrom Pong
Goji Kitchen + Bar
This restaurant inside the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is new but plans to put on a spread to draw in friends and families at the newly renovated Asoke tower. Their traditional Thanksgiving buffet will have all the standard dishes: whole roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, honey glazed ham, pork loin, chestnuts, several varieties of roasted root veggies, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and more
THB1,978
Thursday, Nov. 22, 6-10pm
199 Sukhumvit Soi 22
BTS Asoke
The Landmark
This is one of the old guard of Thanksgiving meals in Bangkok. Drawing in the senior expat element from around the city, this is going to be your most traditional and old school of offerings. Located in the Nana hotel’s Atrium area, the hotel staff deck the place out for a festive feeling and serve up a buffet of roasted turkey with stuffing, every side dish you could imagine including green bean casserole, Japanese, Thai and Western dishes, plus seafood and desserts.
THB1,600
Thursday, Nov. 22, 11am-10:30pm
138 Sukhumvit Rd.
BTS Nana
Antique Cafe & Cakes
This little cake shop in Phrom Pong is hosting a spread for just 30 people, the first to sign up get a spot. Their invite focuses more on feels than food: “Busy Bangkok can often cause times of loneliness, especially during holidays and we want a night where it feels like your home away from home. The recipes might not be identical to your mom’s but will be the traditional menu, using fresh, local and healthier options as much as possible. Come, gather with us and bring those you consider family.” This could be a good option for those craving the company as well as the cuisine.
THB700
Thursday, Nov. 22, 5:30-8:30pm
3/7 Soi Sawadee 1
BTS Asoke
Telephone Pub
If you’re looking for an affordable option that’s going to be as much of a bash as a quiet time to reflect and give thanks, you can have your turkey and stuffing in a pub famous in the LGBT+ party scene. Telephone is offering their annual Thanksgiving buffet with turkey, ham, stuffing, vegetables, gravy and more. It’s not usually the soberest of places and they’re offering 20 percent of all bottles of wine at their dinner event that ends at 2am. Who wants to bet the night ends at DJ Station?
THB795
Thursday, Nov. 22, 6pm-2am
114 Silom Soi 4
BTS Sala Daeng
Twenty Seven Bites
This well-loved buffet option at Thong Lor’s Radisson Blu has a selection of traditional Thanksgiving dishes including roasted turkey with cranberry compote, caramelized sweet potatoes, roasted pumpkin puree with orange peel, brussels sprout gratin and more.
THB1,290
Thursday, Nov. 22, 6-10:30pm
489 Sukhumvit Road
BTS Phrom Pong
Roadhouse Barbecue
This Silom rib and beer joint is a center of expat life, drawing most of the teachers who work on the Sathorn side of town in for happy hour beers at least occasionally. For years, they have put on one of the most reliable and friendly Thanksgiving dinners in Bangkok. This year, it includes shrimp cocktail, a long list of salads and appetizers, turkey, stuffing, gravy, ham, salmon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots, and pumpkin pie.
THB1,150
Thurs., Nov. 22, 11:45am-10pm
942/1 Rama IV Rd.
BTS Sala Daeng
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