How To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Europe Like A Local

There is no denying that alongside spending the day giving thanks with family and friends, the delicious spread of food is one of the pinnacle moments of celebrating Thanksgiving. With many Americans spending time in Europe and the UK around the holidays, more restaurants now offer an authentic Thanksgiving menu, for a truly festive feast in a unique, European setting. Here are some of the spots in Europe where you will find turkey and more on the menu.

"Giorno del Ringraziamento" In Italy

Renowned for its irresistible food that changes throughout the regions, though Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in the peninsula, over the years, Italy has created its own niche ways to mark the season. "Many restaurants in major Italian cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan now offer Thanksgiving menus (known locally as "Giorno del Ringraziamento") that bring a taste of home to those away from the United States," says Massimiliano Cardillo, the Regional Operations Manager for Italy and the UK at August Collections.

"Typical holiday menus often include American classics such as turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and even twists on these favourites that incorporate Italian ingredients."

Thanksgiving Dinner In Spain

In mainland Spain, there are now a few restaurants that offer their own unique menu. Nevertheless, Barcelona's best restaurant menus change with the seasons, and there are many delicious options to explore that might not necessarily have a Thanksgiving dinner option, but that will serve up a truly memorable meal and cosy atmosphere.

On the islands, Groenk Bar and Grill in Fornalutx, Mallorca has two different Thanksgiving dinner options, including a whole turkey, to enjoy with family and friends. This restaurant is very popular with locals and Homeowners alike.

Holiday Dining In Paris And London

Naturally, other popular cities like Paris and London cater to the holiday and serve up a typical Thanksgiving menu with beautifully cooked Turkey, gourd-filled dishes and more. Previously we have mentioned CUT at 45 Park Lane, in London; and this year, executive chef Elliott Grover will be serving up another delightful feast on the 28th. Norfolk Bronze turkey, CUT vegetable Wellington and traditional American side dishes are on the gourmet menu - including one that Kirsten will undoubtedly approve: “Sweet Potato, Torched Marshmallows”. For another special restaurant, Oblix at the Shard is a fine option for a luxe setting and panoramic views of the city.

The beauty of staying in your August home, is that you have space and mod-cons to bring your own Thanksgiving menu to life. With the mod-cons of Signature Collection homes, you'll be able to unleash your culinary skills with ease, while the elevated kitchen surroundings of Premium and Prime properties will see your hosting skills reach new heights.

Source Local Ingredients

To punctuate your Thanksgiving table as a local, scour your favourite markets to pick up fresh, seasonal ingredients. In the South of France, root vegetables like parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes will be aplenty, so why not fuse them into your classic dishes? Similarly, sweet treats like nougat and candied fruit make beautiful additions to a Thanksgiving dinner table and both can be found in the region year-round, but particularly over the festive period.

Indulge In Festive Favourites

When it comes to finding other staples that will be as delicious as back home, rest assured that you will have success in cities like London if you get ahead and know where to go... “It can be quite tricky to find pumpkin pie over here (which is a must) so the hunt for it starts in early November, if not weeks in advance," shares Kirsten. "There's a great American food section in Selfridges, as well as, a little shop in Holland Park aptly named The American Food Store." The latter store is close to one of our London apartments, and Selfridges is on Oxford Street is a must-visit store any time of the year, but especially when the festive period begins.

Try Regional Recipes

For anyone who is a dab hand at cooking, consider adding a couple of local festive recipes to your repertoire. In Italy, for example, Pettole pugliese are small fritter-like pastries that you can enjoy in Puglia throughout the year, but come November and December, they become gourmet menu essentials. Plus, they require just a few, simple ingredients and there are different savoury modifications too, making them ideal for a gentle Thanksgiving modification. La Cucina Italiana' website and Cibotoday.it both have recipes to follow.

With that said, spending Thanksgiving in Europe or the UK is the perfect opportunity to explore and create new traditions for this festive time. Here are a few ways you can beautifully shake up tradition and still enjoy a gratitude-filled day:

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Soak Up Festive Atmosphere

Should you be staying in Paris, wrap up warm and explore the beautiful Louvre and even the Eiffel Tower to see it under a new, winter light. In Barcelona, Gaudí's colourful works never fail to bring joy, nor does warming up in a welcoming local canteen like Bar Cañete. By this time of the year, most places in Europe will have Christmas lights and colourful markets cropping up so wherever you turn there will be festive cheer. Palma centre in Mallorca, for example, switches its lights on November 23rd and Nice, in the South of France, has wonderful Christmas markets.

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Head To The Countryside

If staying in London, why not escape the city for a day or two, to visit a quaint village in the Cotswolds? A brisk walk followed by a hearty meal in a cosy pub with a roaring fire is a fine way to begin the festive period. As an area of Natural Outstanding Beauty, there are plenty of ways to get active in the English Countryside, just be sure to check the weather and bring your Wellington boots.

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Organise A Friendsgiving

Especially when it comes to cooking, a fusion of traditional culinary favourites makes the menu more exciting. "We now tend to mix the best of both cultures," adds Kirsten. "We often combine elements of a roast such as pigs in blankets and roast potatoes to the traditional menu of pumpkin pie, stuffing, vegetables, turkey and of course mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows." A meal, followed by a walk or a football game makes for a relaxing celebration, no matter where you are in Europe. Blending tradition is a lovely way to bring people together too.

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If you're tempted by a vacation for the holidays and beyond, start a conversation with our expert Advisory Team and take one step closer to your August journey today.