Thanksgiving Day: where to go and what to do in Milan

A centuries-old tradition, Thanksgiving – a celebration of Christian origin today celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November – began in the United States around the first half of the ‘600s (the 1600s). Legend has it that settlers arriving from England celebrated the success of their first harvest in the ‘new world’ with a feast of simple produce, including the famous roast turkey. Though geographically distant, Italy has also embraced this American tradition, and Milan, the country’s capital of food trends, offers a selection of restaurants serving indulgent menus with recipes based on roast turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, sweetcorn and pumpkin pie. If you love American cooking and want to experience the tradition first-hand, here are the best spots and events to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in Milan (which this year falls on Thursday 28 November), featuring live music, cocktails, workshops and hearty food.

Wild Turkey Thanksgiving

From 28 to 30 November, adventure, authenticity and independence take over Via Tortona, where Officina 14 will host three days of Thanksgiving events in true Wild Turkey spirit, the Kentucky bourbon whiskey that has represented artisanal American spirit-making for 150 years.

An American celebration featuring indie rock gigs, workshops, American street food and entertainment, including tastings of historic bourbon cocktails crafted by the Wild Turkey Family: Old Fashioned 101, Manhattan and Whiskey Sour, through to the ultimate long drink, the Wild & Ginger.These events are free, but to attend you must register at this link, where you can choose which activities to join and receive a complimentary bourbon cocktail and bites by GESTO.

A Thanksgiving that celebrates that ‘Wild spirit‘ encouraging everyone to express their individuality, showcased for the occasion in the photography exhibition Wild Stories at Officina 14 and the steakhouse STK. To round off these three days dedicated to this lively spirit, the ‘With Thanks‘ award will be presented: a tribute to those committed to spreading sustainability – Martina Lucatelli, owner and founder of GESTO – and promoting emerging talent – indie rock band Fast Animals and Slow Kids. From Via Tortona, the Wild Spirit wave continues across other hand-picked venues serving authentic Wild Turkey: STK, Tibi Bistrot, Nik’s & Co., Bob, White, Milord, and GESTO (both in Navigli and in via Sirtori).

Mi View

Viale Achille Papa, 30
With a breathtaking view across an unexpected Milanese skyline that stretches all the way to the Alps on clear days, Mi View invites diners on a global culinary journey to discover artisanal food and wine, guided by seasonal ingredients.

For Thanksgiving Day, a delicious autumn menu celebrates American tradition with seasonal produce: pumpkin, stuffed roast turkey, chestnuts, potatoes, walnuts and sweetcorn. Book your table for a toast and dinner with a view!

Erba Brusca

Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 286
On the border between city and countryside, Erba Brusca welcomes guests to land where wild sorrel – ‘erba brusca’ in dialect – once grew naturally, serving seasonal, field-to-table cuisine. Sage-green walls, natural timber and a large bookcase look out onto a kitchen garden through sweeping picture windows.

Chef Alice Delcourt, drawing on her French-American roots, has crafted a sophisticated Thanksgiving menu that combines garden-fresh flavours with stuffed turkey, pumpkin pie and autumn spices.

God Save the Food

Via Tortona, 34 – Piazza del Carmine, 1 – Viale Piave, 18
A design-forward space dedicated to great food and drinks at any time of day, complete with pendant lighting, large windows and an all day and night long menu featuring fresh, balanced flavours: this is how God Save the Food won over Milanese diners.

For a proper Thanksgiving dinner, the kitchen has put together a refined menu pairing Italian ingredients with classic American traditions: stuffed turkey, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green beans, apples and chestnuts, alongside a glass of wine to toast the occasion.

California Bakery

Corso Garibaldi, 89
A little slice of America with an Italian heart, featuring a country-chic feel in a relaxed setting. California Bakery serves sweet and savoury dishes inspired by traditional American home baking, focusing on satisfying comfort food that pleases every palate.

For the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, exclusively at its Corso Garibaldi branch, the bakery has unveiled an indulgent menu featuring pumpkin, sweetcorn, stuffed turkey, chestnuts and chocolate, for an Italian-American celebration.

Vanilla Bakery

Via San Siro, 2
A sweet and savoury bakery with a fairy-tale feel, complete with pink wallpaper, white panelling and cookbooks on display, amidst biscuits, cakes, pastries and colourful cupcakes. A story that celebrates a love for delicious treats and ingredients drawn straight from American baking traditions.

Vanilla Bakery offers an eclectic food selection that loves generous traditions, so celebrating Thanksgiving comes naturally. Dinner is served across two sittings – 7.30pm or 9.30pm – with pumpkin soup and pastries, stuffed turkey, apples, walnuts and chilled Prosecco.

The Brisket

Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 65
Set along the banks of the Naviglio, The Brisket is Milan’s house of smoke. Born out of a trip to Texas, it takes its cue from traditional smokehouses where cuts are cooked low and slow. The setting has an industrial feel, with exposed brick, iron light fixtures and giant lettering spelling out the smokehouse concept.

These barbecue devotees have crafted a dedicated Thanksgiving menu based on turkey and pumpkin, paired with flavourful smoked cuts.

Hamerica’s

Corso di Porta Ticinese, 6 – Via Manfredo Camperio, 17 – Via Terraggio, 11/13 – Via Andrea Solari, 34 – Viale Col di Lana, 6
Classic American diner style calls for burgers with golden chips and an ice-cold fizzy drink. Hamerica’s brought this dining style to Milan, cooking premium beef to perfection with homemade sauces and quality ingredients.

With vintage Americana decor and thoughtful details, stepping inside feels like entering an authentic US diner, where a themed Thanksgiving dinner completes the experience: traditional turkey is served plated or tucked into a classic sandwich, delicious down to the very last bite.

Urban BBQ

Via California, 15
The city’s benchmark for authentic barbecue cooked the traditional American way. The meats are marinated and smoked low and slow, buns are artisanal and sauces are made in-house. The unpretentious setting, with wooden tables and chalkboards detailing barbecue specials, makes for an easygoing gathering; and what better occasion to share a meal with family and friends than Thanksgiving Day? The festive menu features pumpkin soup, roast turkey and apple pie, washed down with cold beer or a glass of wine.

Ribs and Beer

Via Riccardo Pitteri, 110
An American-style spot serving tender meats cooked in true US barbecue fashion, alongside quality Italian ingredients. Stars-and-stripes flags, large chalkboards, a wall of fame and bookshelves lined with titles define the vibrant character of Ribs and Beer, which pairs ribs and craft beer as its signature offering. For Thanksgiving, a whole roast turkey prepared in traditional style will be served alongside a varied buffet of sides, best enjoyed with brimming pints in good company.

Route66

Viale Romagna, 23
A celebration of American pop culture, Route66 welcomes diners with bold colours and aromas that pay homage to the States. Named after America’s most famous highway, the venue offers classic crowd-pleasers from juicy burgers and chips to fried chicken. For Thanksgiving Day, turkey takes centre stage: succulent roast meat, crisp on the outside and tender inside, anchors the menu on 28 November, served alongside foaming pints of cold beer.

Editor’s note: in researching this Thanksgiving article, we drank responsibly with Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey 😊 We are proud to let you know that this article is sponsored by Davide Campari – Milano S.p.A. and promoted by FLAWLESS.life. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make FLAWLESS.life possible.