How to celebrate thanksgiving in London like a true Yank

Whether you’re an American in London looking for a home-from-home, or a Brit who just likes an excuse to party, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK capital in 2011. This post lines up our top tips!

Thanks to the growing US expat population, Thanksgiving is becoming an increasingly recognised event in London. So it’s no wonder that restaurants are falling over themselves to welcome you for the big day’s big feast. Here we run down our four favourites, whatever your budget:

Budget: The Diner

American-style diner The Diner will serve up a delish turkey dinner, with stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn and cranberry relish, this year for a mere £9 a head. Choose from the chain’s 5 handy locations: Camden, Islington, Kensal Rise, Shoreditch and Soho.

Mid-range: Texas Embassy Cantina

The American-owned Cantina is well-known as the home of good Tex-Mex food in London, so it’s no surprise they’re laying on an indulgent, traditional feast for Thanksgiving. Corn soup or a guacamole salad will be followed by Turkey with all the trimmings and there’s pecan pie or pumpkin cheesecake to top it off. Available November 24th & 25th for £26.75 a head.

Mid-range: Bodean’s

Bodean’s – London’s original BBQ smoke house – invites you to bring friends and family to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Choose from salad or clam chowder to start, then a turkey main, finishing with apple cobbler or pumpkin pie. Available November 24^th for £20.95 a head.

Treat: Christopher’s American Bar & Grill

They sell it as “the greatest American celebration in London!” and the Thanksgiving 2011 menu at Christopher’s doesn’t disappoint. Chowder, cobb salad, turkey, buttered beans, pumpkin pie… all the American greats are there. Available November 24^th for £42.50 a head.

If you want the US-inspired party to continue after dinner, you might want to check into The Stafford, particularly to enjoy its aptly-named American Bar (so called because of its history in catering for Americans visiting London). As such, it’s the ideal place to celebrate with a Manhattan, Martini or Waldorf before hitting the hay – and the concierge at The Stafford definitely knows his stuff too, as my blog colleague Andrea recently learned.

Check the best rate for The Stafford from 30+ hotel booking sites