5 Of Cuenca’s Best Thanksgiving Meal Options (& 1 Bonus Option)

2021 has been another difficult year for many people. So, I’d argue it’s even more important to take some time out to enjoy a meal with close family and friends and reflect on what we are grateful for.

Not from the US, that’s ok, practicing gratefulness isn’t restricted by geopolitical boundaries. 

And yes, it can be difficult to prepare a whole Thanksgiving meal from scratch at home. This can be especially true for expats trying to recreate their traditional experience in Ecuador. It’s never going to be the same. But, our suggestion is to embrace this change rather than fixate on the unavoidable differences.

Embrace the fact that there are so many quality Thanksgiving meal options provided by restaurants in Cuenca. We’ve recently checked out the Manta options and we could only find one genuine Thanksgiving option. 

But in Cuenca, we’ve uncovered 5 high-quality Thanksgiving meal options that are perfect for eating out. We’re bringing you a bonus meal option too. Honestly, I don’t know which of these I’m going to enjoy with my family, but I’m confident we’d enjoy each.

Some of these may be booked out already, and I’d expect them all to sell out so I suggest making your reservations soon. Given the nature of Thanksgiving, it’s obviously difficult for us to provide a review of each meal beforehand. So instead, we’ve reached out to each venue to provide their thoughts on what makes them a little bit different.

In no particular order, here we go:

Jazz Society Cafe

What Jazz Society Cafe say about their Thanksgiving meal:

Dinner includes a glass of wine, appetizers, salad, main dish, desserts, coffee, or tea.

This year we all hoped to be back to normal, we survived the biggest challenge that the whole of humanity faced, and still facing bravely. It will take us some time to adopt the new normal, this current situation has brought us closer to each other, taking care of each other, family, friends, and even looking after our community while we were isolated.

This gives us more and more reason to be thankful in every minute of our lives.

We are thankful for the opportunity to provide nourishment to all our valued customers both walk-in and delivery. We want to bring not just nourishment but joy to every bite of the food we prepare especially for you. We are thankful to have the chance to host artistic musical events that nourish our souls.

This November 25th, join us on our 4th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner as we continue preparing not just daily meals but delicious holiday dinners at the Jazz Society Cafe or at home.

We are located on the corner of Los Cedros and Los Claveles *one block north of Ordonez Lasso, Cuenca.

Hotel Carvallo

What Hotel Carvallo say about their Thanksgiving meal:

Hotel Carvallo is offering some local flair to go with your meal. The price includes both dinner and a show featuring local Cuenca opera singers, ballet dancers and poetry.

The meal consists of:

• Main: Quinoa crusted turkey breast with honey glazed potato wedges and sauteed green beens with almonds.
• Dessert: Apple Pie
• Drink included: Glass of wine

Come join us for a special evening. We are located Hotel Carvallo – Gran Colombia 9-52 between Padre Aguirre and Benigno Malo

Santorino Pizzería & Restaurant

What Santorino say about their Thanksgiving meal:

We invite you to celebrate with us the traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday November 25th. We have been providing delicious Thanksgiving meals for 6 years now. Come, join us and enjoy this delicious dinner.

The Thanksgiving menu:

• Appetizer: Mango Crisp Sala (mix green lettuce, mango , avocado , apple , raisins, almonds , tomatoes with raspberry vinegar dressing)
• Main: Roasted Turkey breast with all the sides you love (cranberry sauce, herb stuffing with our traditional turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, maple sweet potatoes)
• Dessert: Apple pie with ice cream, pumpkin pie
• Drinks: Glass of red or white wine, fresh juice

All this for $18.99 per person!

We look forward to you joining us at Manuel Maria Palacios 1-13 and Remigio Crespo. Reservations essential.

We also offer a delivery service.

Sunrise Cafe

What Sunrise Café say about their Thanksgiving meal:

We welcome you to our traditional Thanksgiving day at Sunrise Café. We are serving our special Thanksgiving menu from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

Come enjoy our menu:

• Main: Turkey
• Sides: Mashed potatoes, smashed green beans with lemony dressing, classic stuffing, turkey gravy
• Dessert: Sweet potato cake with salted cream cheese frosting
• Drink: Apple cider mimosa or any other juice

The cost is only $14.99 per person.

We’re looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving with you. Find us at Calle Larga 938, Cuenca.

El Jardín Restaurante

What El Jardín Restaurante say about their Thanksgiving meal:

Giving thanks, expressing the feeling of gratitude for everything lived, it’s time for you and your family or friends to be thankful for being able to continue sharing special dates.

El Jardin Restaurant invites you to enjoy a pleasant moment tasting our thanksgiving menu, from November 25th to November 28th, from 12:00 pm to 15:00 pm and 18:00 pm and 22:00 pm.

We are located at Calle Larga 6-93 and Presidente Borrero.

Visit us and live an unforgettable experience, tasting our Thanksgiving menu that includes: appetizer, main course and dessert.

We have several options for all tastes, including the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie, which can not miss on this special date.

The price of the complete menu per person is $22.00 including taxes, remember that we also offer home delivery service (+593 993099131).

Not only we offer you a delicious menu, in El Jardin you can live a natural experience accompanied by a beautiful view, and unparalleled attention.

An experience that goes according to the special date such as Thanksgiving, our menu is made with fresh products and the best quality.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the mother of them all” Marco Julio Cicerón

Bonus Meal – Support Hogar de Esperanza at Kolo Restaurant (Nov 30)

What Hogar de Esperenza say about their Thanksgiving meal:

This year we are doing something different.

For five years we have been providing services to those affected by HIV in Ecuador. While the need for HIV care in Ecuador is a high priority, by sheer necessity our services have expanded to include much broader issues, homelessness, hunger, etc.

On November 30th, we are showcasing what we do and why. You will hear the director’s personal story as to why Hogar de Esperanza was founded, where it is today, and what the vision for the future is. There will be an exhibition of all the services we provide and you will get to meet many of the volunteers and staff of the foundation.

We invite you to join us and our special guests for an enjoyable and inspirational evening. Reservations are required as space is limited. All proceeds from the event will go to support our Christmas Program.

Our menu includes:

• Steak Dinner – Juicy steak with mushroom sauce, baked potato with butter & fresh salad with vinaigrette dressing.
• Pulled Pork – shredded pulled pork with Pat’s BBQ sauce in homemade bun and Grandma’s potato salad.
• Veggie Tacos – Homemade tortillas (2), London sauce, vegetables, mango sauce, pico de gallo and guacamole on the side.
• Vegan Salad – Lettuce, tomato, onion, peppers, corn, garbanzo, radish, quinoa, avocado with Thai sesame dressing.

Tickets are $35 each. Purchase from The Expat Services Center or at Kolo Restaurant. All proceeds will benefit our Christmas Program.

Wrapping up

Ok, now I am super hungry. I really shouldn’t create food articles like this before eating. You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be making up for it come Thanksgiving!

Hold my keyboard whilst I go make that reservation right now.

Have you already booked your spot? We’d love to know where you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving meal. Please share in the comments below.