The Origin:
Thanksgiving Day, annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvestfeast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. The American holiday is particularly rich in legend and symbolism, and the traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. With respect to vehicular travel, the holiday is often the busiest of the year, as family members gather with one another. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on Thursday, November 23, 2023.
Plymouth’s Thanksgiving began with a few colonists going out “fowling,” possibly for turkeys but more probably for the easier prey of geese and ducks, since they “in one day killed as much as…served the company almost a week.” Next, 90 or so Wampanoag made a surprise appearance at the settlement’s gate, doubtlessly unnerving the 50 or so colonists. Nevertheless, over the next few days the two groups socialized without incident. The Wampanoag contributed venison to the feast, which included the fowl and probably fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables, and beer. Since Plymouth had few buildings and manufactured goods, most people ate outside while sitting on the ground or on barrels with plates on their laps. The men fired guns, ran races, and drank liquor, struggling to speak in broken English and Wampanoag. This was a rather disorderly affair, but it sealed a treaty between the two groups that lasted until King Philip’s War (1675–76), in which hundreds of colonists and thousands of Native Americans lost their lives.
Thanksgiving Day did not become an official holiday until Northerners dominated the federal government. While sectional tensions prevailed in the mid-19th century, the editor of the popular magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book, Sarah Josepha Hale, campaigned for a national Thanksgiving Day to promote unity. She finally won the support of President Abraham Lincoln. On October 3, 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 23.
The holiday was annually proclaimed by every president thereafter, and the date chosen, with few exceptions, was the last Thursday in November. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, however, attempted to extend the Christmas shopping season, which generally begins with the Thanksgiving holiday, and to boost the economy by moving the date back a week, to the third week in November. But not all states complied, and, after a joint resolution of Congress in 1941, Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day.
Because now Florence become one of the most international city in Italy and many American and Canadian are living today in this Perl of Renaissance time, they decide to share their national tradition also with the citizen of Florence. Now its several years that are organizing this American holiday in Florence, now is long time that I'm participating, more then 15 years. I discovered this particularity American holiday with the member of Church of Jesus Christ the Later the Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng
Today in the town there are several restaurant that are providing the thanksgiving meal at American tourists, students and workers that are living in Florence today.
Here we have a list that are organizing something for this 24th November.
Djaria
(Via dei Serragli, 100r) tel. 055 593 7061
Djaria is an American-style pub in Florence's center run by an American/Florentine couple. This year, for €45 per person, they are offering a special Thanksgiving dinner that includes roasted turkey and cranberry sauce, celery and herb stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy or sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, green bean casserole with crispy onions, old fashioned cornbread, and a choice of apple or pumpkin pie or cheesecake. Refills on water and American coffee will also be provided. Make a reservation by calling ahead of time.
Web site: Djaria
Pino’s Sandwiches
(Via Giuseppe Verdi, 36R), tel. 055 244 517
This Thanksgiving, Pino's Sandwiches is providing a fantastic deal. If you're looking for a quick bite that will take you back home, swing by Pino's for a Thanksgiving sandwich for €7 or a Thanksgiving feast for €9. On a plate or in a panino, the special includes turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a green bean casserole with creamy onion sauce. The panino is toasted and contains Brie cheese. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., stop by this historic sandwich shop to share food and gratitude.
Web page: Pino's Sandwiches
Ristorante Accademia
Ristorante Accademia (piazza San Marco 7R) on November 24 and 25.
reserve your place early by calling +39 055 217343. 40 euro per person.
Ristorante Accademia will offer their 23rd annual Thanksgiving dinner for €40 per person on November 23 and 24. Pumpkin soup with cornbread, turkey with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes and cream corn will be on the menu. Dessert options include apple strudel, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. This restaurant, located in the heart of Florence, has been serving both locals and tourists for over 20 years, making it the ideal location for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Melaleuca
Melaleuca (lungarno delle Grazie, 18)
Pick up is available 10am-7pm on the 24th and 25th.
Dine in and takeaway cost 45 euro per person or 16 euro for children aged 4-10. Orders need to be in by Saturday, November 19.
Melaleuca, an Australian/American owned restaurant on the river, has a range of Thanksgiving alternatives this year. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., an expedited lunch with classic ingredients is offered. If you'd rather eat at home, there's a take-home menu available, along with eco-friendly packaging and simple warming instructions. If you're searching for a classic pie, they have them available for pre-order throughout the Thanksgiving week. Pumpkin, sweet potato, and key lime pies cost €25 each, while apple or pecan pies cost €35. Remember to call ahead because supplies are limited.
If you opt to dine in at Melaleuca, you will be greeted with a glass of Prosecco. This year's Thanksgiving meal includes radicchio, fennel, pickled apples, and halloumi croutons, bone broth gravy, sourdough & sage stuffing, sweet potato crumble, house made cranberry sauce, and melaleuca's milk buns with honey butter. Guests can choose from a variety of pies for dessert, including pumpkin, apple, key lime, sweet potato, and pecan. Dinner reservations can be made after 6 p.m.
The Place
The Place (piazza Santa Maria Novella 7)
The traditional turkey course. 90 euro.
La Loggia
The Presidents of the Tuscan American Association are hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 23 at 7:30pm.
La Loggia in Piazzale Michelangelo with a cost of 60 euro per person. If you would like to attend, email davis@texnet.it or info@studiomancianti.it by November 21.
Pint of View
Join Pint of View (borgo Tegolaio 17R) at 6pm on the 23th for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Harry’s Bar
Harry’s Bar The Garden at Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection (via Il Prato 42) is offering a Thanksgiving menu on the 23th, for 55 euro per person.
To create a pleasant and elegant ambiance for their new site, Harry's Bar Firenze recently united with the luxurious five-star hotel Sina Villa Medici. This restaurant will provide corn, sweet potato, and butter, creamy pumpkin soup with crunchy bacon, roast stuffed turkey with chestnuts, carrots, onions, and cranberry sauce, citrus cheesecake, and water, coffee, and tiny pastries for €55 per person. Call ahead to reserve a table on what is likely to be a gorgeous night.
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe Florence (via dei Brunelleschi 1)
Available from 12 noon to 10pm, the Thanksgiving meal costs 26.40 euro per person.
This year, his restaurant, recognized for its classic American motif, will host what is sure to be a fantastic Thanksgiving meal in Florence. Slow-roasted turkey breast, roasted rest vegetables, home-style classic stuffing, creamy sweet potato mash, cranberry sauce, and traditional turkey gravy will be available all day. They serve a slice of classic pumpkin pie with caramel sauce and house-made whipped cream for dessert. If you're looking for something to do this Thanksgiving, the Tennessee Rose Blues Band will be performing live music beginning at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving dinner and dessert cost €29.15 per person or €41.90 for two persons. The Thanksgiving Kids Menu will be available for children up to the age of ten. Make be sure to book your reservation.
The Dolce Vita Experience
( Via di Mezzo, 40/A) tel. 391 331 579 6997
This year, the Dolce Vita Experience will host a family-style Thanksgiving feast at the Beast Gallery. Join Dolce Vita for a Thanksgiving dinner "just like you're at home" on November 23rd at 7 p.m. The meal will include a 24 hour dry brined herb butter roasted turkey, chive mashed potatoes and gravy, sausage cornbread stuffing, sweet potato mash with crispy nuts, and cranberry sauce for €60 per person. Guests can select between a pecan or pumpkin pie for dessert. The cost includes a wine pairing.
If you'd rather eat at home, a to-go menu is available to those who preorder before November 17. Customers can create their ideal Thanksgiving dinner from a wide selection of classic cuisine items offered on their website. The meal must be picked up by noon on Thanksgiving Day.
Reservations for dinner and pre-orders for pick-up can be done via their website, thedvthanksgiving
Irene at Hotel Savoy
(Piazza della Repubblica, 7) tel. 055 273 5891
This year, Irene, located near the Duomo at the beautiful Hotel Savoy, will offer an extraordinary Thanksgiving meal. The menu will include a fennel, escarole, endive, and orange salad, handmade ravioli with sweet potato filling, chestnuts, and parmesan, stuffed roast turkey, green beans with cranberry sauce, and gravy for €75 per person. Desserts include a caramelized pumpkin crumble and cheesecake ice cream. Irene prepares a lovely blend of traditional American Thanksgiving fare and Italian cuisine. Make a reservation at this classy restaurant by calling ahead.
Website: Irene
Il Palagio at Four Seasons Florence
(Borgo Pinti, 99) tel. 055 2626 450
Il Palagio, located within the elegant Four Seasons Hotel, will offer a dinner with four important courses to pick from. Green bean casserole with sweet potatoes and maple syrup costs €27; lobster mac and cheese costs €44; turkey, pumpkin & sweet potatoes purée, black kale & cranberry sauce with paprika costs €46; and pumpkin and pecan pie costs €20. Reservations are required in advance.
Webpage: Il Palagio
Vanilla Cake Bakery
Piazza Niccolò Acciaiuoli, 7/R, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy +39 055 046 2755
If you've already planned your Thanksgiving meal and are just searching for a sweet treat, Vanilla Cake Bakery has you covered. A range of desserts are available for purchase from the wholesale company. This year's Thanksgiving delicacies include pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, and pumpkin bread. If you order by November 18, you can get deliveries in downtown Florence for a fee.
Free Walking Tour
If you want have a nice experience and visit Florence with all this artworks Brunelleschi Dome Signoria square, with its majestic Michelangelo's David. To see old Bridge and Pitti Place come with us for a walking tour in Florence. Totally free for all our friends from Canada and USA.
Book here in our website. https://www.florencefreetours.com/