Thanksgiving may be a North American holiday, but in Italy, it’s gaining more and more warmth and flavor each year. From Rome to Milan, restaurants and hotels now serve full Thanksgiving menus: turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and even American football on TV.

It’s not an official Italian holiday, so schools and shops stay open. But for Americans living, studying, or traveling in Italy, it’s become a cherished day to gather friends, share a meal, and reflect - Italian-style. Let’s see what your options are if you decide to celebrate in Italy!

No matter where your Italian adventure takes you, there’s a way to celebrate Thanksgiving with a touch of home. Across major cities, expat communities and local chefs are blending American traditions with Italian hospitality - serving everything from roasted turkey with truffle gravy to pumpkin risotto and Chianti wine. Whether you’re in Rome, Florence, or Milan, there’s surely a festive table waiting for you.

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Rome feels both familiar and wonderfully Italian. As autumn light softens over the city’s domes, expats and travelers gather in warm, welcoming corners that mix American comfort with Roman charm.

At the lively Highlander Pub, laughter fills the air as guests share plates of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie - plus live NFL games on screen for that authentic touch of home. For something more refined, the Aleph Rome Hotel’s Sky Blu Restaurant serves a stylish Thanksgiving dinner with fine Italian wines and city views that make every bite feel like a celebration.

If you’d like to start your day with gratitude, the St. Patrick’s American Church holds a Thanksgiving Mass at 10:00 a.m., a simple yet heartfelt tradition for Americans abroad. And for a fun, relaxed evening, the Hard Rock Café Rome adds its signature rock ’n’ roll energy to the holiday spirit.

Our Play Italy Tip: Thanksgiving dinners in Rome book out fast, so we’d recommend relying on local experts like us who can help you find your perfect table, from cozy pubs to elegant rooftop settings.

And while you’re at it, feel free to check out our inspo tour packages featuring Rome!

Thanksgiving in Florence feels intimate and refined, much like the city itself. Under soft November light, cafés glow warmly along the Arno, and the air carries the scent of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked bread.

At Melaleuca Bakery + Bistrot, the annual “Fall Harvest Soirée” blends American tradition with Tuscan soul - think roast turkey, spiced pumpkin pie, and a touch of local olive oil magic. For a more classic setting, the Ristorante Arno at the FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo offers a full Thanksgiving menu where Florentine elegance meets familiar comfort, from chestnut stuffing to pumpkin ravioli and fine Chianti.

If you’d rather celebrate like a local, Florence’s expat community often gathers for Friendsgiving potlucks, where travelers and students share homemade dishes, stories, and laughter long into the night.

Our local expert’s tip? Florence’s Thanksgiving dinners are intimate and full of charm - the kind of cozy gathering that fills up quickly. If you’re unsure where to start, we’d be happy to point you toward our favorite spots where the food and atmosphere truly capture the season’s spirit.

Remember to check out our Tuscan tours for some vacation inspiration.

In sleek, fashion-forward Milan, Thanksgiving takes on a stylish twist. The city’s international energy blends effortlessly with Italian elegance, offering celebrations that are both chic and heartwarming.

At the lively Route 66 American Diner, you’ll find the full Thanksgiving experience: roast turkey, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie, served with a side of retro charm and upbeat music. For something more refined, luxury hotels like the Westin Palace and Park Hyatt Milan craft gourmet tasting menus that elevate the holiday with truffle touches, fine wines, and impeccable presentation.

As evening falls, raise a glass of Italian sparkling wine and toast to gratitude, good company, and la dolce vita - because in Milan, Thanksgiving is as much about style as it is about tradition.

Play Italy Tip: Thanksgiving in Milan often lasts just a night or two, and every venue adds its own creative twist. We can share insider suggestions - from elegant hotel restaurants to hidden gems - so your celebration feels perfectly tailored to you.

Here’s our curated list of Milan experiences.

Thanksgiving magic isn’t limited to Rome, Florence, or Milan - Italy’s smaller cities bring their own charm to the table, often blending American flavors with deep local traditions. Each region adds a touch of its personality, transforming a familiar holiday into something wonderfully Italian.

In Naples, celebrations feel joyful and spontaneous, much like the city itself. American expats often team up with local chefs to create unforgettable feasts - imagine turkey glazed with Amalfi lemons, creamy mashed potatoes laced with olive oil, and a finale of Neapolitan desserts like sfogliatella or pastiera. The result? A Thanksgiving that sings with Southern warmth.

Up north, Venice offers something altogether different: elegance on the lagoon. Prestigious hotels such as the Gritti Palace and Hotel Danieli prepare seasonal Thanksgiving menus that blend roasted turkey and cranberry sauce with delicate Venetian seafood and risotto. Dining by candlelight as gondolas glide past - there’s no better setting for gratitude.

And in Bologna, Italy’s beloved food capital, the celebration naturally centers around the table. International restaurants and local chefs occasionally design special Thanksgiving menus, pairing traditional American dishes with Emilia-Romagna’s culinary richness - perhaps pumpkin tortellini next to cranberry sauce, or pecan pie with a dash of balsamic glaze.

Even outside the main hubs, Italy’s warmth and hospitality make Thanksgiving easy to enjoy in spirit. Just call ahead for menus and reservations or let us handle the details, so you can focus on the joy of gathering, wherever you ar

There’s something deeply rewarding about creating your own Thanksgiving feast in Italy - a cozy blend of familiar comfort and local flair. Picture yourself in a charming apartment kitchen, the scent of roasted turkey mingling with Italian herbs, laughter spilling out to a balcony overlooking tiled rooftops. With a little planning, you can turn your Italian home away from home into the perfect Thanksgiving table.

Start by ordering your turkey early: Italian butchers (macellai) often need 7–10 days’ notice for a whole bird. When it comes to ingredients, Castroni in Rome and Drogheria Innocenzi are favorites among expats, offering cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin, and pecans.

If you can’t find everything, embrace local substitutes: swap cranberry sauce for sweet jam, bake with chestnuts or zucca (Italian squash), and use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter, Mediterranean touch. The result is a menu that feels both comforting and creative. You could even think of turning it into a cooking class experience: feel free to reach out - we would gladly organize it for you!

Hosting your own Thanksgiving in Italy isn’t just about recreating home - it’s about discovering how warmly Italy welcomes your traditions, and how perfectly they blend with la dolce vita.

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