Celebrating Thanksgiving might seem like an odd tradition for two Brits, but for us, it’s become as much a part of the year as birthdays or New Year’s Eve. And it all started with a trip to New York in the run-up to the holiday, the kind of trip that wraps itself around you and never quite lets go.
We were still dating back then, lucky enough to squeeze in a week in the city that never sleeps. Our hotel? Just off Times Square. Smack bang in the centre of the action. You could feel the hum of the city through the windows, a constant background buzz of taxis, chatter, and the occasional distant cheer.
It was late November, so the Christmas decorations were already up. Wreaths and twinkling lights framed every doorway, ice rinks sparkled under fairy lights, and shop windows competed in full festive theatre. You could smell roasted chestnuts from street vendors and hear jazz drifting from restaurant doors. The whole city felt like a movie set.
There was a lot of walking that holiday, and, naturally, a lot of eating. We hunted down the best vegan spots we could find, and New York did not disappoint. Cinnamon Snail was our first revelation: messy, indulgent vegan street food that had us grinning from the first bite. We made a pilgrimage to the original By Chloe (I still miss the London outlets, but I’m glad to see the original back), and stumbled on a tiny Mexican place tucked away down a side street that served tacos I still think about to this day.
The Christmas markets were an adventure in themselves. There were loads of them, each with its own character. Bryant Park’s stalls were alive with colour, Union Square smelled of cinnamon and coffee, and every market seemed to have something new to taste or sip. We wandered, browsed, and inevitably came away with bags heavier than we’d planned.
But the real magic came on Thanksgiving morning, when we staked out a spot along the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade route. It was cold, crowded, and completely joyful. Giant balloons floated past like something out of a dream, marching bands filled the air with music, and everyone around us was smiling, wrapped in scarves and holding hot drinks. That moment, surrounded by strangers but feeling part of something, made the day unforgettable.
So we brought it home with us. The very next year, we decided to cook our own Thanksgiving dinner, vegan, of course, and it’s been a Grub Club tradition ever since. We kept the spirit of the holiday but made it our own, swapping turkey for seitan roast, dairy-heavy sides for rich plant-based versions, and building a menu that’s every bit as abundant and comforting as the original.
This year’s menu is one of my favourites yet. From the warming spice of apple cider punch to the silky butternut squash soup, hearty seitan roast with herbed gravy, and a table full of colourful sides, it’s a feast that celebrates gratitude, abundance, and the joy of gathering. And, of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without pumpkin pie, ours rich with coconut cream and just the right amount of spice.
Thanksgiving, for us, isn’t about following tradition for tradition’s sake. It’s about making space in the year to pause, reflect, and fill the table with the people (and food) we love. And while our version may not have grown up in the USA, it’s built on the same foundation: a full heart and a full plate.
