A Caribbean Thanksgiving in New York

Rice and peas next to the turkey: where to order, what's on over the long weekend, and planning ahead for Christmas.

Updated November 5, 2026

Updated November 5, 2026.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and in a lot of Caribbean homes across New York the table looks a little different. The turkey is there, but so is the rice and peas, the macaroni pie, the curry, and maybe a pot of pelau or a tray of griot. Here's a friendly guide to making the long weekend feel like home, whether you cook, order out, or just want somewhere to go.

What a Caribbean Thanksgiving table can look like

There's no single rule. Families mix American traditions with dishes from back home, and every island (and every auntie) does it differently. Some favourites you'll see on New York tables:

  • Jerk or seasoned turkey – marinated overnight with green seasoning, scotch bonnet, thyme and scallion.
  • Rice and peas or pelau next to the stuffing.
  • Macaroni pie – the baked, sliceable kind many Trini, Bajan and Guyanese families make.
  • Curry goat or curry chicken for the people who "don't really eat turkey."
  • Griot, pikliz and diri ak djon djon on Haitian tables.
  • Ham, especially for families who treat Thanksgiving as a warm-up for Christmas.
  • Sorrel, ginger beer or rum punch to drink, and black cake, sweet bread or rum cake for dessert.

If you're hosting, a simple approach is to cook the dishes you're known for and order the rest.

Ordering from Caribbean bakeries and restaurants

Bakeries and restaurants get busy the week of Thanksgiving, and even busier as Christmas gets closer. If you want a black cake, a hard dough bread for leftover turkey sandwiches, or a tray of food, call ahead and ask about holiday orders and pickup times – don't assume they'll have walk-in stock on Wednesday afternoon.

A few places listed on CaribNY to start with:

Hours, menus and holiday availability change, so confirm directly with the business before you go. You can browse more spots by area on CaribNY.

Things to do over the long weekend

Plenty of people use the four-day weekend to go out. A few Caribbean events already on the CaribNY events calendar:

Thanksgiving morning itself, the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 am at 77th Street and Central Park West, according to Jamaicans.com's November guide. Street-side viewing is free – dress warm and get there early.

Check each event page for tickets, prices and any last-minute changes.

Bajan families: it's Independence weekend too

Barbados marks 60 years of Independence on Monday, November 30, right after Thanksgiving weekend. If your household is Bajan (or Bajan by marriage), the two celebrations run together this year. See our guide: Barbados at 60: celebrating Bajan Independence in New York.

Thinking ahead to Christmas

Thanksgiving is also when many families start their Christmas planning – soaking fruit for black cake, ordering ham, and shipping barrels so they arrive before the 25th. If you're sending one home, read Sending a barrel home for Christmas from New York and check your shipper's cut-off dates soon.

Giving back

Thanksgiving is a good time to check in on elders, new arrivals and neighbours who may be spending the holiday alone. Many churches and community groups in Caribbean neighbourhoods organise food drives and dinners this time of year – ask at your church or local community board, or bring an extra plate to someone who needs it.

Happy Thanksgiving from CaribNY – however your table looks this year.

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