Washington is a city of people from somewhere else. Come late November, half of Dupont is packing a carry-on for Ohio, Texas, or Seoul, while the other half is welcoming visiting friends and family. Before everybody scatters, or once everyone returns, there is one dinner worth getting right.
If you are hunting for Thanksgiving dishes Dupont Circle friends can enjoy together during Thanksgiving week, we have a Spanish take on the celebration at Boqueria, located at 1837 M Street NW. Think paella where the turkey would sit, crispy potatoes for the mash, dates wrapped in bacon for the cranberry, and churros standing in for pie.
Think of it as the holiday spread, translated. Every familiar role on a Thanksgiving table has a counterpart on our Spanish menu, and every plate lands in the middle for passing. Nobody needs to spend three days cooking, nobody borrows folding chairs from a roommate, and everyone gets to enjoy the gathering.
While we are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, we invite you to celebrate with us during the surrounding days of Thanksgiving week, whether that means an early Friendsgiving, a team dinner before the holiday, or a relaxed meal with visiting relatives afterward.
Below: a dish-by-dish translation, orders for two up to an office crew, a Friendsgiving countdown, and tips for planning a Spanish celebration in Dupont during Thanksgiving week.
Key Takeaways
- Boqueria Dupont Circle is located at 1837 M Street NW, a short walk from the Dupont Circle Metro and the park’s fountain.
- Each classic holiday role maps to a dish on our menu: paella or Roasted Chicken as the centerpiece, Patatas Bravas for the potatoes, Bacon-Wrapped Dates for the sweet-savory bite, and Crema Catalana or churros for dessert.
- For a table that wants the decisions made, our Chef’s Menu offers “The Classics,” featuring paella, or “The Boqueria Experience,” which includes hand-carved Jamón Ibérico de Bellota.
- Thanksgiving week offers plenty of opportunities to gather, from Friendsgiving dinners before the holiday to team celebrations and post-Thanksgiving reunions.
- Boqueria Dupont is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. We encourage guests to plan celebrations around the holiday and confirm operating hours when booking.
1. Why a Spanish Table Works for Friendsgiving in DC
Friendsgiving has become a proper Washington tradition, and it makes sense here more than most places. Interns, Hill staffers, embassy staff, and grad students arrive from all over, build a circle of friends, and spend the actual holiday on planes, highways, or visiting family.
The dinner with the people you see every week often happens before Thanksgiving, when everyone is still in town. Others prefer to reconnect afterward, when the travel is over and there is finally time to catch up.
Spanish dining fits both occasions beautifully. In Barcelona, a good meal with friends is a parade of small plates that land one after another in the center of the table. You reach, you pass, you argue about which croqueta was better. That is essentially what a Thanksgiving gathering already is, minus the three days of cooking.
Then there is logistics. A Dupont rowhouse apartment has one oven and a tiny counter. At our M Street restaurant, our kitchen handles the timing, and the only negotiation left is who gets the last bite of socarrat.
For groups planning a Thanksgiving week dinner, we offer a way to enjoy the warmth and generosity of the holiday without repeating the traditional Thanksgiving menu. Instead of another turkey dinner, guests can gather around tapas, paella, Spanish wines, and house-made sangría.
2. Thanksgiving Dishes Dupont Circle Guests Can Translate Into Spanish
Here is the heart of it. Every familiar role on the holiday table has a counterpart on our Dupont dinner menu, with a Spanish interpretation that makes a Thanksgiving week gathering feel festive without requiring the usual holiday spread.
| Holiday role | At Boqueria Dupont Circle | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| The centerpiece | Short Rib Paella, Seafood Paella, or Vegetable Paella | Saffron bomba rice cooked in a wide pan, with a crunchy caramelized layer on the bottom |
| The other centerpiece | Roasted Chicken or Secreto de Ibérico | Chicken with lemon, herbs, and salsa verde; or richly marbled Ibérico pork with sherry-honey reduction |
| Mashed potatoes | Patatas Bravas or Tortilla Española | Crispy potatoes with spicy brava sauce and garlic allioli; or a thick potato-and-onion omelet |
| Sweet potato casserole | Crispy Sweet Potatoes | Crispy sweet potatoes with mojo verde herb sauce and spicy yogurt |
| Green bean and vegetable sides | Grilled Broccolini, Espinacas a la Catalana, Escalivada | Broccolini with almond ajo blanco; spinach with chickpeas, pine nuts, and raisins; or fire-roasted vegetables |
| The salad nobody skips | Fennel and Apple Salad or Market Salad | Fresh salads with seasonal ingredients and bright dressings |
| Stuffing and dinner rolls | Pan con Tomate, Croquetas de Jamón, Croquetas de Setas | Tomato-rubbed toast and creamy Spanish croquettes |
| The cranberry moment | Bacon-Wrapped Dates, PX Chicken Wings | Sweet-savory dates or chicken wings with Pedro Ximénez sherry reduction |
| Cheese and nibbles | Aged Manchego, Aged Mahón, Caña de Cabra, Jamón Serrano | Spanish cheeses and cured meats |
| The pie | Crema Catalana, Basque Chocolate Cheesecake, Orange Olive Oil Cake, Classic Churros | Spanish-inspired desserts for sharing |
About That Centerpiece
We do not serve turkey, but a paella earns the centerpiece spot.
Paella is a rice dish built on saffron and short-grain bomba rice, cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The prize is the socarrat, the toasty, crackly crust that forms on the bottom where the rice meets the heat.
At a Friendsgiving table, socarrat plays the role of crispy turkey skin: the bite everyone wants a little more of.
If your group leans autumnal, Short Rib Paella is a wonderful choice. Braised short rib, Turkish figs, Piparra peppers, and roasted bone marrow give it a deep, rich character that feels particularly suited to a late-November dinner.
For Something Closer to a Traditional Roast
Our Roasted Chicken comes as a half or whole bird with lemon, herbs, and salsa verde. It brings a familiar roast-dinner element to the table while offering something different from a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Pair it with Patatas Bravas, Crispy Sweet Potatoes, and seasonal vegetables for a spread that feels comforting, generous, and easy to share.
The Sweet-Savory Thanksgiving Connection
What makes Thanksgiving flavours so satisfying is that little hit of sweetness against salt.
Our version comes in several forms: quince purée alongside Croquetas de Jamón, the rich PX reduction on chicken wings, and Bacon-Wrapped Dates, which might be the single most Thanksgiving-feeling bite on our menu.
Several dishes are marked gluten-free, including paellas and Patatas Bravas. Guests should mention dietary needs to our team before ordering.
3. Ordering for Your Crew: From Two Friends to the Whole Office
Thanksgiving week gatherings come in all sizes. Some are two friends meeting before holiday travel. Others are colleagues celebrating the end of a busy season or families reconnecting once everyone is back in Washington.
Our menu generally suggests two to three tapas per person, with paella available as a centerpiece for guests who want a more substantial meal.
Here is how that approach works for different Thanksgiving week celebrations.
| Your group | Start with | Centerpiece | Sides | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two roommates celebrating before Thanksgiving | Pan con Tomate, Bacon-Wrapped Dates | Half Roasted Chicken | Patatas Bravas, Grilled Broccolini | Crema Catalana |
| Four friends hosting an early Friendsgiving | Aged Manchego, Jamón Serrano, Croquetas de Jamón | Short Rib Paella | Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Espinacas a la Catalana | Classic Churros |
| Six coworkers having a Thanksgiving week dinner | Pan con Tomate, Croquetas de Setas, PX Chicken Wings | The Classics Chef’s Menu | Selected by our kitchen | Included with the menu |
| Eight or more celebrating Friendsgiving | Cheese and charcuterie, Bacon-Wrapped Dates | The Boqueria Experience | Selected by our kitchen | Shared Spanish desserts |
| Parents visiting after Thanksgiving | Fennel and Apple Salad, Gambas al Ajillo | Seafood Paella | Tortilla Española, Escalivada | Crema Catalana |
The Chef’s Menu Makes Group Dining Easy
For larger tables where nobody wants to be responsible for ordering for eight, our Chef’s Menu simplifies the experience.
“The Classics” features a customized assortment of guest favourites, including paella. “The Boqueria Experience” goes further with seasonal dishes, paella, and hand-carved Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, Spain’s prized acorn-fed ham.
Either option turns dinner into a steady flow of plates, which is exactly the rhythm of a memorable Friendsgiving.
Raising a Glass
For the toast, a pitcher of house-made sangría, whether red, white, or rosé, is an easy crowd-pleaser.
A bottle of cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, brings a celebratory touch. Sherry lovers can finish with an Amontillado, Oloroso, or Pedro Ximénez alongside dessert.
For something festive without alcohol, our zero-proof options provide another way to raise a glass together.
Group Dining During Thanksgiving Week
Our Dupont location welcomes everything from casual gatherings to organized group celebrations. For larger parties, we recommend reaching out in advance so our events team can help with menu planning and seating arrangements.
Because Thanksgiving week brings travel and changes to regular schedules, guests should confirm restaurant hours and availability before reserving.
4. A Very Dupont Thanksgiving Week: The Circle, Embassy Row, and M Street
What makes a Friendsgiving in Dupont feel different from one in any other city is the neighborhood around it.
Dupont is walkable, a little grand, and very much lived in. A gathering on M Street fits naturally into a slow late-autumn afternoon or an evening spent catching up before or after Thanksgiving.
Start at Dupont Circle
The park at the center of the neighborhood, with its fountain and rings of benches, is managed by the National Park Service.
On a crisp November afternoon, chess players, dog walkers, office workers, and travellers planning holiday trips share the same public space.
Meet your friends there, take a group photo, then make your way to M Street for tapas and sangría.
A casual walk followed by a shared Spanish meal can turn an ordinary day during Thanksgiving week into something worth remembering.
Visit the Sunday Market
The FRESHFARM Dupont Circle market is a neighbourhood favourite on Sunday mornings.
Guests can pick up apples, seasonal produce, or something to bring along on a family visit before heading to Boqueria for a late lunch or brunch.
For anyone celebrating Thanksgiving over several days, this makes an easy weekend tradition. Spend some time exploring the neighborhood, then enjoy a meal that requires no preparation or cleanup.
Gather Before or After Holiday Travel
Thanksgiving week often creates unusual schedules. Some people leave town early. Others have family arriving for the weekend. Some want to catch up with coworkers before everyone disappears for several days.
That is why we love the idea of a Thanksgiving week gathering rather than limiting the celebration to one particular day.
An early-week dinner can be a send-off for friends heading home. A gathering after Thanksgiving can be a welcome change from leftovers. A weekend brunch can bring visiting family together over tapas, paella, and sangría.
Although Boqueria Dupont is closed on Thanksgiving Day, there are opportunities to celebrate during the surrounding days of the holiday week, subject to our operating schedule.
5. Your Friendsgiving Countdown
Thanksgiving week in Washington can fill up quickly with travel plans, family visits, and office celebrations.
A little planning goes a long way, especially when organizing a group dinner around the holiday.
Here is a simple timeline for a Friendsgiving at Boqueria Dupont Circle.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Late October | Pick a date before or after Thanksgiving Day and get a rough headcount in the group chat |
| Early November | Reserve a table or contact our events team for a larger gathering |
| Two weeks before | Decide between ordering à la carte or a Chef’s Menu, and collect dietary notes |
| Thanksgiving week | Confirm your reservation and check holiday-week operating hours |
| The night of your gathering | Arrive ready for sangría, tapas, paella, and plenty of conversation |
| Thanksgiving Day, November 26 | We are closed. Plan your Boqueria celebration for another available day during the surrounding week |
Planning a Larger Friendsgiving
For an office Friendsgiving or a full private party, our DC events team can help organize a menu built around Spanish cheeses, cured meats, croquetas, canapés, seasonal specials, sangrías, and cocktails.
Private dining removes the challenge of coordinating cooking, serving, and cleaning for a large group.
It also creates a setting where everyone, including the host, gets to enjoy the celebration.
We recommend contacting our events team early, particularly for gatherings scheduled close to Thanksgiving.
Bringing Spanish Dishes Home
If your Friendsgiving is a potluck in someone’s apartment, you can still put Boqueria on the table.
Use the Order Online option on our Dupont location page to explore available tapas for pickup. Patatas Bravas, croquetas, and other shareable dishes can complement a homemade holiday spread.
Place orders for an available operating day, since our restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Visit Us in Dupont
Boqueria Dupont Circle sits where local charm meets downtown energy, at 1837 M Street NW, a short walk from the Dupont Circle Metro.
Our restaurant brings together an expansive bar, patio seating when available, weekend brunch, Spanish tapas, paella, wine, and sangría.
Getting here: Take the Red Line to Dupont Circle or walk from nearby offices and hotels.
Booking: Reserve online or contact our restaurant. For larger Thanksgiving week gatherings, we recommend booking early.
Before you go: Check our Dupont Circle location page for current menus, holiday-week operating hours, reservations, and takeout availability.
We look forward to welcoming you for an early Friendsgiving, an office celebration, or a post-holiday gathering.
Conclusion
A Thanksgiving celebration does not need turkey to feel meaningful. It needs a centerpiece worth gathering around, potatoes, something green, a sweet-salty bite, a cheese board, a dessert worth sharing, and a glass raised to the people around you.
At Boqueria Dupont Circle, that translates into paella with a golden crust of socarrat, Patatas Bravas, Grilled Broccolini, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Manchego and Jamón Serrano, Crema Catalana, and a pitcher of sangría.
Whether you are gathering with coworkers before the holiday, hosting an early Friendsgiving, or reconnecting with family afterward, we invite you to make Thanksgiving week an occasion worth celebrating.
We will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, but we look forward to hosting your celebrations on available days around the holiday.
Gather the friends who became family after you moved to DC, reserve your table, and celebrate together with Spanish food and hospitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Boqueria Dupont Circle open on Thanksgiving Day?
No. Boqueria Dupont Circle will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. However, guests can plan Friendsgiving dinners, group gatherings, and holiday celebrations during the surrounding days of Thanksgiving week, subject to operating hours and availability.
2. Can I celebrate Friendsgiving at Boqueria during Thanksgiving week?
Yes. We welcome Friendsgiving gatherings before and after Thanksgiving Day. Our shareable tapas, paella, Chef’s Menus, sangría, and Spanish wines make our Dupont restaurant a great setting for celebrations with friends, family, and coworkers.
3. Does Boqueria serve traditional Thanksgiving dishes?
We do not serve a traditional turkey dinner. Instead, guests can create a Spanish-inspired holiday spread with Short Rib, Seafood, or Vegetable Paella, Roasted Chicken, Patatas Bravas, Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and Spanish desserts.
4. What should a group of six order for Friendsgiving?
For six guests, our Chef’s Menu is a convenient option. “The Classics” includes a selection of guest favourites and paella, while “The Boqueria Experience” adds seasonal dishes and hand-carved Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. For parties of six or more, a taxed 20% service charge applies.
5. Can Boqueria host a private office Friendsgiving in DC?
Yes. Our DC events team can help plan private Friendsgiving celebrations with Spanish tapas, Chef’s Menus, seasonal dishes, sangría, and cocktails. We also offer catering throughout the DC area. We recommend contacting our team ahead of Thanksgiving week to discuss availability.
6. Can I order Boqueria dishes to-go for a Friendsgiving potluck?
Yes. Guests can explore available takeout options through the Order Online section of our Dupont location page. Orders should be scheduled for a day when the restaurant is operating, as we are closed on Thanksgiving Day.