The week of Thanksgiving has a rhythm in West Hartford. The college kids roll in on Monday or Tuesday, old friends start texting about a night out, and by the weekend the house is full of cousins who need to get out for a bit. If you are hunting for Thanksgiving dishes West Hartford groups can pass around a long table, Boqueria in Blue Back Square has a Spanish answer for every course, served as small plates built for sharing.
One thing to plan around first: Boqueria West Hartford is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. We keep regular hours Monday through Wednesday that week, we’re back on Black Friday with regular hours, and the weekend after runs as normal. So the best seats for your Friendsgiving or family meetup are on the days around the holiday, and there are plenty of them.
Below you’ll find the classic holiday spread translated into Spanish, the full Thanksgiving week schedule, a day-by-day guide to which gathering fits where, and how to set up a bigger group with our events team.
Key Takeaways
- Holiday hours: Boqueria West Hartford is closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26), open regular hours Monday through Wednesday, and open regular hours on Black Friday.
- The Short Rib, Seafood and Vegetable paellas, the half Roasted Chicken and the Secreto de Ibérico are the Spanish stand-ins for the big holiday centerpiece.
- Patatas Bravas, Tortilla Española, Ibérico Mac N Cheese and Crispy Sweet Potatoes cover the comfort sides your crew expects.
- Early-week Friendsgivings, a Wednesday-night kickoff with friends home from school, a Black Friday dinner after the shopping and weekend family meals are the sweet spots.
- For 10 or more guests, the Chef’s Menu and the private dining room at 46 S Main St take the stress out of planning.
1. Thanksgiving Dishes West Hartford Can Share, Translated Into Spanish
Strip a Thanksgiving plate down and you find a set of jobs: one showpiece, something starchy and soothing, something green, a sweet-tart accent, bread, and a dessert everyone saves room for. Spanish tapas cooking has a dish for each of those jobs. Here’s how the West Hartford dinner menu lines up.
| Holiday role | What to order at Boqueria West Hartford | In plain English |
|---|---|---|
| The showpiece | Short Rib, Seafood or Vegetable Paella | Saffron and bomba rice cooked in a wide pan, with a caramelized crust on the bottom called socarrat |
| The roast | Roasted Chicken (half) | Lemon, herbs and salsa verde, a bright herb sauce |
| The potatoes | Patatas Bravas, Tortilla Española | Crispy potatoes with spicy brava sauce; a thick Spanish omelet of eggs, confit potatoes and onions |
| The mac and cheese | Ibérico Mac N Cheese | Tetilla, Mahón and Manchego cheeses with casareccia pasta, pimentón bread crumbs and Jamón Ibérico |
| The greens | Espinacas a la Catalana, Grilled Broccolini | Spinach with garbanzos, pine nuts and golden raisins; broccolini with a creamy almond sauce |
| The sweet potatoes | Crispy Sweet Potatoes | Crisp sweet potatoes with mojo verde and spicy yogurt |
| The bread and stuffing | Pan con Tomate, Croquetas | Toast rubbed with tomato and garlic; creamy croquettes with Serrano ham and quince purée |
| The cranberry accent | Bacon-Wrapped Dates, PX Chicken Wings | Dates stuffed with almonds and Valdeón blue cheese; wings in a sweet and sour sherry reduction |
| The snacking board | Aged Manchego, Aged Mahón, Jamón Serrano | Spanish cheeses and cured ham for while everyone settles in |
| The pie | Classic Churros, Crema Catalana, Basque Chocolate Cheesecake | Fried dough with dipping sauces; a Catalan custard with burnt sugar; a rich chocolate cheesecake |
2. The Centerpiece and the Sides for a Friendsgiving Table
There’s no turkey on the Boqueria menu, and that’s sort of the point. What people really want from a holiday main is a big, shared dish that lands on the table and makes everyone reach at once. Paella does exactly that.
Paella is Spain’s famous rice dish, cooked with saffron and bomba rice, a short grain that drinks up flavor and stays distinct. The prize is the socarrat, the crunchy, caramelized layer that forms on the bottom of the pan. Anyone who has ever picked the crispy corners off a tray of stuffing will understand the appeal immediately.
West Hartford’s dinner menu offers three:
- Short Rib Paella: braised short rib, Turkish figs, Piparra peppers and roasted bone marrow. Rich, a little sweet from the figs, and the most autumnal of the bunch.
- Seafood Paella: monkfish, sepia (cuttlefish), squid, shrimp, clams and mussels with saffron and salsa verde.
- Vegetable Paella: eggplant, broccoli, peas, grape tomato and piquillo peppers, a strong pick when the group includes vegetarians.
All three paellas are marked gluten-free on the menu. Want something closer to a classic roast? The half Roasted Chicken with lemon, herbs and salsa verde is the most direct translation of the holiday bird. For a richer route, the Secreto de Ibérico is the “secret cut” of the Ibérico pig, buttery and marbled, with white romesco and a sherry-honey reduction that plays the part of gravy.
Order the paella near the start of the meal. It needs time in the pan, so it arrives right as the first round of small plates is winding down.
Comfort sides. Patatas Bravas are crispy potatoes topped with salsa brava, smoky pimentón (Spanish paprika) and garlic allioli, Spain’s version of aioli. Tortilla Española is a thick wedge of egg and slow-cooked potato. The Ibérico Mac N Cheese is the one that wins over the friend who “just wants normal Thanksgiving food.”
Greens and roots. Espinacas a la Catalana is a Barcelona classic, spinach sautéed with garbanzos, pine nuts and golden raisins. Grilled Broccolini comes with “ajo blanco,” a cool almond and garlic sauce. The Crispy Sweet Potatoes are the marshmallow casserole after a few years abroad. The Fennel and Apple Salad with Mahón cheese and walnuts brings a crisp, orchard-y bite, and Escalivada, fire-roasted eggplant, red pepper and onion with labne yogurt and focaccia, is great for scooping.
The cranberry accent. Every rich holiday plate needs something sweet and sharp. The Bacon-Wrapped Dates with almonds and Valdeón blue cheese bring sweet and salty in one bite. The PX Chicken Wings are glazed in a reduction of Pedro Ximénez, a dark, raisin-like sherry. The Serrano ham Croquetas come with quince purée, a fruity paste that does cranberry’s job nicely. If somebody insists on the real thing, the Lychee Cosmo on the cocktail list includes cranberry.
The board. Start with nutty Aged Manchego, tangy Aged Mahón, creamy Caña de Cabra goat cheese and Jamón Serrano aged 16 months. It keeps hands busy while the last friend finds parking.
3. Thanksgiving Week Hours at Boqueria West Hartford
Here is exactly how Thanksgiving week 2026 looks at our Blue Back Square restaurant, so you can lock in a date with confidence.
| Day | Boqueria West Hartford |
|---|---|
| Mon–Wed, Nov 23–25 | Regular hours |
| Thu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | Closed |
| Fri, Nov 27 (Black Friday) | Regular hours |
| Sat–Sun, Nov 28–29 | Regular hours |
The short version: we’re closed on Thanksgiving Day, and every other day that week is fair game. Our current regular hours are always listed on the Boqueria West Hartford location page.
A few things worth knowing about the days around the holiday:
- Monday and Tuesday are ideal for a Friendsgiving. Coworkers are still in town, and it’s easier to land a big table early in the week.
- Wednesday night, the eve of the holiday, is when everyone is finally home. It’s the classic night to see high school friends, so book ahead.
- Black Friday is back to regular hours, which makes it an easy dinner after a day of shopping or a welcome break from leftovers.
- Saturday and Sunday are regular weekend days, weekend brunch included, which suits relatives who are staying through the weekend.
4. Home for the Break: Blue Back Square During Thanksgiving Week
West Hartford in late November is busy in the best way. Families drive in from Boston and New York, college students come home wanting a night out with old friends, and South Main Street fills with people getting a jump on their gift lists. Blue Back Square sits right in the middle of it, an easy walk from West Hartford Center.
On a normal week you’ll find families and couples over tapas, a lively weekend brunch crowd and a bar full of locals in the evening. Thanksgiving week just turns the volume up.
If you’re stringing together a full day in town, the Town of West Hartford website is handy for checking parking, town holiday schedules and seasonal events before you head out.
Which gathering fits which day? Here’s a cheat sheet.
| Day and occasion | Who’s coming | What to order |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Friendsgiving | Six to eight coworkers or neighbors | The Classics Chef’s Menu plus a cheese and charcuterie board |
| Wednesday-night kickoff | Four friends home from college | Croquetas, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Ibérico Mac N Cheese, Short Rib Paella, Classic Churros |
| Black Friday dinner | Shoppers taking a break | Patatas Bravas, croquetas, a paella for the table, a round of sangrÃa |
| Saturday family dinner | Ten to twenty relatives | The Boqueria Experience, set up with the events team |
| Sunday wind-down | A mixed table with vegetarians | Vegetable Paella, Grilled Broccolini, Tortilla Española, Escalivada |
At weekend brunch the Saturday and Sunday after, Torrija is Spain’s answer to French toast, here with sweet miticrema, blackberry compote and maple syrup. Huevos Horneados are eggs baked in tomato sauce with chorizo and roasted piquillo peppers, served with grilled bread. The Brunch Paella tops bomba rice, roasted chicken, piquillo peppers and chorizo with farm eggs, a fitting centerpiece for a morning-after crowd.
5. Dessert, the Toast and Planning Your Get-Together
Dessert. The Classic Churros arrive dusted in cinnamon sugar with your pick of dulce de leche, hot chocolate or Nutella for dipping. Crema Catalana is Barcelona’s take on crème brûlée, a lemon-scented custard under a crackly sugar top. The Basque Chocolate Cheesecake is marked gluten-free, and the Orange Olive Oil Cake with citrus-honey yogurt is the lighter way to finish.
The toast. House sangrÃa comes in red, white and SandÃa, a rosé-based watermelon version. Cava, Spain’s traditional sparkling wine, is poured by the glass, and the sherry list includes Oloroso and the dark, sweet Pedro Ximénez for a nightcap. Plenty of Rioja and Ribera del Duero reds stand up to the short rib.
Hosting your own Friendsgiving earlier in the week? If your group is gathering at someone’s apartment on Monday or Tuesday, use the “Order Online” link on our location page to pick up a few shareable plates for that gathering, and save the dine-in visit for later in the week. If you’d like to try your hand at a seafood paella in your own kitchen some weekend this winter, our older holiday recipe for paella de mariscos walks you through it.
A gift for the host. Headed to a friend’s Friendsgiving? A Boqueria gift card makes a thoughtful thank-you.
6. Visit Us in West Hartford
Boqueria West Hartford is at 46 S Main St in Blue Back Square, steps from the shops and a short stroll from West Hartford Center.
Bigger celebrations deserve a plan. Our West Hartford events page covers every option: a private dining room for up to 24 guests, a large party table in the main dining room for up to 20, a semi-private room and side dining room for up to 56, and a full buyout for up to 144 seated guests. A personal event planner can add cheese and meat boards, giant paellas and a sangrÃa bar. For more on ordering for a crowd, read our post on group dining in West Hartford.
Reservations are recommended for Thanksgiving week, especially Wednesday night and the weekend. Bar seating is kept for walk-ins.
Conclusion
The holiday table is really about passing plates, going back for seconds and arguing over the last crispy bite. A Spanish tapas dinner keeps every bit of that and just changes the accent. If you’re looking for Thanksgiving dishes in West Hartford that feel celebratory without repeating the same spread, gather your people at Blue Back Square any day of Thanksgiving week except the holiday itself, when we’re closed.
Pick your night, check the Boqueria West Hartford location page for the latest menu, and reserve a table for your Friendsgiving, Wednesday reunion or Black Friday dinner. The sangrÃa will be ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boqueria West Hartford open on Thanksgiving Day?
No. Boqueria West Hartford is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. We’re open regular hours Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, and we reopen on Black Friday, November 27, with regular hours.
Is Boqueria West Hartford open on Black Friday?
Yes. On Friday, November 27, we’re open regular hours, so it’s a good night for dinner after Black Friday shopping. Weekend brunch is back on Saturday and Sunday.
Can we get together at Boqueria the night before Thanksgiving?
Yes. Wednesday, November 25, is a regular day for us, and it’s one of the busiest nights of the season as friends come home for the break. Book ahead online if your group is larger than a few people.
Does Boqueria serve turkey?
No, turkey isn’t on the menu. The three paellas, the half Roasted Chicken and the Secreto de Ibérico are the closest stand-ins for a holiday centerpiece.
What’s the easiest way to order for a big Friendsgiving group?
The Chef’s Menu. The Classics brings a selection of guest favorites including one of our paellas, and The Boqueria Experience adds seasonal dishes and a taste of Jamón Ibérico. For 10 or more guests, reach out through the West Hartford events page about the private dining room. For parties of 6 or more, a taxed 20% service charge will be added.
Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options?
Yes. The Vegetable Paella, Espinacas a la Catalana, Grilled Broccolini, Escalivada and Tortilla Española are good meat-free choices, and several dishes are marked gluten-free on the menu, including all three paellas. Let your server know about any allergies before you order.