Don’t have the space—or the stamina—to pull off a whole Thanksgiving spread? You’re in luck. Each year, a handful of local favorites open their doors with special holiday menus, traditional turkey plates, and even full-on buffets with all the sides and sweets. For 2025, the Wilmington area has several great dine-in choices, from oceanfront classics on Wrightsville Beach to beloved downtown institutions on the Riverwalk. Reservations are often required or strongly recommended, and menus sometimes vary by time of day, so be sure to skim the details below and book early.
Important note: This list includes only restaurants that have posted a 2025 Thanksgiving Day announcement on their own website or official social channel as of today (October 23, 2025). If you don’t see a spot you loved in years past, it may not have announced yet—or it may be skipping this year. When in doubt, give them a call.
Also see: Where to Order Take-Home Thanksgiving Meals in Wilmington (for heat-and-serve or curbside options).
Quick Notes Before You Book
Date: Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025. If hosting isn’t in the cards—or you simply want to trade dish duty for coastal views—Wilmington has you covered. Below you’ll find only the restaurants that have publicly posted Thanksgiving 2025 details. Many require reservations and prime times fill early, so consider booking soon.
2025 Confirmed
Wrightsville Beach & Intracoastal Views
Bluewater Waterfront Grill — “Thanksgiving Feast on the Intracoastal”
When: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2025.
Where: 4 Marina St., Wrightsville Beach.
Reservations: Recommended via the events page.
Expect marina sunsets, classic holiday plates, and their full coastal lineup.
Oceanic at Crystal Pier — Oceanfront Turkey Plate + Full Dinner Menu
When: Serving all day on Nov. 27, 2025.
Price (Turkey Plate): $40 adults / $18 kids 10 & under.
Enjoy 8 oz herb-roasted turkey with gravy, whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green beans, and cranberry sauce—plus pie options for dessert. Planning a rental stay or condo gathering? See Oceanic’s Thanksgiving Family Meals To Go for pickup on the holiday.
Bridge Tender — Holiday Hours on the ICW
When: Open 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Where: 1414 Airlie Rd., Wilmington (Wrightsville Beach side of the bridge). Waterfront tables go quickly—book ahead from their site’s reservation links.
La Duna Paradiso at Trailborn Surf & Sound — Family-Style Coastal Feast
What’s new: The former Blockade Runner property is now the reimagined Trailborn Surf & Sound. Its signature restaurant, La Duna Paradiso, is serving a family-style Thanksgiving with roasted turkey breast, maple-glazed Carolina ham, and classic sides.
Price: Adults $85 / Kids (5–12) $45; under 4 free (see the OpenTable listing for seating 12:00–7:00 p.m.).
Downtown Wilmington & Riverwalk
Steam Restaurant & Bar (Embassy Suites Riverfront) — Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet
River views and a festive mid-day spread have made Steam’s Thanksgiving brunch a perennial favorite. Their 2025 buffet is promoted on social—peek at the Embassy/Steam posts for timing and menu teasers: Instagram 2025 buffet post and a recent Facebook menu teaser. For current seating windows, call the restaurant on the second floor of the Embassy Suites, 9 Estell Lee Pl.
Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp — Thanksgiving Buffet on the Riverwalk
Price: $42 adults / $20 kids under 12 (per 2025 posts).
Why go: Laid-back Riverwalk dining with a classic buffet lineup. See their 2025 announcements on Instagram and Facebook for times and booking prompts.
The Fork n Cork — “Thanksgiving Cluster Fork” Casual Plates
This cheeky downtown tradition returns in 2025 with budget-friendly plates and a fun vibe. Expect doors to open in the late afternoon (historically 4 p.m.) and a playful, community-minded atmosphere. Watch their 2025 posts on Instagram and Facebook for the final day-of details.
PinPoint Restaurant — 7th Annual Family-Style Thanksgiving
When: 12:00–5:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2025.
Price: $95 per person (includes tax/gratuity; beverages extra).
Reservations: Required; this event always sells out. Details on the official events page; booking links also appear on their homepage as the holiday approaches.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Hotel Ballast/Riverfront) — 3-Course Traditional Feast
When: Open early, 11AM-8PM on November 27, 2025
Classic steakhouse polish with a Thanksgiving twist: starters like Caesar or seafood gumbo, oven-roasted turkey with trimmings, and pumpkin cheesecake to finish. The national seasonal page is live for 2025 as well (Thanksgiving Dinner + holiday to-go). For Wilmington-specific seating, book through the local page or call the restaurant.
Midtown & Greater Wilmington
Henry’s Restaurant & Bar — Traditional Plates & Holiday Reservations
A reliable local favorite for turkey-and-sides, with holiday seating and occasional catering offerings. Follow their updates or call to reserve. See their 2025 Thanksgiving event post and recent catering note for timing and booking prompts.
Cracker Barrel (21 Van Campen Blvd.) — Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing (Dine-In) + Heat & Serve
Cracker Barrel’s official 2025 holiday newsroom confirms the return of its dine-in Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing meal and popular Heat & Serve options. Expect holiday-day waits at peak times; arriving early or choosing an off-peak window helps.
Booking Tips
- Waterfront first: Spots with ocean or Intracoastal views—like Bluewater, Oceanic, and Bridge Tender—fill early for sunset. If those are booked, try brunch (Steam) or later afternoon options like Fork n Cork.
- Family-style vs. buffet: For a shared-table experience, look at PinPoint or La Duna Paradiso. Prefer grazing? Steam and Elijah’s buffet are excellent fits.
- Kids & large groups: Chains like Cracker Barrel are built for crowd-pleasing classics, while Oceanic posts clear kids’ pricing on its turkey plate.
How We Built This List
Every listing above links to a 2025 announcement on the restaurant’s official website or owned social channels. Where exact seating windows, prix-fixe prices, or menus weren’t yet published, we linked to the venue’s most authoritative 2025 post and noted how to book or confirm details.
Have a 2025 Announcement We Missed?
Are you a restaurant or diner who spotted another confirmed Thanksgiving option in the Wilmington area? Drop the details (and a link to the 2025 post) in the comments so we can share it with readers.
