Don’t have room to host a Thanksgiving meal or don’t feel like cooking a whole feast? Well, thank your lucky stars, because we’ve got some great dine-in options here in the Wilmington area! Below are 18 options to choose from. Some require reservations, so make sure you carefully read through your favorites. If we we missed anyone, please leave a comment with the restaurant name and as many details as you can provide.
Note: Listings updated for 2023 are marked. Those not updated for 2023 have not made an announcement about Thanksgiving at the time this post was updated. We still include them in case readers want to check in with them.
Also see Where to Order Take-Home Thanksgiving Meals in Wilmington.
1. EAST (Blockade Runner) (Updated for 2023)
275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Reservations required: 877-
Blockade Runner will be serving a Thanksgiving Day buffet. The buffet will include a seafood station, carving station, salads, sides, and delicious desserts. Click “More Info” above to see the full menu. Call the restaurant for pricing.
2. Bluewater Waterfront Grill (Updated for 2023)
4 Marina St., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Reservations required: 910-256-8500
Bluewater Waterfront Grill on the Intracoastal Waterway will be serving up Thanksgiving plates (as well as their regular dinner menu). They will be serving:
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Oven-roasted house brined turkey breast and/or Black Forest baked ham
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Apple and sausage stuffing
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Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
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Collard greens
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Home-made turkey gravy
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Scratch-made cranberry sauce
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Pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake torte
The cost is $39.00 per adult and $18 per child 12 and under.
3. Bridge Tender (Updated for 2023)
1414 Airlie Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403
Reservations recommended: 910-256-4519
The Bridge Tender will be serving a four-course select menu for $43.00 per adult and $17.00 per children 12 and under. Diners will choose between one of four entrees featuring oven-roasted turkey and gravy, local grouper (add $8), baked salmon, and certified angus prime rib with horseradish cream and au jus (add $8). Each entrée is served with traditional stuffing, mashed yukon gold or sweet potatoes, and succotash OR carrots. The appetizer includes a crab dip with garlic toast points and diners can choose between New England Clam Chowder, Lumina Greens, and Gorgonzola Walnut Salad. Dessert includes a brownie or apple crisp (both with ice cream).
4. Ciana Ristorante Italiano (Updated for 2023)
4724 New Centre Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405
910-399-5620 (Reservations Required)
Ciana Ristorante Italiano will be providing two seating options – Noon and 3:00 p.m. The will be serving turkey with 9 classic sides and dessert. Adults are $50, teens (11-17) are $30, Kids (6-10) are $15, Children (3-5) are $10, and 2 and under are FREE.
5. Cracker Barrel (Updated for 2023)
21 Van Campen Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28403
910-794-1162
Open regular business hours Thanksgiving day and serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal beginning at 11 a.m.
6. Front Street Brewery (Updated for 2023)
9 N. Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401
910-251-1935
From 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wilmington’s “Original Restaurant & Brewery” will serve its full menu, as well as its thanksgiving turkey plate. Plates include sliced turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing and cranberry sauce all for only $13.99.
7. Golden Corral Buffet and Grill (Updated for 2023)
5130 New Center Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
910-392-1984
Golden Corral will be open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The holiday menu will include carved roasted turkey, carved holiday glazed ham, and carved holiday beef roast on the endless buffet along with all the traditional holiday favorites like stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, and pecan pie.
8. Henry’s Restaurant & Bar (Updated for 2023)
2508 Independence Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28412
Reservations recommended: 910-793-2929
Website (Reservation required)
From 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Henry’s will be offering a special Thanksgiving Day menu with traditional options and other popular entrees. For $34.95-$38.95 per person you can get roast turkey and/or ham served with mashed potatoes, collard greens, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, baked mac-n-cheese, and bread. For dessert, you can choose from pecan pie or pumpkin pie.
9. Oceanic Restaurant (Updated for 2023)
703 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
910-256-8500 (Reservation Recommended)
The Oceanic will be serving a turkey dinner plate for $39.00 per person starting at 11:00 a.m. Thee plate will include herb-roasted turkey breast, southern gravy, whipped yukon gold potatoes, cornbread stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, and sauteed haricots verts. They will also have a kid’s turkey plate for $15, dseert options, and their regular dinner menu.
10. Pilot House (Updated for 2023)
2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401
910-343-0200
The Pilot House will have a special Thanksgiving menu from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. At the time of this update, they had not posted the menu.
11. PinPoint Restaurant (Updated for 2023)
114 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401
910-769-2972 (Reservations required)
PinPoint is offering a Thanksgiving Day meal by reservation at 12:30 p.m. The meals will be family style at $85 per person, including tax and gratuity (drinks are not included). Menu: Changin’ Ways Turkey, blood orange and apples glazed ham, 10 sides, and apple crisp for dessert.
12. Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Updated for 2023)
301 N. Water St. in the Hotel Ballast, Wilmington, NC 28401
Reservations required: 910-343-1818
Ruth’s Chris Steak House will be serving their chef’s traditional three-course feast ($47.95/adult and $18.95/kids 10 and under). The first course includes choice of a lobster bisque, steakhouse salad, or Louisiana seafood gumbo. The second course features hand-carved oven-roasted turkey with sausage and herb stuffing, gravy, and cranberry relish with a choice of one side (mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach, and green beans with garlic). The meal will be finished off with pumpkin cheesecake.
13. Steam Restaurant (Updated for 2023)
9 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, NC 28401 at Embassy Suites in Downtown Wilmington
Reservations required: 910-726-9226
Steam’s Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet will includes local oysters, steamed Carolina shrimp, deviled eggs, artisan cheese, veggie crudites and salads, prime rib, turkey, and ham, 8 sides, and a selection of sweet treats for dessert. Dinner runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
14. Sweet N Savory Café (Updated for 2023)
1611 Pavilion Place, Wilmington, NC 28403
Reservations required: 910-256-0115
From 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sweet N Savory will be serving a family style meal for $35.00 for adults, $25 for elders, $15 for kids aged 5-10, and free for kids under 5. Food choices include turkey, 7 sides, non-alcoholic drinks, and a choice of warm apple cobbler, chocolate mousse, and pumpkin pie.
Did we miss one? Leave it in the comments!
