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 2021 are marked. Those not updated for 2021 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. Blockade Runner (Updated for 2021)
275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Reservations required: 877-
Blockade Runner will be serving a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The buffet will include a seafood station, carving station, salads, 13 sides, and 6 delicious desserts. Click “More Info” above to see the full menu. Call the restaurant for pricing.
2. Bluewater Waterfront Grill (Updated for 2021)
4 Marina St., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Reservations required: 910-256-8500
Bluewater Waterfront Grill on the Intracoastal Waterway will be open on Thanksgiving from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with Thanksgiving Plates and regular menu items. They will be serving:
- Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
- Brown Sugar Bake Ham
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Honey Stung Brussels Sprouts
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Chorizo and Sage Stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
The cost is $30.00 per adult and $15 per child 12 and under.
3. Bridge Tender (Updated for 2021)
1414 Airlie Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403
Reservations recommended: 910-256-4519
Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will include a four-course select menu for $32.00 per adult and $16.00 per children 12 and under. Diners will choose between one of four entrees featuring oven-roasted turkey and gravy, a glazed honey ham, 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 haricot vert. The appetizer includes a choice between crab dip and spinach and artichoke dip (both with garlic toast points). Dessert includes a brownie with ice cream and apple caramel crumb cake.
4. Carolina BBQ
1602 S. College Rd., Wilmington, 28403
Reservations required: 910-799-3464
It is unclear if Carolina BBQ will be serving a Thanksgiving meal this year. They have in the past. Call to verify availability.
5. Casey’s Buffet
5559 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
910-798-2913
Casey’s is a popular dining location. It is unclear if they will be serving a Thanksgiving meal this year. They have in the past. Call to verify availability.
6. Cracker Barrel (Updated for 2021)
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., which will include:
- Turkey n’ Dressing
- Gravy
- Sampling of Sugar Cured Ham
- Sweet Potato Casserole with pecans
- Cranberry Relish
- Choice of country side
- Buttermilk Biscuits or Corn Muffins
- Choice of refillable beverage
- Slice of Pumpkin Pie
7. Front Street Brewery (Updated for 2021)
9 N. Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401
910-251-1935
From 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 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 $11.99. New this year are Pumpkin Spice Dough Bites with caramel drizzle for dessert. No reservations required.
8. Golden Corral Buffet and Grill (Updated for 2021)
5130 New Center Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
910-392-1984
Golden Corral will be open normal hours on Thanksgiving. The holiday menu will include whole roasted or smoked turkey, holiday glazed ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, choice of homestyle sides, whole pumpkin or pecan pie, and their famous yeast rolls…plus their normal buffet!
9. Henry’s Restaurant & Bar (Updated for 2021)
2508 Independence Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28412
Reservations recommended: 910-793-2929
Beginning at 11 AM, Henry’s will be offering its dinner menu all day, as well as its Thanksgiving Day special. For $27 per person you can get roast turkey or ham served with collard greens, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and choice of sweet potato or Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with turkey gravy. For dessert, you can choose from pecan pie or seasonal sweet potato pie.
10. Hops Supply Co. (Updated for 2021)
5400 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
Reservations recommended: 910-833-8867
In addition to the standard menu, Hops will be serving roasted turkey breast with a choice of apple sausage stuffing, cranberry relish, mashed or sweet potatoes, collard greens, bread rolls, and cranberry sauce. Dessert will include pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake. Dinner will cost $21.99 per person and will be served starting a 11 a.m. Reservations are not required but are recommended if you worry about not having a table.
11. IHOP (Updated for 2021)
5355 Market St. and 5628 Carolina Beach Rd.
IHOP will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 6 AM – 3 PM serving their standard menu, including some limited time offers for the holidays.
12. K&W Cafeteria
3501 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
910-762-7011
The Thanksgiving Day Special includes roast turkey with dressing, two sides, fresh baked bread, scratch-made dessert, and refillable beverage for $9.99 (excluding tax and tip). Other selections are available at regular prices. Served 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
13. Nineteen Restaurant Bar and Banquet
Olde Point Country Club, 513 Country Club Drive, Hampstead, NC 28443
910-406-1419
Nineteen Restaurant will be doing a three-course meal for under $20.00 per person from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The meal menu has not been announced; however, there will be a kids menu available. They will also be having a Drinksgiving on Thanksgiving Eve, which will include a DJ, karaoke, bingo, and music trivia.
14. Oceanic Restaurant (Updated for 2021)
703 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
910-256-8500
The Oceanic will be serving a turkey dinner plate for $28.00 per person starting at 11:00 a.m. The first course will include an herb encrusted turkey breast lemon brine and giblet gravy served with yukon gold mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato puree, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole. Diners will be able to choose from 4 desserts: pecan pie, honey-almond cheese cake, layered chocolate cake, and pumpkin pie. They will also have a kid’s turkey plate for $9.99 and their regular dinner menu.
15. PinPoint Restaurant (Updated for 2021)
114 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401
Reservations required: Online via Open Table or call 910-769-2972
PinPoint is offering a Thanksgiving Day meal by reservation only between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. The meals will be $65 per person, including tax and gratuity (drinks are not included). Menu: Heritage Smoked Turkey and Gravy, Changin’ Ways Glazed Ham, roasted pumpkin soup, rolls and cornbread, ciabatta stuffing, roasted garlic whipped potatoes, sweet potato gratin, fried brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, roasted root vegetables, fall salad, cranberry sauce, and maple pecan pie.
16. Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Updated for 2021)
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 ($46.95/adult). The first course includes choice of a Caesar salad, steakhouse salad, or Louisian 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.
17. Steam Restaurant (Updated for 2020)
9 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, NC 28401 at Embassy Suites in Downtown Wilmington
Reservations required: 910-726-9226
Steam’s “Thanksgiving Day Extravaganza” multi-course dinner includes local oysters, shrimp cocktail, crab stuffed deviled eggs, traditional deviled eggs, house salad, STEAM winter salad, artisan rolls, corn bread, prime rib, apple cider brined turkey, poblano creamed corn, green bean casserole, corn bread stuffing, garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, sweet potato pecan casserole, creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, house made cranberry sauce, and a selection of sweet treats for dessert. Dinner runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pricing TBD.
18. Sweet N Savory Café (Updated for 2021)
1611 Pavilion Place, Wilmington, NC 28403
Reservations required: 910-256-0115
From 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sweet N Savory will be serving a family style meal for $50.00 for adults, $40 for elders/youth, $25 for kids aged 4-9, and free for kids under 4. Food choices include turkey, ham, shrimp boil, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, crispy brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce (jellied), macaroni and cheese, potato salad, dinner rolls, and a choice of apple cobbler, chocolate tarte, pumpkin pie, or pecan pie. b
Did we miss one? Leave it in the comments!
