Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks: Where to Find Your Feast

Spending Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks with family is a great way to kick off the holiday season. November weather is generally mild, with highs in the mid-60s, with lows dipping to the 50s at night. It’s possible to have a sunny Thanksgiving Day that is warm enough to spend a good portion of the day relaxing on the beach. In that case, we recommend planning ahead for your Thanksgiving meal. We’ve rounded up our feast recommendations for Thanksgiving on the OBX. Whether you’re looking for dine-in or take-out from a local restaurant, to pick up a complete meal, or enjoy local Outer Banks seafood on Thanksgiving this November, we’ve got you covered.

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Meals To Go More Food & Drink on Thanksgiving Day Add Some OBX Oysters

OBX Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

Want to visit an OBX restaurant for Thanksgiving? Several Outer Banks restaurants are open for dine-in or take-out on Thanksgiving. Some will be offering special Thanksgiving menus, many of which are well-known among visitors and locals on the Outer Banks. Visit each restaurant’s website for more information on menus and reservations. If your favorite OBX restaurant isn’t open on Thanksgiving Day, you may be able to enjoy a meal on a different day during the week.

*Updated for 2025

Red Sky Casual Dining & Cocktails

Traditional American and Coastal Carolina-inspired Thanksgiving cuisine served buffet-style. Classics with a coastal twist include shrimp & grits, fire-roasted turkey, crab bisque, country fried oysters, green bean casserole, sweet potato biscuits, and more. Reserve early; this Thanksgiving feast traditionally sells out in advance.

Adults: $42, Kids under 12: $15
10:30 am – 3:00 pm • Reservations Recommended, text (252) 455-1791
1197 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949

NC Coast Grill & Bar

Traditional Thanksgiving and more served on rustic wooden boards, $55/person
3:30 pm – 8:00 pm • Reservations Accepted
1184 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949 (252) 455-1791

*2025 details TBD

Jolly Roger

The Jolly Roger’s legendary breakfast menu is available from 7:00 am to 11:00 am on Thanksgiving Day. Starting at 1:00 pm, the all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving Feast begins. All items are served on the first round, and you can reorder your favorites afterward. Leftovers are available to take home, keeping the spirit of a traditional Thanksgiving weekend alive.

$35.95 per person (subject to change for 2025)
1:00 pm until… • Accepting Reservations for 2025, (252) 441-6530
1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant

All you can eat Thanksgiving Feast featuring traditional and coastal fare

$49.99
11:00 am – 8:00 pm • Reservations Accepted
705 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 (252) 480-6677

Basnight’s Lone Cedar

Thanksgiving buffet featuring traditional and coastal favorites. Large and small parties are welcome. Walk-in parties are welcome, but advance reservations are recommended.

Adults: $49.95, Kids under 12: $20.95, Under 5: free
10:30 am – 7:30 pm • Reservations Recommended (252) 441-5405
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Mulligan’s Grille

A Thanksgiving feast featuring traditional and coastal favorites. Large and small parties are welcome. Walk-in parties are welcome, but advance reservations are recommended.

Call for hours and more information (252) 480-2000
4005 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959

Order and Pick Up Complete Thanksgiving Meals

Take the guesswork out of your feast by pre-ordering a complete Thanksgiving meal that you can simply pick up from a local OBX business. Some meals need to be cooked, and others are heat-and-eat. If you’re looking for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal with a coastal twist, try a seafood boil. Complete meals must be pre-ordered, and there are advanced pre-order deadlines in most cases. Some meals must be picked up in advance, as several of the establishments are not open on Thanksgiving Day. See each business’s website for November hours and more information.

Kelly’s Outer Banks Catering

1004 9th Ave, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-4116

The Fresh Market

500 S. Croatan Hwy, Ste 5000, Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 255-5022

Harris Teeter

601 Currituck Clubhouse Dr, Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-0153

5400 N. Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2220

2012 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 449-9191

Outer Banks Boil Company

785 Sunset Blvd. D, Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-6578

3701 N. Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 715-2744

Sooey’s BBQ & Rib Shack

807 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-4423

3919 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 449-6465

OBX Food & Beverage Businesses Open on Thanksgiving Day

Looking for breakfast, coffee, or a non-traditional meal on Thanksgiving Day? There are restaurants in each Outer Banks town open on Thanksgiving Day. Satisfy your Thanksgiving craving without a full feast.

*Holiday hours may vary. Please check wth each individual establishment for open and close times.

Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Bookshop

Start your Thanksgiving morning with a good cup of coffee and a pastry.

Sweet T’s Coffee, Beer, and Wine

Stock up on spirits to enjoy later in the afternoon, after your feast.

Vine & Board

Pick up charcuterie and wine to kick off your Thanksgiving feast.

Yummy West Third specialty espresso drink at Front Porch Cafe.

Okinawa Sushi & Grill

Japanese restaurant in Corolla offering an extensive menu of sushi, grill bowls, and more.

Aloha Poke & Grill

Enjoy a poke bowl or a grill bowl.

Proof Bakery

Treat yourself to breakfast, or pre-order tasty desserts for your feast.

Front Porch Cafe (Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head locations)

Get your caffeine fix before preparing the feast.

Stack’em High Pancakes (Kitty Hawk)

Start your Thanksgiving with a breakfast feast.

Vilai Thai Kitchen

Try Thai for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Duck Donuts (Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head locations)

Sweet treats for your Thanksgiving Day breakfast.

Benny Tesoros Pizza

Enjoy a laid-back, different kind of feast with a 28″ pizza.

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant Kitty Hawk

Authentic Mexican food on the Outer Banks.

Five Guys Kill Devil Hills

Burgers, fries, milkshakes, and more in the heart of Kill Devil Hills.

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Enjoy a delicious dinner and a show!

N.Y. Bagels

Bagels baked fresh daily in Kill Devil Hills.

Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks, Complete with Oysters

Oysters are a great way to add a little bit of the Outer Banks to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and November is prime oyster season. See our comprehensive OBX oyster guide for a list of where to buy oysters on the Outer Banks, as well as some of our favorite ways to prepare and eat them.

Burn Some Calories Before the Feast

Kick off Thanksgiving Day with the 2025 Duck NC Turkey Trot 5K! This fun, family-friendly race is the perfect way to work up an appetite before diving into all those holiday treats.

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