Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays! With family and friends gathered together for fun and especially food, memories are bound to be made. What could be a better way to get everyone together than with a destination Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks? We’ll provide the home with plenty of room for everyone including gathering spaces, large dining tables, and gourmet kitchens for pulling off the best Thanksgiving meal ever!

Don’t feel like cooking? Never fear. The Outer Banks has several restaurants dedicated to helping you have a fantastic Thanksgiving. Whether you want a big bountiful buffet, a fancy multi-course meal or you want food to take home and serve in that great house you rented, we have you covered with a variety of options. After all, you’re on vacation too!

Thanksgiving Dinner is easy on the Outer Banks

Buffets

Ready for a food coma? These buffets can provide it. Not only is it all you can eat, the food is varied and fantastic which will please even the pickiest of eaters. There are many traditional favorites as well as things unique to the Outer Banks like oyster dressing. Yum.

Red Sky-Duck

This restaurant featuring Chef Wes is always a treat. Some of the highlights include turkey with cranberry relish, she-crab bisque, prime rib, and of course, a variety of oysters.

http://www.redskycafe.com/

Captain George’s-Kill Devil Hills

Of course, Captain George’s is always a buffet, but for Thanksgiving, they offer the “The Captain’s Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet”. It includes some items not usually on the menu such as turkey, prime rib, mashed potatoes, and of course seafood. Lots of seafood.

https://captaingeorges.com/

Lone Cedar Cafe -Nags Head

One of our oldest restaurants on the water, this menu is really something. Highlights include the usual turkey and prime rib, but then also things that are uniquely Outer Banks like oysters, ham hocks, crab dip and local fresh fish.

http://lonecedarcafe.com/

Roosters — Kill Devil Hills

This restaurant burst onto the scene a few years ago and has really made its mark. Not only does it have the traditional favorites, it has Outer Banks favorites like oyster dressing, fisherman’s’ stew and cranberry relish.

https://roosterssouthernkitchen.com/

Mulligans — Nags Head

This restaurant features traditional favorites of ham, turkey and beef, along with Outer Banks favorites like crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and oysters.

Multi Course Meals

If you’re not a buffet person, then you still have options for Thanksgiving. These restaurants serve a 3 course meal from a set menu with several choices.  These types of menus make for a longer, more relaxing meal with your family.

Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar-Kitty Hawk

This is one of the few restaurants that offer a four course menu instead of a three course. The appetizer course has things like sautéed shrimp, meatloaf and oysters. The next course is either soup or salad, and includes favorites like the Bistro Salad or beef and barely soup. The main course has not just turkey and prime rib, but also flounder and scallops. It is the Outer Banks after all. And the desserts offer such things as apple and cranberry tart or bourbon pecan chocolate chess pie.

https://www.obbistro.com/

Lifesaving Station -Duck

This four course meal also has plenty of options. From appetizers of blue crab dip and mushroom bisque to the salad, to the entrees of turkey, seafood and prime rib, it has it all. There’s even a vegetarian entrée option. Dessert has everything from flourless chocolate torte and pumpkin spiced Swiss roll.

https://www.sanderling-resort.com

Beach Bistro — Kill Devil Hills

The only one of two oceanfront restaurants in Dare County, the Beach Bistro is a little more laid back than most other multi course meal restaurants. Entrees center on turkey, steak, seafood and Portobello mushroom (good for vegetarians). There’s a soup or salad. Dessert is a variety of traditional Thanksgiving favorites along with flourless chocolate cake.  

https://www.obxbeachsidebistro.com/

Pumpkin on a beach
Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks

Pick Up Meals

Feel like having Thanksgiving in that great house you rented but don’t actually want to be the one to cook it? Don’t worry. These restaurants have you covered.  They specialize in take-out Thanksgiving that you can get the day before and then just heat up at home. You can fill the house with those great Thanksgiving smells and just relax on the actual day.

Coastal Provisions — Southern Shores

This long time local’s favorite offers an oven ready (raw) turkey that is brined and already has the spices and veggies on it. But it doesn’t stop there. If you don’t love turkey you could also get ham or crab cakes. The huge list of sides is impressive and ranges from traditional stuffing; Outer Banks stuffing, mashed potatoes and even spinach dip.  There is going to be something on this menu for everyone.

http://coastalprovisionsmarket.com/

Tommy’s Market — Duck

Ducks premier grocery, deli and bakery, Tommy’s offers all sizes of turkeys and you can get them baked, fried, prepped or completely raw. Naturally, they have all the popular sides, salads and a wide variety of homemade cakes, pies and rolls to go with them.  If you want a good old fashioned Thanksgiving feast, Tommy’s is the place to go.

Bones Doghouse BBQ

BBQ for Thanksgiving? Of course. Not only can you get the typical pork, brisket and ham, you can also get a Turkey, smoked or fried. The sides are more BBQ than Thanksgiving, but with choices like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese (for the kids) new potatoes, pasta salads and roasted red peppers, you can find something the whole family will love. Best of all, you don’t even have to go pick it up. Bones Doghouse BBQ delivers.

bonesbbq@gmail.com

Grocery Stores

As a last resort, stores like Publix, Harris Teeter and Food Lion offer take home Thanksgiving meals, so if that’s something you’re interested in, be sure to check them out. The prices are economical and provide everything you need for a stress free meal.

Still haven’t made your Outer Banks Thanksgiving plans? Search our Vacation Rental Homes here. We have availability for the week or just the weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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