These Wilmington-area restaurants are open for dine-in or offering takeout for Thanksgiving

If cooking a bunch of sides and a huge turkey isn’t your thing, no worries. There’s no need to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen for the holiday season thanks (giving) to local bakeries, restaurants, and catering companies. If you’re looking for order-ahead, pick-up options, or restaurants that will be open on Nov. 23, here are places in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties to check out.

Is there a restaurant we need to add to the list? Email aballard@gannett.com.

Order ahead and pick up

8207 NOMA: Now with two locations, this business is taking orders through Nov. 14 for items like sliced turkey breast by the pound, quiches, pies, and extras and sides from cheddar chive biscuits and country ham rolls to collards and smoked gouda mac-and-cheese. Pick up is Nov. 21-22 at both the 8207 Market St. in Porters Neck and 7006 Wrightsville Ave. near Wrightsville Beach. Details: 910-686-9343, 910-239-9142 or www.8207noma.com.

Biggers Market: The kitchen at 6250 Market St. in Wilmington is offering five popular Thanksgiving sides that can be ordered for pick up on Nov. 21 – including mac-and-cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing and green bean casserole. Details: biggersmarket.com.

Calabash Deli: This classic deli is accepting orders for small, medium and large Thanksgiving dinners to go while supplies last. You can also order extra sides, breads and pies. Pick up is Nov. 22 on 9929 Beach Drive S. W., Calabash. Details: 910-579-9801, calabashdeli.com

Cast Iron Kitchen: This Porters Neck favorite is once again offering pre-order Thanksgiving packages that include a choice of protein, three sides, gravy and cranberry sauce. You can also add shrimp-and-grits to your order. Pricing is based on group size, from two to six people. Orders need to be placed by Nov. 15 for pick up on Nov. 22 at 8024 Market St., Wilmington. Details: 910-821-8461, www.castiron-kitchen.com.

Gourmet to Go & Catered Affairs: You can order Thanksgiving meal packages with a choice of turkey or ham and all the fixings. Round out the meal with desserts and sides like butternut apple bisque and bourbon meatballs. Orders need to be placed and paid for by Nov. 13. Pick up is 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov, 22 at 105 W. St. George St., Southport. Details: 910-477-1082, https://gourmettogosouthport.com.

The Green House: The window to order a selection of plant-based dishes for your holiday is Nov. 8-18. You can order à la carte or get the whole package. Each is portioned to serve four to six people. Pick-up is 2-6 p.m. Nov. 22 at 1427 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. Details: www.thegreenrestaurant.com.

The Jelly Cabinet: This new bakery in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District is offering a menu of pies and baked goods for the holiday. Pie options include Dutch apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, bourbon dark chocolate pecan, and more. Orders need to be placed at the bakery by 2 p.m. Nov. 12 and pick up is Nov. 22 at 1011 N. Fourth St. Details: 910-745-0327.

Junction 421: There’s no need to even turn on the oven with this Monkey Junction restaurant’s Turkey to Trot meal. It includes a ready-to-eat choice of turkey or ham and a choice of three sides (like cornbread dressing, broccoli casserole and a dessert option of pumpkin creme brulee). Reserve your spot for pick-up on Thanksgiving at 5104 S. College Road, Wilmington. Details: 910-392-3490, junction421.com.

Just a Bite Wilmington: This bakery at 1010 Nutt St. in Wilmington is offering made-to-order desserts for the Thanksgiving holiday. Call to reserve your pumpkin, apple crumble or cherry crumble pies. Details: 910-367-4756, www.justabitewilmington.com.

Mac’s Speed Shop: The Wilmington location of this restaurant has started accepting pre-orders for smoked turkeys, meal packages, sauces and sides at 4126 Oleander Drive. Details: 910-947-6100, macspeedshop.com/turkey

MeMa’s Chicken & Ribs: They might not have a new physical location yet, but these Pender County chefs are still working this festive season. For their Holiday Meals, you can choose one of four meat options (turkey and ham, as well as ribs or pulled pork), four sides (including potato salad, yams and collards), a dessert, and a gallon of tea, lemonade or strawberry lemonade. The packages serve 8-12 people. Orders for Thanksgiving need to be placed by Nov. 19 for delivery or pick up on Nov. 22 at the Train Depot, 115 S. Dickerson St. in Burgaw. Details: 910-300-6139, myra@memaschicknandribs.com.

Nippy's Soul Food: This restaurant has relocated to 2206 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington but is still offering the same classic comfort food. That includes holiday packages, too. For Thanksgiving, orders need to be placed by Nov. 19 for turkey dinners, ham dinners or turkey-and-ham dinners that come with extras and sides. Desserts (cobblers and banana pudding) are also available. Pick-up is noon-4 p.m. Nov. 22. Details: 910-399-7456.

Nonnie’s Baking Company: This Southport bakery at 1517 N Howe St. is accepting pre-orders for Thanksgiving pies. You can choose from pumpkin, bourbon pecan and sweet potato. Details: 910-363-4224, www.facebook.com/nonniesbakingco.

Pine Valley Market: Order slots fill quickly for this Wilmington favorite. The 2023 Thanksgiving menu includes fully cooked turkeys and turkey breasts, and sides like sweet potato souffle, cider-glazed Brussels sprouts, and gluten-free gravy, as well as desserts. Thanksgiving plates with all the fixings are also available. No changes to orders will be accepted after Nov. 17 and items will be available for pick up Nov. 21 and 22. at 3520 S. College Road, Wilmington. Details: www.pinevalleymarket.com.

The Purple Onion Café: In Shallotte, this restaurant is offering a Holiday Reheat and Serve menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the first, orders need to be placed by Nov. 19 for pickup on Nov, 22. The menu includes Black Oak Ham, Apple & Rosemary Pork Loin, sides (which include both oyster dressing and cornbread dressing), cakes, pies and cheesecakes. The pick-up location is ART Catering Kitchen, 111 Cheers St, Shallotte. Details: 910-755-6071, www.purpleonioncafe.com.

Salt & Charm: In Wilmington’s Cargo District, this personal chef business offers a selection of order ahead Thanksgiving items like snacks, starters, side dishes, desserts and wines. Pick up is Nov. 21-22. Details: 910-769-1010, https://eat.saltandcharm.co.

SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar: In Carolina Beach, you can order complete holiday meals though Nov. 19, while supplies last. Each meal feeds six to eight people and comes with ready-to-heat instructions, a turkey, dinner rolls, gravy, mashed potatoes, mac-and-cheese, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. Pick up is Nov. 22 at 227 Carolina Beach Ave. N., Carolina Beach. Details: https://seawitchtikibar.com.

Shagger Jacks: This Oak Island restaurant once again offering a Create Your Own Thanksgiving Meal with a selection seven a la carte dishes that include turkey, ham, sides, dressing and gravy. There’s also a selection of five scratch-made desserts. Orders need to be placed by Nov. 20 for pick up at 8004 E. Oak Island Drive. Details: 910-933-4103, shaggerjacksoki.com.

Smoky Tony’s: On the Pender County line, this restaurant is accepting pre-orders for Thanksgiving meal packages through Nov. 17, which will be available for pick-up 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 23 at 511 Hwy 17 N. in Holly Ridge. You can choose just an 18-20 pound smoked turkey or get a full meal for 15 that includes sides, stuffing, rolls and two pies. Details: 910-803-0783, www.smokytonysbbq.com

Spoonfed Kitchen & Bakeshop: Near Wrightsville Beach, this cafe and catering shop has posted a menu for the holiday that includes quiches, tea breads, appetizers, desserts, vegetarian entrees and sides like five-cheese mac-and-cheese and fresh green beans with radicchio. Orders must be placed by 2 p.m. Nov. 18 for scheduled pick up on Nov. 22 at 1930 Eastwood Road, Wilmington. Details: spoonfedkitchen.com.

three10: In the Brooklyn Arts District, this restaurant is offering Thanksgiving at Home packages. Choose from an à la carte menu that includes dishes like confit turkey leg or turkey breast roulade, sides like sweet potato casserole and collards-and-ham, house-made cranberry sauce by the pint, buttermilk biscuits and pies by the slice. You can even add some wine to your package. Orders must be place by noon Nov. 20 for pick-up on Nov. 23. At 1022 N. 4th St, Wilmington. Details: 910-399-5428, three10wilmington.com.

Open on Thanksgiving

Blockade Runner Beach Resort: EAST, the onsite restaurant at this Wrightsville Beach resort, is a popular choice for holiday meals. Their Thanksgiving Grand Buffett menu promises a full seafood spread, a deluxe carving station, salads, sides, desserts and more at 275 Waynick Blvd. Details: 844-215-8227, https://blockade-runner.com.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill: On the Intracoastal Waterway in Wrightsville Beach, this restaurant is offering both to-go Thanksgiving Family Feast packages that feed four and dine-in service. The packages are available for pick-up on Nov. 23. And beginning at 11 a.m., they’re offering their regular dinner menu all day, as well as Thanksgiving features. It’s at 6 Marina St, Wrightsville Beach. Details: 910-256-8500, www.bluewaterdining.com.

Bridge Tender: On the water by the Wrightsville Beach bridge, this longtime restaurant is open 11 a.m.- 6p.m. Nov. 23. The menu is a four-course meal that includes a crab dip table starter, a choice of soup or salad, a choice of four entrees (turkey, as well as seafood and prime rib) and dessert. It’s at 1414 Airlie Road. Details: 910-256-4519, www.thebridgetender.com.

Ciana Ristorante Italiano: This new Wilmington restaurant is offering two options for the holiday -- dine-in or order ahead. The Thanksgiving to-go package feeds four-six people and includes turkey, five sides, gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce and dessert. Orders must be places by Nov. 15 and pick up is 9-11 a.m. Thanksgiving. Dine-in seatings are at noon and 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at 4724 New Centre Drive, Wilmington. Details: 910-399-5620, https://cianarestaurant.com.

Duffer's Pub & Grille: In the Caswell Beach area, this restaurant will be hosting a Thanksgiving buffet. There are two seatings at 928 Caswell Beach Road, one at noon and another at 2:30 p.m. It's reservation only. Details: 910-278-9299.

Front Street Brewery: Downtown's original brewery will be open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 23 serving a full menu and Traditional Thanksgiving Turkey plates with slow-roasted sliced turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It’s at 9 N. Front St., Wilmington. Details: www.frontstreetbrewery.com.

Loco Jo's Bar & Grill: In this Southport restaurant, the staff is off, but the owners and family stay open for their regulars. They make a limited quantity of Thanksgiving plates with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and a roll available while supplies last. They also sell their famous jumbo eggrolls and celebrate the release of the Great Lakes Christmas Ale. They open at 11:30 a.m. at 602 N. Howe St., Southport. Details: https://locojosnc.com.

Mad Boar Restaurant & Pub: You can start the holiday with a Friendsgiving event with live music on Nov. 22 and then enjoy the classic Thanksgiving buffet at 111 River Village Place, Wallace on Nov. 23. Look for prime rib, turkey and ham, salads, deviled eggs, sides, breads and desserts. It’s 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and reservations are recommended. Details: 910-285-8888, www.madboar.com.

Oceanic: This restaurant at the Crystal Pier will be open serving their dinner menu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23 as well as Thanksgiving features. The holiday menu will include a turkey plate with the traditional sides. Reservations are encouraged for this eatery at 703 S. Lumina Ave. in Wrightsville Beach. Details: 910-256-5551, www.oceanicrestaurant.com.

The Oyster Rock: This waterfront seafood restaurant in Calabash is taking reservations for a three-course dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 9931 Nance St. on Thanksgiving. The meal includes a choice of soup, a choice of three entrees and a choice of dessert. All plates come with six sides, all the traditional fixings. You can also add a la carte appetizers or salads. Details: 910-579-6875, https://theoysterrock.com.

PinPoint Restaurant: If you’d like to go to this Market Street restaurant for its fifth annual Thanksgiving dinner, book early. It always sells out. The menu usually includes classics like turkey, ham, all the trimmings and dessert but done the PinPoint way. Seatings are 12:30-3 p.m. at 114 Market St., Wilmington. Details: pinpointrestaurant.com.

Ports of Call: In Southport, this perennial favorite is accepting reservations for a dine-in, three-course meal from noon to 3 p.m. There’s a choice of soup or salad, entrée course and dessert. Take-out plates are also available. It’s at 116 N. Howe St., Southport. Details: 910-457-4544, www.portsofcallbistro.com.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: You can dine in or get takeout from the downtown Wilmington location of this steakhouse restaurant at 301 N. Water St. The in-house menu features a three-course meal for adults and children. The regular menu will also be available. Those who want to eat at home have a choice of beef or turkey packages, as well as a la carte sides. Details: www.ruthschris.com.

Salt64: In Oak Island, this restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 23 serving a buffet-style meal. Look for Caprese platters, a Caesar salad station, chilled poached whole salmon, fried chicken, carved prime rib, turkey, smoked ham, vegetable pasta, mac-and-cheese, loaded smashed potato, desserts and more. Reservations are required for the meal at 6404 E Oak Island Dr. Details: https://salt64.com.

The Sea Biscuit Café: In the Holden Beach/Varnumtown/ Supply area of Brunswick County, this restaurant is taking orders and reservations for Thanksgiving. They’ll be open for dine-in, as well as offering family meals to go at 3370 Stone Chimney Road S.W., Supply. Details: 910-842-8445, www.facebook.com/TheSeaBiscuit.

Steam Restaurant & Bar: With a view of the Cape Fear River, this restaurant has become a holiday favorite. This year, they're hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23. at 9 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington. The menu includes local oysters, crudites, salads, prime rib, brined turkey and smoked ham, as well as a selection of sides and baked goods. Details: 910-726-9226, www.steamrestaurantilm.com.

Sweet N Savory Café: Reserve your spot for this holiday meal that includes turkey, all the fixings, and a selection of desserts at 1611 Pavilion Place near Wrightsville Beach. Seating is from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Details: 910-256-0115, sweetnsavory.cafe.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC, restaurants open on Thanksgiving for dine-in or takeout