21+ Best Open Restaurants for a Virginia Beach Thanksgiving (2023)

We know that traditionally Thanksgiving is spent around the family dining room table. Still, with our transient lifestyle, often the family has to come from out of town to be together, and getting everyone into a small dining room is not workable.

Why not be comfortable, not spend all your vacation in the kitchen, eliminate the stress of shopping, cooking, and cleanup by heading to one of Virginia Beach’s restaurants for a worry-free Thanksgiving meal.

Choose between sitting down at a fine dining restaurant, a buffet dinner, or dinner at a casual restaurant. You may even want to pick up that scrumptious dinner and take it to a local park and enjoy a Thanksgiving picnic or enjoy it in your own home.

Whether you are away from home for Thanksgiving or don’t want to go through all the hassle of cooking a turkey and all the sides for a huge Thanksgiving feast, we have plenty of options. Peruse our list where you can go out for a traditional Thanksgiving meal in Virginia Beach without hours in the kitchen.

Wherever and whatever you eat, be thankful.

Fine Dining Thanksgiving Dinners

Swan Terrace Grill at The Founders Inn and Spa

Location: 5641 Indian River Rd., Virginia Beach, VA | Website

The beautiful Swant Terrace Grill at The Founders Inn and Spa offers both a lavish lunch and dinner buffet of turkey, prime rib, porchetta, along with all the traditional sides and delicious desserts from their pastry shop.

The traditional Founders Inn Thanksgiving Buffet offers a special touch for all the children in attendance with fun activities throughout the day. The kids will love exploring the arts and craft tables, getting their faces painted, getting a crazy sculpture from the balloon artist, and visiting the petting zoo.

The Founders Inn is the perfect place to spend a family-oriented Thanksgiving in Virginia Beach.

The Butcher’s Son

• Address: 1556 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach | Website

The Butcher’s Son will open their doors early for an afternoon buffet that features turkey, sirloin, and ham carving stations, and all those Southern-style Thanksgiving sides like corn pudding, collard greens, and sweet potato casserole. Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete at The Butcher’s Son without a piece of pecan, apple, or pumpkin pie.

Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

• Address: 3001 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach | Website

Whether you are vacationing at the oceanfront or are looking for a terrific Thanksgiving dinner away from home, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront would be a great option. The buffet will be open from 12:00 – 5:00 PM.

The feast includes hand-carved meats, oyster stew, an Eastern Shore Raw Bar, salad bar, and over 30 other trimmings. Save room for dessert, since all the desserts take up a whole room! Not only would you get turkey and all the trimmings, but the view from the Grand Oceanfront Ballroom is magnificent.

The buffet is vast, and they have a whole room of just desserts.

Before or after dinner, stroll through the hotel, which is decorated beautifully for the holidays.

Cobalt Grille

• Address: 1624 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Website

Enjoy a four-course meal between 12:00 and 7:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day at the Cobalt Grille. The meal includes soup, salad, an entree of either turkey, Maple Leaf duck, salmon, grilled pork ribeye, or a vegetarian melody. Save room for dessert. You have an option of chocolate cake, apple, or pumpkin pie

The Cobalt Grille also offers a 4-course Thanksgiving Takeout Dinner menu. Just get your order in by the Monday before Thanksgiving, and you can pick it up the day before Thanksgiving. Eat it that night or warm it up the next day for a Thanksgiving feast wherever you may be.

The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club

• Address: 4200 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach | Website

Whether you are staying at the newly restored Cavalier Hotel or just want to enjoy exploring the elegant hotel and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner, the Cavalier has two options for you. Choose between dining in the lavish Crystal Ballroom from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for their exquisite buffet-style dinner or make reservations for the Becca Restaurant and Garden from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM for a fine dining experience and a three-course meal.

The Crystal Ballroom menu includes a raw bar with oysters, shrimp, and mussels, sweet potato bisque and she-crab soup, a cheese board, salad, poached eggs, turkey, ham, salmon, steak, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cornbread stuffing, green beans, and Brussel sprouts. To sweeten the end of the meal, enjoy an assortment of bourbon pecan diamonds, sweet potato tarts, pumpkin pie, apple strudel, coconut cake, and bread pudding.

Becca’s three-course beam begins with a choice of sweet potato bisque, short rib, or a fall harvest salad. The entrees include a NY strip steak, rockfish, roasted pork loin, sweet potato gnocchi, or the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and Brussel sprouts. For dessert, choose between a Holiday Sampler of sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and apple strudel, or enjoy the bread pudding or chocolate torte.

Le Yaca Virginia Beach

• Address: 741 First Colonial Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-6123 | Website

Plan on arriving at Le Yaca between noon and 7:45 PM on Thanksgiving Day for a delicious four-course Thanksgiving feast with a bit of a French twist.

This contemporary French restaurant will be serving your holiday favorites beginning with chestnut and mushroom soup, then choose your primary course of beef tenderloin and potato pie, turkey and stuffing, halibut with asparagus, or roasted lamb with spinach. Save room for some crème brûlée, Pêche Pochée, or Chocolate Praliné Pecan.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

• Address: 205 Central Park Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

For those who have dined on one of Ruth’s Chris steaks in the past, their three-course Thanksgiving dinner likewise should not be missed.

Thanksgiving dinner begins with a salad before the main entrée of turkey breast, gravy, sausage and herb stuffing, cranberry relish, and a choice of a side item. Then to finish off your meal, enjoy a Chocolate Sin cake.

If you are interested in carryout, Ruth’s Chris has take-home feasts that serve four.

Casual Thanksgiving Dinners

Murphy’s Irish Pub

• Address: 2914 Pacific Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Website

Head to Murphy’s Irish Pub for a traditional Irish dinner of Irish Stew, Jameson Steak, Corned Beef and Cabbage, or a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and ham with mashed potatoes, yams, stuffing, and green beans. Don’t get too full before you have a chance to get a piece of pumpkin or sweet potato pie.

For the sports fans in your party that feel there must be football paired with their Thanksgiving dinner, Murphy’s has it covered by broadcasting all three NFL Thanksgiving Day games.

If you need a break from those touchdowns, then head to Virginia Beach’s most enormous four-sided fireplace and relax with family and friends while enjoying a drink.

Live music beginning at 7:00 PM will showcase Mike DeMoss, a local favorite.

The Black Angus

• Address: 706 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Website

Since 1953 The Black Angus has been delicious steak and seafood along the oceanfront.

Thanksgiving at The Black Angus means an afternoon of feasting around the buffet. Their traditional Thanksgiving meal begins at 11:00 AM and continues until 8:00 PM and features all your favorites freshly made in by the Black Angus chefs.

If you are already tired of turkey and all the fixings, stop by The Black Angus after 4:30 PM and choose from the regular menu.

Those interested in Thanksgiving takeout fill your takeout box with all the goodies and pay by the pound.

21st Street Seafood Raw Bar

• Address: 2106 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Website

Are you looking for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a side of oysters or shrimp? Then enjoying a casual Thanksgiving turkey dinner with some great seafood at the 21st Street Seafood Raw Bar is a must for your Thanksgiving Day plans.

If you can’t or don’t want to get out and eat at the restaurant, then order your dinner through Doordash, GrubHub, or Postmates, and it will arrive at your doorstep.

Captain Georges Seafood Buffet

• Address: 1956 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 | Website

Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner around the buffet with the captain at Captain Georges Seafood Buffet. The buffet is open from 11:30 AM until 9:00 PM and will feature turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and crab legs.

Plan ahead and order their Thanksgiving Feast to go and enjoy all of Captain George’s buffet items in the comfort of your home or home away from home.

Lesner Inn Catering Club

• Address: 3319 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Website

Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner of hand-carved turkey and Virginia ham at the Lesner Inn as you overlook the Lynnhaven Inlet. Your meal will also include a buffet of soups, salad, bread, and all those delicious Thanksgiving sides. Be sure to save room for an assortment of desserts that will be too tempting to pass up.

The Lesner Inn buffet is offered from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Surf Club Ocean Grille

• Address: 5700 Atlantic Ave in the Wyndham Hotel, Virginia Beach | Website

The Surf Club Ocean Grille in the Wyndham Hotel in the North End section of Virginia Beach offers a delicious Thanksgiving buffet from 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Here you will find a raw bar with fresh local oysters and steamed shrimp, and a fall or Caesar salad to start your meal. For your main entrée, choose amongst seared salmon, pork ribeye roast, turkey, or honey-baked ham. To complete your main course, you will have the option of having mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, beets, squash soup, green bean casserole, brussels sprouts, and stuffing. After dinner, choose between a variety of seasonal holiday desserts!

Cooper Hawk’s Winery

• Address: 733 Lynnhaven Mall Loop, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 | Website

Treat your family to a special Thanksgiving dinner at Cooper Hawk’s Winery. Chef Matt McMillin has a delicious Thanksgiving menu of butternut squash soup, turkey and stuffing, green beans, potatoes, and pumpkin praline cheesecake scheduled for those looking for a flavorful dinner.

Cooper Hawk’s November Wine of the Month Grateful Red or White or the Cranberry Sangria is the perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving meal.

If you need a Thanksgiving meal to go instead, try their Heat and Server package.

Cracker Barrel

• Address: 757 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

When you want to combine a bit of shopping with your Thanksgiving dinner, head to Cracker Barrel, where you can enjoy the Turkey n’ Dressing dinner served with sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and cranberry relish.

After the meal, enjoy browsing the Cracker Barrel store for some old-fashion candy, clothing, and great gift ideas. Those in your party who don’t want to shop can enjoy time on the front porch rocking in the rocking chairs greeting those coming and going.

If takeout is what you are looking for, Cracker Barrel offers Thanksgiving Heat N’ Serve Feasts and Family Dinner packages. These meals are available the whole week of Thanksgiving, so if your schedule means Thanksgiving dinner on a different day, Cracker Barrel has you covered.

Denny’s

• Address: 3337 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

On Thanksgiving Day, Denny’s will not only be open, but you can stop in and enjoy their turkey and dressing dinner. The dinner includes carved turkey breast, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread, and two other sides.

Golden Corral

• Address: 400 S. Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Stop in and dine at Golden Corral for Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Day buffet will feature all your favorite holiday goodies and many of your usual Golden Corral favorites.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill – Virginia Beach

• Address: 4574 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462

When looking for a classic restaurant to celebrate Thanksgiving, head to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for a three-course turkey dinner. For those in your party that are not fans of turkey, their regular menu will also be available for ordering.

Order one of their take-and-head meals, including turkey, gravy, sides, and dessert, if you are looking for a quality dinner to bring home. The take-home meals come in two sizes which serve five or up to 10 people.

Boston Market

• Address: 3981 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 | Website

Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner of the meats that have been the backbone of the Boston Market. Choose between a turkey, ham, or prime rib dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, and a piece of pie.

Boston Market also offers heat and serve meals that serve up to 12 people and à la carte items for takeout.

IHOP

• Address: multiple locations
  • 817 First Colonia Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
  • 1540 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23454
  • 3300 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
  • 4401 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462
  • 1316 Fordham Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Head to any of the five IHOP locations in Virginia Beach for a Thanksgiving dinner of all-natural roasted turkey breast with gravy. Then choose two sides that include corn, mashed potatoes, rice, mac-n-cheese, or broccoli. The meal also comes with either pancakes or a side salad.

For those patrons 55 and older, IHOP’s 55+ Roasted Turkey Dinner is available at a reduced cost.