Updated: What’s open and when on Thanksgiving Day 2023 on Hatteras Island

Thanksgiving is just a week away, and there are a number of local businesses that will be open for cooks who need a few last-minute ingredients, as well as folks who want to avoid the kitchen altogether.

From grocery stores for essential supplies, to restaurants that will be serving up full Thanksgiving feasts, (with absolutely no cooking or clean-up required), here is an overview of what’s open on Hatteras Island on Turkey Day.

Keep in mind that in addition to these spots that will be open on Thanksgiving, there are plenty of stores, restaurants, and gift shops that might be closed on Thursday, but will be open all Thanksgiving weekend long for some stress-free, island-style Black Friday shopping.

Editor’s Note: If you are a local business that will be open on Thanksgiving Day, please let us know and we will be happy to add you to the list! Email us at editor@islandfreepress.org.

Hatteras Island Restaurants

Café Pamlico, Buxton
Thanksgiving Dinner
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Café Pamlico is hosting its annual Thanksgiving dinner with the traditional turkey, as well as a selection of meat and seafood main dishes, starters and sides, and multiple desserts. Reservations are available from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and Café Pamlico features indoor and covered outdoor seating. For more information, see https://www.innonpamlicosound.com/dining/ or call 252-995-4500 for reservations.

Frisco Bay Coastal Grill
Thanksgiving Dinner
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
For the first time ever, Frisco Bay Coastal Grill will be hosting an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving feast with traditional oven-roasted turkey, pork tenderloin in an orange almond bechamel sauce, grilled salmon, fresh blackened grouper, grilled seared Asian style tuna, southern fried chicken, and much more including an assortment of sides and desserts. The price for the feast is $29.99, and reservations are highly recommended for the 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. seatings. Call 252-986-5555 to reserve a spot, and more information can be found online on their website or on Facebook.

The Froggy Dog, Avon
Thanksgiving Dinner
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Froggy Dog is featuring a full Thanksgiving menu with a scatch-made selection of entrees, sides, and desserts.  Limited seating is available for families of all sizes from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and reservations are highly encouraged. Catering is also available this year, for a full Thanksgiving dinner to go. Catering orders must be placed by Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 4:00 p.m. For dine-in reservations, call The Froggy Dog at 252-995-5550. More information can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/thefroggydog/.

Diamond Shoals Restaurant, Buxton
Thanksgiving Dinner
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Diamond Shoals is featuring its longstanding annual Thanksgiving dinner, and its traditional menu will also be available for folks who prefer seafood to turkey. See https://www.facebook.com/DiamondShoalsRestaurant for more info and menus.

Muffins and Scones, Avon
Breakfast and Baked Goods
6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Muffins and Scones in Avon features a range of breakfast items and homemade desserts before the big feast, including breakfast sandwiches, pies, cakes, breads, and more holiday goodies. Visit https://www.facebook.com/muffinsandscones for more info.

Hatteras Island Grocery Stores

Village Red and White, Hatteras
Open 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving
Village Red and White in Hatteras Village has groceries, a stocked deli, and all sorts of last-minute cooking supplies available through Thanksgiving Day.

Frisco Rod and Gun, Frisco
Open 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving
Frisco Rod and Gun has ample groceries, beverages, and lots of Black Friday sales on all the fishing and sportsman’s equipment you’ll need for a post-Thanksgiving beach trip.

Conner’s Supermarket, Buxton 
Open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Conner’s Supermarket features a range of last-minute supplies, groceries, and an extensive selection of beers and wines that you’ll need to finalize your big dinner, as well as heat-and-eat Thanksgiving options that can be pre-ordered in advance.

Waves Market & Deli, Waves
Open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Waves Market & Deli features a large and unique variety of beers, wines, groceries, and scratch-made sides which are available before the holiday. Pre-orders for Thanksgiving staples including whole roasted or smoked turkeys and all the fixings are currently being accepted, and more information can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/wavesmarket/.

Sunrise Seafood Market, Avon
Open 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Sunrise Seafood Market is open all Thanksgiving week, and the market features house-made crabcakes as well as fresh crab meat and crab legs, fresh fish, local oysters, and more tempting options that add a little local flavor to a Thanksgiving feast. The shop also features an array of desserts, including ice cream sandwiches, key lime pies, and more.

Food Lion, Avon
Open 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Hatteras Island’s only chain grocery store is open until 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving for last-minute needs.

Dollar General, Buxton
Open 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving

Dollar General, Waves
Open 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving
These two variety stores offer an array of last-minute supplies and goods.