Eating out for Thanksgiving? Here are Daytona area restaurants that will cook for you
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, families and restaurants alike are starting to plan their decadent turkey celebrations.
Whether pre-ordering and picking up a hot meal for the upcoming holiday, or dining out and enjoying a family feast with loved ones, there's never a lack of restaurant variety here in the Daytona Beach area.
When planning this year's holiday dinner, check out the following Volusia-Flagler restaurants that will either be open on Thanksgiving Day, or offer take-out selections ahead of the upcoming holiday.
2 restaurants close while 10 new open in Volusia-Flagler: Latin, Italian, Greek and more
Flagler Tavern
414 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-8861, flaglertavern.com
Flagler Tavern, a lively, popular Flagler Avenue staple, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, beginning with brunch at 10 a.m. followed by traditional Thanksgiving dishes beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23. Thanksgiving offerings will range from crispy fried corn fritters, soup and salad butternut squash bisque and pepita-crusted salmon, to the traditional turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes and more, the spiral-cut ham dinner, and apple and pumpkin pie desserts. Reservations are recommended.
Daytona’s Original First Turn / Daytona’s Steakhouse and Gastro Pub
5218 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange; 386-788-5434, firstturnsteakhouse.com
First Turn will be open on Thanksgiving Day at 2 p.m., and will offer an $18 meal — while supplies last — consisting of an open-face turkey sandwich served with a side of gravy, sweet potato fries and vegetable medley. Daytona’s Steakhouse and Gastro Pub will also be open, offering a Thanksgiving Day meal for $50 per person, with three seating times available — 2, 4 and 6:30 p.m. The holiday menu consists of turkey and gravy or prime rib, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, hot honey cinnamon rolls, soup or salad, pumpkin pie and apple cobbler. RSVP is recommended.
Funky Pelican
215 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach; 386-439-0011, funkypelican.com
This popular beachfront restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving Day with no reservations accepted. Funky Pelican will serve a “funky” menu from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. consisting of classic turkey, prime rib, crème brûlée cheesecake and a variety of festive holiday cocktails. The eatery will also serve its regular lunch and dinner menu.
CorkScrew Bar and Grille
235 Canal St., New Smyrna Beach; 386-957-3955, corkscrewbarandgrille.com
CorkScrew Bar and Grille will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. for those looking to enjoy a holiday lunch or dinner at this popular New Smyrna Beach staple. The restaurant will offer a specialty menu with several appetizers, signature entrees and desserts, as well as a traditional turkey dinner. The eatery will also have its full bar for the holiday, with seasonal cocktail specials and happy hour from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Thanksgiving dinner will cost $25 per person, and Corkscrew is now accepting reservations for all party sizes. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Garlic
556 E. 3rd Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-424-6660, thegarlic.net
Described as an Italian Country Grille, The Garlic is a first-come-first-served style restaurant known for its enchanting atmosphere, twinkling courtyard and rustic décor. The Garlic will be open on Thanksgiving Day, and will serve a traditional "family style" dinner priced at $31.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 6 -12 years old and free for children under 6 years old. While the eatery's regular menu will also be available, the Thanksgiving menu will offer fresh roasted turkey and ham platters, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, green beans, cranberry sauce, bread, gravy and desserts. The Garlic will also have live entertainment at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving day, and no reservations will be accepted for dinner.
Fysh Bar and Grill
3633 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange; 386-262-3497, fyshbg.com
Fysh Bar and Grill will offer a Thanksgiving Day buffet priced at $39.99 for adults and $18.99 for children 12 and younger. Beverages are not included. The buffet will feature a variety of appetizers — ambrosia fruit salad, assorted sushi rolls, butternut squash and apple soup and more — as well as a carving station with turkey and gravy, roasted tenderloin with a demi glaze sauce, and ham with Jack Daniels bourbon sauce. Other entrees and sides offered at the buffet include chicken marsala, tropical blackened salmon, green bean casserole, pecan maple sweet potato casserole, old-fashioned corn bread stuffing and more. Fysh Bar and Grill is now accepting reservations for the holiday buffet.
Hard Rock Hotel
918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-947-7300, hardrockhotels.com
Daytona Beach’s Hard Rock Hotel will offer its traditional Thanksgiving Day Champagne Buffet on Thursday, Nov. 23. The buffet will be priced at $60 for adults, $55 for adults 55 and older, $35 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5. The buffet will offer starters like the garden salad, lemon-glazed beet salad, and fruit and cheese display, as well as a carving station with a roasted turkey breast and turkey leg confit. The buffet will also feature a variety of main plates and desserts ranging from the sausage and sage stuffing, braised beef short rib and whipped potatoes to the Chocolate Decadence Cake, apple crisps and pumpkin pie. Reservations can be made online or by calling the hotel.
Big Tuna’s Beach Bar and Grill
2695 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-677-1235, bigtunasbeachbarandgrill.com
Big Tuna’s will be open from 2-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and will serve a special Thanksgiving dinner priced at $35 per plate for adults and $20 per plate for children 12 years old and younger. The eatery’s menu will feature options ranging from traditional turkey or baked ham, red potato mash, Mac Daddy Mac and Cheese and stuffing to turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, and apple or pumpkin pie. Soda, tea and coffee will also be included. Reservations and walk-ins are welcome.
Cook’s Buffet
704 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; 386-734-4339, cooksbuffetdeland.com
Cook’s restaurant in DeLand will be open from 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. This popular buffet-style eatery is known for its Southern comfort food and homemade holiday menu favorites, served all year long. On Thanksgiving, Cook’s will offer its usual buffet foods alongside a range of traditional holiday offerings, including turkey, gravy, sweet potato mash, collard greens, fresh corn and green beans, pumpkin pie, apple pie and more. Cook’s dinner buffet is priced at $13.29, the children’s buffet for kids 3-9 old is $5.99. The soup and salad buffet and vegetarian buffet is priced at $11.49.
Ruthy's Kozy Kitchen
618 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach; 386-423-9656, Facebook.com/ruthyskozykitchen
Ruthy’s Kozy Kitchen, known for its array of sweet and savory breakfast and lunch offerings, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, and will serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner priced at $17.95. The eatery's holiday menu will include turkey, stuffing, green beans, yams, mashed potatoes with gravy, dinner rolls and pie. No reservations are necessary.
Stonewood Grill and Tavern
2150 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-317-0097, stonewoodgrill.com
Stonewood Grill and Tavern will be open on Thanksgiving Day. The popular Daytona Beach restaurant is known for its decadent menu of fresh fish dishes, hand-cut steaks, and more, with offerings ranging from the bacon and Swiss-topped Two Hand Chicken Club, prime rib French dip on a toasted brioche hoagie and the Ginger Lime Tuna Steak to the chicken pot pie, ribeye and filet mignon. On Thanksgiving, Stonewood will serve its traditional menu alongside a traditional turkey dinner feast. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Norwood’s Restaurant and Treehouse Bar
400 E. 2nd Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-428-4621, norwoods.com
Norwood’s Restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving Day, serving a special holiday menu with several gluten-free options. The eatery’s Thanksgiving menu ranges from starters like the spinach ricotta dumplings, escargot and bacon-wrapped scallops to entrees that include a traditional roast turkey — $27.99 or $14 for kids — and the baked ham with rum raisin sauce — $25.99 or $14 for kids. The menu also features a variety of seafood and beef plates, ranging from the grouper caponata, seafood platter, and mahi mango to the Beef Wellington and Norwood’s Filet. Desserts will also be offered, with options including pumpkin pie and pecan bourbon pie. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Steve’s Famous Diner
2011 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-252-7340, stevesfamousdiner.com; 1584 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, 386-252-0101, stevesfamousdinerdaytona.com
Steve’s Famous Diner will host its 36th annual Thanksgiving Day dinner this year, available at both Daytona Beach locations with no reservations necessary. The popular restaurant will offer a turkey dinner with all of its traditional dressings for $19.99, as well as several other options, including a baked ham and pineapple dish, a pot roast, jumbo shrimp, ribeye and fried cod for $21.99. The diner will be open all day during its usual hours, from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Chases on the Beach
3401 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-423-8787, chasesonthebeach.com
Chases on the Beach will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and cocktails. The holiday dinner plate will feature turkey or fish, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce and a slice of pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving plates will be priced at $30 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant.
Absolutely CheeZee
1064 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach; 386-256-3180, absolutelycheezee.com
Absolutely CheeZee will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. serving all of its usual sandwich-lover staples. The popular Ormond Beach sandwich shop is known for is tempting menu of layered-to-perfection selections of gourmet grilled cheeses, ranging from the Hawaiian Grilled Cheese — brown sugar and spice ham, grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce, cheddar and provolone cheese — to the Big CheeZee — spinach, tomato, avocado, pimento, Swiss, provolone, cheddar and muenster — and French Dip Grilled Cheese with brie and provolone.
Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar
127 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-253-5224, oceandeck.com
Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar will offer unbeatable oceanfront views alongside the eatery’s Gobble and Guzzle Thanksgiving week deals. The eatery is a popular spot known for its mostly seafood menu ranging from the grilled grouper, Caribbean lobster tail and “Tuna Boat” grilled tuna steak, to the Spicy Rasta Chicken sandwich, Tequila Shrimp Salad and the mahi mahi sandwich. Ocean Deck will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. and will offer guests two-for-one crab legs. Other deals, drink specials and live music performances will be featured throughout the holiday week, including Thanksgiving eve $3 any drinks from 9 p.m. until closing on Wednesday, Nov. 22, $3 fall flavored shots on Friday, Nov. 24, and more.
Beach Front Grille
2444 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach; 386-693-4839, beachfrontgrille.com
Flagler Beach’s Beach Front Grille will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. with reservations required. The eatery will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving feast for $41 per person. For those looking for beachfront views paired with traditional comfort food, Beach Front Grille will offer a special holiday menu with options ranging from turkey, baked ham, roast beef and baked ziti to green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and sweet potato casserole with a marshmallow topping. The restaurant will also offer pumpkin pie, pudding and other desserts.
Simply Gina’s
841 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill; 386-947-2000, Facebook.com/Simplyginas
Simply Gina’s, a Holly Hill restaurant serving American cuisine, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, offering guests a traditional Thanksgiving feast from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with dine-in service or takeout available. Pre-order for takeout and dine-in reservations are required. The eatery’s holiday feast is priced at $22.99 for adults, $13.99 for children 10 years old and younger and $79.95 for a family of four, and will feature a vast menu ranging from your choice of turkey or ham accompanied by baked sweet potato, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls and butter, and pie. All proceeds and gratuities from the Thanksgiving feast will go toward providing a special Christmas for a local family in need.
RiverGrille on the Tomoka
950 U.S. Highway 1, Ormond Beach; 386-615-2004, rivergrille.net
This popular Ormond Beach eatery, known for its riverfront deck dining, will be open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Because walk-in seating will be limited, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the restaurant. RiverGrille will offer a special holiday menu ranging from a traditional turkey dinner with cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy, to the prime rib, honey glazed ham, or stuffed flounder. The eatery will also offer various sides and desserts, including yams, mashed potatoes, Key lime pie, and raspberry donut cake.
Hidden Treasure
5993 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange; 386-756-9565, hiddentreasurerestaurants.com; 4940 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet; 386-761-9271, hiddentreasurerestaurants.com
Hidden Treasure, a popular waterfront restaurant known for its live entertainment, scenic dining and vast menu, will offer all of its usual favorites this Thanksgiving. Both the Port Orange and Ponce Inlet locations will be open on Thanksgiving Day, with a menu ranging from HT's Surf and Turf Burger, Chop Steak Dinner and HT's Seafood Boil in Foil, to the Shrimp and Crab Cake Dinner, Grilled Key Lime Jerk Tacos, and Fried Green BLT.
Ciao Bella
103 S. Pine St., New Smyrna Beach; 386-410-5001, ciaobellanewsmyrna.com; 737 E. 3rd Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 386-444-3716, limoncellosouth.com
Ciao Bella, as well as its sister restaurant Limoncello South, will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Ciao Bella will be open during its usual hours of 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving and will serve guests a traditional turkey dinner from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. that evening. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Millie’s Restaurant and Catering
3218 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores; 386-275-1492, milliesrestaurant.com; 330 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, 386-238-9756, milliesnorth.com
Millie’s Restaurant and Catering will offer Thanksgiving to-go meals at both the Daytona Beach Shores and Ormond Beach location. Customers can choose one main course — double bone pork chop, roasted turkey breast or vegetarian red quinoa bowl — as well as two sides — green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato mash and others — and, lastly, one dessert — bourbon and berry cobbler or turtle cheese cake. Dinner for two is $70, for four is $140, and for six is $210. Orders must be pre-ordered by Saturday, Nov. 18, and picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Riley’s Coney House
2132 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores; 386-872-4991, Facebook.com
Riley’s Coney House in Daytona Beach Shores will offer pre-made Thanksgiving dinners, available by pre-order now through Nov. 20. Each meal is priced at $14.95 and includes 10 ounces of oven-roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce. Orders can be picked up all day Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Pumphouse BBQ and Smokehouse
124 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach; 386-492-7559, thepumphousebbq.com
Pumphouse BBQ and Smokehouse, known for its smothered wings and popular barbecue selections, will prepare Thanksgiving smoked turkeys that can be pre-ordered now through Nov. 19. The eatery will prepare 18- to 25-pound whole turkeys that will be priced at $6 per pound. Pre-ordered turkeys can be picked up at the restaurant between 9 a.m. and noon Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Did we miss any? If your restaurant will be offering a holiday meal on Thanksgiving Day, email us at hperray@gannett.com to be added to the list!
Helena Perray is the restaurant and dining writer for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A New Jersey native and passionate storyteller, she can be contacted at hperray@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Support local journalism by subscribing
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Daytona Beach, NSB, Flagler area
