Thanksgiving is the perfect time for reuniting with loved ones, eating lots of food, and participating in activities together as a family. To help you plan, we have compiled a list of restaurants offering food for Thanksgiving and events happening in Lake Norman throughout the week that you can check out!

Where to Eat

 

Al's Bar & Grille 

Open on Thanksgiving Day

If you’re a football fan, Al’s Bar & Grille is your Thanksgiving day hangout. Open from 12-9pm, enjoy wings, cold drinks, and plenty of big-screen TVs showing the games. It’s casual, lively, and exactly what a low-key holiday should feel like.

Al's Bar & Grille

Choplins

Choplin's Restaurant

Open on Thanksgiving Day | 12-4 PM

Blending modern steakhouse flair with warm hospitality, Choplin's will host a four-course meal based on a prix fixe menu. The experience includes a soup, a salad, an entrée of your choosing, and a dessert. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors, Choplin’s offers a cozy yet elevated way to celebrate—without ever turning on your own oven.

Honey Baked Ham

Open Wednesday, 11/26 | 10 AM-6 PM; closed on Thanksgiving Day

Skip the stress of cooking your own ham this year, Honey Baked Ham has you covered. Call ahead to place your order, swing by for pickup, and enjoy a perfectly glazed ham that everyone will swear you made from scratch. Their sides and desserts are equally popular, so you can grab a full meal if you’re looking for a simple way to host without the hassle.

Macs Speed Shop

Mac's Speed Shop

Open Wednesday, 11/26 | 11 AM-10 PM; closed on Thanksgiving Day

For barbecue lovers, Mac’s Speed Shop makes Thanksgiving prep easy and flavorful. In past years, they’ve offered smoked turkey and Southern-style sides to go—perfect for a laid-back family feast with a smoky twist. And if you’re out shopping on Black Friday, it’s also a great place to unwind with one of their craft beers or cocktail specials.

Midwood Smokehouse

Open Wednesday, 11/26 | 11 AM-9 PM; closed on Thanksgiving Day

If you’d rather let the pitmasters handle the cooking, Midwood Smokehouse fits the description. Order a fully smoked 10- to 14-pound turkey the day before Thanksgiving from the Thanksgiving Menu, heat it up, and you’re set. While you’re there, you can explore Birkdale Village or relax with a local beer, creating the perfect mix of festive and laid-back. With generous portions and classic Carolina barbecue flavor, it’s no wonder locals return year after year.

Midwood
Lakeside patio view at North Harbor Club restaurant

North Harbor Club

Open Thanksgiving | 11 AM - 4:45 PM

Settle in by the water at North Harbor Club for a special three-course Thanksgiving menu served with beautiful lake views. The atmosphere is upscale yet comfortable, making it perfect for both family gatherings and date-night celebrations. From their seafood starters to seasonal desserts, every course is crafted to highlight the flavors of fall. Be sure to reserve early, this is one of Lake Norman’s most popular Thanksgiving traditions.

Red Rocks Cafe 

Open on Thanksgiving Day 

Red Rocks Cafe has become a go-to spot for Thanksgiving dining in Birkdale Village. The inviting atmosphere, extensive menu, and convenient location make it a top pick for anyone who’d rather skip the kitchen. Choose from an à la carte Thanksgiving menu to make your big lunch no big deal! After your meal, take a stroll through Birkdale’s decorated streets or get a head start on holiday shopping. Reservations are strongly recommended, as tables go fast each year.

Red Rocks Cafe Thanksgiving
131 main

131 Main

Open Wednesday, 11/26 | 11 AM – 9 PM; closed on Thanksgiving Day

131 Main is another spot to keep on your radar. While they’ll be closed on Thanksgiving Day, you can still grab a delicious pre-holiday meal the Wednesday before. Their team is planning some Thanksgiving-inspired dishes (details still to come), so it’s the perfect chance to unwind, sip a glass of wine, and ease into your Thanksgiving holiday. Stay tuned for their special menu updates, you don't want to miss what they’re serving up!

Torrence and Knox

Open Thanksgiving Day (Pickup Only)

Torrence and Knox is offering a fully prepared Thanksgiving dinner designed to feed four. Their to-go menu includes roasted turkey breast with classic sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and gravy, checking all the boxes for a complete holiday meal. Orders must be placed by November 20th, and multiple orders are welcome, making it a great option for larger gatherings or anyone wanting a stress-free feast. Check their website for full details and pickup information.

Torrence and Knox
Firebirds

Firebirds

Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11/25 and 11/26 (Pickup Only)

Firebirds is making the holiday easier with their chef-prepared, uncooked Thanksgiving Feast. Everything comes neatly packed and ready for you to finish at home, complete with simple instructions. Your kitchen still smells like Thanksgiving, and you can take the credit! Their family meal feeds up to six and includes your choice of turkey, ham, or a mix of both, plus classic sides like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, asparagus, and even caramel apple bread pudding for dessert. Orders can be placed online for pickup on Tuesday or Wednesday before the holiday, making it a smooth process for securing your holiday eats.

The Serve Pickleball + Serve

Open Thanksgiving Day | 12pm-10pm

Brand-new The Serve Pickleball and Kitchen is dipping their toe into the Thanksgiving waters. Make your reservation and enjoy your Thanksgiving with a special prix-fixe holiday menu that brings together comfort food and a lot of creativity. Guests can choose between oven-roasted turkey breast with homemade gravy, corn-bread herb stuffing, whipped potatoes, cranberry relish, and garlicky green beans, or a brown sugar–glazed spiral ham served with whipped sweet potatoes and honey-roasted tri-color carrots. Dessert is always an option on Thanksgiving, so treat yourself to some pumpkin cheesecake, apple cobbler or some bread pudding. You'll burn it off anyway playing pickleball when you're done!

The Serve

What to Do

 

Davidson Farmers Market

Open through November
120 South Main St., Davidson | More Details

This vibrant market features more than 35 farmers and local producers within a 100-mile radius, offering everything from fresh meats and vegetables to breads, honey, and baked treats. Stop by to gather last-minute ingredients for your Thanksgiving feast or simply enjoy the local vibe with a coffee in hand while strolling through downtown Davidson.

Davidson Farmers Market
Public Grounds

Jazz Night at Old Town Public House

November 26th | 7 - 10 PM.
Old Town Public House (OTPH) | More Details

Find yourself a little rhythm at Old Town Public House in downtown Cornelius. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, they’re keeping the good vibes alive with Jazz Night, featuring live local talent, craft drinks, and that laid-back community vibe OTPH is known for. Ease into the holiday with some good music, good company, and no cooking required.

Lake Norman Turkey Trots

Davidson Turkey Trot | November 27th | 8:00 AM
Davidson Village Green | More Details

If you’re after small-town charm with your Thanksgiving cardio, the Davidson Turkey Trot is the perfect pick. This family-friendly 5K winds through the tree-lined streets of downtown Davidson, offering a relaxed, festive vibe that locals love. Walkers, runners, and strollers are all welcome, and proceeds go toward local nonprofits, so you’re doing good while feeling good. It’s a fun, feel-good way to start your holiday and can earn you just as much pie as any other!

Lake Norman Turkey Trot | November 28th | 7:45 AM
20010 Chartown Dr., Cornelius | More Details

Start your Thanksgiving morning on the right foot at the 19th Annual Snooze Mattress & Wellness Lake Norman Half Marathon, Turkey Trot 10K & 5K. Choose from a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or a virtual run and kick off the holiday with family, friends, and a scenic course around Lake Norman. The event starts at Life Fellowship Church and features festive energy, great swag, and plenty of motivation to earn that second slice of pie later in the day.

 

Turkey Trot
Lighting of Birkdale Village

Birkdale Village

Birkdale Commons Pkwy & Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville | More Details

As Thanksgiving wraps up and the holidays start rolling in, Birkdale Village in Huntersville is where things start to feel festive. The Lighting of Birkdale Village flips the switch on the season with lights all over the plaza, setting the tone for what’s ahead. You can hit the rink at Birkdale on Ice for a casual skate or swing by to see Santa at Birkdale Village if you’re in the mood for something classic. It’s an easy way to ease out of Thanksgiving mode and into that cozy holiday groove.

We're grateful for our fantastic destination's hospitality partners and you, whether a visitor or resident, that make Lake Norman a wonderful place. If you check out any of the places above, let us know on social media @visitlakenorman! We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and spend it with a grateful heart surrounded by your loved ones.