Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Savannah (2026 Guide)
By Best of Savannah
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Savannah are easy to find, but the good tables go fast. The short answer: Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Your most reliable bets are The Pirates' House Thanksgiving buffet, the Savannah Riverboat dinner cruise, The Olde Pink House, and the big hotel brunches at Plant Riverside. A few famous spots, including Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room and Vic's on the River, close for the day. Book by early November.
TL;DR: Thanksgiving Dinner in Savannah 2026
- The date: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Most traditional spread: The Pirates' House Thanksgiving Grand Buffet, served 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reserve by phone.
- Most memorable: the Savannah Riverboat Thanksgiving dinner cruise. Two seatings, from $115.95 per adult before taxes and fees.
- Fine dining: The Olde Pink House has a long track record of serving on Thanksgiving. Reservations fill early.
- Closed on Thanksgiving: Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room and Vic's on the River, per their own websites.
- Book early: most places post their 2026 menus in late October or November. Don't wait for the menu to reserve.
Which Savannah Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving Day?
Every year, Savannah has a mix of three kinds of Thanksgiving dining. Some restaurants run a special holiday buffet or prix fixe. Some stay open with their regular menu. And many hotel restaurants host a brunch buffet.
Most 2026 menus and prices haven't been posted yet. The places below either confirmed Thanksgiving service for 2026 or have served it in recent years. Always call to confirm before you plan your day around one.
The Pirates' House: The Classic Thanksgiving Buffet
The Pirates' House on East Broad Street is the go-to for a full, traditional spread. Its website says the 2026 Thanksgiving Grand Buffet runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., with last seating at 7 p.m. and reservations by phone at the host stand (912-233-5757).
Recent buffets have included turkey, ham, prime rib, Lowcountry shrimp and grits, and fried chicken, plus all the traditional sides. Local roundups put the 2025 price at about $55 per adult and $30 per child. Expect 2026 pricing to be posted closer to the date.
The long serving window makes it the easiest choice for groups with mixed schedules.
Savannah Riverboat Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise
If you'd rather make the meal an outing, Savannah Riverboat Cruises runs a Thanksgiving cruise from River Street. The official 2026 details:
- Lunch cruise: boarding 11:30 a.m., cruising 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner cruise: boarding 4 p.m., cruising 5 to 7 p.m.
- Prices: $115.95 for adults and $68.95 for children 5-12. Kids 4 and under ride free. Taxes, fees, and service charges are extra.
- The meal: a traditional Southern holiday buffet, with live entertainment on board.
The company recommends booking ahead. Our Savannah riverboat cruise guide covers what to expect on board.
The Olde Pink House: Thanksgiving in a 1771 Mansion
The Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square is the most requested Thanksgiving table in town. Local roundups say it's typically open on Thanksgiving, with turkey and the usual sides alongside its regular seafood and steak dishes.
It hasn't posted 2026 Thanksgiving details yet. Reservations run through OpenTable or by phone at 912-232-4286. If you want a prime-time table here, start trying now.
Plant Riverside Thanksgiving Brunch
Plant Riverside District hosts a big Thanksgiving brunch buffet in the ballroom at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside. In 2025 it started at 11 a.m. and cost $89 per adult and $38 per child (5-12), plus tax and gratuity. The spread included oysters, shrimp, carved prime rib, turkey, and a full breakfast station. Reservations were required through OpenTable.
Watch the district's event calendar for the 2026 version. The Savannah Christmas Market is on the riverwalk there from November 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Our Plant Riverside District guide explains the rest of the complex.
If you'd rather stay where the brunch is, the JW Marriott puts you steps from the ballroom and the riverfront:
Which Popular Savannah Restaurants Are Closed on Thanksgiving?
Don't build your plan around these. Both list Thanksgiving as a closed day on their own websites:
- Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room: closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, along with several other holidays. It's only open weekdays for lunch anyway, so plan a visit earlier in the week.
- Vic's on the River: closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a strong pick for the Friday or Saturday after.
Holiday hours change, so for any restaurant not listed here, call first or check its website. Many independent spots close to give staff the day off.
Local tip: Can't get a Thursday reservation? Book Thanksgiving dinner for Wednesday night or Friday instead. Downtown restaurants are much easier to get into on the days around the holiday, and you'll still have the full holiday weekend for the Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, November 28.
When Should You Book Thanksgiving Dinner in Savannah?
Earlier than you think. Thanksgiving week is one of the few busy stretches in an otherwise quiet November. Visiting families fill the Historic District, and the most popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.
A simple timeline:
- Now through mid-October: reserve the riverboat cruise and try The Olde Pink House.
- Late October: watch for 2026 buffet and brunch menus from The Pirates' House and Plant Riverside.
- Early November: lock in anything left. After that, expect only late or early seatings.
If you're traveling in, book your hotel at the same time. Our guide to Historic District hotels lists places within walking distance of most of these restaurants.
What Are the Best Options for Families and Kids?
Buffets work best with kids. The Pirates' House buffet and the riverboat cruise both offer lower children's pricing, and the cruise lets kids 4 and under ride free. The long Pirates' House window also makes nap schedules easier.
For more family-friendly picks the rest of your trip, see our list of kid-friendly restaurants in Savannah.
What If You Want a Regular Menu Instead of Turkey?
Not everyone wants a holiday plate. Some restaurants keep their normal menu on Thanksgiving, and The Olde Pink House has historically served its regular dishes alongside turkey.
River Street and City Market tend to have the most places open on holidays, since they serve visitors year-round. Start with our River Street restaurant guide and our Historic District restaurant guide. Then call ahead to confirm holiday hours.
What Else Is Happening Thanksgiving Weekend?
Plenty. The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside opens before the holiday. The Lighted Boat Parade runs on River Street on Saturday, November 28, 2026. See our Savannah Christmas events guide and our Savannah in November guide for the full calendar.
Bottom Line
For Thanksgiving dinner in Savannah on November 26, 2026, you have real choices. Pick The Pirates' House for the classic buffet, the riverboat for a meal with a view, The Olde Pink House for a historic setting, or Plant Riverside for a big brunch. Skip Mrs. Wilkes' and Vic's that day, since both close. Book as early as you can, and confirm hours and prices directly, since most 2026 menus aren't out yet. For the rest of the long weekend, see our guide to things to do in Savannah on Thanksgiving weekend. Browse all our Savannah restaurants to plan the rest of your trip.
