Ocean County Restaurants Hosting A Thanksgiving Buffet This Year

Here are some restaurants located in Ocean County, New Jersey that are not only open on Turkey Day, but preparing a Thanksgiving Buffet for you!

Full transparency: big buffet guy here. Yeah, I know folks say they are not the healthiest for you. You overeat, over overindulge in portion size, desserts, and sodas. Of course just by science, one would surmise the risk of foodborne illness has to be much higher eating from a buffet, but I don't give a turkey's giblet, I love me a good buffet! I mean look at this kid!

I also happen to love, love, LOVE Thanksgiving! I love the Parade, I love to cook, watch football, spend time arguing with family members, and if it's at my place, which it usually is, I love rippin' beers! However, I get that not all folks like to cook at home, or even can cook a meal of epic proportions in their kitchen. Quite frankly, some people can afford to go out and have the cooking done for them, without the labor and dishwashing. Hence the need for a Thanksgiving Buffet list in our area.

Using my own Thanksgiving Buffet Spidey Sense, along with social media and the likes of Yelp, I was able to uncover some of the heavy hitters in the Turkey Day, one-price, all-you-can-eat, super spread game. Some are long-standing restaurant legends in Ocean County, who have been rocking a Thanksgiving Buffet for decades. Others while not as steeped in such rich tradition, have made a name for themselves with their holiday chaffing dishes and carving stations over the past 10 years or so. Suffice to say, the menu from all 7 of these places, while expectedly looking somewhat similar, all are mouthwatering.

If I find more places in Ocean County hosting a Thanksgiving Buffet this year, I will add it to our list!

I've been told it's the best Thanksgiving Buffet in New Jersey, as far as quality goes. I was shocked that it was only $45 for adults. Plus the ambiance of this absolute gem of the Jersey Shore cannot be beat. You can download the menu here.

The food, the views, the old school Jersey Shore ambiance. What's not to love about the Lobster Shanty? They've been doing it right since the mid 70s, and their cliental keep coming back! Again, 45 bucks is a good price for 2024. Find the menu here.

The popular Brewpub near the Ocean County Mall has been hosting a Thanksgiving Buffett the last few years to positive reviews. The price point jumps here to $49.95 per adult, but features off the beaten path items, such as buttermilk mashed potatoes, maple sweet potatoes, and Tres Leches cake. Find the Turkey Day menu here.

The biggest of the B2 franchises, the former Martells Water's Edge, will once again host its epic Thanksgiving Day Brunch/Dinner Buffet. The price jumps to $55 per adult for this one, but includes breakfast options, and fresh fish. You can check out the Thanksgiving Day menu here.

One of my favorite places at the Jersey Shore. Especially during the holidays. Starting around Thanksgiving they dress the place up with lights and decorations, making it feel warm and inviting. While never having gone for the Thanksgiving Buffet ($48 per adult this year), I have been on Christmas Eve and it was awesome! Here's the buffet menu.

Old school OC fave will be hosting another traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, however I only have last year's menu to checkout right now, and no prices. Figure it will be in the 40-50 dollar range like the others.

The Inn, located in the Historic Village of Smithville will offer something slightly different. Their $52 per adult buffet will be on a first come first served basis. The thought is, you can wander around the open shops in Smithville while waiting to be called to your table. Here's what last year's buffet offered.