(This story was updated to add new information.)
Even if you’re envisioning a cozy holiday at home, you don’t have to sweat it out in the kitchen. Here are some of the restaurants, bakeries, and seafood businesses that are offering to help you serve the best celebratory food.
If there’s a business we should add to the list, email aballard@gannett.com.
More: These Wilmington-area restaurants are open on Christmas Day
A Taste of Italy
This popular deli at 1101 S. College Road in Wilmington is accepting orders for the holiday. They should be placed 48 hours in advance and spots are filling quickly. Options include meats, cheeses and salads by the pound, as well as party trays and pastas. Details: 910-392-7529 or https://atasteofitalydeli.com.
Biggers Market
The Kitchen at Biggers Market is accepting pre-orders through Dec. 16 for a selection of sides and pies, like Gruyere Mac and Cheese, Sweet Potato Au Gratin, and Bourbon Pecan Pie. They’ll also be offering samples on some weekends at 6250 Market St. in Wilmington. Details: www.instagram.com/biggersmarket.
Calabash Deli
The holiday menu at this deli at 9929 Beach Drive S.W. in Calabash includes its signature chicken pot pies, prime rib dinners and Italian cookies by the pound. Pickup is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 24. Call 910-579-9801 for more information.
Cracker Barrel
The Wilmington location of this restaurant at 21 Van Campen Blvd. is offering heat-and-serve meals. The Feast size feeds 8-10 people and the Family Meal feeds four to six. You can schedule a pick-up on Dec. 22 or 23. Details: www.crackerbarrel.com/holiday.
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Eagle Island Fruit & Seafood
For a limited time, this grocery and seafood market at 2500 U.S. 421 is taking oyster reservations for the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Day. Call 910-762-1193 for details.
Far From France Bakery and Bistro
This restaurant and patisserie at 1474 Barclay Pointe offers special treats for the holidays, including Christmas gifts from the French Maxim’s brand, like chocolates and wines. You can also pre-order yule log cakes. Details: 910-833-5002 or https://farfromfrance.com.
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Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
At 5130 New Centre Drive in Wilmington, this buffet restaurant is offering Holiday Meals to Go that feed six-eight. Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. Details: www.goldencorral.com.
Gourmet to Go & Catered Affairs
A variety of dinners, desserts, sides and appetizers are on the holiday menu available through this catering company. Orders must be placed and paid for by Dec. 20. Pick up is Dec. 22-24 at 105 W. St. George St., Southport. Details: 910-477-1082, https://gourmettogosouthport.com.
The Green House Restaurant
This restaurant at 1427 Military Cutoff Road near Wrightsville Beach is accepting orders through Dec. 19 for holiday pickup 2-6 p.m. Dec. 23. The menu includes five 100% plant-based dishes from their chef. Each feeds 4-6 people and can be ordered individually or as a package. Details: https://order.toasttab.com/online/the-green-house
Imaginary Cakes
This bakery at 5202 Carolina Beach Rd. Unit 12 Wilmington, NC 28412 makes a special holiday cake inspired by a favorite Christmas tree treat, and other goodies. Pre-orders are available. Details: www.imaginarycakes.com/holiday.
La Mar Salada
This specialty grocery store at 908 Castle St. In Wilmington will have a variety of Spanish goodies for the holiday season. Customers can also preorder Spanish jamon until Dec. 8. Details: 910-228-5676 or lamarsaladallc@gmail.com.
Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse
This bakery at 3410 Wrightsville Ave. in Wilmington is accepting orders for Christmas until Dec. 19, for pick-up 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Dec. 24. The menu includes cookie boxes, breads, cakes and pies. Details: contact@littleloafbakeryilm.com.
Little Pond Caterers
Prep for the pre-party, big meal, leftovers, and holiday breakfast with this company’s menu. Call or email ahead for the full menu, and a pre-holiday pick up. or pick up at 2016 Princess St. in Wilmington. Details: info@littlepondcaterers.com.
Milner’s Cafe & Catering
At 311 Judges Road in Wilmington, this restaurant offers order ahead dishes, catering platters and dessert platters. Details: 910-800-1373 or info@milnerscafeandcatering.com.
NOMA Restaurant and Wine Market
This business with locations in Porters Neck and near Wrightsville Beach also has an order ahead menu for the holiday. Orders need to be placed by Dec. 17. Pick up is at both the 8207 Market St. and 7006 Wrightsville Ave. Details: 910-686-9343, 910-239-9142 or www.8207noma.com.
N. Sea. Oyster Co.
This Hampstead-based oyster farm 674 Old Landing Road is accepting pre-orders for oysters for Christmas or New Year’s. Delivery or pick-up is available. Details: 910-778-9242 or https://nseaoyster.com.
Conor MacNair (left) shucks oysters at N Sea Oyster Co. in Hampstead, N.C.
Pine Valley Market
Orders for the Christmas holiday will be accepted through Dec. 18 at this market and cafe. Look for a selection of USDA Certified Angus Beef, including tenderloins and rib roasts. Other options include turkey, gravy (including gluten free), sides, breads, pies and cinnamon rolls. You can pick the orders Dec. 22-23.
Salt & Charm
In Wilmington’s Cargo District and Carolina Beach, this personal chef business offers a selection of order ahead items like brunch, apps, sides and desserts pick up available on Dec. 23 or 24. Details: 910-769-1010, https://eat.saltandcharm.co.
Shay & Gray Creations
This Wilmington-based bakery is offering a holiday pie deal. They are $25 each, two for $40, or three for $55 with a $10 nonrefundable deposit. Pre-orders are available and pick up is Dec. 22. Details: 910-707-3929 or shopshayandgray@gmail.com.
Spoonfed Kitchen & Bakeshop
Near Wrightsville Beach, this cafe and catering shop is a popular choice for holiday preorders, with a menu that includes quiches, tea breads, appetizers, desserts, vegetarian entrees and sides like five-cheese mac-and-cheese and fresh green beans. Orders must be placed in advance for scheduled pick up at 1930 Eastwood Road, Wilmington. Details: spoonfedkitchen.com.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Order takeout Christmas meals at these Wilmington, NC, restaurants