Published by Christina. Last Updated on August 8, 2024.
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Looking for the best Wilmington restaurants? These are some of our favorite restaurants in Wilmington, from beachside pizza to cocktails with a river-view sunset. We’ve included spots found downtown, along the Cape Fear River, and surrounding beach towns.
No matter where you’re staying, great places to eat are within reach. These are the best Wilmington, NC, restaurants we could find, featuring fresh, local, and unique flavors that draw visitors and locals alike.
Dive on in and use this article to plan your next meals in Port City, North Carolina!
If you’re searching for something specific, this article is organized by:
- Map of Wilmington Restaurants
- Guide to Restaurants in Wilmington
- Fine Dining
- Casual
- Guide to Restaurants in Wilmington’s Surroundings
- Carolina Beach
- Kure Beach
- Wrightsville Beach
You can skip ahead to places to eat nearby or continue reading about the best food in Wilmington NC.
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Wilmington area and are wondering, “What are the best places to eat near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
Map of Restaurants in Wilmington
Our guide includes addresses to these Wilmington restaurants, but you can also visually plan your adventures through this map we’ve created.
Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map
Fine Dining in Wilmington NC
These Wilmington, NC, restaurants are great for date night and any other special occasion.
Ceviche’s
Address: 7210 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC
Website
You can’t come to Wilmington without swinging by Ceviche’s for some of the freshest and most delicious coastal bites. Located just 15 minutes from Downtown towards Wrightsville, Ceviches is a Wilmington restaurant beloved by locals, visitors, and—yes, even Guy Fieri!
Chef Hunter Tiblier grew up fishing with his dad in Pamana and wanted to bring that fresh flavor to Wilmington. Reservations can be hard to snag, but we are happy to report that we walked in during the dinner rush and got a table by the bar without a problem.
We highly recommend coming hungry and ordering a bunch of small plates—and, of course, ceviche! Also, add their curry oysters and coconut shrimp to that list of menu items, as both pack a punch of flavor!
Another reason to love Ceviche’s is their commitment to the environment and the community. They partner with local organizations such as Wilmington Compost, Cape Fear Sierra Club, Clean Cape Fear, and more!
Dram Yard
Address: 101 S 2nd St, Wilmington, NC
Website
New to the Wilmington restaurant scene, Dram Yard has a beautiful Gazebo Bar and a cocktail menu that is just the tip of its deliciousness. Perfect for a date night, the food, decor, and ambiance create a beautiful experience.
From the banana-leaf papered ceiling, tall windows, and subtle lighting, Dram Yard is where you go in Wilmington to impress someone special.
Elijah’s
Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC
Website
If you are looking for fine-dining restaurants in Wilmington, Elijah’s is one of the best! With a waterfront deck that overlooks the Cape Fear River, Elijah’s has been serving delicious plates of upscale dishes since 1984.
We recommend asking for a table outside to watch the sunset and romantically share some of their Goat Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Oysters! But don’t be fooled by the upscale atmosphere; Elijah’s does have a kid’s menu if you are traveling with tiny foodies, too.
It’s easily our favorite riverfront restaurant in Wilmington, NC!
Read More: How to Explore the NC Oyster Trail (10+ Adventurous Ways!)
Indochine
Address: 3608 Oleander Dr B, Wilmington, NC
Website
Indochine is one of Wilmington’s most unique restaurants serving Thai and Vietnamese food. With a picturesque garden and decor, including a tuk-tuk, just walking to your table transports you to some of our favorite Southeast Asian spots.
Dine at this Wilmington restaurant if you’re craving Southeast Asian cuisine with a stunning ambiance.
The Pilot House
Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC
Website
Enjoy gorgeous views of the Cape Fear River while dining at The Pilot House. Fresh seafood and gorgeous sunset views make The Pilot House one of our personal favorites and a local pick for the best restaurants in Wilmington NC.
Add in their kid’s menu, and this restaurant can easily change from your date night spot to a place for you and the kids!
Olivero
Address: 522 S 3rd St, Wilmington, NC
Website
Olivero is one of the newest Wilmington restaurants to hit the foodie scene, and it is making quite a buzz for itself. Coming from the James Beard nominated Chef Sunny Gerhart of St. Rock in Raleigh, Olivero is Italian meets Spanish flair with a splash of Cajun.
See, the restaurant is named after Gerhart’s grandfather- and with any family, his lineage is a mix of flavors. A beignet of fontina funduta and mortadella. Twice-cooked pork lightly flavored with roasted red pepper and aged provolone. And the most intriguing olive oil panna cotta I’ve ever tasted.
Olivero is worthy of a date night out in Wilmington- but make sure to secure reservations as it is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand restaurants in Wilmington!
rx Chicken and Oysters
Address: 421 Castle Street, Wilmington, NC
Website
Chicken, oysters, and lionfish!? Yes, it’s an odd combination, but honestly, it is one that we are here for. rx Chicken and Oysters is chef-driven and focuses on local and sustainable practices. The Wilmington restaurant sits on Castle Street in a converted drugstore and draws a crowd even on a Tuesday night.
But the hook for me is their signature farm-raised NC oysters and a new delicacy- lionfish. Lionfish, while beautiful, is an invasive species that destroys everything in their surrounding environment. Going 35 miles offshore, the RX Chicken and Oysters (as their commercial fishing operation) spearfish the lionfish and serve it up fresh.
But how does lion fish taste? Delicious, meaty, and not at all fishy. By showcasing this incredible fish, they hope more chefs will be inclined to cook with it more and help control the widespread population that destroys Wilmington’s reefs and fish population.
My meal at this Wilmington restaurant was one of the best I’ve had, and I highly recommend you make reservations and save room for the seafood tower!
Savorez
Address: 402 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC
Website
Food for Wilmington made by a Wilmingtonian. Chef Sam Cahoon is a Wilmington native, working his way through the culinary scene. Savorez has been one of those Wilmington restaurants on our to-eat list for a long time.
Plating up Latin American flavors in an unassuming brick corner building, the flavors burst, and the vibe is chill. The menu is comprised of locally sourced ingredients. In fact, I saw a plat of microgreens growing in the back of the building!
After our first visit to Savorez, my DMs flooded with recommendations to go back for Sunday brunch! So, if you’re looking for where to eat brunch in Wilmington, try Savorez!
Seabird
Address: 1 S Front S, Wilmington, NC
Website
When Seabird first opened, I immediately started trying to find an excuse to go to Wilmington just for their seafood tower. Sourcing local and honoring the natural culinary resources, Seabird might be the one Wilmington restaurant that I recommend to anyone and everyone. I went for brunch and found everything to be absolutely incredible.
I dined on fresh NC Oysters and the only Sturgeon caviar in the world (which is produced in North Carolina!). A slurp of a pickled deviled egg and the local coffee brewed into an espresso martini. While I didn’t get a chance to dive into the seafood tower this visit- it is on my agenda to secure a babysitter and take Carl so he can experience this incredible Wilmington restaurant with me.
Casual Wilmington NC Restaurants
The Basics
Address: 319 N Front St, Wilmington, NC
Website
The Basics offers much more than its name indicates. This place will fill your hungry belly with a menu that is as diverse as the visitors and locals.
Inside the Cotton Exchange, you’ll find ample seating and album covers lining the walls of Historic Downtown Wilmington.
Stop by for breakfast and brunch, lunch, and dinner in Wilmington NC for delicious Southern and American comfort food with contemporary favorites, too!
Read More: Battleship North Carolina (Visiting Our Namesake Ship and How She Arrived at Wilmington)
Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria
Address: 206 Greenfield St, Wilmington, NC
Website
From celebrity chef and North Carolina rockstar, Vivian Howard, comes Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria. With a fun mix of cocktails, delectable appetizers, and pizzas beyond your average slice, you are definitely going to want to visit this delicious Wilmington restaurant!
Read More: Awesome Things to Do in Kinston (and Why We’ll Be Back for More!)
Boombalattis Homemade Ice Cream
Coastal Address: 1127 Military Cutoff Rd B, Wilmington, NC
City Address: 1005 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC
Hampstead Address: 15919 HWY 17N Hampstead, Wilmington, NC
Website
Look… I have been on a quest for some of the best ice cream in North Carolina, and Boombalattis? Quite possibly the winner. Boombalattis is a family-owned ice cream shop with three locations around Wilmington. Their ice cream is made using fresh local dairy, with no unnatural colors or flavors, and they also have a wide selection of dairy-free options.
Whether it’s a scoop of Fluffer Nutter or Strawberry Shortcake, the texture of the ice cream at Boombalattis is just unreal. Trust us and leave the room after these other restaurants in Wilmington for dessert at Bommbalattis.
Read More: Visiting Airlie Gardens in Wilmington (+ 10 Things We Love!)
The Copper Penny
Address: 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC
Website
With local beer, delicious pub food, and a warm environment, The Copper Penny even has the famous Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval!
Stop by a spot featured by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and order onion rings, wings, and a roast pork sandwich for a truly astounding meal.
Also, if you dine here on Tuesdays for their “Giving Back” special, The Copper Penny donates part of the profit from your meal to their “charity of the month.”
Read More: Eastern North Carolina (and 100+ Awesome Places to Visit)
Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn
Address: 1140-A N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Serving Wilmington since 2000, Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn is a local favorite! With stuffed burritos at an affordable price, there is no way you won’t enjoy some of their unique combinations.
Get a Thai-inspired burrito, a Philly Hot, a Grilled Flounder, or even a Po’boy–there are so many options that you’ll find yourself trying something new each time!
The chill, family-friendly vibe makes this restaurant the perfect spot to fill your bellies during your beach vacation.
Read More: 45+ Great Things to Do With Kids in Wilmington
Front Street Brewery
Address: 9 N Front St, Wilmington, NC
Website
A huge menu plus house-crafted beer? Count us in!
Front Street Brewery isn’t just a pub but a place to gather and enjoy good food and drink. With over 25 sandwiches, 35 entrees, and a wonderful lineup of award-winning taps, this Wilmington brewery is unbeatable.
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
The Half
Address: 510 1/2 Red Cross St, Wilmington, NC
Website
It has to be said- The Half might just be the best sandwich in all of North Carolina. Perhaps even my life. And that’s a bold statement coming from a girl who grew up on Hoagies on the regular in Philadelphia.
The Half is a tiny building located in the Northside neighborhood. You’d probably walk right past it if it weren’t for the droves of people coming in and out with butcher paper-wrapped sandwiches. The concept- half sandwiches, half beer, and a little bit of art to funk things up.
With the rise of craft breweries, The Half is inviting some of the best beer on its taps from around the country, inviting you to try something new that you probably haven’t ever had before.
And while I love a good cold beer, the sandwiches at The Half were a love letter slathered between two slices of freshly baked bread. My favorite: Ernie cold cuts- ham, Genoa salami, mortadella thick slice of mozzarella, cherry pepper relish, and balsamic. But what my eye caught and I am so sad I didn’t order was the Mumbai, a vegan sandwich with potatoes, cheese, onion, cucumber, chaat masala, and cilantro chutney.
If there was one Wilmington restaurant that I could eat at every day, please make it The Half…
Mess Hall
Address: 2136 Wrightsville Ave, NC
Website
If you follow us on social media, you know that I had a Burger Era and attempted to go to all the best burgers in North Carolina. Well, one that our followers highly recommended was Mess Hall in Wilmington. Located in the Cargo District, Mess Hall asks, “Are you Ready to Get Messy!?”… And they aren’t wrong! Their hand-painted and made-to-order burgers are dripping with a tangy yet delicious sauce.
Everything at Mess Hall is made fresh- from grinding the meat for the patties to the sauces. Mess Hall also makes some pretty incredible vegan patties- so roll up and be prepared to be wowed!
To add to the long list of why we love this Wilmington restaurant- tots. You can steal Carl’s heart with a tray of tots, especially if they are named after one of the best (or is the worst?) episodes of The Office, Scott’s Tots.
Check out Mess Hall when you are looking for the best casual restaurant in Wilmington!
On Thyme
Address: 918 Castle St, Wilmington, NC
Website
On Thyme gained a cult following from its food truck days and opened a brick-and-mortar just to keep up with the demand.
Locally owned, the first thing you’ll notice when you pull up to On Thyme is the colorful mural on the side of the Castle Street building. The mural depicts Wilmington greats like Althea Gibson, Meadowlark Lemon, and, of course, Chef Corey Scott.
But the food is what we are here to talk about- and On Thyme delivers! The food truck was known for its huge shrimp Po’boys, Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches, and handmade Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls.
Everything on this Wilmington restaurant’s menu is to die for, and the customer service exceeded your typical counter service spots. If you go, make sure you’ve got plenty of room in your belly because you’ll want to try a bit of everything!
On Thyme has also opened up a brunch concept in the Brooklyn Arts District (Brunch Thyme) that has incredible shrimp and grits and crispy chicken and waffles!
PT’s Old Fashioned Grille
Downtown Address: 1437 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC
Website
PT’s Grille is an institution in Wilmington restaurants. Opening in 1990 to flame grill the best dang burgers on the coast, PT’s continues to pack lines and fire out orders. When you arrive, you grab a paper, mark your order down, hand it to the staff, and wait for your name to be called. The result- delicious, juicy, fresh (never frozen) burgers.
Here are some of my hot tips for eating at PT’s Grille. Don’t be a hero. Even though you think you just want a “small” 4oz burger, go big or go home! Pictured above is that small burger, and while delicious, I wish I had gotten the 8oz to fill out the rest of the bun.
Also, don’t skip on the freshly squeezed lemonade! I’m typically a water or Diet Coke girlie, but for the lemonade caught my eye and I am sure glad it did! I wish they sold it by the gallon so I could take it back to Durham!
PT’s Grille has 7 locations: Fountain Drive, Military Cutoff, Monkey Junction, Leland, Porters Neck, Crossroads at Independence, and Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro, NC.
Restaurants in Wilmington’s Surroundings (Carolina Beach)
These restaurants in Wilmington’s neighbor Carolina Beach keep us returning to one of NC’s most popular beach towns.
Britts Donuts
Address: 13 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Britts Donuts is seasonally open and THE place to go for quality donuts. It’s been a staple of the community since 1939 and has been owned by Bobby Nivens and his wife for over forty years.
If you’re visiting Carolina Beach in the on-season, you must try one of their homemade glazed donuts. We promise they’re worth it!
Read More: Excellent Day Trips from Wilmington Within 2 Hours
Celtic Creamery
Address: 201 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Celtic Creamery is a locally owned ice cream spot run by an Irish family. They wanted to bring the rich and creamy tradition to the shores of Carolina Beach, and they deliver on that promise every day!
Michael’s Seafood
Address: 1206 N Lake Park Blvd A, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
If you are looking for family-friendly restaurants in Wilmington, Michael’s in Carolina Beach is your golden ticket! While there are a lot of fried seafood joints around the beach, Michael’s doesn’t have a fryer, meaning their menu is entirely gluten-free, too!
Chow down on the Admiral’s Delight (crab legs, scallops, shrimp, and oysters) and definitely order a cup of their famous seafood chowder and enjoy the taste of local seafood.
Nauti Dog
Address: 5 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Nauti Dog is a relatively newer eatery located on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Snack on gourmet hot dogs right along the beach at this clean, classy beachside takeout window. Nauti Dog has something for many people, as they offer gluten-free and vegan options.
Pop’s Diner
Address: 109 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
One of the most nostalgic Carolina beach restaurants, Pop’s Diner is a 50s-inspired eatery with classic food. Funnel cake fries, a Cuban sandwich, and a Ruben is a meal to die for–you can’t beat the prices or the flavor!
Right along the boardwalk, we recommend going for a stroll after you enjoy hot dogs and ice cream.
Stoked
Address: 313 Canal Dr, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Overlooking the boats, Stoked is one of the best restaurants in Carolina Beach for fresh seafood. Start with their irresistible lump crab dip, followed by some blackened Mahi, and with plenty of room left for their key lime pie.
Stoked also has live music on Fridays and Saturdays for a rocking good time!
Read More: 20+ Great Things to Do in Carolina Beach (and Nearby!)
Wake N Bake Donuts
Address: 1401 N Lake Park Blvd #46, Carolina Beach, NC
Website
Lastly, if you are looking for that sugar rush to start your day, Wake N Bake Donuts is the spot! Baked fresh daily, Wake N Bake often closes when they run out, so be sure to start your day early with a fresh dozen before hitting the beach!
More Restaurants in Wilmington’s Surroundings (Kure Beach)
Kure Beach is quieter than the other beach towns, but we love coming here for dinner and think it has some of the best places to eat in Wilmington, NC.
Jack Mackerels
Address: 113 K Avenue, Kure Beach, NC
Website
Jack Mackerels serves Caribbean fusion in a colorful atmosphere next to the Kure Beach Pier. Grab Calabash-style seafood and a crab cake sandwich, and don’t skip the Old Bay Chips!
Jack Mackerels is one of our favorite Kure Beach restaurants with amazing daily specials.
Even More Restaurants in Wilmington’s Surroundings (Wrightsville Beach)
We keep returning to these restaurants in Wilmington’s surroundings of Wrightsville Beach. Read on to see why!
Oceanic
Address: 703 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Website
Sitting on the old Crystal Pier, Oceanic is a standout Wrightsville Beach restaurant. Located on the beach, it’s a beautiful place to enjoy fresh seafood and then walk on the restored pier.
Poe’s Tavern
Address: 212 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Website
Yes, that’s right–an Edgar Allen Poe-inspired restaurant in Wrightsville Beach! While it is uncertain whether Poe would have ordered a Raven burger or the Annabel Lee from Poe’s Tavern, one must surely chow down on a Tell-Tale Heart.
Punny names aside, the food at Poe’s Tavern is delicious, fresh, and cooked to order.
Ready to Dig Into these Restaurants in Wilmington (and Surrounding Beach Towns)?
Whether you are visiting the area or living here, this list of restaurants in Wilmington and its surroundings should keep you busy.
They’ll also make you hungry and ready to eat! From the pizza at Benny’s Big Time to the treats at The Peppered Cupcake, there is something for everyone to eat in Wilmington!
Do you have a favorite place to eat in the area? We’d love to know about it either here in the comments or by email. You can also tell us about your favorite Wilmington food spots in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.
