Jayce’s guidebook
Downtown Food Scene
Downtown Wilmington is bursting with great restaurants! Typically very busy during high season and weekends.
Fun vibe for medium to large groups because they have couches and coffee table seating. PLEASE NOTE: Two very steep staircases to climb to get to the top level of this historic building, but it's worth it.
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Dram and Morsel
33 S Front StFun vibe for medium to large groups because they have couches and coffee table seating. PLEASE NOTE: Two very steep staircases to climb to get to the top level of this historic building, but it's worth it.
Great ambiance and food. Half price wine by the glass or bottle on Monday nights. One of my favorite bars to sit at while eating and drinking wine.
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Pinpoint Restaurant
114 Market StGreat ambiance and food. Half price wine by the glass or bottle on Monday nights. One of my favorite bars to sit at while eating and drinking wine.
Tiny and cozy. Delicious comfort food. Call ahead reservations are accepted.
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The Fork 'N' Cork
122 Market StTiny and cozy. Delicious comfort food. Call ahead reservations are accepted.
Another favorite "space" with old, colored glass transom windows and local art displayed. Delicious food and a great burger.
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Platypus & Gnome
7205 S Front StAnother favorite "space" with old, colored glass transom windows and local art displayed. Delicious food and a great burger.
Locals continue to choose this restaurant again and again for delicious food and wine.
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Caprice bistro
10 Market StLocals continue to choose this restaurant again and again for delicious food and wine.
Circa has been consistently serving great food in a Historic setting for years. It's another great place to go have a cocktail and share a small plate. I'm not positive, but I think it has recently been sold, so hopefully the food quality stays the same.
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Circa 1922
8 N Front StCirca has been consistently serving great food in a Historic setting for years. It's another great place to go have a cocktail and share a small plate. I'm not positive, but I think it has recently been sold, so hopefully the food quality stays the same.
Casual and tasty. Outdoor seating during high season provides some fun people watching! The pulled pork nachos are yummy!
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Beer Barrio
34 N Front StCasual and tasty. Outdoor seating during high season provides some fun people watching! The pulled pork nachos are yummy!
Comfort food reinvented combined with interesting craft cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and modern.
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RUMCOW.
121 Grace StComfort food reinvented combined with interesting craft cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and modern.
Not cheap! Formal dining with great views of the Cape Fear River, especially during inclement weather. Visit Cloud 9, their rooftop bar during nice weather for the best views of the river in town.
Steam Restaurant and Bar
9 Estell Lee PlNot cheap! Formal dining with great views of the Cape Fear River, especially during inclement weather. Visit Cloud 9, their rooftop bar during nice weather for the best views of the river in town.
Atop the Embassy Suites Hotel, this bar serves up the best sunsets and views of the Cape Fear River, along with a limited menu of elevated bar food. Be warned! It's almost always windy, so batten down the skirts and hair! Some protected areas, but best during nice weather.
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Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee PlAtop the Embassy Suites Hotel, this bar serves up the best sunsets and views of the Cape Fear River, along with a limited menu of elevated bar food. Be warned! It's almost always windy, so batten down the skirts and hair! Some protected areas, but best during nice weather.
Just minutes from my place, Indochine is the best Thai/Vietnamese restaurant in town. The dinner menu serves large portions of curries and noodles, so plan to share dishes or have leftovers. During nice weather they have a beautiful garden with outdoor seating. If you go for lunch, they have a lunch menu with smaller portions, but you can order from the dinner menu, too.
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Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrJust minutes from my place, Indochine is the best Thai/Vietnamese restaurant in town. The dinner menu serves large portions of curries and noodles, so plan to share dishes or have leftovers. During nice weather they have a beautiful garden with outdoor seating. If you go for lunch, they have a lunch menu with smaller portions, but you can order from the dinner menu, too.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH - A local favorite for breakfast, but BRING CASH! They really do have the fluffiest omelet I've ever eaten. I've heard they have a great burger for lunch, but I always get breakfast when I go.
It's not actually downtown proper. It's right by the railroad tracks on Market St.
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Goody Goody Omelet House
3817 Market StBREAKFAST & LUNCH - A local favorite for breakfast, but BRING CASH! They really do have the fluffiest omelet I've ever eaten. I've heard they have a great burger for lunch, but I always get breakfast when I go.
It's not actually downtown proper. It's right by the railroad tracks on Market St.
Great food served up in a small setting. I typically order a fish entree and I'm never disappointed.
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Savorez
402 Chestnut StGreat food served up in a small setting. I typically order a fish entree and I'm never disappointed.
A large space, with great views of the Cape Fear River and Marina, serving upscale bar food. You can pair a nice walk along the Riverwalk with this outing.
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Marina Grill
18 Harnett StA large space, with great views of the Cape Fear River and Marina, serving upscale bar food. You can pair a nice walk along the Riverwalk with this outing.
A solid choice for quality bar food and there's something for everyone on the menu. Very popular since featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2018.
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The Copper Penny
109 Chestnut StA solid choice for quality bar food and there's something for everyone on the menu. Very popular since featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2018.
This actually has a restaurant with a nice wine selection and small plates inside it. The space is cozy and Historic and I've been meaning to try it.
The "market" aspect is the olive oil store which also shares the space.
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Taste the Olive & Vine
242 Princess StThis actually has a restaurant with a nice wine selection and small plates inside it. The space is cozy and Historic and I've been meaning to try it.
The "market" aspect is the olive oil store which also shares the space.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH: A local favorite for elevated "diner" food. Great sweet potato pancakes...if you ask for blueberries they'll add them if they have them. CHECK HOURS since Covid they’ve had a hard time staffing and keeping regular hours.
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The Dixie Grill
116 Market StBREAKFAST & LUNCH: A local favorite for elevated "diner" food. Great sweet potato pancakes...if you ask for blueberries they'll add them if they have them. CHECK HOURS since Covid they’ve had a hard time staffing and keeping regular hours.
Upscale and quirky. Diverse menu, meaning plenty for vegetarians and omnivores. Everything I've had has been delicious. The BREAD is amazing. I don't even eat bread and yet I fantasize about it...but it's best to share since it's a large handmade loaf doused in EVOO. Outside garden area has multiple fire pits to sit around and enjoy a cocktail during nice weather.
CHECK HOURS; they closed for Covid and now have restricted hours.
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Dram Yard
101 S 2nd StUpscale and quirky. Diverse menu, meaning plenty for vegetarians and omnivores. Everything I've had has been delicious. The BREAD is amazing. I don't even eat bread and yet I fantasize about it...but it's best to share since it's a large handmade loaf doused in EVOO. Outside garden area has multiple fire pits to sit around and enjoy a cocktail during nice weather.
CHECK HOURS; they closed for Covid and now have restricted hours.
Seabird
1 South Front StreetGreat place for an elegant meal. Nice bar area, too.
Great views and surprising yummy bar menu. The charcuterie board is HUGE!
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Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center
501 Nutt StreetGreat views and surprising yummy bar menu. The charcuterie board is HUGE!
Sightseeing
This is a fun activity for families with kids that can RUN on their own. Not toddler or stroller friendly! Nor is it a good place to tour with bad knees. The tour involves a lot of tight spaces and stairways, but it IS very interesting. Local lore says it's haunted, but I've been twice and never felt weird.
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Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEThis is a fun activity for families with kids that can RUN on their own. Not toddler or stroller friendly! Nor is it a good place to tour with bad knees. The tour involves a lot of tight spaces and stairways, but it IS very interesting. Local lore says it's haunted, but I've been twice and never felt weird.
Say no more...it's a Children's Museum with children's activities. It's nestled in the Historic residential area of downtown, so you can easily walk to the Riverwalk and find a bite to eat after all that activity!
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Children's Museum of Wilmington
116 Orange StSay no more...it's a Children's Museum with children's activities. It's nestled in the Historic residential area of downtown, so you can easily walk to the Riverwalk and find a bite to eat after all that activity!
I haven't actually been, but I've been tempted!! If you happen to go, let me know what you think. It's also downtown, so you have easy access to the Riverwalk and restaurants.
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Makumbusho ya Bizarre
201 S Water StI haven't actually been, but I've been tempted!! If you happen to go, let me know what you think. It's also downtown, so you have easy access to the Riverwalk and restaurants.
Downtownish - Another Fun Area
The great thing about Satellite is it has always been a place where all age groups happily mix and enjoy each other. The have a huge selection of beer, their wine is fair and they have hard liquor too. There's a great outdoor "back yard" with seating and corn hole and a Sunday night Bluegrass jam (people who enjoy contra dancing often attend) open to any competent musician. Block Taco is a take-out window attached to the front with affordable, small hand-held tacos...I like the brussels sprouts taco!
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Satellite Bar and Lounge
120 Greenfield StThe great thing about Satellite is it has always been a place where all age groups happily mix and enjoy each other. The have a huge selection of beer, their wine is fair and they have hard liquor too. There's a great outdoor "back yard" with seating and corn hole and a Sunday night Bluegrass jam (people who enjoy contra dancing often attend) open to any competent musician. Block Taco is a take-out window attached to the front with affordable, small hand-held tacos...I like the brussels sprouts taco!
A new wine bar with upscale food right next to Satellite. It's a fun, modern space and they use super nice stemware (which I love when I drink a nice wine). Expensive for Wilmington, but it's a fun vibe.
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The Second Glass
1540 S 2nd StA new wine bar with upscale food right next to Satellite. It's a fun, modern space and they use super nice stemware (which I love when I drink a nice wine). Expensive for Wilmington, but it's a fun vibe.
Vivian Howard's restaurant in Wilmington. Located in a renovated warehouse, the food is very good and the space is warm and cozy. It's very popular, but you can wait at Satellite (across the street) after you put your name in, and they will text you.
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Benny's Big Time Pizzeria
206 Greenfield StVivian Howard's restaurant in Wilmington. Located in a renovated warehouse, the food is very good and the space is warm and cozy. It's very popular, but you can wait at Satellite (across the street) after you put your name in, and they will text you.
The Harp
1423 S 3rd StAn Irish dive bar with solid food choices.
Disclaimer: I'm not a beer drinker. Located right behind The Satellite Bar. I've really only stuck my head in here after it was newly opened, but I disliked the lighting and space. More research needed.
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New Anthem Beer Project-Greenfield Street
110 Greenfield StDisclaimer: I'm not a beer drinker. Located right behind The Satellite Bar. I've really only stuck my head in here after it was newly opened, but I disliked the lighting and space. More research needed.
The best pork chop ever! And I don't even like pork chops!! Great vibe and extensive menu.
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True Blue Butcher and Barrel
110 Greenfield StreetThe best pork chop ever! And I don't even like pork chops!! Great vibe and extensive menu.
Wilmington's only "true" Spanish Tapas restaurant. It's tiny so make reservations!
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Mariposa Tapas Bar
1502 South 3rd StreetWilmington's only "true" Spanish Tapas restaurant. It's tiny so make reservations!
Castle Street & Cargo District
The 500 block is chock full of antiques, vintage stores and some good restaurants. Up near Casa on Castle Street you'll find the Cargo District along with several other very popular eateries and bars.
Call ahead to confirm their hours...website is inaccurate!
Wilmington's only distillery which opened Feb 1st. Located in a Historic quonset hut, they've done a great job creating a hip interior and vibe. They currently carry their own vodka and rum, paired with a nice craft cocktail list. They carry tequila, but not their own. The distiller (Steve) said he's working on a batch of gin at the moment. They give tours. It's VERY popular since it's new.
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End of Days Distillery
1815 Castle StCall ahead to confirm their hours...website is inaccurate!
Wilmington's only distillery which opened Feb 1st. Located in a Historic quonset hut, they've done a great job creating a hip interior and vibe. They currently carry their own vodka and rum, paired with a nice craft cocktail list. They carry tequila, but not their own. The distiller (Steve) said he's working on a batch of gin at the moment. They give tours. It's VERY popular since it's new.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH: A nice choice for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Located in an old house in the Castle Street District. Can be crowded as it has a very strong following!
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Jester's Café
607 Castle StBREAKFAST & LUNCH: A nice choice for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Located in an old house in the Castle Street District. Can be crowded as it has a very strong following!
Located in the old Halls Drugstore, Rx serves up delicious farm to table food. They have a great brunch on Sundays too. CHECK HOUIRS: Recently closed for kitchen upgrades.
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Rx Restaurant and Bar
421 Castle StLocated in the old Halls Drugstore, Rx serves up delicious farm to table food. They have a great brunch on Sundays too. CHECK HOUIRS: Recently closed for kitchen upgrades.
Walking distance from Casa on Castle Street. Very popular bar and beer garden. Great back yard often with live music and food truck. Corner of Castle Street & 17th.
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Fermental
600 Market StWalking distance from Casa on Castle Street. Very popular bar and beer garden. Great back yard often with live music and food truck. Corner of Castle Street & 17th.
Really, really good burgers! They have veggie and chicken too. Served up with masses of tator tots. They share a space with Ruff Draft which is a dog park and bar. Check their website for rules about bringing your dog. An easy walk from Casa on Castle, out the door and to your left.
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Mess Hall ILM
2136 Hutchison LnReally, really good burgers! They have veggie and chicken too. Served up with masses of tator tots. They share a space with Ruff Draft which is a dog park and bar. Check their website for rules about bringing your dog. An easy walk from Casa on Castle, out the door and to your left.
Another fun bar in the Cargo District. Walking distance from Casa on Castle Street.
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Alcove Beer Garden
348 Hutchison LnAnother fun bar in the Cargo District. Walking distance from Casa on Castle Street.
CheeseSmith
624 South 17th StreetGrilled cheeses galore! Walking distance from Casa on Castle.
Hip boutique bar in the Cargo District. Walking distance from Casa on Castle.
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The Starling Bar
1612 Queen StreetHip boutique bar in the Cargo District. Walking distance from Casa on Castle.
Serving and selling Natural and Organic Wines. Plus it has a small boutique "farmer's market" type grocer attached.
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Bottles Natural Wine & Craft Beer
615 South 15th StreetServing and selling Natural and Organic Wines. Plus it has a small boutique "farmer's market" type grocer attached.
Food scene
This is a new restaurant in a new development along the Cape Fear River. The food is very good, but the views are amazing! They have a large deck with outdoor seating and a large gas fire pit with rockers around it. Great place to watch the sunset, but be warned of no-seeums during the summer months.
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Smoke on the Water
3704 Watercraft Ferry AveThis is a new restaurant in a new development along the Cape Fear River. The food is very good, but the views are amazing! They have a large deck with outdoor seating and a large gas fire pit with rockers around it. Great place to watch the sunset, but be warned of no-seeums during the summer months.
Winnie's has been a local favorite for as long as I can remember, and can be crowded. Personally, I think it's basically a cute and quirky dive bar and burger joint that's off the beaten path.
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Winnie's Tavern
1895 Burnett BlvdWinnie's has been a local favorite for as long as I can remember, and can be crowded. Personally, I think it's basically a cute and quirky dive bar and burger joint that's off the beaten path.
Located up Market Street just minutes from here, they have solid pub food and decent ambiance. A good "family" restaurant.
Bill's Taproom
107 Market StLocated up Market Street just minutes from here, they have solid pub food and decent ambiance. A good "family" restaurant.
"Out by the Beach" Food Scene
Very popular, especially during high season so expect to wait. The food is great.
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Ceviche's
7210 Wrightsville AveVery popular, especially during high season so expect to wait. The food is great.
One of the only places at Wrightsville Beach where you can eat on the pier. Fantastic views and a fun casual vibe. The food is very solid. They do have their own parking lot.
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Oceanic
703 S Lumina AveOne of the only places at Wrightsville Beach where you can eat on the pier. Fantastic views and a fun casual vibe. The food is very solid. They do have their own parking lot.
A fun, casual vibe, with elevated bar food. If you sit upstairs it affords a modest view of the water.
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Shark Bar and Kitchen
13 E Salisbury StA fun, casual vibe, with elevated bar food. If you sit upstairs it affords a modest view of the water.
Upscale, great food and a local favorite. It's located in one of the buildings in Lumina Station, a posh retail development out near Wrightsville Beach, but not across the bridge.
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Port Land Grille
1908 Eastwood RdUpscale, great food and a local favorite. It's located in one of the buildings in Lumina Station, a posh retail development out near Wrightsville Beach, but not across the bridge.
Great food and a local favorite. It's located in one of the buildings in Lumina Station, a posh retail development out near Wrightsville Beach, but not across the bridge.
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Brasserie Du Soleil
1908 Eastwood RdGreat food and a local favorite. It's located in one of the buildings in Lumina Station, a posh retail development out near Wrightsville Beach, but not across the bridge.
A casual place to grab a bite out out near the beach. Recommended by friends.
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Zeke's Beans and Bowls
534 Causeway DrA casual place to grab a bite out out near the beach. Recommended by friends.
Mayfaire / Forum Area
Great handmade thin crust pizzas, salads and more. It is very dark inside, so maybe not the best summer dining experience.
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Osteria Cicchetti
1125 Military Cutoff RdGreat handmade thin crust pizzas, salads and more. It is very dark inside, so maybe not the best summer dining experience.
I've been told they DO have great brunch, so if you happen to find yourself in retail-land at Mayfaire, this would be a good place to eat.
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Brunches
6800 Parker Farm DrI've been told they DO have great brunch, so if you happen to find yourself in retail-land at Mayfaire, this would be a good place to eat.
The best sushi out near the beach area. In an upscale retail area.
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The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen
1121 Military Cutoff RdThe best sushi out near the beach area. In an upscale retail area.