Guidebook for Wilmington
Food Scene
Restaurants, coffee shops... places I like to go when I'm in town
A Spring & Summer time must at the end of a day! Relax on their outside deck and watch the sun go down. They usually have a band playing on Sundays. My favorite is the soft-shell crab sandwich.
97 locals recommend
Dockside Restaurant
1308 Airlie RdA Spring & Summer time must at the end of a day! Relax on their outside deck and watch the sun go down. They usually have a band playing on Sundays. My favorite is the soft-shell crab sandwich.
Great french brasserie, the best place to get a salad. The fries are the best!
48 locals recommend
Brasserie Du Soleil
1908 Eastwood RdGreat french brasserie, the best place to get a salad. The fries are the best!
Fun beach restaurant/bar with good margaritas, chips, salsa & fish tacos. We like to go at the end of a beach day for a pitcher of margaritas!
119 locals recommend
Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
4 N Lumina AveFun beach restaurant/bar with good margaritas, chips, salsa & fish tacos. We like to go at the end of a beach day for a pitcher of margaritas!
Looking for healthy foo? Epic, offers create your own style dishes and suggested plates. My favorite is the organic gluten free fried chicken with brussels with hustle salad. Great people, great food!
15 locals recommend
Epic Food Co
1113 Military Cutoff RdLooking for healthy foo? Epic, offers create your own style dishes and suggested plates. My favorite is the organic gluten free fried chicken with brussels with hustle salad. Great people, great food!
The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen
1121 Military Cutoff RdThis guy serves the best such in town!
Beach Bagels
7220 Wrightsville AveBest Bagels in Town!
Excellent Fish restaurant, the owner Keith Rhodes was a finalist on Top Chef! I'd say the best fish place in town... He also owns Phun Food a vietnamese street food hole in the wall place
36 locals recommend
Catch
6623 Market StExcellent Fish restaurant, the owner Keith Rhodes was a finalist on Top Chef! I'd say the best fish place in town... He also owns Phun Food a vietnamese street food hole in the wall place
Excellent View on their pier... the food is so so... I suggest the fish n chips.. good hushpuppies..
132 locals recommend
Oceanic
703 S Lumina AveExcellent View on their pier... the food is so so... I suggest the fish n chips.. good hushpuppies..
One of the best restaurants in town! They also own the lounge next door called Bourgie Nights were they have live music events. The mixologist makes excellent drinks!
96 locals recommend
Manna
123 Princess StOne of the best restaurants in town! They also own the lounge next door called Bourgie Nights were they have live music events. The mixologist makes excellent drinks!
Our favorite pizza by the slice place downtown, the all white pizza is my favorite!
19 locals recommend
I Love NY Pizza
28 N Front StOur favorite pizza by the slice place downtown, the all white pizza is my favorite!
Great fresh fish place. Not everything is local but they have a lot that is.
41 locals recommend
Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant
6132 Carolina Beach RdGreat fresh fish place. Not everything is local but they have a lot that is.
My favorite restaurant right now! Great ceviche and other fish dishes all with Peruvian influence.
115 locals recommend
Ceviche's
7210 Wrightsville AveMy favorite restaurant right now! Great ceviche and other fish dishes all with Peruvian influence.
Starbucks
971 Military Cutoff RdOutdoor seating, its located at the Mayfair Mall
Personally I find their coffee a bit acidic, Im a picky espresso drinker... but its close and easy and local
28 locals recommend
Port City Java
132 Racine DrPersonally I find their coffee a bit acidic, Im a picky espresso drinker... but its close and easy and local
Inside this book store is Cafe Zola, a tiny excellent coffee shop. Its my favorite in Wilmington!
6 locals recommend
Pomegranate Books
4418 Park AveInside this book store is Cafe Zola, a tiny excellent coffee shop. Its my favorite in Wilmington!
Nice little neighborhood coffee shop, they have great coffee & healthy goodies. Vegan & gluten free friendly. They have WIFI
12 locals recommend
Grinders Caffè
890 S Kerr AveNice little neighborhood coffee shop, they have great coffee & healthy goodies. Vegan & gluten free friendly. They have WIFI
Drift Coffee & Kitchen
110 Dungannon Blvd
Dram Yard
101 S 2nd StBest Thai food in town, great atmosphere, the garden seating is perfect in season. The wait can be very long on weekend nights, get there early.
186 locals recommend
Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrBest Thai food in town, great atmosphere, the garden seating is perfect in season. The wait can be very long on weekend nights, get there early.
Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
202 Princess StBest coffee shop downtown! Great atmosphere!
Excellent Peruvian food, I have never been disappointed! Its a small place and it does get crowded on weekends and for Sunday Brunch
89 locals recommend
Savorez
402 Chestnut StExcellent Peruvian food, I have never been disappointed! Its a small place and it does get crowded on weekends and for Sunday Brunch
Try the kale nachos, my husband loves the lentil burger, it’s all very good!
32 locals recommend
Sealevel City Gourmet
1015 S Kerr AveTry the kale nachos, my husband loves the lentil burger, it’s all very good!
Sightseeing
Hop on it a few blocks from the house to the beach or downtown. This map doesn't show the whole trail & latest connection around the lake nearby. google wilmington cross city trail for an updated map
Cross City Trail
Cross City TrailHop on it a few blocks from the house to the beach or downtown. This map doesn't show the whole trail & latest connection around the lake nearby. google wilmington cross city trail for an updated map
Great way to see the Cape Fear River, the captain of this boat is extremely knowledgeable & friendly. I enjoyed the Black River tour where in the Spring you see the return of the Osprey to nest.
138 locals recommend
Wilmington Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkGreat way to see the Cape Fear River, the captain of this boat is extremely knowledgeable & friendly. I enjoyed the Black River tour where in the Spring you see the return of the Osprey to nest.
Very popular tourist visit, and very hot on the ship mid summer
435 locals recommend
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEVery popular tourist visit, and very hot on the ship mid summer
Fourth Fridays Gallery art walk is fun 6:00-9:00pm
Walk along the riverwalk, Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market on the River
53 locals recommend
Historic District
Fourth Fridays Gallery art walk is fun 6:00-9:00pm
Walk along the riverwalk, Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market on the River
Drinks & Nightlife
Bars, clubs and nightlife in Downtown Wilmington, and close to the beach.
The best martini's in town with a very cool lounge atmosphere. They also serve dinner and really yummy appetizers. A hot local spot Friday & saturday night when they clear the dining area for dancing.
1900 Restaurant Lounge
1900 Eastwood RdThe best martini's in town with a very cool lounge atmosphere. They also serve dinner and really yummy appetizers. A hot local spot Friday & saturday night when they clear the dining area for dancing.
Caprice bistro
10 Market StGreat french food with good happy hour food specials! Downtown
The Throne Theater
208 Market StreetGreat live music venue, look online for their show schedule
Pravda
23 N Front StAge group is usually 21-35ish
Must see rooftop bar/lounge! The views are spectacular and the atmosphere is laid back loungey! The appetizers are pretty good too.
58 locals recommend
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee PlMust see rooftop bar/lounge! The views are spectacular and the atmosphere is laid back loungey! The appetizers are pretty good too.
Located on the 5th floor rooftop of the old Masonic Temple building, easy access for our guests staying at The Aether, there are nice sunset views. Good for a pre dinner drink!
9 locals recommend
The Rooftop Bar at North Front Theatre
21 N Front StLocated on the 5th floor rooftop of the old Masonic Temple building, easy access for our guests staying at The Aether, there are nice sunset views. Good for a pre dinner drink!
Shopping
If I go shopping, it's usually downtown. There area few shopping malls, the better one is Mayfair Town center.
Great gift shopping in an old building downtown, fun to walk around
77 locals recommend
The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front StGreat gift shopping in an old building downtown, fun to walk around
Local artists and venders have booths there. I have found nice gifts there.
17 locals recommend
Blue Moon Gift Shops
203 Racine DrLocal artists and venders have booths there. I have found nice gifts there.
Outdoor mall with your basics, like Gap, JCrew, World Market etc..
143 locals recommend
Mayfaire Town Center
Outdoor mall with your basics, like Gap, JCrew, World Market etc..
Historic District
Lots of shops in downtown Historic Wilmington
Whole Foods Market
3804 Oleander DrIts Whole Foods, what else can I say :-)
Parks & Nature
I like the far north end, drive to the last parking area and walk along the beach to the North tip. Keep your eye out for the mailbox at the dunes edge where you can leave a note for the universe. Beautiful marsh views and not many people.
408 locals recommend
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrI like the far north end, drive to the last parking area and walk along the beach to the North tip. Keep your eye out for the mailbox at the dunes edge where you can leave a note for the universe. Beautiful marsh views and not many people.
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie RdThe Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext
6206 Oleander DrArts & Culture
Nice museum with changing exhibitions. Great cafe to have lunch inside. Good for a rainy day
108 locals recommend
Cameron Art Museum
3201 S 17th StNice museum with changing exhibitions. Great cafe to have lunch inside. Good for a rainy day
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1437 S College RdI get most everything here
Harris Teeter
3501 Oleander DrYour basic grocery store, the organic section is lacking.
CVS
1712 Eastwood RdHealth Food store that has a great salad bar & menu items. Great for grabbing something to take to the beach or to get a quick meal.
23 locals recommend
Lovey's Natural Foods & Cafe
1319 Military Cutoff RdHealth Food store that has a great salad bar & menu items. Great for grabbing something to take to the beach or to get a quick meal.
The Fresh Market
1060 International DrFresh Market is very close
DGX
250 N Water St