Guidebook for Wilmington
Food Scene
This is one of our very favorite places to eat. The kitchen is so creative and the food is consistently fabulous. It's a laid-back atmosphere without pretentiousness. That said, don't let the name fool you -- this isn't gourmet with respect to the atmosphere, presentation, and, thankfully, price! The food is outstanding. *Please note: Sealevel is temporarily closed while ownership transitions — we anticipate it being just as fabulous when it reopens*
32 locals recommend
Sealevel City Gourmet
1015 S Kerr AveThis is one of our very favorite places to eat. The kitchen is so creative and the food is consistently fabulous. It's a laid-back atmosphere without pretentiousness. That said, don't let the name fool you -- this isn't gourmet with respect to the atmosphere, presentation, and, thankfully, price! The food is outstanding. *Please note: Sealevel is temporarily closed while ownership transitions — we anticipate it being just as fabulous when it reopens*
This is a Wilmington favorite. We are known for chowing down on their Thai Me Up burrito without cheese, with black beans, marinated tofu, and extra sauce inside that beautiful cylinder of goodness.
79 locals recommend
Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn WILMINGTON LOCATION
4002 Oleander DrThis is a Wilmington favorite. We are known for chowing down on their Thai Me Up burrito without cheese, with black beans, marinated tofu, and extra sauce inside that beautiful cylinder of goodness.
Without question, these are our favorite sandwiches in town. We especially love their avocado torta.
25 locals recommend
Detour Deli & Cafe
510 Red Cross StWithout question, these are our favorite sandwiches in town. We especially love their avocado torta.
Pho Cafe
3926 Market StTry their fresh spring rolls with tofu and their tofu banh mi! So tasty.
Unique Latin American food you won’t find anywhere else in town! Presentation of food is beautiful! Located on the northern side of downtown Wilmington, it’s a short drive from our place. Be aware the dining room is on the smaller side so you may have to wait to be seated — or grab a seat at the bar!
89 locals recommend
Savorez
402 Chestnut StUnique Latin American food you won’t find anywhere else in town! Presentation of food is beautiful! Located on the northern side of downtown Wilmington, it’s a short drive from our place. Be aware the dining room is on the smaller side so you may have to wait to be seated — or grab a seat at the bar!
Indochine is a very popular Thai restaurant that has won numerous awards. They are open for lunch, close in the afternoon, and then reopen for dinner. We highly recommend getting there early (before they open for dinner) to avoid long waits! Or if you don’t mind waiting, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the outdoor garden.
186 locals recommend
Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrIndochine is a very popular Thai restaurant that has won numerous awards. They are open for lunch, close in the afternoon, and then reopen for dinner. We highly recommend getting there early (before they open for dinner) to avoid long waits! Or if you don’t mind waiting, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the outdoor garden.
Sweet n Savory Cafe
1611 Pavilion PlMarina Grill
18 Harnett StGreat views of the water!
Casual fare on the River Walk with frozen drinks. Sign me up!
31 locals recommend
Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill
106 S Water StCasual fare on the River Walk with frozen drinks. Sign me up!
We love D + M — a great vibe for date night downtown and the food is excellent! Be prepared to climb stairs!
17 locals recommend
Dram and Morsel
33 S Front StWe love D + M — a great vibe for date night downtown and the food is excellent! Be prepared to climb stairs!
Another great downtown option — it is in the same building as Yosake. Be prepared to climb stairs!
84 locals recommend
Yosake Downtown Sushi Lounge
33 S Front StAnother great downtown option — it is in the same building as Yosake. Be prepared to climb stairs!
Arts & Culture
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEBeautiful gardens that boast some of the biggest Live Oak Trees in Wilmington! Check out a Friday Concert if you are visiting during the summer!
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie RoadBeautiful gardens that boast some of the biggest Live Oak Trees in Wilmington! Check out a Friday Concert if you are visiting during the summer!
Free gardens! A great way to see native Wilmington plants !
35 locals recommend
The Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext
6206 Oleander DrFree gardens! A great way to see native Wilmington plants !
Shopping
Beautiful outdoor walking mall with lots of restaurants and a large variety of shops. There is also a movie theater with recliner seats!
143 locals recommend
Mayfaire Town Center
Beautiful outdoor walking mall with lots of restaurants and a large variety of shops. There is also a movie theater with recliner seats!
Not the best mall but it fits the bill if there is a specific store for which you are looking!
40 locals recommend
Independence Mall
3500 Oleander DrNot the best mall but it fits the bill if there is a specific store for which you are looking!
A huge consignment store with multiple buildings (including a warehouse)! Definitely worth checking out to see if you find a hidden treasure to commemorate your trip to Wilmington! Hit up Indochine (see food entries) in the same trio as they share a parking lot.
21 locals recommend
The Ivy Cottage
3030 Market StA huge consignment store with multiple buildings (including a warehouse)! Definitely worth checking out to see if you find a hidden treasure to commemorate your trip to Wilmington! Hit up Indochine (see food entries) in the same trio as they share a parking lot.
Essentials
A budget friendly grocery store — it is the closest grocery store to us (the Castle Hayne Rd location) if you are in a pinch!
99 locals recommend
Food Lion
6400-1 Carolina Beach RdA budget friendly grocery store — it is the closest grocery store to us (the Castle Hayne Rd location) if you are in a pinch!
We like to support this co-op. Go for it! They have so much to offer. We love picking up some tasty desserts from in front of the coffee, juice, and smoothie bar. They also have a great hot bar. Check out the farmers market on Saturday mornings — best one in town (much better than the downtown FM)!
28 locals recommend
Tidal Creek Co-op
5329 Oleander DrWe like to support this co-op. Go for it! They have so much to offer. We love picking up some tasty desserts from in front of the coffee, juice, and smoothie bar. They also have a great hot bar. Check out the farmers market on Saturday mornings — best one in town (much better than the downtown FM)!
Whole Foods Market
3804 Oleander DrHarris Teeter
3501 Oleander DrThere are many Harris Teeter locations throughout Wilmington.
Trader Joe's
1437 S College RdSightseeing
The Riverwalk Landing
2 Ann StBeautiful waterfront views!
This is a great place for a walk of any variety -- romantic, mind-clearing, exercise, etc.
26 locals recommend
Riverfront
This is a great place for a walk of any variety -- romantic, mind-clearing, exercise, etc.
Make a loop: check out Carolina Beach, take the ferry to Southport and drive back towards Wilmington in this epic day trip!
242 locals recommend
Southport
Make a loop: check out Carolina Beach, take the ferry to Southport and drive back towards Wilmington in this epic day trip!
Drinks & Nightlife
Wilmington Brewing Company
824 S Kerr AveWe dig this spot. The jalapeno beer is great!
Edward Teach Brewing
604 N 4th StFun place! They often have live music.
This is a very cool spot, definitely worth checking out. They often have live music and Sunday evenings is their hottest night when they feature live bluegrass bands. It is hoppin' on Sunday nights. They have a wonderful outdoor area as well.
126 locals recommend
Satellite Bar and Lounge
120 Greenfield StThis is a very cool spot, definitely worth checking out. They often have live music and Sunday evenings is their hottest night when they feature live bluegrass bands. It is hoppin' on Sunday nights. They have a wonderful outdoor area as well.
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee PlBlue Post Billiards
15 S Water StFun bar with an arcade in the back!
Over 60 beers on tap! Get a wristband and sample the different brews — you are charged by the ounce and you control your pour size. Stick with a few or try them all !
24 locals recommend
Pour Taproom
201 N Front StOver 60 beers on tap! Get a wristband and sample the different brews — you are charged by the ounce and you control your pour size. Stick with a few or try them all !
But fist: coffee!
Our favorite coffee shops around town!
We were so stoked to have randomly stumbled across this place. It's very stylish on the inside and the drinks and treats have always satisfied. On the way to Wrightsville Beach.
35 locals recommend
Drift Coffee & Kitchen
110 Dungannon BlvdWe were so stoked to have randomly stumbled across this place. It's very stylish on the inside and the drinks and treats have always satisfied. On the way to Wrightsville Beach.
Cute coffee shop in Downtown Wilmington. The coffee is good and the historic charm is even better!
54 locals recommend
Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
202 Princess StCute coffee shop in Downtown Wilmington. The coffee is good and the historic charm is even better!
Pomegranate Books
4418 Park AveExcellent coffee and book shop!
Luna Caffe
608 Castle StAnother cute coffee shop with some vintage shopping nearby.