With the wide array of good eats to be found in Wilmington, it can be hard to narrow down where to go. Here is a list of some of the best places to eat in Wilmington NC that will be sure to fuel you for the day of sightseeing ahead!
Coffee:
- Bespoke Coffee and Dry Goods
- Bespoke is a locally owned coffee shop located right in downtown Wilmington. In a cozy atmosphere, they serve a wide variety of different drink options, including teas and matcha. Come in any night, Thursday through Saturday, 5 - 9 PM, and sip on some of their alcoholic offerings at the bar as well!
- Location: 202 Princess Street
- Recommendation: Lavender Matcha Latte with an accompanying cinnamon roll. The savory and sweet combination will be sure to wake you and your taste buds up!
- If you are headed to the beach and need a quick caffeine fix, Zeke’s has you covered. They brew their coffee in house and have different flavors available to customize your coffee. In addition to coffee, they also serve an assortment of acai and poke bowls to satiate your hunger.
- Location: 534 Causeway Drive
- Recommendation: The S’mores Latte will be sure to fire you up for the day ahead!
Breakfast:
- Offering an onsite bakery, the Sweet n Savory Cafe is one of the best places to go in Wilmington for breakfast. They have everything you would want to start your day, from build-your-own omelets to sweet and savory crepes. They have a wonderful patio to sit on as well, so you can enjoy the weather while you enjoy your meal!
- Location: 1611 Pavilion Place
- Recommendation: The Wrightsville Beach French Toast was the star of an episode of “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” and it is clear to see why. House-made cinnamon raisin bread with your choice of eggs and a side.
- Review: “Excellent choice for breakfast for sure. First time visiting and OMG… Simply amazing.”
- Jester’s is a smaller cafe located right in the Castle Street Arts and Antiques District. Their menu offers a French twist on your local breakfast fare with options such as Le Monsieur, which is ham stuffed inside some baked bread with sauce and cheese on top. They also offer many other breakfast foods, such as breakfast sandwiches and benedicts.
- Location: 607 Castle Street
- Review: “My wife and I live around the corner from Jesters and have yet to be disappointed. We have been coming for years, I’m sad that I haven’t rated it sooner.”
- Famous Toastery of Wilmington
- If you are in search of a classic, down to earth, breakfast look no further than the Famous Toastery of Wilmington. Their menu is stacked with delicious options. They offer six omelet options alone, including a build-your-own option. If you crave something on the sweeter side, they also have “flavored flapjacks” that are always a hit!
- Location: 6722 Wrightsville Avenue
- Recommendation: If you want a taste of a Southern breakfast, try the Country Benedict. Two eggs, ham, and homemade gravy atop a fresh, flaky, biscuit... just like mama used to make!
Lunch:
- Crust Kitchen and Cocktails
- Crust Kitchen is a casual lunch option that offers a unique take on the go-to-lunch option: the sandwich! Their menu is filled with so many interesting sandwich combinations, you are sure to find one you love. If you are more in the mood for pasta, don’t worry, they have a mac n’ cheese bar where you can customize your meal by selecting the cheese and any toppings you want!
- And, as their name implies, Crust also offers a full cocktail menu to go with your meal if you so desire an afternoon “attitude adjustment.”
- Location: 124 Princess Street
- Recommendation: The Little Rascals is a sandwich piled high with fresh mozzarella, arugula, and red tomatoes, coming together on a parmesan crust. Add on some fried chicken and you have got yourself a little slice of heaven.
- Review: A quote regarding the Little Rascals sandwich: “This is so good! This is the reason the universe was created!”
- There may be no more iconic food than the burger and Mess Hall is the destination to get them! Mess Hall is committed to serving the freshest burger, which is why they grind their meat in house. All their burgers come served on a soft potato roll and are accompanied by a hearty helping of tots! Mess Hall also caters to vegetarians and vegans alike by offering plant-based burgers as well.
- Location: 348 Hutchinson Lane
- Recommendation: The Samburger is a classic burger at its core, just perfected 100%, and don’t forget the tots!
- Review: "OMG! Why did I wait so long to try this place?? The smash burgers are AMAZING! Such a cool place, with friendly staff, and excellent burgers. Can't wait to go back!"
- Fork n’ Cork
- Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,” Fork n’ Cork gives patrons a taste of the South, cooking up classic favorites in a brick bar setting. Their gourmet sandwiches include anything from a Rueban, to a Texas Brisket, to a Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Whatever you choose, it is sure to be good with host Guy Fieri saying “I would pass out eating that.. delicious is an understatement ... outstanding.”
- Location: 122 Market Street
- Recommendation: The Music City Hot Chicken Sandwich will make you question yourself if you are in Nashville or Wilmington! Fried chicken tossed in Nashville hot sauce served with bleu cheese dressing on top.
Dinner:
- Indochine will offer you a dining experience that you will not find at most places. Their outdoor seating area offers guests the feeling that they are dining in the jungle with its beautiful scenery. Their menu consists of Thai and Vietnamese offerings that have earned Indochine Encore’s award for Best Asian and Atmosphere for 15 years in a row!
- Location: 7 Wayne Drive
- Recommendation: Their Pad Thai is a must try along with their Thai Curry if you like a little spice!
- Review: "What a beautiful place filled with beautiful food.”
- Pinpoint is a more upscale dinner option that offers seasonal plates from local farms and fishermen. They have an oyster bar alongside a menu of steaks, chicken, and more. They also have a full wine menu as well as a craft cocktail menu.
- Location: 114 Market Street
- Recommendation: The PinPoint Jerk Chicken has the perfect mix of sweet and spicy that'll put you on island time… in no time.
- Review: "Yummy food, great service, perfect location"
- Savorez
- If you want a taste of Latin America without leaving Wilmington, look no further than Savorez. Though the restaurant is located in an unsuspecting brick building, the flavors that come from the dishes served are anything but. Savorez is committed to sourcing all its ingredients locally, which enhances the flavor of the dishes even more.
- Location: 402 Chestnut Street
- Recommendation: Be sure to try their Sweet Potato Cheesecake Empanada. It will not disappoint!
- Review: "I will say that out of all the restaurants I have been to, this one right here is very exquisite. The food was amazing... I will be back for more!"
