Restaurant Reviews – North
Dinner Club visits a new restaurant once a month. Ratings reflect the reviewer’s reaction to food, ambience and service, with price taken into consideration. Rating of stars is “regionally adjusted” and is based off a limited number of visits; one of the real keys to an excellent restaurant, regardless of price or cuisine, is the consistent delivery of a fine dining experience.
///// 2014
Name: 22 North
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Location: 22 N. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach NC
Contact: 910.509.01/ https://www.22northwb.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Located on historic Wrightsville Beach, it is nothing special from the outside and not very fancy inside either. 22 North is half restaurant and half bar; the venue is a bit of a beach dive. Traditional Lower Cape Fear cuisine, they provide the most unique and eclectic Southern comfort food in the Wilmington area. The locally sourced menu is ingredient driven and changes daily. Blackboard menu is brought right to your table on an easel. The chef makes what he can get fresh and once it’s gone for the day it’s crossed off. Expect a meal worthy of any white table cloth restaurant. Fresh food artfully prepared, with prices that are very reasonable for the quality level. What a wonderful surprise!
///// August 2023
Name: Bento Box
Cuisine: Contemporary Asian
Location: 1121-L Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.509.0774 / https://www.bentoboxsushi.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Bento Box, located in Mayfaire Town Center, has been serving Wilmington since 2006. They offer a diverse Asian menu in a relaxed comfortable environment. The name, The Bento Box, means lunch box. The name also signifies the smaller portions of many different flavors, and the menu is designed to encourage sharing. The main focus of the restaurant is on the sushi bar. It’s a very busy place, it was jammed on a Tuesday night, if you want to eat there you should call ahead for reservations. Apparently, they currently have staffing issues and we had to wait way to long for our food to be served. Although we enjoyed the dining experience at this place, I’m sorry to say that we were disappointed.
///// 2013
Name: Big Thai 2
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 1319 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.256.6588 / NA
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Small low-key restaurant located in the Landfall shopping center. It’s a nice option if you are in the area and worth checking them out. But frankly, it’s no Indochine.
///// 2014
Name: Black Sea Grill
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: 118 Front Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.254.9990 / https://blackseagrill.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The Black Sea Grill is a family owned and operated Mediterranean style restaurant, located on the south end of Front Street in historic downtown Wilmington. It is a small but inviting place with very limited seating so the atmosphere is cozy and intimate. Mediterranean, Seafood, Turkish, Vegetarian cuisine highlights the menu. It’s not upscale dining, more of your any-night-of-the-week restaurant. If you want a healthy, fresh, delicious well-rounded meal at a reasonable price then you should try this place.
///// September 2019
Name: Brasserie du Soleil / Urban Food Group
Cuisine: French
Location: 1908 Eastwood Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.256.2226 / https://www.brasseriedusoleil.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Brasserie du Soleil is one of six restaurants in the Urban Food Group. This one is primarily a French bistro, an informal café. They seem to have an extremely popular build your own salad option, on the Lunch menu only, that was voted Best Salads, in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine. Outside seating is a good choice, not as noisy and it’s a beautiful setting. Overall it was a very pleasant dining experience.
///// March 2022
Name: Brent’s Bistro
Cuisine: American Grille
Location: 7110 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.839.3131 / http://brentsbistro.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Brent’s is a small restaurant that is very unassuming from the street, the exterior store front look gives no indication of the type of restaurant inside. They have a limited menu that only offers about a dozen entrée choices. The menu changes weekly and is posted on their Facebook page. It’s a little pricey, but the food was excellent and well worth the price, so not your any-night-of-the-week restaurant. This is one of the better restaurant offerings in the area. I’d recommend that you put it on your list of places to try.
///// July 2021
Name: Café Chinois
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Location: 3710 S College Road / Unit#123, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.769.3193 / https://www.cafe-chinois.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
This restaurant is the latest eatery from the Indochine restaurant group. It’s an unassuming restaurant located in a nondescript strip mall. You will be pleasantly surprised when you step inside to the dining room that is filled to the brim with Asian art and artifacts. An exceptional value with large portions and moderate prices for the quality of the food served. You can expect a dining experience similar to their flagship restaurant Indochine
///// July 2016
Name: Cape Fear Seafood Company
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 5226 S. College Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.799.7077 / https://www.capefearseafoodcompany.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Cape Fear Seafood Company restaurant is ranked #3 out of @505 restaurants located in Wilmington. Serving regional food, in a casual relaxed atmosphere. Recognized by Our State Magazine as one of five restaurants in NC to try Shrimp & Grits. That said, I have no idea why the rave reviews.
///// April 2023
Name: Caprice Bistro
Cuisine: French
Location: 10 Market Street, Wilmington NC (downtown)
Contact: 910.815.0810 / https://www.capricebistro.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Four Stars
Caprice Bistro looks every bit like a real authentic French bistro. A bistro is a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. The menu has a great traditional bistro selection of authentic French & Belgian cuisine prepared home-style. The atmosphere is welcoming, warm and inviting. The art-filled upstairs sofa lounge and bar area is great. This is a personal favorite of mine because of the consistent delivery of a fine dining experience every time that we go there. Certainly, it is among the best restaurants in town; you really should put it on your short-list of must try restaurants.
///// August 2022
Name: Catch
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 6623 Market St., Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.799.3847 / https://catchwilmington.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Located in a nondescript strip mall on the main drag away from downtown Catch prepares modern seafood cuisine and is an award-winning eatery. Celebrity chef and owner Keith Rhodes opened Catch Restaurant in 2006. He has always favored wild caught or sustainably raised seafood and continually supports local fisheries and organic farmers. They have a very limited menu, that only offers about a dozen entrée choices following the trend of menu simplification. At Catch it’s all about the food, which is amazing! If you dine out just for the food, not for anything else, Catch is one of Wilmington’s top restaurants. Despite the food being outstanding it was still over-priced. The prices are those of an upscale restaurant and they just aren’t one. Therefore, it’s hard to justify the expense. They still are on my short list of favorite restaurants.
///// December 2021
Name: Ceviche’s
Cuisine: Panamanian
Location: 7210 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.256.3131 / https://www.wbceviche.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Ceviche’s is a Latin America seafood restaurant ranked #5 out of @492 restaurants located in Wilmington. It is located on Wrightsville Avenue, just before the bridge. They offer a creative Panamanian inspired menu specializing in serving ceviche which is a seafood dish popular in the coastal regions of Latin America. The dish is typically made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices and spiced with various peppers. It is a very busy place, which is filled nearly every evening. The cuisine is fresh and interesting, it’s a nice change from the same old same old. We enjoyed the dining experience at this place, it was – Delightful!
///// June 2018
Name: Circa 1922 / Circa Group
Cuisine: New American
Location: 8 Front Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.762.1922 / https://circa1922.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Circa 1922 is a popular destination, it is home to tapas-style dining and wine bar in historic downtown Wilmington. It is not just a tapas restaurant; they are only a small portion of the eclectic menu. The crown jewel in owner Ash Aziz six restaurants in The Circa Group, this one is primarily a vintage 1920’s era speakeasy. Certainly it is among the best restaurants downtown, an extraordinarily good restaurant that does not disappoint.
///// March 2016
Name: Copper Penny
Cuisine: American
Location: 109 Chestnut Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.762.1373 / https://www.copperpennync.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Located in downtown Wilmington, the Copper Penny menu offers simple bar food done well. It is a very popular place to grab a bite to eat with the menu being the same for both lunch and dinner. The food is quite good and reasonably priced with sandwiches as the primary fare. The humongous bar gives it a saloon atmosphere which is adorned with Philadelphia sports and fan memorabilia. Although they are not a beer brewer they offer a wide variety of craft beers with over one hundred (100) different brews on tap and in bottles. Don’t miss out, it’s totally worth a visit.
///// 2013
Name: Elijiahs
Cuisine: Casual American Grill
Location: 2 Ann Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.343.1448 / https://www.elijahs.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Established in 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington’s premier outdoor dining destination. The food is just average and that’s being kind. So why go? The restaurant is located in historic downtown Wilmington on the Riverwalk with a scenic view of the Cape Fear River. They feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dinning, all with spectacular panoramic views. The location is the best part, so I recommend getting drinks and appetizers there and dining elsewhere.
///// July 2023
Name: Floriana
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 2 Market Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.504.0160 / https://www.florianarestaurant.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Dining is in a casual relaxed atmosphere, nothing fancy here. Serving classic northern Italian cuisine with a broad-based menu featuring homemade pasta. The balcony tables overlooking the river are a nice outside dining option. It was just all right, neither the food nor the service was what one would expect from its top tier rating.
///// January 2017
Name: Freddie’s
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 111 K Avenue, Kure Beach NC
Contact: 910.458.5979 / https://www.freddiesitalianrestaurant.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: $26 Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Freddie’s offers a wide variety of Italian / American cuisine choices with moderately priced entrees. They are known for their pork chop creations which is their signature dish. It’s a comfortable, friendly casual environment, nothing fancy, the place is small and seating is limited. We went to eat here with high expectations, we were not impressed. Definitely, not worth the trip!
///// 2013
Name: Front Street Brewery
Cuisine: Brew Pub
Location: 9 North Front Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.251.1935 / https://www.frontstreetbrewery.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The place is booming, with a line out the door for the dining room most of the time. It’s a small microbrewery with ten (10) different locally handcrafted brews available on tap. Surprisingly the food is quite good and very reasonably priced. I was quite impressed. Handcrafted beer, good food, a humongous bar, with a great atmosphere and all at a reasonable price – What’s not to like?
///// March 2019
Name: Genki Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 4724 New Centre Dr Ste 5, Wilmington, NC
Contact: 910.796.8687 / https://genkisushiwilmington.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
/////
Genki Sushi is an authentic Japanese restaurant that is located near Costco in a nondescript strip mall off Market Street. It’s the real deal! It is ranked #3 out of @559 restaurants located in Wilmington. The main focus of the restaurant is on the sushi bar. Upon entering you receive a warm welcome, the service reflects a commitment to the customer, combined with great Japanese cuisine it makes for a delightful experience.
///// March 2019
Name: Indochine
Cuisine: Asian
Location: 7 Wayne Drive, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.251.9229 / https://www.indochinewilmington.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Indochine is an Asian fusion restaurant serving delicious authentic Asian cuisine. It is a great food establishment, the place is always packed. The food is incredible; the portions are huge, with relatively inexpensive prices. The beautifully decorated environment is delightful both inside and outside and is like a trip to the Orient. In a nutshell it is a great value for the price. This is my favorite restaurant in Wilmington. It’s about as good as it gets! They have been voted Best Restaurant Overall, Best Thai Restaurant, Best Atmosphere, numerous years running in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine.
///// September 2023
Name: Island Way
Cuisine: American
Location: 1407 E Beach Drive, Oak Island, NC
Contact: 910.278.7770 / https://www.islandwayres.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
/////
Island Way is a popular casual upscale beachfront restaurant with fantastic views of the ocean and pier. Its beach dining in style, with both indoor and outdoor dining options. This is one of the better restaurant offerings in the area, that is far better than most. I was quite impressed; what a pleasant surprise! It’s a busy place, that is filled to capacity nearly every evening. So, be cautious about making dining plans there during prime tourist season. If you want to eat there you probably should call ahead for reservations.
///// June 2023
Name: Jerry’s
Cuisine: American
Location: 7220 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.256.8847 / https://www.jerrysfoodandwine.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Jerry’s is located in a strip mall next to a Domino’s Pizza at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Eastwood Road, just before you cross the bridge to Wrightsville Beach. It’s a small place, with seating for only fifty (50) people, that is very unassuming from the street. You will be pleasantly surprised when you step inside the intimate dining room. A favorite among locals, they have been providing a superb dining experience for over thirty (30) years. They have a limited menu of about a dozen entrée choices that is a mix of seafood and land items. Although the entrees are a bit pricey, the food was exceptional and well worth it. Jerry’s ranks among the finest of Wilmington’s upscale dining establishments. Not sure why we haven’t revisited them sooner. It is everything one would expect from a high-end restaurant, we were not disappointed.
///// February 2022
Name: Joseph’s
Cuisine: Italian Bistro
Location: 5003 O’Quinn Boulevard, Southport NC
Contact: 910.454.4440 / https://www.josephsitalianbistro.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Probably easier to get to by boat than by car but don’t be discouraged by the trip for good things can be found in out of the way places. Located at the South Harbour Marina, the view overlooking the marina and ICW is outstanding. It’s a busy place, reservations are not accepted, so be cautious about making dining plans during prime tourist season. The menu reflects home-style interpretations of their family favorites and is the finest Italian cuisine in the area.
///// 2013
Name: K-38 Baja Grill
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 5410 Oleander Drive, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.395.6040 / NA
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
They focus on Mexican flavors with an added West Coast California flair and were voted Best Mexican Restaurant in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine. They just reopened after undergoing a major renovation. I went to eat here with high expectations. Unfortunately I just can’t really find anything good to say about this place. Good luck trying to eat here at dinner time usually there is a long wait. The venue is just too small for how popular they are. You are seated on top of each other; besides feeling cramped the seating was uncomfortable. Found the restaurant to be very uninspiring, food was decent but not great enough to overcome the other issues. Bottom-line, I will not be going back there again.
/////
Name: Loco Jo’s
Cuisine: Casual American Grill
Location: 602 North Howe Street, Southport NC
Contact: 910.457.9009 / https://locojosnc.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Eclectic menu offers a nice variety of great food for a small bar restaurant. Certainly, not fine dining but it is an excellent place to grab a bite to eat and try one of the sixty (60) plus beer choices offered there. I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the food coming out of the kitchen. The fish tacos were some of the best I’ve ever had. Bottom-line is that I was impressed, and I think you will be to. Plan to make it a must lunch stop next time you are in Southport.
May 2021
Loco Jo’s is ready to reopen with new owners. And, yes, the restaurant name stays. They plan on carrying on in the tradition of the restaurant that had been there for twelve and a half years before. Plenty of dishes they were known for won’t completely vanish. However, they are also bringing in new concepts to the menu.
///// February 2023
Name: Manna
Cuisine: New American
Location: 123 Princess Street, Wilmington NC (downtown)
Contact: 910.763.5252 / https://www.mannaavenue.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Four Stars
Opened in the fall of 2010, Manna is touted as one of the best restaurants in Wilmington for fine dining. This is one of the top restaurants with high quality farm-to-table food in the area. They offer a very limited menu, only five (5) entrees, that changes frequently. Manna’s seasonal menu has imaginative entrees with amusing dish names, using local ingredients, served in a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance. The bar area deserves mentioning and was one of the best we’ve ever been to. Although it is one of our perennial favorite restaurants we had not been here for a few years. They didn’t disappoint, I’m happy to report they have maintained their high standards. They exceeded our expectations, what a delightful dining experience. I would recommend putting it on your short-list of must try restaurants.
///// 2013
Name: Michael’s Seafood
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 1206 North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach NC
Contact: 910.458.7761 / https://www.mikescfood.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Established in 1998 Michael’s Seafood Restaurant has been consistently receiving rave reviews. They have been voted Best Seafood Restaurant, in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine. Their seafood chowder is a multiple-year champion of the International Seafood Chowder competition held in Rhode Island. They have established a reputation for fresh, healthy food, with no fried food on the menu. That said, I have no idea why the rave reviews.
///// January 2019
Name: Moore Street Oyster Bar
Cuisine: American
Location: 110 E. Moore Street, Southport, NC 28461
Contact: 910.363.5115 / https://www.moorestoysterbar.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The owners of Oliver’s have totally remodeled the historic building that most recently was The Pharmacy restaurant. MSOB is a casual, seafood establishment featuring coastal classics primarily serving an upscale bar food menu. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, with the stars of the show consisting of oysters and steamer pots. It’s a cool little place that is billed as an Oyster pub, with a huge bar and lots of TV’s they also have an extensive bourbon and craft beer selection. Although it just recently opened it’s already a very busy place. It’s a relatively small place with very limited seating; it was jammed on a Tuesday night in January. So, be cautious about making dining plans there during prime tourist season. It’s totally worth a visit.
///// 2012
Name: Mr. P’s Bistro
Cuisine: Low Country
Location: 309 North Howe Street, Southport NC
Contact: 910.457.0801 / https://www.mrpsbistro.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Mr. P’s has been voted as one of the best restaurants in Brunswick County for the last several years. It’s a local favorite and it’s a place you’ll want to keep going back to. It’s known for its seafood but they offer other dishes too. For me it’s just not the same since they moved from the waterfront to its current inland location.
///// August 2019
Name: Nicola’s
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 5704 Oleander Drive, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.798.2205 / http://www.nicolasitalian.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Billed as Italian with a Twist, it is not your typical Italian restaurant. High quality food is offered in a casual dining setting. Everything is prepared fresh, from scratch, every day. This is what Italian food is all about. The star of the show here are its homemade pasta dishes and its wood fire pizza, which are both true Italian comfort food. Stop by there for some of the best Italian cuisine in the area.
///// September 2016
Name: Oliver’s on the Cape Fear
Cuisine: American
Location: 101 West Bay Street, Southport, NC 28461
Contact: 910.477.9299 / https://oliversonthecapefear.org
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
A popular waterfront restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining options, serving upscale New American cuisine. The building on this site has a long history and was completely remodeled in 2015. Oliver’s is a welcome addition to the restaurant scene in Southport. Finally, excellent food with a beautiful panoramic view! This is one of the better restaurant offerings in the area; I’d put it on your short-list of must try restaurants.
///// October 2017
Name: Osteria Cicchetti / Urban Food Group
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 1125-K Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.256.7476 / https://www.osteria-cicchetti.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Osteria Cicchetti, known to locals as the O.C., was voted the Best Italian Restaurant in Wilmington. It is one of six restaurants in the Urban Food Group. The rustic design of the eatery welcomes diners into what feels like an Italian countryside. We had a wonderful dining experience. The menu offers something for everyone. An exceptional value with large portions and moderate prices for the quality of the food served. If you haven’t been to this restaurant you should put on your list of places to try.
//// February 2017
Name: Pin Point
Cuisine: American
Location: 114 Market Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.769.2972 / https://pinpointrestaurant.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Pin Point located in downtown Wilmington is in the space that had been Deluxe. The place has a rustic looking interior with exposed brick and high ceilings, creating a comfortable relaxed ambiance. The farm-to-table venue serves an upscale version of Southern comfort food alongside traditional American favorites; the locally sourced seasonally inspired menu changes frequently. They have a very limited menu that only offers about a half dozen entrée choices. The food is very good but a little pricey. This is one of the better restaurant offerings in the area. I’d recommend that you put it on your list of places to try.
///// June 2022
Name: Port Land Grille
Cuisine: Progressive American
Location: 1908 Eastwood Road
Contact: 910.256.6056 / https://www.portlandgrille.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Four Stars
Port Land Grille which opened in 2000 is located in Lumina Station. They offer a progressive American regional cuisine, boasting a broad menu with from the port, from the land, and from the grille selections, offering creative cuisine with something for everyone. An open kitchen and bar separate the two dining rooms. Vintage photographs from Wilmington’s past line the walls. The restaurant itself is a pleasant blend of understated elegance, a casual coastal ambience. One of the area’s most popular fine dining restaurant, they set the standard for what local fine dining should be. Port Land Grille is on our short list of favorite restaurants, dining there is always a pleasure.
///// April 2022
Name: Ports of Call
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: 116 N. Howe Street, Southport NC
Contact: 910.457.4544 / https://portsofcallbistro.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The downtown bistro, bakery and gourmet market, located two blocks from the water in the former Maritime Museum on Howe Street, offers a unique international dining experience. The menu emphasizes the global flavors of Mediterranean food prepared in a healthy manner. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, a homey local restaurant with a well-rounded menu of comfort foods.
///// May 2024
Name: Quanto Basta
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 107 N Second Street Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.395.6120 / https://www.qbwilmington.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: $18 Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
A casual but unique Italian neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant is located in the historic district of downtown Wilmington. Curbside parking is not a problem since the 2nd street parking deck is across the street. They have a limited menu that only offers about a dozen entrée choices. We found it to be an exceptional value with moderate prices for the quality of the food served. Wonderful ambience particularly with an enclosed courtyard as a nice outside dining option. The night we were there they had live music which was a pleasant surprise. I can honestly say that it’s at least as good, maybe even superior to most of the better rated Italian restaurants in Wilmington. If you haven’t been to this restaurant, you should put it on your list of places to try.
///// July 2022
Name: Roko
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 6801 Parker Farm Drive, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.679.4783 / https://www.rokoitalian.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Roko, established in 2012, is a very good local family run Italian bistro featuring classic Italian dishes infused with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Located in Mayfaire Town Center, it offers a nice mix of casual and upscale dining with a broad-based menu that offers something for everyone. It’s a small busy place, with seating for only sixty-eight (68) people, that is filled to capacity nearly every evening. If you want to eat there you probably should call ahead for reservations. All in all, we had a nice meal there, but it really wasn’t anything special.
///// January 2024
Name: Ruth’s Chris
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 244 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Contact: 910.343.1818 / https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/wilmington/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, located inside the River Place complex in the heart of historic downtown, is renowned for its aged USDA Prime steaks. Despite being a franchisee of the largest upscale steakhouse restaurant group in the world it is everything one would expect from a high-end steakhouse. The only negative is it is very pricey, not your any-night-of-the-week restaurant. The new location is a great venue that offers some fantastic views with ample indoor and outdoor seating.
///// 2014
Name: Rx Restaurant
Cuisine: Southern Comfort
Location: 421 Castle Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.399.3080 / https://www.rxwilmington.com
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=17 / Moderate <=22 / Expensive <=27 / Exorbitant <=40
Rating: Three Stars
Rx is located in downtown Wilmington on the corner of Fifth and Castle; in a residential neighborhood away from any other downtown eatery. The name Rx pays homage to the building’s heritage, occupying the old Hall’s Drug Store. Rx offers an upscale version of Southern comfort food alongside traditional American favorites in a comfortable relaxed environment. The locally sourced menu is ingredient driven and changes daily in order to bring in the freshest ingredients that they can. I now know what all the hype is about. They could easily become one of my favorite restaurants. I’d put it on your short-list of must try Wilmington restaurants.
RX is reopening in January 2024 after rebranding the eatery into
Rx Chicken and Oysters
///// November 2023
Name: Salt64
Cuisine: American
Location: 6404 East Oak Island Drive, Oak Island NC
Contact: 910.933.1019 / https://salt64.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Dining is in a casual relaxed atmosphere, nothing fancy, with a diverse menu that offers a little something for everyone. The white tablecloth was a nice upscale twist, but both the noise level and bright lighting will dissuade you from thinking that you are at a fine dining establishment. All in all, we had a nice meal there, but it really wasn’t anything special. We found it to be pretty standard fare, while it was good, it wasn’t worth returning for. It was a very busy place on a Tuesday night in November. If you want to eat there you probably should call ahead for reservations. You can expect to wait for a table during prime tourist season.
///// April 2019
Name: Savorez
Cuisine: Latin American
Location: 402 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Contact: 910.833.8894 / https://savorez.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
After years in area kitchens like K-38 and Ceviche’s, local chef Sam Cahoon opened Savorez, his first restaurant. The name says it all, Savorez is flavors in Spanish. Savorez spices up homegrown southern style with Latin flavors with a focus on fresh sustainable local ingredients. They are located just off the beaten path, nothing fancy, the place is really small with seating for only thirty (30) people. The venue is just too small for how popular they are, and they do not accept reservations. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, so it is a better lunch than dinner venue. Surprisingly, according to a Yelp report, Savorez is the Best New Restaurant to try in North Carolina in 2018, frankly it did not live up to that kind of rating.
///// May 2023
Name: Seabird
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 1 South Front Street, Wilmington, NC
Contact: 910.769.5996 / https://www.seabirdnc.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
The seafood restaurant and oyster bar are located at the intersection of Front Street and Market Street, right in the very heart of Wilmington’s historic downtown. The restaurant is aesthetically pleasing with clean lines, there are floor to ceiling windows, that is accented by blues and white, giving the space a calming, coastal feel that is both retro and modern. Those big windows are also great for people watching at the bustling downtown intersection. Seabird celebrates the seasonality of the seafood and ingredients found in North Carolina. They have a very limited menu, divided into Small Plates with eight (8) choices and Large Plates that only offers six (6) entrée choices with no additional daily specials. They exceeded our expectations, what a delightful dining experience. I would recommend putting it on your short-list of must try restaurants.
///// May 2019
Name: Shuckin’ Shack
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 1175 Turlington Ave., Leland NC
Contact: 910.221.5522 / https://www.theshuckinshack.com/location/leland/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The Shuckin’ Shack is a franchise with double-digit locations in multiple states. The closest one to us is located at The Villages of Brunswick Forest in Leland. Relaxing casual atmosphere it’s a cool little place. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner. Although the menu offerings are somewhat limited, they have a lot of good stuff there. It’s totally worth a visit, however I’m thinking it is a better lunch than dinner venue. Their slogan says it all, showing each guest A GOOD SHUCKIN’ TIME!
///// October 2024
Name: SmacNally’s
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 1045B-Var Road, Supply NC
Contact: 910.842.9999 / https://www.facebook.com/people/Smacnallys-in-Holden-Beach/61559411716890/Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: $17 Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The owners of SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar & Grill in Ocracoke have expanded and taken over the space at what was once known as Betty’s Waterfront Restaurant before reopening in 2020 as LouLou’s Waterfront Restaurant. They plan on implementing the same dock-to-kitchen model as much as possible, while also working with local markets for the freshest seafood possible. Relaxed indoor and outdoor waterfront dining on the Intracoastal Waterway with really nice views. Dinner only for the time being, and they have live music on some nights. Apparently they are experiencing some operational startup challenges. Their kitchen crew struggled with orders on a weeknight in October. I would not be in any hurry to try it until they can overcome those challenges.
///// May 2023
Name: Sorella
Cuisine: Italian Restaurant
Location: 3219 Holden Beach Road, Supply NC
Contact: 910.842.2177 / https://www.sorellapizzapasta.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: $22 Inexpensive <=$18 / Moderate <=$24 / Expensive <=$30 / Exorbitant <=$40
Rating: Two Stars
Sorella means sister in Italian, they are the sister restaurant of Maria’s Pizzeria in Ocean Isle Beach and Lucca in Shallotte. Located on the causeway to Holden Beach, they are open daily at 11:00 am. A local authentic Italian restaurant, a casual atmosphere, with a limited menu, serving a wide variety of pizzas, pastas, and some traditional Italian dishes. This is one of the better restaurant offerings in the area.
///// 2013
Name: Szechuan 132
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: 419 South College Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.799.0866 / / https://www.szechuan-132.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Szechuan 132 has been serving Wilmington for the last twenty-five (25) years since 1988. They have been voted Best Chinese Restaurant, for fifteen years in a row, in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine. It’s an unassuming restaurant located in the corner of University Landing a strip shopping center. Have no idea why the raving reviews, food is decent but it’s just a nice place serving typical Chinese food that you would find in any other American style Chinese restaurant.
///// 2013
Name: Tandoori Bites
Cuisine: Indian
Location: 620 South College Road, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.794.4545 / https://tandooribites.net/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Tandoori Bites was voted Best Indian Restaurant, for the third straight time, in the Best of Wilmington done by Encore Magazine. It’s an unassuming restaurant whose ambiance makes you feel as if you are on an exotic adventure. Tandoori Bites offers fine authentic Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Their lengthy menu offers 74 dishes including many that are vegetarian. If you are unfamiliar with Indian cuisine I would recommend their lunch buffet so that you can try a varied selection of the dishes they offer.
///// January 2023
Name: Tarantelli’s
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 102 South Second Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.763.3806 / https://tarantellis.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
/////
Tarantelli’s is a nice local classic family run authentic Italian restaurant with a broad-based menu that offers something for everyone. The restaurant and event venue are located in the historic district of downtown Wilmington. Dining is in a warm and casual relaxed atmosphere with both inside and outside dining options. Although the entrees are a bit pricey, the portions are huge, the food is good and so it is still a pretty good value.
///// July 2019
Name: The Basics
Cuisine: Southern Comfort
Location: 319 N Front St, Wilmington, NC
Contact: 910.343.1050 / https://thebasicsilm.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
The Basics is located in downtown Wilmington at the Cotton Exchange. This casual all-day spot takes staples of Southern comfort food and keeps it simple. They offer a very limited seasonal menu served in a homey, brick-walled bistro setting. Certainly not fine dining and while it was good, it wasn’t worth returning for.
///// November 2015
Name: The Fork ‘N’ Cork
Cuisine: Casual American Grill
Location: 122 Market Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.228.5247 / https://www.theforkncork.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Two Stars
Fork N Cork’s success as a food truck has transformed into a permanent storefront. This small downtown restaurant looks like any other bar/pub/cafe. Don’t be fooled. Fork and Cork offers a unique dining experience serving high end bar/pub fare. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner; it features just ten (10) burgers and nine (9) sandwiches as well as a hand full of specials. The menu has some unusual dishes, although it is quite limited, with the average price being around twelve (12) dollars. The star of the show here are its burgers and fries. I highly recommend dining here, however I’m thinking it is a better lunch than dinner venue. It’s totally worth a visit.
Their slogan says it all, IT’S FORK’N DELICIOUS!
///// 2010
Name: Yo Sake
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Location: 33 South Front Street, Wilmington NC
Contact: 910.763.3172 / https://www.yosake.com/
Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating: Three Stars
Yo Sake is located on the second floor of the historic Roudabush building in downtown Wilmington. Hardwood floors and exposed brick walls are juxtaposed by Japanese anime-style paintings and views of downtown Wilmington. Their extensive menu offers much more than just sushi. The half price special menu is a real bargain and is available from 5pm – 7pm daily. I loved this place and will definitely go back!
///// Bar
Cloud 9 / Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee Pl
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
910.726.9226
https://cloud9ilm.com/
Enjoy panoramic views from the Cloud 9 rooftop bar which overlooks picturesque downtown Wilmington. This premier open-air rooftop venue is located on the Riverwalk in downtown Wilmington on the ninth floor of the Embassy Suites. The bar is open seven (7) days a week at 4:00 PM and is currently serving almost fifty (50) different brews on tap and in cans and more than 20 wine selections. They also offer live music Thursday through Saturday evenings throughout the summer months. This is a must visit the next time you are in Wilmington.