Whether you want to have a burger, pasta, seafood, German food, or something else, there are a lot of great restaurants in Wilmington, NC.
Wilmington is an incredible city to explore with a lot of things to do. While exploring the city, it’s very nice to have some delicious food at one of the city’s great restaurants. From having dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful view to having food at a fine dining restaurant, there are many great places to choose from.
To help you find the perfect eatery for you, I made this Wilmington restaurants guide with a lot of amazing places with delicious food.
Best Restaurants in Wilmington
The Fork n Cork
The Fork n Cork is a restaurant that is located in Wilmington’s Historic District on Market Street.
You can go to the restaurant for delicious burgers and sandwiches, as the restaurant’s menu offers a large selection of those.
One of the best burgers is the Carolina Burger, which comes with homemade chili, slaw, cheddar, and mustard, and one of the best sandwiches at Fork n Cork is the “Texas Bricket”.
You can also build your own burger, which starts with an 8oz burger patty. You can choose all the burger toppings you like to make your own creation.
Each sandwich and burger is served with hand-cut fries, and other sides are available as well.
You can also get great salads and other dishes at the restaurant.
Fork n Cork’s menu also includes a variety of specialty cocktails.
Address: 122 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Circa 1922
Circa 1922 is a wonderful restaurant in downtown Wilmington where you can get delicious food which is a modern take on traditional dishes.
The restaurant uses the freshest ingredients that are sourced from local farmers and seafood merchants. In addition to that, the restaurant makes its food from scratch and there’s a seasonal menu that keeps on changing.
From soups to bruschetta to pasta dishes, there are many dishes to choose from at the restaurant.
You can also get great homemade desserts at Circa 1922, such as a delicious crème brûlée.
Besides incredible food, Circa 1922 also has an extensive wine list with wines from all across the world. There are more than 25 options by the glass to choose from.
Address: 8 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401
P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille
P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille is a restaurant with three locations in Wilmington and locations elsewhere in North Carolina that opened in 1990.
You can enjoy great burgers, fresh-cut French fries, sandwiches, and more at this restaurant.
All the food that you can get at P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille is fresh and made from scratch, and the restaurant does not work with frozen ingredients.
In addition to that, the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere.
One of the best burgers that you can get is the “Olde Fashioned Burger”, which comes with mayo, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato, and cheese.
You can also get a Garden Burger or a Black Bean Burger if you want a delicious meatless option.
Rosalie’s Trattoria
Rosalie’s Trattoria is a restaurant in Wilmington where you can get delicious Italian food. The restaurant uses the finest and freshest ingredients for all its dishes, including fresh mozzarella, and your meal is made to order.
You can get incredible dishes from the oven, including the Eggplant Rollatini or the Chef’s Signature Lasagna di Carne, and you can also get great pasta dishes, including the Pasta Primavera, which is a pasta dish with all sorts of vegetables.
The menu of Rosalie’s Trattoria also includes a variety of great seafood options and other dishes.
There are great Italian desserts as well, such as the restaurant’s tiramisu.
Address: 5031 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Marina Grill
Marina Grill, located in downtown Wilmington, is a waterfront restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food and a view of the marina and waterfront. When you have dinner at the restaurant, you can also see the sunset over the Cape Fear River.
The restaurant offers a large variety of food options. From seafood to flatbreads to burgers to tacos, there’s something for everyone’s liking.
For example, the “Shipwreck Tacos” are great! You can also get great desserts at the restaurant.
In addition to that, it’s possible to have lunch or enjoy Sunday brunch as well at Marina Grill.
Marina Grill has a large outdoor dining area where you can enjoy live music during the summer season.
Address: 18 Harnett St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Tarantelli’s
Tarantelli’s, one of the best restaurants in Wilmington where you can have Italian food, is located on Second Street in Wilmington’s historic district, which is within walking distance from the Cape Fear River.
You can get great Italian family recipes at the restaurant, as well as Italian cuisine from around the world. Furthermore, many of the dishes that you can get at the restaurant are made with some of the finest ingredients from Italy.
From bruschetta to delicious pasta dishes to incredible seafood to pizza, there is much to choose from at Tarantelli’s.
One of the best dishes at the restaurant is the “Spaghetti al Limone e Basilico”. This is a spaghetti dish with lemon, basil, grated parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper.
You can also choose from a daily selection of homemade desserts.
Address: 102 S 2nd St, Wilmington, NC 28401
The Copper Penny
The Copper Penny is a restaurant that is located in the historic downtown of Wilmington. At the restaurant, you can get all kinds of sandwiches and burgers, as well as other dishes. Besides serving delicious food, the Copper Penny also focuses on affordable food and drinks.
The restaurant has great starters, including beer-battered onion rings, chicken wings, and sweet potato fries.
One of the best sandwiches that the restaurant serves is the “109 Chestnut Chicken Sandwich”, and a great burger is the “Pimento”, which comes with lettuce, tomato, fried onion, pimento cheese, and pickles.
The restaurant also has an affordable kids menu for children 12 and under.
In addition to that, the Copper Penny has a relaxing atmosphere as well.
Address: 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Sweet n Savory Cafe
Sweet n Savory Cafe is a restaurant that opened in 1994 and where you can get incredible and affordable food for dinner.
The restaurant’s dinner menu includes many food options, including soups, hand-cut steaks, mac n cheese, pasta dishes, and other food options.
You can also get a variety of delicious quesadillas at the restaurant, and one of the best dishes is the “Mediterranean Veggie Plate”, which includes couscous, Mediterranean seasoning, and other ingredients.
You can also get great shareables, including beer-battered onion rings and great fries.
The restaurant also offers great service.
In addition to being a great place to have dinner in the city, Sweet n Savory Cafe is also a great place to go if you want to have breakfast or lunch.
Address: 1611 Pavilion Pl, Wilmington, NC 28403
The German Cafe
The German Cafe is a family restaurant that started in 1985 and where you can enjoy great German food and drinks. The restaurant is located at The Cotton Exchange, which is a renovated warehouse from the year 1860.
When The German Cafe was founded, the founder, Alice, brought great German recipes from her homeland, Germany, with her when she moved to the United States.
From schnitzels to sandwiches that are served with German potato salad to great German apple strudel, you can get delicious food for dinner at the restaurant.
One of the best sandwiches that you can have is the “Portobella Melt”, which is a sandwich with sauteed mushrooms, melted Swiss, and more.
You can also get a large variety of beverages at The German Cafe, including a variety of German beers.
Going for a stroll at the Historic Cotton Exchange, which houses the restaurant, is also one of the best free things to do in Wilmington.
Address: 316 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Slice of Life
Slice of Life, founded in 1997, is one of the best eateries in Wilmington for pizza. It has four locations in the city. The pizza that you can get at this restaurant is made with fresh ingredients and has a crispy crust.
The dough at Slice of Life is made in-house and with purified water. When getting a pizza here, you can choose from either a slice or a whole pie. The menu doesn’t feature any standard pizzas, instead, you can choose the toppings that you want.
Besides pizza, there are other types of dishes on the menu as well that are great, such as quesadillas, wraps, tacos, and nachos.
You can also get locally made ice cream sandwiches as a dessert at Slice of Life.
The George on the Riverwalk
The George on the Riverwalk is an upscale restaurant where you can enjoy “Southern Coastal Cuisine”. The menu includes a variety of unique and delicious dishes.
You can find the restaurant at 128 South Water Street, which is on the eastern bank of the historic Cape Fear River. While having dinner at The George on the Riverwalk, you can get amazing views of the river. There’s also a large outdoor dining area. Because of that, this restaurant is also great if you’re looking for date ideas in Wilmington.
The restaurant’s dinner menu includes a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, pasta dishes, salads, and much more. One of the best burgers at the restaurant is the “Smoked Baco & Pimento Cheeseburger”.
You can also get delicious and beautiful desserts at this restaurant.
Address: 128 S Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Taqueria Los Portales
Taqueria Los Portales, which opened in 2006, is a great restaurant where you can get authentic Mexican food for dinner with fast service. The restaurant has three locations in Wilmington.
At Taqueria Los Portales, you can get many types of tacos that are made using tortillas that are made fresh daily.
In addition to tacos, the restaurant’s menu also includes burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and other Mexican dishes.
Besides going here for dinner, Los Portales Taqueria is also great for a quick lunch.
The Pilot House Restaurant
The Pilot House Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant in Wilmington where you can enjoy Southern regional cuisine.
The dishes that you can get at the restaurant are made from scratch and with the freshest ingredients. Moreover, dishes are made with local ingredients.
The menu includes dishes for everyone’s liking, from unique sandwiches to seafood specialties to soups.
One of the best sandwiches is the “Fried Green Tomato Sandwich”, which includes fried green tomatoes, bacon, spring mix, and pimento cheese.
The Pilot House Restaurant’s menu also includes a large selection of wines, draft beers, and other drinks.
In addition to that, the restaurant offers outdoor seating with great views of the Cape Fear River.
Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Floriana Restaurant
Floriana Restaurant is a restaurant that opened in 1979. It is an independently-owned Italian bistro where you can get great dishes that are made with local and seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant’s menu is updated each season, and the most up-to-date menu can be found on Floriana’s website. It includes many types of pasta dishes, as well as fish & meat options.
In addition to that, the restaurant has a large wine list, and you can get a variety of delicious desserts at the restaurant, including tiramisu.
Besides being a great place for dinner, Floriana Restaurant is also open for brunch on Sunday.
Address: 2 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Little Dipper Fondue
Little Dipper Fondue is an intimate and casual fondue restaurant. Its menu consists of a four-course meal.
The first course is a shared cheese fondue. You can choose from a variety of cheeses and the cheeses are served with locally sourced bread and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
The second course is an individual soup or salad.
The third course is the “Entrée Round”. You first choose a cooking style for the table to share, and you then choose your entrées.
After that, you can get a delicious dessert fondue, which features chocolate, caramel, and more. You can also get vegan chocolate.
In addition to that, Little Dipper Fondue has a large drinks menu with cocktails, beers, and wines.
Address: 138 S Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Elijah’s
Elijah’s is a great place for dinner in Wilmington that was founded in 1984 and that you can find on the banks of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington’s historic downtown. It is located next to The Pilot House Restaurant.
The restaurant has a large indoor and outdoor waterfront dining area where you can enjoy amazing food and a view of the Cape Fear River. It is also possible to get a panoramic sunset view at Elijah’s.
The restaurant offers a varied menu with pasta dishes, seafood, sandwiches that are served with fries, tacos, and other types of dishes.
One of the best dishes is the “Fried Seafood Platter”.
Elijah’s also has a plant-based menu with great food options, including the “Garden Tacos”, which are two soft tortillas with mock-chicken or mock-steak, lettuce, pico de Gallo, and chipotle aioli.
The restaurant also offers great desserts, such as its “Flourless Chocolate Torte” and delicious apple pie.
Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401
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Rainy day activities in Wilmington
Wilmington Restaurants Tips
When you have decided which restaurant you want to visit, I recommend making an advance reservation to secure a spot at the restaurant as some of the places in this Wilmington restaurants guide are very popular.
There are many fun things to do in Wilmington, and for a fun time, you could do one of the activities in the city and have dinner afterward at one of the restaurants on this list!
For example, you can visit the Bellamy Mansion Museum, which is one of the best museums in Wilmington that you can find in the historic district of the city, and then have dinner at one of the restaurants that I mentioned in this article that are in the historic district.
Restaurants in Wilmington Map
As you see, there are a lot of great restaurants in Wilmington, NC. I hope I helped you find a great place for dinner!