The area has been a culinary paradise since the first explorers saw foot-long oysters and wild grapes along the shoreline some 500 years ago. Wilmington’s port city status brought edibles and influences from around the globe. Rich soils and so much fresh seafood provided added bounty that shaped an eclectic cuisine like no other.
The local foods cooperative Feast Down East makes sure chefs have premium ingredients from area farms. Staff and volunteers connect cooks and devoted growers, assuring diners flavorful ingredients – organic and sustainably raised. Can’t decide what to eat? Mix it up. Creative chefs are rooted in classics, but they’re known for inventing irresistible combinations. And it’s not just them. Master bartenders stir the perfect Old Fashioned or creative martinis. Breweries pour nationally recognized craft beers, and wine flows from award-winning lists. No worries if you’re not an oenophile. Seasoned sommeliers guide you.
Casual and fine-dining establishments pepper the landscape, but no need to dress up or break the bank at either. The buzz-phrase here is “upscale casual.” Khaki pants are fine even at the fanciest restaurants, and affordable prices are everywhere. Beautiful weather most days of the year mean you can dine outdoors in gorgeous settings. Choose sidewalk café tables or a pier extending over the sea. Sit on a riverside deck and watch boats cruise by at sunset. Relax, feel at home and remember to save room for dessert at these restaurants, where the food is always good, the prices are great and you’ll leave satisfied.
“Those Who Dare Win.” A sign with those words hangs above a couch shaped like the tail end of a ’57 Chevy in Joe Apkarian’s new craft beer and cocktail bar called The Eagle’s Dare. Named in part for the famous movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, this place dares to win and exhorts you to do so too.
Having the courage to try new things isn’t always easy. For Haley Pinder and her husband, Shane, deciding to change course in life and take a leap of faith was the best decision they ever made. The couple opened Chicken Salad Chick in 2019 after relocating with their children from Virginia, a move motivated by their desire to slow down and enjoy life to its fullest.
The George On The Riverwalk recently received a facelift, and it looks fabulous. Edson Munekata took over ownership of the restaurant in January 2022 and officially opened for business in February, after finessing the menu, the service and the interior design.
Get to know Mark Zecher, General Manager at Oceanic restaurant in Wilmington NC, you know that place you can get great local seafood and sit right on the pier at Wrightsville Beach?
This article by Kurt Epps (The Pub Scout) describes Wilmington’s newest attraction in Historic Downtown. Calling it “Glorious Floriana” is just the tip of the iceberg, to understand his full experience, read on and make your reservation today!
New Location for Ruth’s Chris Steak HouseThe fine-dining establishment has moved to River Place in...
Get to know Greg Westberg, General Manager of Operations and Marketing, Pour Taproom
After 23+ years in the restaurant industry, chef and entrepreneur David Longo wanted to use his skills and experience to create a casual, family-friendly restaurant concept that offered delicious, flavorful options quickly.
If you don’t like what’s served up for you and your family out there in the hospitality industry, then start your own business. It’s what David Longo did, and now the founder of Burrito Shak now has seven area locations.
I could tell you more about that, but this story is about me and my riding buddy, Harry Joe, getting to know Catawba beers a bit better at Catawba Brewing Company’s Wilmington location. And thanks to Tasting Room Manager Mary Mayo, that mission was duly accomplished.
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort offers clubhouse fun and so much more.
Here are the 3 Wilmington rooftop bars you want to explore this summer!
Loving where you live is easy to do if you reside here in Wilmington. It’s even easier for the residents near the new hot-spot in town – the South Front area! This section located on S. 2nd St. has it all – a pizza place, taco truck, tapas bar, wine bar, salt spa, yoga shop, you name it they got it!
The creators of Raleigh’s Transfer Co. Food Hall are bringing their innovative social hall concept to Wilmington. Bringing together the talents of local chefs, food entrepreneurs, musicians and makers, Seaboard Social Hall will be a combination food hall, music hall, commissary kitchen, ghost kitchen, maker’s market and more.
Rebellion Pub in Downtown Wilmington, named after the Whiskey Rebellion, serving a variety of American foods with a wide beer and whiskey selection.
Offering a full catering menu in both boxed lunches and buffet style as well as family meals.
Family-owned Catawba Valley Brewing Company will open 4712 New Centre Drive by late February 2021.
The PubScout and crew hit up the Wilmington brewing scene. Good times at Hi-Wire Brewery, Edward Teach, Pour Taproom, and more!
Shane and Haley Pinder, Owners of Chicken Salad Chick, are originally from Virginia, but found Wilmington the perfect place for their business to thrive and knew they wouldn’t want to move away when they retired.
It’s been the vision over the last decade for the Seaview Crab Company owners trifecta – brothers Joe and Sam Romano and Nathan King – to not only harvest from our fertile coastal waters and serve the Wilmington area with the freshest catches of seafood, but to also conserve the ocean and beaches in the community where they’ve thrived from the beginning.
Regarding the beer at JohnnyLukes, there are 18 to 20 beers on tap at any given time, and they are rotated regularly by Bar Manager Zack Kerr. Wilmington Brewing’s Tropical Lightning, the ubiquitous local favorite, is on the list, along Edward Teach offerings.
