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Restaurants & bars

The Port City's best tables — from waterfront seafood to late-night pies.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Bluewater Waterfront Grill

4 Marina Street Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

From Sea to Plate because we believe when you dine along the Intracoastal Waterway, you deserve the freshest catch of the day. Moving seasonally, our menu is rooted in fresh, local favorites provided by North Carolina's bountiful fishing season, whenever possible.

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Ceviche restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Ceviche

7210 Wrightsville Ave. Wilmington, NC 28403

Nestled just before the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge, Ceviche’s has been a local favorite and a traveler’s hidden gem since 2014. Founded on the spirit of good food and good company,

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Dockside Wrightsville Beach restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Dockside Wrightsville Beach

1308 Airlie Road Wilmington, NC 28403

A Carolina tradition for over 30 years. Since first opening its doors, Dockside has been synonymous with great food and a casual, relaxed, even rustic atmosphere. Perched on the water’s edge of Wrightsville Beach, our flagship location draws on the local region’s natural features- from the island setting to the beach style and coastal Carolina attitude-and blends with them with Dockside’s own unique, friendly and inviting atmosphere.

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Fish House Grill restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood
🐾 Pet OK

Fish House Grill

1410 Airlie Road, Wilmington

Located along Airlie Road in Wilmington, NC just at the foot of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge, The Fish House Grill has been a landmark seafood restaurant for decades. The Fish House Grill sits on one of the most coveted properties in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Our waterfront location along Airlie Road at the foot of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge provides an idyllic environment for our guests to enjoy delicious, fresh, and affordable seafood at our outdoor deck.

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Flying Machine Oyster Bar restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Flying Machine Oyster Bar

530 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Modern cuisine with a sea breeze — perfectly prepared catches great for first dates or family dinners, from snapper and blue crab pasta to seared Sichuan tuna, and of course oysters raw, baked, or fried, alongside signature cocktails and fresh local craft beer. Bar and outdoor seating are first come, first served.

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King Neptune Restaurant restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

King Neptune Restaurant

11 N Lumina Ave Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Oldest Restaurant In New Hanover County King Neptune was first opened in 1947 and has recently been taken over by Jimmy and Keaton Gilleece. It has been completely renovated and revamped with concept and staff. Join us for a truly unforgettable experience on Wrightsville Beach. Our menu features a wide variety of dishes, including fresh seafood, chicken, and beef. We also have a great selection of cocktails, wines and beers to pair with your meal.

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Oceanic at the Crystal Pier restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Oceanic at the Crystal Pier

703 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Perched right on Wrightsville Beach's Crystal Pier since 1990, Oceanic serves seafood pulled straight from the Atlantic waters it looks out over — tuna, shrimp, little neck clams, oysters, flounder, and mahi-mahi are just a sampling of what the kitchen works with. The dining room and covered pier deck both look straight out over the ocean, with lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch, and live music on the pier through the summer.

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Shark Bar & Kitchen restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

Shark Bar & Kitchen

13 E Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Steps from the beach near the iconic Johnny Mercer Pier, Shark Bar & Kitchen serves fresh-to-table cuisine and seafood with some bite — a casual yet sophisticated spot highlighting local and regional seafood and produce. Upstairs, Red Cat Sushi serves modern sushi classics with a Carolina twist and in-house creations from Chefs Louie and James, open from 3pm daily with half off sushi during happy hour. Dine-in and to-go from 10:30am until close, with happy hour daily 3–5pm.

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The Bridge Tender restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

The Bridge Tender

1414 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403

The Bridge Tender restaurant is a favorite Wilmington, NC, waterfront seafood and steakhouse. Located at the foot of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge, the Bridge Tender is a popular destination with locals and visitors. Serving dinner: Tuesday - Sunday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

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The Pilot House restaurant in Wilmington NCSeafood

The Pilot House

2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401

THE BEST VIEW IN TOWN Life on the river should be appreciated slowly. At The Pilot House, you’ll find the best view in town and a front-row seat to Wilmington's Riverwalk. Steeped in history, our building once belonged to William Craig, a cooper whose handmade barrels likely played a role in shaping our port city's vibrant past. That legacy still lingers in every beam and board. Today, The Pilot House is a gathering place for coastal Carolina flavors and stories shared over cherished recipes. Settle in, take a deep breath, and let life roll by like the river just outside our windows.

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