Eat & drink local
Restaurants & bars
The Port City's best tables — from waterfront seafood to late-night pies.
ItalianA Taste of Italy
1101 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Italian deli, grocery and take-out on South College run by New York-born brothers Tommy and Chris Guarino, using family recipes. Subs, breakfast, deli meats and cheeses by the pound, take-and-bake dishes like baked ziti, homemade sauces, desserts and catering. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm and Saturday 8:30am-6pm, closed Sunday.
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MexicanAmanecer Cocina & Café
2 Locations
Family-run breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot blending American and Mexican dishes — huevos rancheros, birria tacos, and Red Velvet Pancakes alongside classic omelets, burritos, and sandwiches. Over 34 years of family culinary experience, two Wilmington locations, both open daily through early afternoon.
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CaféBrooklyn Cafe
706 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Family-owned café known for homemade beignets, cake donuts, and kolaches, along with fresh coffee, espresso drinks, mimosas, and baked goods. Open 7 days a week with a pet-friendly courtyard.
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AmericanBrunches
3 Locations
The Brunches Experience We are not just taking your order and rushing you out the door. At Brunches, our wait & bar staff explore your food preferences, give drink recommendations and engage in conversation to get to know you. Our staff treat you like family but have all the fun things that take your worries away.
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SouthernCast Iron Kitchen
8024 Market St, 6 & 7, Wilmington, NC 28411
Chef/Owner, Josh Petty, was born in Burlington, NC and was brought up in a family that loved to cook. He developed an appreciation of cooking from his mother and grandmothers. Many of the dishes that appear on Chef Petty's menu come from old family recipes that he has re-created with his own twist. He is devoted to executing dishes using fresh local and North Carolina based products and services. Josh and his wife, Drea, strive to make Cast Iron Kitchen a community and family oriented restaurant that embodies "Southern hospitality" at its finest.
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CoffeeDrift Coffee & Kitchen
6 Locations
Local coffee shop and cafe with six Wilmington locations, roasting its own signature blend. All-day breakfast and lunch like avocado toast, breakfast burritos, acai bowls and market bowls, plus espresso drinks, matcha and chai. Open daily from 7am. Order ahead and earn rewards on the Drift app.
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AmericanFamous Toastery
6722 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Breakfast and brunch spot on Wrightsville Ave near the beach, serving breakfast and lunch all day, 7 days a week from 8am to 2pm. Made-from-scratch benedicts, omelets, waffles and big salads, plus mimosas, bloody marys and bellinis. Started in 2005 in a converted house in Huntersville, NC. Online ordering available.
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SeafoodKing 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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BurgersMess Hall
2136 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Burger kitchen in the Cargo District serving smash burgers, tots, milkshakes and now hot dogs. Meat is ground in-house and the vegan patties are made from scratch, with locally sourced vegan sauces. Breakfast 7-11am. Open Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm, closed Sunday.
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AmericanPine Valley Market
1611 Pavilion Pl, Wilmington, NC 28403
Pine Valley Market’s Wrightsville Beach location invites you to experience coastal dining at its finest. Just moments from the shore, we serve up fresh, locally sourced ingredients crafted into exceptional breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites. Whether you’re starting your morning with a hearty bite, meeting friends for a relaxed brunch, or enjoying a laid-back lunch by the coast, every dish is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor—bringing the best of our community straight to your tables.
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AmericanThe Basics
109 Grace St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Creative spins on traditional Southern cuisine served in a homey, brick-walled bistro setting.
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CoffeeZeke's Beans & Bowls
534 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Poke, acai bowls, pitas, salads, smoothies and coffee on the Wrightsville Beach causeway, with several dairy-free and gluten-free options. Open since 2018 and a first stop on the way to the beach for college students, beachgoers and locals. Open Monday-Tuesday 8am-4pm and Wednesday-Sunday 8am-7pm.
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