Awesome Restaurants in Wilmington, NC For a Unique Experience

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Wilmington, NC, has a food scene that’s as vibrant as its coastal views. This city blends Southern charm with bold, fresh flavors, making it a hotspot for unique dining. From waterfront seafood shacks serving the freshest shrimp and oysters to trendy downtown bistros reimagining comfort food, Wilmington’s restaurants are anything but ordinary. Picture rooftop spots with sunset views, hidden gems in historic buildings, and cozy cafes offering dishes as creative as their decor. Known for its seafood, Southern classics, and farm-to-table innovation, Wilmington has something for every foodie. These awesome restaurants don’t just serve meals—they serve experiences you’ll remember long after your plate is empty. Get ready to eat, explore, and savor the best of this coastal gem!

👉 Pro Tip: Love craft beer and local history? Check out the Craft Beer and History Crawl in Wilmington! This 2.5-hour guided tour takes you through the city’s vibrant Northside/Brooklyn area, stopping at some of the best local breweries. Sip on delicious craft beers at Edward Teach Brewing, Ironclad Brewery, and Flytrap Brewing, all while learning fascinating stories about Wilmington’s history, culture, and architecture from your knowledgeable guide. Along the way, you’ll see historic landmarks like the Brooklyn Arts Center and The Cotton Exchange. Perfect for beer lovers and history buffs, this tour blends great drinks with an even better story. Grab your walking shoes and get ready for a fun and flavorful dive into Wilmington’s past and present!

Unique Restaurants in Wilmington: 10 Incredible Wilmington Eateries

Wilmington, nestled by the sea, is a North Carolina gem that offers more than just scenic views and historic charm. At Wilmington’s unique restaurants, you can taste a variety of dishes, from fresh seafood caught daily to Southern classics with a twist. Join us as we explore these delightful dining spots!

1. Little Dipper Fondue

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fondue / Interactive Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Multi-course fondue, cheese/entree/chocolate, fun/interactive.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic date nights, group celebrations, and unique hands-on meals.

Get ready to dip, swirl, and delight at Little Dipper Fondue in downtown Wilmington! This spot offers a fun and interactive dining experience where you become the chef at your own table, enjoying course after course of delicious fondue.

You’ll certainly want to experience their full multi-course offering. Start with a bubbling pot of savory cheese fondue like the “Traditional Swiss.” For the main, cook meats like filet mignon in flavorful broth. Finishing with amazing chocolate fondue such as the “Flaming Turtle” is essential.

2. Savorez

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Latin American / Southern Fusion / Small Plates
• 🔥 Standout Features: Creative Latin/Southern fusion, vibrant small plates, lively/stylish.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, sharing unique flavors, and trendy downtown dining.

Prepare for a vibrant explosion of Latin American and Southern flavors at Savorez in downtown Wilmington! This stylish and lively spot is renowned for its incredibly creative fusion cuisine, offering a menu packed with bold, flavorful small plates that are perfect for sharing.

A meal here means exploring their inventive dishes. Diners rave about the short rib empanadas, the unique Korean bbq tacos, and the flavorful Datil Banger Shrimp. It’s a fantastic place for a fun, flavorful, and truly memorable meal.

3. Platypus and Gnome

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Eclectic American / Wild Game / Gastropub
• 🔥 Standout Features: Unique/quirky decor, adventurous wild game, craft beer/whiskey.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, unique eclectic atmospheres, and craft beer/whiskey.

Step into a wonderfully weird and whimsical world at Platypus and Gnome in downtown Wilmington! This unique spot is a feast for the eyes, with its eclectic, antique-shop-meets-hunting-lodge decor, complete with fascinating taxidermy and quirky oddities.

A wise choice involves trying one of their unique wild game dishes, like the popular ostrich burger or their venison meatloaf. The fried brussels sprouts and the duck empanadas are also frequently praised appetizers. It’s a true original.

4. Indochine Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Wayne Drive
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Thai / Vietnamese / Southeast Asian
• 🔥 Standout Features: Stunning exotic garden, authentic Thai/Vietnamese, unique/transportive ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic exotic dinners, Southeast Asian lovers, and dining in beautiful oasis.

Escape to an exotic Southeast Asian paradise at Indochine Restaurant! This Wilmington institution is renowned not just for its authentic and flavorful Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, but for its absolutely stunning, immersive garden setting, complete with pagodas and koi ponds.

You’ll be thrilled by their extensive menu. Popular choices include the fragrant pho, rich Thai curries (especially the green curry or Panang curry), and flavorful drunken noodles. It’s a truly magical and transportive dining experience.

5. Steam Restaurant and Bar

• 📍 Location: Embassy Suites, Riverfront
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Seafood / Southern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Riverfront views, local seafood/Southern flavors, upscale casual hotel.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Scenic waterfront meals, upscale casual dinners, and enjoying fresh local seafood.

Savor stunning riverfront views and delicious, locally inspired cuisine at Steam Restaurant and Bar, located in the Embassy Suites on Wilmington’s picturesque riverfront. This spot offers an upscale casual dining experience with a focus on fresh Carolina seafood.

Consider trying their perfectly prepared pan-seared scallops, the classic shrimp and grits, or their flavorful crab cakes. The fried green tomatoes are another Southern favorite. It’s a fantastic choice for a scenic meal.

6. Rebellion NC

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Gastropub / Bourbon Bar / Comfort Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: Extensive bourbon/whiskey, upscale comfort food, lively historic downtown.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Bourbon enthusiasts, elevated pub grub fans, and stylish spirited night.

Join the flavor rebellion at Rebellion NC in downtown Wilmington! This gastropub and bourbon bar offers a spirited atmosphere in a historic setting, boasting an impressive collection of whiskeys and a menu of upscale American comfort food.

You’ll certainly want to explore their bourbon list. Pair your choice with hearty dishes like their popular Rebellion burger, crispy fried chicken sandwich, or flavorful truffle fries. The Rebel Yell Shrimp is another standout appetizer.

7. Banter

• 📍 Location: The Cargo District
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Coffee & Bananas / Smoothies / Light Bites
• 🔥 Standout Features: Unique banana-themed cafe, creative banana drinks/treats, fun/quirky.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique/healthy treat, banana lovers, and playful Instagrammable stop.

Go bananas for deliciousness at Banter in Wilmington’s cool Cargo District! This unique and charming spot is all about, you guessed it, bananas! They offer a wonderfully creative menu of banana-based drinks, smoothies, bowls, and light bites.

A visit here requires you to try one of their amazing banana “nice” cream bowls like the “Chunky Monkey.” A refreshing banana smoothie or their popular coffee drinks (often with a banana twist, like the Banana Bread Latte) are great. The Avocado Toast is also popular.

8. The Copper Penny

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Irish Pub / American / Sandwiches
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Irish pub, award-winning sandwiches/burgers, popular local spot.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Proper pub experience, amazing sandwich lovers, and casual hearty meals.

Find your pot of gold at The Copper Penny in downtown Wilmington. This beloved local spot perfectly captures the warm, inviting atmosphere of an authentic Irish pub, complete with dark wood and friendly service, and a menu packed with hearty pub fare.

You absolutely have to try one of their famous sandwiches, like the “109 Chestnut” (a local legend with turkey and cranberry) or their incredible Reuben. Their burgers and classic fish and chips are also fantastic.

9. aView Rooftop Bistro

• 📍 Location: Downtown, Aloft Hotel Rooftop
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per cocktail/small plate
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Rooftop Lounge / Small Bites / Cocktails
• 🔥 Standout Features: Panoramic city/river views, chic rooftop, craft cocktails/shareable plates.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Upscale drinks with view, romantic sunset cocktails, and stylish downtown.

Elevate your evening with breathtaking views at aView Rooftop Bistro, perched atop the Aloft Hotel in downtown Wilmington. This chic rooftop lounge offers stunning panoramic vistas of the city skyline and the Cape Fear River, creating a spectacular backdrop.

A wise choice involves trying one of their signature cocktails as the sun sets over the river. Their menu of shareable small plates, like flatbreads, sliders, or the charcuterie board, are perfect for enjoying with drinks.

10. Fork ‘n’ Cork

• 📍 Location: Downtown & Carolina Beach Rd
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Gastropub / Gourmet Burgers & Hot Dogs
• 🔥 Standout Features: Creative gourmet burgers/hot dogs, extensive craft beer, lively/unpretentious pub.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Burger/hot dog connoisseurs, craft beer fans, and casual flavorful pub.

Get ready to “fork ‘n’ roll” with some seriously inventive pub grub at Fork ‘n’ Cork! This spot takes classic American comfort food, especially burgers and hot dogs, and elevates it with gourmet toppings and creative twists. The vibe is lively and unpretentious.

You’ll be delighted by their unique burger creations, like the “Brisket Burger” or the “Hot Mess Burger”. Their over-the-top gourmet hot dogs and tasty appetizers like duck empanadas make it a true gastropub delight.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Unique Places To Eat In Wilmington Nc

In this section of our Wilmington NC restaurant guide, we answer your questions about the unique dining experiences the city offers!

What food is Wilmington NC known for?

Wilmington, NC, is famous for its coastal and Southern cuisine. Seafood dishes like shrimp and grits are local favorites, showcasing fresh, local ingredients. Barbecue, especially pulled pork, is also a staple, reflecting the city’s Southern roots. Sweet potato fries, hush puppies, and fresh catch fish are other popular items, offering a taste of Wilmington’s diverse culinary scene.

Are there vegetarian options at unique restaurants in Wilmington NC?

Yes, many unique restaurants in Wilmington NC cater to vegetarians. These eateries often feature creative vegetarian dishes, including fresh salads, plant-based versions of Southern classics, and innovative entrees using local produce. Chefs in Wilmington are known for their skill in making vegetarian food both delicious and satisfying.

Can I find international cuisine in Wilmington NC?

Wilmington boasts a variety of international cuisines. From authentic Italian pasta to spicy Thai curries, the city’s restaurants offer a global dining experience. This diversity reflects Wilmington’s multicultural community and its openness to different culinary traditions.

What’s the best time to visit restaurants in Wilmington NC?

Spring and fall are ideal for visiting restaurants in Wilmington NC, thanks to the mild weather and outdoor dining options. However, summer also offers a vibrant dining scene, particularly at waterfront restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh seafood and beautiful views.

Are there family-friendly restaurants in Wilmington?

Wilmington is home to numerous family-friendly restaurants. These establishments often feature kids’ menus, casual atmospheres, and sometimes play areas. Families can enjoy a range of dining experiences, from laid-back cafes to more upscale restaurants.

Do unique restaurants in Wilmington NC offer local seafood?

Yes, many unique restaurants in Wilmington NC specialize in local seafood. They serve dishes made with fresh, locally caught fish, shrimp, and shellfish, often prepared with a creative twist to highlight the flavors of the region.

Is outdoor dining common in Wilmington NC?

Outdoor dining is popular in Wilmington NC, thanks to its scenic coastal setting. Many restaurants offer patios, decks, or rooftop dining with views of the river or ocean, making it a delightful way to experience the city’s charm.

Are reservations recommended for dining in Wilmington?

Reservations are recommended for some of the more popular or unique restaurants in Wilmington NC, especially during peak seasons or weekends. Booking a table in advance can help avoid long waits and ensure a pleasant dining experience.

Final Thoughts On Unique Wilmington NC Restaurants

Wilmington is a treasure trove of culinary delights, perfect for your North Carolina vacation. The city’s unique restaurants offer a blend of Southern charm, coastal flavors, and international influences. From cozy pubs in historic buildings to trendy bistros with rooftop views, each spot has its own story. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, vegetarian dishes, or something new and exciting, Wilmington has it all.

These unique restaurants in Wilmington NC are not just places to eat; they’re experiences that stay with you. So, next time you’re in Wilmington, dive into its vibrant dining scene and discover the flavors that make this city so special.