Downtown Wilmington

Dining Options in Historic Downtown Wilmington

  • Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria Famed Chef Vivian Howard’s farm-to-sea-to-fork Italian fare in a beautifully renovated building on Greenfield Street in downtown Wilmington. This incredible and casual restaurant features open kitchen, and offers everything from a full brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday, two wood burning pizza ovens to house made fresh pasta. Come see why this is one of the few restaurants ever filmed for a National Television Show, featured in a National Magazine and on Southern Living's "Top 13 Things to Eat" list prior to its opening.

  • Manna Avenue 123 Manna’s chefs specialize in French technique, serving upscale American cuisine Tuesday through Sunday. Their menu features innovative choices and a robust selection of wine and cocktails. Manna is the first restaurant in Wilmington to receive the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award multiple consecutive years.

  • Pinpoint Chef Dean Neff’s menu changes daily and features local seasonal offerings from Wilmington’s farmers, fishermen, oystermen, and crabbers as much as possible, deeply rooted in tradition. In 2016, the restaurant was named among the best new restaurants in the South by Southern Living Magazine and was featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate in 2018. 

  • RX Restaurant and Bar Described by owner James Doss as '“Seasonally inspired, ingredient-driven Southern cuisine,” RX is a local favorite nestled in the Antiques District of downtown Wilmington. Chef and Owner James Doss is committed to bringing the choicest harvest from local farmers, fishermen and growers in this casual but refined restaurant.

  • Fork N Cork This quaint restaurant features burgers, brisket, gourmet pot pies etc in the perfect combination of bar and comfort food. Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (click for news article)

  • The Copper Penny This combination sports bar/restaurant offers an eclectic mix of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches along with an extensive selection of mixed drinks and beers in a relaxed atmosphere. Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (click for news article)

  • The Basics “The name is also the mission statement: this casual all-day spot, located in the Cotton Exchange, a collection of shops and restaurants, takes staples of Southern comfort food - pimento cheese, fried okra, smoked chicken - and keeps it simple." - New York Times

  • Caprice Bistro Hosted by Thierry and Patricia Moity, previously owners of Patou Bistro in Charlotte, NC and Cafe de Bruxelles in New York City, Chef Moity, has been cooking since age 13 in some of the finest French restaurants in Europe and New York City and delivers French cuisine that is influenced by a combination of traditions. Caprice Bistro has been chosen as one of the 2018 Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the country according to OpenTable.

  • Circa 1922 Offering a wide variety of tapas, sushi, and a full selection of cheese and charcuterie.

  • Savorez This restaurant offers high quality Latin American fare made from local ingredients in a casual atmosphere.

  • Winnie’s Tavern Serving award-winning burgers for over 50 years- you have a choice of spicy cajun fries, cinnamon and brown sugar dusted sweet potato fries with honey dipping sauce, or onion rings. One signature ground chuck burger: "Trailer Park Burger" is topped with a fried green tomato, house made jalapeno-pimento cheese, “bread and butter” pickles, hickory smoked bacon, lettuce, onion and Winnie’s signature chipotle sauce.

  • The Fortunate Glass Wilmington’s premiere wine bar, showcasing globally sourced wines, plus creative small plates and craft beers. Choose from among 60 wines by the glass, 350 wines by the bottle, or 30 craft beers. Small plate offerings are cheese, antipasto, paninis, desserts, and more to compliment your beverage selection

  • Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Located inside the Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, serving spectacular steaks and other dinner choices with incredible sunset views, this premier chain of restaurants uses a signature cooking temperature that quickly seals in all the flavor of the main course

  • The District Kitchen Located in the Brooklyn Arts District of downtown Wilmington. Offering a polished-casual environment with a thoughtfully crafted menu, as well as wine, beer and cocktails. 

  • The George On the Riverwalk Savor delicious “Southern Coastal Cuisine” right on The Riverwalk with views of the Battleship North Carolina. Signature favorites of Shrimp and Grits, Bacon Encrusted Scallops and Alligator Satay are complemented by a seasonal menu featuring land and sea, vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s choices.

  • Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods Serving only the best coffees and espressos, Bespoke offers quiet solitude in the bustling downtown area. Relax and stay a while, grab an espresso and a delicious bite from the small selection offered daily