Wilmington’s food and drink scene punches well above its weight. With the Atlantic just down the road, the Cape Fear River running right through downtown, and a steady wave of talented chefs, brewers, and bartenders setting up shop, the city has quietly become one of the best places to eat and drink on the Carolina coast. Fresh seafood, Southern classics, internationally inspired plates, craft cocktails, locally roasted coffee, and a brewery scene that holds its own against any city in the state — it’s all here, and most of it is within an easy drive of downtown.
What we love about Wilmington’s food and drink scene is how genuinely varied it is. You can grab fresh-caught seafood on a riverfront patio, settle in for a creative tasting menu from one of the city’s award-winning chefs, post up at a neighborhood brunch spot with a strong cup of coffee, or end the night at a craft cocktail bar tucked into a historic building downtown. The local brewery scene is one of the best in North Carolina, with a long list of well-loved breweries and taprooms — many within walking distance of one another — turning out everything from crisp lagers and hazy IPAs to bold stouts and adventurous sours. And no rundown of Wilmington drinks would be complete without a nod to End of Days Distillery, a small-batch craft distillery that’s earned a strong reputation across the state for its handcrafted spirits.
Click on any of the restaurants, breweries, cafés, or bars below to explore the spots we’ve personally visited around Wilmington.
