50 Best American Restaurants near Wrightsville Beach

“Really good food and very quick service. The Fried Oyster Deviled Egg with Caviar was exquisite. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The only possible complaint was not using a large ice cube in the cocktail one of us had - the drink got watered down.“

“My husband and I went to Poe’s for a late dinner on April 21 after checking into the condo. Our server, Kelly, was excellent! She was attentive and had a great sense of humor. Our fish tacos were very good. And, the french fries were perfectly cooked to a nice crunch with just the right amount of salt on them. Would definitely return!“

“Exceptional food and service! Fried pickles with ranch made in house was a must.The seafood pasta is by far one of the best seafood dishes I have had from a local restaurant in the area. The flavors were a blend from the south with just enough kick, but not enough to keep my 4 year old daughter from helping herself!If you are looking for a good island cocktail, the painkiller brings the same flavors as the famous Woody's bar in the BVI and highly recommend it.Also, the grille is just a 1 minute drive from the play ground, 30 second walk from an ice cream shop and a 1 minute walk to the beach for a great time with your kids!“

“The smash burger was good, although my fries were cold. The bone marrow oysters were good too. It was relatively quiet for a Saturday after noon. Nice place and I'll be going back to try the hot honey oysters. The rosemary lemon drop was delicious. If you get the crab dip, get extra pitas, they are so good.“

“It's good! I've Been eating all friend's leftovers because I spent too much money on make up remover the night after my friends wedding in Wilmington. The wedding was lit. Bride had to be carried out of the bar after the reception lol. But yeah everything thing here holds up.“

“Lovely place to eat especially outside on a nice day. Great menu with lots of options. Recently tried the Carolina grit cake. It was great aside from the sweet potato puree at the bottom. That flavor just did not mesh. Hushpuppies are the best I’ve ever had, crab cakes are divine, salads are fresh, kids menu Mac and cheese is SO DELICIOUS.“

“Ignore the decor! It's old, shabby, dingy. Ignore the atmosphere. It's not packed like a frat house bar. Come for the food and the service. Best in the area. We had pork cheek and shrimp martini for starters - both amazing, pork cheeks are to die for! Then main of stuffed quail and scallops, both fresh and succulent. To finish off, blood orange ice cream and salted caramel ice cream - locally made, simply awesome finish. Staff go out of their way to attend to you. All in, a great experience! And whatever you do, get the pork cheeks if they have them ... Should win awards for it it was sooooo good“

“I spent a long weekend in the hotel and this restaurant carried our best meals. We went out and tried many other local places along the beach and waterway, but the best service and food always came from when we stayed on property.Everything we had was great, but the lemon tart was elevated.“

“Food and service was top notch, and menu has lots of good options. Food for the kids cane out super quick, which as you may know is key with kiddos.4 stars instead of 5 cause the beer is just ok. If I was comming as a resturant 5 stars, butvwas expecting more from the beer being a brewery.“

“First time visit. Was impressed to say the least. The friends that I was with are regulars there. I ordered the seafood platter. First time in my life I have ever left seafood on the plate. And I ate very little of the slaw, however it was very good. Didn't eat any of the French fries. There was so much seafood on the plate, I literally could not eat at all. Most places have four oysters on the plate, I believe mine had seven. All fried very crispy and the food was hot when it came to the table. The breading on the seafood was excellent and they even gave me the dark side of the flounder. By the way in case you don't know, the dark side is the best side. There were six of us and we split an order of clam strips, calamari, and crab dip among us. All three of those were delicious too.“

“Great bar. Wonderful bartender. Knowledgeable, and insightful with the bourbons, which are plentiful, on hand. The best burger I've had in Wilmington. Double smash. Not to be missed. Looking forward to an opportunity to go back and trying more of the bourbons. Oh, the place was mostly empty. Kind of shocking considering the service and the decor, layout of the place. Place. It's got everything going for it except people.“

“I tried Brent’s Bistro on 3/3/24. I did not have reservations, and I was sat immediately. I may have got lucky, so it is probably a good idea to make a reservation.We started with the crab dip. It was fantastic. It was loaded with crab with a lovely browned cheese topped with diced tomatoes and chives. Most crab dips that I try are loaded with mayo and not crab. Not this one. This is crab-forward and the best I have ever had.After the crab dip, we tried some salads. We ordered the house salad and the sweet pea salad. Both were excellent. I got ranch dressing with the house salad. It was homemade dressing.For our main dishes, we ordered the unique Grilled Mahi w/a honey almond basil pesto rub Served over Spinach risotto, Finished bruschetta tomatoes & balsamic, and the *Salmon Piccata: Sauteed salmon topped with a classic lemon caper sauce served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Both dishes were fantastic. I do have to say that the risotto that came with the special was undercooked. Still, they handled it very well by immediately replacing it with some of the best mashed potatoes I have ever had, so I did not ding them on the stars because it is undeniable their food is five stars. A note for wine drinkers is at least for our first visit, the amount they pour for a glass is very generous.As mentioned, the service was outstanding, and the atmosphere was very nice and pleasant. This is a must-try if you visit or Live in the area.Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian options.Parking: They have a free parking lot.Wheelchair accessibility: This is a wheelchair-friendly restaurant“

“My first time at this location. I enjoyed the atmosphere and design here. I was seated and placed my order quickly however, the server didn't return during the meal to offer beverage refill or to check on things. When I requested the check and water to go she promptly placed the check on the table but it was awhile to receive the water to go.My meal was delicious.“

“My mom's birthday today. Took her to eat there has always been clutch but today's food McDonald's crispy chicken breast with their McDonald's fries. Trash! And a tiny strip of flounder with coleslaw. Grand total 45.00 bucks with waters. Just no. I hope they get better soon!“

“The food was delicious, although more expensive than anticipated due to OpenTable having $$ signs when it should have had $$$$ signs. The ambiance was pretty & fun with the outdoor lights hanging from the ceiling. Service was excellent!! I wish the music was 1 notch louder (which still would not be loud) so as not to be as aware of other people's conversations. We enjoyed it.“

“We just finished another great lobster roll. Yes, the lobster is too die for! We missed seeing Jim this time on our trip down. No worries though, Pam and Jamison took great care of us. Of course they are both from Maine. Makes the experience more authentic. Thanks to you both for the great hospitality! We can't wait to finally move in a year so we can enjoy this treat more often. See you guys in a few months!!!“

“Food was absolutely delicious. Calvin was incredible and really brought home the whole experience with making the fine dining experience warm and welcoming. He was also very insightful and knowledgeable about food and drink pairings. When I go back, I hope I am seated in his section.“

“We just finished another great lobster roll. Yes, the lobster is too die for! We missed seeing Jim this time on our trip down. No worries though, Pam and Jamison took great care of us. Of course they are both from Maine. Makes the experience more authentic. Thanks to you both for the great hospitality! We can't wait to finally move in a year so we can enjoy this treat more often. See you guys in a few months!!!“

“Fast, friendly and thorough service. Food was ready very quickly, however, personally the shrimp and grits were not the best that I've had. The scallion and bell pepper taste was overpowering as they were still almost raw as I would have preferred them to be sauteed with the shrimp. Great selection of drinks that were extremely colorful and refreshing. Restaurant size is small compared to the amount of customers that are packed in which makes the atmosphere a little noisier than I would have desired.“

“Wow what a hidden Gem this place is for someone out of town visiting. The name cought my attention the food cought my stomach !!! Anyone visiting this area it is a MUST !you will not be disappointed with any choices here. The service was above and the food " chef's kiss"“

“We went Tuesday for the half priced entrees and had such a great time. The braised short ribs were fantastic and paired perfectly with the red wine flight. The best part of our night was the service. We were taken great care of by Scout and thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening. Highly recomme “

“We had a great dining experience along with our 2 pre-school aged kiddos. We called 30 mins in advance to try to make reservations. They took our name and number and suggested to be added to the waitlist which helped cut down our wait time when we arrived. Service was excellent and food is delicious. Would highly recommend the Crab Cakes and the Fisherman’s Stew. This place is a gem and looking forward to coming back!“

“My wife and I used Spoonfed to cater our wedding and we were so impressed with them throughout the entire process. Susan and her team created a custom menu to match our food preferences and dietary preferences and everything was spectacular - when we had our tasting we had no notes for them! I really appreciate their creativity, reliability, and skill. Also, I thought it was great they incorporate seasonal ingredients into the menu. We were so complimented on the food at our wedding, and leading up to the big day I had no doubts that the catering team would do an amazing job. Excellent service and friendly staff, thanks again Spoonfed!!Dietary restrictions: Vegan, Veg, GF“

“I’ve been here on two separate occasions and on both occasions I enjoyed the food, the service both times was phenomenal and the atmosphere was great and calming. I would definitely recommend ‘Famous Toastery of Wilmington’ to anyone that wants to enjoy a great breakfast, amazing service and an awesome atmosphere!“

“My friend introduced me to this restaurant last week & we sat on the outdoor patio for a late breakfast. Service was great. Latte delicious & our meals were excellent. My scallops were cooked to perfection & everything so fresh. Would definitely recommend.“

“Had blast here eve before St. Patty's Day. Crowd and bartenders were great. We were three 60+ yr old travelers playing pool and knocking back brews and the regulars all wanted to know how we found this great locals joint. Well, we're seasoned road warriors.“

“One of the best local chain burger joints EVER! Quick turn on orders, plentiful drink refills, and some of the best fries on the planet. The seasoned salt comes in with hints of citrus, smoky and savory. Great indoor and outdoor seating options. family restaurant. Cali can keep In-n-Out, we will take P.T.'s !!!“

“I love that the first thing the staff does when you go to the counter is provide you a beverage. Tried both burger and the PT DOG. Both made to order, fresh and fantastic. Had the cheeseburger, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, slaw and chili. Just as good as the mains are the fresh cut fries. Outstanding!“

“After living here for years, my wife and I discovered this jewel of a restaurant. A great menu of fresh prepared daily options. To begin we enjoyed their chips & guac with queso, followed by a chopped house salad (wife) and a Caesar for me, then the short rib dinner. Everything was absolutely delicious, and plentiful. Sean Michael served us, and was able to give thoughtful insight on the dishes and the background of the restaurant, most helpful to a first (but not last) visit. The atmosphere was a bit ‘industrial’ in the downstairs dinning (they also have a rooftop outdoor dinning area), and we got there during happy hour, so it was a little loud (but this calmed down as we ate). Again, the food is fantastic! I would caution though (as Sean did before I ordered) the Ceasar salad is very intense with anchovy. Had I not been warned I would have sent it back, but I had been warned, and now so have you. Looking forward to our next visit, this time hopefully leaving room for dessert!“

“Me and my sister have been here for a year and a half. Each weekend we try a new restaurant. This , BY FAR, was the best, number one, all the way around! Great service , amazing food! I don’t eat left overs but im eating them now. Still yummy. Waitress even recommended the new drink of the day ( can’t remember name but had rum on it) perfection! We will be going back often. Thank you Mollys picture !“

“Been here a few times and the food and service are consistently excellent! The fresh catch is always great and is what keeps us coming back. The crab soup is also excellent. Service is always good.Only constructive feedback I have is that this evening the Mac & cheese starch of the day was an absolute disappointment. It was supposed to be Mac and cheese, but instead it was buttered bow-tie pasta with a little shredded cheddar cheese on top. Easy-Mac out of a box would’ve been significantly better.I will absolutely be back because the seafood is so good, but I recommend that if the side of the day is going to not be taken seriously that they don’t bother offering it that day.“

“What a fun dining experience! We met up with friends and had a table reserved in the bar. The bartenders waited on us; they were knowledgeable, personable, professional, and did a wonderful job reading the table to make it a lovely evening.The specialty drink list was a bit bourbon-heavy, but they had a very good selection of liquors and wines as options. I enjoyed my rose and the others did their cocktails, as well.The food menu is split into small and large plates. Though in general the portions were on the smaller side, the food was so flavorful and satisfying that one choice from each of the two sizes was enough for each couple to share.I did not explore the whole restaurant, but it apparently has several smaller (private?) dining rooms, in addition to tables around the bar area and several outdoor tables.We had a great experience and look forward to visiting again.“

“Imagine the best meal you’ve ever had prior to coming here, now be ready for that to be your second best meal after eating here. Never been until today and I’m ready for the next time. Meatloaf sandwich and hilly hash bowl were incredible. Highly recommend.“

“The cafe is part of the art museum and what a treat it was for our visit. There was a large party of lovely ladies speaking French, a smattering of children visiting with their mothers, and a few other visitors such as ourselves enjoying the lovely fall Wilmington weather and the lunch fare available. You really must go if you are in the Wilmington area. It is a wonderful experience for young and old alike.“

“The food is amazing. I really enjoy the different items on the menu. Burgers are GREAT!!! I stopped here one day for a lunch break now its on my top 5 places to eat. The staff is amazing. There is one waitress that's better than the rest, but I keep forgetting to get her name. It's a small staff but you're always met with a smile and a warm plate and the environment is old style reminding you of simpler times when a dinner was the place to be.“

“Cool spot. You can grab a seat in the Alcove brewery area and order food next door and they bring it to you. I ordered a beer and got my food. Everything was amazing. Only issue is the service was minimal. I had to go back and ask for cutlery and wave to get my check for my one beer, while only 2 others at the bar. We all have off days in the service Industry though. Can't wait to revisit.“

“Ogden is a delightful local spot that offers a unique ambiance, colorful locals, good service and a solid menu. While traveling with a colleague, it was decided that we needed an authentic "non-chain" place to have dinner and catch some college basketball. The Ogden Tap Room more that satisfied that goal.The interior features lots of wood on the floors and walls. It makes for a particular warmth.The staff is attentive and seem committed to ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of the customers.The menu offered lots of variety and can accommodate several dietary need without sacrificing flavor.I highly recommend the Ogden Tap Room and am confident you will be pleased with this choice.“

“The food here is delicious, absolutely loved it. Service could be a little better, but overall it was good. Now the Sawmill on 133 near castle hayne, that one is terrible. Has stuff on specials and then run out before lunch is over with, and still leaves it on the board and don't tell you they have ran out until you order it. But this one is really good.“

“This place was recommended by my Airbnb host, service was awesome. I went early on a Sunday before the crowds came. Was seated right away. I opted for the meatloaf sandwich and a pancake on the side. The sandwich had a nice flavor but was a bit dry for my liking. The grits were delish and creamy and piping hot. Prices were reasonable.“

“We always have the best experience and food at Walk-ons but I have to say that Cam makes it that much better! He checks on us all the time but the big part is we have a 6 year old son and he makes sure he’s happy! Every restaurant needs a Cam!“

“Love this place!! Their barbecue sandwiches are the BOMB . . . my only recommendation is please make sure the bread doesn’t fall apart!! Maybe drain the barbecue and the coleslaw a little more before putting it on. Today’s sandwich was good . . . but they have been a bit soggy in the past. Keep up the good work!!“

“Smithfield’s is always consistently delicious with clean restaurants and super curtious employees. The food quality is always very high. Just please please please put some bananas in the banana pudding. Southerners know there should be actual bananas in there rather than banana flavoring and they notice it every time. That’s my only criticism.“

“Ethan was a friendly and attentive waiter. Such a wonderful team member. Also spoke with other sweet and friendly staff members. One is so dedicated to her job, she left her 3 month old baby at home on Xmas to work. Will return again , soon.“

“Be ready to make a choice for excellent food from a multiple page menu that listed many, many tasty sounding choices. BIG list of local, craft and national taps. Very fair prices on an extensive list of liquor. The Tennessee Turkey sandwich was very good, I had 4 choices for bread, wheat was the ticket!! The wings were 10 for $10. Tasty. Well prepared, nice variety of toppings and sauces. I recommend the dry rub with a choice from the sauce list to dip them in. At 6 pm they were busy, I recommend getting there early. Food came out at a reasonable pace, considering the crowd level. Servers were pleasant, eager to please!!“

“I had the BEST salad here yesterday. They have premade salads but you can also customize your salads. It was so good l called to let them know. This is a unique place where you can purchase unique wines, salsas, BBQ rubs and sauces, chocolate and premade dinners. Love this place! Highly recommend. I probably be getting my salads here daily.!“

“I can't speak to the food because I've never had it -- it looks promising though.What I can speak to is showing up before my hockey games and having a good time for a few rounds or hanging out with my teammates after a game to catch the tail end of live music on the weekends. Either way -- this place is fun and definitely worth the slightly chaotic parking scene.“

“This restaurant is beautiful and has an incredible menu. Chandler was an awesome bar tender, so knowledgeable and caring! Highly recommend this spot and incredible service!!UPDATE: I came back for brunch and could not have had a better experience! The food selection is incredible and the mimosa flight was so much fun. Sam and Josh are fantastic bartenders and made the trip that much better!“

“I placed an order for pickup and when I picked up my steak tacos at the door (check #25815667439435776), I asked the hostess for hot sauce to go. Although Ale House did not have any packets available, Lindsay found someone to cover the front door and she came back with hot sauce in a little container. I had already paid for my food and she could have easily told me, “No, we don’t have any for to-go orders”. Thank you Lindsay! I hope your bosses recognize that you have earned a loyal customer!“

“Nice clean restaurant. All servers where very attentive and friendly.Our lunch was prepared and cooked well.I had the strawberry/pecan salad with a seafood chowder on the side. Very filling and tasty. Lots of shrimp and lobster in the dish. Will eat there again.“

“Today was the first time traveling with my mother in law my wonderful husband and our beautiful 4 kids to Wilmington nc. We visited the aquarium what we enjoyed and for dinner this lovely place which I recommend to eat at again when we do visited again. Everything was so delicious to the T. Thanks again for the wonderful food ams service.“