By james art 
When it comes to eating at Wilmington, North Carolina, the culinary scene is full of spots have Let me try. Whether you crave fine dining, cookies, sushi or the best burger in the city, there is something for everyone. Here is a guide to the mandatory visit places that offer the best bites in Wilmington.
Fine dining room:
If you follow me on social media, you know I have a few spots, and for special occasions Seabirds is at the forefront of my list. From the moment you enter, the atmosphere puts the scene for an incredible experience. The food in Seabirds is exceptional, made with the highest quality ingredients and thoughtfully prepared in every dish.
The thought of the presentation and the quality of food can only be due to chefs, Dean and Lydia. In 2019, NEF received a semi -finishing nod by the James Beard Foundation as the “best chef of the southeast” and launched plans for Seabird, a place that celebrates Wilmington’s coastal food culture and the beauty of the seasons. Plus, Dean was also a semi -finalist for the James Beard Award in 2023 and made it at the finals for the “exceptional chef” in 2024 – how great is this?
When the RX opened again, it quickly became one of Joe and my eating places. For about six months we were treated on a weekly visit after yoga and frankly, it was difficult to resist! This Sea to Table restaurant is associated with fresh, local scents that extract their seafood immediately from Topsail, Wrightsville and Carolina Beach. They even farm their own oysters from the local oyster farm!
Everything on their menu is made from scratch, including their incredible breads and sauces. Fish dishes are first -class and these taco? Pure bliss. But the real show must be their seasonal hand pies served with ice cream – my absolute favorite dessert in the city! Each aroma emphasizes what is fresh during the season, and they are just incredible.
Grimm Burger
The long -awaited opening of Grimm Burger is finally here! After building a strong fanbase from their food truck, they have now created a permanent place in the Mafeer area. Although I usually wait a few months before I tried a new restaurant, I couldn’t resist stopping within the first week – and it was worth every bite! After testing all the burgers around Wilmington, I can say with confidence that Grimm Burger serves the best Smashburger-style burgers in the city. Their fried potatoes are also a must-perfectly crunchy and the perfect pairing for their incredible burgers.
Kipos Greek Tavern
Kipos quickly became one of those places that I think I crave every week! Their food is constantly exceptional, with a menu that has authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. I strongly recommend that you check their special offers when you go – they are always unique and show seasonal ingredients in the best way.
Cevieches
Ceviches is a place for a place in Wilmington for fresh, bold scents and live dishes inspired by Panama,! I am absolutely obsessed with their empanades and coconut shrimp-both are a must during your visit. This casual, fast -paced experience is packed with aroma, which makes it the perfect choice for a delicious and calm food that is full of excitement and fervor. Be sure to try the Guacamole sample, paired with their freshly made Plantain chips for an unforgettable appetizer!
The Half Sandwich Store
There is no doubt about this – half is your best sandwiches around! Joe and I were surprised by how difficult it was to find a really good sandwich in the city, especially since we tried so many recommendations that just fell. But one day I came across halftime while looking for restaurants nearby and it was a change of game.
What I love most is that they take care of everyone, with sandwiches with carnivores loaded with quality meats and fantastic vegan options that do not aroma. We tried a few of their sandwiches and each of them was full of aroma, perfectly made and absolutely worth the calories! Honestly, everything we saw out of the kitchen looked amazing – this place has a sandwich game to perfection, no matter what you crave!
Sushi Genki
Wilmington Bread Company
If you are after the best croissants and bread in Wilmington, Wilmington Bread Company is a must! Their sliced sour dough has become the main one in our home – Joy will eat nothing else now and needs at least one slice a day!
Made with organic, local grains, grinded right in North Carolina (some even inner ones), their bread has an incredible depth of taste. Thanks to its strong partnerships with local mills, each batch increases the most natural scents.