Best Restaurants Open for Newyears Eve this year in Wilmington – 2024

I decided to go to True Blue Butcher and Barrel restaurant tonight, and I'm glad I made that decision. It's a very casual spot in terms of vibe, but definitely not in terms of the food they serve. The cuts of meat are displayed beautifully, and the quality is superb. We were greeted by Mitchell, our server, who was not only personable and engaging but also well-versed in the True Blue Butcher Barrel brand. He easily recommended various cocktails based on our spirit of choice, as well as food options. Everything was absolutely delicious! My nephew had the ribeye, while my niece and I had the New York strip. We opted for macaroni and cheese, asparagus, french fries, and mushrooms as our sides. For dessert, we indulged in the tart and the carrot cake. I absolutely cannot wait until I'm in town again just so I can visit this spot.

Amazing food we loved the crab cakes and the banana old fashion will have us coming back again. Our server was knowledgeable and so sweet. I love the local artwork they had hanging on the wall

First, I want to mention that the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, and the staff were professional and attentive to our entire table. The steaks we ordered arrived quickly, which was a plus, but after the first bite, something didn’t seem right. I took a few more bites and noticed the steak was tough to cut. Honestly, I’ve had ribeye cuts from Food Lion that were much easier to slice. The meat had no discernible grain, and the taste was off. For the price we paid, we expected much better quality. We definitely won’t be coming back.

Liv (I believe) was our server and she was amazing. We sat outdoors under cover but not the area with the umbrellas. They offer two outdoor seating areas and both have a water view. The view is breathtaking! The food we chose was remarkable. The calamari was the best we had in the area. The steaks were cooked to perfection and exactly as we ordered. We parked in the downtown area and walked the boardwalk to the restaurant.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pilot House Restaurant, and I can confidently say that it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Nestled along the picturesque waterfront, the location alone is worth the visit. The stunning views of the river, especially at sunset, create a serene and romantic atmosphere that perfectly complements the dining experience. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who were not only professional but also genuinely welcoming. The attention to detail in the service was impeccable throughout the evening. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering excellent recommendations and answering our questions with enthusiasm. It’s clear that the team at Pilot House takes great pride in ensuring their guests have a top-notch experience. Now, onto the food—simply outstanding! The menu offers a delightful array of dishes that showcase the best of local and seasonal ingredients. We started with the seafood sampler, and it was a perfect introduction to what would be a memorable meal. The oysters were fresh and briny, the shrimp cooked to perfection, and the crab dip was nothing short of addictive. For the main course, I opted for the pan-seared scallops, and they were hands-down the best I’ve ever had. The scallops were tender, with a beautiful golden crust, and paired with a savory risotto that was creamy and rich. My dining partner chose the filet mignon, and it was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Dessert was the cherry on top of an already fantastic meal. We indulged in the key lime pie, which was the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a buttery graham cracker crust that added just the right amount of texture. It was the ideal way to end a perfect evening.

Perfect waterfront spot with delicious food and drinks - couldn't ask for more! My friends and I came here on Saturday around 7pm for a sunset dinner. We actually had planned on Elijah's, but the wait was about an hour and there wasn't anywhere for us to grab a drink and enjoy it on the deck, so we walked over to Pilot. The hostess said it would be a half hour or so and that we could over from the bar and then sit outside in their cocktail seating area so it worked out perfectly. I ordered a vodka based orange drink while my friends got some sangria. Our drinks were delicious - pure summer in a glass. We sat along the outside of the restaurant and were treated with a live musician which was a perfect addition to the evening. Once we got seated, we ordered a round of appetizers - fried tomatoes, calamari, and the crab dip, and all three of them were scrumptious. Not a scrap left on any of the dishes! For my entree, I ordered the catfish tacos. My friends had the shrimp scampi and some other seafood dishes. Food came out pretty fast and we all cleared our plates. I had another drink, forget what it was called but it came with a prosecco split and it was also really good. We all thoroughly enjoyed our evening here, the beautiful views, the live music, and the food/drink itself all delivered! Would definitely return!

I tried Kitchen Sink for the first time during the Brooklyn Arts district margarita crawl. Their mango margarita special was delicious and not too sweet! The sweet and savory sandwich on a croissant and fries were both tasty as well, though the total cost for just the sandwich and fries was about $20, which felt steep for lunch. The layout was also strange with a small bar immediately on your left when you walk in and the food ordering counter and open kitchen area behind where patrons were sitting and dining. If I hadn't been there with a friend who ate there before, I would have been confused! Overall though, it was a good experience and I would eat here again. This is a great little neighborhood sandwich shop!

Cozy bistro-like cafe. Don’t go here if you are in a rush (though you can call in a to-go order). We had two different kinds of sandwiches, both were terrific; creative w/o being weird. Tasty and filling. They offer 4 different kinds of fries; I ordered the Parma fries. Awesome.

Been wanting to try this place forever. Finally decided to go for a ladies lunch and it was amazing! Saturday they have a BOGO soup special for both bowls and cups. We also ordered the beef sandwich, caprese salad, and a side of fries. They ran out of cucumber salad so we opted for the watermelon feta salad as a side. We ordered so much thinking we could take the leftovers home for good snacking later but it was so delicious we cleaned our plates before we knew it. I cannot wait to try this place again. The soup we tried was “crack chicken” and was seriously amazing. So good!

We enjoyed a restaurant on the river that we had not been to yet. The view with the sunset is beautiful as usual for Wilmington. We started with PEI mussels in white wine sauce with garlic and tomatoes. It had bright flavor with lots of garlic to spread on the toasted bed. Sauce was great for sopping up. I forgot the picture of those. The fried chicken breast with Cajun gravy, mashed potatoes and collard greens was so crispy you could hear it when it was cut. The gravy was creamy and with good spice. The blackened catfish was cooked to a crisp outer layer and definite blackened spice. It was served with grits that kind of dissolved in the broth. The broth was loaded with corn, okra and tomatoes along with more seafood including shrimp and mussels. Both are very filling dishes.

Fantastic dining experience! My family and I came here while we were on vacation to the area. The atmosphere of the interior was relaxing, calm, and low key. The exterior was fun - the view of the river and riverwalk was very cool to see while sitting outside. It was nice because they also had fans outside to keep it extra cool. The food was fantastic - I got crab cakes and my wife got shrimp scampi. The service was also great and they had plenty of child high chairs in case you bring your kids along like us! 10/10 recommend!

We recently had a delightful brunch at The George in Wilmington, NC. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, allowing you to choose the atmosphere that best suits your preference. I ordered "The George," a classic dish with scrambled eggs and bacon. The meal was delicious and perfectly cooked. While the interior of The George has a more formal dining feel, there's no strict dress code, so you can dress comfortably. The food was excellent, and the prices were reasonable for the quality and portion size. We would definitely recommend The George to anyone looking for a delicious brunch spot in Wilmington.

Took a chance after coming in from the airport. Food was great and nice ice cold beer. Had the Brisket-Mac-n-Cheese, let me tell you it was epic ! Friend had the Nashville Fried chicken sandwich also terrific! Nice place to eat , chat and catch up.

The man from dinners and drives was at the restaurant. Which was pretty cool! Now onto the real review of the restaurant. The roast beef was cooked too fast. The roast beef could have been cooked about 2 hrs longer. The Mac and cheese is very good! The atmosphere was very cute and little and our server was great! We didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seated. The parking is a pain on the weekend but I am sure it’s better during the week. The parking lot near the restaurant makes you pay 12$ but it’s for the whole day vs by the hr.

Out of this world! There’s no wonder why it was featured on Food Network's Diners Drive Ins & Dives. Incredible food and flavor combinations! Chef & Co-Owner, Justin, took the time to come out and talk with us about his menu and the journey that brought him here. He even gifted me some pretty epic ghost pepper finishing salt. Thank you, Chef! Justin and his team put so much love into this restaurant and the food they serve. Special shout out to Kendall for taking great care of us! Seriously y'all... everything on the menu is incredible.

Overall Score: 7.2/10 – A slightly worn but charming tavern with outstanding food that makes it worth a visit despite a few service quirks. Atmosphere and Service: 6.4/10 – The restaurant has an older, slightly worn interior, which adds a certain charm and authentic vibe. The seating is spacious with large tables, though the setup—like menus stored under the tables—feels a bit unconventional. TVs are scattered around the bar area, enhancing the casual ambiance, but strict house rules may feel restrictive to some. The server was polite but somewhat disengaged, with no water refills, which slightly detracted from the experience. BBQ Burger: 8.1/10 – This burger was excellent, with a satisfying portion size and bold flavor in the patty. Although there was no option to select a cooking temperature, the burger still tasted great. The balance of BBQ sauce to burger was spot-on, making each bite flavorful. The price felt appropriate given the quality and portion. Onion Rings: 8.9/10 – These onion rings are a standout, offering a perfect level of crispiness with a batter that stays intact when bitten into. The onion itself was tender and easy to bite through, adding to the overall quality. A variety of sauces was offered, which complemented the dish well, making it one of the best onion ring options around.

We were excited to try out this restaurant but are disappointed. Majority of the food was good. However my Ft. Fisher fish and chips had two tiny pieces of fish. My mother in law wasn't asked by the waitress for how she would like the burger and got it rare. The waitress, Rebekah R charged my father in law for SIX Coca Cola when only three people had Cola. Waitress was nice but seeing all of this, she seem shady to be charging extra and then expect us to tip on top of the automatic 20% Large Party Service Fee. I personally will not be coming back here again. 2 stars vs 1 star because the food does taste good. If you want to do right, refund my father in law part of the bill.

Was in Wilmington for the day and found it on the internet. A quiet weekday early dinner. My British partner loved the local pub feel of the place. We had the house special pork sandwich and the 109 chicken sandwich. Both were excellent and huge portions. Would love to go back if we are up that way again!

I chose this place based on its ratings. We sat at the counter (1950's style). The service was friendly and quick. My husband got the special of the day and omelette with pork belly. He had a side of grit cakes with pimento cheese. He actually said "culinary delight" in describing his meal. I had a couple of bites and had to agree (this time ). I had the oatmeal blue berry pancakes which I found very delicious. The atmosphere was bright and energetic.

My brother and I went for brunch Sunday and I was surprised by everything I tasted. Not only was it just pretty to look at, but there was a little unexpected in every dish. The meat in his southern Benedict was flavored with cola, which gave it the perfect amount of sweetness. My crab cake eggs Benedict was not a crab cake on an English muffin, but a poached egg on a crab cake and my mind was blown. Would definitely go here again, maybe to try the lunch options. Be prepared to wait.

My friend and I LOVED the food here on a recent trip to Wilmington. I ordered the BLT on Texas toast with fried okra and she ordered the crab cake sandwich with side salad. We also had the house mimosas and they were STRONG, yummy, and I loved the blackberry versus oj juice. The service was fine and friendly, but not out of this world, and the atmosphere was also comfortable but not overly remarkable. Highly recommend for a great lunch and easy atmosphere.

Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. Logan, our server, was awesome. And the food was outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant. And as a vegan, I was thrilled to FINALLY find a meal I could eat and enjoy. The stuffed Kobacha squash was delicious and truly a labor of love by the chef. The combination of flavors were amazing.

My husband and I snuck away for a weekend in Wilmington and heard Seabird was the best. I have heard from friends and articles I have read all the food is amazing. We knew what we wanted right away, drinks and the infamous seafood tower. Every expectation we had coming in about the seafood tower was exceed, and then some. So many unique creations and variations or flavors. Deviled eggs with caviar are worth every penny! Working in fine dining myself, service is very important to me. Service was outstanding and loved the vibe the team gave off. Already can’t wait to come back!

Very innovative menu with good diversity of dishes. Excellent preparation. Great vibe in there too. Oysters are fantastic there and if you are not into raw, they have no less than three delicious baked oyster dishes.

We were incredibly impressed with this wonderful restaurant!! We’d just finished a 2 1/2 hour eBike tour. Ian, our tour guide strongly recommended this cool place for lunch! We were truly impressed! I had the Scallopsie Daisy It was fabulous!! Perfectly cooked scallops with an incredible and fruity sauce!! Truly the best scallop dish I've tasted!!! The location is, unfortunately, not in the ‘historic district’ but the food SHOULD BE!!!

This place was so good. We loved it. The food was excellent. Everything is clearly made from scratch. The atmosphere was perfect in my opinion. It is places like this that are going to elevate the Wilmington food scene. I wish I was there right now.

Food is really good, hands down, very unusual and masterfully selected combinations of different flavors. My vegetarian dish was superb, my daughter tried their sopas and was very impressed. This place was a very first one where they really did a “little bit” sweet tea, it was just perfect. Wonderful, fast service. The place itself could do with a bit of renovation, restroom and walls, old couch upholstery coming off.

Stopped in here as an accidental find and could not be happier!!! THE FOOD, the Atmosphere and the service was UNBELIEVABLE. 10/10 experience! Milly our server was so sweet and we loved it so much we are trying to now hold our rehearsal dinner here!

We love the southern food. From the fried chicken, the fried green tomatoes, to the banana pudding. I highly recommend the Rooster & The Crow. The staff are very friendly. The restrooms are clean. They do have you park in the Chandler’s Wharf lot next door. See the host & they will give you a code to park for free. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Loved this place! Food was very good here. My wife had the shrimp and grits and while she would have liked a little more andouille sausage it was good. I had the fried chicken which was excellent. The grits were also excellent as well (I ended up eating my wife's as well as mine). My daughter got a grilled chicken sandwich made exactly to what she ordered. She liked it as well. Great atmosphere in the NEST which was a little quieter than the main area. We also waited in the Beergarten, which had a live band and was really fun. Really liked how the mall here is put together and all works in concert with one another. Didn't try the arcade, but will next time. Definitely recommend.

Nice atmosphere. The low lighting with the table lamps is a nice touch. I like the good solid seating options buy solid. I mean, sturdy tables and chairs. I believe the building is a former colonial error warehouse so it’s large and expensive which added to the atmosphere, and kept the music at just the right level so that you could still converse and hear each other. Plenty of TV screens to watch her favorite sports team. I had the mama’s mac & cheese and it was fantastic! And the price point was incredible! Only $11 and I couldn’t finish it all. The cheese blend was fantastic. It was topped with deep fried chicken, which was not too heavy breading wise, they were added to toppings like green onions, it’s listed as a communal bite, so I guess it’s meant to be like a side item, but trust me it’s a good entrée and it’s a good portion. if I drink beer, I could tell you all about those options too, but sadly, I don’t anymore. Still absolutely worth going to.

My husband and I finally went to Rebellion for lunch. We've been in the area for over four years. It's a cool place with a huge bar. Too hot to sit outside today, so we sat inside. It wasn't crowded at all but it fill up a bit by the time we left. I had the Rebel Yell, which consisted of smoked turkey, bacon, cheese, tomato and mornay cheese sauce on sourdough bread. It was excellent, although pretty messy with the yummy sauce - ask for extra napkins. I had a side of roasted Brussel sprouts that were served in a lemon butter sauce and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. It was a large portion. My husband had the Wild Bunch burger with shaved ribeye, chimichurri, mozzarella, tomato, arugula and a spicy mayo; and a side tots. He really liked it. We both brought half our sandwiches home, as they were quite filling. Very friendly service by Melina. And lots of good music playing in the background. We'll be back.

Overall: 7.5/10 Food: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Drinks: 7 Food: Old North Burger - this burger has slaw, cheerwine bbq sauce, and Tabcco onions. I liked this burger the most because of the variety of flavor. It was savory with a hit of sweet and hid the fact that the burger patty itself is not well seasoned. Rebellion Burger - although this is the restaurant main burger and it has everything I like in a burger, I couldn’t finish the half of it I had. The patty is thick which is great, but the patty itself lacked seasoning which made the burger itself hard to eat. The toppings were good and I enjoyed their bourbon bbq sauce. Wrap, It Up Charlie (tuna wrap) - my wife ordered this and I took a few bites without the avocado crema (I’m allergic). It was good the tuna was cooked well and a nice size. The rice and beans pair with the tuna to give a savory pop of flavor which makes each bite a delight. Tots - get the tots they were so good and the house made ranch pairs phenomenally with them. Unlike the burgers the tots are well seasoned and I could order those any day. Fries - I tried my wife’s waffle fries they were also well seasoned and delicious. They were crunch in the outside and soft in the middle which is the perfect fry for me. I swear I’d come in here and just eat their potato products. Drinks: I had the habanero nights was good. The flavor of the habanero and peach paired well together. I wish they drink would have had a more sweet forward with a heat back as the name and ingredients would imply but overall it seemed that they habanero provided a hint of flavor without heat. I would still recommend the drink, as the overall taste of the drink was refreshing, bright and light for a summer night. Service: our service was phenomenal! He checked on us regularly and ensured we had everything we needed for our meal. He was also very friendly, I wish I remembered his name, but he had long blonde hair. The food and drinks too a little while to get but the place was busy and despite how busy they were we were seated immediately. My drink from the bar took a while even after the bar slowed down. Ambiance: A rustic tavern with an impressive bar. The owners Patriotic, it military owned and they had shirts with fun quotes.

Literally nothing bad could be said about my visit! The food was incredible. Scallops over grits and asparagus in decadent sauce. Chocolate torte was so rich I felt like Scrooge McDuck was swimming in his gold in my mouth! And the skinny margarita was excellent. Our server was great, helpful and informed but not hovering. Such a great experience!

Amazing food! Everything pictured was awesome! Fresh, clean, big portions, and great service! If you’re in the area, definitely come here!

Omg. The ribs and scallops! One of the best meals I have ever had. I do not know how they cooked the ribs but they were phenomenal. So much food and everything was delicious. The mashed potatoes and green beans were cooked perfectly. The seared scallops and asparagus was so good. Great atmosphere with waterfront view, kind staff and dog friendly patio. Hands down the best meal I had during our 3 days! Check it out!

We’re looking for someplace to go for dinner. That was nice and decided on circa 1922. The pictures of the food online looked really good and we like that area. We started with an assortment of three different kinds of oysters and some fried calamari. Both were excellent. I had the butcher steak which was cooked to perfection. It came with gnocchi and mushrooms, which were equally as good as the steak was. I also had a Whiskey old-fashioned that was to die for.

My wife and I dined here for the first time on 12/7 for dinner. Lyndon, our server was attentive, knowledgeable, friendly and professional...she really enhanced our experience! I had the best Manhattan I've ever had, my wife had a tequila/aperol concoction that was very good as well. For dinner I had two appetizers- the carpaccio and charred octopus...both amazing! I wasn't super hungry, these two apps hit the spot. My wife enjoyed her salmon dish as well. Overall great experience, highly recommend!

A delicious date night evening for our first night in Wilmington. The sangria was vibrant and strong! Starters, mains and dessert all were top tier. The music created a nice atmosphere, whilst the place was very busy there was no long waits and the staff were very attentive. Thanks for having us!

We really enjoyed our meal! There were 4 of us and everyone got a different dish and all enjoyed! I had a salad with the lemon ginger vinaigrette. Delicious! My husband had the tomato pie and that was also really good. We had the loaded sweet potato fries topped with goat cheese and hot honey. These were best sweet potato fries I have had. I would define their food type as updated soul food. Decor is sort of industrial. The music was rather loud. If you like the music this might be fine but if not really your jam may be on the loud side. The service was great! Drinks were kept filled and food was out in a timely manner.

I absolutely love this restaurant and the wonderful people that work there. Their brunch is my favorite in town (pictured are the Spicy Cluck and The Basic Biscuit) and it never disappoints. Great neighborhood spot and I am so glad to have them here. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I can't count the number of times that I have walked or driven by this restaurant, before finally stopping in. Castle Street Kitchen presents a friendly bar atmosphere with a gourmet chef's menu. The waiters were very friendly and greeted every customer as a returning friend. There is a quaint lounge in the back that allows you to chill in a more intimate setting. The food is on another level and delicious! The first night, we ordered House Tacos (pork) with macaroni & cheese and the Sweet Potato Fry appetizer. We returned the next day for lunch in hopes that I could order more House Tacos (pork). Yes, they are that good that I thought about them. We also ordered the Asian Sliders, which were very good. If you would like a friendly atmosphere and gourmet food I recommend that you stop by Castle Street Kitchen. Warning...their drinks are strong and worth it.