Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Wilmington

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Wilmington? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Genki Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (619)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Wilmington

About the restaurant

We look forward to welcoming you into our warm environment, with food so good you will swear you just stepped off of the train in Tokyo.

If you are reading this description, please take note that:
* Starting October 1st 2024: We will no longer be able to seat you unless your entire party has arrived and ready to sit ON TIME.
We will hold your Table/Seats for ONLY 10 minutes past the reservation time.
*After 10 minutes, you will lose your reservation to someone who is on the waiting list.
*Please take this serious as, it will allow us to provide better customer service to our guests as we increase in volume, and allow the evening to flow better with timing for our reservations through out the evening.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! Our customers mean the world to us!

*Also, please remember to count small children and babies as a person for seating. Thank you for your participation and understanding in this.
Thank you for your business! See you soon!

Top review

LeeannVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Genki Sushi is truly a Wilmington treasure. Their service is consistently warm and friendly, and the food is simply unmatched in the area. Every dish reflects their high preparation standards, making it a go-to spot for quality sushi. One note for patrons: the restaurant tends to be quite cold inside, likely because of the small space and the staff’s need to stay cool while working hard in the kitchen. We’ve learned to bring an extra layer to enjoy our meal comfortably. Despite this, it’s always easy to get a table, and it’s one of our favorite spots for a cozy date night. Highly recommended for anyone looking for exceptional sushi and a welcoming dining experience.

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4.9

4.9 (1489)

$50 and over

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Mindfully sourced and thoughtfully prepared ingredients highlight the landscape of the food in our coastal community. Menu subject to change daily with local availability of seafood and produce. James Beard nominated chef and owner, Dean Neff.

Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Brunch now served Saturday & Sunday!

Top review

RONALD

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic food, fabulous service. Two of us shared oysters, pork ribs and Cioppino. All of it was really fantastic and different from anything we tasted before. Validated parking at garage across street.

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (726)

$30 and under

Greek

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine, an elevated extension of Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill, boasts a large garden and extensive bar which features double-sided seating indoors and out – all of which lends to a spacious dining area that flows seamlessly from the dining room to the patio. The bright, light-filled dining room, with high ceilings, terrazzo floors, and a variety of seating areas.

Enjoy Kipos’ classic Greek menu, curated by Executive Chef George Delidimos – including its legendary Avgolemono, Moussaka, Tzatziki, grilled whole fish. In addition to the largest Greek wine selection in the area.

Top review

LynneVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Very nice meal, great waitress but a large party in the room made it very difficult to have a conversation.

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King Neptune Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (309)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

King Neptune is now offering fresh, local seafood as well as variations of pork, beef, and poultry dishes. There are several salad options as well. Our chef Em Ecker has a very creative way of combining locally sourced ingredients to create the most tasteful and delicious meals for our guests.

Top review

Virginia

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Our brunch experience was great. We had nine women for a birthday and the service, food and atmosphere was perfect!

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4.8

4.8 (218)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

G Prime offers the highest level of service and ingredients for the entire community to enjoy – from beautifully curated and customizable prime cuts, locally sourced fish and fresh seasonal produce, a classic craft cocktail and mixology program, to one of the largest, most prolific wine cellars in the area.

Top review

Alex

Dined 1 day ago

The food was amazing but we got stuck right next to the kitchen so we heard them prepare food for an hour and a half. BUT, our server, Kevin, was killer! He knew what we wanted to eat and then paired a nice red with our steaks. We had the Australian Wagyu ($70/filet as of 12/20/2024) with the mushrooms, scalloped potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. The veggies were 10/10 and the wagyu was 15/10. Check em out!

Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern

4.7

4.7 (276)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Seafood Restaurant in Winterville, North Carolina. Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers an amazing menu with the service to match. We hope you join us soon.

Top review

Tracy

Dined on Nov 19, 2024

1st time eating here and everything was amazing. Quick service friendly staff and the food omg was great. I highly recommend the crab dip for appetizer and the scalloped linguine for your entree. The homemade dressing with my salad was delicious. Definitely my new favorite.

The Green House Restaurant - Wilmington

4.7

4.7 (382)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian / Vegan

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

The Green House offers inventive, plant-based menu with an emphasis on sustainability, seasonality, and all of the amazing local producers this area has to offer

Top review

RaymondVIP

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Our favorite place!!! It’s always a positive and pleasant experience.

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A night of Old Hollywood elegance

Riverside Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (183)

$30 and under

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

At Riverside Kitchen & Bar, we specialize in New American Fusion cuisine, providing a sophisticated casual dining experience that strikes the perfect balance between upscale casual and relaxed comfort.

Our eclectic menu caters to diverse tastes, offering everything from indulgent
mac 'n' cheese to succulent short rib. We take great pride in using only the finest locally sourced ingredients to create a memorable culinary journey for our guests. Our chefs expertly fuse traditional American flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in a menu that boasts both classic comfort dishes and innovative creations.

We offer a versatile menu that has something for everyone, including fresh salads, artisanal flatbreads, and mouthwatering sandwiches, in addition to our elegant entrées. Whether you're joining us for a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a special event, we promise an unforgettable dining experience in a stylish yet relaxed setting at Riverside Kitchen & Bar.

Top review

Lynn

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

I always enjoy going to my neighborhood restaurant. There were 7 of us and 6 had not been there before. Everyone enjoyed their food and the special Christmas cocktails. Ryan was our server and he did an excellent job.

True Blue Butcher & Table - The Forum

4.5

4.5 (953)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

True Blue Butcher & Table, the flagship restaurant of the We Are True Blue brands, is located in The Forum in Wilmington, NC. Reflecting global cuisine with a modern American interpretation, Chef Bobby Zimmerman has crafted a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, quality cuts of steak, an extensive and delicious drink selection, and an impressive butcher counter.

We are open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Have lived in Wilmington for over three years and for some reason had not tried this place. Food quality was excellent. Having a reservation was key for the extremely busy night of our visit. Special thanks to Eric for making our experience top notch.

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1/2 Priced Bar Snacks

Tequilas Waterfront

4.1

4.1 (141)

$30 and under

Mexican

Wilmington

About the restaurant

A culinary collaboration between Tequila Comida & Cantina and Marina Grill, infusing the vibrant flavors of Mexico into the heart of Wilmington’s waterfront. Established in 2018 by Chef Ramon Villasenor and Miguel Villasenor, Tequila Comida & Cantina has teamed up with Marina Grill to create an exceptional dining experience.

Nestled beside the Riverfront Park and boasting an extraordinary view of the Riverfront Marina, Tequila’s Waterfront offers a unique setting. Our spacious outdoor area is the perfect spot to enjoy live music during the summer months. Located next door to the Riverfront Park, home to the Live Oak Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater hosting open-air concerts and entertainment, we invite you to savor the magic of Mexican cuisine amid cultural warmth and breathtaking views.

Top review

Gina

Dined 4 days ago

Second time coming in! If anyone reading this hasn’t tried their frozen strawberry mezcal you definitely should. You can tell the bartenders care about your experience

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