Location: Wrightsville Beach
Top Restaurants in Wrightsville Beach
Where to Eat in Wrightsville Beach: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Known for its premier water sports, Wrightsville Beach is an ideal place for active families seeking world-class surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. It’s also perfect for leisure travelers happy to cast a line from Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, try a walking tour or visit the local Museum of History. Waterfront dining options offer fresh seafood and farm-to-table fare. With both adventure and relaxation, Wrightsville Beach has become an annual destination for many families.
Things to do in Wrightsville Beach
1. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 641 reviews
Reviewed By Fransau M
One word, AMAZING! From the service to the food. My server Ellie was outstanding. Very nice and welcoming! Not to mention the Manager, Tito took the time to not only bring me my dish but also wanted to make sure my experience was a most pleasurable one! With traveling a lot for work I get to visit a lot of exquisite restaurants, but this by far is my favorite. You know it’s good when they can make a tofu burrito taste like heaven! Who would have thought a tofu burrito would be this good! I’m not a small guy either and I couldn’t finish it. If near or on the beach you’ve got to try this place.
2. SurfBerry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Elizabeth C - Montpelier Station, Virginia
We enjoyed a wonderful paddle board experience through Surfberry in Wrightsville Beach. Called a day ahead, all reservations were made online, arrived at designated time and boards and paddles were ready to go, very friendly and helpful cashier who rode her bike with us to the launch site and gave us a brief but efficient tutorial. Enjoyed two hours on the marshes and in the waterways with great conditions. Highly recommend. Group of four for two hours was an excellent value.
3. Loops homemade donuts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Gail M - Weston, Massachusetts
We were staying in a local hotel & needed coffee & something quick to eat, we found Loops, it was open early & had the most appealing case of home made donuts right in front of us. They tasted better than they looked, so often you find commercially made donuts that are shipped to retail locations, this was not the case at all. It reminded me of donuts I knew as a child.
4. The Bridge Tender Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 476 reviews
Casual fine dining located on the Intracoastal waterway. Offering fine seafood and steaks, wonderful entrée salads and decadent desserts. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Reviewed By flynmum - NC
The food itself was cooked to PERFECTION, with the only exception being the coconut shrimp which had a hard, tasteless battered crust. The Mahi-Mahi, Tuna and Lobster were mouth-watering.
The service was lacking on most levels.
We visited on a quiet Wednesday night to surprise our son with a birthday dinner. The three of us were immediately seated RIGHT in the middle of TWO large, noisy celebration parties while the entire end of the restaurant sat unoccupied. They honored our request for a more peaceful corner to visit with our UNCW son. We shouldn't have had to ask, some "situational awareness" is crucial in a fine-dining establishment.
We were never offered bread and/or appetizer plates and when we flagged down another staff member to request some, she was VERY snarky, threw down a SINGLE plate and was visibly PO'ed when 3 appetizer plates were again requested. She continued to sneer every time she passed our table.
Our server presented a steak knife that was obviously crusted with food and was generally very scarce in her attention. When we asked for a wine list, we were handed ONE to share, with no effort to retrieve another. Upon mentioning our special birthday celebration, and the fact that we drove 7 hours round-trip for this dinner elicited very little interest and instead of forthrightly presenting a birthday dessert, the server offered "winks" that we simply did not understand { were the winks indicating a free dessert for our occasion or a $15 treat that would likely go un-eaten?-- we still don't know}.
Our server WAS very personable and knowledgeable ( we were very happy to have not gotten the 'snarky' one! ) But for a dinner of this caliber, a greater attention to detail, cleanliness and customer needs were NOT a priority.
We would NOT give the Bridge Tender a second chance, there's too many other outstanding Wilmington restaurants with or without the view!!!
5. South Beach Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 567 reviews
We are overlooking the scenic anchorage on Banks Channel, located on beautiful Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Our restaurant has been the Local's favorite since 1997. We welcome our guests with consistent, creative cuisine served in a friendly, casual atmosphere. You can enjoy a great burger sitting outside on our patio for lunch or experience the unique, eclectic, regional cuisine at dinner of our Chef. His menu highlights the bounty of Sea and Land, locally sourced.We also have Gluten Free/ reduced items.
Reviewed By MuleHead2 - Chesapeake, Virginia
Was excited to go here after reading the reviews but I ended up being conflicted with the food. We started off with fabulous Cajun fried local flounder bites and fried pickles with local beers for appetizers...boy was the flounder fresh!!! Pickles were very good when first served but left too much oil on the plate and the last pickles were inedible. We ordered the Grouper Diane as it was their signature dish. It was prepared with a pecan crust and pan sautéed. The grouper was fresh and delicious but did not pare well with the savory tomato-bell pepper-okra rice. The rice had a specific name to it that I did not recognize, and I was expecting some sort of white rice. My bad for not asking about the rice, but as a home chef, I would have never matched that rice with the fish as it was prepared.....left most of the rice as there was no spiciness or saltiness to it. Our server was excellent and they took us a half-hour earlier than our reservations. Older establishment with a low-end wine list, but the fresh and local products make it special. They also offered the grouper blackened with white rice and in hind-sight I would have been much happier with that choice. Would go back if in the area again as I learned to ask questions and not assume anything!!!!!!
6. Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Located in The Forum shopping center
Reviewed By ECUPirate - Greenville
We stopped here and couldn't decide which flavor to get. Luckily there is a 4 mini scoop sampler cup. Between the 2 of us we tried 8 flavors and liked all of them. All the ice cream was made with local ingredients and very good. The location is a bit small, only a few tables inside. If you're in the area and want ice cream, this is a good spot.
7. Kohl's Frozen Custard and Jumbo Burgers
Overall Ratings
4 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By JASON8502 - KENTUCKY
Probably one of the best burgers I have had. I had the double cheeseburger which is huge. My wife had a single cheeseburger and loved hers too. Fries were great, drinks were great. We didn't have room for any ice cream but they have a huge selection. Definitely worth the stop.
8. King Neptune
Overall Ratings
4 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By kldj13 - Raleigh, North Carolina
We went early to avoid the dance club scene. We were also in search of dinner. I enjoyed the sesame tuna, and my husband liked the steak and shrimp hibachi bowl with noodles. Both were very tasty and huge portions. The bartender was very nice and helpful, and we met some interesting people while there as well. As stated, we got out before it turned into a club (not our scene at our age). Highly recommend if you visit WB!
9. Sweet n Savory Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 641 reviews
Sweet n Savory Cafe is located just minutes from Wrightsville Beach. If you are vacationing with your family, yourself, or just here for work, then come have a visit and see why Wilmington gives us its best marks for breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods, catering, and kids menus. For the great breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Wilmington, we are the place to be.
Reviewed By Dewayne V
This place is one of my favorite breakfast locations. Can be hard to find and a challenge to find parking but worth it. I think their baked goods are some of the best in Wilmington. Breakfast menu is outstanding with something for everyone, my favorite is the Super biscuit with chicken and egg. If you like breakfast biscuits you should love theirs. Staff are very friendly and attentive.
10. Mike & Katy's Causeway Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By VLKenyon - Chicago, Illinois
Came for breakfast around 9:30 am on a week day. No wait this day. Table was dirty & I was wiping it as the server approached. She never asked if she could get a towel or assist. Took our order & returned with food pretty quickly. Ordered waffle with crispy bacon & cinnamon raisin French toast with crispy bacon. Food arrived - but bacon was not crispy at all. I asked for syrup - server pointed to a disgustingly filthy bottle of Log Cabin on the table. It was so sticky, that I had to wipe my hand with a wet napkin after each use. Server never returned & could not be found until she dropped the check - never even came to refill or warm coffee. This used to be a charming little breakfast place that was a little "divey" but still good. Sad to say, not the experience we wanted to have.
