Brian’s guidebook
Lunch/Dinner Food scene
All spots within 2 miles of the home that are my local favorites!
About 1 mile up Castle Street is Mess Hall ILM where you can find one of the best burgers in town paired with a local Beer from the attached "Ruff Draft" bar. Both Ruff Draft and Mess Hall ILM are dog friendly. Please check out their site before your first visit if you plan on bringing a dog though as registration is required.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mess Hall ILM
2136 Hutchison LnAbout 1 mile up Castle Street is Mess Hall ILM where you can find one of the best burgers in town paired with a local Beer from the attached "Ruff Draft" bar. Both Ruff Draft and Mess Hall ILM are dog friendly. Please check out their site before your first visit if you plan on bringing a dog though as registration is required.
This is probably the best bar food in Wilmington and has been featured on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. It's about a mile away and located in the Historic District. Enjoy a walk on the riverfront before or after your meal.
123 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Copper Penny
109 Chestnut StThis is probably the best bar food in Wilmington and has been featured on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. It's about a mile away and located in the Historic District. Enjoy a walk on the riverfront before or after your meal.
One of the largest selections of bourbons in town paired with some of the best food in the Historic District makes Rebellion an awesome spot. Try the "sheet of nachos" which is honestly enough food to feed a family of four.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rebellion NC
15 S Front StOne of the largest selections of bourbons in town paired with some of the best food in the Historic District makes Rebellion an awesome spot. Try the "sheet of nachos" which is honestly enough food to feed a family of four.
Indochine has not only the best asian cuisine in town, but a truly unique dining experience that will make you feel like you have teleported outside the country. Wait times can be hefty during the weekends so try to arrive close to opening to avoid a long wait.
186 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrIndochine has not only the best asian cuisine in town, but a truly unique dining experience that will make you feel like you have teleported outside the country. Wait times can be hefty during the weekends so try to arrive close to opening to avoid a long wait.
Located in the south front district about 1.5 miles from the home is one of the top restaurants in ILM. The menu has something for everyone and is top notch food and drinks.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
True Blue Butcher and Barrel
110 Greenfield StreetLocated in the south front district about 1.5 miles from the home is one of the top restaurants in ILM. The menu has something for everyone and is top notch food and drinks.
One of my favorite restaurants that features a handful of killer cocktails is Savorez. It's a small local spot that is full of flavor and hospitality. Try the tuna tostados to start and a spicy margarita! Saturdays and Sundays they offer brunch and it has been rated one of the best brunches in the country.
89 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Savorez
402 Chestnut StOne of my favorite restaurants that features a handful of killer cocktails is Savorez. It's a small local spot that is full of flavor and hospitality. Try the tuna tostados to start and a spicy margarita! Saturdays and Sundays they offer brunch and it has been rated one of the best brunches in the country.
A great multi-story restaurant downtown with a fun menu and plenty of specials. It's my favorite sushi restaurant in town.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yosake Downtown Sushi Lounge
33 S Front StA great multi-story restaurant downtown with a fun menu and plenty of specials. It's my favorite sushi restaurant in town.
A local Fondue spot that will not disappoint. Close to the riverwalk to enjoy before or after dinner.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Dipper Fondue
138 S Front StA local Fondue spot that will not disappoint. Close to the riverwalk to enjoy before or after dinner.
Vientiane Kitchen
701 Castle StreetSome of the best southeast asian food is just a few blocks away!
If you do not have a reservation, the entire patio/outdoor covered seating area is always first come first serve!
Prost Biergarten
If you do not have a reservation, the entire patio/outdoor covered seating area is always first come first serve!
Casual restaurant with cool vibes and a killer Taco Tuesday Special, $2 tacos and $5 Margaritas! from 4- 7pm on Tuesdays. Come early!
Beat Street Street Food
Casual restaurant with cool vibes and a killer Taco Tuesday Special, $2 tacos and $5 Margaritas! from 4- 7pm on Tuesdays. Come early!
This is an awesome local newer restaurant downtown. Street parking is easy but make a reservation in advance! If you are in the mood for seafood look no further, the scallop dish is a go-to for me.
three10
This is an awesome local newer restaurant downtown. Street parking is easy but make a reservation in advance! If you are in the mood for seafood look no further, the scallop dish is a go-to for me.
A reservation is highly recommended but if you arrive before 5 you likely can get a seat. This place is more upscale but so good and they have amazing cocktails.
Olivero
A reservation is highly recommended but if you arrive before 5 you likely can get a seat. This place is more upscale but so good and they have amazing cocktails.
Pro tip, on Saturday and Sunday mornings they serve bagels! Awesome pizza and a great scene. Close to other bars and restaurants as well if you wanted to walk around after.
Salita Pizza
Pro tip, on Saturday and Sunday mornings they serve bagels! Awesome pizza and a great scene. Close to other bars and restaurants as well if you wanted to walk around after.
Benny's has amazing Pizza and Pasta, plus it's in-between an awesome bar (Satellite) and my favorite brewery in Wilmington (New Anthem)
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Benny's Big Time Pizzeria
206 Greenfield StBenny's has amazing Pizza and Pasta, plus it's in-between an awesome bar (Satellite) and my favorite brewery in Wilmington (New Anthem)
New brewery/restaurant downtown that has awesome pizza and a wide variety of beers, cocktails, and wine.
Ponysaurus Brewing Co.
New brewery/restaurant downtown that has awesome pizza and a wide variety of beers, cocktails, and wine.
Sightseeing
Voted as North Carolina’s favorite beach destination! Located only 20 minutes away, come relax on this stunning sight. The peak summer hours come early and ready to stay for a nice long visit. Pack your cooler, beach chairs, towels, and sunscreen! The following beach accesses have public restrooms and showers: 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 36, and 43!
408 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrVoted as North Carolina’s favorite beach destination! Located only 20 minutes away, come relax on this stunning sight. The peak summer hours come early and ready to stay for a nice long visit. Pack your cooler, beach chairs, towels, and sunscreen! The following beach accesses have public restrooms and showers: 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 36, and 43!
One of the largest parks in Wilmington is about 1.5 miles away. It's a 250 acre park with a large lake and 5 mile walk/bike path through lush gardens.
Greenfield Lake Park
1739 Burnett BoulevardOne of the largest parks in Wilmington is about 1.5 miles away. It's a 250 acre park with a large lake and 5 mile walk/bike path through lush gardens.
Enjoy dramatic views of the cape fear river and USS Midway just over a mile from the home.
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wilmington Downtown Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkEnjoy dramatic views of the cape fear river and USS Midway just over a mile from the home.
The One Tree Hill Bridge is just minutes away from the home, go experience it for yourself while you are here!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
One Tree Hill: The Bridge
694 N 6th StThe One Tree Hill Bridge is just minutes away from the home, go experience it for yourself while you are here!
An awesome and historic museum just on the other side of the river.
435 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEAn awesome and historic museum just on the other side of the river.
Breakfast / Brunch Food Scene
A great local cafe with great food and coffee just a few blocks away.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jester's Café
607 Castle StA great local cafe with great food and coffee just a few blocks away.
Castle Street Kitchen is a short walk away and is a newer restaurant in the Castle Street District. The local southern charm can be felt with every dish.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Castle Street Kitchen
509 Castle StreetCastle Street Kitchen is a short walk away and is a newer restaurant in the Castle Street District. The local southern charm can be felt with every dish.
An awesome brunch spot with a pour your own mimosa flight perfect for a Sunday morning.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rooster & The Crow
225 S Water StAn awesome brunch spot with a pour your own mimosa flight perfect for a Sunday morning.
Wilmington has amazing bagels, Beach Bagels is a little over a mile from the home in the historic district and has fresh bagels made daily.
Beach Bagels & Subs
Wilmington has amazing bagels, Beach Bagels is a little over a mile from the home in the historic district and has fresh bagels made daily.
This coffee shop is worth the couple extra blocks, the outdoor area is so cool!
Hidden Grounds Coffee
This coffee shop is worth the couple extra blocks, the outdoor area is so cool!
Great new coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening local spot just blocks away from the home!
Ibis Coffee and Cocktails
Great new coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening local spot just blocks away from the home!
They have amazing lattes and partner with a local food company for breakfast foods such as breakfast burritos. Highly recommend.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Luna Caffe
608 Castle StThey have amazing lattes and partner with a local food company for breakfast foods such as breakfast burritos. Highly recommend.
Bars, Breweries, and more
Local watering holes that often feature live music, great vibes, and of course great beverages.
This is my favorite local brewery and it's about 1 mile from the home. This Blackbeard inspired bar has awesome beer and live music most nights. Tuesdays feature music bingo starting at 7pm and Thursday feature free chicken wings starting at 6pm!
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Edward Teach Brewing
604 N 4th StThis is my favorite local brewery and it's about 1 mile from the home. This Blackbeard inspired bar has awesome beer and live music most nights. Tuesdays feature music bingo starting at 7pm and Thursday feature free chicken wings starting at 6pm!
Located in the popular Cargo District Bull City Ciderworks has something for everyone, a ton of rotating unique ciders, beers, and cocktails paired with a great open space environment that has local food trucks, live music, and space to chill.
Bull City Ciderworks
615 South 17th StreetLocated in the popular Cargo District Bull City Ciderworks has something for everyone, a ton of rotating unique ciders, beers, and cocktails paired with a great open space environment that has local food trucks, live music, and space to chill.
Hi-Wire is a great brewery about a mile away that always seems to have a nightly special and constantly rotating taps. A great spot for families as well as it is a large area filled with games and plenty to do while you enjoy some of the best beers NC has to offer.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hi-Wire Brewing - Wilmington
1020 Princess StreetHi-Wire is a great brewery about a mile away that always seems to have a nightly special and constantly rotating taps. A great spot for families as well as it is a large area filled with games and plenty to do while you enjoy some of the best beers NC has to offer.
One of the brightest highlights in the Castle Street District about 1 mile from the home is End of Days Distillery. Great vibes, cocktails, and charm can be found here. If liquor is more your thing than beer, this is a can't miss spot.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
End of Days Distillery
1815 Castle StOne of the brightest highlights in the Castle Street District about 1 mile from the home is End of Days Distillery. Great vibes, cocktails, and charm can be found here. If liquor is more your thing than beer, this is a can't miss spot.
Another great bar within a mile of the home is The Starling Bar that has awesome cocktails, an outdoor seating area, and rotating the best food trucks the city has to offer.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Starling Bar
1612 Queen StreetAnother great bar within a mile of the home is The Starling Bar that has awesome cocktails, an outdoor seating area, and rotating the best food trucks the city has to offer.
Dog Friendly local brewery just a mile from the home!
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flytrap Brewing
319 Walnut StDog Friendly local brewery just a mile from the home!
Yes... a Chocolate and Wine Bar. It's a hidden local gem that features handmade chocolates and a knowledgable friendly staff to help pair a great bottle of wine with it.
Mon Ame Chocolate & Wine Bar (MAC Wine Bar)
19 S 2nd StYes... a Chocolate and Wine Bar. It's a hidden local gem that features handmade chocolates and a knowledgable friendly staff to help pair a great bottle of wine with it.
Bring your pup over to Ruff Draft to enjoy a drink at this dog park/bar combo. Please check out their website prior to your first visit for registration and additional details.
Ruff Draft
Bring your pup over to Ruff Draft to enjoy a drink at this dog park/bar combo. Please check out their website prior to your first visit for registration and additional details.
Desserts and Sweets
My favorite dessert in town is just over a mile west on the riverwalk. Make sure you sample a handful of the flavors they have that day!
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gelarto
18 S Water StMy favorite dessert in town is just over a mile west on the riverwalk. Make sure you sample a handful of the flavors they have that day!
Desert within walking distance will take you to an authentic Italian Ice shop in the Castle Street District.
Sunset Slush of Wilmington
Desert within walking distance will take you to an authentic Italian Ice shop in the Castle Street District.
A great local ice cream shop about a mile and a half from the home. Try the waffle cones!
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boombalatti's Homemade Ice Cream
1005 N 4th StA great local ice cream shop about a mile and a half from the home. Try the waffle cones!