Hey guys! Wilmington, NC is one of my favorite cities to visit. It’s convenient to my hometown of Durham, NC, it’s got the beach, plenty of charming hotels, and lots of activities for the whole family. Most importantly it’s full of great food! Here are some of my favorite spots in Wilmington!
Bagel King & Donuts offers the most delicious bagel sandwiches ever, and the donuts are pretty good too! The shop is open early (6:30 am most days), so it’s perfect for breakfast. You can purchase freshly baked bagels individually, by the dozen, or go for a sandwich like I did. There is a wide variety of bagels, spreads, fillings, and toppings to choose from so be prepared to study the menu for a bit. I definitely recommend Bagel King for a quick breakfast in Wilmington.
Located in Wilmington’s historic downtown district, Brooklyn Cafe & Market is a small cafe serving some delicious fare. Brooklyn Cafe serves scratch-baked pastries, coffee, beer, wine, and more. I stopped in for an order of their famous beignets and my favorite drink, a London Fog. Both were delicious and the service at the Brooklyn Cafe was top-notch!
After a fun-filled day at Kure Beach, I was ready for some tacos and margaritas and Los Portales Taqueria hit the spot for both! Los Portales is just a short drive from Wilmington Beach and was super close to my hotel, The Hive. The menu features fresh Mexican fare, with lots of unique margaritas to pair with it. The taco fillings go from your standard asada, pollo, carnitas, and chorizo to beef stomach, beef cheek, and tripe. Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, there is something for everyone. I enjoyed the food but I LOVED the margaritas. They were made with fresh fruit puree and were perfect after a hot day on the beach. Please give Los Portales and try when you’re in Wilmington and need your taco (and margarita) fix!
For a classic seafood dinner in Wilmington, I highly recommend Elijah’s. Elijah’s is located right on the Wilmington Riverwalk and they offer some al fresco dining. It was so relaxing sitting on the patio, watching the sunset, and enjoying a great meal! The menu is your standard seafood restaurant fare, crabcakes, seafood platters, oysters, and a fresh catch of the day. The menu also features some land items if you’re not a seafood lover. My husband and I really enjoyed the crab dip as our appetizer and we both got a fried seafood platter with flounder, shrimp, scallops, and oysters, fried to golden perfection! Elijah’s also offers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages and I highly recommend you make a reservation before you visit.
I appreciate you joining me at some of my favorite Wilmington restaurants! I’d love to hear what some of your go-to spots are…be sure to leave a comment!
Wilmington is a coastal town located in southeastern North Carolina. Many fun things to experience in Wilmington include visiting the beach, shopping, dining, and sightseeing. For this post, I am just going to focus on the Wilmington Riverwalk!
The Riverwalk is a nearly two-mile showstopper stroll alongside the historic Cape Fear River. The pathway leads from Nunn Street to the Isabella Homes Bridge and is lined with unique shops, outdoor cafes, and markets. There are multiple hotels located very near the riverwalk, including The Hive where we enjoyed a great stay!
Well-known Wilmington landmarks like the Cotton Exchange, the USS North Carolina Battleship, and the 1914 Murchison Building are all located along the scenic Riverwalk route. In addition to these popular destinations, the Riverwalk is full of local shops, historic structures, and numerous works of art. In 2014, USA Today voted the Wilmington Riverwalk as the “Best American Riverfront” and it is certainly a well-deserved title!
The Riverwalk itself is a wooden walkway that leads right through the heart of downtown. I personally enjoyed walking the path in the early morning hours with joggers and dog walkers. The Riverwalk is equally enjoyable at night, as the path is lighted with decorative hanging street posts. There are benches and embedded stools throughout the route for visitors who want to sit down, relax, and enjoy the Wilmington breeze!
As a community boardwalk, The Riverwalk is open 24/7 with no charge to stroll along the Wilmington waterfront. With its beautiful scenery, and proximity to dining, shopping, and lodging, the Riverwalk is a must-stop for any visit to Wilmington!
I’d love to hear what your favorite part of the Riverwalk at Wilmington is or if this post inspired you to visit for the first time! Please leave your comments and let me know!