Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Wilmington

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 favorite 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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Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

4.9

4.9 (577)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Area's Authentic Seafood Restaurant The experience that you will have at Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is uniquely Wilmington, North Carolina. Our specialty is Cape Fear cuisine, including fresh local seafood, fresh vegetables, and local craft beer. When you walk through our doors, take a look around. You will see many items that are a part of our history. The shells inside the tables have been brought to us by many guests throughout the years. Nameplates on the bar designate locals that have told many a tale. News releases show Hieronymus cooking for Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show. You might copy a recipe for soft shell crab or take a gander at some of the "stars" that have dropped by for dinner.

Top review

David MVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We love going to this restaurant because of the fresh fish selection that is always on the menu!

The Melting Pot - Wilmington(NC)

4.8

4.8 (724)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Welcome and thank you for choosing The Melting Pot of Wilmington. We offer a very unique and interactive dining experience, with a heavy focus on personal service. Our Wait staff has been hand picked and extensively trained to have the ability to provide you, our guest, with nothing less than a "Perfect Night Out." Every visit will be hand tailored to fit your wants and needs during your fondue experience. We are a four-course full service restaurant. We offer a stunning variety of creamy, perfectly balanced cheeses that our servers hand craft table side for your dining pleasure. We have a selection of cold, crisp and fresh salads, paired with house made dressings. Our entrées are as beautiful as they are delicious. We offer a wide range of premium meats and seafoods with a variety of sophisticated marinades and sauces for dipping.

Top review

ThomVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

We love this place. We eat there a couple of times a month. Always great food and service. We also appreciate their commitment to Saint Judes Hospital and the fundraiser they do every year for the children.

Brent's Bistro

4.9

4.9 (651)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Upscale yet casual restaurant located in Wilmington, NC. Located near Wrightsville Beach. Menu changes weekly to highlight the freshest seafood and land dishes. Enjoy flavorful dinners and extensive wine selection in our welcoming atmosphere. When weather permits, book a seat outdoors on our covered patio. For reservations, please utilize Opentable or call us directly. However, reservations for Fridays and Saturdays can ONLY be booked by calling us directly. 910-839-3131.

Top review

Dennis

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Wonderful meals and outstanding service as usual. The daily blackened snapper special was excellent ad was the current salmon entree. We loved our experience.

Riverside Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (184)

$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

Leslie

Dined 4 days ago

As always, the food & service are wonderful. Luke is an amazing chef & he always makes it fun to go the his restaurant. Brook & Ryan are great too.

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (1490)

$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

Matt

Dined 2 days ago

We’ve been to Seabird many many times and have always had a wonderful time. The team is friendly, professional, and welcoming. The food is always very good, innovative, and beautifully presented. We absolutely recommend you visit, ASAP.

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

Catch - Modern Seafood Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (2092)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Serving the Best Seafood in North Carolina. James Beard Semi-Finalist and Bravo Tv's "Top Chef"contestant, Chef Keith Rhodes and his team, explore the Cape Fear Coast,for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced Produce.Providing the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington's Best Chef Dubbed by NYT's,"Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood and Vegetarian options. We offer our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, NC Oysters on the 1/2 Shell, Seafood Ceviche & Conch Fritters . Larger Plates include our "Angry" Maine Lobster, Prime Steaks, Blackend Mahi Mahi & our Award winning Charleston Crab Cakes, Seared OBX Scallops, Flounder Escovitch & Pan roasted Black Grouper. Full ABC Permits.Large selection of boutique Wines by the Glass, Hand crafted Cocktails And over a half a dozen rotating local beer offerings.

Top review

Brittany

Dined 7 days ago

Food, drinks and service were exceptional! Ricky was confident in the kitchen and food and everything was amazing! We will be back!

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Popular dish

Chop Chop Caesar Salad

Popular dish

Catch Shrimp & Grits

Popular dish

Southern Fried Seafood Platter

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits

4.8

4.8 (422)

$30 and under

Contemporary Southern

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Serving the best from North Carolina's land and sea in a warm, casual setting since 1992. Contemporary American dishes lined with classic flavors of the South. Couple your meal with a glass/bottle from our hand picked wine list featuring many Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon options, or go with a delicious hand crafted cocktail like the Hellcat Holler. Jerry's has been featured on PBS' "NC Weekend" with Bob Garner, Wilmington Today, the Wilmington Star News, and has had the pleasure of serving a sitting Vice President, Hollywood actors, pro athletes, tourists and the wonderful Wilmington community for 30 years. We look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

Sharon

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Excellent food and excellent service. Even had a happy birthday message on the menu. Very friendly. Two of us had their classic tuna, one person had the chateaubriand and one the short rib special. All great dinners!

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4.8

4.8 (3320)

$30 and under

French

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Open Wed-Mon, closed Tues. Reservations recommended; table times limited to 2 hours max. Please call the restaurant directly for reservations of parties over 4 guests. Online orders can be placed from our website; limited daily availability. There is a parking deck one block away on Market Street, between Front Street and Second Street. There is also paid street parking (free after 6:30pm and all day Sundays).
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Thierry & Patricia Moity previously owned Patou Bistro in Charlotte, NC & Cafe de Bruxelles in NYC. Chef Thierry has been cooking since age 13 in some of the finest restaurants in Europe & USA. His cuisine is influenced by many traditions; Patricia comes from the northern part of France near the Belgium border, while Thierry's origins are deeply rooted in the central provinces of the country. According to Chef Thierry, “I want everyone to feel welcome in my restaurant. We are working against the stereotype that French food must be intimidating and expensive.”

Top review

Debbie

Dined 4 days ago

Food and wine was delicious. Bistro had a great vibe. Onion soup, crepe and mixed seafood specialty all got rave reviews. Service was with a smile. Will dine here again.

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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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