Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Wilmington

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Wilmington? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses 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!

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits

5.0

5 (599)

$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

OpenTable DinerGold

Dined 3 days ago

Great dinner, food was amazing and we will be going back again soon. Great service and pleasant environment!

Melting Pot - Wilmington (NC)

4.9

4.9 (707)

$30 and under

Fondue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Melting Pot isn't just a meal - it's an experience! Perfect for date nights, birthdays, and celebrations, Melting Pot blends fine dining with interactive fun that makes every occasion memorable. Our restaurant offers a warm, inviting escape where guests cook, dip, and share fondue together at the table. Savor our signature four-course fondue journey with award-winning cheese fondue, crisp salads, premium entrées (filet mignon, cold-water lobster tail, shrimp, teriyaki sirloin, chicken, vegan and vegetarian options), and unforgettable chocolate fondue. Private seating options, curated celebration experiences, and a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list help create an evening designed for connection and celebration.

Top review

Alyssa

Dined on 27 Sept 2026

Allie is great!! We really appreciated her hospitality and kindness. She’s the best server we’ve had!

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Experience

Weekend Power Move Lunch Special (12pm-3pm)

Genki Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant

5.0

5 (738)

$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

Erika

Dined on 22 Sept 2026

Genki , the sushi is so fresh & delicious! And from the time you are seated until paying your check the service was friendly, accurate, and just on point. Our favorite place!

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4.9

4.9 (720)

$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

susanGold

Dined on 22 Sept 2026

The service was excellent. All four meals were fabulous I love this place.

Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern

4.9

4.9 (343)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Seafood forward Contemporary American Restaurant in Winterville, North Carolina. Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers amazing food and cocktail menus with the service to match. We hope you join us soon.

Parties of 8 or more are required to pay with one check.

Top review

Rusty

Dined 4 days ago

Zach is awesome!!!! We love the food and the decor. We'll be back frequently.

Port Land Grille

4.8

4.8 (2275)

$31 to $50

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Port Land Grille has progressive American regional cuisine masterfully executed in a casually elegant coastal setting since November 2000. We have both indoor and outdoor dining and private rooms are available. Thank you for dining with us!

COVID-19 updates: Masks are no longer required to be worn indoors but they are still recommended if you are not vaccinated. Our staff is fully vaccinated and ready to serve you!

We have suspended the ability to bring in outside food or beverage (ex. cakes or wine) while we continue to recover from the devastating affects of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.

Top review

CarolineGold

Dined on 24 Sept 2026

My son and I always love going here. The food is amazing and the service outstanding

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (2086)

$31 to $50

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. Owned and operated by James Beard finalist chef Dean Neff.

Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Brunch now served Saturday & Sunday!

Top review

KymGold

Dined 5 days ago

Our table of four had a wonderful time at Seabird yesterday evening. The drinks and appetizers were especially top notch. Our server, Erin, was fabulous! She knew the menu well and made thoughtful recommendations for cocktails, food and wine. She was both extraordinarily efficient and personable! Nice job!

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Experience

Collaborative Chef Dinner, NC Seafood Festival

Experience

Saltwater Stories at Brooklyn Arts Center

Experience

Seafood Class and Tasting

Bridgewater Wines + Dines - Porters Neck

4.8

4.8 (32)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Kirkland

About the restaurant

Bridgewater Wines + Dines Leland offers a unique blend of globally inspired American fare, craft cocktails and a curated wine selection, all in a warm, welcoming setting. Led by culinary expert Susan Zucker and wine enthusiast Doug Zucker, the restaurant invites guests to browse the wine shop or indulge in the monthly Explorers Wine Club. Enjoy thoughtful pairings and creative dishes, all crafted with a passion for culinary discovery. Bridgewater delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience where great food and remarkable cocktails and wines meet. Bridgewater's restaurant is open 11 AM-9PM Monday-Saturday for your dining expereince and open for wine retail 10AM-9PM, Monday- Saturday. Follow us on social media for all of our events. Would you like to learn more about Bridgewater's monthly wine club? Use this link to find out more information about Bridgewater's Explorers Club: https://bridgewaterwines.com/introducing-the-explorers-club/

Top review

Deborah

Dined on 16 Sept 2026

We had a fabulous dinner and the atmosphere was amazing

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Experience

Prime Rib Saturdays

Farfalla

4.8

4.8 (113)

$31 to $50

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Farfalla, offers a rich celebration of Italian flavors tailored to each season. Featuring comforting dishes like handmade pastas, fresh meats, and seasonal vegetables, each plate embodies the warmth and soul of traditional Italian cuisine. Indulge in bold flavors with our curated selection of wines, perfect for pairing with these seasonal delights.

Known for its inspired Italian cuisine, We Are True Blue invites you to try Farfalla, an intimate dining experience in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC. The restaurant sits on the corner of the South Front District, featuring an inviting outdoor porch under string lights and a charming side garden that complement its cozy, inviting interior and exterior, perfect for any occasion.

Top review

Kate

Dined on 4 Sept 2026

We had a great time. Ella was an amazing server. Drinks and food were excellent. We will continue to frequent Farfalla.

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Experience

Al Fresco Happy Hour

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Wilmington, NC

4.8

4.8 (2834)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Wilmington is located at the newly constructed River Place in the heart of historic Downtown Wilmington. Whether it's a romantic steak dinner for two, an important business meeting, or a private party, Ruth's Chris Steak House can accommodate your needs and our Wilmington steakhouse provides guests with a warm, comfortable atmosphere of casual elegance.

Top review

Leann

Dined 3 days ago

Roth gave excellent service and we had a wonderful experience celebrating my son’s birthday. Thank you for offering the gluten free menu

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