Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Wilmington

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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 (660)

$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

Stella

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful meal with excellent staff. Bravo! Highly recommend.

Brent's Bistro

4.9

4.9 (673)

$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

KathyVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Brent’s, in my mind,is the best restaurant in Wilmington. We brought our friends from Ma. on Sunday. They could not stop talking about how delicious their meal was. We look forward to Tuesdays to see what this weeks menu is. Going for Father’s Day, can’t wait.

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits

4.8

4.8 (465)

$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

Angelique

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Jerry’s is a hidden gem! My husband and I celebrated our anniversary and were provided a personalized menu! We were blown away by the choices and the dishes we chose were delicious. The crab appetizer is the best! Great wait staff and service. All around this is one of the best Wrightsville/Wilmington has to offer!

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Butcher and Barrel by True Blue

4.8

4.8 (579)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Chef Bobby Zimmerman and his team welcome you to Butcher & Barrel by We Are True Blue, located in the South Front District of downtown Wilmington, NC.

Celebrated for its prime cuts and lively atmosphere, Butcher & Barrel features a menu of locally sourced ingredients and an extensive selection of bourbon and whiskey. With its high ceilings, funky wallpaper, and art featuring local artist GERB, Butcher & Barrel aims to offer not only a delicious dining and drinking experience but also a memorable, vibrant one. Designed to give you a big city feel, it has that exciting air of "where are you going to go next?" after you finish your meal or drink.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent all around, our first time at Buthcer and Barrell and we can’t wait to go back. My son said it was the best steak he had ever eaten, way better than Ruth Chris Steakhouse.

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Cackalack Takeover ft: The Hatch Brothers

Farfalla

4.8

4.8 (69)

$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

Jenn

Dined 6 days ago

Our server was amazing! He didn’t miss a beat. The food was incredible (highly recommend the cannelloni).

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Experience

Al Fresco Happy Hour

Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

4.7

4.7 (616)

$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

George

Dined 4 days ago

Food was great and the service was great. We had an enjoyable dinner.

Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern

4.7

4.7 (295)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Seafood Restaurant in Winterville, North Carolina. Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers an amazing menu with the service to match. We hope you join us soon.

Top review

Timothy

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

I went to Main and Mill on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 for a birthday dinner and it was a great experience! The restaurant had a lovely atmosphere and the server was polite and attentive. I had the fried oyster Poboy and Mashed Sweet Potatoes! I even had a piece of Key Lime cheesecake for dessert. I will definitely return to this restaurant and I recommend it to anyone who lives in the area or is visiting the area!

Dram Yard at ARRIVE

4.6

4.6 (147)

$31 to $50

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Dram Yard offers dinners featuring Southern coastal flavors with a global twist. Join us for craft cocktails, carefully curated wine and beer offerings, and thoughtful preparations of locally sourced ingredients in our re-opened dining room.

Top review

Bambi

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Excellent experience. We will be back soon. Service was great and the food was delicious

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Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu Experience at Dram Yard

Experience

Chef's Blue Plate Specials

Steam Restaurant - Embassy Suites

4.3

4.3 (691)

$30 and under

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Steam is bringing American cuisine to Wilmington using locally sourced goods & ingredients. With an extensive wine & beer selection, plenty of cocktails, indoor/outdoor seating, & beautiful views of the Cape Fear River, Steam is your go-to local restaurant.

Top review

Melissa

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

We had a wonderful dinner in Steam Restaurant & Bar. The bartenders Joey & Scarlett took wonderful care of our crowd. The cocktails were delicious and we enjoyed the appetizers - Brussel Sprouts (MUST TRY!), Garlic Fries, Sesame Tuna and Pork Belly. For our meal, Albert took care of us and blanketed us with service. Everyone at our table enjoyed their entrees- Watermelon & Burrata Salad, Burger Burgers x 3, Crab Cakes, and the Salmon with Pineapple Slaw was a great summer dish! We will be back!

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4.2

4.2 (18)

$30 and under

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Come and join us for Dinner and enjoy our American cuisine with a global flair ✨

Top review

Donna

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Despite being short staffed (We appreciated being told ahead of time!), our service was very good and our food was delicious. It’s a busy place so quite loud. Would go back!

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