7 Amazing Restaurants to Try Near Wrightsville Beach, NC

Here's the truth about beach vacations: The food matters just as much as the sand. Lucky for you, Wrightsville Beach didn't miss that memo. The restaurants here range from "roll up straight from the beach" casual to "maybe put on real shoes" nice, and they're all genuinely good.

You could close your eyes, point at this list, and end up somewhere worth talking about. But half the fun is plotting out your meals like a treasure hunt. Let’s get started.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill

Address: 4 Marina St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

At Bluewater Waterfront Grill, the boats drifting by on the Intracoastal are basically dinner theater. This place serves up panoramic marina views from the patio, putting you front row for golden-hour sunsets and dockside boat traffic worth lingering over. The menu changes with whatever North Carolina's fishing boats haul in, meaning your seafood didn't just arrive fresh; it practically jumped onto the grill.

If you come here, you absolutely must meet the Carolina Crab Stack, a glorious mountain of jumbo crab, creamy avocado, and sweet mango. Their Coconut Shrimp with rum marmalade has its own fan club, and the Mariner's Seafood Tower is a "go big or go home" platter of lobster, oysters, and pure indulgence.

Oh, and you might be on vacation, but sleeping through their Sunday brunch would be a rookie mistake. Think about it—doesn't a Crab Benedict Bowl sound like the best way to start a day of... well, doing nothing?

Oceanic at the Crystal Pier

Address: 703 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Eating on a pier over the Atlantic Ocean is a whole different experience, and Oceanic at the Crystal Pier has been perfecting it since 1990. Built right over the waves, this place puts you directly above the ocean while you work through some seriously fresh seafood.

Their She-Crab Soup is locally famous, and it’s no wonder why. It’s thick, creamy, stuffed with lump crab, and finished with sherry, just as it's supposed to be. The Tuna Poke Nachos are what happens when someone takes a risk, and it pays off big time. And the Sun-Kissed Shrimp with Thai chili sauce will have you side-eyeing every other shrimp preparation.

Yeah, it's all amazing, but do try to break your gaze away from your plate for a second. Because if you're lucky, dolphins will cruise by like they're checking out what you ordered.

Poe’s Tavern

Address: 212 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Poe’s Tavern is where burger cravings meet beach-town cool with a side of Edgar Allan Poe décor. You know, moody portraits, raven quotes, and a beer list that would make any hop-lover grin. But let’s talk burgers—always juicy, well-seasoned, and incredibly creative.

Just take the Beef Annabel Lee with a whole crabcake on top, because why not? The Beef Black Cat comes loaded with grilled onions, Edgar's drunken chili, applewood bacon, and pimento cheese for those who believe more is more. And speaking of Edgar's drunken chili, get it on the nachos, too. You won’t regret it.

Be sure to wash it all down with one of their 20 local drafts. Maybe a Tropical Lightning IPA or a risky cotton candy sour? Either way, you’ll be glad to grab a seat on the patio, kick back after a beach day, and maybe quote The Raven between bites.

South Beach Grill

Address: 100 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Don't be fooled by the casual, sandy-feet vibe; South Beach Grill is a culinary powerhouse that's been a local obsession since 1997. First, you come for the sunset, of course. The view over Banks Channel is legendary and worth the trip alone.

But the food is the real headliner here. We’re talking a chef-driven menu where you'll find Low Country Shrimp & Grits with proper pimento cheese grits, or a Mason Burger piled high with bacon jam that will probably change your life.

If you see the Grouper Linda on the menu, just order it. Don’t you dare think twice. This spiced-pecan crusted masterpiece has been the star of the show for nearly twenty years for a very, very good reason. (Oh yeah, it’s truly that good). And to seal the deal? The bar’s got you covered with rotating local drafts and cocktails galore.

Ceviche’s

Address: 7210 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403

Ready to trade your usual beach fare for an authentic trip to Panama? Ceviche's is a delicious escape, inspired by the owner's childhood of fishing and picking fresh mangoes in Central America.

As the name implies, the ceviche is the star of the show here, and it is life-changing. You can't go wrong with the traditional Corvina, but the Langoustine de Coco is next-level. Can't decide? The El Quatro sampler lets you try them all and is the ultimate power move for your table.

If you’re curious what Guy Fieri couldn’t stop talking about, try the Ropa Vieja. Yep, it’s that dish from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Pro tip: Buy the hot sauce to relive it later. And if last night’s fun is catching up to you, the Sancocho soup will set you straight.

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine

Address: 1900 Eastwood Rd Suite #2, Wilmington, NC 28403

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine is basically a Greek island vacation without the jet lag. The white-and-blue garden patio feels straight out of Santorini, and the menu? It’s a full-on love letter to the sea, inviting you to set the course.

You might start with the Spicy Feta spread, or go wild with the Saganaki—who doesn’t love a skillet full of sizzling cheese? But keep in mind that the seafood’s where Kipos really flexes. The Kakavia Seafood Stew is a rich, saffron-tinted bowl of shrimp, mussels, lobster, and whatever fresh catch rolled in that morning. For the ultimate brag, order the whole fish, filleted table-side like you’re the VIP of your own cooking show.

Drinks are equally extra: the Alms of Artemis (gin and lavender) is as pretty as it is punchy, while the Stone Garden adds smoky mezcal drama to your dinner. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to finish strong with the Baklava Cheesecake. It’s sticky, nutty, and absolutely not for sharing.

Brassiere du Soleil

Address: 1908 Eastwood Rd STE 118, Wilmington, NC 28403

Brasserie du Soleil is Wilmington's very own Parisian escape, where the Steak Au Poivre is so perfectly peppered it might just make you weep with joy. Just any ol’ restaurant? Nope. This is a full-blown French affair where you'll find yourself debating whether to propose to your date or to the Potato Croquettes (Oh yeah, they're that good).

Go ahead and whet your appetite with the French Onion Soup, a molten masterpiece of gruyère. Then, do not—we repeat, do NOT—leave without trying the Boeuf Bourguignon, a slow-braised beef so tender it practically whispers sweet nothings to your taste buds. And the cocktails? The Creme Brulee Martini arrives with a perfectly torched sugar top you get to crack through.

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary or just the fact that it's Tuesday, this place turns every meal into an event. Just be warned: After one bite of that Boeuf Bouguignon, you might start looking at real estate in Provence.

Ready to Sample All the Best Restaurants in Wrightsville Beach?

Trying all seven of these restaurants in one trip? Ambitious. We like it. But unless you're planning to eat five meals a day (no judgment), you may need to book more than a quick weekend getaway.

The good news? Sea Scape Properties has all the Wrightsville Beach rentals you need to properly explore the local food scene.