Wilmington NC is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants – and we’ve identified seven of the best! Whether you’re looking to indulge in savory lobster rolls or satisfy your craving with an array of fresh fish dishes, these eateries are sure to deliver a top-tier dining experience.
Top 12 Places to Eat Seafood in Wilmington NC
Cape Fear Seafood Company
- Address: 5226 College Rd #5, Wilmington, NC 28412, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (2237)
- Phone: +1 910-799-7077
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Wow. Just a great dining experience. Our server Leslie was fantastic. The drinks were great, the food was outstanding. We all got something we loved. By the time desserts arrived we were on such a roll I forgot to take pictures! I had the daily special salmon, my wife had the Calabash style shrimp and both were awesome. Creme brulee, cobbler and brownie desserts were all delicious. Very glad to find there are other locations for us to try near home.By Ed Page (6 months ago)Ohhhhh my goodness, scrumptious shrimp and grits – THE BEST I’ve tasted so far (I’ve had some in Atlanta and other places too)!!! My husband had the crab cake and said it was the best he’s had so far too (he’s tried A LOT of crab cakes). This was the 1st time he didn’t even use the cocktail sauce (which looked more like ketchup than cocktail sauce – only complaint, lol). Our friend said her food tasted good too. The coconut shrimp was delicious!!! Would definitely eat here again!!By LaKisha McKenney (4 months ago)10/10. Absolutely recommend this place to everyone. Bartenders were attentive and cocktails were awesome. On Sunday’s they do $6 bloody Mary’s ( yum ). I got the seafood broil as an entree and it was one of the best I’ve had. Scallops were juicy as well as the shrimp and nothing was over cooked or dry. Can’t get enough. Next time I’m in town I’ll be back.By Amanda (8 months ago)Amazing amazing. We loved everything we ordered from drinks, apps, entrees, and dessert! Our waitress was so fun and made the experience that much better. They were so busy so things came slowly from the bar like we had apps before our drinks, but that’s what you get on a busy Friday night. Food was so fresh and hot when it came out. The restaurant is cold so bring a sweater! The decor is nothing special, but worth a try if you haven’t been here yet. If you like sangria get the pineapple citrus one, it was delicious with both red and white. The espresso brownie was also to die for! Yum. Crème brûlée is my all time fav dessert so try that too!By Keeli Thompson (9 months ago)Simply delicious. The fries seasoning is outstanding. We had one issue with our fries being cold, but the waitress immediately gave us fresh fries on this side. We ordered the fish and chips to keep it simple. The fish was not over/under fried.By Jay Hernandez (9 months ago)
Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar
- Address: 5035 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (1950)
- Phone: +1 910-392-6313
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMTuesday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMWednesday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMThursday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMFriday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMSaturday: 3:00 – 9:00 PMSunday: 3:00 – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Second time here and it did not disappoint! Great food and even better service from a lovely lady named Kelly. Our daughter enjoyed the she crab soup with collards, she was a huge fan of the soup though my husband was not. He felt there was too strong of maybe a sherry flavor? But that’s tastes/opinions for you! He enjoyed the fried shrimp platter and I enjoyed the grilled scallops plate with a salad and their grits with lobster cream sauce. The grits and sauce were delicious and the scallops were perfectly cooked, no tough or chewy pieces at all! The menu is large and varied enough for most everyone to find something to enjoy, we will return to this restaurant on any future visits to Wilmington.By Ashley Jones (6 months ago)We had great service and a decent meal here. The outdoor seating was nice – covered and protected us from the rain while cooling us off with fans. For food, the cheese biscuits were buttery and delicious. The crab dip had some shells in it but tasted pretty good. The seasoning on the fried dishes was quite bland and lacked any salt or flavor, though it was fried well. I’d come back and try again though. The meal was great otherwise!By Samantha Reid (7 months ago)This is a truly local spot, and it was fun to visit. We had an awesome server who was very helpful with menu questions and suggestions. We opted for the outside area, which I would recommend over the main dining room, weather permitting (it’s covered, but open on the sides). Many, many fresh fish options, and about a half-dozen different preparations available. The she crab bisque is quite good, especially with the cheddar biscuits that are served to the table. Good raw bar menu. Nothing fancy here, but a very fun coastal vibe.By Steven Ludwig (2 months ago)I had the pleasure of enjoying this restaurant while visiting Wilmington. The food from appetizers to entree were hot and delicious. Our server was very attentive and since it was a colder day he turnt the outdoor heaters on for us. We had traveled with our puppy and were able to bring him with us on the patio area to enjoy our lunch.By Shannel Woodruff (2 months ago)First time eating here & it turned out to be one of the best seafood restaurants we’ve ever eaten at. The atmosphere was exactly what a seafood place should look like, from the wall decorations to the tables themselves. Very friendly & accommodating staff since we had a larger party with several kids. The menu was perfect without being overwhelming with choices. The grilled shrimp plate with fries & cole slaw was delicious! Portion size was good for the price. I’m not a big tartar sauce guy, but it was very tasty here. We will definitely eat here again when we come back through Wilmington! Great job, folks!By Mike Jones (a year ago)
Something Fishy Seafood
- Address: 3436 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1937)
- Phone: +1 910-395-0909
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Being from Arizona but born and raised in Fayetteville Fort Bragg North Carolina. I forgot how fried food taste, But after eating here I got a great reminder of how good Southern cooking can be. Must have gained 4 to 5 pounds that day alone. Worth every nickel, Again show your family a good time at this place as they are locally owned and operated support local businesses.By Dnice._destinations (4 months ago)okra, hushpuppies, and all seafood was excellent. corn wasn’t ripe yet so was only okay. owners & staff are very conscientious of accommodating gluten-free customers. 9/10!By s c (5 months ago)Good food, great service. Not very diverse. A more elderly crowd. Clean tables and friendly waiters. Adequate parking in a nice clean lot.By Empress One (6 months ago)Just went to something fishy and I purchased oyster platter, husband got the flounder platter and we also wanted to try the famous clam chowder.
The restaurant is very clean, diverse, staff was young polite and enthusiastic about helping us promptly!
The platters were fried to perfection! The classic clam chowder was a potato soup at best. I didn’t see nor taste the class.
The portions were good and good was delicious.By Chillon chambliss (4 months ago)If I could give this place six stars I would. Scallops, shrimp, flounder and fries were excellent. Appreciated the non-wheat, fried in rice flour option for shrimp, Scallops and flounder as well. The ambiance and exterior of this place are very basic. Which apparently allows them to serve high quality seafood at extremely reasonable prices.
Service was also very good.By Craig (4 months ago)
Pilot House Restaurant
- Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (1913)
- Phone: +1 910-343-0200
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
9 of us went to dinner here and had a great experience. Had a great table that let both sides of the table look out to water. We all ordered different drinks and different meals and all enjoyed. Emily out waitress handled us with ease and did a great job. I was jealous of the shrimp and grits and will be back to order for myself soon.By Henry Depew (3 months ago)My boyfriend picked this place and all I can say is he picked a great place. We made dinner reservations for outside seating. Shortly after finishing our appetizers the rain started and our waiter offered to find us a seat inside. We still had a lovely view of the riverfront. I ordered the smaller portion of Shrimp and Grits. What a delightful mixture of flavors. The grit cakes and Collard base mixed with the Andouille sausage and shrimp was truly delightful. We finished off our meal by sharing a slice of key lime pie. I most definitely will return next time I am down in WilmingtonBy Laura Stanberry (4 months ago)Beautiful outdoor dining on the Cape Fear River at Sunset.
We had a very light, chilled bottle of rose. Shared the peasant salad.
For entrees we did the salmon and grouper catch of the day pan seared with rice and veggies. Plus a shrimp with fried grits.
By Jordan Finger (8 months ago)The food crafted here warms my heart. There is love and art in their cooking, you pay for what you get. In this case, amazing food at a larger price, but if you want fine dining, this is the place. Not to mention you overlook the riverfront and the atmosphere is exquisiteBy Hope Solosky (2 months ago)My favorite place along the river with great service, too. Our bartender suggested several fantastic selections & even made a refreshing mock-mojito for our DD. Love their wine list!5/27: Back again today for lunch and had the shrimp & grits. Daughter had fried catfish meal, husband had blackened salmon. Great service and fantastic food. Their shrimp & grits (fried grit cake ) is one of the best I’ve ever had.
By Laura Westover (7 months ago)
Elijah’s
- Address: 2 Ann St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (1790)
- Phone: +1 910-343-1448
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Awesome riverfront location with friendly and prompt service! Food was done to perfection with healthy balance of vegetables and starch. You know when attention is put into the sides, this is as close as the quality of cooking at home as one can get. Yet, this setting is more fun than home kitchen!! Thank you!By S P Fletcher (6 months ago)Overall we had a great experience. We had a party of 14 and at first they told us it was going to be a hour wait because they were short staffed but the hostess went out of her way to ask a server if she would be able to accommodate us and she said us as long as we could wait 15 minutes so she could catch up with the rest of her tables. They weren’t busy but I can understand being short staff, it’s frustrating for any business. Everyone at the table like their food and our server Olivia did a great job. The only complaint was some of the food wasn’t hot when arriving to the table. We didn’t complain and it was warm enough to eat and enjoy.By Reitha Abed (6 months ago)Normally Elijah’s has been one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, but this last visit was a let down. There was no seating outside which was part of the reason for going. We waited over 10 minutes for the server to come to the table. She kept saying she’d be right with us but that meant we felt like perhaps we should try another restaurant. My wife had never been here and I wanted her to experience this place as I had years ago. The food was excellent when it arrived. A bad day at Elijah’s is still better than most restaurants but not what I’ve come to expect from them. We got there at 2pm and lunch service ended at 3pm. Perhaps they were coasting to the break. I expected no less service at the end of lunch than at the start. I’ll modify my expectations going forward.By Ray Morgan (4 months ago)My wife and I have been frequenting this establishment for years and it has remained our favorite restaurant since the 80’s. We’ve taken all our out of town guests to eat here as well as Elijah’s sister restaurant next door The Pilot House and we’ve never been disappointed. Along with the great food and atmosphere, the view of the river front and the colorful sunsets in the evening are just so beautiful and relaxing. Great dinning inside or on the back deck.
On this particular occasion we took my cousin and her husband and we had a great time enjoyed our meals and fellowship. I had shrimp & grits, the only thing wrong was I wanted more😋. My wife had blackened mahi-mahi with shrimp and fettuccine. Our guest had the fish and chips…By michael barnhill (6 months ago)A wonderful waterfront dining experience. Tables are right on the Riverwalk of the Cape Fear River. Upscale menu with delectable options. The Shrimp Po Boy and the Fried Oyster Po Bo were excellent. Well stuffed sandwiches on delectable rolls, made even better with a yummy horseradish sauce. And, free parking out front. We’ll be back.By Charles Jenkin (3 months ago)
Boathouse Restaurant
- Address: 6328 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1743)
Dockside Restaurant
- Address: 1308 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (1581)
Fish House Grill
- Address: 1410 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1513)
The George on the Riverwalk
- Address: 128 S Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (1429)
The Bridge Tender
- Address: 1414 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1051)
Bonefish Grill
- Address: 4719 New Centre Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1039)
Ceviche’s
- Address: 7210 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1020)
Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best seafood restaurants in Wilmington NC. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!
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