University Area & Eastwood Road
This area is mostly homes rented to college students, new home owners, or those who want to be a close bike ride to the beach. There are 1,000’s of homes that can be or are in the process of being flipped, this is a very fast growing area because of it. Restaurants, coffee shops and retail spaces are opening up all along this area.
RESTAURANTS
Blue Surf Cafe
A casual café, with healthy choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything on their menu is fresh and good for you and absolutely the best coffee to get your morning going.
K-38 Baja Grill
Cali inspired fish tacos, burritos, salads, enchiladas, and more. The Tacos are just as famous as the fresh Margaritas! A great, buzzing atmosphere, somewhere to enjoy with the family, friends, or a date night!
Naked Fin Poke
French cuisine served in a classic brick building, including an upstairs bar that’s popular with the post-theater crowd. Caprice is perfect for romantic evenings out, or just a little something different and refreshingly elevated.
The Original Salt Works
The Original Salt Works has been serving the Wilmington area classic southern comfort food for over 35 years. Cash only restaurant.
Mamma Lucias
Customers will find many Italian-American staples on Mamma Lucia’s menu along with more traditional Italian dishes such as spaghetti al cartoccio with scallops, shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams in a white wine sauce and steak pizzaiola, an eight-ounce filet topped with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms and homemade marinara sauce.
Johnny Lukes
Good eats, good drinks, and great times is what Johnny Lukes Kitchen Bar is all about! Johnny Lukes Kitchen Bar serves Wilmington, NC a variety of 19 craft beers on tap, a hand selected eclectic wine list, fun cocktails, and of course exceptional food!
P.T.'s Olde Fashioned Grill
A local chain serving some of the best burgers, sandwiches, and hand-cut fries. Nothing beats a P.T.’s Burger and fries with a nice glass of freshly made lemonade.
Indochine
Take a trip into the orient. Visit their lotus pond, enjoy company in one of the Thai huts, or just have a quiet dinner in the exquisite dining room. Ultimately, you'll enjoy the finest Thai-Vietnamese cuisine in a beautifully decorated environment.
Hieronymous Seafood
The experience that you will have at Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is uniquely Wilmington, North Carolina. Their specialty is Cape Fear cuisine, including fresh local seafood, fresh vegetables, and local craft beer.
BEER AND WINE
Waterman's Brewing
Conveniently located just before the bridge to Wrightsville Beach, Waterman's Brewing Company offers a rotating selection of craft brews, ciders, as well as lunch, brunch, dinner and more featuring seafood selections like a Low Country Boil and traditional pub favorites.
Mad Mole Brewing
Friends and co-workers Martin de Jongh, Ole Pederson, Chris Worden, and Thomas Varnum are partners in Mad Mole Brewing. Ole and Martin have been homebrewing for the better part of the past decade and wanted to share their passion for beer. They are looking forward to bringing more great beer to Wilmington.
Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Wrightsville Beach Brewery serves up fresh, local seafood and craft beer in their brewpub and beer garden from 11-10:00 everyday. Curbside pickup available.
The Brewers Kettle
The Brewer's Kettle is a Wilmington oasis for craft beers, fine wine and vast selection of cigars. Located in an old 1950's service station, they offer guests a relaxing place to stop by with friends, grab a few drinks and enjoy the finer things in life, like seasonally crafted rare beers brewed right here in Wilmington.. they carry bottles, drafts, and singles. The inside has cozy seats, stools and tables. The outside has a relaxing patio for those hot summer days.
Wilmington Brewing Company
Homegrown from a small homebrew shop to a 11,800 sqft facility, Wilmington Brewing Company is excited to serve you fresh local beer straight from the tank to your glass. Located right in the middle of Wilmington, WBC includes a 3bbl and 25bbl brewery, tasting room, and a homebrew supply store.
Panacea Brewing Company
Get on the booch bus! Local craft kombucha and beer brewery offering delicious live probiotic fermented beverages and vegan eats. Taproom and restaurant open 11 AM - 8 PM daily!
COFFEE SHOPS AND SWEETS
Drift Coffee and Kitchen
A vibrant coffee cafe taking a fresh, new approach to the food and coffee experience in Wilmington. This is their second location, Autumn Hall. The bright, open design is accented by natural elements and modern lighting. The shop bears a neighborhood vibe with front and back entry-ways, outdoor seating, and tree-lined sidewalks extending to one of Wilmingtons traditional coastal communities: Autumn Hall.
Social Supply Coffee
Their mission: to serve & to love others through coffee. They are dedicated to giving back to local and global non-profits through our business. Their passion comes from a desire to connect people for a common good.
Tap Tea Bar
A bubble tea bar full of flavor and variety. The boba(tapioca) are always made fresh. A fan favorite are the poppers that you can customize and add to any tea. The Frostea (made with local organic ice cream) is a decadent treat. It's a great place to hang out with friends, too.
SHOPPING
Blue Moon Gift Shop
Voted 'Best Gift Shop' in Wilmington year after year! Over 100 artisans, retailers and entrepreneurs fill over 8,500 square feet of Blue Moon Gift Shops making it a shopping destination since 1999.
The Ivy Cottage
Providing an array of quality consignments, The Ivy Cottage has consistently been voted "Best in Wilmington" by Encore and Star News for over 21 years. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this family-owned gem is a ‘must-see’ if you’re just passing through.
17th St Surf Shop
A family and woman-owned business. They carry clothing, jewelry & accessories of other women-owned brands and companies that give back. Their selection offers a variety of unique items for women of all ages.
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS
Longwave Yoga
Their yoga classes are based on vinyasa sequencing, where the body and breath move together, reflecting the ebb and flow of life. In addition to vinyasa classes, the studio schedule includes diverse offerings such as yin yoga, restorative yoga, alignment-based yoga, and Seaside and standup paddleboard yoga.
Tidal Creek Co-op
Tidal Creek Co-op is unique. It’s a place to buy the groceries you need to nurture your family, while being part of creating a healthier future for our community and our planet. Tidal Creek provides the most complete shopping option for people in the Greater Wilmington community interested in pursuing a healthy lifestyle and conscious of where their dollars are being spent.
Sealevel City Vegan Diner
Sealevel City is great because it provides only vegan options, meaning you'll never have to guess if a menu item is safe for you. Their menu is pretty extensive, covering several nationalities. Prices are pretty fair, too.