Dive into Wrightsville Beach, where the sun always shines, the waves are made to be surfed, and the food scene will make your stomach growl with anticipation.
Although there are only a handful of places to eat in Wrightsville Beach, this coastal gem is known for its high-quality, fresh seafood.
And it’s not just seafood that draws visitors to this area, these restaurants in Wrightsville Beach offer up classic Southern cuisine, tantalizing Latino flavors, and much more.
If you’re hungry and looking to sink your teeth into something delectable, this guide will be your compass to the perfect dining experience in Wrightsville Beach.
Oceanic Restaurant
The Oceanic is the place to go to kickstart your Wrightsville Beach vacation as they are known for their hearty breakfast offerings and brunches. Not only is the food divine, but The Oceanic has the most incredible ocean views.
With contemporary decor and high-end finishes, it could easily be the perfect setting for a date or an evening with friends. On a warm summer evening, be sure to sit outside on the historic Crystal Pier.
Some stand-out items on the menu are the shrimp and grits, which are flavored with Sherry wine, as well as the crab dip and crab soup, and the flounder platter. I also loved the freshness and flavor of the chicken salad and my dad loved his burger.
Eating here and experiencing Wrightsville Beach was a unforgettable moment for my Dad on my parents visit from Australia. He still talks about it months later and says, “there was something so special about Wrightsville.” (We showed them the best of Wilmington on an overnight stay)
The Oceanic Restaurant made our list of one of the best places for shrimp and grits near Raleigh.
- Address: 703 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: oceanicrestaurant.com
Shark Bar and Kitchen
Another fresh ocean-to-table restaurant right on the waterfront is Shark Bar & Kitchen, a locally owned restaurant with a smart casual vibe. It offers delicious meals focusing on current seafood trends but with a Mexican twist.
It’s most well known for its premium oysters on the half shell, fresh ceviches, and sashimi. If seafood isn’t your thing, the Wagyu smash burgers and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches go down a treat.
Our black bean burgers with smashed avo and pico de gallo were simple yet flavorful. And those tater tots – may I have another?
For lighter bites, guests love their tacos and lobster rolls. Don’t forget to wash it all down with one of the legendary margaritas.
- Address: 13 E Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: shark-bar.com
Read more: 20 Best Things to Do in Wilmington, NC (See, Eat, Drink, Stay)
Drift Cafe Wrightsville Beach
When it comes to finding your morning coffee, stop by Drift Cafe, which serves some of the best coffee in Wrightsville Beach. We love their lattes and flat whites!
This beach-themed cafe has ample seating, both indoors and outdoors, and has a good-sized breakfast menu with cooked breakfast and pastries on offer. The breakfast burrito gets rave reviews, and the Nutella French Toast gets a *chef’s kiss* from sweet tooth fans (our daughter loves it!). I love their crispy potato brekkie.
They also have a wide selection of gluten-free and vegan options.
Side note: there is also a lovely branch located in downtown Wilmington. And we are regulars at their Ocean Ise beach location when we visit Brunswick Islands, and they now have a location in Raleigh that we frequent.
- Address: 114 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: driftcoffee.kitchen
King Neptune
For a casual, tavern-style restaurant, head to King Neptune, where you could easily feel comfortable dressing up or rocking up in a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops. Recent renovations have added a touch of style an class though, so dressing up for a special occasion meal is also suitable!
King Neptune is the oldest restaurant in New Hanover County, having opened in 1947, so you could say it’s like the Great Grandfather of restaurants – it certainly feels that way. As soon as you walk through the door, you feel like you’re being taken care of.
Leading the kitchen is Chef Em, a Maryland native who is recognized as one of the most talented seafood chefs in Baltimore. She moved to Wilmington in 2020, where she has worked to bring an elevated quality of seafood dishes to the people of Wrightsville Beach.
We had a wonderful meal here on our most recent Wrightsville beach trip to stay at IHG Lumina Resort and to tour UNC Wilmington with our senior.
Of course, the seafood really shines here – my blackened salmon on sweet potato hash with acorn squash puree was delicious. Some of the most beloved dishes are the chicken and waffles, bacon-covered scallops, and the grits. Come by on Sunday for a jazz brunch! It is on the pricey side, and kids
- Address: 11 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: neptuneswb.com
Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
It’s not all seafood in Wrightsville Beach, the Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill is all about Latino flavors and spicy Mexican flare. It’s possibly the most recommended place to eat in Wrightsville from our community – it suits all styles and budgets and is the beach casual you’re looking for.
The salsa is sizzling, the fajitas are fiery and the fish tacos are tantalizing. Wash it all down with a tangy margarita and you’re on to a good night. (My veggie tostada was sensational and the guacamole delicious!)
We love how you immediately feel at home when you walk into Tower 7. It could be because of the surf decor and beach-themed decor, which reminds us of our home in Australia.
On our most recent trip, we noticed that have a breakfast burrito grab an go window!
- Address: 4 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: tower7.com
Platypus and Gnome
Located between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, Platypus and Gnome is a classic, homey restaurant with a New American menu specializing in exotic meats.
If you’re a meat eater, you’ll be blown away by the options – elk, wild boar, rabbit, bison, duck, ostrich…even kangaroo! We loved the uniqueness of their food and was surprised at how delicious everything was. We dined here when they were located in Downtown Wilmington, happy to see they are now near the beach.
Despite being meat-heavy, there are some healthy options on the menu too. There’s a good selection of salads and a good selection of gluten-free options. I LOVED the very extensive gluten free options they had – almost every item on the menu could be adapted.
Craig and I ordered the two most popular items on the menu: The elk burger and the ostrich sandwich. Kalyra was happy with her juicy Bacon Bacon burger.
Got kids? There’s a small kid’s menu with burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
- Address: 7205 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28405
- Website: platypusandgnome.com
Ceviche’s Rum Bar and Restaurant
Across the road from Platypus and Gnome is Ceviche’s, a Panamanian seafood restaurant offering a Latin twist of traditional seafood dishes.
This restaurant may be small and operating out of a wooden beach house, but you sure won’t miss it! The vibrant yellow colors and the toucan mural on the side make this restaurant stand out in the residential area where it’s housed.
And it’s not just the decor that stands out too. The dishes are packed with bold flavors, and the perfect level of spice – they even have a separate gluten-free menu, WITH gluten free calamari #sohappy!. You will not want to leave without eating their Spanish beignet (a treat for our girls) and a mezcal margarita treat for adults)
This is definitely one of our favorite Wrightsville beach restaurants for its unique style and flavors. It’s perfect for a date night, although we also dined here with our kids.
People love the coconut rice, ceviches, and ropa vieja options.
- Address: 7210 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403,
- Website: wbceviche.com
Poe’s Tavern
Another great place to go for something other than seafood is Poe’s Tavern, a gastropub named after the poet Edgar Alan Poe. It specializes in ground in-house hamburgers, fish tacos, and pub fare like sandwiches and salads.
The vibe feels like a rural countryside English tavern. We love the exposed beam ceilings, wooden furnishes, stone brick walls, and gold-hanging lighting.
A standout feature is the Edgar Alan Poe mural painted on the wall. If you’re not familiar with Poe, head to the restrooms to read some of his poetry on the bathroom wall.
Aside from the quirky theme, guests love the mahi mahi tacos, crab cakes, and bacon coleslaw. Their juicy burgers were a stand out for us!
- Address: 212 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: poestavern.com
Bluewater Waterfront Grill
Just a stone’s throw away from Poe’s Tavern overlooking the Motts Channel is the Bluewater Waterfront Grill, a seafood and steak house that has a lively, energetic vibe.
The food is all ocean-to-plate, serving the freshest catch of the day. The seasonal menu focuses on whatever is bountiful that season, whether it be seafood or from local farms in North Carolina.
Some of the most popular dishes are shrimp and grits, crab dip, and seafood lasagne. This is the only restaurant on the list we haven’t eaten at, but it comes highly recommended by our community. Next trip to Wrightsville, I promise!
- Address: 4 Marina St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: bluewaterdining.com
South Beach Grill
Another waterfront restaurant overlooking the Banks Channel is South Beach Grill, a homey and relaxed restaurant serving Southern-inspired cuisine.
Everything is sourced locally, either by land or sea, and focused on regional cuisine.
We love the outdoor patio which has views of the channel.
Some of the most popular dishes are the Grouper Linda (encrusted grouper), sweet potato flounder, and calamari. They also have a good selection of gluten-free items on the menu. Craig enjoyed grilled shrimp tacos, and my meal – the fresh catch of the day over the Bless Your Heart Salad was fresh, light and flavorful.
- Address: 100 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: southbeachgrillwb.com
Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Wrightsville Beach Brewery is located jut a seven minute drive from the beach and is a favored place to eat in the Wilmington and beaches area.
This hip and happening brewery is always buzzing, with every table both inside and outside full on Saturday afternoons and Thursday evenings when there is weekly live music. There are also live bands playing on the first Tuesday of every month and every other Sunday.
As well as serving up their own homemade craft beer, with up to 11 options to choose from, you can also get some delicious pub fare such as wings burgers, shrimp and grits, and more.
They are well known for their delicious pizzas with creative toppings like crab cake, chile infused honey drizzle, and sauteed oysters. And they have gluten free pizzas!!
We love the beer garden in the summer, and paired with live music, it’s the perfect way to end a relaxing beach day.
- Address: 6201 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
- Website: wbbeer.com
Four Corners Wrightsville Beach
Four Corners Wrightsville Beach is a beloved local spot located right at the heart of the action, only a five minute drive to the beach. Known for its laid-back, welcoming vibe, it’s the perfect casual hangout after a day spent soaking up the sun. We only discovered it recently on our UNCW visit.
Their original location is on Franklin St Chapel Hill and was created to be a premier destination for casual dining and the Carolina sports experience. Now that vibe has been brought to Carolina beachgoers.
From satisfying burgers, sandwiches, and fries to to fresh salads, seafood and tasty wings, Four Corners serves up generous portions that won’t break the bank. It’s also a great spot to grab a cold drink, with plenty of beer and soda options to quench your post-beach thirst.
We loved how easy and relaxed the atmosphere is here, how tasty the food was, and their expansive patio section.
- Address: 2025 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
- Website: fourcornerswb.com/
Waterman’s Brewing
Waterman’s Brewing is a local gem in Wrightsville Beach, offering a relaxed coastal vibe, flavorful food, and top-notch craft beer. Located just a short drive from the beach, it’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors looking to unwind after a day in the sun. (We fueled up here on our way back to Raleigh after a day trip to Wrightsville Beach)
This brewery and restaurant serves up a variety of their own house-brewed beers, with styles ranging from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs. The menu is packed with elevated pub fare and coastal-inspired dishes, including fresh seafood, juicy burgers, and creative salads. Don’t miss their popular shrimp tacos or the signature Waterman’s Pretzel bits with beer cheese—perfect for pairing with a pint.
We loved the welcoming atmosphere here, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options, including a spacious patio that’s dog-friendly. Live music and weekly events add to the fun, making Waterman’s Brewing a great place to relax with friends and family.
- Address: 1610 Pavilion Pl, Wilmington, NC 28403
- Website: watermansbrewing.com
Adapt Kitchen and Juice Bar
Adapt Kitchen and Juice Bar is the ultimate spot in Wrightsville Beach for a quick, nutritious, and energizing breakfast to kick-start your day. Conveniently located close to the beach, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors looking to fuel up before hitting the waves or exploring the area.
This vibrant café focuses on health-conscious, fresh, and flavorful options that cater to a variety of dietary preferences. From smoothie bowls loaded with fruit, granola, and superfoods to wraps, avocado toast, and fresh-pressed juices, Adapt offers something for everyone. They also have protein-packed shakes and energy bars that are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast.
We loved the Bronze Eagle smoothie, Blue Majik Smoothie Bowl and their smashed avo toast (made just like we do in Australia)—it’s a tasty way to stay fueled for a full day of adventures. The bright, inviting space and friendly staff make it a pleasure to pop in, whether you’re dining in or taking your breakfast to the beach.
- Address: 32 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Website: adaptkitchenjuicebar.com
Map of the Best Restaurants in Wrightsville Beach, NC
You may find this 2 day itinerary of Wrightsville Beach our travel blog helpful. If you’re headed to Wilmington, here is a list of our favorite places to eat there.
Need a place to stay in Wrightsville?
Nothing says happy vacation more than beachside accommodation. Wrightsville ha a lot of vacation rentals on offer, but we also love the following two hotels:
Use the map to find other places to stay in Wrightsville Beach.
Do you have any favorite places to eat in Wrightsville Beach?
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not sure why you didn’t include G Prime in your list of suggested eating places.?
Because we haven’t heard of it! Thanks for letting us know about another Wrightsville Beach restaurant to try