Best Restaurants on the Cape Fear Coast of North Carolina

When vacationing it is not all about the food, but it is definitely at least somewhat about the food. The Cape Fear Coast area of North Carolina offers beachfront cafes, upscale eateries inside historic buildings and casual family style joints. North Carolina coastal restaurants serve up plenty of fresh seafood harnessing the efforts of local fisherman into tantalizing dishes. Pull up a chair and sample cuisine from around the world. Browse the individual restaurant website for seasonal menus and current discount coupons.

Wilmington

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits specializes in seafood, offering a wide array of appetizers and entrees. Appetizers include fried goat cheese medallion, fried calamari and crab cocktail. Entrees include seared Atlantic salmon, rack of lamb, grilled scallops wrapped in bacon and Yellowfin tuna. The wine list encompasses nearly 50 varieties of budget friendly and top label wines. The restaurant also offer catering services and referrals for entertainment and floral providers for special events. Jerry's serves both lunch and dinner.

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits
7220 Wrightsville Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-256-8847

Big Thai, located in downtown Wilmington serves traditional Thai cuisine during lunch and dinner hours. Menu items include roasted duck basted with red curry sauce, pot stickers comprised of shrimp, chicken and curry sauce, grilled lamb and calamari. Side dishes include a variety of noodle and rice dishes. A vegetarian menu is also available. Dessert items include coconut cake, sticky rice smothered in sweet coconut sauce and mango ice cream.

Big Thai
1001 N. Fourth St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-763-3035

The George on the Riverwalk offers dock and dine" service for guest convenience. Menu offerings include classic southern cuisine and fresh seafood during lunch and dinner hours. Patrons can select to relax indoor, or opt to have a meal in the outdoor seating area and watch the passing boats. A full bar and a children's menu are also available.

The George on the Riverwalk
128 S. Water St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-763-2052

Olympia Restaurant serves Greek cuisine and is located along the riverfront district of the city. The restaurant offers a full bar, rental party room and complimentary wireless Internet access. Specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, popular menu items include shrimp Saganaki, Olympia crab dip, smoked salmon, scallops, Gyro loin chops and shrimp kabobs. Both lunch and dinner are served daily.

Olympia Restaurant
5659 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-796-9636

El Cerro Grande serves Mexican cuisine in a casual environment. Entrees include tortillas, Chalupa, enchiladas, burritos and Chimichangas. Side dishes offered include refried beans, nachos, and guacamole salad. Steak, seafood and vegetarian options are also include on the restaurant menu. Dessets include traditional Mexican sweets such as flan, fried ice-cream and churros. Both lunch and dinner are served daily. The restaurant bar offers domestic and Mexican beers, wine, and margaritas.

El Cerro Grande
5120 S. College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412
910-790-8727

Caffe Phoenix is located in a restored 1899 building in downtown. The restaurant offer Mediterranean cuisine. Local artists share space on the walls of the dining area. The artwork rotates every six weeks with each changing of the wall hangings celebrated by a reception for both the artist and the public. Menu items include focaccia pizza, panini sandwiches, seafood Risotto, spinach lasagna and a prk tenderloin "Phoenix" platter. The house specialty, shrimp and grits is popular throughout the Carolinas. This Wilmington restaurant serves both lunch and dinner.

Caffe Phoenix
9 S. Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-343-1395

Wrightsville Beach

Bluewater Waterfront Grill offers waterfront dining along the Intracoastal Waterway. Patrons can enjoy views of the setting sun in the outdoor eating area or inside the dining hall. A full bar and carry out meals are also available. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner. Menu items include roasted prime rib, char-broiled steak, crab cakes, and oven-roasted fish. If you are in the mood for something sweet to cap off a meal, try the restaurant's signature Caribbean fudge pie.

22 North provides sustenance and libations for lunch, dinner and late night diners. This restaurant won "Best Overall Taste" honors during the 2010 Peoples Choice Awards for the Wilmington area. The menu is a fusion of "Lower Cape Fear" seafood entrees, classic French fare and traditional Creole cuisine. Sans a paper menu, guests select their meals from blackboard. Menu items change daily to accommodate the creative desires of the chef and the "catch of the day" delivered by local fishermen.

22 North
22 North Lumina Ave.
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
910-509-0177

The Trolley Stop hot dogs and sides just a few feet from Wrightsville Beach. Grab a table inside the small, yet air-conditioned dining area, or enjoy the sunshine on the outdoor patio. The restaurant serves lunch daily.

Trolley Stop
94 S. Lumina Ave.
Wrightsbille Beach, NC 28480
910-256-3421

Oceanic offers views of Masonboro Island and waves breaking against Wrightsville Beach. Guests can reserve a private dining experience on the third floor, or book the area for a group gathering. The restaurant serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The menu centers around seafood entrees and "surf and turf" platters.

Oceanic
703 S. Lumina Ave.
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
910-256-5551

Port Land Grille offers a casual dining experience in an elegant atmosphere. Meals are prepared from locally grown produce and meat over a wood-fired grill. Diners can expect frequent menu changes to accommodate the daily catch. Menu items include entrees made from free-range lamb, antelope, veal and buffalo. Ingredients used to enhance the main dishes include heirloom vegetables and fruits frown along North Carolina's coast. For dessert try the house specialty, coconut layer cake with a rich pistachio glaise.

Port Land Grille
1908 Eastwood Dr.
Wilmington , NC 28403
910- 256-6056

Kure Beach

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill specializes in fresh seafood and coastal inspired cuisine. Menu items include seafood penne, grilled scallops, crab cakes, clam chowder and fried calamari. Appetizers and side dished include a hummus platter, buffalo shrimp, crab dip, bacon wrapped scallops and Sashimi. Not a seafood fan? No problem, select from the steak menu which includes rib-eye, filet Mignon and grilled sirloin steaks. A children's menu and weekly Wednesday specials offer discount dining options. Both lunch and dinner area served daily.

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill
113 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
910-458-7668

Big Daddy's Restaurant, while recognized mainly for seafood, also serves a host of "just off the grill" steak options as well. Children both young and old will delight with the on-site candy. A Kure Beach artifacts displays features photos, toys and beach memorabilia. Menu items include Alaskan snow crab, barbecue ribs, t-bone steak, crab cakes, fish steaks, lobster and crab legs.

Big Daddy's Restaurant
206 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
910-458-8622

Freddies Oceanside Grill offers a lively bar and restaurant with nods to Italian and Irish influences. The pub area serves appetizers and top shelf alcoholic beverages while the music floats through the air. Menu items include lasagna, veal Marsala, eggplant Parmigana, steaks, shrimp ravioli, chicken Florentine, chicken scampi, shrimp alfredo, spaghetti and white clam sauce over penne pasta.

Freddies Oceanside Grill
111 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
910-468-5979