Wilmington’s dining scene continues to expand at a breathtaking pace. The city and surrounding areas not only benefit from the yearly tourism boom associated with nearby beach towns like Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, but New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties are among the fastest-growing in the state in terms of permanent residents. With that growth has come a renaissance in the ILM dining and bar scene, with a trend towards more diverse cuisine and year-round restaurants that aren’t totally dependent on tourists. Even other parts of North Carolina are starting to pay attention, with Wilmington outposts of Triangle spots like Bull City Ciderworks and Ponysaurus Brewing, Greensboro’s Cugino Forno pizzeria, and Asheville’s Hi-Wire Brewing.
While our Essential Wilmington Restaurants Map covers some of the pillars of the restaurant scene, the Heatmap will track some of the hottest new restaurants and bars that have opened recently and is updated continuously (so send us your tips). From high-end, locally sourced seafood to brewpubs with modern beach vibes, the Port City is poised to be one of the most exciting places in the Carolinas to dine for years to come.
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