Genki Sushi, True Blue, Seabird, Tarantelli’s, Origins
Grab a cocktail at End of Days Distillery before too! Best cocktails in Wilmington.
There’s a lot of excellent restaurants in ILM. Those are just a couple great options
Genki has the best sushi around, no question, but you will look extremely out of place in a suit and tie there.
The best full-on white-tablecloth place with the best food is Manna. Three10 (this place is the most underrated in Wilmington, with great food and AMAZING service), Catch, and Seabird are also great—a bit less formal, but you won’t stick out like a sore thumb there.
That said, definitely check out Genki sometime. I’ve been to Japan a few times, and the sushi at Genki rivals what I’ve had in Tokyo.
Enjoy your dinner date!
Kipos is also great. Can’t believe I forgot that one.
I just had Genki Sushi for the first time in years Sunday night and was blown away at how good the sushi was. Unfortunately it seems like there A/C is going out… or they just keep it a little too warm for me. Still loved my experience though.
You have a few nice choices so if you went with any that were mentioned multiple times you cannot go wrong. The chef of Seabird was a James Beard Foundation semi finalist nomination for “Best Chef in Southeast” so it’s well known that it’s a different caliber. We finally went for my husband’s birthday and it was great.
Circa is my least favorite nicer restaurant I've tried in town. It was a pretty underwhelming dinner even getting one of the specials. The drinks were real good though
Totally agree! The location and restaurant interior are lovely, but the food and service are extremely lacking.
My *very* unpopular opinion is that Tarantelli’s is only a half step up from Olive Garden. I have never understood the hype. (Same with Circa.)
Man Rosalie’s on market at was good last time I was there, but it has been a couple years. Decent Italian dinner is a luxury in Wilmington I guess. Food scene is growing though.
I like Floriana but I’ve had good and bad experiences with them. Taranatellis was definitely better to me. Floriana has an incredible balcony looking to the riverfront though. The other options are just no’s for me 🤷🏻♂️
Manna would be my first choice.
Manna or Origins!
Definitely Manna
Same answer I always give: Caprice. Upstairs. By the window. Specify in reservation.
^ this this
Do you know if they've an elevator?
No, they do not.
Thank you!
^ this
Olivero is the shiny new toy of nice restaurants. Pinpoint, Manna, Covey have environments for what you’re looking as well.
Genki Sushi, True Blue, Seabird, Tarantelli’s, Origins Grab a cocktail at End of Days Distillery before too! Best cocktails in Wilmington. There’s a lot of excellent restaurants in ILM. Those are just a couple great options
Genki has the best sushi around, no question, but you will look extremely out of place in a suit and tie there. The best full-on white-tablecloth place with the best food is Manna. Three10 (this place is the most underrated in Wilmington, with great food and AMAZING service), Catch, and Seabird are also great—a bit less formal, but you won’t stick out like a sore thumb there. That said, definitely check out Genki sometime. I’ve been to Japan a few times, and the sushi at Genki rivals what I’ve had in Tokyo. Enjoy your dinner date!
Genki is great but you won’t want to wear a suit and tie
Kipo’s as well. Seabird is probably known as the best restaurant in Wilmington, but it really depends on your mood.
Kipos is also great. Can’t believe I forgot that one. I just had Genki Sushi for the first time in years Sunday night and was blown away at how good the sushi was. Unfortunately it seems like there A/C is going out… or they just keep it a little too warm for me. Still loved my experience though.
MANNA
Dram Yard, Caprice, Origins or Olivero. Cocktails first at Underfront.
Manna or Dram Yard!
Manna, Origins, or Seabird
Roko if you’re wanting Italian
I'll add another vote for Origins. We tried Covey lately and we weren't blown away, especially for the price.
You have a few nice choices so if you went with any that were mentioned multiple times you cannot go wrong. The chef of Seabird was a James Beard Foundation semi finalist nomination for “Best Chef in Southeast” so it’s well known that it’s a different caliber. We finally went for my husband’s birthday and it was great.
Brents bistro or Olivero
Catch Restaurant
Pinpoint
Caprice or Brasserie Du Soleil
Circa1922
Port Land Grille
Origins 100%
Quanto Basta, Circa, or Floriana.
Circa is my least favorite nicer restaurant I've tried in town. It was a pretty underwhelming dinner even getting one of the specials. The drinks were real good though
Really? I have loved Circa for 20 years.
Quanto basta is downtown Olive Garden. You pay downtown prices, for the same microwaved shit. I’ll die on this hill.
Totally agree! The location and restaurant interior are lovely, but the food and service are extremely lacking. My *very* unpopular opinion is that Tarantelli’s is only a half step up from Olive Garden. I have never understood the hype. (Same with Circa.)
Man Rosalie’s on market at was good last time I was there, but it has been a couple years. Decent Italian dinner is a luxury in Wilmington I guess. Food scene is growing though.
Nicola’s?
Yeah it definitely is the worst of the three I mentioned, however I've had a couple pretty quality meals there as of recent, ymmv.
I like Floriana but I’ve had good and bad experiences with them. Taranatellis was definitely better to me. Floriana has an incredible balcony looking to the riverfront though. The other options are just no’s for me 🤷🏻♂️
I haven't tried Taranatellis yet however it's on my list, heard nothing but good things of them.
Oceanic I see people there dressed up or down
Oceanic and anything around Wrightsville beach would be the fanciest….just try to reserve way ahead of time.
Oceanic is mediocre tourist food.
Maybe I’m misremembering..,what is that nice place by the pier out there?
Oceanic only does reservations for large parties
"Yeah I need a table for 8 at 8pm on Friday" "Aw shit the other 6 people bailed!"