Best Seafood in Wilmington NC (2025)
A downtown anchor for seasonal North Carolina seafood led by James Beard finalist Dean Neff. Praised by Southern Living and Forbes for its oyster program and inventive plates; locals line up for the one-dollar oyster hour on Mondays.
Chef Keith Rhodes champions local fisheries with bold coastal cooking. Named one of USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year and frequently cited by regional critics; expect pristine crudo, she-crab soup, and creative Southern-Asian mashups.
Market Street standby where raw and baked oysters, fish over Carolina rice, and changing coastal plates reflect daily catches. Featured by Southern Living; Monday half-price oyster night keeps locals coming.
Old-school Wilmington in the best way, with an oyster bar by the fireplace and fresh-catch boards tied to a family fishing legacy. Covered by Spectrum News and praised by regulars for steamed platters and she-crab soup.
Boat-up staples and fried platters with Intracoastal views define this decades-long hangout. Frequently recommended by regional travel writers; the vibe is pure Wrightsville Beach and the seafood is straightforward and fresh.
Since 1976, a date-night standby beside the drawbridge. Noted by local magazines for its sunset specials; expect refined takes like stuffed flounder, seared tuna, and a timeless crab dip.
Casual waterfront mainstay for blackened fish tacos, crab cake melts, and baskets with lemon‑pepper curly fries. Highlighted in Wilmington Magazine’s alfresco roundups and perched right over Banks Channel.
Locals’ spot since 1997 overlooking Banks Channel, serving grouper, shrimp and grits, and seafood nachos. Praised by local food writers for blending Southern comfort with fresh coastal catches; open daily for that post‑beach appetite.
Market‑to‑plate seafood with steam pots, po’boys, and fried baskets made from the day’s haul. Covered by WilmingtonBiz; posted kitchen hours and multiple markets reflect deep, ongoing ties to local fishermen.
Wilmington’s oldest fish market, now stewarded by Seabird’s Dean Neff. Reported by Eater Carolinas and local news; expect fried shrimp and flounder, low‑country boils, and daily fresh seafood to go.
