La Duna Paradiso

This is a must visit dining experience if you are lucky enough to be in Wrightsville Beach Area. I had heard about the renovation of the hotel and restaurant after Marriott bought the Blockade Runner. We got a 6pm seating on a Saturday night and I can tell you it was easily the best dining experience I've had this year. We had a kale ceaser salad to start and split it easily..dressing was amazing. Our entrees were the roasted Chilean Sea Bass and the Spaghetti and Crab. Both were amazing and the portions were generous. We finished with an Olive Oil cake and Gelato. The meal was a value considering the view (see the pictures) at the golden hour nonetheless! Our waitress had a trainee under wing and they both spoiled us silly. They knew the menu and skillfully guided me towards our choices for which I was grateful. I had never been to this hotel and had never eaten here but I know I will be back.

Delightful evening dining outside! Feeling like a tourists!! Meal was delicious! The Waitstaff were very polite! Weather was amazing! Very comfortable atmosphere! And not loud! Great for conversation!

La Duna Paradiso is a great spot for breakfast. The avocado toast was really good—fresh and flavorful. If it’s not too hot, definitely sit outside. It’s a nice setup and a great way to start the day.

La Duna Paradiso delivered an outstanding dinner that exceeded our expectations. We began with the kale salad and focaccia bread - both excellent starters. The salad was perfectly fresh with just the right amount of dressing, never overwhelming the greens. The focaccia was warm and fresh, creating a nice complement to the lighter salad. For entrees, I ordered the bucatini carbonara, which completely won me over despite not typically being drawn to Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection with an ideal texture, and the dish managed to be rich and satisfying without feeling heavy. The crispy pancetta added wonderful smokiness and depth of flavor throughout. The real star of the evening was my wife's halibut - easily one of the best fish dishes we've had in Wilmington. The fish itself was flawlessly executed with beautifully crispy skin, but what made it extraordinary was how all the components worked together. The eggplant and olive caponata, buttered polenta, charred broccolini, and pancetta just created a symphony of flavors that elevated the entire plate. The only minor disappointment was the cocktail program. The honeysuckle soirée was underwhelming - served in a glass that felt barely half-full even with the large ice cube, and the drink itself was quite strong without the smoothness to balance it out. Despite the cocktail hiccup, this was a fantastic dining experience overall. It's exciting to see such a talented, decorated chef bringing this level of culinary excellence to Wilmington. La Duna Paradiso is definitely going on our regular rotation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Service was exceptional and amazing! They were so happy and well versed on the selections and drinks! Food was great- we were blown away by the breads and seafood entrees!! We will be back and send others! Also hotel renovation looks awesome too!

If you haven’t tried La Dina Paradiso - you need to add it to your “must enjoy” list. Food was delicious with a great presentation, the ambiance of the restaurant is very classy and with a wonderful view and steps from the beach. Our server Grant was very polite, had wonderful food & wine suggestions - we will definitely request him again. Although we did not have a reservation, Matt the Manager, was very accommodating and gracious to seat our party. Wonderful experience for our family.

A Memorable Culinary Experience at La Duna Paradiso From the moment we arrived, La Duna Paradiso delivered a top-tier dining experience. The atmosphere was elegant yet welcoming, perfectly capturing the coastal charm of Wrightsville Beach. The star of the night was undoubtedly the chef, whose attention to detail and creativity were evident in every dish. Each plate was a work of art—beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. It’s clear the kitchen is led by someone passionate and exceptionally talented. Equally impressive were our two waitresses, Jessica and Michelle. Their service was warm, attentive, and seamless from start to finish. They made us feel truly cared for, striking the perfect balance of professionalism and friendly hospitality. looking forward to flying in the month of June just for the Red Snapper! You will not be disappointed!!! The Chef has talented flavor!

Our team dinner at La Duna Paradiso this past Monday was an absolutely perfect evening, and it was made truly special by our server, Elle. We ate outside on the patio, and listening to the waves crash on the beach behind us throughout the night was wonderful. From the moment we sat down, Elle’s warmth and expertise were on full display. She was a master at anticipating our needs, checking in at just the right moments to ensure we were comfortable without ever feeling rushed. What really set her apart was her deep knowledge of the menu. She patiently answered all of our specific questions and helped us curate a list of dishes and beverages that perfectly suited our small group. Every single one of her recommendations was a hit. The Octopus Carpaccio was tender and delicate and the Diver Scallop Crudo was light and delicious. The Burrata was so tasty, and the House Focaccia had an unanticipated but welcomed crunch on top and excellent flavor. For our mains, the Chicken al Mattone was crispy on the outside and incredibly moist and flavorful on the inside, and the Tagliata di Manzo was cooked to perfection, each bite more delicious than the last. Beyond her professional excellence, Elle was genuinely kind and engaging. We enjoyed chatting with her about her own life and interests, and her willingness to share when we asked her questions made us feel like we had made a new friend by the time we left. It’s rare to find someone who not only provides flawless service but also adds such a personal and memorable touch to the dining experience. Thank you, Elle, and thank you, La Duna Paradiso, for a truly exceptional meal and a night we won’t forget. We will be back!

We went here for the first time for my birthday dinner and it was Britton's first time serving....you would have thought he was 5 years in. AMAZING service!!!! Definitely coming back!!!

I must admit that our experience with the service was disappointing our first visit to the restaurant. However the food was good enough to bring us back and were we glad to come back. Our second visit provided us the opportunity to have the pleasure of meeting Britton and to be impressed by his exceptional service! 10 out of 10. David the food and beverage director also stopped by the table and was very delightful, we told him the playlist and lighting was perfect. Will recommend to all of our friends and family! La Duna Paradiso is a VIBE!

We came in for breakfast since we are staying at the hotel. It's trendy and beautiful view of the grounds. We came in around 9am... Several people were waiting on a table and the restaurant was empty. Maybe people go into town? Overall, the service was slow. We enjoyed our food but portions are big. Highly recommend ordering the banana bread. 2-4 people could have shared it! So come hungry or plan on sharing.

Made reservations online for a Saturday at 5pm. No parking in their parking lot. They do have valet, but we just parked on the street metered parking and paid for the max 2 hours ($10.50 with convenience fee). High chairs and booster seats are available. Atmosphere and decor were nice. Did not see a baby changing table in the women's bathroom. Bread and pasta are made in house. We started with the bruschetta and burrata appetizers. Both were good enough, not amazing. In the bruschetta appetizer, it's not your typical bruschetta you would think of. Couldn't taste the rosemary in the rosemary focaccia bread. There was nothing "blistered" about the " blistered heirloom tomatoes" as listed on the menu. They were huge fresh firm tomatoes. Not sure where the "miso" comes in for the miso toast in the burrata appetizer, but I liked the rye bread. For entrées, we had the Bolognese and Cavatelli con rapini. Both were good. I've had better Bolognese elsewhere though. Cavatelli was very garlicky, in a pesto like sauce. For dessert, they gave me a complimentary gelato for my birthday. I could choose the flavor, one of them was chocolate chip, and another was espresso. Went with the espresso, which was good, but not the smoothest. Also tried the cheesecake, which was good. After dinner, we walked around their pretty lawn area behind the restaurant and onto the beach. Saw a bunny in their lawn. It was nice they had a water hose to hose off the sand from your legs and feet. Extra star for the nice scenery indoors/outdoors and beach access. Overall, the food was alright. If I did come back another time, I would look into trying the valet.

Probably the most bland fries and smash burger ever, no seasoning.. cool atmosphere to sit outdoors but food could be better. The service was quick and it's a cute spot

Hidden gem on Wrightsville Beach! Enjoyed a fantastic meal. Great views and attentive service.

We were skeptical about this new restaurant, and it wasn't perfect. But everything is fixable, and I had one of the best plates of food I've eaten in a long time. The halibut with eggplant and olive capponata, grilled broccolini, and polenta was utterly delicious. Perfectly cooked fish, which with halibut is nearly impossible. Seasonings were spot on. The manager is professional and experienced. Our server was delightful. This is not a fancy place, but the quality of the food and the obvious interest in doing a good job makes this a really nice addition to Wilmington area and Wrightsville Beach options. Other than the fire alarm going off twice during our meal, we had an enjoyable evening!

The food was spectacular as well as the service. Why 4 stars and not 5? Everything is made from scratch apart from the pasta. The chef and her pasta sauces are too good to not have homemade noodles. It is like having a Ferrari with a 4 Cylinder engine rather than a V12. Fresh homemade pasta please to highlight the Chef's talent.