The Bridge Tender

Great spot to eat on the Intracoastal. You can sit indoors or outside on the patio. They have amazing seafood and the service is always high end and you are treated like royalty. Each of the entrees include 2 sides and the portions are great. This is a great romantic date night or treating family in town to a nice dinner.

I loved going to this restaurant but when I reserved a table last weekend for dinner with my son and fiancé from Chicago it turned out to be a great disappointment.. Our our brussel sprouts appetizer came with hard raw brussel sprouts (nut cut up) with the ends still attached and warm cheese sauce over top. We could hardly eat them. And my dinner came with Broccoli, not steamed or cooked but huge raw tops. This place is a little pricey for raw vegetables that you can get at any grocery store. Not wanting to make a scene at the restaurant in front of my family, I called later to let the general manager know the situation. He proceeded to tell me I should’ve said something while there and made no other apologies. When the food goes down the people leave! Unfortunately this place is at that stage! Also the key lime pie looked like a slice of volcano. Weirdest pie I have ever seen and tasted strange too with a hard thin crust. See pic. I never usually write bad reviews but felt I need to let others know before they experience what I experienced. Very disappointed!!

Our server tonight was Nichole. She was super friendly, attended to all our needs before we even looked for her. She is a true gem of an employee who genuinely cares for the customers. She inspired us with menu and cocktail suggestions. The crab dip is definitely one of the best if not the best in Wilmington. I had the blackened grouper that kept my taste buds happy…. Kudos to an awesome eatery. Also the manager was very accommodating with all my questions about parking due to the high demand from the flotilla tonight. I am sorry it took so long for us to visit, we will definitely return for another great meal!!!

The service was very good. Atmosphere is nice. Parking can be a little bit of a challenge sometimes. We enjoyed all our food. The blackened grouper in the horseradish encrusted ahi tuna were both excellent The only thing is the broccoli wasn’t completely cooked. It was still pretty crunchy. Their take on Keylime pie is quite different and was even too much for two people to eat but it was light and tasty.

First time here and we've lived here 8 years! Why haven't we come sooner??? Amazing food... best dinner in Wilmington to date. Nicole was our server and she was polite. Friendly, well spoken and attentive. From the bar maid to the hostess everything was wonderful! Came to watch the flotilla and fireworks This will be an annual tradition. Thank you for a perfect date night with my husband 💕

The food was very good and the view are equally great. The service was very good and the food came out hot and fast. The Key Lime Pie was so very good and different. We had Shrimp and Grits along with Fried Shrimp. Both were tasty and I would recommend this restaurant.

Our server was very attentive and our food was very good, everyone in my party said they would return if they came back to town. The crab dip was so good, could not stop eating it the whole time. The calamari and crab cakes were good appetizers as well. The fried fish platter and shrimp and grits were so delicious.

Cozy atmosphere overlooking the water with a full bar area and outdoor seating. Unfortunately, they missed the temperature on all four steaks at our table if 7. Medium to mid rare all prepared as raw. Thankfully, they comped 3 of the 4. I cannot recommend a steak at this establishment. The swordfish special and crab dip were very good as usual. Caveat emptor.

Great local fare. Incredible service. Feels like home! Bar area is the best. Fresh fish , prime rib is insane and desserts are over the top.

This was the first time for me (husband had been before with the guys) as well as our friends. I booked it because of the view. Even though we didn't get a window seat (too hot to sit outside) the ambiance was very nice, albeit a bit noisy. Our server, Nicole, was top-notch. Seriously, one of the best servers we've encountered in a while. Professional, friendly and knowledgeable. To the management at The Bridge Tender, treat this employee like the gold she is. Sadly, the food is not so deserving of positive accolades. As apps, we ordered the crab dip and Brussel sprouts. The dip lacked flavor, (when will chefs stop whipping crab dip into oblivion??) and the sprouts were dry and burnt. My friend and I ordered blackened salmon, but only mine arrived blackened, while hers was grilled. She ordered carrots which were basically inedible since they were practically raw rather than roasted. A major faux pas since roasting brings out the natural sweetness. My husband, as always, ordered the shrimp and grits, which didn't quite measure up, nor did the tuna our other friend ordered. Basically, the food overall lacks flavor and isn't properly seasoned, as well as either being undercooked, as was the case with the carrots, or overcooked, like the Brussel sprouts. I would consider returning, but perhaps for lunch when the weather is conducive to sitting outside, and limiting my selection to a salad, which is difficult to mess up.

I think I would honestly drive back to Wilmington just for this place. Holy crap it was amazing!! First, you need a reservation and get there early because parking is a pain. The restaurant is right on the water and they have indoor and outdoor seating, I'd go outdoor for the boat views. The staff was super friendly and even left a card on our table for our anniversary, which was such a nice touch. The food is pricey but the portions are huge and every bite was perfect. You will not leave hungry. The horseradish tuna was immaculate and the salmon was amazing, both cuts were huge. And seriously, GET THE BREAD PUDDING. Every table had one and now I know why. Easily one of the best desserts I've ever had.

Loved this place until this happened! Our waiter Phil spilled red wine on my new green linen dress. Apologized!

I came here to celebrate my anniversary and it was not a let down! I did extensive research on nice restaurants in Wilmington and I decided The Bridge Tender looked like the best option for me. We had outdoor reservations and the view of the harbor was absolutely beautiful. Our waiter was so kind and attentive and the food was brought out faster than we expected. The calamari was amazing and the sauce it came with was so unique and outstanding. I ordered the chef's trio while my partner got the pesto chicken and they both tasted amazing. The portions are quite large and the prices are reasonable. I highly recommend if you're looking for an excellent restaurant in Wilmington for a special occasion.

One of my new favorites in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. We came here for a special anniversary dinner and we were not disappointed. Our server, Phillip, was very friendly, attentive and engaging. We sat right next to a window overlooking the innercoastal waterway which added to the restaurant's ambiance. The food was cooked perfectly and very large proportions. My grilled shrimp was served as an even dozen. We got keylime pie to go because we were just to full to enjoy dessert while we were there. We'll definitely make The Bridge Tender a regular stop whenever we're visiting Wrightsville!

A great dinner experience. Great staff, good food, great views and fairly priced. Just can't say enough good things about experience. Staff was too shelf and made the experience. Big shout out to Constance our server. We will visit again.

Service started out strong but dwindled as they got busy - food was exceptional / we didn't get a pic of the crab dip because we were so hungry and it was sooooo good! Great wine list - maybe one of the best on the beach! Even with hiccup in service I still give a 5!

Was so disappointed! The two items I came for were omitted from the menu! The spring rolls and the seared scallops with bacon onion jam!!!! These two appetizers were amazing!!! Please consider putting them back on the menu!

We go here every time we visit Wrightsville Beach! GREAT food, great service & incredible views!!! See yall again on Sat. night!!!!

Bridge Tender is our favorite restaurant. My son proposed there a couple of years ago. Constance was our server last night and she was great. very attentive could not ask for better service. Food is always excellent. Dave

It's touristy food with its main attraction being on the water. If you are able to get a water view seat, it adds to the ambiance.

My fiancés and my favorite place! We have had the Bridge Tender 3 times on vacations to Wilmington, and it never disappoints. Staff is professional, views of the marina are fantastic, and the food is EXCELLENT.

Came here on a Friday night before the rush and were seated right away. We had a table of 7 so we got a bunch of appetizers to split that were all delicious- calamari, Brussel sprouts, and Buffalo shrimp. My only complaint is the breading on the calamari just came off immediately upon picking up. For dinner I got swordfish with cous cous and broccoli. DIVINE!! Swordfish melted in your mouth and had a garlicky herb sauce on top. Servers were all super nice and helpful when making menu choices. We will be back!

I wasn't having a great day when I decided to have a business dinner at Bridge Tender last week, and was a difficult to please customer. I left a review here that was unfair and one sided. Then karma kicked in. I had to go back a week later for a lost receipt, that they graciously provided but asked me about my review and regret that I wasn't satisfied. I thought about it and realized later that I was reviewing my day, not my dinner. In retrospect that dinner was the best part of my day. Please take my word that dinner at the BT can do as much for your soul as your stomach.

Fri pm 8:10, walked into bar, got h2o, looked at menu? Where's prime rib? It's Special on wkd!! N if u want u better hurry only 3 slices lf!! Asked for cold center, none only Medium! Medium Rare? No Medium! Lf not paying $50.00 for DEAD beef!! Disappointed been going here since opening! The original 2 mgrs would never had accepted this!!!!

Always an excellent experience. Impeccable service, outstanding views, a wonderful wine list, and high quality food makes The Bridge Tender one of the best restaurants in the greater Wilmington area. The roasted carrots are amazing. I know it seems odd to praise carrots when there are so many amazing menu items such as mahi, tuna, prime rib, and steaks, but this side dish really is delicious. The halibut and pesto special that I had tonight was out oft his world! I love to come here for special occasions, but really, this place makes any occasion special. The free parking is pretty great too.

It's a mixed bag. The location was great, the service was good, and my meal was good. It is a bit noisy, especially when seated next to a large group. My wife is celiac and they really don't cater for those that are celiac or glutten sensitive as the glutten free options were very limited. They are basically are faced with few choices. We had to go elsewhere for dessert as they only had one dessert on the menu, and it wasn't glutten free. So the net out is if you have a glutten sensitive person in your group, look elsewhere to avoid people feeling left out.

I've love this place for 40 years , great to go there with my some after going with my mom and dad as a kid . Great food and service . Reserve way in advance to sit by the window

Bridge Tender is ILM royalty and part of our Port City's lore. If you are local, it is obligatory for you to eat here at least once. If you are a tourist, you'll love it because it's prettier than where you live. Food is always delicious, service is always spectacular, but the view is why you go. And if you go on a boat, you win.

Just can't say enough about the STAFF Straight Up The Best!!! And the food is OUTSTANDING

We had reservations and highly recommend you make them also, we got there and we were sat outside near the dock and we were Served by Nicole, who is professional, and amazing at what she does, in fact we have only had one bad experience for service and that was before we moved to Wilmington. The food selection and the view are so good. Look at my pictures and others to see if it is your kind of place, the feel is everything for me and I am sure it is for you. If you can get Nicole, or Wayne (aka JPW) you are in for a great service and food experience.

Consistently great! It's become our favorite area-date-night-restaurant (as locals). Service is ALWAYS stellar, everyone is top notch and genuinely seems to CARE about every customer. Ask any staff for help & it's never 'I'll get your server' it's "certainly, I'll take care of that right away". A special hats off to one of the classiest gents "Henry" in the bar area. ALL Food is fresh, well seasoned, perfectly cooked and quickly served and never cold (unless intended!). Just outstanding. Every. Time. I'm even wondering myself why my last rating was 4-star???? So time to update this review!!! Fav dishes: - fried green tomatoes - coconut shrimp - fried oysters - fresh catch (especially salmon) - gorgonzola walnut salad

The drinks, appetizers, main course and dessert were all phenomenal. If you like bread pudding, they have one on the menu and it is fantastic. The restaurant has top notch service. Each item that we ordered was timed perfectly. This ranks top of my list for restaurants in Wrightsville beach. I am disappointed that this is the first time this restaurant can up on my searches online. I was able to get a reservation same day during 4th of July. Only bummer is that we could not get an outdoor table. If you want to dine al fresco, make sure to note it in your reservation. The restaurant had a beautiful ambiance and nice crowd. I hope to return soon.

Superb service, delicious food and waterfront view. Everyone in our party raved about their meal, the drinks and our waiter who made sure we were well taken care of. A tip: save room for dessert. The bread pudding is well worth the calories!

First time here, on a business trip. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing. The views of the harbor and surrounding area is really beautiful. (See photos) There is a bar in one area and a separate dining area. The food was hot and delicious and generous in size. Prices are reasonable. Great choices for seafood! I failed to get photos of the menu but look them up! You'll be glad you did.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere! Right on the water. Been a number of times for birthdays and anniversaries.

We dined here on a Sunday night. We were seated immediately and sat by the water. Our waiter was nice & provided good service. We ordered a few appetizers - the crab cake & the tuna. Both were great! The crab cake was very flavorful and the sauce alongside it was perfect. The tuna was a large portion & perfectly seared. I ordered the scallops & they were cooked very well. My husband got the mahi mahi pasta & it was pretty good. Might be better with a cheese thrown into the sauce, but not too bad. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves & left satisfied.

Last time I was her was last century:). The interior did not look the same:) the food and service and ambiance were wonderful. I won't wait so long for my next visit. We ate in the bar area and we had good service with a view.

The fish platter was crisply fried and fresh! The drinks were super tasty. The service was prompt and friendly. This place is a super fun place for late lunch/dinner!

I am not a seafood fan. However, in an effort to eat healthier and take advantage of the fresh food around me, I agreed to start trying mild fish. I ordered an amazing salad with Mani Mahi added. OH MY GOSH was it great! The view from the dining room was amazing - overlooking the water and plenty of beautiful boats. Our server was quick and on the ball. Drinks were fabulous (I recommend the peach sangria). I know we will be back!!

Food was amazing. The mahi mahi was cooked perfectly and was in a cheese sauce. The shrimp and grits were amazing as-well! Our server was attentive and super friendly! The vibe of the restaurant was classy but they do not seem to be strict on the dress code.

Food and service are always so good. Love the view of the intercostal too! The salads are always fresh. The fish is cooked well and flavorful too.

I've been to The Bridge Tender many times and have never been disappointed. It's got a nice cozy and classy vibe, a menu with plenty of interesting and delicious options from steaks to seafood and chicken, salads so gorgeous it's hard to decide, and lots of sides to choose from. Potato croquettes are my favorite. Plus a very nice drinks menu (espresso martini anyone? How about sangria?) and the staff is always warm, welcoming and professional. The outside seating is absolutely fantastic with the best waterway views in the evening. Finish off with their famous gooey bread pudding or fluffy key lime pie with raspberry sauce. Yum! If you like your merch, there are t shirts and hats for sale too. Enjoy!

Went here for my husband's birthday dinner. Everything was top notch from drinks, food, and service! Highly recommend. Ambience is classic, cozy, and comfortable. High end without feeling overly serious. We had the shrimp and grits, mahi pasta, horseradish crusted tuna, and seafood trio (not the real name, I just forget it at the moment). Everyone loved their food. Shared bread pudding for dessert and it was delicious!

We celebrated my birthday here yesterday. The service was amazing and the food was phenomenal. They gave me a free yummy brownie with ice cream for my b day. This is our go to place for celebrating any events.

I am updating my review of January 7, 2024. We're in, my wife and I were at this otherwise outstanding restaurant and I found a rock in a delicious pasta dish I was having. We did not want anything other than a simple apology which would have been sufficient. Although much appreciated, we received a gift card in the mail today from the restaurant along with a very heartfelt apology from the owner. Accordingly, our experience still remains as stated but I do appreciate the outreach from the restaurant. Therefore my rating has changed. now I need to do is figure out how to remove the previous review which I've been unable to do. Danny Shell Emerald Isle, NC 443-536-8664

Hands down best dinner in Wilmington/Wrightsville area. The fresh catch never disappoints! Service is excellent. Right on the water with great view if you choose to sit outside. Great place for a special occasion.

I give Bridge tender more of a 4.5. The ambiance and view are just spectacular. Outside seating is so beautiful and they have really cool 2 tops facing the water with a different angle than I have ever saw before. That being said, the food is great- not excellent- but great. Service is average. I really enjoyed my crab cake meal tonight. I think the prices are high for what you get. The sides weren't excellent either. The asparagus was very plain and so was the rice pilaf. The bread they serve is stellar. This is a great place for a family dining time or a date. Really great date slot. I really wish they had more choices on the menu, though. Or more creative dishes. Feels kind of like an upscale chain restaurant.

Celiacs beware! We ordered the clearly marked gluten-free tuna appetizer and made sure to ask the waiter to check that it was safe for celiac disease. But, it was served with soy sauce that contained gluten. This exposed my son with celiac to gluten. Consequences will last months. If you have celiac, Do not trust this restaurant to keep you safe! They weren't even that apologetic. Very disappointing.

Excellent-squared. The food was terrific- we had the Buffalo shrimp for an appetizer and the horseradish tuna and grilled salmon for dinner - everything extremely delicious. The service was excellent and the view was wonderful. If you're looking for a great restaurant in the Wrightsville, NC area then this is the place.

High-end restaurant that didn't really differentiate itself. Food was good enough but service was lacking. We were served water and drinks but had to ask 4 times for bread which is a staple at this restaurant and still waited 20 minutes for it to be delivered. No one could figure out how to satisfy the request. Utterly ridiculous. Once the waiter recalibrated his attention back to our table, he asked three times within a 15-minute period if we needed another round of drinks. Nothing like pumping up the bill. I've been to high-end restaurants up and down the east coast during the past 40 years so I thought my gray hair would have garnered a little more respect. I suppose my family was treated like tourists.

This isn't by any means a bad place. Menu isn't expansive, but there's enough there for most people. Atmosphere is very nice and the service is generally good. That said, unless you are of the ilk who plans on being safely in bed by 8, don't even try enjoying the weekend prime rib special. THREE times now we have tried and THREE times they have been sold out at what many would consider a "normal" dinner hour. Of our attempts, they have been sold out at 7:45, 7:15, and 6:30. So, if you are an octogenarian who eats dinner at 4 and is in bed by 8, go for it. Condider it the Senior Blue Plate Special. But if you like your evening meal in the "evening," forget it. I WON'T be trying again. I

Really great casual solo dinner! Sat on the dock and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Food was delicious. Would definitely come back again!

went to Bridge Tender for a nice dinner on the weekend. We were able to sit outside for the sunset, it unfortunately started to downpour but our server and the staff helped us carry all the things on our table inside :) My steak was tender and perfectly cooked, the calamari appetizer was crispy and the accompanying sauces were sweet but tangy. I would recommend trying to sit outside especially during the summer months because it's just beautiful and quiet :)

We went on a Thursday night without reservations and were sat right away, luckily. Our server Claire was super sweet and attentive. The food was delicious and full of flavor, just perfect even thought it was a full house we didn't have to wait too long for our meal. Can't wait to come back

We had a lovely dinner here. The restaurant itself is beautiful and you are treated to some nice views. We started out with the coconut shrimp and I had a bowl of clam chowder. Do yourself a favor and just get the clam chowder. It's so good and way better than the coconut shrimp. I had the grilled tuna with the butter sauce, brown rice pilaf and carrots. My meal was very delicious. The tuna was cooked perfectly and has a delightful grilled flavor. I feel like the food was fresh and cooked to order and it came out fast.

Excellent cuisine, chowder, desserts on the water Highly recommend for a date night or special occasion

We picked up takeout from Bridge Tender for dinner and everything was delicious. They were very considerate with the packaging, separating all the sauces from the entrees and ice cream from the bread pudding, to keep things as fresh as possible. There is parking across the street from the restaurant. For appetizers, we got the Calamari with sweet chili sauce, a cup of New England Clam Chowder, and Lump Crab Cake with chipotle remoulade. The sweet chili sauce paired perfectly with the calamari - I just wish there had been more of it! It was our favorite dish. The crab cakes were tiny, but full of fresh pieces of crab so it was still worth it in my opinion. For an entree, we got the Crab Stuffed Flounder (lump crab stuffing, lemon beurre blanc, garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach and tomatoes). This was really tasty! For dessert, we had the White Chocolate Bread Pudding (cinnamon soaked bread pudding topped with white chocolate ganache and served with vanilla bean ice cream). We didn't taste the white chocolate ganache at all which was a bit disappointing, but if you like cinnamon bread, this is a good one for you!