If you’re looking for your next coastal foodie adventure that’s a little different from regular beach fare, head to Wrightsville Beach. This island, located just a bridge away from Historic Downtown Wilmington, is not only a paradise for outdoor and watersports enthusiasts, but foodies as well. From oceanfront dining, farm-to-table menus and culinary events, Wrightsville Beach is the perfect place for delicious coastal fare.
Read on for a foodie’s perfect day at Wrightsville Beach.
A.M. Pick-Me-Up
Early risers, rejoice! SUNdays Café, located at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, serves everything from creamy iced lattes to delicious breakfast pastries starting at 6:30 a.m. Locally owned and laid-back, SUNdays is the perfect place to relax and enjoy high-quality coffee while prepping for the food-filled day ahead. Surfers are known to gather here before hitting the waves, so you’ll also get a taste of the famous Wrightsville Beach surf culture that attracts beachgoers from across the country. Or head to Drift Café for breakfast, where you can choose from lighter options like an acai bowl or fill up on a stack of pancakes or eggs benny. Add a cup of craft coffee or superfood smoothie to your order and kickstart your day. Known for its clean, healthy options, Zeke’s Beans and Bowls offers coffee and breakfast dishes like acai and poke bowls. Mix up your morning meal with the fajita breakfast: two eggs in pita or over rice, chorizo, sweet onion, tomato, cheddar jack cheese, avocado and fajita sauce.
Beachside Brunch
Head straight to Oceanic Restaurant, a Wrightsville Beach staple, for brunch that features Southern-infused seafood and an unbeatable view from the Crystal Pier. Order the Breakfast Tacos or, if you have a sweet tooth, the Bread Pudding French Toast served with fresh berries and perfectly warmed syrup. While the lunch and dinner menus are equally as mouth-watering, you can’t beat a peaceful morning spent oceanfront.
Post-Surf Lunch
After spending the morning on the beach and maybe even catching a wave or two, grab a snack from Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar. Located within Robert’s Grocery, the juice bar offers nutritionally dense cold-pressed juices and smoothies alongside breakfast bowls. While you’re there, be sure to also pick up a local favorite: Robert’s Grocery homemade chicken salad. It’s so popular, select stores around the state carry it for those craving a taste of Wrightsville Beach at home. SurfBerry Café serves up acai and smoothie bowls, as well as seasonal artisan toasts, like avocado toast with cherry tomatoes, sea salt, sunflower seeds, everything seasoning, red pepper and olive oil. It’s the perfect spot to fuel up for an afternoon of adventure with its on-site standup paddleboard, kayak and surfboard rentals
Elevated Dinner Options
No foodie adventure is complete without an authentic farm-to-table meal. Many of the island’s restaurants fit this description, including Bluewater Waterfront Grill. Taking inspiration from the waterfront, the restaurant offers a menu of traditional American fare and seafood dishes that rotate seasonally. South Beach Grill welcomes guests with daily chalkboard specials and staple menu items like the low country shrimp and grits with sauteed Atlantic shrimp, pimento cheese grits, bacon, bell peppers, caramelized sweet onions and fresh herbs. The area's oldest restaurant, King Neptune, showcases fresh local seafood and produce. Menu highlights include crispy tuna spring rolls with Carolina Gold rice, tangy cabbage slaw, spicy yaki and avocado wasabi. Just across the bridge, Dockside Restaurant has been a local tradition for nearly 30 years, serving delicious dishes like the “Fish & Chips” with seared Ahi tuna and cucumber pico de gallo over corn tortilla chips with Baja sauce.
Solstice Oceanfront Kitchen + Cocktails, located in Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, creates dishes with market-fresh ingredients in a beach-elegant atmosphere. Its menu features a mix of signature dishes and appetizers, like the drunken shrimp in a beer reduction, creole butter and a toasted baguette. Located on-site at Trailborn Surf & Sound (formerly Blockade Runner Beach Resort), La Duna Paradiso is scheduled to open early 2025. Visitors can dine in the renovated dining room or outside along the resort’s oceanfront garden. The restaurant will serve fresh-catch-forward Italian and Mediterranean cuisine alongside specialty cocktails.
Post-Dinner Drinks
After dinner, head to The Palm Room for delicious handcrafted cocktails and live music. Situated near Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, The Palm Room is historic to Wrightsville Beach and has been serving locals and tourists since 1955. Check their social media for an up-to-date list of performers. For craft cocktails, King Neptune’s elevated bar is the perfect spot for a night cap. Or, visit the original Pirate Bar, attached to the restaurant and retaining the establishment’s original charm, while Jimmy’s at Wrightsville Beach is a local favorite known for its slushies.
Taste of the Town
Consider planning your trip around the Annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach in November to enjoy the island’s delicious and diverse flavors from local food, beer and wine-tasting booths along the waterfront. Local celebs rate dishes for "Best in Show," while the public has a chance to vote for the "People's Choice" winner.
Find more sustainable seafood and farm-fresh restaurants with our foodie favorites.
