Budget
Bear Rock Cafe
3522 oleander drive, +1 910 794-5551, (http://www.bearrockfoods....). located in the independence mall complex. breakfast until 11 am. serves soups, salads, and sandwiches. the $6.20 "choose two" combo has generous portions and will fill most people up. $6-$12.
Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn
4002 oleander drive, +1 910 799-2919, (http://www.flamingamysbur...). mainly serves burritos and other mexican style food. advertises its food as "hot, fast, cheap and easy" and is a local favorite. restaurant features a psychedelic theme. $7-$10.
self-catering
The local grocery store chains are lowes foods some open 7am-11pm, others open 6am-12am, harris teeter 24 hours, and food lion. all three stores have a rewards cards program so borrow another customer's card to get the discount! of course there is the omnipresent wal-mart 24 hours with two locations in wilmington. one near the intersection of college and market and the other on carolina beach road.
Midrange
The Bento Box
Delicious Sushi fresh ingredients all at reasonable price and incredible atmosphere.
Catch
215 princess st, +1 910 762-2841.
Dockside Restaurant & Marina
+1 910 256-2753 or +1 910 256-5379, (http://www.thedockside.com/). open daily 11am-until. located on the water just south of the wrightsville beach drawbridge. locals' favorite "place to be" for friendly carolina service, relaxed island lifestyle. fresh seafood, famous drinks, families love kid's menu. live music most weekends.
Fat Tony's Italian Pub
131 n. front st, +1 910 343-8881, (http://www.fatpub.com/). open daily 11am-2am, noon-midnight sundays. combine homemade italian food and 24 draft beers and you've got the country's latest concept: an italian pub!
Top end
Circa 1922
Affordable tapas and fine dining with a wonderful wine selection and terrific ambience, located in the Front Street riverfront nightlife area.
Elijah's
2 ann st., +1 910 343-1448, (http://www.elijahs.com/nr...). su-th 11:30am-10pm, f-sa 11:30am-11pm, main dining room closed daily from 3pm-5pm, oyster bar open all day, reservations are recommended. casual american grill and oyster bar, downtown on the river. sunset hues are said to be spectacular.
Port City Chop House
1981 eastwood rd., +1 910 256-4955, (http://chophousesofnc.com...). m-f 11:30am-10pm, lounge is open until 11:00pm, sa 4:30pm-10:30pm, lounge is open until 11:30pm. serves center cut beef, lamb, and pork, and serve only certified angus beef. also offered are a variety of seafood and pasta dishes. lunch and dinner specials are served every day.
Blockade Runner Resort and Restaurant
(http://www.blockade-runne...) located on the water at wrightsville beach. jazz fans should take note of "jazz sunday." brunch buffet is served sunday from 11:30am-2:30pm with live jazz.
Hiro Japanese Steak and Seafood House
222 old eastwood rd., +1 910 794-1570, (http://www.hirojapanese.net/). lunch on sundays 11am-4pm. japanese cuisine. includes sushi bar and sashimi. chefs prepare your meal right at your table.
Something Wilmington is not short on is restaurants. No matter what kind of dining you are craving, it can be found.