Lona’s Local Recommendations
Food scene
Intimate space with tasty Latin fare, great for brunch, lunch or dinner! Location is downtown and within walking distance to the river and main downtown scene.
89 locals recommend
Savorez
402 Chestnut StIntimate space with tasty Latin fare, great for brunch, lunch or dinner! Location is downtown and within walking distance to the river and main downtown scene.
The BEST vegan lentil burgers, so good! We visit this place at least once a month. If you're looking for great fast and clean vegan food, this is the place. The location isn't scenic, but the indoors is nice and the food is worth the trip.
32 locals recommend
Sealevel City Gourmet
1015 S Kerr AveThe BEST vegan lentil burgers, so good! We visit this place at least once a month. If you're looking for great fast and clean vegan food, this is the place. The location isn't scenic, but the indoors is nice and the food is worth the trip.
Great locally made kombucha and nice outdoor seating. Sometimes they have local musicians playing. Tasty vegan options.
22 locals recommend
Panacea Brewing Company
4107 Oleander DrGreat locally made kombucha and nice outdoor seating. Sometimes they have local musicians playing. Tasty vegan options.
Satellite Bar and Lounge
120 Greenfield StGreat beer garden and cool vibe in a funky area.
Right next door to Satellite Beer Garden. Grab a taco at their walk up window to enjoy with your beer. Fun menu with more unique tacos.
22 locals recommend
Block Taco
120 Greenfield StRight next door to Satellite Beer Garden. Grab a taco at their walk up window to enjoy with your beer. Fun menu with more unique tacos.
Locally made tasty ice-cream with vegan options located near downtown in the Brooklyn Arts District.
38 locals recommend
Boombalatti's Homemade Ice Cream
1005 N 4th StLocally made tasty ice-cream with vegan options located near downtown in the Brooklyn Arts District.
Great coffee and atmosphere located in downtown Wilmington.
54 locals recommend
Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
202 Princess StGreat coffee and atmosphere located in downtown Wilmington.
Intimate space with great tasting food located in Carolina Beach. Call ahead to reserve your table as space is limited.
52 locals recommend
Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar
718 N Lake Park BlvdIntimate space with great tasting food located in Carolina Beach. Call ahead to reserve your table as space is limited.
The Southerly Biscuit & Pie
1206 N Lake Park BlvdYummy biscuits and pies, located in Carolina Beach.
Bar and restaurant located on a pier in Carolina Beach. Great views and good food! Perfect place to visit if you're spending the day at Carolina Beach.
10 locals recommend
Tiki bar
Bar and restaurant located on a pier in Carolina Beach. Great views and good food! Perfect place to visit if you're spending the day at Carolina Beach.
Cape Fear Seafood Company
140 Hays LnGreat seafood! Definitely call ahead to reserve a spot.
Great beer, outdoor seating and sometimes food trucks.
42 locals recommend
Flying Machine Brewing Company
3130 Randall PkwyGreat beer, outdoor seating and sometimes food trucks.
Local coffee shop, has expanded to a few locations. Great coffee, atmosphere, outdoor seating and tasty food options.
35 locals recommend
Drift Coffee & Kitchen
110 Dungannon BlvdLocal coffee shop, has expanded to a few locations. Great coffee, atmosphere, outdoor seating and tasty food options.
Winnie's Tavern
1895 Burnett BlvdServes up tasty burgers!
Locally owned spot serving up tacos and more! Good place if you're looking for authentic Mexican food.
8 locals recommend
Taqueria Los Portales
1207 S Kerr AveLocally owned spot serving up tacos and more! Good place if you're looking for authentic Mexican food.
Social Coffee and Supply Co.
5317 Wrightsville AveNice atmosphere and drink selection.
Cool beer garden located in the Brooklyn Arts District. Great outdoor seating!
84 locals recommend
Flytrap Brewing
319 Walnut StCool beer garden located in the Brooklyn Arts District. Great outdoor seating!
Super affordable, fresh and tasty seafood! Great quality, and flavor. Highly recommend for carry out.
7 locals recommend
Seaview Crab Company
1515 Marstellar StSuper affordable, fresh and tasty seafood! Great quality, and flavor. Highly recommend for carry out.
Great selection of natural wine, great atmosphere and playlist
8 locals recommend
Bottles Natural Wine & Craft Beer
615 South 15th StreetGreat selection of natural wine, great atmosphere and playlist
Tasty dishes, beautiful atmosphere! The outdoor gazebo and bar is an awesome spot for a light bite or drinks with friends.
19 locals recommend
Dram Yard
101 S 2nd StTasty dishes, beautiful atmosphere! The outdoor gazebo and bar is an awesome spot for a light bite or drinks with friends.
Little Loaf Bakery and Schoolhouse
3410 Wrightsville AvenueJulia makes the best bread! This is in walking distance.
Seabird
1 South Front StreetGelarto
18 S Water StYummiest gelato in town!
Cugino Forno Wilmington
1020 Princess StreetBest pizza in town!
Fun brewery with lots of games and wide selection of brews
28 locals recommend
Hi-Wire Brewing - Wilmington
1020 Princess StreetFun brewery with lots of games and wide selection of brews
Surfs Up Pizza & Arcade
2101 Market StreetAwesome spot for young and old kids, cool retro games and tasty pizza!
Olivero
Sightseeing
Locally owned independent bookstore with wide selection. They have a children's section as well as a small used section if you're in need of a vacation read. Good place to pick up a small gift to bring home.
6 locals recommend
Pomegranate Books
4418 Park AveLocally owned independent bookstore with wide selection. They have a children's section as well as a small used section if you're in need of a vacation read. Good place to pick up a small gift to bring home.
Free everyday! Beautiful arboretum that is a hidden attraction in Wilmington and rarely busy.
35 locals recommend
The Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext
6206 Oleander DrFree everyday! Beautiful arboretum that is a hidden attraction in Wilmington and rarely busy.
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie RdLearn about the history of the Bellamy family located in downtown Wilmington.
113 locals recommend
Bellamy Mansion
503 Market StLearn about the history of the Bellamy family located in downtown Wilmington.
Poplar Grove Plantation
10200 US-17Tour the home and check out the animals.
Beautiful walking trails located next to Poplar Grove Plantation.
6 locals recommend
Abbey Nature Preserve
1035 US-17Beautiful walking trails located next to Poplar Grove Plantation.
Beautiful walking trails along the river.
https://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park/home
245 locals recommend
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdBeautiful walking trails along the river.
https://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park/home
Popular since 1955, great spot for live music from touring bands to local musicians.
14 locals recommend
The Palm Room
11 E Salisbury StPopular since 1955, great spot for live music from touring bands to local musicians.
Neighborhoods
Beautiful historic homes, plenty of sidewalks to walk around. Quick access to the Riverfront boardwalk.
53 locals recommend
Historic District
Beautiful historic homes, plenty of sidewalks to walk around. Quick access to the Riverfront boardwalk.
City/town information
Carolina Beach
Beach town with an active nightlife and boardwalk.
Beautiful pristine beach with numerous public access points. If you're looking for a peaceful beach getaway this is the place. The further you park from either pier the more beach you'll have to yourself. Closest beach option to the Rosemont Cottage.
408 locals recommend
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrBeautiful pristine beach with numerous public access points. If you're looking for a peaceful beach getaway this is the place. The further you park from either pier the more beach you'll have to yourself. Closest beach option to the Rosemont Cottage.
City advice
Don't miss
The Saturday Farmer's Market at Tidal Creek Co-Op
Located on the lawn outside of Tidal Creek Co-Op from 8am to 1pm.
https://www.tidalcreek.coop/wilmington-farmers-market/
Ways to save
Local discounts available
Take advantage of 30% off local offerings.
https://wilmington.30offlocal.com/
Book before you go
The Aquarium at Fort Fisher
They are requiring visitors to purchase tickets ahead of time and due to Covid restrictions there are a limited amount available each day.
Don't miss
Free fireworks at Carolina Beach
The fireworks are every Thursday night at 9pm. They are visible from almost anywhere along the beach.
https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/event/fireworks-by-the-sea-%26-boardwalk-blast/5643/
Don't miss
The Poplar Grove Farmer's Market
https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/event/poplar-grove-farmers-market/4626/
Don't miss
Carolina Kayak
If you're looking to get out on the water Carolina Kayak offers a great experience at affordable rates.
https://kayakcarolina.com/