Recommendations in/around Wilmington

[Kblief]

Taking the family down to Carolina Beach this summer and am looking for some recommendations. Are there any must visit places in the area?

[Donw]

ILMsmoke can certainly help you. Hope he checks in.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Britts Donuts, gotta eat 'em as soon as you buy 'em.
The Basics, they have a fantastic breakfast/brunch
Bourbon Street, they are hit and miss. Never had a terrible meal, but sometimes they are amazing and sometimes just slightly better than average
The George, great view and people watching, usually really good food. Depending on the time of year make sure you got some bug spray on so you can enjoy the outdoor seating. Every now and then downtown Wilmington gets a swarm of gnat kinda things and that's one of the spots where it can be the worst.
Copper Penny, pretty good food really nice venue
Slice of Life, really good pizza, and now that they finally have seating again I can recommend it... we used to get the Za and then have to eat in the car or sitting in the alley like a bum
Shuckin' Shack, not the greatest but usually pretty good. My wife has to have 1 seafood meal whenever we go and this is always on the list... we sit out on the back patio with our dogs and enjoy a few drinks, my wife really likes their bloody mary. Really great people watching but the view is mostly hotel and parking lots sadly.

Beer Barrio, above average Mexican fusion but nothing to write home about, it's a place where we will go to give the dogs a break if downtown is too crowded since they have seating on the alley side as well as on center street.

There's a new German place, Prost Biergarten it had iffy reviews, but supposedly if you approach it as German inspired instead of expecting authentic it's really good. The owners have a few other places that are pretty good. It's also across from our favorite dive bar, Barbary Coast (they have some pool tables, not sure if kids can go in or not during the day... they also have $1 PBR tallboys if that's your thing)

As far as attractions, the Battleship is nice and the Aquarium by Fort Fisher is a good place to burn a few hours

[Mosca]

You can trust IAGTTD completely.

[Kblief]

Are there any can't miss BBQ joints?

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

We generally are shooting for seafood or whatever is on the downtown strip since we usually have our dogs with us... but the only 2 BBQ spots I've heard decent things about are Jacksons and Rooster and the Crow though the latter looks like a restaurant that has a few BBQ things on it and not a straight up BBQ joint... oddly if you look at Tripadvisor two chains have higher reviews so I wouldn't trust any of the reviews (Smithfields is fast food bbq and Mission, well you've probably been to one)

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

All that to say, for a BBQ recommendation you'll have to wait on ILMsmoke or one of the other pit members that live in that area. I would suggest checking out what/if any food trucks will be at any of the breweries around Wilmington while youre there, in my experience you have a better shot of getting decent BBQ from a food truck than almost any brick and mortar in Eastern NC (obviously there's a few famous exceptions to that rule like Grady's and Skylight etc...)

[Kblief]

We stayed on Topsail a few years ago and Surf City BBQ was pretty good. I have heard good things about Casey's Buffet also.

[Hulagn1971]

CB is our go-to spot every year. My mother, father, sister and cousins all have homes in Wilmington. DEFINITELY go to Britts for donuts. Shuckin' Shack is good for oysters, Margaritas, live music and laid back atmosphere. Island Burgers and Bites located in the Sunoco gas station will serve you the best burgers and cheese steaks you have ever had in your life. Fentoni's for pizza. Fish Bites and Michael's Seafood are both top notch. Then there's Fork n' Cork and Soul Flavor. Moe's is a good spot for bbq. If you have FB there is a group called ILM Foodie Alerts. Join the group and feel free to ask for any recommendations or just search through. Super friendly members and no snarky BS.

[ILMsmoke]

Sorry for jumping in late here. I'll echo some of the others.

Britts then Wake and Bake for donuts. Britts absolutely must be eaten right then hot. Britt's is better, but Wake Bake has OPTIONS.

Burgers- Island bites, Hang Time, WInnie's Tavern, Fork and Cork, Whiskey Trail. Fork and Cork on CB has a Great Burger. Winnies is biker bar style but a local legendary place. PT's is local and consistently good. Whiskey Trail is a hidden gem for burgers tots and wings. It's worth the 10 minute drive off the island to eat bar food at Whiskey Trail, but eat upstairs with family.
Wings- Whiskey Trail, Might as Well, FU-Wangz(Take gun here, but its solid)
Mexican- Tequilla in Monkey is the best "American Mexican" food. Beer Barrio downtown is excellent. Everything else is "Normal".
Italian- Tarantelli's is the BEST. Get reservations
Seafood- Michaels on CB, Cape Fear Seafood (All local Caught) Catch is the best in the area hands down, but get reservations.
Pizza- Michangelo's on the island is solid.
BBQ-Drive west to Texas

I'm not on the PC much call me if you need help in the area. 910-599-6681

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I wish the PTs here was as good as there, it's usually ok here at worst but sometimes really good and comes the closest to scratching my In n Out itch.

[ILMsmoke]

Brunch- Rooster and Crow, Toastery, but Savor is a must

[ILMsmoke]

Almost left off the only place I eat BBQ at in the area. Moes Original BBQ is very good. The bbq, wings and sides are all solid! The wings are my favorite, but its all good!

[DTro]

Not food related but interesting for kids and family-

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue: https://www.seaturtlehospital.org

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher: https://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher?locale=en

Battle Ship NC. https://battleshipnc.com

[Kblief]

Thank you for all of the updates. We will check them out.

[WayneT]

If you enjoy authentic French cuisine, try Caprice Bistro, owned and run by a French couple.

https://www.capricebistro.com/