Side Piece Cottage Guide Book
Best restaurants within a 5-minute drive or less
Winnie's has the absolute best burgers in Wilmington. Within walking distance, however they will bring food out to your car if you want to take it with you. Highly recommend. Super yummy!
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Winnie's Tavern
1895 Burnett BlvdWinnie's has the absolute best burgers in Wilmington. Within walking distance, however they will bring food out to your car if you want to take it with you. Highly recommend. Super yummy!
This is our favorite restaurant in all of Wilmington. The empanadas are to die for and so is the passion fruit creme brulee. If you like fish you cannot go wrong ordering the quinoa flounder tacos or entree. This restaurant is tiny and does not take reservations which can make getting a seat on summer weekends challenging. However, they offer carry-out and their food is just as enjoyable to eat on the side porch at the cottage, as in the restaurant.
89 abantu bendawo batusa
Savorez
402 Chestnut StThis is our favorite restaurant in all of Wilmington. The empanadas are to die for and so is the passion fruit creme brulee. If you like fish you cannot go wrong ordering the quinoa flounder tacos or entree. This restaurant is tiny and does not take reservations which can make getting a seat on summer weekends challenging. However, they offer carry-out and their food is just as enjoyable to eat on the side porch at the cottage, as in the restaurant.
This taco stand has the BEST tacos we have ever tasted. Soooo good. Highly recommend the nachos, mushroom tacos, and horchata. Best to visit when the weather is nice because all dining is outside unless you decide to grab a drink at Satellite bar which is next door.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Block Taco
120 Greenfield StThis taco stand has the BEST tacos we have ever tasted. Soooo good. Highly recommend the nachos, mushroom tacos, and horchata. Best to visit when the weather is nice because all dining is outside unless you decide to grab a drink at Satellite bar which is next door.
This is a great spot to grab brunch. The staff is very friendly and the food is delicious. The hours here are pretty tight so make sure they are open before you head over.
Mon: Closed
Tue: Closed
Wed: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Thu: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Jester's Café
607 Castle StThis is a great spot to grab brunch. The staff is very friendly and the food is delicious. The hours here are pretty tight so make sure they are open before you head over.
Mon: Closed
Tue: Closed
Wed: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Thu: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Love, love, love this quirky little coffee place and it is a 5 minute drive (including the time it takes to park). They have an adorable little courtyard in the back where you can sit and chill with your cup of Joe.
36 abantu bendawo batusa
Luna Caffe
608 Castle StLove, love, love this quirky little coffee place and it is a 5 minute drive (including the time it takes to park). They have an adorable little courtyard in the back where you can sit and chill with your cup of Joe.
Okay, so I'll be honest, we haven't had a chance to try this place out yet. But it is super close and every time I drive by I see happy people eating on the front porch. The reviews are great and how can you go wrong with tapas?
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Mariposa Tapas Bar
1502 South 3rd StreetOkay, so I'll be honest, we haven't had a chance to try this place out yet. But it is super close and every time I drive by I see happy people eating on the front porch. The reviews are great and how can you go wrong with tapas?
Haven't tried this one yet but it is a celebrated local favorite with great reviews.
73 abantu bendawo batusa
Rx Restaurant and Bar
421 Castle StHaven't tried this one yet but it is a celebrated local favorite with great reviews.
If you love tater tots, or even if you don't, this place is amazing! After experiencing these elevated tater tots you'll never look at them the same way again. They also have delicious burgers and share a courtyard with a coffee shop and others.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Mess Hall ILM
2136 Hutchison LnIf you love tater tots, or even if you don't, this place is amazing! After experiencing these elevated tater tots you'll never look at them the same way again. They also have delicious burgers and share a courtyard with a coffee shop and others.
This unique area includes the Mess Hall restaurant, a coffee bar, a tattoo parlor, and my favorite indoor plant store. It is a 5-minute drive from the cottage and a really cool place to spend some leisure time in the open courtyard area.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
The Cargo District
1605 Queen StThis unique area includes the Mess Hall restaurant, a coffee bar, a tattoo parlor, and my favorite indoor plant store. It is a 5-minute drive from the cottage and a really cool place to spend some leisure time in the open courtyard area.
Dram Tree Tavern
Grocery stores nearby
If a wine/beer shop and local specialty food market had a baby this would be it. This is a great place to pick up wine, beer, cheese, sandwiches, breakfast foods, and other specialty items. 2 minute drive from SP Cottage.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Bodega
1222 S 3rd StIf a wine/beer shop and local specialty food market had a baby this would be it. This is a great place to pick up wine, beer, cheese, sandwiches, breakfast foods, and other specialty items. 2 minute drive from SP Cottage.
Food Lion
6400-1 Carolina Beach RdThe closest, large grocery store.
Best restaurants downtown
Downtown food so good you will have to waddle out. Make sure you wear your stretchy pants. Everything is good here. And the queso with avacado in it is divine. They also serve yummy cocktails. Great place for date night.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
RUMCOW.
121 Grace StDowntown food so good you will have to waddle out. Make sure you wear your stretchy pants. Everything is good here. And the queso with avacado in it is divine. They also serve yummy cocktails. Great place for date night.
We'll let you in on Wilmington's dirty secret. Most of the restaurants with beautiful views tend to phone it in when it comes to food. I mean, they can because as long as they don't serve up fried shoe the people will come. The Pilot house has the best tasting food, in our humble opinion, that is by the water. Lots of outside seating with elbow room. Bring the kids because no one will complain about them yelling or spilling things. At least, it seems to work for our kids. The food is good, not great, but the ambiance is worth it.
85 abantu bendawo batusa
Elijah's
2 Ann StWe'll let you in on Wilmington's dirty secret. Most of the restaurants with beautiful views tend to phone it in when it comes to food. I mean, they can because as long as they don't serve up fried shoe the people will come. The Pilot house has the best tasting food, in our humble opinion, that is by the water. Lots of outside seating with elbow room. Bring the kids because no one will complain about them yelling or spilling things. At least, it seems to work for our kids. The food is good, not great, but the ambiance is worth it.
Yummy. Seafood. Upscale--by Wilmington's laid-back standards. That is all.
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Pinpoint Restaurant
114 Market StYummy. Seafood. Upscale--by Wilmington's laid-back standards. That is all.
We have a soft spot for this place because we went there on our very first date. To be honest, it is not the best date night restaurant because we are talking huge portions of comfort food. On the other hand, how can you not fall in love with someone who orders poutine, spills it on his shirt, looks you in the eyes and says "phew, at least it's just you that I am with." If you are looking for a quirky place to spark romance it might be worth a try.
91 abantu bendawo batusa
The Fork 'N' Cork
122 Market StWe have a soft spot for this place because we went there on our very first date. To be honest, it is not the best date night restaurant because we are talking huge portions of comfort food. On the other hand, how can you not fall in love with someone who orders poutine, spills it on his shirt, looks you in the eyes and says "phew, at least it's just you that I am with." If you are looking for a quirky place to spark romance it might be worth a try.
Delicious and authentic French cuisine. So good that we box up the bread and leftover sauces to go. You won't want to let one crumb go to waste.
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Caprice bistro
10 Market StDelicious and authentic French cuisine. So good that we box up the bread and leftover sauces to go. You won't want to let one crumb go to waste.
Arguably the best sushi in Wilmington. Great ambience and service.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Yosake Downtown Sushi Lounge
33 S Front StArguably the best sushi in Wilmington. Great ambience and service.
This is a great place to go for date night or any night really because the food is ah-may-zing.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Little Dipper Fondue
138 S Front StThis is a great place to go for date night or any night really because the food is ah-may-zing.
Healthier fare. Here, there, and everywhere
Clean Juice
917 Innovation DrGreat place to get healthy juices, drinks, bowls and light sandwiches.
I love this place dearly. It has the best vibes and the best healthy treats that even kids will eat. Our family is a huge fan of the PB&J bowl (ask for extra peanut butter and agave for the kids). And the owners are the nicest people on the planet. Seriously. They gave out a rose to all visitors on Valentine's day. Bonus--this place is next to Target and who doesn't need to go to Target at least once on vacay?
Kalethy Living
4719 New Centre DriveI love this place dearly. It has the best vibes and the best healthy treats that even kids will eat. Our family is a huge fan of the PB&J bowl (ask for extra peanut butter and agave for the kids). And the owners are the nicest people on the planet. Seriously. They gave out a rose to all visitors on Valentine's day. Bonus--this place is next to Target and who doesn't need to go to Target at least once on vacay?
I am always begging for the hubby to make the trek out to this place. Delicious breakfast and lunch food that you don't have to feel guilty about. They have chia-seed pudding that I obsess over. And their ricotta gluten-free pancakes are unbelievable. And they have coffee and all kinds of specialty beverages. Need I say more?
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Drift Coffee & Kitchen
110 Dungannon BlvdI am always begging for the hubby to make the trek out to this place. Delicious breakfast and lunch food that you don't have to feel guilty about. They have chia-seed pudding that I obsess over. And their ricotta gluten-free pancakes are unbelievable. And they have coffee and all kinds of specialty beverages. Need I say more?
I am a salad snob. My salad standards are ridiculously high. This place serves the freshest salads EVERY time. I always order the cilantro lime chicken salad or the veggie wrap. This is an awesome casual lunch, breakfast or brunch spot and it is conveniently located across from Blue Moon Gift shops (the best place to shop for unique gifts).
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Blue Surf Cafe
250 Racine DrI am a salad snob. My salad standards are ridiculously high. This place serves the freshest salads EVERY time. I always order the cilantro lime chicken salad or the veggie wrap. This is an awesome casual lunch, breakfast or brunch spot and it is conveniently located across from Blue Moon Gift shops (the best place to shop for unique gifts).
If you love kombucha and plant-based food this is the place to visit. The kombucha is divine and the atmosphere is awesome. It is a 15-minute drive but worth it.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Panacea Brewing Company
4107 Oleander DrIf you love kombucha and plant-based food this is the place to visit. The kombucha is divine and the atmosphere is awesome. It is a 15-minute drive but worth it.
Neighborhoods
Carolina Beach
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrWilmington Downtown Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkAri's Favorite Shopping Spots
Blue Moon Gift Shops
203 Racine DrRecollections Vintage Village
5935 Carolina Beach RdAirlie Moon
1908 Eastwood RdCrabby Chic
5815 Oleander DriveThis is a cool place to visit for beachy home furnishings.
This historical building downtown houses lots of shops and a few eateries. It is a go-to shopping spot for visitors and locals alike.
77 abantu bendawo batusa
The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front StThis historical building downtown houses lots of shops and a few eateries. It is a go-to shopping spot for visitors and locals alike.
Things to do
I-Aquarium yaseNorth Carolina eFort Fisher
900 Loggerhead RdIzindiza ze-Airlie
300 Airlie RdArboretum Center
5919 Oleander DrLong Leaf Park
314 Pine Grove DrGreenfield Park
1739 Burnett BlvdRiverfront Park
North Water StreetBattleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEWilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt StThalian Hall is a historic site that hosts community theatre and other types of events throughout the year.
101 abantu bendawo batusa
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut StThalian Hall is a historic site that hosts community theatre and other types of events throughout the year.