For Executive Chef Jon Mitchell, the path to Perla Raw Bar feels both intentional and serendipitous. A Chapel Hill native with deep ties to Coastal North Carolina, Mitchell returned to the region after honing his craft in New York City, drawn by both a personal pull toward the coast and the opportunity to help shape something new.

At Evoke Mind + Body, therapy is more than a conversation—it’s a collaborative, whole-person approach to healing that meets you exactly where you are. With locations in Wilmington and Leland, the practice was founded on a simple but powerful idea: that mental health care should be accessible, personalized, and deeply human.

After 15 years in internal medicine, Dr. Chris Sepich witnessed the consequences firsthand. From ICU rooms to hospice care, he saw families struggle to interpret a patient’s wishes—sometimes leading to delayed care, fractured relationships, or even legal battles. Now, he’s stepping in with a first-of-its-kind solution.

At Di+Thurma Wilmington, wellness begins with a deeply personal mission. Founded by Andrea Reed, a hospital pharmacist who has spent decades witnessing the long-term consequences of chronic illness, the concept grew from a desire to shift the conversation from treating disease to preventing it.

At Tomiko-San, Executive Chefs James Nash and Bobby Watkins embrace Japanese cuisine with reverence and innovation. The veteran collaborators share a mission to introduce Wilmington diners to an authentic, nuanced presentation of Japanese food, grounded in tradition, precision, and deep respect for ingredients.

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Southeast is a playground for road-trip adventurers.

More of us are looking for alternatives to our fitness regime. Luckily, we know new and fun options to get and stay fit in Wilmington, NC.

We know that health and wellness are front & center on our minds and we're looking for the best ways to nurture mind & body.

Our top Wilmington yoga picks offer far more than a place to roll out a mat and get a good workout.