As the holiday season approaches, Marina Grill is embracing the spirit of giving, celebration, and cozy indulgence. Under the guidance of F&B Director Tim Akins, this year marks a milestone for the waterfront favorite — from preparing Thanksgiving meals for the first time to partnering with The Salvation Army to support families in need, and donating a portion of Thanksgiving sales to Nourish NC.

There are certain flavors that signal the start of the holiday season—rich chocolates, buttery toffees, perfectly crunchy peanut brittle. This year, Wilmington gets to enjoy all of them with the arrival of a beloved American favorite: See’s Candies, now open for a limited time with a festive Holiday Gifting Center on South College Road.

With a culinary journey rooted in family traditions and sharpened through years of hands-on experience, Executive Chef Duane Ellison brings both heart and skill to the kitchen at Marina Grill.

At Perla Raw Bar, oysters aren’t just a menu item—they are a craft, a celebration of coastal waters, and a tribute to the farmers who pull them from tide to table. Known for elevating the region’s most exceptional oysters with both classic and creative preparations, Perla has earned its place as one of the Cape Fear’s premier oyster destinations.

At The Green House, the holidays arrive not with fanfare, but with feeling. The restaurant’s airy, modern space transforms into a haven of warm light, rich seasonal aromas, and shared anticipation—the kind that builds when people gather with intention.

Oysters are at the heart of the experience at Flying Machine Oyster Bar, where creativity, craft, and coastal sourcing come together on every plate. From indulgent, Southern-inspired baked preparations to clean, briny raw offerings that celebrate the character of the waters they’re grown in, FMOB brings a thoughtful, chef-driven approach to a beloved local staple.

At Seabird in downtown Wilmington, Chef and Owner Dean Neff has built a culinary philosophy around honoring the North Carolina coast—its people, its seasons, and extraordinary seafood.

Overlooking the Cape Fear River, Sugo was created for moments just like these — when great food brings people together, and the simple act of sharing a meal becomes something memorable. This year, the restaurant leans into everything we love about winter dining: dishes rooted in Italian tradition, rich and comforting seasonal flavors, an elevated yet intimate atmosphere, and the kind of attentive hospitality that makes every guest feel at home.

For Executive Chef Dexter Spencer, cooking has always been about connection—to place, to season, and to the ingredients themselves. A Wilmington native who trained in Portland, Oregon, Spencer brings a rare blend of scientific curiosity and soulful creativity to his kitchen at The Green House.

In the historic heart of Wilmington—where The City Club’s elegant halls whisper stories of another era—Executive Chef Tripp Engel is bringing a fresh, soulful energy to Southern fine dining.

At Bespoke, Wilmington’s newest all-day bar, Robby Dow is reimagining what it means to gather over a drink. Drawing on his years in New York cocktail culture and his North Carolina roots, Dow has created a program that bridges the ritual of morning coffee with the vibrancy of Italian aperitivo hour.

Negroni Week comes to Wilmington, NC.

Smoky, juicy, and kissed with the flavor of wood charcoal—that's the heart of Alpaca, the Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken spot winning over diners in Southport and Wilmington. Behind the counters are co-owners Ranbir Bakhshi and Fabian Llamas, who saw an opportunity to bring a beloved Triangle favorite to the coast.

Meet the Chef, Chris Vergill, The Pilot House, Wilmington, NC.

Wilmington food lovers—MasterChef All-Stars Live! is heading to the Wilson Center on September 28, bringing with it the fire, flavor, and fierce competition of TV’s top cooking show, live on stage.

Our favorite Cape Fear crafted summer beers. Here are our top picks to sip along to your favorite tunes.

Meet the Chef, Jimmy McDowell of Paloma's at Hotel Lela in Wilmington, NC.

Tucked away in Mocksville, North Carolina, Rayson Vineyards is quietly reshaping the conversation around North Carolina wine—and it's doing so with an unmistakably personal touch.

At the heart of downtown Wilmington's culinary scene, Chef Thomas Calhoun brings a world of flavor to the table at Sugo Italian Restaurant.

In the world of food, true passion often emerges from humble beginnings, and Chef Jim Diecchio of SalitaPizza is a perfect example of that.

Indulge in the marriage of breakfast and lunch, here are the best brunch eateries in Wilmington, NC

Executive Chef Em Acker of King Neptune Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Chef Will Copeland’s culinary story began in the unassuming kitchen of a small, 40-seat Italian restaurant just outside Nashville, Tennessee

Chef Taylor Trumbetti of G-Prime Steak & Cellar in Wilmington, NC.

Looking for beautiful latte art, ethically sourced beans, or fun, one-of-a-kind beverages? Here are our top picks.

This season, we're excited to share a few of our favorite winter concoctions from the menu at End of Days Distillery.

Celebrating Italian Christmas food traditions and local flavors with Antonio Carlo Sauces and Raffaldini Wines.

Winter Beers to keep you cozy from our favorite craft brewers.

Winter Cocktails from Dram & Draught

Now, at Commodore Club, at Wrightsville Yacht Club, Chef Keen brings his expertise to life, creating exceptional dining experiences.

With a deep passion for elevating classic comfort foods, Executive Chef Jordan Keen of The Commodore Club brings a creative flair.

Mrs Gray's Butterscotch Cookie from Graylyn Estate.

Chefs Lauren and Sunny, are the creative masterminds behind Olivero restaurant.

In our seasonal cooking series, we join Executive Chef Daniel Zbiengien of Rayson Winery & Vineyards and Bistro Europa in his kitchen.

Ray & Anastasia Worrell are the owners of Slice of Life Pizzeria & The Green House Restaurant in Wilmington, NC

Tana Cowin is the owner and founder of North Carolina based, Country Water.

Meet the Chef, Ken Hanson, of South Front Tavern in Wilmington, NC.

End of Days mixologist and bartender Gus Bellavida recently won the prestigious People's Choice Award for Best Cocktail.

Legacy & Worth Wines creating memorable experiences.

In this seasonal series, we join Winemaker & Chef JW Ray of JOLO Vineyards and End Post restaurant in his kitchen as he cooks.

In the charming town of Lewisville, NC, the Old Nick Williams Distillery stands as a testament to a centuries-old family tradition.

Summer is in full swing and the living is easy. We can't think of a better way to stay cool than refreshing cocktails from End of Days.

May is #burgermonth, and while burger love is truly a subjective thing, we've selected our 5 favorite burgers done brilliantly.

Meet the Chef of Covey Restaurant in Wilmington, NC, Austen Schindler.

Spring cocktails from Dram & Draught

Anastasia Worrell hails from a small country in Eastern Europe called Moldova, and The Green House is a nostalgic return to her roots.

Charcuterie platters are all the rage, and our culinary port city offers a variety of options.

Finding elevated mocktails in Wilmington is getting easier and more accessible now that more people are looking for non-alcoholic drinks.

We’re turning up the heat and showcasing the Best Pizza's in Wilmington, NC and surrounding Cape Fear areas.

Winter cocktails from End of Days Distillery