We are getting you set up for a date night out with a romantic spot in every Wilmington neighborhood. No matter what your zip code is, we know a few special spots you should add to your list, especially with Valentine’s Day just on the horizon! Pair this helpful list with our neighborhood guide to learn more about the Wilmington area.
Here are our favorite date night spots for these neighborhoods:
Greenfield Lake
If you are in the Greenfield Lake area, a bike ride around the lake is always dreamy. From there, a romantic date night at True Blue Butcher and Barrel would be a perfect pairing for any date. While the menu here is scaled down, find all the steak house classics like a wedge salad, burrata, sandwiches, burgers, lobster rolls and tortas. The shareable menu also has all the comfort foods with tacos, pork belly, wings, crab cakes, steak frites and more. But the real mainstay here is their cocktail menu and an exciting bourbon selection.
Hampstead
In Hampstead, check out Oval and Ale for date night. Here you’ll find a full menu of pinsas (flatbreads similar to pizzas) which come in a personal pan size. Order one for yourself and one for a date. Plus check out their appetizers, salads and specials. There are local beers on tap and a small wine selection at this local’s hang. With live music and plenty of outdoor seating and lawn games, Oval and Ale has a local pub feel with elevated foods.
Wrightsville Beach
While Wrightsville Beach has an impressive food scene with plenty of new places to try — we are sending you to one of the OG Wrightsville Beach classics. Jerry’s is a cozy, white tablecloth dining experience with classic American cuisine. Start off with Tuna Tartare, pork belly, or some seared quail before moving on to soups and salads. The grilled horseradish tuna is one for the books.
Carolina & Kure Beach
If you are looking for a Lady and The Tramp-style date, Freddie’s Restaurant is your place. Candle burning down into a wine bottle? Check. Giant plates of spaghetti? Check. Plus the pork chops are famous, as is the house salad dressing.
Ogden & Porters Neck
Just a few stoplights from Ogden Park you’ll find Catch Restaurant. Owned and operated by James Beard-nominated chef Keith Rhodes, Catch puts local seafood and shellfish on the pedestal they deserve. Stop by the bar for a martini and proceed to try everything on the menu. Explore locally-sourced oysters, beautiful fish and soft shell crab (when in season).
Pine Valley
This neighborhood boasts some great spots, especially for lunch. For a dinner date, check out Indochine’s sister restaurant Cafe Chinois. Like its name suggests, this place blends French and Asian cuisine. It also boasts an impressive Dragon Bar with craft cocktails perfect for your Instagram feed.
Downtown
Do you know of another restaurant in Wilmington that lights a giant wheel of Parmesan cheese on fire with whiskey and then tosses pasta noodles inside for a decadent sauce, all tableside? That’s on the menu at Tarantelli’s, along with some of the most authentic Italian dishes around.
