With Valentine’s Day and some more cold winter days ahead, here are some of the coziest and most romantic restaurants around the Wilmington-area. Unwind in these historic, candle-lit spaces with some of the best menus in town. You’ll love the classic American fare and the seafood specialties with stellar atmospheres to top it off. Here are our favorite cozy, romantic Wilmington-area restaurants:
Caprice Bistro
This long-time Wilmington French bistro is a stronghold of dining downtown. Enjoy authentic French cuisine either downstairs in the cafe or upstairs in the cozy lounge. The curried mussels are fantastic, don’t skip on their martinis and definitely don’t leave without dessert. Check out Caprice Bistro.
Manna
“Perfection is simply doing a lot of little things very well,” is the mantra at manna. Dine on white tablecloths with an expertly trained staff, extremely talented kitchen (chef Carson Jewell) and an unbeatable wine cellar. Manna is a favorite of celebrities while in town filming. Just the fresh baked bread alone might be enough to make manna your favorite, too.
Tarantelli’s
Tucked underneath a historic Wilmington hotel, Tarantelli’s serves homemade pasta and specialties family style. For a real cozy flair, order the Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiana — spaghetti tossed into a whiskey-flaming wheel of parmigiana reggiano table side.
Dram Yard
This restaurant and bar may have one of the more eclectic and unique styles with tons of subtle nods to Wilmington’s history. Pull up a seat at the bar, find a cozy booth or sit around a fire in the patio garden. The menu here is just as fantastic as the scenery. We highly recommend a cocktail! Check out Dram Yard.
Jerry’s Food, Wine & Spirits
In Wrightsville Beach, Jerry’s Food Wine and Spirits is a classic favorite. Come for the seared scallops and stay for their famous stuffed grouper. While the menu here may be a throwback to classic American dining, the drinks and flavors never dissapoint.
Little Dipper Fondue
If you are a fondue lover, don’t skip on our local fondue hot spot. Little Dipper is a quaint layout in an old historical building on Front Street with a huge menu selection of cheeses and dessert fondues.
Fortunate Glass
Looking for a wine bar to settle into? There is very limited seating in this cozy and historic Front Street spot. Explore a vast menu of wines and small plates. With any luck you’ll snag the window seat, where you can people watch for hours. Check out The Fortunate Glass.
Mr P’s Bistro
After a day exploring and shopping in Southport, unwind at Mr. P’s Bistro — a classic American bistro serving cuisine of the Lower Cape Fear River. Enjoy oysters, shrimp and grits, steaks and more. This is also the cozy restaurant setting featured in the Nicholas Sparks film, “Safe Haven,” filmed in Southport.
Looking for a date night suggestions close to you in Wilmington? Here are date night suggestions for every neighborhood in town!
