We had a blast at Ponysaurus. They have a great beer selection, friendly staff, and delicious…read morefood. We enjoyed appetizers and pizza as well as a sandwich. Everything was great. They have a huge Biergarten area that was perfect for our large group. We also appreciated having the outside bar available. We will definitely be back.

Super fun place to check it. It is pretty big (back garden, upstairs, and tables up front), which…read moremeans it can get super packed. There was a whole pub crawl group when we went and it definitely got busy! Frozen drinks, THC drinks, beers, and cocktails for drinks. Ended up getting a guava wit 6 pack on the way out and it was great - sour, fruity, very drinkable. Lots of food options but we were told to get the garlic knots and we definitely needed those! The sausage and fennel pizza was delicious, I do wish the fennel had been a little more caramelized/charred. Pepperoni and basil came out fresh, they do let you customize a basic pizza if you don't want any of the specialty ones.

The family and I stopped by on a chilly Saturday afternoon for Gears and Beers, not a ton of cars…read morebut enough to get us out of the house. Large outdoor area, resident food truck. We walked inside and were immediately greeted by the bartender. I ordered the coffee and cream, my husband had the Irish red and our daughter had some grape juice lol. Which Jessica was so nice to offer her. We found a cozy corner with a couch and a couple chairs and our little one was thoroughly entertained with all the books and games. They brew their beer in house, along with a few THC drinks and a full bar, if beer isn't your thing. We can't wait to come back for one of their many events or just for a chill day/night out.

Stopped by for the Oktoberfest event . Found parking with no issue. Super crowded beautiful day for…read morethe event , wonderful German music and food . Purchased a ticket for a beer and checked out the food trucks. Decided on a pretzel and beer. The pretzel was from Croftons - it had the perfect amount of salt on it . Had the Oktoberfest beer - beautiful color , taste was smooth and well balanced - not harsh, no bitter aftertaste. Definitely worth it.

Drinks , great. Pizza from place next door can be brought in. Arcade and some other outdoor games,…read morelarge space , dogs welcome. Its what you want in a family friendly and inclusive brewery.

Fun brewery! Would definitely recommend. Great atmosphere…read more We had a very large crowd and they were able to accommodate us.

We ventured in to a new spot this afternoon and this place is about as cool as it gets. An…read moreincredible bartender that explained everything. A crowd pleasing tap list. Great cocktails. Dog friendly. A cozy and enjoyable courtyard (for lack of a better term). Picnic tables. Dog friendly. Kid friendly. Board games were available for the kids. A remarkably well decorated and designed bar. An open air bar area (weather permitting of course) with doors that led directly to their courtyard full of picnic tables and a grassy area which invited your family pet. This place was an incredible find for just stumbling in. I can guarantee that we will patron this business often and it's another great addition for the cargo district area. It was a unique attraction for the Wilmington area and it will thrive in an already popular area in ILM. The bartender told us all the plans that they have for this business and we can't wait to see their dreams become a reality. Top quality service. The employees were personable and provided attentive service.

What a fantastic evening at Dram Yard…read more We were a little concerned we might miss our 5:30 reservation after getting delayed by a seven-car accident on the bridge, but we arrived just a couple of minutes late and it wasn't an issue at all. From the moment we arrived, the experience was relaxed, welcoming, and exactly what we needed. We chose to sit in the beautiful courtyard, and with temperatures in the 70s, sunshine overhead, and a gentle breeze, it couldn't have been a more perfect setting. The outdoor gazebo bar creates a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying a cocktail before dinner, and if the weather isn't cooperating, the indoor dining space is equally inviting. A special thank you to Sarah, whose service was outstanding. She was cheerful, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which made for a peaceful and unhurried dining experience. For drinks, I ordered the Ghost Town, while my wife enjoyed the Venus Flytrap. Both were beautifully prepared and easy to see why they're among the restaurant's popular cocktails. The food was equally impressive. I had the Spaghetti Carbonara, and it was exceptional. The kitchen even accommodated my request for extra freshly cracked black pepper, which took an already excellent dish to another level. My wife ordered the Little Gem Salad with shrimp, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We also shared the Tuna Tartare Tostada, which was outstanding--beautiful presentation, fresh tuna, and a great balance of textures and flavors. Adding to the experience was a bottle of Albariño that paired wonderfully with the meal. What stands out most about Dram Yard is its atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can settle in, slow down, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, and forget about the stresses of the day. Whether you're looking for a date night, an evening with friends, or simply a quiet place to relax, Dram Yard delivers. Excellent service, creative cocktails, outstanding food, and one of the most relaxing outdoor dining spaces in Wilmington. We'll definitely be back.

This was the 3rd time we've been here. The first two times we did not make it to the table because…read moreof the service. They generally do not care about the customer at all. The star of the show is definitely the food. The chef is super proud of his food, and he should be. The only reason I'm giving this a 4 on food instead of a 5 is because there was no iced tea (in the summer in the carolinas - not really forgivable) the water was nasty and the biscuits on my Benedict were towards the burnt side on the bottom. Honestly, everything otherwise was amazing. What was really great: The restaurant itself is AMAZING! It's like being transported to a Parisian cafe. I love that when you walk in, you immediately see the fully in view kitchen. I'm assuming a chef owns the restaurant and designed the layout. The patio is quaint and delightful and surprisingly private for a downtown sidewalk restaurant. The eggs on my Eggs Benedict could not have been more perfect. I'm not a fried potato person; however, the pan fried potatoes here are mostly whole and they are out of this world. They were exceedingly crispy on the outside and completely soft on the inside. My son ordered the dutch baby. It was delicious. The accompanied fruit was perfect and truly ripe. I feel like they would have to toss a lot of fruit to get the ones that were truly that perfect. What did not work: The water - it was about 85 degrees out and humid. There is nothing here refreshing. Water is served European style meaning no ice and out of the tap. Warm tap water on a hot day in South Carolina is just nasty. It's ironic that while Europeans visiting the US for the World Cup are posting social media reels raving about ice in drinks in the United States, meanwhile The Dram Yard is insisting on pulling all of the worst parts of eating out in Europe into their restaurant. I truly dislike restaurants that serve canned and bottled beverages. It screams, "nickel and dime". If you bought your cans of soda at Costco and charged $4.00 for a can, I'd have to drink 9 cans before you're losing money. There is literally no reason to limit beverages other than driving higher profits. I hate price gouging. At the very least get a fountain and serve iced tea. SERVICE - the service staff simply makes you feel like they're doing you a favor by being open. Don't expect anything after that. When we arrived, the restaurant was at about 25% capacity with 2 food servers, who also double as the hostess. After waiting 10 minutes to be seated (yes...even at 25% capacity), service truly went downhill from there. It wasn't that the staff was rude. They were just not present and extremely slow. It honestly seemed like they were doing everything they could to not be seen. We needed salt, a refill of the water carafe and our check. That was it. The staff would come to our part of the dining room but then not even glance around or come by to see if we needed anything. I'm giving them a 2 because they were exceedingly slow and not present. When we did chase them down, I felt rude asking for help. The chef delivered our food. He was very proud and should be. However, here's the rub. The chef needs to learn that being in the restaurant business is not only about creating great food. It also requires front of house service and an overall dining experience that people are happy with. Right now, I'm walking away feeling: 1. great food and great atmosphere 2. terrible service 3. nickle and dimed me on drinks 4. doesn't have the sense to serve iced tea in the Caronlinas So - as much as I loved the food - there are too many restaurants in Wilmington that are good enough to overcome 2, 3 and 4 above. The Dram could be fixed so easily: 1. hire servers who want to be there and smile a little 2. put ice in your water 3. serve iced tea - at least in the summer months 4. get a soda fountain - it's 2026 Unfortunately, we won't be back because there are simply other options that, at the very least, hit 1, 2 and 3 with good food.

If you enjoy Wilmington Brewing Company then you need to head over to their newer brewery concept…read morein Downtown Wilmington. It is a huge space. The have beers from their other brewery on tap but we opted to try their beers. It was the sand dollar shoals czech lager for my husband and the reef runners west coast IPA for me. We both enjoyed them plus seeing the brewery cat. If you are looking to purchase a surf board they have stock and custom options available that you can watch them build. Cheers!

We all love Wilmington Brewery, right?? This is owned by the same couple, but it's in downtown…read more They serve different beer but have Tropical Lightening, of course! It's a huge space with a long bar and plenty of seats. The main area has tables and comfortable seating vignettes, they have a back area with more tables, and a small patio. They also serve cocktails! And, you can watch a surfboard shaper at work! Some would say Wilmington has enough breweries, but my family will say that we can never have enough of this fine brewer.

We found through a search, and wandered into Flytrap Brewing this past weekend for the first time…read more Located at 319 Walnut Street. The space, equal parts cozy taproom and shaded beer garden, feels both vibrant and homey. If you're reading this and asking yourself what is the region's native icon, the Venus Flytrap - we have catching up to do. Read history below the review. The mood was easygoing. Two staff members, juggling orders with grace, kept the taps moving and the vibe relaxed. We had the Oatmeal Porter (dark, smooth, layered with chocolate, roasted malt, and caramel) And the Brook's Mulberry Lemonade (a blend of house-made lemonade and beer, fermented with mulberries hand-picked from Brook's garden). Both were super delicious. Flytrap Brewing sits tucked in a quiet Wilmington neighborhood, and it feels like it belongs there. The thoughtful drinks, easy crowd, and unpretentious energy, we will for sure be back! History: The Venus flytrap, scientifically known as Dionaea muscipula, is native to a limited area of the southeastern United States. ONLY naturally growing specifically within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington, North Carolina. This area includes parts of both North and South Carolina. The plant was first discovered in the late 1700s. So respected in North Carolina, removing or poaching them from public lands or private property is a Felony. Purchasing them or growing yourself is praised.

The beer was fantastic. And the overall ambiance was terrific. The back was fenced in, and would be…read moreperfect for kids to run around in. With twinkly lights and cozy corners to sit in, it's also a great place for a date night. The server was friendly, hospitable, had great recommendations, and was happy to let me try a few beers before I decided what I liked. The free popcorn was a nice touch too. It's a bit off the beaten path, but not a long walk from the River Walk or Main Street at all. I did miss the bigger fly traps in the back, and the ones inside were smaller (and a different kind) than I was expecting. Still, this place has a really cool, chill, and fun vibe. Highly, highly recommend.