A beautiful sunny day we got to sit out and watch the water while eating some great food. The wait staff was very helpful! We will be back! read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Bathroom decor - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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It is with sadness that I write this review of Docksides. So many wonderful nights here in the past and while the view is still the best in NC, sadly the food tonight just was not good. My table was under a speaker and it was loud enough for the whole outside. I had fried shrimp. They were OK. I love tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was awful. The chips were ok. The slaw was ok. Back to that tartar sauce, it was really awful. I really loved this place and practically raised my kids here, but not tonight. read more

This review is strictly for the location, environment and drinks. I have not eaten here and can only recommend it as a sweet spot to park your boat and "Dock and Drink" after a nice day on the water. They do not have a technical Happy Hour but around that general time period, the bar gets super packed and you will definitely have to wait a minute to get your order in, especially if it's really nice out. They have a massive craft beer list filled with tons of local favorites. I generally go for a vodka bloody mary (topped with celery, lime and shrimp) or a tequila margarita (salt rim). Most cocktails are around the $5-10 range. You come to Dockside for the views and the vibes. It's kind of like a fancy beach bar with average drink prices and great views of the boats on the Intracoastal. It's not a place I'd go if you're in a rush but rather a cool spot to park up for a while and have a couple drinks amongst friends before getting back out on the water. They have their own dock for boats right out front, and free parking lot for cars, across the street. Would recommend! read more

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Looking for another restaurant came across the parking lot for Dockside it was filling up quickly so I parked and decided to take a look. Ask for seating outside the view of the boats on the water are worth it. My server was slow and seemed in training which was fine I had time to kill. Looking for a snack ordered the Hot Crab dip after seeing it go down on another table. It will come out hot and bubbling with your choice of tortilla chips or pita points. The dip is rich and creamy with plenty of crab. At sixteen dollars felt it was a decent portion for the money. It is also gluten free if you go with the tortilla chips. I would suggest bringing a sweater or a light jacket if there is a breeze and your in the shade it can get chilly. read more

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Prices have really gone up..... Had shrimp tacos and they now charge for the house made chips...been going for years and can't justify going back. read more

This is our second time here. We came off season back in February and today! We started with the calamari and crab dip and the coconut mojito. The calamari was ok, the crab dip was good as for the mojito! That's a hard no. All I tasted was club soda, stick to beer and it was the same when I had a cocktail back in February. For our main dishes; hubby had the catch of the day which was Tuna and 2 side dishes, our daughter had the kids chicken and I had their pita bread with chicken. Honestly this place gets 3 stars just because I love the view! I would give it 5 stars but people don't come only for the view! The food lacks flavor! The chicken had no flavor! I can honestly say that a fast food restaurant probably has more flavor than the chicken my daughter and I had. The tuna was ok as per the hubby! He knows his seafood and it was a bit over cooked even though he told the waitress how he wanted it! Again, don't expect much from the menu! Come here for the view, the cold beers and that's it! They do have a large area outside so it's a good place to come for that! But if you are looking for a good meal, I suggest you go across the bridge and go to those places. read more

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Stopped by for a late lunch after the beach. It was raining so the servers were accommodating and let us move to the covered tables. We ordered 2 beer and the calamari to start. SO GOOD! Crispy and light. We killed the whole thing. I ordered blackened mahi mahi sandwich and my fiancée got the mahi mahi fish tacos. He enjoyed his meal and so did I. Good casual beach food. Loved the lemon pepper fries. Nice surprise. Would eat here again. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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We came to dockside for a Saturday afternoon cocktail as a recommendation from a friend. We each got a painkiller and then a rum runner! We enjoyed them on their upper deck and watched the boats go by. Definitely head to dockside soon for great service and a strong cocktail! read more

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Used to be my favorite place to go until I found issues on my bill and they then gave me the run around and said they would fix it never did then gaslighted me and interupted me.. So yes after that I was rude.... They guy picking up the phone on 11-12-24 should be fired.... VERY UNPROFEESIONAL. Watch your bill here.. read more

We were staying at Shell Island Resort and wanted to eat lunch at a local place (2-27-20). The guy at the front desk sent us to Dockside. To start, we ordered Spanky's Blue Crab Dip. This had a bit too much mayo for us. Not enough crab flavor. She ordered the Fish & Chips. If you are an Ireland kind of fish & chips person, DO NOT ORDER THES! You literally get a pile of chips! The Ahi Tuna is really not that great. It is not worth ordering. I ordered the Crab Cakes. I ordered a salad but they brought the salad out at the same time as my crab cakes. I was not going to eat my salad while my crab cakes got cold. The crab cakes were good! Besides the actual crab cakes, the entire meal was very mediocre! For the price, you can do better. The view is what you are paying for! Most Sincerely! read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Spanky's Blue Crab Dip - not enough crab and too much mayo. - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Every time I've been to dockside lately, it's been amazing! Today I had Maggie as my server! She is HANDS DOWN the best server I have ever had here. So attentive and personable! I can't wait to come back! My typical order is 1/2 peck of oysters and a glass of champagne. Perfect weekend activity. I also love the "fish & chips" pictured here. read more

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Great place to dock the boat and have a great lunch. Very dog and people friendly. Easy access to tables and drinks. Love the atmosphere.

Bar had tons of options, many local brews! Great atmosphere and balcony situation. Busy after 5.

Arrived 15 minutes before opening on a Sunday morning and the line was forming (we were #3). Our server was great and showed plenty of attention even though he seemed to have all 8 tables on the top deck. Our breakfast selections came quickly (specials) and were very good, though my wife said her was leaning more warm than hot, which we thought weird as read more

We stopped here while in Wilmington last month. We had 3 kiddos with us and just wanted some good seafood and a cold beer. We found both here and had the added bonus of an incredible view. Our waitress was very attentive and patient with us 2 moms wrangling our multiple minions. We both got the crab cake sandwich with hush puppies and all I have to say is *chef kiss*! It was perfect and I wish I was there on an afternoon in June reliving the exact same order. I will definitely be stopping in next time we are in the Wilmington area! read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I walked in, took one look around, and immediately walked back out. This spot is undeniably dockside, with all seating outdoors on picnic tables. Unfortunately, there's no bar to sit at and chat with friendly neighbors. However, it did offer stunning views of the waterway. read more

This is a cool outdoor bar and restaurant. It's directly on the waterfront and has really lovely views. I was here with a very large group and they accommodated us well. Service at the bar was fast and drinks were super inexpensive. Even some of the group's more unusual requests like 15 irish car bomb shots were handled with ease. Definitely a fun place to enjoy a few drinks. read more

After spending all yesterday in the sun and getting a pretty significant sunburn, my husband and I decided to use today to recuperate. We drove up to Wrightsville Beach to try Dockside as I've heard good things about it. It's not a fancy schmancy restaurant but it was a great experience. The view was AMAZING! We sat outside and enjoyed a beautiful view and breeze coming off the water. We weren't super hungry and I had seen a sign for farm fresh fried pickles on the bar where we got drinks while we waited. I ordered that and a house salad. My husband ordered calamari. The salad cane first, which is fine. It was huge! We split that and I was grateful to have some greens before eating something fried! Our food came quickly. Hubs said the calamari was good and tender. The fried pickles were really good too! I like whatever they seasoned them with! We had each gotten a drink at the bar (I got a virgin strawberry daiquiri and he got a beer). The drinks were a little pricey, but I enjoyed mine and hubs enjoyed his. We had great service and will most likely return the next time we're in the area! read more

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I love this outside bar! Their covid measures are acceptable and I love being able to sit outside and drink with my friends still! I will forever love coming here and hanging out at the outside bar! I know this is short and sweet, but in my opinion if you can come and have a drink do it and if you can get a table and eat do that too! read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Wicked weed sour - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Very nice restaurant with an amazing deck and front view towards the dock. Food is good, totally recommend the shrimp broiled. Great service, staff very friendly. 9/10 read more

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This is such a classic Wilmington staple for me. When I come back to the area I always try to make a stop here. The food is always good ( though occasionally greasy) but filling and delicious. The view is great to eat seafood and is perfect for summer brunch. Hands-down I love/miss/crave the crab dip. I can eat this as my meal, it is so fresh and delicious. I also lust for their hush puppies, I love eating these to switch up the flavor and texture on the palette. I've never had any issues with the service, although be prepared to wait for a table if you are coming with a large party on a nice day. I'll be back, probably with friends. 4.5/5 read more

I just love this place. Not a fan of the slaw, but that's my opinion. Great food, staff, and atmosphere.

I don't think you come here for the slightly over priced drinks but the place is fun and it's on the water. This was my first time here and to me due to the cold weather, it wasn't as fun as if it had been a little warmer. None the less, the vibe is very much like something you would find in Newport Beach, the people are good looking and there is tons of doc space. You can bring your dog here and there is extra parking across the street. Nothing stuck out in this place for me which is why I'm giving 3 stars. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

To start, sugar daddies on the incoming yachts were a sight to see. The college kids with black eyes at the table behind us were questionable. 0/10 for the flies in attendance. But 10/10 for the food. Waitress was cute but slightly forgetful - but overall a great worker. Also - come hungry because the food is large and in charge. Would definitely revisit. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

10/21/21 Service: great!! Food: Some hits and misses IMHO... The View: Gorgeous ICW...great sunset views I had only been to Dockside for drinks and had never eaten the food, so was curious to see what it was like. We (my Pops and me) came for a late lunch/early dinner after visiting family in the hospital all day. The views are amazing...great to be right on the water and see the boats passing by...very peaceful. I had a glass of Savignon Blanc and my Dad had a local beer. They were promptly served and were chilled properly. The dish that was the star of the day was their twist on 'Fish & Chips'. Clever name, which included Tortilla Chips topped with a cucumber and tomato Pico de Gallo, a creamy crema (not spicy- which I thought would have added a nice kick in lieu of wasabi, which I personally enjoy with my tuna), perfectly seared Ahi-like grade tuna (which tasted very fresh, believe it was also the fresh catch of the day as well, if memory serves). Please keep in mind the portion size is HUGE, so prepare to share, or only order for yourself if you are starving and can 'put away some food'! ;) Overall, a VERY solid and original dish...will surely order that again!! I ordered the Crabcake sandwich and it didn't remind me of crabcakes I have made at the restaurant where I recently worked, or eaten in Maryland...not near enough seasoning to accent the crab. A little acid or better remoulade could have possibly helped. Also, and unfortunately, it had very little crab and it wasn't lump crab meat- which I believe is a MUST for a crabcake! If I am eating a crabcake, I want to see the CRAB...not so much filler. If it had been seasoned better, perhaps that would have been better... Ultimately, I do think it is unfair to judge a crabcake against FRESH Very well Seared Tuna...so that's something to consider. The slaw seriously lacked salt and any 'umph'...fell kinda flat to me, not even enough mayo and dampness in my opinion...probably would have been better if flavors (and some more seasocould have marinated and melded a bit more... The French Fries; however were EXTREMELY tasty...VERY good and seasoned quite well! I couldn't stop eating them...they were perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Whoever was working in the fry station knew what they were doing! Well done! Overall, the food was just ok...besides that Ahi Tuna Dish...OUTSTANDING!!!... But the service was very good...sadly, I thought I had written down her name in notes, but did not. (She was medium height 5'6" and had dirty blonde hair and was waiting on the tables outside late afternoon (I believe it was just before 4pm when we arrived). She was very kind and sweet and did a great job taking care of us and the other tables around us, IMO. As Tom Colicchio says: Putting one item of a dish that is seasoned with something not seasoned properly = An unseasoned dish. Also: 'People come for the food...they come BACK for the service.' I will surely be back, but probably not for the crab cakes. This restaurant's major selling point is that it has a beautiful view. And also those fabulous 'Fish and Chips'! FYI: They do have a decent walk-up bar (which is where I always visited here until this visit), where you can also order food to getfor a table or above on the view 'platform'/ seating area. And there are places just beside Dockside and Fishhouse and BridgeTender to dock your boat for lunch or dinner. read more

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We had a great meal. This is a true gem in Wilmington and will certainly visit again. Shrimp was great

Beautiful location and very friendly and helpful staff. Nice drink menu with lots of beer options and fun mixed drinks too. Prices on par for a place on the water. The only problem I had was with my shrimp tacos. Nothing was done with the shell, usually a taco shell is heated up a bit. Maybe thrown on the grill or something. The shells for my tacos were cold and "raw" which made for not the best taco experience. Otherwise it was a cool spot. Great live music too! read more

Wonderful spot for a beer and fresh seafood. You relax watching boats go by and yachts docked for an hour or two with family or friends. I read more

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This place was recommended by the resort I was staying at so I decided to check it out for an early dinner. I sat outside as it was a beautiful day and the view of the water and docks did not disappoint. I ordered the buffalo chicken dip to start and was not very impressed with this, but I also should have known better and ordered the crab dip. I ordered the crab cake sandwich and this was delicious. It had great flavors and I probably could have eaten another one. The service was over all pretty good and they had a good selection of beers although they seemed to be out of the first couple I attempted to order. They also do not have any beers on draft so it came in a can. It would have been nice to be offered a chilled glass, but it was still refreshing. Overall I would recommend this place. It's nothing fancy, but it gets the job done and has a great view! read more

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Great food. Server was very friendly and loved eating lunch overlooking the water! Salad was plenty full of delicious vegetables and chicken, nice & refreshing. read more

Me and my wife had lunch here. Food was delicious. Shrimp tacos and fish sandwich. Best ever. Atmosphere and view were awesome. Our new place to hang out. Highly recommend. read more

Great views, great food. Amelia was the best server. Recommend... and not just because my cousin works in the kitchen. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - View from my table - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Chill vibes, romantic views, and amazing frozen cocktails!! We started with the Pina Colada because obviously we had too, but I quickly noticed the orange creamsicle and that is my new go to! Frozen cocktails were around $12 each which is far for the location, flavor, and demand. Highly recommend going to their bar area and checking out their lower and upper level decks. You can even move a barstool out to sit right by the rails, watching the boats go in and out through the channel. Attitude here is very low key and clientele seemed to be a lot of the "old money" type (lots of polos, boat shoes, and old guys yellin' jokes at each other) . Part of the fun thought right : P read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Orange creamsicle with orange sorbet IG: @mars.eats.world - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This is a neat little spot down at the docks as you first enter Wrightsville beach. Def has the vibe and atmosphere here. I think this place is well known for their Painkiller cocktail (best I've had around here). Food is mediocre, as I wasn't too impressed. I just feel that there's nothing special food wise here. After a painkiller or two and a view of the boats coming in who really cares how the food is? haha. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Painkillers! Best around! - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Came with a small group over a holiday weekend. The restaurant is very informal, so for what it is you have a beautiful view, and decently priced food and drinks. We had lunch and were seated right away, at a table overlooking the dock. The food was good and service was attentive,our drinks were refilled and the wait was not excessive for the food. The restaurant has a parking lot or you can dock your boat next to it. read more

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Start with Hushpuppies and peel and eat shrimp - yum!We have eaten here frequently and each person has liked each order, so an all around win for our group. My favorites - the house salad with the broiled crab cake, the combo platter with shrimp, scallops, oysters, flounder, and crab (you choose two or thee items). If they aren't too busy, they will offer broiled and fried mix in the combo platter. The tacos were a family fav as were the shrimp and the crab sandwiches. The waterway views are amazing and if you have a boat you can dock here to dine - the literal dockside! Parking for cars could be confusing, as first-timers may not know to park across the street. Service has been great as well! read more

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My adult family (21 and older children) and I have been here before. Always happy with the food and service. Also happy with both this time. Our server was great, I think her name was Haley, if not I am sorry. She was awesome. We started with the Tsunami Shrimp and Bloody Mary's. The shrimp was tender and the coating perfectly cooked. We should have ordered two. The fried clams were unfortunately chewy and very over cooked. The oysters were delicious, but they came in a bucket with big clusters. Clusters that we couldn't separate and were difficult to open ourselves. Half of the oysters were empty and many of the others were so hard to open we gave up. My sister had the crab cakes which she enjoyed but said it had too much breading. I had the fresh catch of the day sandwich which was blackened tuna. It was delicious. We were not big fans of the hush puppies. They were hard, overcooked and did not taste homemade. Generic, from a restaurant supply store. This review may not seem like 4/5 stars but they have always been amazing before so I gave them the benefit of the doubt with limited servers and probably minimal help in the kitchen because no one can get people to work. Chris, (the manager) was so friendly. They were setting up for an event outside and he let us stay on that side of the deck to watch the boats coming past, despite the sign stating the area was closed for a private event. By far the nicest staff. They are just dealing with a shortage of employees. We would absolutely still return. I would recommend them. Just realize that they might be short staffed. I wish them the best and hopefully a great 2022! I think that will be the best year for everyone! read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Bloody Mary - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Holy MID. The prices are a little steep. Got 2 measly fish tacos for $17. I don't know if the shrimp was overcooked or not fresh but it had no bounce to it all, almost mush. Clam chowder 5/10. Just love getting 3:1 potato clam ratio . Hush puppies were good. Flounder decent. Service was ok I guess, messed up my partner's order on her salad but the waitress seemed new and nice so no biggie. Basically paying a premium for the view. This is just my opinion though read more

Come to dockside for the bar and view along the water. Post-COVID, I'm positive this will be a nice place to grab a drink after being at the beach all day. Food is definitely subpar. Dry blackened fish, frozen fries, and the tiniest shrimp you'll ever see. Extensive beer list, with plenty of local options. No social distancing within the bar area, with mask rules hardly being enforced. read more

Dockside Restaurant & Bar - Blackened fish and fries - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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We had the crab dip and yellow fin tuna tacos! Food was delicious!! Didn't waste time taking a picture