Wow. We are self-certified foodies ha and we were blown away by the chef's choice menu option. Although pricey, totally worth it imo. Here's a rundown of our samplings that change each night/ as supplies last. 1) 2 local oysters per person with fermented (!) house made hot sauce and mignonette, 2) charred romaine Caesar salad with Bonita flakes and some! Dang. 3) prawns in a sweet and spicy sauce. Finger licking good! 4) bok choy with carrots and other deliciousness. That veg slayed. 5) lamb chops with fennel and some parsnip sauce that would melt your mind. 6) blue crab tagliatelle. Homemade pasta and that richness some body's crave. 7) chocolate pistachio tart. Fin. I think that's it. It was a glorious whirlwind of delicious food that I'm still excited about a week later! Highly recommend. Ask the waiter and they'll know what's on chef's mind for the night. Noteable mention is that all the dishes have a nod to Japanese cuisine... LOVE! Everything just felt very well thought out and not one of those "I could make this at home" kind of meals which I truly appreciate! read more

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We used to love eating brunch at Dram Yard, but they've really brought down their menu with the new items. I don't plan on returning. It feels like they're trying really hard to have a trendy menu but the previous items were way better. read more

Update from their reopening in 2022: even better than before! I've been thinking about the brussels sprouts we had last night ever since and it's now noon on the following day. The arugula salad with broken beet dressing was also delicious, and I very much enjoyed the toasted farro--and the cocktails. The Astrologist and the Photo Finish were both amazing. read more

BEST SERVICE OF ALL TIME!! I've lived in Baltimore, San Diego and Houston and the servers and employees here have been the most superior of all. Especially Niko and Vince! Not only were the food and drinks beyond phenomenal, but the wait staff was so accommodating and friendly. I would come here every day if I lived in this city. Thank you!! read more

Love this place so much- food, design, service. The only thing is that you leave the restaurant smelling like a dirty fryer. You hair, clothes, bags... nothing is untouched by this smell. My guess is the hood vent in the kitchen is not on high enough or needs to be deeply cleaned. I've stopped going due to the lack of proper ventilation :,( read more

The bathroom is understatedly elegant. Great art prints on the walls and amazing hand soap.

Move over Pin Point , Manna and RX there is a new sheriff in town Dram Yard is both pleasing on the eye and the palate My partner and I over indulged and had 4 appetizers Olives soaked in Gin Clams w coconut garnish Home made pasta Potato Fondant (butter and garlic) And a crispy focaccia bread to soak up the various sauces There were absolutely no misses Each dish can easily be a shared Look forward to additional sampling's on our next visit Dined here again and again had a wonderful meal However the AC is grossly inadequate. I was advised that the company controls the ac and there was nothing the on premises manger could do. I would strongly suggest avoiding the restaurant until this problem is remedied read more

Very unique restaurant in Wilmington. Nothing quite like it from a vibe/decor. Really enjoyed he set up and their attention to detail. We were warned about the size of the plates...didn't know it also applied to the starters. The size of the entrees was not your typical new age restaurant amount. Perfect for sharing and larger groups. They had very unique twists to some staples. The food was creative and presented well but felt like the taste was missing something in terms of flavor. Will definitely be going back to try an entree, didn't get a chance to this time. Definitely would recommend to check out! read more

Dram Yard - Vibe - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This restaurant is part of a cozy boutique hotel. It is thoughtfully decorated with a ceiling of palm wall paper, elevated plants which draw the eye up, and stunning charcoal shades on the windows. The staff definitely made us feel welcome. Despite the lavish interior, nobody was snooty or pretentious. The menu featured wine, beer, and cocktails. My husband ordered a beer, and it came in a sleek, cylinder style glass. The wine was pricey but carefully selected and served with a generous pour. Order the rose; you will love it. The menu is unique because it features vegetarian and vegan offerings on the left with meat embellishments on the right. My husband and I shared the cheddary pub cheese with homemade everything crackers. The cheese was a dense, round, rich disc of deliciousness, complimented by those savory, crispy crackers. We also ordered the crispy potatoes. They arrived in a Greek yogurt sauce accented by lemon and horseradish. Again, a stellar dish. My only correction would be to have more spicy horseradish and less lemon. Dram Yard has a beautiful outdoor area with a tiki hut. That good weather will be upon us soon. What a nice place to enjoy it! read more

Dram Yard - Lovely flatware! - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I looooove Dram Yard. It's my go-to spot for celebrations, anniversaries, and date nights. They have a few menu staples and then rotate their other options based on seasonality of produce. I always opt for the smoked trout dip and brussels sprouts to start. The service is always attentive and kind. They even have mock tails for those of us who don't imbibe! read more

A super cute spot with modern vibes. A casual yet classy atmosphere. The service was great but the food was phenomenal. The portions in my opinion are enough for two people to share if you get multiple items, this makes up for the somewhat pricey menu. read more

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Food is decent, courses came out sporadically with no timing. Courses that are ordered together should be served at the same time. Throughout the evening we were served one dish at a time making for a very monotonous dining experience. Alcholic drinks are expensive and very light in the pour. In discussion with the manager over the drinks, we found that he was not a supporter of his customers, but only to his own ego!!! read more

Whoa! What a great find .. Food was excellent! Well proportioned, excellent preparation. I'd go 5 stars except they could use a few more reasonable bottles of Bourbon.. Extremely talented Mixologist, and professional wait staff . I'm looking forward to going again! Don't miss this gem ...... read more

Excellent food! The homemade foccacia was the best bread I have ever had! I would come here just for a glass of wine and the bread! Wow! We travel here often and are always on the lookout for great places to eat - will definitely be back here! Our server Brandon was delightful as he shared the history! Ask about the elephant running loose in the 1920s!! read more

Dram Yard - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We had a lovely dinner at this hidden treasure. Food was delicious service was outstanding! We will be back for sure!

Good and sophisticated place on trend design great craft cocktails Food- good flavor and great presentation Place- on trend design & interior Atmosphere- hip sophisticated Bar- full bar and Great cocktails Service- friendly staff read more

We were trying to get takeout for a 60th birthday last night. After one place fell through, I called Dram Yard and was told, yes, they would do takeout. The host(ess) read me the a la carte menu for us to choose. When I called back, the manager told me they didn't do take out because of their prix fixe menu. He admitted they had a la carte and that he had heard her talking to me but said there was a "misunderstanding," as if I had misunderstood. Thanks for the insult but there was no misunderstanding at my end. I was told there was and then there wasn't. The problem was poor management and misleading a customer. If he heard the first call, he could have made it clear before we were mislead. We've enjoyed our meals here before the pandemic, but no more I guess. It's irresponsible not to offer takeout during a pandemic, especially when North Carolina and Wilmington have not been doing very well by national standards. Clearly Dram Yard wants to be "hip" and is willing to ignore and drop older customers. Well, we have a lot more dining dollars than you think and are very happy to take them elsewhere. read more

WOW! Absolutely fantastic. We stuck with the sharing plates and found them to be artsy, delicious, and fantastic portions. The mixed drinks were complex and very well made. Make a reservation because this place is hoppin. Get ready to spend at least $100 on dinner for two, but well worth the cost. We will definitely return for dinner; especially with foodie friends who are looking for something unique In Wilmington. read more

On a cool October evening, the interior was warmly lit, with a lovely understated decor. This was our first time there, we had a reservation and were shown to a table with chairs, while a couple of booths were available, so asked if we could have a booth. The hostess checked and it was fine, except that my husband, a big guy (but not fat) found the table way too close. So we took the other table and ordered two burgers, a brussels appetizer and one drink. We had a gift certificate for $75 and that just covered our tab, before tip, to give you an idea of the prices. Our waitperson was very nice about explaining that the menu is organized in an unorthodox fashion, so you can't tell what's an appetizer portion, or what's for two to share without getting into a discussion. We found the menu rather too-complicated, hence the burgers. The brussels sprouts have a multi-ingredient sauce with indistinct flavors. My bourbon cocktail had a lovely layering, but was too heavy on the cinnamon. Burgers were delicious, with a bearnaise (or tarragon) flavored aioli and arugula salad--but a mundane bun. The biggest downside of the meal was that everything was tremendously over-salted, and husband really likes salt. We were disappointed that such a lovely place is not really beckoning us to return. read more

Pretentious. I've dined here twice and it's the service I'd expect in NYC- stuffy , cold, and overpriced. The menu is well put together but the service is disappointing. Wilmington is known for charming dive bars and local flair at a fraction of the price. Don't be disappointed, dine elsewhere. Cheers. read more

This place is amazing. Chef Thomas and the entire staff were incredible. The whole evening was an experience for all the senses especially the palate! Will definitely be back. read more

Spectacular place; went there because reviews were fantastic but this place deserves it. I loved their flavors; so unique and well composed

Amazing place. We came there because of great reviews, and boy, they deserve it. Great space, very interesting flavors and perfect service.

Ambiance is amazing, really a pretty spot. I got there and was thinking I can't wait to bring my friends here when they visit. And then we got our food, about 40 mins after we ordered. I was really disappointed. I can't have under cooked eggs because I'm pregnant right now and they recommend to avoid it. I just asked if they can be scrambled, but no they didn't do that. They advertised "avocado" on the menu on the breakfast sandwich. It was some creamy avocado spread, so that was also disappointing. Also terrible potatoes. Absolutely no flavor. I did eat the food because I was hungry but it wasn't worth $20. I felt bad for the people near us they had also were waiting so long and it was just the typical response, "we're under staffed". Can you please tell us this before you seat us? It was not a good experience and $40 after with orange juice and a crappy breakfast sandwich? I recommend going to get a quick bagel somewhere and save $30. Hopefully it gets better. read more

When my wife and I vacation in NC we like to try new restaurants to dine at. I have been wanting to eat here and last night it was worth the year wait. Everything was 5 stars in my book. The food, drinks, atmosphere, and our waitress was perfect. I have nothing to complain about but wish it was closer to home. read more

My friend had talked about this place for a while and now I know why. The decor is Pinterest and Instagram ready with all the fun details, including the door handle right when you come in. Our party of 4 stayed with the app menu and I can't say enough about the flavors. I could eat the focaccia every day. Seriously. It's toasted and buttery on each side like the perfect toasted sandwich. The other apps are also plentiful and incredibly fresh in flavor. Each is quite unique, yet they work together when you get several. I also loved their cocktail menu. The Butterfly was refreshing and definitely up my alley as a gin fan that doesn't necessarily want to have a heavy gin flavor. It's lavender and quite beautiful so was lovely for my birthday. My hubs also really liked it, but probably wouldn't go for the pretty factor. He loved their Old Fashioned and it's one of the best I've had. Definitely coming back!! read more

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Sooo good and so cool inside! Great vegan options. Loved the cocktails. Great to hang out outside by the fire.

Lovely decor and delicious food, but abysmally slow on the night we went. Seemed like it was all hands on deck in the kitchen. We were a group of five, one of a handful of tables seated at 8PM on a weekday night. No idea why it took so long to get our entrees. At the end of the night, the food was worth the wait but I was uncomfortably hungry by the time it was served. read more

Seriously, I have to even give them one star? The most unfriendly server we have had in Wilmington. The menu is confusing and short. We opted for burgers which we ordered and not asked how we want them cooked. They ran out of soda for mixed drinks. Maybe they could have run out to get a case across the street. A restaurant runs out of soda. Please. Don't waste your money read more

What a cool & fun restaurant!!! And the drinks and food are good too! Ever since the courtyard opened I've been wanting to go here. It's a REALLY intimate space with such a cool vide and decor. I felt like I just wanted to keep taking pictures of everything from all angles. We didn't sit at a table. First we grabbed a couple of cocktails and headed out to sit in the courtyard to wait for some friends. I had the bourbon smash and my wife had the mule. Both weresuper tasty. Then we went back inside to sit at the bar for some bites and more cocktails. We got the chickpea "fries" (AMAZING) pickled veggies (the pickled jalapeño is my new favorite thing!!! ) and I had a paloma(super refreshing). Our bartender was Derrick and I cannot say enough good things about him. We loved our experience so much that I made reservations while we were there to bring family over the Fourth of July weekend. So happy to have this gem in downtown!!! Just wish the lawn bowling pins were heavier because we couldn't get them to stay up read more

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Stopped by for their grand opening with a group of friends. Love the nautical themed decor and atmosphere, but now to the good stuff, the food. It was amazing we sampled a large amount of the appetizer, there was nothing bad. I really enjoyed the cauliflower, the focaccia bread, the pickled veggies were good but the jalapenos were fantastic, pommes fondant, the leeks and finally the fava bean agnolotti. The tomato pesto was to die for, I only wish I had some of the focaccia bread left to help soak up that amazing pesto. We also tries the pork chops which were cooked to perfection. Everything is served family style. The staff was very friendly and even the chef came out at the end of the meal to see how everything was. This is a great new addition to downtown! read more

From the time we walked in the door, we were warmly greeted by the hostess and taken to a table right away without a reservation. Brandon, the server came right over and introduced himself and asked if this was our first visit? It was, so he proceeded to explain the menu to us and then helped us with a wine selection. The menu does need some explaining so Brandon was excited to do that and even described what his favorites are. The Pommes Fondant (potatoes in a butter & garlic sauce) were to die for. The schnitzel or Huge pork chop with a wonderful breading and a creamy caper, parsley aioli is indescribable! Chef Nyhand was even serving tables. Can't wait to go back!! read more

We went on opening day and everything was delicious and different. For food we had the pickled vegetables, chickpea fries, char siu cauliflower, golden rice congee with duck eggs, and mahi mahi with deep fried capers and lemon coulis. The chickpeas fries were the favorite and a must try. The dark chocolate and strawberry capped off the meal nicely. We also enjoyed the dram mule and red wine. This is the best meal we've had in town. read more

Kind of surprised by all the positive reviews. The flavors were there, the food could've been good, but it tasted like they cooked it hours before. They served everything way too fast. We literally had our entrees within 5 mins of ordering- never a good sign. Everything was coated in grease and tasted reheated. Bummer because the space is beautiful- but the food is pretty inedible. read more

The manager at Dram Yard served us a speckled trout instead of the red snapper!! He assumed we would not know the difference!! We called him out on this and he did not compensate our table at all! His response was "good eye". The waitress also knew. It not say anything until we told them we knew it was a trout and not a red snapper!! read more

Where do I start. Literally left here speechless. Food, atmosphere, service, cocktails.... all executed flawlessly and with precision. Family style New American perfection. Eat inside or out and be prepared experience the best restaurant in Wilmington!! I am Still in awe a day later!!! read more

Fantastic dining experience! Started with unique cocktails that were refreshing and suited for the season. The pickled veggies and olives were scrumptious and the focaccia to die for. Be sure to swizzle it around in the sauce of anything you get! Chose the fish special and it was delicious. Finished with the panna cotta for dessert. Yumm! read more

The new hot spot of DT. If you are looking for a trendy and tasty dinner experience with excellent customer service look no further. I went for a girls night dinner and it was absolutely amazing. Be sure to get the Focaccia bread, and apple fritter. I highly recommend! read more

Amazing! I went for the opening expecting the typical first night challenges but was instead treated to exceptional service and a really creative and well curated menu of food and craft cocktails. As starters, we had the focaccia, clams, seared radicchio and cheese spread, all of which were uniquely prepared and delicious. For our main course, we shared the ribeye and lamb chops family style which were both perfectly prepared and served as very generous portions. We went all in on desert ordering one of each: the chocolate ganache, panna cotta, and fritter. It was the perfect end to a perfect meal. It's impossible not to mention the beautifully designed and decorated space which seems to seamlessly tie in with the surrounding neighborhood while providing something fresh and unique. Definitely a must try. read more

Great tapas! I've sat at the bar both times I've been here. The bar/kitchen staff were very helpful about what was vegetarian (because I am) and offered pretty quick service. Local beers on tap, and overall nice atmosphere. read more