Amazing food. Upscale yet chill vibe. Great mocktails. We will be back. Didn't plan in advance so we were waiting when they opened as website mentioned they take walk ins. So glad we did. We were welcomed in and enjoyed every dish we tried. Menu changes daily no changes. Sit back and enjoy:) read more

Manna is one of my favorite restaurants ever. And, it's where I first learned about mounting sauce -- a.k.a. "mantecatura" (tossing slightly al dente pasta in a sauce with fat (butter/oil/cheese) and starchy pasta water to create a light coating that clings to the pasta. The chef at Manna is a pro at this process, which I first discovered when I ordered the one of his specials -- the Arthur Ave Pasta, which was housemade spaghetti, with Italian Speck, spinach, shaky cheese, and pistachios. Wowza! (And, yes, I live in the Bronx near Aruthur Avenue but can't say I've ever had pasta this good in Little Italy Bronx). I also had the best Broccoli Soup I've ever had at Manna. I usually stay away from Broccoli Soup, as I usually consider it "pedestrian" or "very 90s." But this Broccoli Soup -- woah! It was f-ing fantastic! I want a second home in Wilmington just so I can go to this restaurant all the time. I just love it! read more

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Wow -- what an experience! From the very first bite, the food was absolutely incredible. Every single dish brought a completely different flavor profile, which made the entire meal feel like a fun, delicious journey. Just when you thought you had a favorite, the next bite surprised you in the best possible way. Truly memorable. The service was the best all around. There was always someone nearby ready to help without ever feeling intrusive. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and guided us through the menu with such confidence that I genuinely enjoyed not having to make decisions -- everything recommended was spot on. It made the whole evening feel relaxed, seamless, and special. And then the moment that really set this place apart... as we were leaving, one of the owners personally walked us out to our Uber. Who does that anymore?! That level of hospitality is rare and shows how much they truly care about their guests' experience from start to finish. Amazing food, outstanding service, and unforgettable personal touches. Can't wait to come back! read more

We made a last-minute decision to visit Wilmington for a few days. After reading reviews, we called Manama to book a table. Stephanie was super friendly and helpful, even making recommendations on things to do and other places to eat. We were seated right away. The decor is stunning - both natural and elegant, reflecting their farm-to table approach. Every dish has a clever name, but I forgot to make note of them. My husband ordered the crispy flounder, which he said was delicious. I ordered a wild mushroom dish, which was equally tasty. Of course we had to try the cornbread. It was even better than what I make! They have an extensive wine list, and the sommelier's recommendation of a French Burgundy was outstanding. (It's a 2023 Domaine Fountaine-Gagnard). When we come back to Wilmington, manna will be top on our list of places to dine. read more

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WONDERFUL DINNER! Beautiful atmosphere, great service and our dinner was outstanding! Highly recommend!!

Only giving it 4 stars because of 2 things. No salad options except for a beet salad or soup. The menu was limited appetizers and about 5 entries , so a salad option would be lovely. The restaurant itself was very beautiful , and the service was above and beyond. The food was absolutely delicious. I would encourage everyone to try this lovely farm to table restaurant, you will not be disappointed. There are limited options but what they have is absolutely delicious so you will not leave dissatisfied. Husband had the speckled trout and I had the porkchop. We were told that the menu changes daily. We would definitely return. read more

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Me and my party of 5 came here for a birthday celebration and were treated incredibly. Our waiter was extremely attentive as was the rest of the service team that continually kept our water and drinks going and checked in on us often. The food was absolutely delicious. The menu was very refreshing on the day we went. There was a very unique oyster appetizer that is sold per oyster (great for a table of people who don't like oysters) that was topped with a savory gelato. From there, I knew the food was going to exceed expectations, and it did. read more

Great meal, beautiful restaurant, service that cares. A menu that will please - promise. Won't be disappointed. read more

manna - Fish, pork and steak - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Every single thing we ate or drank was incredible! Each guest in our party of 7 was blown away by how delicious each dish was-from the appetizers to the main courses and dessert! Honestly, my mouth is literally watering as I write this thinking about those insanely flavorful greens, the pate with accoutrements, mushroom heavenly toast and the Sheepshead! Absolutely amazing staff, so friendly and welcoming and completely on top of serving and cleaning and making sure everyone had what they needed. They all seemed so proud of the menu and the establishment which is such a rare occurrence these days. My family and I can't wait to come back!!! (And the names for the menu items were the icing on the cake for the evening!) read more

Tucked into the heart of downtown Wilmington, Manna offers an elevated dining experience that blends local pride with refined, eclectic charm. Housed in a century-old brick building--once home to a telecommunications company--the restaurant spills over into an adjacent venue with live music, creating a dynamic atmosphere rooted in history and creativity. Inside, the space is warm and sophisticated, with exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and a striking green granite-topped bar that sets the tone for what's to come. Their cocktail program is daring, handcrafted, and unapologetically bold--featuring clever names like *Mama Tried* and *World Traveler*. Even the mocktails get their moment under the banner "They're right here, Jim." The wine list is extensive, and if you're a fan, it's worth asking about their wine club. The menu changes regularly and reflects what's fresh and in season, with a strong focus on local ingredients. During my visit, the offerings included North Carolina oysters, crab cuts, swordfish, pork chops, and free-range organic chicken, plus fresh local vegetable options--all elevated with creative touches. I ordered the nightly plate special: fried chicken served over potato salad with a red cabbage slaw. The slaw had just the right balance of tart and sweet, and the chicken was outstanding--crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful inside, with a perfectly seasoned coating. Easily one of the best pieces of fried chicken I've had in a long time. Service was top-tier from the moment I walked in--professional, friendly, and exactly what you hope for in a restaurant of this caliber. Manna is the real deal. Everything is fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and deeply rooted in the region. If you're after real food, real drinks, and a dining experience that honors both creativity and hospitality, this place nails it. read more

manna - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Manna is the best restaurant in Wilmington. Whether a date night, celebration with friends or an intimate seat at the bar... the atmosphere and service will be impeccable at all times. William Mellon has created a cozy, creative and inviting space to gather. The food. Chef Carson Jewell curates locally sourced and inventive dishes that will comfort, indulge and amaze your taste buds. This dining establishment is ready for a James Beard Award and a Michelin Star. read more

manna - Cocktails - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Manna mixes up a wide variety of tasty concoctions with a great atmosphere . The bartenders are experts in their craft and provide terrific service. read more

Had a lovely dinner here a couple of months ago with friends. Everything was excellent and service was attentive.

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the Beggars Can't Be Choosers dinner on Sunday. It was a wonderful experience. You're seated at the Bar and you order food flights. What is delivered is up to the Chef. We enjoyed all of the flights. The food was delicious and service at Manna is always great. read more

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Love. Manna, it truly is the best fine restaurant in Wilmington. Best sure to ask for Quinn when you go, for knowledge and excellent service. read more

Everything on the menu, including the multiple specials is out of this world! The owners are very accommodating and a pleasure to deal with as well as the staff. We drive an hour to go and eat there every few months. Some of the best Italian in North Carolina. They are from New York and New Yorkers know how to do Italian, right!! read more

The food was great and so was the wait staff! Our waiter was able to answer any questions we had about the food or cocktails. The cocktails were also seasonal and included house-made details like flavored syrups which was neat. read more

I've been to Manna a handful of times over the years. The first time was a pretty magical experience, around a decade ago. The second was a bit more disappointing - went for Valentine's Day and the food wasn't what I would have expected for the price point (then again, Valentine's dinners often aren't). I've been for a few special events, as well, which I enjoyed. I hadn't gone in several years, but recently went for Beggars Can't Be Choosers. In theory, this is something I would love. There's a menu of plate types (veggie, meat, sweets, etc) with listed prices and then you get what you get - whatever the kitchen wants to make. Same goes for drinks - there was a full bar menu but you could also order a "keg" (apparently actually just a small glass) of mystery beer or a mystery cocktail. I like the idea of a surprise meal, so I was excited to book a reservation. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for winter/holidays and sitting at the bar felt so cozy. We ordered the mystery cocktail, which was really tasty but a pretty small pour. I'm a vegetarian and ordered two of the veggie dishes. My mistake for assuming a veggie plate would be vegetarian, especially when I ordered two of them (I would think someone who ate meat would order the veggie and something else if ordering multiple items, but who knows), but I ended up with a salad with bacon which I had to awkwardly send back. My friend ordered two plates and one was the incorrect one but she didn't realize it until she'd eaten it. The manager offered to bring the correct item, as well, but my friend didn't want a third plate - I'm not sure why the wrong item wasn't just comped and instead there was no "fix" - just a wrong item paid for. It's entirely possible there's a sign somewhere that I missed, but I was really surprised when gratuity was added and that feels borderline tacky to me. As someone who's a pretty generous tipper - as I would hope most people who go out for fine dining are - it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when 20% is automatically added to my check. With that said, my food was solid. The salad (once there was no longer bacon) was refreshing, beautifully-plated, and delicious. The risotto was really tasty. The dessert was a nice finish to the meal. But for $140 (5 small plates, four drinks), the meal left room for improvement. I'd try Manna again, both for Beggars or a standard night, but would come more prepared. read more

One of the best restaurants we have ever been too - and the bill was MUCH cheaper than we anticipated!

I was visiting now and before I prepared for my trip I researched the local restaurants in the area. Manna was one that really caught my attention. It is a restaurant that changes their menu seasonally which appealed to me. The ambiance was very charming as it wasn't a large restaurant, so it was very romantic. The art of the walls was beautiful as well. We started off with the an old fashioned and an espresso martini. We were both surprised with how good they were and shared the drinks back and forth. For appetizers we got the oysters and house made bread. The oysters were truly something else. They were filled with green tomato mignotte and pickled onion sorbet. The mignotte was extra sour and the sorbet brought a cold touch to your mouth. Honestly we're some of the best oysters I've ever had. The bread was also a hit. The warm bread was so soft and crunchy at the same time. The butter was topped with a jam that was sweet and savory at the same time. For dinner we ordered the daily fish and the NY strip. We wanted to have a touch of sea and land. The fish was juicy and topped with a crispy skin. The sauce it was served with was a tomatoey puree. The NY strip was one of the best I've had in a while. I'm usually very unsatisfied with ordering a steak out because they never do it correctly. The char on the steak was perfect and it was perfectly cooked. The service of Manna was exceptional and I now understand why it is rated so high in Wilmington. We initially booked for the wrong day and they said they probably wouldn't be able to fit us in. Quickly they called back and assured us that they were able to make it work for us which meant a lot. Next time I visit town, I will surely be back to try out the new items they have. I rate Manna a 9/10! read more

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We've now been two times and each time, I've wanted to love it, but I just don't. The first time we went we sat at the bar and that was fun. The bartender was really great. She made great recommendations and each thing was just as she described. The issue for me this night was that each dish was just so rich that your palate doesn't get a break. I woke up a bit nauseous from the heaviness of it. And, I didn't eat nor drink too much, which I've been known to do. The second time we ate in the dining room area which has a great ambiance and it truly is fine dining as far as service. Again though, the food was just okay. The mussel dish was the best item we ordered, and I wouldn't order it again. The bread looked and tasted underbaked. The salad with the ranch-like dressing was super salty and this comes from someone who loves salt. The beef tenderloin did not have enough flavor, and as my daughter pointed out, the Brussel sprouts had more flavor than the steak. Odd. They have pastry chef yet they only had two desserts on the menu. How does this make sense? I had a chocolate martini and it is by far the best one I've ever had. It was not overly sweet, and had a clean taste. It was over $300 and while I don't mind paying for great food, for me, this wasn't it. read more

manna - Duck - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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If you're looking for accessible, innovative, unique dining in Wilmington, look no further. Manna is fine, fine dining at a price point that can't be beat. Every dish served was almost as beautifully crafted as the melody of flavors it contained. This is a kitchen that is clearly consistent and thoughtful. Head to Manna for a sure bet. Thank you especially to our server Adam! read more

I'm giving this place a one star because I can't give them a zero! Drove over 20 minutes one way to pick up a gift certificate for a Christmas Gift and was told "we don't sell gift certificates during business hours!" When you have a 5:00 to 9:00 5 day a week opening, when are you supposed to make a purchase! I would never try this place because of the customer service. I don't care how good the food may be. read more

I am disappointed with Manna. Online, the menu is the diverse and appealing. However, when trying to make reservations for a party of 10, I was informed that I needed to deposit $20 per person for a large reservation. I am part of a monthly dining group who travel around Wilmington to excellent restaurants, such as Covey, G prime, Seabird. We always have a party of 10 to 12. I've been asked to leave my credit card to guarantee the reservation; that is not a problem. I've never been charged per person for a large reservation. This is Manna's loss! Sincerely, Dining Dudes and Divas read more

Excellent location, ambiance, elegance, and very accomodating staff! On site music venue was perfect for intimate concerts or weddings. Thank uuhu read more

This is one of the top restaurants with high quality farm-to-table food in the area. It is considered fine dining so be prepared to spend some dough and make reservations ahead of time! I've eaten here two times already and both times the food was great. On the other hand, the service was better and faster the first time compared to the second time. But, it was nice to take our time enjoying each other's company, spending over 2 hrs the 2nd time around. In the first experience, our waitress was enthusiastic and personable. The waitress went over the menu items and alcohol options and offered her recommendations. I liked their interior design with the rustic brick wall, eclectic art and music and was jealous of their beautiful tall fiddle leaf fig trees (I'm assuming are real). Their menu is ever changing, which keeps it interesting. However, the downside is that it can be limited. For example, the second menu had more appetizer choices than entrees and had only 4 entree options. At least it had funny pun names for the menu items, which made it entertaining. In our second visit we tried three appetizers: thick sliced Italian bread with smooth divine duck fat butter and honey, roasted beet chunks with strawberries, and poutine, which were smashed crispy fingerling potatoes topped with finely shredded Gouda cheese served on top of herb garlic aioli. From my first visit, some of the appetizers we tried included sausage, beans, milk bread rolls. My favorite appetizers from both visits would be the breads and the poutine. For the entrees, in the second visit I tried the swordfish dish that came with green beans, pickled red onions, Carolina gold risotto with cashew pieces, and shiitake mushroom slices. The waitress didn't ask me or tell me how the swordfish was cooked so it automatically came medium rare. I should have told the waitress from the beginning that I wanted it well cooked. She had no problem taking it back to the kitchen to have it well cooked. It came back with crispy edges and tasted great. All of the different flavors complimented each other. My dinner companions enjoyed their food- the pork dish and the half chicken dish. My friend Lilly let me try a bite of her chicken dish. It was the perfect chicken, tender and the exterior was crispy. For dessert, I liked the dessert from the 2nd visit more so than the 1st visit. We ended the meal with "In a Nutshell", which was a cashew financier (buttery cake) cut into a pie slice with sweet roasted cashew pieces on top and served with strawberry buttermilk sherbet (tasted more like ice cream), brown butter caramel mousse, and fresh strawberries with a strawberry and vanilla jam (but more like a strawberry reduction sauce). It was very good - my favorite parts were the crunchy cashew bits and the strawberry sherbet. This is a must try fine dining restaurant! read more

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Great food, good atmosphere and fun cocktails. Highly recommend if visiting Wilmington. Staff were very friendly and personable. Will definitely add Manna to the restaurants for dinner when in town. read more

manna - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We had a very nice dinner! The drink was a custom cocktail, the crudo was so yummy, both entrees were good (except for the bed of succotash) and steak well prepared. The best part of the meal was the service, attention and detail! read more

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From out of town visiting NC. This restaurant was a pleasant find. Wonderful, simple changing menu. Wonderful flavors in Pork Chop, and Tile fish. Lovely presentation. Excellent service, great craft cocktails. read more

We were greeted upon arrival a bit early and were welcomed and seated right away. Our overall experience and all the service staff were absolutely fantastic, the best service experience we've ever received at a Wilmington restaurant. The menu is a bit eclectic and sparse, would have liked to see a fresh fish entree and table cloths. Our server guided us and answered questions from cocktails to desert. Even though you're required to order all courses at once, the staff and chef paced everything perfectly, no rush or over waiting. Cocktails and Food were fantastic, expertly prepared, served and presented nicely. The bread course was enough for our party of four and was fabulous; whipped sweet butter and raspberry jam. Filet was cooked perfectly and the frites were amazing with aioli. The asparagus dish was very fresh and delightful. Fresh made cavatelli with meat sauce was fresh and filling. Desert was shared with four and was rich and just enough for all to enjoy. AMAZING and ATTENTIVE SERVICE staff which made our experience all that we expected!! read more

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After 3 trips to @mannawilmington I can confidently say it is very average, with a price point which wants you to believe it is exceptional. Except the dishes are inconsistent at best, and the same for the service. FYI. Each of our trips we have ordered approximately $200 worth of food and drinks: two cocktails each; 3-4 appetizers; and 2 entrees. We have sat in the dining room as well as at the bar. So this comes from a place of really trying. And each trip we tipped 20% so that means we were well within DC/NYC/East Coast pricing. First trip was the best trip. We sat at the bar. All drinks arrived well made. Food was right temperature. Second trip, in the dining room, all our dishes arrived luke-warm -- and we went when the restaurant was 90% empty at 5:00 pm. We had to repeatedly ask for water until I finally asked for a bottle of water to be placed on the table. Additionally, even though we were celebrating a special event they offered us no free items. No free bread. No free dessert. Nothing. So lame -- I mention this to the folks who want to go there for a special occasion This trip, my third and final. my fried okra was actual ice inside. Literal ice. Oh but they definitely still charged me for it too so there you go. #overpriced #mannawilmington read more

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As I'm getting ready to set up a get together with friends at Manna, I'm shocked to see reviews for Manna for anything lower than all fives. I'm remiss in writing a review on this platform since I tagged them with praise on my posts. I digress...in December 2021 we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with Manna. We chose them for their understated elegance, amazing staff and delicious food. They did not disappoint. We chose to dress - I in my full skirted wedding gown and hubs in a tux. Knowing it's a bit cozy, hubs checked to make sure we wouldn't be knocking things over or inconveniencing any one. They were so gracious and welcoming. They reserved the front window seat for two and were treated impeccably. Food was amazing. Could not have asked for more. Manna should never be take out. Keep the rare and appreciated white linens, great cuisine and superb staff...thank you for making our special moment, just that. Sorry, no food pic, you'll have to see that for yourself. See you soon. read more

manna - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Cornbread: nice and crispy on the outside and tender in the inside. The jalapeño jammy jam was a great addition. Oyster: pickled onion sorbet was melted into more of sauce rather than actual sorbet One Shell of a Story: it was basically like a super flavorful stew with lamb sausage, clams, and snapper. I wish I would of saved some cornbread to soak the rest of the sauce up. You Lobster, I Flounder: fried flounder on top of grits with a rich tomato sauce. Some of the best grits I have ever eaten. They shined with flavor. Swine Specular: pork shoulder with butter beans and slaw. (My husband got this and wanted to sub the beans but unfortunately they don't make adjustment to their dishes; he ended up cleaning that plate including the butter beans) I tried the butter beans as well and they were super tasty. I'm not the biggest bean person myself but these were awesome. His plate was bright and well balanced. He didn't really like the hush puppies which I was surprised about. Cocktails: I tried 3 out of the 6 cocktails. The vodka cocktail was fruity, the gin cocktail was refreshing and the rum cocktail was STRONG Tiki! The waitress said that the cocktail list starts with the lighter ones and ends with boozy. read more

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Service was good, very attentive. Enjoyed that every staff member helped each other out. Food was very good. Okra and Chiles to start were good. Shrimp and Grits were great, 1/2 chicken was a large amount of food and very good. Would recommend for a more upscale dinner. No complaints, compliments to the chef! read more

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Incredible menu, impeccable service, and lovely Ambiance. Definitely the best dining experience in Wilmington.

Their are lots of good restaurants in Wilmington. We are blessed with options from Wrightsville to Wilmington. One for me stands above the rest. We have been patrons of Manna for many years. Thus is a very special venue for us and never, ever disappoints. High class service with attentive staff and amazing cuisine is the norm. If you want a nice dinner go somewhere else or experience the best of Wilmington at Manna. read more

My husband and I ate here during the Memorial Day weekend. We started off with cocktails and a dozen oysters. Both were delicious! The service was attentive, yet not overbearing. My husband ordered the heritage smoked pork with butter beans and I had the speckled trout. The presentation and taste was amazing on both!! I highly recommend making reservations early and putting this restaurant on your foodie destination map!! read more

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Last night we had a scrumptious dinner to celebrate my husbands birthday. We started with the charcuterie, the pickles were so good, it was the perfect size to start the meal and 2 smoked Gouda, Brie, salami, pork roullade, toasted crusty Melba toast, sweet mustard, pepper jelly, nuts and olives. I chose the apple cocktail of the night which was cider with vodka, divine! The bar tender was kind enough to warm up my second one and it was even better. For dinner we split the most decadent porterhouse, flavorful, tender and worth every penny. It came with sides that didn't look beautiful but sure tasted fantastic. (Risotto, charged cauliflower, carrots & turnips and cabbage. To end our night we had French toast with warm apples and maple ice cream (they even added a candle). The service was impeccable and we can't wait to go back :). read more

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It's been over two years since we've been to mannas, one of our perennial favorite restaurants in Wilmington. They recently had a facelift to their interior and the results are stunning, but we were anxious to try out the cuisine and see if they have maintained their high standards. I'm happy to say they have. The menu is a bit limited, but at the same time there's something for everyone. I started with the beet salad (excellent!) as did our friends, and my husband had the fingerling potatoes which, although a somewhat odd choice for an appetizer, was delicious. For entrees, I had the trout, which had perfectly crispy skin, and the rest had the pork dish which, other than the temperature, was cooked and seasoned just right. One caveat here: if you are in the mood for beef, be prepared to empty out your wallet. The only offering is a 22oz cut for $95. I suppose if it's shared that's not too crazy, but if you're the only one at the table in the mood for steak your craving will cost you. Desserts were also limited but amazingly good. I had the coconut concoction which was light as a feather, with a crust that almost tasted like puff pastry, and our friends had the chocolate offering which was delicious and full of texture and creaminess. Don't misunderstand though. Not everything was perfect. It took too long for my husband to get his martini, and (there were four of us) everyone's entree except mine was a bit lukewarm, but other than that it's clear they've maintained their high standards of flavorful cuisine served artistically and with care. read more

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Amazing food, 10/10 service, vibes are immaculate. Truly the best dining experience we have had in years, every bite was better than the last. Our server Cassie (? Not sure completely on the name) was AMAZING, so sweet and so wonderful with her recommendations. Best restaurant in Wilmington so far, by far. Will be taking all of our guests here! read more