Mess Hall

We made another visit here, this time for dinner, and with different friends who have not visited…read moreSouth Front Tavern before. It was great weather this night, so we opted for an outside table that was in total shade. Very comfortable. Our server came by for drink orders. We had no appetizers this visit and went right into entrees. We tried the Port City Burger, the Gnocchi with chicken, cilantro lime shrimp quesadillas and the salmon tacos. Everything was delicious. The only complaint I would have is that the Salmon Tacos was a bit small. The dish is two small tacos with a side of tortilla chips. There is no salsa, no pico de gallo, no slaw. I was actually sorry that I didn't get an appetizer. I was still a little hungry after I finished. We didn't want any of the dessert offered this time. Again, everything was great. Service, food, atmosphere, outside patio. Just my dish was a little less in size. I will keep that in mind next time we visit. I'm not sure something like this would be changed on the menu, but I still wanted to voice my opinion. Still a great place with a great menu and service. If the weather is good, opt for the patio. It is really nice sitting out there.

2 stars only because food was so good…read more Service was probably some of the worst I've ever had. A table arrived after we got our appetizers and got their food, a box, paid, and left before we even ordered our entrees. Each drink took minimum of 15 minutes and were incorrect. The server had to come back and double check multiple orders. We were not checked on once unless we flagged her down. The list goes on. Will not return unless we order take out.

Interior of South Front Tavern in Wilmington's South Front District.

South Front Tavern's Plancha Burger features Gruyere, Mushroom, Arugula, Tobacco Onion and Garlic Aioli on a Brioche Bun.

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South Front Tavern's Bayou Paella Shrimp, Clams, Andouille Sausage, Crawfish, Saffron, Bomba Rice

Savor Southern Kitchen

4.5(290 reviews)

3.5 mi

Stopped in for brunch with my aunt and uncle and tried a little bit of everything: the Chicken &…read moreWaffles with bacon, a Spinach and Swiss omelette with home fries and an English muffin, and a Chicken & Brie sandwich on a brioche bun with home fries. The Chicken & Waffles were the standout. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and paired perfectly with the sweet syrup and smoky bacon. A great balance of sweet and savory flavors. The Spinach & Swiss omelette was light, fluffy, and packed with flavor. The spinach and melted Swiss worked well together, and the home fries were nicely seasoned with peppers and onions. The English muffin was a simple but welcome addition. The bird & Brie sandwich was another winner. The brioche bun was soft and buttery, while the brie added a creamy richness that elevated the sandwich. The arugula brought a fresh peppery bite that kept everything balanced. Overall, the food was fresh, portions were generous, and everything was cooked well. The home fries were crispy and flavorful across all the plates. Definitely a solid breakfast/brunch spot that I'd visit again.

Long wait for decent-ish food. They say a lot is fresh and if that's the case they may want to…read morecheck expiration dates. The fresh squeezed orange juice was very comparable to Tropicana. I worked at a diner for 5 years with fresh squeezed and this was fresh out of a box maybe. They don't have a lot of their menu on weekends which is unique, it's typically reversed. They should have a weekend only menu tho as it's frustrating to order things it says they have and they don't. A LOT of fried or super heavy options. I came bc it said fresh but I guess deep fried fresh food is still "fresh." Plates and majority of glasses are plastic. No matter how fresh or not the food is, you still need to eat microplastics. Sugar on the table is all plastic wrapped fake sugar it was impossible to find just REAL raw sugar. Feels like they hopped on a fresh health trend but have a hard time walking that walk.

So tasty the crab cake Benedict

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The best Bloody Mary I ever had! The shrimp was quality

Covey

4.2(82 reviews)

2.1 mi

I have been here 4 times now and I want to keep coming back! The food is amazing and I have never…read moreonce gotten any food item that I did not enjoy. Everything seems to be as locally sourced as possible. This is a higher end restaurant so not really a place to bring your kids or make menu changes (which is frowned upon in high end dining anyways). The service is top tier! These servers really know what they are doing and I've even watched them handle unhappy customers with outstanding service as well (remember they're people too and if someone talked to me the way I have seen them get treated I'd be in jail). The building and ambiance is magical, very high end and I just feel special and high class when I eat there!

We love this restaurant! Everything we have eaten here has been 10/10. We love the quality of the…read moreingredients. The service is excellent as well.

The bar

Eggplant Katsu

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Best Bloody Mary I have had in Wilmington, hands down!

Amanecer Cocina & Café - Shipyard

4.8(116 reviews)

2.5 mi

Great food & atmosphere. There are many different menu items. The chilaquiles verde is delicious…read moreand was the perfect amount of food. It was flavorful, cooked perfectly and fresh. This beats out most American breakfast, brunch spots anywhere.

Arguably the best breakfast spot in town. Great variations of Mexican themed dishes. My personal…read morefavorite is huevos rancheros. The place has a Liquor license which is nice particularly for Sunday Brunch. Go for the micheladas! Service was a bit slow and they need to do a better job during peak weekend hours Ambiance: It's a breakfast place !

Inside

Cheese Dip

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Mimosa Flight

The Basics

4.3(887 reviews)

1.8 mi

Tanner .. Piping Plover Pilsner...made here in Wilmington…read moreNC!! Wife had Red Oak Bavarian Amber Lager I ordered the Meatloaf, with asparagus and mashed potato's My wife had her usual chicken sandwich which I've forgotten the name but she did enjoy and the portion was large enough for me to get a few bites lol All was very good and we went be back

Great food, I had the biscuit around noon and it was great. Also tried the Carolina soup it was…read moredifferent. Service is excellent. Got seated right away. The place is nice plenty of seating.

8/16/24 - Time To Dig In

Coca Cola cake decadent

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Bodega

4.3(11 reviews)

1.5 mi

Really cute coffee shop that's easy to get in and out of quickly or the perfect place to stay and…read morehang a while! They have an indoor and outdoor space and are very dog friendly. There's coffee, spirits, and snacks! Friendly employees and people.

The first time I went it was good. The second time was so bad I won't ever go back. The woman who…read moremade my iced coffee put barely any cream and simple syrup, and when I asked for more she gave me attitude and then put barely any more (if any) cream and simple syrup. As someone who has been a barista I found this service completely unacceptable. Bodega shame on you!

Outdoor patio

Coffee with a nice place to sit.

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Snacks

Breakfast House

4.0(80 reviews)

2.2 mi

Reasonable! Fast friendly service. They make desserts in house! Clean. Appears owner is onsite…read moretoo.

Don't judge a restaurant by the outside. This place surged up breakfast just the way I like it…read more Over light was that- little runny. Beacon crispy, not floppy fatty undercooked. Pancakes were not the add water mix, they were cooked just right. Biscuits were way better than expected but home fries were grilled to crispy outside, but a little salty for my taste Man I would be in trouble with all these delicious carbs. Fortunately I have the beach to burn the calories off

Breakfast House

Cook top/grill

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Facade

Blue Willow Cafe

4.6(26 reviews)

2.3 mi

We were looking for some new breakfast options in Wilmington, and this place was perfect. Super…read morecute and comfortable decor. The staff was very attentive and made us feel welcomed. My hazlenut iced coffee was perfect and our party chose the breakfast croissant and the bananas foster French toast. Both were really good! While it's not the easiest place to find, it's one of the best!

Stopped in this small café while I was near the hospital. Limited menu but I had a coffee and a…read morecroissant with egg, cheese, and grilled chicken that was super flavorful and I liked that it was not deep fried. I also got the hashbrown casserole which wasn't much. Cozy spot and really sweet staff. She even gave me a whole coffee to-go when I asked for a to-go cup. I would come back to try lunch if I'm in the area.

French toast with a side of bacon

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Indoor

The Fork n Cork

4.2(1.2k reviews)

1.6 mi

fantastic food (I had the Reuben and it was excellent - juicy, just the right amount of cheese and…read morekraut, great bread) and the service was super attentive and friendly.

We went to try this place very excited but we were turned away…read more We came on a Monday at 2pm. There were a few people eating inside and outside. They had 2 open tables. A waitress/hostess came up to us and said they were currently not sitting anyone and that the kitchen was taking a break and to come back at 3pm. Huh?? The hours online do not reflect this. It's advertised as 11-9 on Apple Maps so we were very disappointed. We just came home. We don't plan on ever attempting to go back because that was just very weird. And now I'm scared we would just be turned away again if we went. So if you're thinking of going you should probably call ahead and ask if they will let you come in and eat with everyone else or if they are not letting people in at the moment.

The Big Lew

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Brunch Thyme

4.3(28 reviews)

2.0 mi

I was staying at a nearby hotel this past Sunday and realized that a lot of breakfast/brunch places…read morein the area did not open until after 10am. At this point it was about 9:15am and I saw Brunch Thyme was open. Not doing a lot of research I walked over and assumed it was a sit down restaurant but quickly learned that it's actually take out. I think the worker saw the disappointment on my face when I walked in and she offered me a small foldable table to place outside which encouraged me to stay. My partner ordered the fish n' grits and I ordered The Frenchie which both turned out to be great choices. The fish was seasoned well, I believe it was whiting and the grits were rich and creamy. It came with a delicious gravy that we didn't notice until the meal was almost finished but ended up spooning like a soup. My French toast and eggs were tasty as well. For drinks they had canned Coke products, apple juice and bottled water. Sitting outside was hot and the bugs were constant but I was thankful to have a place to eat because again, I walked here (about 20 min). I observed many people eating in their cars or simply taking their food to go. With this, I also saw a few groups come and go as they didn't realize it was a take out style restaurant. Minus the heat, we enjoyed our meal and the customer service we received. Prices were responsible and portion sizes were filling. Check it out if you're in the area.

It was rather shocking walking in the door and realizing that this is not a restaurant but just a…read moretakeout counter. This establishment has been around for some years & the ambience reflects its age. The staff greeted us and were very friendly. The service was excellent, our order was ready in under 10 minutes. If you ask for a table one can be set up outside with a chair or two. Hubby had shrimp and grits. I had BEC and a side of grits. They were delicious and the portions were sizable. We will be back!

Things to do in Wilmington

Menu 2/13/24

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SEC biscuit

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12 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Rob B.

279

7 months ago

I recently checked out Mess Hall ILM in Wilmington, NC, and it definitely lives up to the buzz. The space is very nice and clean, with a modern industrial look that gives it a cool, laid back vibe. It is the kind of place that feels perfect to hang out with friends for a while rather than just grabbing food and leaving. The service was very quick, and everything came out hot and fresh without much of a wait. Now let's talk about the food. The burger is easily the best in ILM, juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Paired with their tater tots, which are crispy and perfectly seasoned, it is a simple combo done extremely well. It is a little pricey for just a burger and tots, but the quality and overall experience make it worth it if you are in the mood for one of the best in town. One thing to note is that it can get a bit loud, mainly because of the high ceilings and metal walls that echo sound around the space. Overall, Mess Hall ILM is a great spot with amazing burgers, fast service, and a cool atmosphere. If you are in Wilmington and craving a top tier burger, this is the place to go. read more

Gabriela D.

2 years ago

Second time trying this place out . The burger I had was a significant letdown. It was completely devoid of flavor, indicating that it was under-seasoned. The bun they used quickly became soggy, which detracted from the overall texture and enjoyment of the burger. In comparison, you can find a tastier and more affordable option at Burger King, which makes this experience even more disappointing. read more

Paige T.

1 year ago

Best burger in town and awesome tots. They also have a full bar which I believe they recently expanded-- pretty good cocktails for a burger place. The staff is always lovely as well. read more

G M.

106

116

2 years ago

Best Burger in ILM for my money...............,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ............... ------------------------////////........2222223::::::: read more

Ryan C.

2 years ago

Great food, incredible breakfast menu. The office orders from here about 3 times a week for the breakfast burritos. Totally worth it.

Noah S.

5 years ago

Definitely some of the best burgers in town, staff is friendly, establishment is well kept and clean. Will definitely be returning.

Morgan C.

492

4 years ago

One of my favorite burger restaurants in Wilmington! Great atmosphere and family friendly

Ian B.

3 years ago

Would have loved to have tried it. Address took me to Beat Street. They have great food ‍ read more

Caulin C.

404

4 years ago

Great food! Great atmosphere! One of the best burgers in town! Service is great. Thanks!

John J.

3 years ago

Awesome burgers. I would highly recommend. One of the best in the area. Love the tots.

Andrew T.

6 years ago

Best burger in town. Highly recommend.

Marc H.

4 years ago

Delicious for a hipster dive.

Mess Hall - burgers - Updated September 2026

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Angus Grill

4.2

(21 reviews)

Food was very good and seasoned. We ordered a double burger which was huge even for a big guy,…read morechicken Caesar wrap with fries 10 out of 10 and the chicken finger with fries. Very happy we found this place.

Checked out the new 2nd location. Staff were nice. The AC broke down so it was like a sauna inside…read more We got the Fried Green Tomato and Bacon Jam burgers to-go with side of white potato and sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries usually come with sugar on it and I asked for just plain sweet potato fries. Unfortunately, after we left, I realized the sweet potato fries had sugar added on it. They gave us a sweet sauce with the sweet potato fries. The white potato fries were more crispy compared to the sweet potato fries. The fried green tomato burger was as delicious as we had it from their first location. Never had the bacon jam burger before and it was a little disappointing. Didn't care much for the bacon jam and the burger meat was a little dry. Both burgers were served on buns with poppyseeds and sesame seeds. I'll just stick with the fried green tomato burger from now on.

Pender's Cafe

3.7

(42 reviews)

I love this place and the fact that it has been in the same family for nearly 50 years. The…read moreburgers are as fresh and delicious as you can get. Best honest burger in town.

Cute local place! It reminds me of what and how a grandma would make and serve lunch. No frills,…read morereasonable prices and a filling lunch. The burgers come with fries, the hot dogs don't.

Pts Olde Fashioned Grille

4.1

(87 reviews)

Up front I'm a hard grader. The only reason I'll give establishment five stars is due to a member…read moreof the service team went above their duties. This is a noon meal. First impression was inviting, very clean, noise volume was low to what I was expecting. The way the order was taken is uni unique, I like it no 48" iPad with buttons. Just a pad and pencil you get to fill out. The receptionist was very helpful in explaining the menu and how the order sheet works. It's so simple, that I made it hard. I got the grill chicken, fries, and sweet tea. Was great! Definitely better than any fast food microwave sandwich we've been forced to live with. During my meal, at least three times the cooks asked if they could top off my drink or anything else they could make my meal more enjoyable. No, it wasn't annoying or too much. Yes, highly recommend P.T. Ole Fashioned Grille. Swing by and give them a try. I'm sure you'll be back for the atmosphere and the food, too.

A friend and I visited here for lunch. They accidentally mixed up our orders when they brought them…read moreout and we didn't realize it at first. The employees/manager went above and beyond to make things right and were very attentive. The service was great and the food was amazing!

Zeke Smash

4.7

(23 reviews)

I've been seeing Zeke's all over social media and was excited to finally try it, especially since a…read moreportion of their profits goes toward childhood cancer. Their tagline is "Eat with Purpose," so I was happy to support them. The restaurant is inside Tide's Taproom which was a nice relaxed atmosphere with tons of space/tables, games and is kid-friendly. Ordering was easy with the QR code for both food and drinks. The staff was incredibly friendly and I sampled a few beers at the bar before deciding what to order. Our food came out pretty quickly and the staff member checked on us to make sure we had everything we needed. We ordered the double smash burger, fries, sweet potato fries, and cheese curds. Everything was really tasty! The cheese curds were square, which was different for me being from Wisco but they were still delicious. We had fun with the pool tables inside and basketball outside. It was such a great spot for our groups to hangout and have good food/drinks. Definitely worth checking out!

Food was good Service was good…read more Ambiance was good The owner did us right and made sure we left happy. Good cheese cake

Cheesesmith

4.2

(40 reviews)

I got the OG ($7), tomato soup ($6) and Asian fries ($11). Food came out in about 15 minutes. The…read moretomato soup was very Smokey and sweet, more like a marinara sauce with its thickness than soupiness. The grilled cheese was crispy, buttery, cheesy. The cheese and soup were sooooo good together. The fries were also amazing! I loved the sweetly and salty pork along the cheesy crispy fries. This is a very causal restaurant and the prices reflect that. Very happy with the taste, quality, and price of the food! Would definitely come back again!! Food(50%): 8.7 Staff/service(25%):7.0 Value(25%): 9.0 Overall: 8.4/10

Get the Philly!!! Best Philly Cheese Steak I've ever had. Perfect ratio of cheese to meat. The…read morepickled onions were delightful. Very casual ambience with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was super friendly and fast. Order at the counter then they bring it to the table. They have an assortment of drinks- free filtered water, and beer, wine and canned cocktails. A wide assortment of Grilled Cheese sandwiches which all look amazing- and they are kind to make adjustments as requested- go there and get you some!!!

Breakfast House

4.0

(80 reviews)

Reasonable! Fast friendly service. They make desserts in house! Clean. Appears owner is onsite…read moretoo.

Middle Sound Grille

3.8

(9 reviews)

Middle Sound Grille is tucked behind The Bend! It's only been open a few weeks but runs like a well…read moreoiled machine! The staff is attentive and knowledgeable as well as super friendly! You cannot get an adult beverage there, but you can get water and Pepsi products. They offer appetizers and full entrees. We ended up each getting "bites" which were a cheesesteak sandwich and mine was a gyro but not called that. The bites offered your choice of sides-fries, side salad, fruit cup which I chose the side Caesar salad. The salad was very hefty for a side salad and he got the fries which were tasty. Daniel was our waiter but all the staff were friendly! They had fly fans for the tables which were helpful because we ate outside. I don't even know if there is an inside?! It was so pretty to have the trees acting as canopies and shading us from the sun! We will most definitely be back!

"Total hidden gem! We stumbled upon this spot and fell in love with the outdoor patio--it feels…read morelike dining in a secret garden. The Pho Pot Stickers are an absolute must-try; I don't know how they packed that much flavor into a dumpling, but I'm hooked. The vibe is super laid-back, and I love that you can grab a drink from the bar next door while you wait. Fresh food, friendly staff, and a gorgeous canopy of trees--it's officially our new favorite hangout. Can't wait to come back for the Ahi Tuna!"

Al’s Burger Shack

3.7

(32 reviews)

My husband and I tried this place for the first time a few days ago. We went for dinner. The room…read moreis small and a little on the noisy side between the music, the sounds of the kitchen and soda machine. We both ordered the Sean's bacon cheeseburger, along with a split of tater tots and crinkle cut fries. We got our order but didn't get the tater tots, just fries. The guy that served us quickly brought out the tots. About a minute later, my name was called. It turned out we were given the wrong burgers. We ended up with the Kenny J burger. We were okay with that and enjoyed the burgers. He actually wrapped up the correct burgers and we brought them home to enjoy the next day. The burgers are not huge, which was fine for us. We loved the tater tots, not greasy at all. Next time we'll skip the fries. They were too thick for our liking. We'll try the sweet potato fries. We also had the tasty roasted garlic aioli dipping sauce. Overall, a good meal.

Great burgers and tots! (My husband's favorite). I have a gluten allergy and have eaten here safely…read morenumerous times. Staff is friendly and attentive. Service is quick and restaurant is clean. This is our go-to restaurant in Leland.

Buffaloe’s Watering Hole

4.0

(10 reviews)

I ended up coming here twice in two days--once to try the NY Chopped Cheese and then again to try…read morethe Philly Cheesesteak. Let's start with the chopped cheese. As a New Yorker, I was excited to see it on the menu. And let me say this first... the sandwich was delicious. I cleaned that thing up and didn't leave a single crumb behind. The flavor was on point. Here's the only issue: it wasn't really a chopped cheese. Instead of using chopped ground beef like you'd find at a New York bodega, it was made with sliced steak. I asked the owner about it, and he explained that they used to make it the traditional way, but they switched because the ground beef would dry out by the time customers got it home or had it delivered. Using steak keeps it much juicier. I told him, "Then it's not really a chopped cheese anymore... it's basically a Philly cheesesteak." He laughed and said, "No, our Philly cheesesteak uses different meat." That caught my attention, so I said, "Hold up... you have an actual Philly cheesesteak too?" He said yes. So naturally, I came back the next day to try it. After trying both, I can honestly say I liked the "chopped cheese" much more. The Philly cheesesteak was made with Steak-umm-style beef, and unfortunately it was a little dry. It also could've used a lot more cheese (or cheese sauce) to bring everything together. I didn't complain because everyone has their own way of making things, and I respect that. But here's my opinion: if they simply renamed that "chopped cheese" sandwich to their Philly cheesesteak, it would be one of the best cheesesteaks around. In fact--and this is just my opinion--I think it would give J. Michael's Philly Deli some serious competition. At the end of the day, that's just one New Yorker's opinion. Go try it for yourself and let me know what you think!

I've been coming here for years!!! They have new owners but it's the same good food and good…read morepeople! They come out tomorrow with a smash burger. So looking forward to it! Thank ya Carter for cooking me a good lunch and not getting mad at me for watching Scooby doo as I waited! Yea I probably was to loud

Copper Penny

4.4

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