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    River 128 Restaurant

    3.5 (61 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    River 128 Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    RIVER 128 RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - River 128 Restaurant

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    Ron R.

    Sometimes the view is what you need to get started. And when near the water, seafood is a good place to start. And, being a beautiful night to watch the sunset, River 128 was the place to be. Traveling with friends we find a good place for cocktails, conversations and a view to enjoy., The choice of seafood was the tougher part. There were classics and new ideas to choose from. Where to begin was tough. But, over a martini, that made things easier. Our waiter was excellent, and patient, as we picked what we were thinking of. To start, we had a special appetizer for the table...It was Lobster Dip served with pita toast. It was a good portion to start with a martini or glass of wine as the sun set. It was fresh, and tasty. It was seasoned well so you could enjoy the dip in a good portion. Once complete next came the entrees. This was a good variety to try. We had a dish of Shrimp & Grits...a true Southern dish to have. And, as is typical in any region, this was based on the flavor of Cajun . A mound of grits that were fresh and creamy. This was toped for 12 large shrimp. There was a red Cajun sauce with the taste you would expect. It was warm and hot in flavor. It was rich and special to enjoy with each spoon you might take with each bite. It was a true Shrimp & Grits I was use to, with the spice to enjoy. We also had an order of Grilled Swordfish. This is a special to have if you want to try a piece of fish you do not usually have., This was very fresh of the day. It was de-boned and grilled to a state that allowed the taste with the seasoning it had on the grill. It was moist and firm and a taste to try and see what it was like. Finally, we had a dish of Sushi Tuna. This was a large portion that could be served as an appetizer, but was large enough to make it an entree. It was also very fresh for the day. The Tuna was the right look and style that is typical in a sushi bar. We ordered a side-dish of fresh asparagus. It was a good compliment to the tuna which was at room temperature and flavorful. When the meal was complete we did share an order of Key Lime Pie. Home-made and light, it was a good way to have a Southern dessert to share after the rich meal we enjoyed together. The team at River 128 is excellent. The portions are perfect. The price is what to expect when having a wonderful seafood meal right by the water. Next time I am in Wilmington, I will go back to have a good meal at sunset. Even with a martini in hand.

    Lobster ravioli
    Sydney H.

    We were visiting from out of town and were in downtown area. My husband made a reservation but not sure if we really needed it, as there were plenty of empty tables on a Saturday night. Our waitress was very nice and got our orders in quickly and brought out a basket of bread and butter. our food came out pretty fast as well. We ordered the black bass that was on top of coconut rice, spinach and curry mustard sauce. The rice was pretty mushy and the black bass tasted fine but was not anything special. We also got the lobster ravioli which was also ok, but nothing special. For the price point, i'm not sure i would come back. The inside was nice and there was a parking lot across the street that the restaurant could help validate for 2 hours.

    Menu
    Heather M.

    Had a great meal with friends. Outdoor covered seating was comfortable. Nice outdoor fans. We had great service and food. We would definitely return.

    Crab Cake sandwich
    Manda S.

    Another amazing waterfront restaurant in downtown Wilmington. We sat outside under the awning and had great weather. Our server was prompt, helpful, and kept our drinks filled as well as quickly brought out another beer when we asked. Everything we ate was flavorful, spiced nicely, and hot! The star of the show today was the Blackened Chicken Caesar wrap. IDK what made it the star - but the wrap was crunchy and the inside moist and had just enough dressing to add flavor without it running down your arm when to took a bite. Great restaurant consistently.

    Clam chowder
    Christian S.

    Went here for a quick lunch today. The place is nice - directly at the Wilmington River Walk, but the food I think was average and the staff made me feel not very welcome, even there was a coke and coffee refill offered. I do not know what it was, but I did not like the atmosphere. So I am giving 3 well meant stars, but next time I would try another restaurant.

    Pilsner
    Robert B.

    I started with the local Pilsner that came out fast and cold. My wife had the burger which was two smashed paddies and she loved the sweet chutney that it came with. I had the catfish sandwich which came with two pieces and a sauce with a little heat that was good for me. I opted for Brussel sprouts which I loved. A little pricey if we weren't sitting on the water but probably not pricey for the area. The ambiance outside was good we did not go inside. The service was good and overall experience was great.

    Calamari
    Christopher M.

    Beautiful location and sunset views. Service was okay, the waitress seemed very new and unsure about menu questions. The calamari appetizer was very rubbery and tasteless. We only had a few bites. Couldn't finish. My wife had the roasted salmon and said it was decent, but not great. I had the lamb. Cooked a little over done, but otherwise okay. An older group sat beside us with their dog. I'm a dog lover and have three of my own. However, not a big fan of eating an expensive dinner with someone else's under my feet. For the price... hard no on a return.

    Barramundi fish on rice mixed with cocunut milk, drizzled with mustard sauce then topped with pineapple
    Lina S.

    Disappointed with the clam chowder as it barely had any clams. Also it was very watery. Service - the waiter refused to consider my request for diet consideration to eliminate rice from the dish. The salmon salad was average . Food price was high. The ambience was ok. I would not revisit this place

    Catfish with shrimp and potatoes
    Monica P.

    I made reservations for four of us. This used to be called the George on the Riverwalk, which I really loved, so I kept my fingers crossed that the new place was just as good. It is!! Lovely atmosphere and very comfortable inside. There is outside dining but not really great at dinner because the views face west and the sun shines directly in. I started with a cup of clam chowder. It was very good. Not a lot of clams but it was tasty. I ordered the seared scallops with risotto for my entrée. Five beautiful, plump scallops cooked perfectly. The risotto had asparagus and corn, along with a truffle vinaigrette. It was topped with microgreens. I'm so glad they didn't do away with this dish on their new menu. It's a favorite of mine. My husband had the catfish that came with shrimp and cubed potatoes. He never liked fish but has been expanding his taste buds. He enjoyed the catfish. Our friends enjoyed their meal as well. Very nice service from our waitress. Next time, I'll have to try their shrimp and grits.

    Lobster Crab Dip; Delicious!!!!
    Sharon G.

    Our first dinner in Wilmington this weekend, and it did not disappoint. The Lobster Crab Dip was amazing! Our waiter was cordial and efficient. We were hoping to sit on the covered patio with the heaters but it was very, very windy. All staff members were friendly and hospitable. Loved the vibes here.

    Salmon
    Brittany R.

    Food was really well prepared. Full of flavor and really liked the small menu. Keeps it simple. Presentation was pleasant as well. I would highly recommend. The atmosphere was nice. Very elegant but casual setting.

    Scallops were bland

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    2 months ago

    Overpriced for what it is. High end prices for a casual restaurant. The food is good though.

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    Dram Yard

    Dram Yard

    4.2(196 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

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

    I've been to the Dram Yard a few times for cocktails at the outdoor bar and have always loved the…read moredrinks and the atmosphere with the fire pits but hadn't eaten dinner until last night. The whole experience was perfect. We had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. It was such a minimal wait that I didn't think anything of it. Our waitress came over to our table, apologized, and said they'd be sending out their little gem salad and brussel sprouts. Both appetizers were plenty for four of us. The salad was romaine lettuce with fish roe and had a umami style to it that I really enjoyed. The Brussels were exceptional. I'm a big fan normally and these were by far some of the best I've had. For cocktails I tried the man of war and the ghost town which was complex and amazing. For dinner I tried the fish of the day, which were scallops from Maine with ancient grains and a small green salad. The scallops were rich tasting and succulent. My husband had the burger and said it was really good. The whole dining experience was exceptional. The servers were attentive yet knew how to pace our experience. We never felt rushed or imposed upon or forgotten. With all the restaurant choices in Wilmington, Dram Yard rises to the top.

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    Dram Yard

    River 128 Restaurant - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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