Our first time to Wilmington and we were celebrating my wife's birthday so I decided to take her here. I got lucky with a last minute reservation for two at 7pm on a Thursday night. So definitely book a reservation in advance if you can. We started with a dozen local oysters and they were very good. It was our first time trying NC oysters. The tuna crudo was delicious as were the complimentary cornbread. However the entrees stole the show. My wife really enjoyed her cioppino. It was different from the Cioppino we get on the west coast. I decided to give the swordfish a try based on the reviews. I've tried swordfish a few times in the past and have always been disappointed. However this recipe has turned me into a fan. It was the most delicious swordfish that I have ever had. It wasn't dry or fishy tasting. It was just perfect! read more

See all

We had brunch at Seabird and, despite one memorable hiccup, it was another very good experience. My wife and I split the Spicy NC Shrimp Chilaquiles, and once everything arrived as intended, the dish was excellent. The funny part? The kitchen initially sent out the shrimp dish... without the shrimp. We had to ask for them to bring the missing shrimp, which they quickly corrected. I couldn't help but imagine Chef Gordon Ramsay standing in the kitchen shouting, "You served the shrimp dish without any shrimp, you muppet!" That alone was worth a chuckle. We sat at the bar, where service is usually outstanding. This time the bartender was clearly overwhelmed and stretched thin, so things moved a little slower than normal. Even so, everyone remained professional and friendly. Chef Dean Neff has set a very high standard here, and it's easy to understand why Seabird has received so much recognition and James Beard attention over the years. The food quality, creativity, and consistency continue to make it one of our favorite spots in Wilmington. A missing shrimp on a shrimp dish and slower-than-usual bar service keep this from being a perfect score, but neither issue was enough to spoil the meal. read more

See all

Lives up to its review ** we were originally on our way to a place Perla for oysters, our friend suggested it. I was looking at near by restaurants and decided to try seabird instead - as we wanted to come to the boardwalk anyways. I am so glad we changed our route to seabird. Venue: quite quaint than I thought but it is elegantly and uniquely presented. Food: ordered tuna crudo, short rib burger, eggs Benedict and of course the oysters. We loved every plate ordered. First oyster, super fresh, clean and exactly the type of oysters we are looking for. The condiments were made fresh and complimented the oysters very well. Burger was good- tender meat and seasoned well; this plate was ordered for my teen son- he said it was good but not worth $25 for a burger. Sturgeon eggs Benedict was cooked to perfection - perhaps one salt sprinkle away from absolute perfection but that's why the table salt is for. The shaved dill pickle it came with complimented The richness of the Benedict. The star of the show today for us the tuna crudo - oh my! What a complex taste - sweet, salty, savory, tangy, creamy and fresh- the savory tuna meets the sweet watermelon, fresh cucumber- spicy pepper with amazing watermelon cream dressing. I wanted to lick the whole sauce off the plate. Also ordered strawberry brownie icecream and I was in love! Creamy- not too rich or sweet - refreshing and perfect all in all, we all loved every bite. Service: exceptional service from entering the door to exiting. Our server was amazing. We are definitely coming back and recommending it to the friend who recommended us Perla read more

See all

It was initially pretty hard to get a reservation for a Saturday but I'm glad I was able to try this restaurant. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The raw oysters were way better than the barbecue oysters. I've been craving them ever since. The dessert was also really good. The only negative review I have is that as soon as we entered the restaurant and said the name for our reservation we weren't warmly greeted and instead the lady told us that since we were five minutes late our reservation would be cut short for the next reservation. This seemed pretty off putting as it wasn't quite necessary to say. And then while we were eating the next reservation was allegedly canceled. Weird way to welcome someone who is coming to your restaurant for a birthday dinner. Other than that we liked the food and drinks and one less star for the initial statement made when we first came in. read more

My family was at Figure 8 Island this past summer, and my husband and I love to venture into Wilmington to try good food. I found Seabird after searching for james beard nominees in the area. We showed up early and were sat immediately. Our waiter was passionate about the menu and had great suggestions. Our food timing between oyster, salad, and entree courses was perfect. The decor was beachy and light, lots of blues. Before our order, they came out with a complimentary cornbread with honey on top added- delectable. Mine was a little cold inside but can't complain. We started with the rockefeller oysters, which came with a homemade fresno hot sauce. They were shucked nicely, perfectly warm and creamy and salty and acidic from the lemon squeeze, and the hot sauce on top added a nice heat. Next up we had the ramp caesar, a definite standout. It was such a fun take on a caesar with seabeans, pickled ramps, and the "swordfish bacon" (although i don't agree with the name bc it was more like smoked swordfish cubes, but delicious nonetheless). For entrees, my husband got the soft shell crab, another standout. The crab was fried and salted to perfection, and the pasta underneath had the perfect chew (you can tell it was made in house). The cioppino was also delicious - every element was cooked to perfection. The scallops and tilefish were so tender, the andouille added an amazing smoke and salt, and i loved how the toast was crisped up/flattened almost. My only gripe is maybe too many potatoes (maybe could have even done without?). Overall, this was such a phenomenal meal. I would come back for every single dish we ate and more. *Rockefeller Oysters: bacon, Pernod, spinach, cornbread crumbs *Ramp Caesar: swordfish bacon, cornbread croutons, anchovies, pickled ramps *Crispy Fried Soft Shell: cavatelli, blue crab, spring peas, spring onion, mint *Eastern Cioppino: blueline tilefish, shrimp, scallops, clams, andouille, potato, toast with rouille read more

See all

What a nice evening for our 30th Anniversary dinner. Special mixed drinks were just okay (probably the plainest Old Fashion I have had in a while). They started us off with this cornbread muffin with sorghum maple syrup (I think). Small plates were good....I can't remember the name of the starter, but it had tomatoes, yummy aoli, radish, squash, etc. I had the Eastern Cioppino (golden tilefish, shrimp, scallops, Clear Watters clams, andouille, potato, toast with rouille, which was so delicious and the broth very yummy). My wife had the tile fish, which she also loved. Finished the night off with a double espresso, Life Leaf pie, and a delicious banana salted peanut ice cream. Service was great and it was fun watching Chef Neff final prep all dishes before they went out. Overall, a pleasant evening (need better mixed drinks specials). read more

Spectacular little place with a large bar area Dining in Amin dining room allows you to watch kitchen staff put final touches on dishes before being served. Personally I love this part of dining. They even have a community dining counter that's really close to the action Service was prompt and professional. They had us order appetizers; drinks and entrees all at the time and paced out delivery perfectly Food was outstanding; well prepared; perfectly presented. Very busy for a Monday so I'd recommend reservations This is finer dining at its best. Shout out to the chef and kitchen staff for making it a memorable experience read more

Super cute, loud and bright atmosphere. My husband really enjoyed his food, and I enjoyed mine as well. I ordered one of the only vegetarian options, but it was good and I would definitely come back for it again. My only issue was with the seating arrangement. I had specifically asked only my reservation if we could sit next to each other because my husband is 50% deaf in his left ear. Unfortunately, we were seated across from each other between two other tables, which made it very difficult for him to hear me in such a lively environment. He also could not hear the waiter. I noticed other parties seated closer to each other at tables of 4, so I do wish that accommodation could have been considered for us after I had mentioned it beforehand. Or just not seated in between other parties of 2 and maybe at the end. At the end of the day, we chose the restaurant knowing it could be a louder environment, so it wasn't a terrible experience at all, I just think that small seating adjustment would have made it much more comfortable for us. read more

Seabird - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

I will be daydreaming about this meal often. Seabird has always drawn us in visually from the street because of its cool/retro exterior and so cutely decorated inside. Finally made it in! We started off with a dozen oysters, all from NC, paired with the recommended martini. Each oyster was phenomenal and we loved the martinis. Perfect way to start the meal. We moved along to the tuna tartare which was unreal. The crispy potatoes paired with the tuna was such a good combination, we absolutely loved this dish. We battled on whether to continue with only small plates or to branch into entrees. The sea bass and swordfish schnitzel looked too good to pass up, so we ordered both. Blown away. We both cleaned our plates. Such a special dinner - can't wait to come back. read more

See all

Really enjoyed our meal at Seabird. The seafood tower was amazing, super fresh, and beautifully presented. Everything we ordered was flavorful, the service was great, and the atmosphere was perfect for a nice dinner. Would definitely recommend! read more

Seabird - Seafood Tower - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

For my birthday, my amazing fiancé surprised me with dinner at Seabird!! One of my favorites!! We had the best time!! Julia was our server, and she was fantastic. She did a great job of explaining everything on the menu and helping us pick some incredible options. We had the presquile chard, the seared fish, the schnitzel, the broiled oysters with hollandaise, the chili pork ribs, the Caroline handshake, the tall and fluffy cheesecake, and the brownie, and every bite was amazing! We were so pleasantly surprised by the hollandaise oysters- the sauce added a perfect taste to this appetizer. The restaurant wasn't super loud, only one table of ladies really enjoying their meal and laughing a bunch. My fiancé had told them it was my birthday when he made the reservation so our cheesecake came our with a birthday candle on it! We loved our experience and can't wait to come back! read more

We were really looking forward to trying Seabird, but unfortunately the service was nonexistent. We arrived at 11:05 a.m. for our 11:15 reservation and were seated right on time. However, by 11:26, not a single server had come by to greet us, offer water, or even acknowledge our table. Staff repeatedly walked past us while multiple nearby tables sat empty, so it wasn't as if the restaurant was overwhelmed. After waiting nearly 15 minutes without any acknowledgment whatsoever, we decided to leave. As we walked out, a staff member who had been next to our next table, simply told us, "Have a good day," apparently not even realizing that our table had never been greeted or served. I understand restaurants can get busy, but basic acknowledgment of a seated table should be the minimum standard. Very disappointing. read more

Came here for dinner with my husband and overall the food was great! We ordered got the server to course the dinner out as we were sharing everything. We started with the complimentary cornbread which was good but the drizzle sauce made it quite sweet. Then we had: Raw Oysters - Super fresh and delicious; prepared well Mussels - Good but we just weren't a huge fan of the strong pepper taste; very tasty broth overall Catfish & Oyster Pie - Absolutely delicious and so unique 100% recommend this to be ordered Trout - Popular fish as it was selling out fast, and we could see why; it was so tasty and the herb sauce was so smooth too, would 100% order again read more

See all

Food was great. Atmosphere was awesome. Great service. Before we could finish coffee, we were asked to leave. So they could combine our table with another for a four top. I didn't believe it until the head hostess said she was serious. I have never, in my life, been asked to leave a restaurant before I finished. I would not recommend this establishment, ever. Period. We get treated better at Waffle House. read more

Seabird will always be one of my favorites in Wilmington! Chef Deans rotating menu always highlights the beauty of the coast and the service is always top notch. My favorites are the seafood tower which changes weekly but always includes many different types of seafood all prepped in a different way and any of their desserts! read more

See all

Grabbed cocktails at the bar at Seabird. The space was lovely, guys behind the bar were attentive and kind, and the whole vibe was chill. Also - Love the fact that we could chat while enjoying our drinks! Will add this to the fav rotation of places to grab a drink. read more

Seabird - Cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We chose Seabird because of a local recommendation, and they were spot on. The bar when you walk in has a very cool vibe. We chose to sit at the other bar area in front of the kitchen so we could be served by Andy, who happened to have served us the night before at another restaurant. I had oysters (forgot to photograph them). They had 3 varieties, and I sampled all three. They were excellent! My husband ordered the smoked catfish and oyster pie. He enjoyed it so much that he plans to figure out how to make it. If you're visiting Wilmington, give Seabird a visit. read more

See all

Had dinner at the Seabird in Wilmington, what a great experience. The Seafood Tower was outstanding - the items are (as it says) seasonal, which makes for inspired eating. The service is top-tier, attentive yet not overbearing. I'm pretty sure the Owner was also there as the lead chef- ensuring everything coming out was perfect. [Correction, it was Dean Neff, the James Beard nominated chef. I can be pretty dense.] The atmosphere is bright and bustling: great energy. Definitely get on their reservations list. read more

See all

Fantastic food and service. Split the broiled Hollandaise oysters, Serrano NC pork ribs, Eastern Cioppino. Everything was delicious. Chef sent out a taste of the yellowfin tuna Bolognese and a fried fish ball dish. Coming from up North, everything was really unique with its own taste profile. Only regret was we didn't have more people along to try more dishes. We didn't realize that they validate parking at the garage across the street or we would have taken advantage of it. read more

See all

I sat at the bar for a solo dinner and had such a wonderful time chatting with the other patrons and bartenders. I ordered the swordfish schnitzel (they prepared it dairy free for me) and it was wildly delicious. Easily the best swordfish I've had. I unfortunately ate before the camera but their espresso martini is also worth your time. 10/10 all around. read more

Seabird - Espresso martini - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I visited Seabird with a few girlfriends who were visiting from out of town, and it was exactly the kind of unique local spot we were hoping to find. We made a reservation only a few days in advance. The space is beautiful, and every dish, drink, and dessert was plated with such care and creativity. We shared everything, which was nice to try a bit of everything. The staff were friendly and attentive. I would recommend for a special night out. read more

See all

Wow Great space. Great staff. Nice wine options Oysters were awesome and served on great plates. Jack schnitzel over spaetzel was great, as was the Flounder with crispy rice. Was a GREAT meal and nice night. read more

The positives first: the service was impeccable, prompt but not fussy. This is a casual fine-dining spot, with $100 a person pricing for a modest meal. We had a Cosmo and an Old Fashioned pre-dinner, both excellent. Our apps were tuna tartine and a fish crudo with a very mild sauce. These were fair-to-good, and the best part of the meal. The seasoning wasn't there, and the portions were, well, not shareable. Even at these prices, we got the impression they were skimping. For entrees we had the soft-shelled crab and the cioppino. The (single) soft-shelled crab was missing a claw, and served over a bed of dense, gummy pasta. The flavor was missing. This for $43. The cioppino was somewhat better, with one of the two scallops reasonably well cooked. The shrimp, single mussel, the other scallop, and the two clams were badly overcooked. The two decent-sized pieces of fish were reasonably cooked, and the soup, while not stellar, was tasty. It was very sad for a seafood restaurant to destroy seafood by overcooking. However the (two pieces of) andouille sausage were tasty and had a kick. There was a slice of bread with Sriracha aioli, but the soup wasn't good enough to ask for an extra order of bread. We know the restaurant can do better, because we came a year ago and it was five stars. We hope they can get back on the horse, because it can be a great experience. read more

I really really wanted to like this place a lot more, but unfortunately, it is difficult to justify the price. Seabirds is a primarily seafood focused restaurant right in the heart of downtown Wilmington. They are an upscale, classy restaurant that has a great atmosphere for a nice date night or special occasion. I had the swordfish schnitzel, it was a huge piece of fish, with a very nice presentation. The fish was fresh, but was a bit heavy handed on the use of fat, which overpowered it a bit. My partner had the smoked catfish, and it was just plain and simple not very good. The breading was soggy and it was overwhelmingly greasy, on an already heavy bed of grits. Again the presentation was nice, but it was not enjoyable. There are lot of great places to get a great meal in Wilmington, unless you are enamored with the location and presentation of their dishes, I would look elsewhere for a classy meal. read more

Seabird - Swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Our second visit, this time for brunch. Service was very attentive and helpful with our questions. Food was fresh and presented nicely. Be ready for the smaller portion size. Pleasant ambiance with mostly younger patrons. Still found the prices a bit much for the value. read more

Seabird - Smoked Tuna Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We ate here for the first time and were blown away! My wife and I opted to forgo appetizers and individual entrees. We shared the seafood tower, which was incredible. The deviled eggs with caviar were my favorite, as well as the blue fin tuna toro. Their desserts were amazing, and my whiskey sour with egg whites was equally impressive. Great waitstaff and cool atmosphere. The chef/owner even came out to talk with us. read more

See all

Seabird is a great gem in downtown Wilmington! A must have is the catfish and oyster pie appetizer! You can thank me later

This place did not disappoint! Our server was wonderful- actually everyone that worked there was. Started off with some drinks- a perfect dirty martini- and I am typically picky. We had 6 oysters, 2 of each, and the tuna crudo to start. The local Southern Salts were our favorite oysters. For our entrees we had the Eastern Cioppino and the Swordfish Schnitzel. Both great but the Swordfish was a show stopper. Would come back! read more

Seabird - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Possibly one of the best restaurants I've been to. The ambience and vibe was a casual chic, which matches my vibe;) This was my birthday dinner, & as soon as I entered the restaurant was welcomed by warm smiles & greetings by the staff, immediately acknowledging that we were celebrating a birthday. My table had a sweet birthday note, with the cutest origami bird. My boyfriend got a brightly flavored cocktail called the matchmaker, which was a clarified matcha mojito, that I absolutely loved!Our meal service started with honey drizzled corn muffins that were savory & sweet, like starting our meal with dessert. We were told about this epic seafood tower that was nothing short of spectacular - not your typical seafood tower. This has probably the best raw oysters I've ever had at the top(chefs choice of top sail wilds), then a deviled catfish dip for crackers, oysters escabeche, crab legs, ahi mignonette, deviled eggs, pickled shrimp, & Sambal cocktail - the flavors were a symphonic mix of citrus, brine, acid, spice, omega-3 powered fats, & salt. As if that wasn't enough, we added the red beard roasted carrot salad - which was a fresh salad that wowed with its freshly pulled from the garden quality, & an amazing ginger dressing. We also got the barbecue baked oysters that were packed with flavor from the Worcestershire butter & lemon with a bread crumb topped crunch. To end this fabulous meal We got the black sesame crème brûlée - this desert shined and sealed the meal with a kiss by adding to an already classic dessert a unique but flavorful spin on the cream classic. the butter cookie added a crunchy sweet texture to the caramelized treat! We also had a homemade lavender vanilla ice cream made in house. All this to make my birthday dinner make a girl like me blush, from the genuine thoughtfulness & attentiveness of the service, & chefs kiss on each plate! read more

See all

We enjoyed an excellent experience here at Seabird in downtown Wilmington. Recommend reservations and get them early. We sat at the "chef's" table which offers a close look at the kitchen. The service and food were exceptional. We even had a moment to chat with the chef. The entire meal was well orchestrated and each dish delightfully presented. This is a great experience in dining and would not hesitate to visit again. read more

If you like seafood, you really need to give this place a try. It's great for a special occasion, but I saw people sitting at the bar, reading a book and just enjoying the good quality food. The service was prompt and efficient. They gave us a little amuse bouche to begin, and then the real fun began. We tried the seafood sampler, which was a total star. Of note, the Fresno chili vinegar was the perfect compliment to oysters on the half shell. I would go back just for that. Indescribable. They had a variety of seafood preparations that really showcased the different attributes of the seafood. It's also seasonal, so the sample changes throughout the year. The only part that was not good was the crab claw: it had been frozen and was not of good quality. You can ask for extra saltines, if you run out. The saltines were also a special treat. The chicken liver pate with house pickles was perfectly balanced, and really a delight. read more

Seabird - Seafood sampler - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Came here for a lovely dinner. Was not disappointed with decor, staff's service & food. Added note to reservations that it was to celebrate my husbands graduation and there was a hand written card on table waiting for him with congratulations. We had local oysters to start with some delicious cocktails then the seafood tower for our main to share. We both had 2 cocktails and all that for less than 200 before tip. I think that was very affordable for the quality. I'd definitely return here when in the area. Get a reservation it's a small place & stayed busy. read more

See all

This place is an upscale seafood lovers dream. One of the best meals I've had lately and will definitely be going back next time I'm in town. Gorgeous place with incredible food and great service. 10/10 read more

Seabird - Raw oysters on the half shell - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Here is an updated (as of 15 Feb 2025) brunch menu for Seabird. Not sure how long it will last since they seem to change it quite frequently. Our experience: We decided to come here for brunch for the first time even though we weren't crazy about the menu we found online, but we thought it might be different when we actually arrived and to our pleasant surprise it was! We didn't make a reservation, but the hostess was able to get us a table within 15 min. We ordered the Ricotta Pancakes, Smoked Red Drum Benedict, and the Mushroom Omelette. The food took much longer than usual to come out, which is the main reason I am giving 4 stars versus 5. Our server was actually in the process of offering us some muffins since it was taking so long, but the pancakes were coming out while she was asking us if we wanted them, but then didn't end up giving them to us. I think it would have been a nice gesture to offer them anyway, in my humble opinion. The ricotta pancakes were absolutely delicious. The cara cara [orange] marmalade paired nicely with the fluffy pancakes and the vanilla whipped cream. All good things to say about these. The mushroom omelette was tasty and they cooked the eggs perfectly. We like a softer scramble and a lot of restaurants tend to overcook omelettes, but these were exceptionally cooked. The Smoked Red Drum Benedict was yummy; the fish flavor was a little more robust than some people might be used to, not fishy, just a stronger ocean-y flavor, but also mildly sweet and smoky. Overall great experience. Would definitely go back again. Really want to try the Smoked NC catfish and grits, which is rumored to be their most popular brunch dish. read more

Seabird - Foreground: Smoked Red Drum Benedict. Background: Mushroom Omelette with a side of bacon. - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Sitting at the Chef's table was an amazing experience. The cauliflower was a light and crispy appetizer. The seafood tower is a must-have with limitless options and pairings. read more

Seabird - Seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

An old diner vibe with a facelift is a great environment to enjoy Wilmington's local seafood. We had an amazing waitress who read our palettes perfectly and made excellent recommendations. If you like oysters, look no further. If you like oysters and seafood prepared with a southern twist in a cool ambience, this should be a strong consideration. read more

The seafood tower!! It is so pretty. Also everything on it is just amazing. It will be all other seafood towers to sham. Also the espresso martini. Perfection read more

Seabird - Seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Great atmosphere with a sleek and warm interior. Our server was wonderful - friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about both the food and drink menus. The cocktail and wine lists were well-curated, with some really interesting selections. The food was amazing! We decided to share a few appetizers, and everything was spot on. The hollandaise oysters were fantastic - I loved the light hollandaise paired with the crab, and the mild buffalo sauce on the fried oysters brought it all together beautifully. The tuna tartare was so fresh and flavorful, and the gaufrettes added the perfect crunch while the accompaniments complemented the dish perfectly. The Caesar salad might be one of the best I've ever had - the Benton's bacon and thinly shaved wedges of lemon were such a great touch. The mussels came in a delicious broth, garnished with fresh and pickled elements that added brightness and depth. I only wish there had been a second slice of toast to soak up that amazing broth! We finished with the peanut butter mousse and espresso ice cream. There was a slight mix-up and we initially got a scoop of banana (I hate bananas - call me crazy!), but my husband loved it. Once we mentioned it to our server, he quickly brought the espresso ice cream plus a bonus scoop of sweet potato ice cream- and that turned out to be a happy accident, because the sweet potato ice cream was incredible! We're already planning another trip back to try the SEAFOOD TOWER! read more

See all

If you are going to one restaurant in Wilmington, I'd recommend Seabird 10x over. I'm visiting from California and these were the best oysters I've ever had, like I would come back to Wilmington just to come to Seabird. All the other food we had here was delicious too, the pork ribs were so tender and literally fell off the bone. It's a very clean and welcoming environment, very well-run. GIVE COLBY A RAISE RIGHT NOW the sweetest waitress ever, and I appreciate everyone else including the people behind the bar and the GM you rock thank you again read more

See all

Always one of Wilmington nc's best! Chef is a rock star! And vibe is perfect! Staff is rocking and drinks are perfect !!!