14 buzzworthy restaurant openings that shaped the Wilmington-area food scene in 2023

Looking over this year’s restaurant news, it’s clear that big things are happening on the Wilmington food scene. Dozens of new eateries, breweries and more have opened in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties in recent months. That includes more diversity in restaurants, growth of local restaurant groups, and some that I included in a list of great dishes I tried this year. Here, though, are a few of the buzziest openings from 2023 that got people taking (and eating) in no particular order.

Olivero

When James Beard nominated chef Sunny Gerhart announced that he’d be opening a restaurant in Wilmington, and then recruited Lauren Krall Ivey (longtime chef for Ashley Christensen’s restaurants), local foodies were excited. And this place at Third and Castle streets in downtown Wilmington has delivered with a unique interpretation of New Orleans, Spanish and Italian fare.

Perla Raw Bar

Restaurateur Ash Aziz was on this list last year when he opened Origins in the Autumn Hall area near Wrightsville Beach. Now, he also has this seafood-focused restaurant a short distance away off Military Cutoff Road. The vibe of the indoor/outdoor eatery is fresh and fun.

Burgaw Brewing

It’s been a big year for beer. Leland tripled its brewery presence with the new Leland Brewing Company and Mannkind Brewing. Plus, more breweries opened in Wilmington and Surf City. And this Pender County town also got its first. This one, though, is from former Front Street Brewery brewer Kevin Kozak and his wife Emmaline. And, in addition to beer, you can find a selection of satisfying pub grub and brunch fare.

Oklahoma’s Original Burger

It was also a good year in terms of burgers. Mess Hall reopened in the Cargo District and Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard nearby in the Soda Pop District. But this new restaurant at The Pointe at Barclay brought a new style to the area – smash burgers cooked to lacy perfection with thinly sliced onion. It renewed the whole “best burger” conversation in the Wilmington area.

Covey

This luxury cabin-meets-clubhouse restaurant offers a mini getaway in a location just off the beaten path in midtown Wilmington. There’s an outdoor patio, a cool bar, a wine-tasting room, private tables and a classic dining room. And in all of them, you can order a selection of innovative Southern inspired dishes.

Amanecer Cocina & Cafe

The El Cerro restaurant family has added some diversity to the local Latin restaurants. They opened El Mariscal, which is focuses on seafood, in 2022. And this year, they brought the Mexican brunch concept to midtown Wilmington. Early favorites include the Chilaquiles Tricolor and the Tres Leches French toast.

Smokin Jimmies Co.

In what was one of the most-read food articles this year, we reported that the popular Fu Wangz wings restaurant was set to close. Not long after that, though, a former manager of the restaurant decided to take the business over. It’s still at 2105 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington and still serves wings, seafood and more. It just has a new name.

Prost

Owners of Husk, Yosake and more have another success on their hands and added something unique to the downtown dining scene with this German style-biergarten in downtown Wilmington. Early favorites include the schnitzel patty melt, chicken paprikash and the selection of sausages.

Yummy House

The Southport area boomed in terms of restaurant and more -- with the opening of Haven, Fizzy Jane's and Southern, A Gathering Place. This new spot promises something that many local food fans have been asking for-- an ample dim sum selection.

Kapow Thai Street Food

The Wilmington area has more Asian eateries, too. Ida Thai reopened in the Monkey Junction area and Thai and Vine reopened (with a new name and bigger concept) in Oak Island this year. Plus, the growth of the Indochine Express locations continues. Diners are also loving this new spot near Wrightsville Beach. Try their fresh take on classics like fried rice and Pad Thai.

Ellipsis

When Bobby Zimmerman of the We Are True Blue restaurant group closed his Mariposa Spanish tapas concept, he had been thinking about the future of dining. In the space in Wilmington's South Front District, he opened this concept that he calls a space for "unique culinary experiences and events." It offers ticketed dining events that can be booked in advance and offer something different all the time.

Riverside Kitchen & Bar

Ask the people who live in the River Bluffs community, and they are so happy that a new restaurant has opened on site. And they are determined to support it. But those who venture to Castle Hayne are finding that the eclectic menu is worth a return visit. Look for appetizers like deviled eggs and a street corn skillet, handhelds such as a Cuban sandwich and a cheesesteak, and dinner entrees like slow-braised short ribs and fresh seafood.

G Prime Steak & Cellar

Restauranteur Giorgios Bakatsias promised a luxury steakhouse when he decided to open a new eatery in the former Port City Chop House. And he delivered, creating a coastal twist on the classic velvet-and-wood setting. And the menu, too, evokes the traditional offers with a selection of fresh seafood and top-quality beef.

Hidden Ships Distillery

While this isn't a restaurant, it does represent the area's growing cocktail scene. Bars like Banter are adding accessible craft creations downtown and Freya's Haus is an event-friendly gathering place in the Scotts Hill area. This business is Pender County's, and Surf City's, first distillery and a part of the growing food-and-drink scene there.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Buzzworthy restaurants that opened in Wilmington, NC, in 2023