Girl’s Night Out: Dining in Wilmington

Some of my favorite Wilmington memories happen around a table with good friends, a good atmosphere, and a menu I’ve been dying to try. This week, a few of my girlfriends and I made the trip in for dinner at Kipos Hellenic Cuisine, and it reminded me just how much I love this city’s food scene. So I figured it was time to finally put together the guide I get asked for constantly: where to eat in Wilmington when you want it to feel like an event, not just a meal.

Let’s start with the spot that inspired this whole post.

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine

Tucked into Lumina Station near Wrightsville Beach, Kipos (“garden” in Greek) is exactly what its name promises – a lush, covered garden patio and open-air dining area wrapped around a bright, airy dining room with terrazzo floors and soaring ceilings. It’s an extension of the beloved Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill, brought to the coast by restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, and here the focus shifts toward the sea – most of the seafood is sourced locally, and it shows in every bite.

We got a table inside, which was stunning, but the garden may be my next spot. The whole vibe was effortless — the kind of place that feels equally right for a girls’ night or a date night. Here’s what we ordered:

• Salmon entrée – perfectly seared with a light, bright sauce that let the fish shine
• Brussels and zucchini stack – we got these for the table and you truly can’t go wrong
• Chicken souvlaki – classic, juicy, done right
• Chopped salad – fresh, well-balanced, the perfect summer salad

Every single dish was delicious, and that’s before you even get to the details that make Kipos special. They have live music that fills the garden on Sunday evenings. And if you’re around in the summer, don’t miss their Party in the Garden – Friday and Saturday nights at 9pm, the space turns into one of the best outdoor scenes in Wilmington. I highly recommend booking reservations for your dinner here (especially on the weekends)!

The vibe: Elevated but relaxed, garden-party energy, date night or girls’ night approved. Good for: A special dinner, celebrating something, or just treating yourselves

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Where Else I’d Like to Visit

Kipos might have been the star of this trip, but it’s far from the only place in Wilmington that I want to try. Here are a few more places I’ve yet to visit that are 100% on my list.

Ceviche’s

A Panamanian-inspired gem near Wrightsville Ave with a laid-back, tropical energy – think reclaimed wood bar, a breezy courtyard, and a menu built around citrus-cured seafood. The ceviche sampler is the move if you can’t decide, and the sangria doesn’t hurt either. It’s the kind of place that feels like a mini vacation without leaving town – casual, colorful, and always buzzing.

Fortuna Cucina Italiana

Wilmington’s newest Italian import from the same hospitality group behind Kipos, and it’s already a favorite. The design leans into coastal-meets-Amalfi with a hand-painted lemon branch mural and warm rattan lighting, and the menu is seasonal, seafood-forward Italian – think handmade pastas and a wood-fired feel. It’s polished without being stuffy, perfect for a night when you want to feel a little fancy.

Tomiko-San

A quiet, Zen sushi sanctuary in Lumina Station. If Kipos and Fortuna are about energy, Tomiko-San is about stillness – minimalist décor, soft lighting, and sushi that’s presented like art. It’s the spot for when you want a slower, more intimate evening built around beautifully sourced fish.

Floriana

If you want the most romantic view in Wilmington, this is it. Floriana sits right on the Cape Fear River downtown, and their little balcony tables (nicknamed the “Romeo and Juliet balconies”) are the best seat in the house at sunset. Handmade Northern Italian pastas, an intimate candlelit dining room, and just the right amount of downtown buzz.

Origins Food and Drink

While I’ve been here for a work gathering, I’m yet to really indulge in the menu. Picture upscale casual with a California-cool feel – big sliding doors open the dining room right up to the patio. The menu blends modern American with global touches, and the cocktail list is just as thoughtful as the food. It’s a favorite for a reason: great for a celebration, but easy enough for a Tuesday night too.

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Wilmington’s food scene keeps getting better, and honestly, I could keep this list going. But these are the spots I’ve been eyeing to go to next. Let me know which places I’m missing on this list!