2021 Breakfast Guide

The best cure for a Pleasure Island hangover or a post-beach ravenous appetite is southern home cooking, and A & G Barbecue & Chicken delivers with classic breakfast, lunch, and dinner comfort food with a clear...

A Taste of Italy has New York roots and a prime location in the heart of Wilmington along College Road – a combination that has helped solidify this market’s reputation as one of the best delis in the Port...

Sometimes a name says it all, and Addicted to the Bean is a favorite destination for Hugh MacRae park-goers and UNCW college students alike to get an extra jolt of caffeine before an early morning run, a crucial final...

Archibald’s Deli & Rotisserie is a cute stop for breakfast and lunch fans to grab a quick bite before crossing the Holden Beach Bridge to the shoreline. Found along Holden Beach Road, and located within a mint...

Many food lovers attest that you can always tell is an eatery is good by how busy it is, and the typical steady line at Hampstead’s Bagel Bakery certainly proves this theory. Located just off Highway 17 and...

Baked With Love is a charming little café on the edge of Downtown Southport where visitors can pick up bakery-fresh goodies, breakfast fare, and lunches with ease. Known for its delectable made-to-order...

The Banks Channel Pub & Grille is a casual stop on the eastern edge of the Wrightsville Beach Causeway that’s perfect for visitors who want to settle in, watch a game, and / or feast on a host of pub-style...

The Bar-B-Que House is a favorite local destination for southern food fans to load up on plates of barbecue, southern sides, and all the fixins’. Located along East Oak Island Drive, just a couple blocks away from...

Beana’s Kitchen is a traditional little diner that has all the classic southern fare that hungry patrons crave. Open for breakfast and lunch, and offering a lengthy four-page menu, this restaurant that’s...

Blue Surf Café serves up inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner fare to hungry UNCW college students, Wilmington locals, and savvy vacationers-in-the-know alike. Featuring a wonderfully extensive menu, with a host...

The Boathouse restaurant is a moderately-sized and unimposing restaurant that’s located in a quiet section of Wilmington, close to Bradley Creek. But although it’s easy to miss, seafood fans will want to...

Café de Mar is a sister restaurant to Wilmington’s popular K-38 Mexican Restaurant, and this smaller eatery features an effortlessly cool collection of drinks, snacks, and sweet treats. Perfect for an early...

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Carolina Girls’ Grillin’ Café is always cooking up something good. Located just north of Wilmington, on the outskirts of Castle Hayne, this eatery has a ton of big...

The Causeway Café is a sunny little breakfast and lunch spot that has a prime location on the very edge of the Wrightsville Beach Causeway. Popular for a pre-beach breakfast that is undeniably filling, this...

David’s Deli & Restaurant is a solid breakfast or lunch destination for vacationers who are cruising from the mainland to the Wrightsville Beach shoreline. Located along Eastwood Drive, this casual and...

Drift is a local cafe built by people who love good coffee and food, serving coffee and brunch. Our team has been inspired by cafes all over the world. Founders Michael and Ben grew up surfing competitively and...

East Oceanfront Dining is a posh little restaurant that’s found along a quieter section of the Wrightsville Beach shoreline, and which features beautifully colorful plates of traditional seafood and American...

Eggs Up Grill, at 110 Shallotte Crossing Parkway, serves guests daily 6 a.m.-2 p.m. The full menu is available all day for dine-in, takeout and delivery. Menu categories include breakfast sandwiches, benedicts, omelets...

Empire Deli & Bagel is a laid-back little breakfast and lunch joint that will satisfy any native New Yorker or New Englander who happens to be in the Cape Fear region. Located just north of Wilmington in the Ogden...

With a name like Epic Food Co, you’d expect the food to be something special, and this casual restaurant off of Military Cutoff Road does not disappoint. Featuring a breakfast, main, and dinner menu, as well as a...

Eric’s Grille is a casual spot that’s found along a busy and more commercial section of central Southport, and which is known for classic American fare, home cooking, and a wonderfully friendly atmosphere...

Eternal Sunshine Café is a bright and cheerful spot to start the day with slightly unique breakfast and brunch fare that is sure to surprise even seasoned Wilmington food fans. Located just off of US Highway 74...

Beer fans who want to see what brews the Coastal Carolina region can cook up can pay a lunchtime, dinnertime, Happy Hour or late night visit to Front Street Brewery. Known for a collection of flagship brews that are...

Goody Goody Omelet House Restaurant has the look, the feel, and the grub of a classic southern breakfast and lunch joint, with an accompanying long menu that features all the classics. Located in a vintage building...

The Cape Fear region is home to a wealth of good old fashioned southern cooking, and Carolina Beach’s own Grannys Country Kitchen brings these comfort food flavors to the heart of the shoreline, with a central...

The Gulf Stream Restaurant is a casual little restaurant that borders a handful of shops and marinas in the heart of Carolina Beach. Featuring a classic exterior and a wealth of classic back-to-basic eats, this...

As the name would suggest, Hang Ten Grill is a casual beach joint with a definitive surfer vibe that serves as the perfect hang-out after a long morning or afternoon of riding the waves in Carolina Beach. Located along...

BEST FOOD ON THE ISLAND, HANDS DOWN

Havana’s is an all-encompassing steak, seafood and pasta restaurant that’s just a shell’s throw from the bridge to Wrightsville Beach. Offering lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch in a casual but slightly...

Veer just outside of the heart of Downtown Wilmington and you’ll discover Jester’s Café – a fun and funky café that specializes in traditional breakfast and lunch fare with a twist...

Jimbo’s Breakfast & Lunch House, an old school diner-style restaurant with a vintage exterior and sky-high sign, is a time-tested staple for solid breakfast and lunch fare in a basic but nevertheless inviting...

Kate’s Pancake House is a sunny destination for early risers, thanks to a colorful menu and bright interior that provides a great introduction to a day at the beach. Found in the heart of Carolina Beach along the...

Katy’s Grill and Bar is a haven for sports fans, thanks to a recently renovated living room, a full bar with rows of flat screen TVs, a cool outdoor dining area complete with shady umbrella-topped tables, and an...

King Neptune Restaurant is an all-encompassing breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night hot spot that boasts a friendly hometown vibe, and a big wave of classic American fare with a coastal and southern influence. Known...

Kornerstone Bistro is a fun and slightly elevated little restaurant along Market Street that specializes in Italian, Mediterranean, and Latin cuisine. Boasting heaping plates of fresh pasta, and eye-catching appetizers...

The Kure Beach Diner is the perfect spot for anglers who need a break from casting off the Kure Beach Fishing pier, or for beach-goers who just need a little break out of the sun. Located just feet away from the...

Lane’s Ferry Dock & Grill is a lunch and dinner joint that’s found within a small residential-looking structure near the Cape Fear River. Though the region is little-known and seldom visited, the...

Southport visitors who are in need of a strong cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast or lunch to start their downtown exploration will find everything they crave at the centrally located Locals Family Diner. Featuring a...

Long Island Eatery is a classic New York Delicatessen and coffee bar that was founded by authentic New Yorkers and which is a decent spot to find a wide array of fresh salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks to enjoy...

Moore Street Market is an eye-catching destination for breakfast and lunch that’s found within a historic former home in the heart of Downtown Southport. Located just a shell’s throw away from the...

Oak Island Restaurant is a solid destination for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a casual and family-friendly environment. Located along Oak Island Drive and easy to reach for...

The Oceanic is the only oceanfront restaurant and pier on Wrightsville Beach, and as such, is a very popular spot for semi-casual lunches, refined dinners, and massive special events with an Atlantic backdrop. Attached...

Oceans is a chick little dining option for visitors who are staying in Wrightsville Beach’s sprawling Holiday Inn Resort. Featuring a large and open dining room, as well as several nearby lounges that boast indoor...

Old Bridge Diner is a classic breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot that’s both budget-friendly and easy to reach for visitors who are staying both on and off Oak Island. Located on Country Club Drive, and almost...

Leland visitors with a big appetite can satisfy a BBQ craving and then some with a visit to Old South BBQ. Featuring both a set menu and a big buffet, this BBQ joint has all the southern staples that hungry patrons...

As the name aptly suggests, Our Crepes & More offers a vast range of both sweet and savory crepes that is sure to give Wilmington newcomers a delicious introduction to this traditional French cuisine. Located on a...

Enjoy a great hot dog with a little dose of local history with a stop at Pauls Place Famous Hotdogs, which is found about 15 miles north of Wilmington in the small town of Rocky Point. A popular local destination for...

Vacationers who are staying at the Bald Head Island Club don’t have to venture too far away from the sprawling and sparkling pool to find a good and casual spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, thanks to the...

There’s a little something for everyone to savor at the Pine Valley Market. Centrally located along College Road, this modest-sized establishment specializes in catering, fresh meats, wine, prepared foods to feast...

PinPoint Restaurant is a chic little downtown restaurant with a big reputation as the perfect destination for a romantic Wilmington date night. Featuring a relatively seasonal menu that showcases local ingredients at...

Russell’s Place Restaurant is a classic breakfast and lunch restaurant that brings traditional diner-style and wholly American fare to the heart of the Cape Fear region. With a basic but sprawling menu that...

For a fresh breakfast or lunch with a clear New York-inspired influence, S&L New York Style Deli literally delivers. Located just outside the downtown area along busy 17thStreet, this little deli is garnering a...

Sea Captains Calabash Seafood is a fairly traditional seafood restaurant that features a host of seafood selections in addition to southern-influenced fare. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this casual eatery will...

The SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar is a casual little spot that has a definitive coastal vibe and a hearty menu that’s seemingly designed to appeal to salty appetites. Found just a block away from the oceanfront...

Shirley’s Diner is a super casual restaurant that’s initially easy to miss, due to a Leland location that’s tucked away behind a busy shopping center, but which remains a popular destination for locals...

For a no-frills breakfast or afternoon meal that’s loaded with southern flavor and coastal North Carolina staples, head to Sonja’s Grill. Found just off of Highway 17, and convenient to visitors who are...

The Sugar Shack is a cool Oak Island eatery that brings a little tropical spice to a traditionally beachy menu. Specializing in Jerk flavoring and entrees, this restaurant will wow patrons with an abundance of bold...

The Surf House is a chic brunch, lunch and dinner restaurant that takes full creative license with the traditional flavors of southern and coastal cuisine. Located across the Intracoastal Waterway from the Carolina...

There’s always something sumptuous to discover at Sweet N Savory Café – an artful little eatery that’s found on the edge of Wilmington’s Landfall Park, and the River to the Sea Bikeway...

The name of “The Basics” is also an illusion to this casual eatery’s philosophy, which is to serve up all the stales of southern comfort food, keep it simple, and let the inherently rich and wonderful...

The Dixie Grill is a down-home taste of southern cuisine in the heart of Downtown Wilmington. Found in a modest building just a couple blocks away from the waterfront, this breakfast, lunch and dinner spot is a longtime...

Start a busy day off right with a hot cup of coffee and a perfect hand-cut donut or hearty breakfast sandwich with a visit to the Donut Inn. Located on the corners of Eastwood Road and Military Cutoff Road, and open...

Take a trip to the edge of Downtown Wilmington to dive into authentic Irish cuisine with a visit to The Harp – a subtle little eatery that’s found just a couple blocks away from the Cape Fear Riverfront, and...

The Post Café is a laid-back stop where beach-goers can relax, refresh, and load up on all the goodies that complement a perfect day on the beach. Chock-full of bakery specialties, drinks, desserts, and a light...

The Purple Onion Café opened on Main Street in Shallotte in 2004. Since then they have become a community favorite serving locals & visitors breakfast and lunch with a delicious menu of pastries, traditional...

Tommy Thompson’s Grille is an on-site restaurant that’s found within the private golfing community, The Clubs at St. James. Featuring a la carte and more casual dining, as well as a daily soup, salad bar...

The Village Cafe & Deli is a unique little gem in the heart of Hampstead that’s found just off of US Highway 17 and, at first glance, looks like a residential home or business Visitors who find this little...

Carolina Beach visitors who want to satisfy an itchy sweet tooth will fall in love with Wake N Bake Donuts. A perfect stop for an easy, kid-friendly breakfast before heading to the shore, or to pick up a dozen donuts...

White Front is a no-frills breakfast joint that’s found within a weather-worn, one-story building on the outskirts of the downtown area, and despite its humble exterior, is a popular local go-to for good breakfast...