2021 Italian Guide

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...

Bella Cucina is a family-friendly authentic Italian restaurant that has plenty of big bold flavors and lots of down-home hospitality to spare. Located along Southport Supply Rd and close to a number of local hotels and...

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...

Cousins Italian Deli brings warm Italian hospitality to the Cape Fear region with an extensive deli menu and special family-style meals that are sure to make visitors feel absolutely right at home. A top-rated...

Dry Street Pub & Pizza is a fresh pizza joint on the slightly inland outskirts of Downtown Southport that features a nice and colorful array of elevated Italian cuisine. With a 20-year history of providing Southport...

Though Elizabeth’s Pizza might look like a small pizza joint, with a subtle location along a busy section of commercialized Market Street, the decadent menu offers so much more than a slice or two of pie. Boasting...

Falcone’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza is a classic Italian food restaurant in a slightly busy section of Leland that’s easy to reach via US Highway 17. Tucked away in a busy shopping center, this small but...

Famous Pizza and Subs is a convenient destination for a crowd pleasing take-out or fast and casual dine-in meal, just outside of Downtown Southport. Located close to the junction of 87 and 211 – the two main roads...

Fat Tony’s Italian Pub is where comfort food and Downtown Wilmington’s hip bar scene combine, to completely decadent and filling results. Located just a block away from the waterfront, this casual stop for...

Enjoy an easy meal without ever leaving the boardwalk with a stop at Franks Pizza. Serving Carolina Beach vacationers for more than 40 years, this casual pizza joint has satisfied generations of families with big floppy...

Visitors will find a surprising addition to the classic beach shops, bars, and restaurants that hug the Kure Beach oceanfront in the form of Freddie’s Restaurant. Easy to identify, thanks to a lemon yellow...

Wilmington has more than its fair share of exceptional pizza joints, and even locals and visitors who are in the quieter Cape Fear regions, like the northern city outskirts near Interstate 40, will find a fantastic...

Enjoy a taste of Italy while admiring the waterfront heart of Southport with a visit to Joseph’s Italian Bistro. Located next to a cluster of marinas, and featuring a fine view of the adjacent Intracoastal...

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...

Krazy Pizza & Subs has an almost-hidden location along Shipyard Boulevard, but this fun little Italian eatery is worth a stop for its friendly but casual atmosphere, decent prices, and solid selection of NY-style...

Don’t let the “Little” in Little Buffalo Pizza Shop fool you – this sweet little pizza joint that’s on the edge of Downtown Wilmington in the Castle Hayne region serves up big slices, big...

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...

Though Nicola’s restaurant might not stand out along this busy section of Market Street, the stellar menu, which is loaded with a wealth of Italian favorites and decadent specialties, will lead visitors and locals...

Visitors and locals who are running errands or enjoying a leisurely day of shopping along Oleander Drive can satisfy a big Greek appetite with a visit to Olympia Restaurant. Tucked away in a small shopping center off of...

Sample decadent Italian cuisine in a beautifully ornate atmosphere with a visit to Osteria Cicchetti. This classic but slightly modern bistro has a wonderful selection of Italian specialties that are sure to appease any...

The Pepperoni Grill is a neighborhood pizzeria where Oak Island vacationers can get together and enjoy a family-friendly meal over a big pizza pie, a classic Italian sandwich, or a hearty pasta dish. Located just a...

For decadent pizza and pasta, Pizzetta’s Pizzeria is hard to beat. Though Pizzetta’s can get crowded on a weekend afternoon with hungry families who want to dive into the big floppy slices, the cheesy, gooey...

As the name would appropriately suggest, Reel Pizza is a fine destination for Hampstead and Cape Fear visitors who want a tasty pie or a nice helping of Italian fare without veering too far away from the heart of this...

Roko Italian Cuisine is a “casual-upscale” Italian eatery just off of Military Cutoff Road that features fresh fare that’s infused with local ingredients. Overseen by Executive Chef Jadran Peros...

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...

Authentic Italian dining in an inviting and casual setting is the everyday philosophy of Siena Italian Restaurant - a slightly elegant eatery that’s found in a quiet section of Wilmington along Masonboro Loop...

Terrazzo Trattoria is an Italian restaurant and pizza place that has a slightly elevated atmosphere and appeal, and a vast menu that showcases a wealth of Italian specialties. Located along a busy section of Military...

Wine lovers will adore The Fortunate Glass - a wine and tapas bar that has a 21 page menu, with 20 pages dedicated to wine (and beer) alone. Located in a central section of Downtown Wilmington, this little eatery is the...

Visitors and Wilmington locals on the hunt for a convenient and all-encompassing destination for pizza and Italian fare can call on Uncle Louie’s Pizza Lounge. This slightly upscale but still casual pizza parlor...

Most new vacationers to Carolina Beach are surprised to find that the region has more than its fair share of pizza and Italian eateries that are close to the oceanfront shoreline or the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, and...

For a classic coastal bite to eat that’s almost eclipsed by the brilliant view, head to Yacht Basin Eatery. This waterfront restaurant with seasonal outdoor seating and a location on the very edge of downtown...