2025 Sandwiches Guide

Downtown Wilmington explorers who want to grab a quick cup of coffee and a warm homemade treat can make an easy stop along Front Street at the 24 South Coffee House. This chic and charming establishment has a collection of small cozy tables, local...

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 City. Opened in 1994 by a pair...

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 green circular building, this...

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 therefore an easy breakfast or lunch...

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 the beach, this small but...

Visitors who are en route to the beach and are in the mood for a quick breakfast or lunch on the go can pop into the convenient and surprisingly diverse Beach Bagels. Located just a shell’s through away from the bridge to the beach, this fresh...

Beach House Burgers is a classic burger shack that’s convenient to visitors who are lounging along the Kure Beach shoreline. Located less than a block away from the oceanfront, this seasonal stand features all the beachy classics, including...

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 found just a block or so away...

Billy Ray’s Family Restaurant is a unique destination that attracts sports fans and southern cooking fans alike. Located in a busy but more local section of Carolina Beach Road, this relatively new eatery serves up big plates, cold drinks, 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 of global influences, patrons...

Enjoy a seafood meal with a prime view of the local marinas that border the Intracoastal Waterway with a visit to Bluewater Grill. Located on the edge of the Wrightsville Beach Causeway, this seafood restaurant is a popular lunch and dinner...

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 take a detour to find this subtle...

Vacationers who are looking for a fast and classic bite before reaching the beach can make a stop at Bob’s Dogs – a fun and funky hot dog restaurant (and more) that’s found just a few blocks away from the beach. Featuring a central...

Downtown Wilmington is known for its collection of hip restaurants with culinary inspirations from around the world, and the centrally located Bourbon Street is no exception. Found just a block away from the waterfront, this cool food and drink...

For a full range of seafood and steak selections that is complemented with waterfront views, head to the edge of the Wrightsville Beach Causeway to the distinctive Bridge Tender Restaurant. Found within a unique weather-worn building, this lunch and...

Visitors who are touring the Cameron Art Museum don’t have to leave the premises to enjoy a creative and ultimately delicious lunch, thanks to the museum’s on-site Cam Café. Located in a bright and sunny corner of the museum, and...

Captain Pete’s Seafood Restaurant is an acclaimed destination for Holden Beach vacationers to enjoy a big seafood-centric dinner, a round of refreshing cocktails, and an outstanding waterfront view, thanks to the restaurant’s location...

Take a break from the daily grind and dive into a game of volleyball, a trivia night, or just a few rounds and a hearty meal with friends and family with a visit to Capt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill & Sports Bar. This unique destination...

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 flavor that belies its small...

Causeway Gourmet is a delectable dine-in, take-out, and delivery spot where Ocean Isle Beach vacationers can feast on a wealth of freshly made sandwiches, entrees, salads, and so much more. Located on the inland side of the causeway to the beach...

Chasers Bar & Grill is a fun hang out for Oak Island locals and visitors alike, thanks to a friendly and nicely casual environment, plenty of game-worthy TVs, and a host of traditional bar food that goes well with a cold after-beach beer...

Chef Joy's Grocerant is the perfect blend of value added groceries and amazing grab and go meals. Stop in today for healthy local options.

Ask a Wilmington local where to go for a casual lunch in Downtown Wilmington, and chances are they will list Chop’s Deli as one of their favorite options. Known for exceptional deli sandwiches, salads and soups, Chops Deli has gained a devout...

Healthy eaters and the diet conscious finally have a place to call their own in the Cape Fear region. Clean Eatz, which is found just north of the UNCW campus, specializes in creating ultimately tasty creations that are also, and somewhat...

The Copper Penny is a favorite go-to for Downtown Wilmington pub fans and beer lovers, thanks to a great combination of an extensive beer menu, tasty and filling cuisine, and an undeniably cool atmosphere.

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 Wilmington restaurant for years...

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 family-friendly destination features...

Nothing is more relaxing and liberating than a big belly laugh, and Wilmington’s own Dead Crow Comedy Room is a perfectly convenient destination for Cape Fear visitors to sit back, enjoy a drink, and let loose with some of the region’s...

Detour Deli & Café might not be very big, but it makes up for its small stature with a deli menu that’s full of gigantic global flavors. Found within a miniature brick building on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington, this arty...

Wilmington visitors who want the appeal of an oceanfront beach restaurant without taking a spin across the Wrightsville Beach Bridge can pop into the Dockside Restaurant. Located on the waterfront border, with a cool exterior that boasts an...

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 traveling to find great waves...

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 locals and visitors with an...

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, pancakes, waffles, French...

There’s nothing like enjoying a stunning waterfront view, and Elijah’s has a prime location along the Cape Fear River on the edge of Wilmington’s historic downtown. Featuring both indoor and seasonal outdoor tables, this little...

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 area, this destination is...

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 unique catering menu and...

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. Serving up breakfast and lunch...

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, this easy-going eatery is a...

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 that lead to Southport...

The Fishy Fishy Café is a favorite dining and drinks destination for Southport visitors, due to a prime location on the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway where the views are out of this world. Located next to a collection of local marinas...

Oceanfront dining is always a thrill for Cape Fear visitors, and the Flying Fish Café is a favorite spot on Oak Island for visitors to feast on coastally-inspired creations while enjoying a lovely on-the-sand view. With both traditional and...

Folks Café is a sweet little coffee shop that’s found on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington in an unimposing, (and very easy to pass by), one-story brick “home” in a cluster of small downtown homes. Though the outside...

The Fork N Cork is serving up a new blend of Artisan cuisine to the diners of Wilmington, with truly creative fare that takes advantage of local flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a hefty amount of imagination.

The Fox and Hound Pub & Grille is a prime destination for visitors to relax with a pint and a hearty meal after a long day of shopping in the ultra-posh Mayfaire Town center. Featuring a full menu of drinks and lunch and dinnertime traditional...

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 available in kegs, German...

Take a break from strolling along the Wilmington Riverwalk and enjoy an impeccable meal with a waterfront view at The George. Featuring vast vistas of the adjacent Cape Fear River, and located in the heart of the downtown area, this brunch, lunch...

Visitors who are enjoying a round at Hampstead’s popular Olde Point Golf and Country Club can polish off a game with a fresh lunch, post-game drink, or tempting dinner at the acclaimed Georges At Olde Point. Featuring a statuesque bar and...

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 along busy Market Street, this...

The wonderfully unique Greenlands Farm Store is worth a detour from the Southport Waterfront or Oak Island due to its petting zoo and gorgeous Bolivia, NC scenery alone. But visitors who stay to feast at the Farm Store will be rewarded with an...

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 family-friendly restaurant has just...

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 Carolina Beach’s...

BEST FOOD ON THE ISLAND, HANDS DOWN

Movie buffs and foodies alike will have a fine time at Hell’s Kitchen, a chic little Downtown Wilmington restaurant that had a guest role in the homegrown TV series, “Dawson’s Creek.” Located just a couple blocks away from...

For fine cuisine that benefits from an overall “Farm to Table” philosophy, visitors can head over to Henry’s. Boasting a vintage warm interior with a long bar and an accompanying collection of booths and tables, and a commercially...

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 pizza joint to call their own...

“Pleasure Island” is all about having fun, and the Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden, a true pub or “public house” lives up to this reputation with a full menu of brews and pub grub, and a relaxed setting that stays open well...

Hops Supply Co is a fresh gastropub on Oleander Drive that impresses patrons with its equally distinctive drink and food menus. With an internal dedication to provide an exceptional beer selection, as well as fresh and flavorful cuisine, Hops Supply...

Inlet View is a fine spot for Southport visitors to slip into an island lifestyle, thanks to a sea-worthy menu, and a location that’s on a quiet edge of the Intracoastal Waterway. Easy to access by visitors who are travelling by boat or by car...

Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill is a fun destination for a Happy Hour drink and round of appetizers, an easy-going lunch or dinner, or a late-night snack right before the party begins. Located next to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, and popular with...

Jax Fifth Avenue Deli & Ale House may look like a Swiss retreat, but the downhome cuisine and friendly atmosphere is the hallmark of a southern destination. Featuring an expansive interior with plenty of bar seating and TVs to watch the big...

Jebby’s on 17 is an American grill and sports bar that’s impossible to miss, thanks to a convenient locale along Highway 17 in Hampstead, and a vibrant blue exterior that’s perfect for its close-to-the-coast locale. A fun...

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. Decked out in vibrant colors, and...

Juggling Gypsy Café is a completely original destination where food, drinks, live music, a hookah bar, and even belly dancing can all be found. A popular hang-out with the college crowd, and a fun late-night destination for laid-back yet...

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 central Lake Park Blvd, and...

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 array of flags outside that...

The Keg and Egg is a craft beer emporium with a big Pittsburgh-style influence which, when combined, creates a hearty menu that is sure to appease beer fans and hungry patrons alike. This unique beer garden and sandwich shop is a relatively new...

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 as a solid breakfast and lunch...

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 that pair perfect with a...

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 restaurant, and the surrounding area...

Little Bit’s Grill is a small establishment in the heart of Oak Island that might be easy to pass by, but shouldn’t be missed by burger lovers and anyone who is craving a salty, decadent beach treat. Featuring a simple burger and...

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 wealth of crowd-pleasing...

Loco Jo’s Grill is a fun destination for Cape Fear visitors to settle into a table or bar stool and feast on a colorful array of both traditional American, southern, and even global fare. With a unique menu that goes well beyond the typical...

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 in the NYC-themed deli itself...

Louie’s Hot Dogs is a sliver of a restaurant that’s tucked away in Wilmington’s Historic Downtown, and which is less than a block away from the Riverwalk and ensuing waterfront. Measuring only 6 ½ feet wide, this veritable...

Lovey’s Natural Foods & Café is a dream destination for vegetarians, health-conscious eaters, and anyone who craves a healthy meal or an array of natural and organic goodies. Located along Military Cutoff Road, and close to Eastwood...

Mermaid’s Island Grill is a cool restaurant in the heart of Holden Beach that’s known for cold cocktails, good beachy fare, and a laid-back atmosphere that fits in perfectly with the shoreside environment. Located just across the bridge...

Merritt’s Burger House is a classic little drive-in joint that’s been a subtle Wilmington institution for generations. Featuring a drive-in style exterior, complete with an old-school sign, this simple little burger restaurant serves up...

Midtown Deli is a fresh little sandwich shop that’s found just south of the Downtown Wilmington area along 17thstreet. Boasting a full menu of slightly upscale sandwiches, salads, and other fare that’s worthy of an elite delicatessen or...

Might as Well Bar & Grill is a modest-sized bar and restaurant that’s a solid destination for filling food and Happy Hour or late-night drinks with friends. Boasting a big array of beverages and drink specials, as well as varied but...

Mike’s Bites is a relatively new addition to the Bald Head Island dining scene, and has a unique location in the old Cape Fear Light generator building on Federal Road, which is perfectly convenient for visitors who are checking out the new...