5 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC
Updated 11 October 2026 · 13 restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide ranks five restaurants in Downtown Wilmington NC that Google groups under family-friendly dining, ordered by rating. Thirteen qualifying businesses were considered. It is useful for families and groups deciding where to eat in the downtown area, especially when they want a mix of menu options and an easy-to-reach location. Each entry shares the Google category, listed price range, hours, accessibility details and the points reviewers bring up most often. The order reflects current ratings, which can change as new reviews come in.
#1
South Front Tavern
★ 4.8 (407 Google reviews)New American restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
South Front Tavern is a New American restaurant at 1540 S 2nd St in Wilmington, rated 4.8 from 407 reviews, with a price range of $20-30. It serves lunch and dinner on weekends and dinner on weekdays. Google lists outdoor seating, takeaway, live music, sports, a strong beer and wine selection, and happy-hour food. It also offers wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention plenty of outdoor seating, a cool and welcoming vibe, and food that some found good while others found the execution uneven.
Best for: Groups wanting outdoor seating
- Address
- 1540 S 2nd St #110, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 12–10 pm; Mon 4–9 pm; Sat 12–10 pm; Sun 10 am–8:30 pm; Thu 4–9 pm; Tue 4–9 pm; Wed 4–9 pm
#2
three10
★ 4.8 (320 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
three10 is a seafood restaurant at 1022 N 4th St in Wilmington, rated 4.8 from 320 reviews, with a price range of $30-90. It is open for dinner from Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Mondays and Sundays. Google lists outdoor seating, dine-in and takeaway, cocktails, a wine list, small plates and vegetarian options. It is identified on Google as women-owned. Reviewers mention hush puppies, a grouper dish cooked well, a relaxed setting and some slow service at busy times.
Best for: Seafood dinners with outdoor seating
- Address
- 1022 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 5–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue 5–9 pm; Wed 5–9 pm
#3
Seabird
★ 4.7 (923 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Seabird is a seafood restaurant at 1 S Front St in Wilmington, rated 4.7 from 923 reviews, with a price range of $30-90. It is open for dinner most evenings, Saturday and Sunday brunch, and closed on Tuesdays. Google lists outdoor seating, lunch and dinner, great dessert, great beer and wine, healthy options, organic dishes and wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet. Reviewers mention a complimentary gluten-free cornbread, oysters Rockefeller, a crispy sea bass, and a tuna sandwich at weekend brunch.
Best for: Weekend brunch and seafood
- Address
- 1 S Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon 5–9 pm; Sat 10 am–1 pm, 5–10 pm; Sun 10 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 5–9 pm
#4
The Kitchen Sink
★ 4.7 (528 Google reviews)New American restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Kitchen Sink is a New American restaurant at 622 N 4th St in Wilmington, rated 4.7 from 528 reviews, with a price range of $10-20. It is identified on Google as women-owned and is closed on Sundays. Google lists breakfast, lunch and dinner, takeaway, delivery, outdoor seating, vegan and vegetarian options and small plates. Reviewers mention indoor and outdoor dining, unusual presentations, and a friendly staff. Some reviewers felt specific dishes were dry, and parking is street-only.
Best for: Casual lunch with vegetarian options
- Address
- 622 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–8 pm; Mon 11 am–3 pm; Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–3 pm; Tue 11 am–3 pm; Wed 11 am–3 pm
#5
The Copper Penny
★ 4.6 (4,216 Google reviews)American restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Copper Penny is an American restaurant at 109 Chestnut St in Wilmington, rated 4.6 from 4,216 reviews, with a price range of $20-30. It is open for lunch and dinner most days and closed on Sundays. Google lists takeaway, dine-in, sport on screen, a great beer selection, cocktails, spirits, wine and dessert. Reviewers mention a hot honey fried chicken sandwich, onion rings they call among the best, a roasted pork sandwich, and house-made chips.
Best for: Sandwiches, beer and casual meals
- Address
- 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 13 restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Family friendly”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- South Front Tavern, three10 and Seabird take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
South Front Tavern ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 407 reviews. three10 is second at 4.8 from 320 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is South Front Tavern, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: South Front Tavern $20–30; three10 $30–90; Seabird $30–90; The Kitchen Sink $10–20; The Copper Penny $20–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for South Front Tavern, three10, Seabird, The Kitchen Sink and The Copper Penny.
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