5 Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Downtown, Wilmington NC
Updated 11 October 2026 · 23 restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in downtown Wilmington NC that Google lists with outdoor seating, ranked by rating. Twenty-three qualifying businesses were considered. Each entry includes the cuisine category, price range where listed, hours, address, notable attributes and what reviewers mention, so you can find a patio meal that fits your plans. The mix includes sandwiches, cocktails, wings, seafood and New American menus, and every entry lists outdoor seating.
#1
On Thyme Restaurant
★ 4.8 (1,330 Google reviews)New American restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
On Thyme Restaurant is listed as a New American restaurant at 918 Castle St, with a 4.8 rating from 1,330 reviews and a price range of $10 to $20. It is open Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, on Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and it is closed Mondays. Attributes include outdoor seating, delivery, live music, happy-hour drinks and food, and small plates. Reviewers mention a strawberry lemon drop cocktail made with muddled strawberries and honey, crispy wings with flavorful sauces, and fast service.
Best for: Cocktails and wings outdoors
- Address
- 918 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 10 am–5 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#2
The Half Downtown
★ 4.8 (701 Google reviews)Sandwich shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Half Downtown is listed as a sandwich shop at 510 1/2 Red Cross St, with a 4.8 rating from 701 reviews and a price range of $10 to $20. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. Attributes include outdoor seating, takeaway, dine-in, counter service, beer and wine, and vegan and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention the Mixto and Superette sandwiches, a bahn mi with tofu and spicy sauce, and a patio out back.
Best for: Sandwiches with vegan options
- Address
- 510 1/2 Red Cross St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–6 pm; Mon 11 am–6 pm; Sat 11 am–6 pm; Sun 11 am–4 pm; Thu 11 am–6 pm; Tue 11 am–6 pm; Wed 11 am–6 pm
#3
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 listed as a New American restaurant at 1540 S 2nd St Suite 110, with a 4.8 rating from 407 reviews and a price range of $20 to $30. It is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 8:30 pm, and Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 pm. Attributes include plenty of outdoor seating, live music, sports, a strong beer and cocktail selection, and happy-hour food. Reviewers mention burgers, a chicken wrap, a mimosa special and a Bloody Mary, with mixed views on some entrees.
Best for: Drinks, burgers and patio 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
#4
three10
★ 4.8 (320 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
three10 is listed as a seafood restaurant at 1022 N 4th St, with a 4.8 rating from 320 reviews and a price range of $30 to $90. Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 pm, and it is closed Mondays and Sundays. Attributes include outdoor seating, women-owned status, cocktails, a wine list and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention a cozy outdoor setting, hush puppies and grouper cooked well, a blackened tilefish that needed more salt, and a slow greeting at the start of the meal.
Best for: Seafood dinner outdoors
- 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
#5
Seabird
★ 4.7 (923 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Seabird is listed as a seafood restaurant at 1 S Front St, with a 4.7 rating from 923 reviews and a price range of $30 to $90. It has a Saturday and Sunday brunch and weekday evening service, and it is closed on Tuesdays. Attributes include outdoor seating, great beer, cocktails, dessert, organic dishes and happy-hour food. Reviewers mention a birthday visit with complimentary gluten-free cornbread, oysters Rockefeller, and a Saturday brunch with a tuna sandwich and crispy sea bass.
Best for: Seafood brunch and celebrations
- 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
How we made this list
We looked at 23 restaurants in Downtown, Wilmington NC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Outdoor seating”, 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
- On Thyme Restaurant, 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?
On Thyme Restaurant ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 1,330 reviews. The Half Downtown is second at 4.8 from 701 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: On Thyme Restaurant $10–20; The Half Downtown $10–20; South Front Tavern $20–30; three10 $30–90; Seabird $30–90.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for On Thyme Restaurant, The Half Downtown, South Front Tavern, three10 and Seabird.
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