Family-Friendly Restaurants and Dining

There are so many fabulous restaurants across the Wilmington, NC and Cape Fear region. Many, in fact, are winning awards and earning national attention. HOWEVER, if your family is like ours, your children may not appreciate a fine dining experience (and the price tag that comes with it)!

Never fear: there is still wonderful and tasty eating to be had in establishments that are family and kid-friendly in the Wilmington, NC area.

This list is not meant to be exhaustive. The criteria were that the food taste good, the price to feed a family of four will not make you weep, and that kids are welcome. In other words, to quote a famous cereal brand, these places are kid-tested, mother-approved.

Pizza

Your Pie
4403 Oleander Drive, Suite H
Wilmington, NC
yourpie.com/stores/wilmington

A fun place where kids (and parents) can pick their own toppings and have it prepared in front of them. Bonus: the kid’s meal includes gelato.

Slice of Life
Three locations:
125 Market Street (Downtown)
1437 Military Cutoff Road (Wrightsville Beach)
3715 Patriot Way (Pine Valley)
Wilmington, NC
www.grabslice.com

A Wilmington institution, this place continues to be a hit with kids and parents (thanks to a great kids deal) again and again. The table trivia helps keep kids occupied, too.

Hamburgers

P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille
Seven locations:
4544 Fountain Drive, Wilmington, NC
2420 South 17th Street, Wilmington, NC
1437 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC (Wrightsville Beach)
5916 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC (Monkey Junction)
8116 Market Street, Wilmington, NC (Porters Neck)
1035 Grandiflora Drive, Leland, NC
2134 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC
ptsgrille.com

Locals LOVE P.T.’s, and for a good reason. A walk-up counter, decent prices, and a tasty burger or hot dog is an easy winning combination. (The black bean burger isn’t bad either!)

Winnie’s Tavern
1895 Burnett Blvd
Wilmington, NC
www.facebook.com/winniestavern

Hidden away over near Greenfield Lake is Winnie’s Tavern. Around since the ’50s, this place serves up simple burgers with a nod to diner classics (like onion rings). Locals have voted it Wilmington’s Best Burger. Winnie’s is as casual as they come, but the staff is sure to treat you like family.

Copper Penny
109 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC
www.copperpennync.com

Located downtown, the boisterous interior, complete with sports paraphernalia and TVs to watch, doesn’t mask the fact that this food is tasty! There is a reason why this was a stop on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Skytown Beer Company
4712 New Centre Drive
Wilmington, NC
www.skytownbeer.com

A bright atmosphere, craft beer brewed in-house, creative menu, and they let the kids draw right on the paper tablecloths: what’s not to love?! (Looking for more craft breweries? Check out our post on family-friendly Wilmington Area breweries.)

Mexican

Tower7 / k38
k38 Oleander
5410 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC

k38 Porters Neck
8211 Market Street
Wilmington, NC

Tower7 (Wrightsville Beach)
4 North Lumina Ave
Wilmington, NC

KBueno Mexi-Que Grill (Mayfaire)
1127-A Military Cutoff
Wilmington, NC

www.liveeatsurf.com

live.eat.surf is a chain of Baja-inspired Mexican restaurants across the region that constantly feeds our family on nights out. Fresh margaritas, unlimited chips and dips, and a nod to the ocean-lifestyle, these restaurants are almost a way of life.

Beer Barrio
34 N Front Street
Wilmington, NC
www.beerbarrionc.com

Located downtown, Beer Barrio has something for the whole family. Delicious, innovative tacos at a really good price, a great beer list, and huge picture windows for people-watching.

Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn
4002 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC

1140 North Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC
flamingamysburritobarn.com

(Related: Flaming Amy’s Bowl, located at 4418 Shipyard Blvd)

Flaming Amy’s is local legend. A hip, funky burrito barn, build your own classic burrito or opt for one of the masterful taste creations of the specialty burritos.

Hot Dogs

Charlie Grainger’s
702 S 17th Street, Suite 120
Wilmington, NC

1110 New Pointe Blvd
Leland, NC
www.charliegraingers.com

Charlie Grainger’s was started by a local couple in 1939 and today serves up hot dogs, BBQ and brisket to hungry families.

Brodee Dogs
103 A Village Road
Leland, NC
www.facebook.com/brodeedogs

Just over the bridge in Leland, Brodee Dog’s is a family-owned establishment that offers hot dogs at prices that will make parents dance with happienss. Friendly staff and, if you catch the right day, corn hole outside.

Seafood

Shuckin’ Shack – Leland
1175 Turlington Ave, Suite 101
Leland, NC
www.theshuckinshack.com/location/loc/leland

Corn hole outside, chalk and bubbles for the kids, and, of course, oysters to shuck for all!

Something Fun

Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill
106 South Water STreet
Wilmington, NC
annebonnyswilmington.com

Affordable, crowd-pleasing food on an old barge?! Yes, please! While this becomes a hopping hot spot at night, it is a great place to have a family lunch and gaze across the Cape Fear River.

Little Dipper Fondue
138 S Front Street
Wilmington, NC
www.littledipperfondue.com/wilmington

If your kids are more adventurous and you want a special occasion place, try out the Little Dipper Fondue. With many menu options, you can go for just the cheese followed by the chocolate. We won’t tell anyone you skipped your veggies…

Our Crepes and More
3810 Oleander Drive
Wilmingto, NC
www.ourcrepesandmore.com

Authentic French crepes with a variety of options (yes, even gluten free!). Go for savory or sweet, but it’s hard to say no to a Nutella crepe. Feel free to bring your own mimosas, no corking fee.

Did we forget to include your family’s favorite? Drop it in the comments below!