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At Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Executive Chef Johnny Irazoque believes great food is about bold flavors, a passion for the craft, and creating memorable experiences around the table. Originally from Raleigh, Irazoque began his journey with the restaurant in 2016, building his career from the ground up and developing a deep appreciation for the teamwork and attention to detail behind every dish.

Since opening its doors in Wilmington’s Cargo District in 2020, End of Days Distillery has grown into much more than a destination for craft spirits. It has become a gathering place where locally inspired cocktails, creative collaborations, live events, and a strong sense of community come together under one roof.

Some restaurants are built around a signature dish. Others become part of the fabric of a community. At Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria, pizza is at the heart of both. The Wilmington favorite was born from Chef Ben Knight’s love of pizza and a nostalgia for the Italian-American restaurants he grew up with in Chicago—places where pizza was part of everyday life, family dinners were a weekly tradition, and the table was always a place to gather.

What started with a chance introduction to pickleball at a local park has grown into something much bigger for Pickle & Taps owner Jason Beasley and his wife Kayce. After discovering the sport themselves, they quickly realized that pickleball was about far more than staying active—it was a way to bring people together, build friendships, and create community across generations and backgrounds.

Great cooking starts with knowing your ingredients—and when it comes to meat, there’s no better place to start than with your butcher. In From the Butcher’s Block, Cape Fear Living partners with The Butcher’s Market to explore a different cut of meat each month, taking readers from the butcher’s counter to the dinner table. With expert guidance from owner Smith Prevost, each installment offers a closer look at the cut itself, along with tips for selecting, preparing and cooki

This year, Wilmington’s culinary talent took center stage at the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s 2026 Chef Showdown grand finale at Durham’s Bay 7, where the competition marked its 10th anniversary. Among the evening’s top honors was a double win for Sugo Italian Steakhouse’s Charmaine Devine, who was named NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year and also took home People’s Choice Best Dessert—a fitting recognition for a chef whose culinary journey has been anything

At the heart of the Historic District, The Verandas offers an especially beautiful way to experience the season—a storied 1853 mansion where four porches, lush gardens and quiet rooms invite guests to linger a little longer. Just two blocks from the Cape Fear River and within walking distance of Wilmington’s restaurants, Riverwalk and historic streets, it is a place where the itinerary can easily give way to an afternoon on the veranda, a sunset from the cupola or a leisurely

Fall brings out a different side of Wilmington. With cooler temperatures, fewer summer crowds and a more leisurely pace, it’s an ideal time to explore the city’s historic downtown, spend time outdoors and enjoy the beaches without the height-of-summer rush. Conveniently located between Wrightsville Beach and Downtown Wilmington, TownePlace Suites Wilmington offers travelers the flexibility and comforts of home while putting the best of the area within easy reach.

Sixteen years after opening its doors—celebrating the milestone on 3 November—William Mellon's downtown Wilmington restaurant remains one of the city's constants. Helmed in the kitchen by Carson Jewell, it continues to serve thoughtful, beautiful food without chasing trends or shouting for attention. While louder restaurants come and go, manna has mastered something far rarer: staying power.