For more than 30 years, Island Passage has been helping Wilmington women express their individuality through fashion, accessories, and thoughtfully curated finds. What began as a bohemian-inspired boutique has evolved into a contemporary lifestyle destination, blending timeless classics with emerging international brands and pieces that feel both current and effortlessly wearable.

For Chef Dean Neff, seafood has always been about more than what lands on the plate. It’s about the people who harvest it, the traditions that shape coastal cuisine, and the connection between a community and the waters that sustain it. Now in its second year, Out to Sea has grown from the NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration into a three-day festival celebrating North Carolina’s rich seafood heritage.

At Fortuna Cucina Italiana in Wilmington, Chef Chris Lewnes brings a contemporary sensibility to Italian cooking, pairing time-honored techniques with the exceptional seafood and seasonal ingredients of the North Carolina coast.

From Northern slices and Sicilian squares to Detroit-style pies and classic New Haven apizza, Joe’s appreciation for the craft spans styles and traditions. Together, the couple transformed that enthusiasm into Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria, Wilmington’s first coal-fired pizzeria, where every pie tells a story of creativity, heritage, and the people who matter most.

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

When the air turns crisp and Wilmington’s historic streets beckon, there’s no better place to settle in than Front Street Inn. Set in the heart of downtown, just steps from the Riverwalk, the city’s beloved restaurants, lively bars, independent shops, and art galleries, this intimate boutique inn puts the best of Wilmington right outside your door.

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.

For Nick Lini, a career in restaurants started at an early age. Growing up on the North Carolina coast, he often accompanied his father, a food representative, getting a behind-the-scenes look at professional kitchens. He started in the dish pit at 16 and has been in the industry ever since. A 2015 graduate of Cape Fear Community College’s culinary program, Lini now brings his coastal roots and steakhouse experience together as Executive Chef at G PRIME Steak & Cellar.

As the seasons shift and the pace of summer begins to slow, fall offers a natural opportunity to turn our attention back toward wellness. For Cameron Martin, owner of Shine On Massage, that means encouraging clients to think of massage not simply as an occasional indulgence, but as an important part of taking care of the body.

In Wilmington’s Cargo District, discovery is part of the experience—and Tiny Weld is a perfect example of why. What began with a love for permanent jewelry has evolved into a playful, creative destination where self-expression takes center stage.

As the summer crowds begin to fade and Wrightsville Beach settles into its quieter, more relaxed rhythm, fall offers a different kind of coastal escape. At Harbor Tide Estate, a luxurious waterfront retreat on Big Lollipop Bay, the season is made for slowing down—watching the sunset from the deck, spending an afternoon on the water, gathering around the table for dinner, and ending the day in the hot tub or beside the fireplace. With room for up to 12 guests, a private dock a

For this feature, Cape Fear Living has hand-selected six restaurants that we believe represent some of the very best steak experiences in the Wilmington area. This is not an open directory or a list of every restaurant serving steak. Each destination was chosen for its quality, craftsmanship, hospitality and the overall dining experience it delivers.

A great wine list should do more than impress. It should tell a story—of place, of food, and of the people behind the bottle. At Sugo Italian Steakhouse, that philosophy has earned national recognition with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026, honoring a thoughtfully curated wine program that brings together the depth and diversity of Italy with the richness and structure needed to complement the restaurant’s steakhouse experience.