El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

Carolina Beach is home to El Zarape Mexican Restaurant. This is a popular place to eat, and especially in the summer, you can expect a wait! The restaurant itself is huge and can accommodate large party sizes. Overall, this really is great Mexican food. Their menu is also HUGE with about every food combination you could want! There is one drawback that must be noted. Plan on filling up on the complimentary chips and salsa, because regardless of how busy they are, it takes forever to get your food. It is worth the wait, and somehow always comes out piping hot!

What locals love:

• Tuesday's special is $3 Margarita

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

101 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC 28428

(910) 458-5226

Fish House Grill

Fish House Grill is one of the many waterfront restaurants here in Wilmington. If you're needing a seafood fix, this is an option to consider. Make sure to check the weather before coming because the best seating is outside with a great view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Fish House Grill is casual environment and certainly a place kids will love! Got a boat? End the perfect beach day by parking at the dock! They are open for both lunch and dinner - and it seems lunch is the better deal for the best ambiance and bang for your buck. If you're heading here for dinner, go before dark as the lighting is not the best for their patio seating, making it difficult to see anything while eating. Overall the food is so-so, but what Fish House Grill really have going for them is their waterfront location!

What the locals love:

• Fish Stew - The name does not do this starter justice! It's a spicy, tomato base stew with Mahi Mahi, potatoes, and tons of veggies! This is a must have!
• All You Can Eat Seafood - For just $20 you can eat as much as you want...including crab legs! ***If you want to go this route, make sure you have time and patience to get your moneys worth - they were not exactly hustling to bring more food

Fish House Grill

1410 Airlie Road

Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 256-3693

YoSake: Downtown Sushi Lounge and Restaurant

YoSake. Officially on my top ten list of favorite places to eat in Wilmington. This gets my vote as the best sushi in Wilmington! It's tucked away on Front Street in the heart of downtown. (Upstairs in a beautiful historic building.) It's a place where classy meets casual, sleek meets vintage, and familiar meets mysterious. If you haven't tried YoSake, make that mistake no longer!! You can even reserve a table online now!

From the drinks, the Pomegranate Ginger Mojito, to the Sushi Special, the food was exquisite! Even the appetizers, the spicy shrimp, were absolutely divine. The taste as well as presentation are sure to impress!

The menu is overflowing with wide variety of Asian cuisine and the best part being that your portions are also OVERFLOWING! You are guaranteed to be taking left overs home!

Favorite Menu Picks -

• Pomegranate Ginger Mojito
• Singha - (FAV Thai beer)
• Shanghai Firecrackers - Tempura shrimp in spicy shanghai sauce (Appetizer)
• Sushi Special (Tempura roll with asparagus, lump crab, tuna, cream cheese, and egg)
• Pad Thai Noodles, with chicken
• Red Curry

If you love the ambiance of The Little Dipper, you'll love YoSake as they are co-owned by the same people!!!

Yosake

33 South Front Street

2nd floor

Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 763-3172