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

Front Street Brewery

Front Street Brewery must be a priority on your list of places to wine and dine. Or should I say: beer and dine. Wilmington's very own local brewery, and yes, we're proud. Brewmaster, Kevin Kozak, says he's a "sucker for wellmade German beer." Aren't we all? The best part is that FSB has a daily pint special for $1.99. That's right, $1.99. Whether you are craving something light or dark, you won't be disappointed. So, needless to say, it's a brewery, and their brew gets a five star rating. You might be asking, what about the food? So glad you asked. Don't expect typical subpar pub food. Do expect excellent food, great variety, at even better prices! A perk is that it's located convieneintly across from the parking deck and in the middle of all that's happening downtown. Regardless of the day or night of the week, Front Street Brewery is a local favorite!

Some personal favorites at FSB:

Brew - Lumina Lager, Kolsch, Amber Ale

Wine - Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc (citrus grapefruit - perfect summer choice!)

Food - Homemade Crab-cake sandwich, ribs, cajun chicken entree, chips and salsa, buffalo blue sticks, buffalo blue chicken tenders

Bonus Secrets...

• Free Wine Tastings: Tuesdays 6-8pm
• Free Beer Tastings and Brewery Tour: Wednesdays 6-8pm
• Live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights (starting around 10:30pm)
• Half Price Appetizers: EVERYDAY 4-7pm and again after 9pm
• $5.99 lunch menu
• $6.99 dinner menu
• Eat for Two: $12.99

Front Street Brewery

9 North Front Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 251-1935

Islands Fresh Mex Grill

Islands. Why go to Moe's, Chipotle, or Qdoba when you can go to Islands? Islands is like one of these chains, but with a few unique twists. One, the menu is fun, fresh, and unique. Two, the ambiance: surfing, beachy, laid back, tropical decor done RIGHT! Located near the university, you're bound to be in line with college students just trying to escape the UNCW dining halls. Islands is most famous around UNCW for their TUESDAY DOLLAR TACO NIGHT. That's right, ONE DOLLAR. (Do expect a pretty serious line if class is in session on Tuesday nights.) Islands does have great drink specials with a full bar right across from their taco bar.

My personal favorite: The BLT Quesadilla. (The island sauce just makes it!) My husbands personal fav: The Jerk Chicken Quesadilla.

Again, support the local tex mex when craving tacos and burritos!

Islands Fresh Mex Grill

260 Racine Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 799-2109

The Salt Shaker Cafe'

Here's a cozy cafe' tucked away off of Kerr Avenue, near UNCW. The Salt Shaker is a hidden treasure as it's located inside the Christian bookstore. The ambiance is quite peaceful. They offer an assortment of homemade pastas, sandwiches, and salads. They have a great loose tea selection as well as well priced coffee! A regular (size of Starbucks medium size drink) is a steal at $3.

If you are a local who is sad The Connection Cafe' closed down - you might look here for a similar feel.

The Salt Shaker Bookstore and Cafe'

705 South Kerr Avenue

Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 350-1753

Chris' Cosmic Kitchen

Don't judge a book by it's cover when stepping foot into Chris' Cosmic Kitchen. Located off of Eastwood near UNCW, this spot is very simple on the outside but has exquisite food on the inside! Chris Lubben's resume alone should spark a desire to check this place out. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America up in New York. Not to mention has formerly cooked for Port City Chop House, executive chef for Reel Cafe', as well as Bon Appetite's catering service. THE BEST part of Chris' Cosmic Kitchen is that you get top notch food for LESS THAN TEN DOLLARS! Not to mention breakfast is served all day. That's right, twelve omelets to choose from! EVERYTHING on the menu is made from scratch daily, from the Shrimp Bisque to the Cheesecakes!

Must try: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Shrimp Bisque. This is no ordinary Grilled Cheese!

Looking for a deal - search for Chris' Cosmic Kitchen on Twitter and find some daily bargains!

Chris' Cosmic Kitchen

420 Eastwood Road

Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 792-6720