South Beach Grill is a Must Try When Visiting Wilmington

Jun 04, 2021

Beach season is officially here, and our city is about to see its usual influx of tourists.

North Carolina’s 8th largest city, Wilmington, is a unique Southern destination that offers something for everyone. Explore the city’s National Register Historic District, which spans 230-plus blocks of churches, classic architecture, moss-draped live oaks, brick-lined streets, and historic homes. Enjoy live music, performing arts, check out the battleship, roam Airlie Gardens, or one of the many museum exhibitions. Whatever you decide to do, be prepared to indulge your appetite.

One thing that visitors to the Port City area have in common is an appetite for good food. Whatever food fits your mood, Wilmington, NC, and Wrightsville Beach restaurants give as much a reason to visit as does its beautiful coastline.

Just across the final bridge to Wrightsville Beach’s barrier island, South Beach Grill is a favorite among locals and tourists. Whether dining inside or people watching outside on the dog-friendly patio, South Beach Grill offers an extensive menu of Southern seafood classics like benne shrimp and fried seafood platters.

A history lesson.

Welcoming guests since 1997, South Beach Grill is proud of its local history. Complete with a radiant ambiance, abundant lunch and dinner menus, and daily Southern-inspired chalkboard specials locally sourced from both the sea and land.

The seafood is fresh and caught each day, while the produce is homegrown and locally sourced. Enjoy all this mouthwatering cuisine in the eclectic interior that pays homage to the building’s original bank roots with art deco design. Or sit outside and breathe in the fresh air on the dog-friendly, covered patio overlooking the scenic Banks Channel.

South Beach Grill owners, John and Elaine Andrews, wanted to create a restaurant that allowed casual beachgoers to grab a delicious meal after a long day on the beach or boat. While still offering the fine diner an opportunity to enjoy a more elegant meal experience. Whether you have sandy feet or don and suit tie, their goal is simple for guests to feel completely comfortable while savoring the meal of a lifetime.

Menu classics. 

Some other exceptional summer dinner menu items include:

  • The Grouper Linda, a local grouper with a spiced pecan crust, pan-seared with crab meat, spring onion, and cream sherry beurre blanc sauce, has been a menu staple for nearly two decades.
  • Low Country Seafood” Mac and Cheese,” a sauté of shrimp, and local backfin crab served with penne pasta tossed in a spicy Cajun cheese sauce.
  • Sea Scallop Maison-boro comprises Atlantic sea scallops, pan-seared, house-made bacon jam, pecan gremolata, pickled cabbage, arugula, sweet potato puree, toasted local honey vinaigrette.

A small menu of appetizer shareables and entree salads complement the ever-changing specials board. Lunch is also available for those who worked up an appetite with a morning beach stroll.

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Farm to table menu. 

Wrightsville Beach is no stranger to fresh seafood, sustainably produced vegetables, and local fruits. The beautiful North Carolina climate allows for bountiful farmland and the freshest produce. Everywhere you look, you can find fresh seafood, from the delicious grouper and redfish and plump shrimp to succulent blue crab and, of course, local oysters. There is also a vast selection of locally smoked meats, fresh greens, seasonal vegetables, and artisanal cheeses.

Thanks to our amazing and unique coastal surroundings, we can feature a fresh-to-table menu. Some of our local vendors include:

South Beach Grill has proudly served southern-inspired local dishes for almost 20 years to locals and tourists alike. Our menu features something for everyone, and we proudly cater to tourists and locals, families, or couples on date night, big celebrations, or just an intimate night with friends.

Coming by boat? Public docks are available across the street for Dock and Dine. Free guest car parking is also available– please contact the restaurant for details.

Whether you stop in for a quick beach day lunch or a special night out dinner, wear flip-flops or heels, our chic yet casual grill is the perfect place to dive into a delicious meal that satisfies all those cravings.