What’s New

The Starling

Wilmington's first whiskey and wine bar, The Starling, is now open in the Cargo District. Featuring an extensive whiskey, bourbon and wine menu, The Starling also offers local beer, mocktails and craft cocktails including their signature concoction The Starling, a bourbon-based cocktail with vermouth, grilled pineapple, honey and red wine. Sit in the cozy interior or opt for their outdoor courtyard to enjoy live music on select nights.

The Ivey 

The Ivey is now open in downtown Wilmington. Featuring unique cocktails and mocktails, The Ivey also serves local craft beer and wine. Cocktail ingredients will be sourced locally to create signature concoctions like the Poison Ivey, a gin-based drink with basil and citrus juices. 

True Blue Butcher & Barrel

Now open in the South Front District, True Blue Butcher & Barrel features an on-site butcher shop along with a menu centering on burgers and steaks. With more than 200 spirits, the bar offers a curated selection of high-end bourbon, whiskey, cognac, Scotch and more. The restaurant is chef Bobby Zimmerman's third establishment in Wilmington and second in South Front District, along with his Spanish small plates concept, Mariposa Tapas Bar.

Ruth's Chris Steak House 

Ruth's Chris Steak House is now open in their new location on the third floor of the River Place building in downtown Wilmington. Featuring views of the Cape Fear River, the new space includes a pergola, temperature-controlled wine racks and outdoor firepits. The restaurant offers valet parking and can seat up to 175 indoors, including private dining areas for 30-50 guests inside and 80 outside. 

Bottles

Located in The Cargo District, Bottles features curated lists of organic, natural wines, eight rotating draft beers and a host of other unique selections. Enjoy weekly events including live music on Wednesdays & Saturdays and Sangria & Spritzer specials on Sundays.

Kipos 

Kipos, an elevated Greek-inspired restaurant focusing on flavors from Greece, is now open. Featuring coastal cuisine, the menu highlights fresh catches from local fisherman and produce from regional farmers. Bar services feature Greek wines and freshly crafted cocktails. The new eatery is open for dinner with seating available both inside and outside in their garden patio. 

Origins

Now open, Origins Food + Drink features a carefully curated menu featuring fresh, light fare seasoned with Asian, French, Mediterranean and Southern flavors. Sample signature dishes like charred octopus with chickpeas, pickled chiles, preserved orange and more. Or, indulge in seared scallops over spaetzle with parsnip puree and pickled apple. Dine indoors with views of the chefs at work, or opt outdoors on their expansive, partially covered outdoor patio.

Olivero

Chef Sunny Gerhart, a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for “Best Chef Southeast,” is opening a new restaurant concept in downtown Wilmington. Olivero will be Gerhart’s first in Wilmington and will debut early 2023. Featuring Spanish and Italian influences on Gerhart’s traditional New Orleans cuisine, the menu will feature house made pastas, wood-fired eats, locally sourced seafood, meat and vegetables and more.

Ponysaurus Brewing Co. 

Opening their second taproom in North Carolina, Ponysaurus Brewing Co. is bringing more craft brews and pizza to historic downtown Wilmington. The new space, scheduled to debut early 2023, will feature an outdoor garden area for guests to enjoy outdoor seating, drinks and food. Ponysaurus Brewing Co.’s extensive repertoire of craft beers, featuring core, seasonal, specialty and barrel-aged beers, will be available in the taproom and restaurant. Until the opening, visitors can find Ponysaurus Brewing Co. brews in local restaurants and businesses like manna ave. 123, Cape Fear Spirits & Beer, Brewer’s Kettle and more. 

Panacea Brewing Company 

In addition to their ever-growing list of craft beer and hard and non-alcoholic kombucha options, Panacea Brewing Company is expanding in 2022 to create a new 1,600-square-foot multipurpose space available for booking events, private parties and more.

Cameron Art Museum's USCT Park 

Cameron Art Museum opened the first U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Park in North Carolina. With Boundless, a new bronze sculpture unveiled in November 2021, as its centerpiece, the park honors the U.S. Colored Troops who fought for their freedom during the Civil War. The USCT fought against the Confederate Army in the Battle of Forks Road, which took place on park grounds.  

Airlie Gardens 

Airlie Gardens' newest art exhibition, Hoppy Time Rabbits features larger-than-life rabbit sculptures displayed throughout the gardens. This exhibition marks the 10^th anniversary of Airlie Gardens’ annual Art in the Garden program. Discover the ten fiberglass sculptures, as well as 67 acres of formal gardens and lakes and the nearly 500-year-old Airlie Oak during your visit.

Aloft Coastline Hotel

Located in the recently opened  Aloft Coastline Hotel, aView is the 125-room property's rooftop bar and bistro. Grab a cocktail and take in the spectacular river views while sampling their ever-changing eclectic menu featuring charcuterie plates, oysters, sharable small places and delicious housemade desserts. More dining is headed to the Aloft's ground floor with the soon-to-open The Atlantic Restaurant & Loft, a fine dining restaurant.

Tru by Hilton Wilmington 

Featuring a pool, a 24-hour fitness center, bar, business center, restaurant and more, Tru by Hilton Wilmington is scheduled to open late 2022. Conveniently located 10 minutes from historic downtown Wilmington and 10 minutes from Wilmington International Airport, the hotel will offer 107 rooms.

Wilmington International Airport Expansion

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) offers non-stop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Newark, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston (seasonal); a $60 million airport expansion, scheduled for completion in early 2023, is in its final phase. A new concourse with three additional gates opened recently, with a restaurant, coffee shop and retail space coming soon. As part of a partnership with the Arts Council of Wilmington, three new public art commissions are included in the expansion project.

Avelo Airlines

Los Angeles-based carrier, Avelo Airlines expanded its network to Wilmington International Airport with three new non-stop, low-cost routes: New Haven, Conn. (HVN), Orlando, Fla. (MCO) and Baltimore/D.C. (BWI). One-way trips are available three days a week. Flights to BWI are seasonal.