This two-day lineup includes decked-out dining rooms, festive sips and sweets in Wilmington, North Carolina. Pick your favorites or tackle the full list for a delicious seasonal challenge.
Day 1
Breakfast: Amanecer Cocina & Café
Start your holiday adventure at Amanecer Cocina & Café, where garland, ornaments and a beautifully trimmed tree set a festive scene. Treat yourself to a gourmet hot chocolate, cinnamon coffee or a seasonal mixed drink. For something new, try the pancake flight or the omelette ranchero.
Midmorning Goodie: Coffee Flight at Calico Coffee
Head to Calico Coffee for a midmorning boost. Their seasonal coffee flight features four festive flavors: peppermint mocha, frosted cranberry, Santa’s cookie and cinnamon bun.
Lunch: Ponysaurus Brewing
Settle in at Ponysaurus “Wonderland”, where this laid-back pizza spot transforms into a holiday hideaway filled with lights and tinsel. Enjoy a mug of spiced apple cider or a hot toddy in the beer garden, then pair your drink with one of their creative pizzas for a relaxed midday meal.
Afternoon Treat: The Wandering Cone
Ice cream is always in season at the coast. Stop by The Wandering Cone and dig into their rotating lineup of holiday flavors, such as coquito, gingerbread or hot cocoa.
Dinner: Circa 1922
Circa 1922 goes all-in on holiday décor, from lighted trees to classic garland, giving the space that Hallmark-movie glow. Start with oysters, then settle into their three-course pre-fixe menu, offered daily from 5 to 7 p.m. for $40 per person.
Late Night: Concorde Espresso Bar
End your night fireside at Concorde Espresso Bar. Reserve an outdoor table, sip an espresso martini flight, roast a s’mores kit and enjoy the twinkling lights that illuminate the courtyard.
Day 2
Breakfast: Blue Surf Café
Blue Surf Café serves a strong breakfast lineup, but this time of year, locals come specifically for their gourmet hot cocoa. It’s a seasonal favorite that draws anticipation every winter.
Midmorning Goodie: Social Coffee Supply
Known for creative seasonal flavor drops, Social Coffee Supply is a must-try. Choose from winter sol chai, apple butter dreams or sea salt and hazel for a cozy holiday vibe.
Lunch: South Front Tavern
Warm up at South Front Tavern with its inviting, winter-ready atmosphere. Enjoy salads, burgers or elevated comfort dishes like shrimp and grits or the short-rib five-chili chili. Their cocktail menu shines, too, especially the espresso martini and seasonal mixed drinks.
Afternoon Treat: The Peppered Cupcake
Stop into The Peppered Cupcake for rotating holiday cupcake flavors that change weekly. Pick up one (or several) to keep the seasonal sweetness going.
Dinner: Origins
Settle in for a fine-dining experience at Origins, where the holiday ambiance pairs perfectly with a menu centered on seasonal flavors. Expect warm bread, artful dishes and festive cocktails.
Late Night: The 12 Bars of Christmas
If timing aligns, join the 12 Bars of Christmas experience and explore bars across Wilmington decked out to the nines. It’s a lively, festive way to toast to the season. If visiting outside of the dates, choose any of the bars on the list. You can still experience their leveled-up decorations.
