This summer we took a roadtrip to explore the port city of Wilmington, North Carolina. It came on my radar after searching for vegan-friendly cities within driving distance of Athens and I’m happy to report that the food scene did not disappoint.

Since Wilmington is just 15-minutes from Wrightsville Beach, we initially planned for most of our time to be spent at the beach. However, the weather turned out to be less than ideal almost the entirety of our 3-day stay. Thankfully we didn’t have any trouble keeping ourselves entertained. There is plenty to do no matter what the weather looks like!

Where to Eat

The Green House

The Green House is an entirely plant-based restaurant that serves dinner and brunch on the weekends. The name was actually inspired by the restaurant’s very own greenhouse (pictured above) which features 18-tower gardens where they grow organic greens and herbs to use in their dishes.

Every menu item is thoughtfully curated with seasonal produce as the centerpiece. A few of our favorites were the Sweet Cornbread, the Grilled Lion’s Mane and the Peach Cake. YUM.

I loved everything about this place. The ambiance, the presentation, the service, the fresh ingredients. It hit all the marks for me.

Panacea Brewing Company

Although Panacea Brewing initially started as an all plant-based establishment, they have recently expanded their menu to include animal products in efforts to increase business. I understand how this can be a big turn-off for some, but ultimately we are grateful they still have so many awesome vegan options. I had the Grandpa’s Cheesesteak with seitan and a side of collard greens. The seitan was very flavorful and I really enjoyed the vegan cheese sauce as well.

Drift Coffee & Kitchen

There are several Drift Coffee locations throughout Wilmington and it’s not hard to see why it is such a popular place. With aesthetic decor and a whole-foods-focused-menu, it’s the perfect spot to grab a nourishing breakfast or brunch before a day of adventure. The plant-based options include chia pudding or avocado toast made with a delicious crusty sourdough.

SeaLevel City Diner

SeaLevel is an all-vegan diner serving up creative comfort food in a casual setting. With so many incredible options, it can be hard to choose but our favorite was the Buffalo Crunchy Dog. Named PETA’s best hot dog of 2021, it’s battered in a cornflake crust, deep fried, and served with sauerkraut, kimchi ranch and cilantro.

Indochine

This was certainly the busiest restaurant we visited during our stay. While the food was good, I think the popularity likely stems from the setting more than anything else. With ornate woodwork, colorful lanterns and a soothing koi pond, you feel like you’re stepping into a tiny part of Thailand. Overall I’d stay it’s worth checking out.

The Little Dipper Fondue

Brandon and I used to love going to the Melting Pot when we first started dating (circa 2005- yep, we’re old) but eventually stopped when we moved away from Orlando. When we spotted this local fondue restaurant in Wilmington that also had vegan options, it seemed like a no brainer.

While the setting for 3 people was much less intimate compared to the Melting Pot, the vegan options were great and we had fun introducing our little dude to fondue for the first time.

Mālama Cafe

We had planned to spend one day in Carolina Beach (about 30-minutes south of Wilmington) but it was so windy we could barely walk. If you happen to head down there, Mālama Cafe is a super cute spot to pop in for breakfast or lunch. We just ordered matcha lattes while we were there but the açai bowls looked incredible!

Tidal Creek Coop

We stopped by this local organic market for breakfast one morning and were pleasantly surprised with how many plant-based options they have on their hot bar. You can find things like tofu scramble, potatoes, tempeh bacon, lentil sausage and even Kite Hill protein yogurt in the cold bar section.

Paired with one of their made-to-order smoothies or juices, you’re sure to find something to be fueled and ready to take on the day.

Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar

If you’re spending the day on Wrightsville Beach, Adapt Kitchen is a great spot for an iced coffee or acai bowl.

Boombalatti’s

Even though the main focus of Boombalatti’s is dairy-based ice cream, they have a decent selection of vegan options. We had about 6 to choose from and the coconut-base was super rich and creamy!

Places On Our List That We Didn’t Get to Try

• Savorez– Latin American fusion with several plant-based options
• PinPoint Restaurant- locally sourced New American dishes with a seasonal focus
• Yosake- Pan Asian restaurant serving sushi and craft cocktails

Where to Play

Wilmington Riverwalk

The obvious spot most tourists flock to is the Downtown Riverwalk. Spanning 1.75 miles, it’s a great place to get some steps in and take in the surrounding views, like the North Carolina Battleship.

USS North Carolina

If you’re into history, touring the battleship is super interesting and a great way to burn a few hours on a rainy day. We loved learning about the ship and all of the marines that called it home during World War II.

Railroad Museum

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical whether this would be worth the visit but it turned out to be a huge hit for our son. In 2011, the museum broke the record for the world’s longest model train. Grant had a blast pressing the buttons and chasing the model trains around the room. It’s a must if you’re traveling with kids, especially little boys!

Wrightsville Beach

I was really looking forward to spending a day at Wrightsville Beach but unfortunately the weather just didn’t cooperate with our plans. We still made a point to stop by and walk around the area but were limited to how far we could go on the beach because we had the dogs with us. They only allow dogs on the beach during the off season.

We actually tried to get a family photo (carrying the dogs) just a few steps from the beach approach and within minutes a patrol started to approach us. Whoops!

Carolina Beach

If you’re looking for a more dog friendly beach, Carolina Beach has several options such as Freeman Park, Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Park.

We opted for Fort Fisher Park and did the 1-mile out-and-back trail through the salt marshes. We collected seashells and saw tons of little hermit crabs on the way. It was such a fun and beautiful trail. You do have to pay to drive on the beach but if you park by the bathrooms then it’s free to walk to the beach and the trail.

New Hanover County Arboretum

You will likely see many recommendation for Arlie Gardens in Wilmington but if you want something dog friendly and free of charge, the New Hanover County Arboretum is definitely where it’s at. We were blown away by how nice this garden was and I couldn’t get over the fact that it was free and dog friendly. It’s a great spot to spend an hour or so exploring and enjoying nature.

Children’s Museum of Wilmington 

We didn’t get a chance to visit the Children’s Museum but it looks like a great option!

What About Where to Stay?

Unfortunately I can’t recommend the Airbnb we stayed at because it wasn’t quite as clean as I would like.  I find that to be a common theme with pet-friendly Airbnbs, unfortunately. :/

If you’re not traveling with dogs, this Holiday Inn looks like a great place to stay on the beach. Otherwise I would suggest trying Aloft or Embassy Suites downtown.