Downtown Wilmington makes another Top 10 list

July 27, 2015

Elizabeth Bynum,

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Historic Downtown Wilmington Riverfront is making headlines again, this time for food.

USA TODAY 10Best named the area one of the 10 Best Al Fresco Dining Neighborhood. It said the Riverwalk area is home to 200 restaurants or shops in a walking distance.

Wilmington is known for its history. Its riverfront is known as the best in the US. Now, Wilmington could be known for it’s outdoor dining.

“You’re in that open air and you have a beautiful river and a beautiful bridge and you have an opportunity to just sit in your own space,” Reel Cafe General Manager Brian Harmon said.

Harmon said that’s why Wilmington can compete with the big boys.

“Even though a smaller city is tucked away in North Carolina, we can be just as big as New York or Chicago.”

USA Today said the Riverwalk area is home to 200 restaurants or shops in a walking distance.

“The historic district, especially on Front Street and Water Street, is full of great al fresco eateries,” the post reads. “Many of the restaurants here do double duty and offer outside seating both on the sidewalk along Front Street and out back on patios overlooking the river.”

The post also said The Reel Cafe is a triple threat, because it also has a rooftop bar. Harmon said they offer even more than that.

“We are pet friendly,” Harmon said. “We actually have a set of dog bowls.”

The pet friendly atmosphere and various views are what many know as dining outdoors in Wilmington, but with enough votes by August 17, the whole country could know it too.

Click here to vote!

The full list of nominees for Best Al Fresco Dining Neighborhood is as follows: