National voting contest ends for Wilmington’s outdoor dining

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Downtown Wilmington will find out this week whether it won its second national title.

Last year, Wilmington’s riverfront was voted as the best in the US. Just recently, USA TODAY 10Best nominated the area as one of the “Best Al Fresco Dining Neighborhoods.” That is the best outdoor dining.  The voting contest began in July and ended at noon Monday. Before voting ended, Wilmington was ranked number one competing with cities like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. The website said the winner of this contest will be announced Friday.

USA Today said the Riverwalk area is home to 200 restaurants or shops in a walking distance. The post also said The Reel Cafe is a triple threat, because it also has a rooftop bar. Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Connie Nelson said these titles help put our area on the map.

“This kind of recognition is not just local, but it’s national,” Nelson said. “It puts us on a national stage and it’s great publicity, some publicity we could never afford to pay for.”

Nelson said they use this kind of title on brochures, banners, and across social media. She said this title in particular will also really help out the downtown restaurants.

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

1. 5th Avenue South
2. Adams Morgan
3. Back Bay
4. Dupont Circle
5. French Quarter
6. Front Street
7. Garden District
8. Georgetown
9. Lake Travis & Lake Austin
10. Larimer Square
11. Main Street
12. Meatpacking District
13. Montana Avenue
14. Peachtree Road
15. Rittenhouse Square
16. River Walk
17. Riverwalk
18. State Street
19. Vail Village
20. Wicker Park