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    Cape Fear

    4.4 (283 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Business Info

    CAPE FEAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cape Fear

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mojito
    Lynne A.

    Came this morning right when they opened for Mothers day brunch. We sat at the bar since we didn't have reservations. Sam made me two excellent mojitos. I had my fav shrimp Diablo. It wasn't as spicy as usual but still pretty good. My friend had steak and eggs. It only had a few small steak tips. She was very disappointed as it came as a sandwich. Sam took 50% off her bill so she appreciated that. We always love coming here. Was just not as great as usual.

    Cape Fear Shrimp and Grits
    Robert J.

    Had an awesome dinner with friends while visiting Leland. It was on a Friday night around 7 PM and the wait was about 30 minutes. The restaurant is very clean and cozy. There was ample parking and the ambiance was of a higher end restaurant. The service was good. Food came out quickly. Our waitress was friendly and prompt. She kept water glasses full and checked on us frequently. She made recommendations and seemed knowledgeable about the menu. The food was absolutely delicious. While they have a small beer menu, the selections are good. We ordered some calamari with marinara sauce. The sauce was one of the best I have had and had a sweetness to it. We also ordered hush puppies. They were very hot and crispy outside with a tender and tasty inside. For dinner I had the Lemon Pepper Scallops. They were perfectly cooked with just a slight blackened seasoning and a lemon butter sauce. The risotto cakes were good but not as good as the creamy risotto my wife had. My wife and I also split the Pot au Chocolat which was very tasty but thick and rich. It could have been split among all four of us as a bite or two was all that was needed. A side note.. the waitress mentioned their shrimp and grits were rated top 5 in NC. Our friend tried them and was not disappointed. He said they were the best he has had.

    Menu cover
    Jeremy T.

    I visited this small chain in NC during a recent work trip. Their main menu has a lot of good options. They also have a seasonal menu with food and drink choices. During my visit, they had 3 fresh catches: salmon, mahi and swordfish. I ended up ordering the grilled swordfish with asparagus and green beans. It wasn't exactly cheap. For starters, they give you French bread at the beginning, which is a small section of a loaf. Their loaf has a much smaller diameter than French bread served in seafood restaurants back in Louisiana or Texas, for reference. The rest of our table ordered the fried dishes and a grilled Mahi. Everyone pretty much cleaned their plates so it seems everyone enjoyed their food. I didn't notice gumbo on the soup menu, but then again, NC isn't exactly the south. Their dessert menu, which was tempting, had 2 choices for chocolate lovers. My clients say they have several locations in NC, 3 of which are in the Wilmington area.

    Classic Caesar

    I've tried this place three times now and I'm still not impressed with the food. The salad was heavy on the dressing. The "comeback" sauce on the sandwich was weird and didn't actually come on the sandwich or on the plate, I had to ask for it. The fries had some seasoning on it. The drink was amazingggg. I would go back for drinks and desert but entree wise I've given up.

    This appetizer with risotto was amazing
    Sue R.

    Service was great! Food was very tasty, fresh and well prepared! If you are in the area you must give this place a visit you won't be disappointed

    Apple cider margarita

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Their tacos were the best ive had in a long time. Everybody was friendly and made feel welcomed. Establishment is clean.

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    2 months ago

    I came in and was informed they let go of my favorite waitress! Laura was amazing!! So unfortunate for you all.

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    10 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Always great food and service! Love the shrimp and grits! Our go-to restaurant in Leland.

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    3 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Great meal on a weekday night, terrific midweek specials for $80.00 for a two for one meal with wine one appetizer, entrees & dessert!?

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    9 months ago

    Great menu, perfectly cooked and seasoned seafood. Service was great as well. Specials are always fresh.

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Nice atmosphere and quality seafood choices in a full selection. Best "fish and chips" I had for a long time!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Cape Fear

    Do we need a reservation for the bar?

    Folks seemed to just walk in and go right to the bar. Seems to get crowded. Just like most places, depends on time of day.

    Seating by reservation only?

    Seating by reservation is what's best. If it's pretty packed you have to wait a while to be seated. The first time I went I had to wait about 30 minutes due to the people who had reservations.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Dram Yard

    4.2(194 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$$

    I've been to the Dram Yard a few times for cocktails at the outdoor bar and have always loved the…read moredrinks and the atmosphere with the fire pits but hadn't eaten dinner until last night. The whole experience was perfect. We had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. It was such a minimal wait that I didn't think anything of it. Our waitress came over to our table, apologized, and said they'd be sending out their little gem salad and brussel sprouts. Both appetizers were plenty for four of us. The salad was romaine lettuce with fish roe and had a umami style to it that I really enjoyed. The Brussels were exceptional. I'm a big fan normally and these were by far some of the best I've had. For cocktails I tried the man of war and the ghost town which was complex and amazing. For dinner I tried the fish of the day, which were scallops from Maine with ancient grains and a small green salad. The scallops were rich tasting and succulent. My husband had the burger and said it was really good. The whole dining experience was exceptional. The servers were attentive yet knew how to pace our experience. We never felt rushed or imposed upon or forgotten. With all the restaurant choices in Wilmington, Dram Yard rises to the top.

    Great spot for date night. They say the menu items are meant to share and come out as they're…read moreready, which felt a little awkward when our entree-ish items came out at different times. I had the chicken and dumplings, which was perfect for a chilly evening. Everything that our group ordered was great from the market fish to lamb and burger. I was disappointed there weren't any mocktails on the menu because I wasn't drinking, but the cocktails sounded good. atmosphere is upscale and modern. Looking forward to going back to try more!

    Photos
    Dram Yard
    Dram Yard
    Dram Yard - Dram Yard

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    Dram Yard

    Michael's on the Waterfront - The pretzel is a must-have!

    Michael's on the Waterfront

    4.2(225 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    I've walked past this restaurant three times on three different occasions, but today we went in…read more The restaurant wasn't packed so we didn't have to wait for a table and was immediately greeted and sat at a table. There was a nice amount of menu options and drinks . There was plenty of dining room seating with a large bar area as well. The restaurant gives off very much coastal vibes! Lol, I ordered a crab cake and my son ordered the Wellington sub (I probaly got the name wrong). My crab cake sandwich was okay, but I must mention that it was big in size. My son loved the Wellington sub , the fries with the gravy sauce was amazing. Our server was amazing , service was awesome. The Restaurant itself was tidy and well kept and good times were awesome. The restaurant cuts right on the Wilmington Riverwalk and outside seating is available.

    We made a reservation to Michael's on the Waterfront on a Friday night during the Christmas tree…read morelighting. We were seated promptly by our wonderful server, Taylor (I hope I'm getting her name right!). We got a round of amazing espresso martinis along with crab dip and a jumbo Bavarian pretzel to start. I get a big pretzel everywhere I go, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. It came with a lovely cheese sauce and a honey mustard-like sauce. We also loved the crab dip. Taylor quickly resolved any issues we had and got us everything we needed. I got the penne alla vodka with shrimp, and it was very good! Everyone who came with me was very happy with their meals as well. My partner got the prime rib dip and loved it. Overall, I had a blast and would definitely recommend dining here.

    Photos
    Michael's on the Waterfront - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Michael's on the Waterfront - Shrimp linguini

    Shrimp linguini

    Michael's on the Waterfront - View from the patio

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    View from the patio

    River 128 Restaurant - Roasted Salmon

    River 128 Restaurant

    3.6(57 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    Sometimes the view is what you need to get started. And when near the water, seafood is a good…read moreplace to start. And, being a beautiful night to watch the sunset, River 128 was the place to be. Traveling with friends we find a good place for cocktails, conversations and a view to enjoy., The choice of seafood was the tougher part. There were classics and new ideas to choose from. Where to begin was tough. But, over a martini, that made things easier. Our waiter was excellent, and patient, as we picked what we were thinking of. To start, we had a special appetizer for the table...It was Lobster Dip served with pita toast. It was a good portion to start with a martini or glass of wine as the sun set. It was fresh, and tasty. It was seasoned well so you could enjoy the dip in a good portion. Once complete next came the entrees. This was a good variety to try. We had a dish of Shrimp & Grits...a true Southern dish to have. And, as is typical in any region, this was based on the flavor of Cajun . A mound of grits that were fresh and creamy. This was toped for 12 large shrimp. There was a red Cajun sauce with the taste you would expect. It was warm and hot in flavor. It was rich and special to enjoy with each spoon you might take with each bite. It was a true Shrimp & Grits I was use to, with the spice to enjoy. We also had an order of Grilled Swordfish. This is a special to have if you want to try a piece of fish you do not usually have., This was very fresh of the day. It was de-boned and grilled to a state that allowed the taste with the seasoning it had on the grill. It was moist and firm and a taste to try and see what it was like. Finally, we had a dish of Sushi Tuna. This was a large portion that could be served as an appetizer, but was large enough to make it an entree. It was also very fresh for the day. The Tuna was the right look and style that is typical in a sushi bar. We ordered a side-dish of fresh asparagus. It was a good compliment to the tuna which was at room temperature and flavorful. When the meal was complete we did share an order of Key Lime Pie. Home-made and light, it was a good way to have a Southern dessert to share after the rich meal we enjoyed together. The team at River 128 is excellent. The portions are perfect. The price is what to expect when having a wonderful seafood meal right by the water. Next time I am in Wilmington, I will go back to have a good meal at sunset. Even with a martini in hand.

    We sat out on the covered patio. It was a very nice view and great for our party (10). The service…read morewas excellent. The food was delicious. I had a shrimp and grits dish different than any I've had before. Great flavor. We shared. Tuna sashimi, calamari crab dip. And Brussels sprouts. All were amazing

    Photos
    River 128 Restaurant - Patio seating

    Patio seating

    River 128 Restaurant - Delicious Roasted Chicken breast with goat cheese, mash, brocollini, baby carrots and sweet mustard sauce. This dish is recommended by us

    Delicious Roasted Chicken breast with goat cheese, mash, brocollini, baby carrots and sweet mustard sauce. This dish is recommended by us

    River 128 Restaurant - The food was ok. The staff was amazing! The view is nice if you sit outside. The crab dip was AMAZING!!

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    The food was ok. The staff was amazing! The view is nice if you sit outside. The crab dip was AMAZING!!

    South Front Tavern - Pan-Seared Maryland Crab Cake
Shrimp Remoulade, Charred Corn Relish

    South Front Tavern

    4.7(58 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    We made another visit here, this time for dinner, and with different friends who have not visited…read moreSouth Front Tavern before. It was great weather this night, so we opted for an outside table that was in total shade. Very comfortable. Our server came by for drink orders. We had no appetizers this visit and went right into entrees. We tried the Port City Burger, the Gnocchi with chicken, cilantro lime shrimp quesadillas and the salmon tacos. Everything was delicious. The only complaint I would have is that the Salmon Tacos was a bit small. The dish is two small tacos with a side of tortilla chips. There is no salsa, no pico de gallo, no slaw. I was actually sorry that I didn't get an appetizer. I was still a little hungry after I finished. We didn't want any of the dessert offered this time. Again, everything was great. Service, food, atmosphere, outside patio. Just my dish was a little less in size. I will keep that in mind next time we visit. I'm not sure something like this would be changed on the menu, but I still wanted to voice my opinion. Still a great place with a great menu and service. If the weather is good, opt for the patio. It is really nice sitting out there.

    Came in for dinner at South Front Tavern with two colleagues who between them have nearly fifty…read moreyears of North Carolina under their belts. I'm the St. Louis visitor in the group, here to be educated on what Southern cooking is supposed to taste like. The verdict by the end of the night was mixed. The space itself is cute and clean, with an industrial-chic, open feel inside, but it gets very loud once it fills up, like hard to hear your side neighbor loud. We lucked into a set of club chairs in a corner away from the main dining area, which knocked the noise down enough that we could hear each other. Without that, I'm honestly not sure we would have stayed. The host didn't blink at seating us over there, and the wait staff throughout the night was friendly. Drinks were fine across the table. My grilled peach old fashioned was the only one I tried, and I was hoping for a sharper, smokier profile, what I got leaned peachy without much else going on. The clams my friend ordered had a little grit in them, so not perfectly cleaned, but the flavor was there. The six-hour baby back ribs was a great start, great sauce, not smothered, fall-off-the-bone tender, the kind of thing I'd come back for. I didn't get a photo because we tore into them too fast, which tells you most of what you need to know. After that, things got uneven. The pork empanadas are listed with an ancho chili jam, but no jam or sauce came with ours. The pastry was crisp and tasty, but the pork inside was under-seasoned, and we left a whole empanada on the plate. The crab cakes was the bigger letdown, my friend, who grew up in Maryland and knows what a crab cake should be, said hers tasted more like a flat, minced patty (possibly with fish filler) than actual crab. She didn't finish it. My gumbo ya-ya had chicken, shrimp, and andouille, but the sauce was thin and tomato-forward where I was hoping for, and a richer sauce. Spice was fine; the whole thing just landed middle-of-the-road. Desserts split the difference. The key lime crème brûlée was genuinely excellent, I'd order it again on its own. The North Carolina blueberry bread pudding was beautifully plated but a little dry in execution for use. We left half of it. One thing worth flagging: the restaurant closes at 8:30, and at 8:30 sharp, with us still finishing dessert, the music came on with the unmistakable "we're closed" energy, even though we'd arrived at 7 and no one else was wandering in late. It made the end of the meal feel rushed in a way that didn't match the otherwise warm service. 3.4 starts out of 5. To be fair: we didn't leave feeling the food was bad, just that we'd ordered into the weaker half of the menu. Our server highly recommended the skillet mac and cheese and the quesadillas, and the skillet cornbread looked great online - we just didn't pull the triggers. We have generous optimism a version of this meal that goes much better than ours did, and on a second visit I'd lean into those recommendations. For now, though, with friends in town and a list of places I haven't tried yet, I probably won't be steering people here for your one night in Wilmington. I'd come back to give it a fairer second shot if I lived here.

    Photos
    South Front Tavern - Interior of South Front Tavern in Wilmington's South  Front District.

    Interior of South Front Tavern in Wilmington's South Front District.

    South Front Tavern - South Front Tavern's Plancha Burger features Gruyere, Mushroom, Arugula, Tobacco Onion and Garlic Aioli on a Brioche Bun.

    South Front Tavern's Plancha Burger features Gruyere, Mushroom, Arugula, Tobacco Onion and Garlic Aioli on a Brioche Bun.

    South Front Tavern - South Front Tavern's Bayou Paella
Shrimp, Clams, Andouille Sausage, Crawfish, Saffron, Bomba Rice

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    Cape Fear - seafood - Updated May 2026

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