Wilmington has our hearts - and that is easy to say when you can walk around and the street is filled with great eats. Capri bistro is one of the restaurants that grabbed our hearts. Venue: ambient, classy and cozy. Food: we ordered French onion ( we just have to at every French restaurant) and I'm glad we did. Was worried it would be too salty but it was seasoned just right. Sausage and crepe was very hardy- the Gruyère cheese crepe was amazing with the red wine recommended Cocktails: loved it! Recommend espresso martini! Service: excellent service. Price: Very reasonable for French cuisine read more

Caprice Bistro - Espresso martini - French Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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The food is a 5, but the service is a little - ok, a lot- slow. I'd appreciate the time list if if meant more table time, explaining the menus, etc. Maybe they just shorted staff for lunch. Being generous with a 4... Food is very good. The kitchen does miracles with the food they prepare. I had a shrimp dish with an interesting ragout of field peas, etc. The French Onion soup blew me away. I love this dish and they nailed it. Double chocolate Belgium torte and the check, which would be half as high if it were dinner. The wait staff should kind of levitate throughout the room, never looking askew mor overly bothered. Both failed at this, rushing into orders and offering few menu questions. You could tell they were in the weeds. As a diner, not only is that not my problem, but I expect unhurried and savory in my dining. I'll be back to see if today was a fluke. Caprice is under new management. Are these new problems under a new regime? I must say yes. Caprice was owned by a lovely French couple. Would love to see them back. read more

Sometimes you are in a new area and looking for a place to eat., Wilmington has many good places to try. But one night it was a bit early and we wanted to find someplace new. We found Caprice Bistro before 6pm and decided to step in. This was like stepping back into Paris, where we had been a few months before. It was exactly what you would find there. Sitting at our table the place was still empty, but was beginning to fill up with reservations. We were lucky. Also, at the hour we arrived they still had a special offer on special dinners prior to 6pm. Looking over the menu the waiter told us of the specials for the evening along with the special meals at that time. We always could order our beverages (red wine of course) and any other items to select. While he went for the beverages, we looked at the menu in detail. When he returned we knew what we wanted. To start, our appetizer was a Cheese Crepe to start with. This was a freshly made crepe that was filled with four (4) different cheeses known of in France. There was also a slice on the folded crepe. The crepe itself was covered with a sauce with fresh mushrooms and spice. It was rich and flavorful, and warm. Ideal to slice a piece and have it with the freshly made bread that was ideal. With a glass of wine this would make a meal unto itself. Next course, and a special of the evening, is Steamed Mussels in a red sauce (your choice). It was served with an order of French Fries that was also freshly made and warm. The mussels themselves were fresh and sweet for the day. These were new and enjoyable. The portion the right size. Just enough to have and enjoy. One other course to have was French Onion Soup. This was as you expect in France. It was not heavy and filled with onions. It was trastey and flavored with the right amount of onions. It naturally had the slice of bread in the broth. As for the cheese, it was more than you expected. So, if you like cheese on the soup, this is how you get it in Paris. Having this dinner put us back to being in Paris and eating at the same pace you eat in Paris. Casual and relaxed. Conversations and dinner. Ideal and making you wish you had ordered even more. At the end of this meal we were done. No room for dessert. But that looked good. The team is excellent and kind. The portions are typical of France. The price is good for what you are receiving. Caprice Bistro will be a place I shall return to next time I am in town. I am already thinking of what I might order the next time I am there. Our compliments to the chef. Merci....(in my limited French). read more

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I'd been wanting to try this spot for a while so their daily special and happy hour finally got me in. On Mondays they offer mussels and frites for $15 plus $5 Belgian beers and $7 happy hour petit plates (only in the bar, sofa or outdoor areas). I was a little bummed they didn't really have the courtyard I expected. It was just 2 tables outside on sidewalk. We grabbed a spot in the cozy sofa area, which ended up working out perfectly but might have been awkward if more people came. We ordered the mussels and fries in the curry sauce. Very good, only wish there was more bread to soak it all up. The Calamari in lemon sauce was a nice change from the usual fried version and the petit friture (whole smelt) was good. We also shared a Croque Monsieur. Service was good and the space had dim lighting, candles and lots of art that made it feel elegant and intimate. A nice spot for a chill happy hour with some unique French touches. read more

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We had a wonderfully intimate evening with friends at Caprice Bistro. From drinks on the sofa upstairs, to a cozy table by the window and fabulous food at each course. Another HIT in downtown Wilmington. We enjoyed cocktails to start, shared the Salad Cou Rouge, I had the Beef Bourguignon and hubs had the Steak Frites. We finished the meal with a shared Crème Brulé. Everything was flavorful, seasoned perfectly, and just the right portion. Service was impeccable and allowed us to enjoy conversation while also keeping our drinks full and responding to our needs. read more

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I didn't end up snapping a photo, I was too ready to dig in by the time my steak and fries arrived. The wait was around 30-35 minutes, which stood out given the dining room was fairly quiet, only a handful of tables seated. The presentation was solid, and the fries were actually a highlight, crisp, well done, and easily the strongest part of the plate. The steak, while cooked how I liked (medium rare), leaned closer to room temperature than expected and could have benefited from a more confident hand with seasoning to really bring it to life. Service, however, was genuinely warm and attentive, and that deserves to be recognized. The staff created a welcoming experience that made the visit feel cared for. Overall, while the meal didn't quite match the price point, there's a strong foundation here, especially with the hospitality. With a bit more attention to seasoning and execution, this spot has the potential to rise to the level its ambiance and service are already reaching. read more

Cute and great place for happy hour in Downtown Wilmington! My friend and I were in town for a long weekend trip, and she wanted to check out some of the shops on the riverwalk. While visiting the shops we came across Caprice Bistro and saw the Happy Hour specials in the window and decided we would try it out. They opened shortly before we arrived so we were the first customers of the day. The host took us upstairs to the bar area and showed us where Happy Hour would be available. You can sit at the bar, in the high tops by the bar, or a cute section near the bar with some couches. We decided to sit on the couches and that area was perfect and comfy. The entire staff was extremely friendly and helpful! We started with drinks. I ordered a lemon drop and then a Hugo Spritz and they both were delicious. The bartender was great. For food we ordered a few apps to share off the Happy Hour menu. We got the mussels, frites, and calamari. So delicious and the prices you can't beat. $5 for the frites and calamari and $7 for the mussels. The portions were great for the price as well. We also received complimentary bread which was fresh and delicious...and perfect to dip in the sauce for the mussels. So glad we stumbled upon this spot and will definitely return when I'm back in the area. read more

Started with authentic French baguette and butter. French onion soup was delicious. Ambience was busy and noisy Pictures on the walls had the French paintings Server was friendly and service was prompt. read more

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Amazing dinner. Great, authentic French food. Service was spot on too. We had six people in our table and the server handled it every well.

Great little bistro downtown Wilmington. We had outstanding crepe for lunch . Blue crab bisque exquisite and very filling. The profiteroles were divine and waiter Ryan very knowlegdable about the menu, also very friendly and efficient. Would recommend and will be back read more

This was single-handedly the most disappointing restaurant experience I've had in Wilmington, and we've tried many restaurants in town. We were really looking forward to our Valentine's Day reservation after reading so many great things online. There was a prix fixe menu for the evening, and since it was our first time visiting, I'm not sure whether the entrées were part of their regular menu. The starters were fine, nothing memorable, but not bad either. For dinner, I ordered the duck, and unfortunately it fell short. The chef recommended medium, which is what I chose, but it was quite tough and lacked seasoning. I actually could not finish eating it. I did enjoy the sauce and the accompanying vegetable, but the duck itself was so unappealing that I couldn't stomach finishing it. My husband ordered the beef short rib. The flavor was good, but it was also tough. A well-prepared short rib should be tender and practically fall apart, but this required a knife, which isn't typical for a dish like that. We've had much better versions at other restaurants around town. To make matters worse, we were seated right next to the door and had to keep our coats on throughout dinner because it was so cold every time the door opened, which definitely impacted the overall experience. The service itself was fine, and we left a standard 20% tip. However, dinner came to around $200 ($65 per person plus two drinks), which felt wildly overpriced for the quality. It simply was not worth the money; not even close to $100, let alone $200. Huge disappointment. I would not recommend and will not return. read more

If you want to listen to multiple conversations from the tables surrounding you, this is the place to go! Really disappointed with the crammed table setup and the food! I ordered a Lamb dish which was delicious however it was 80% bone and about 20% lamb! I really don't know how this restaurant got such a good reputation! I would never consider going back or recommending this restaurant! Service was slow considering how many people he had to serve! read more

Few things remain the same in life, there is always an ebb and flow. Sadly, Caprice Bistro under new ownership has failed to live up to its original standards. We have dined a number here a number of times since the previous owners sold their restaurant. At first it seemed pretty much the same, but more recently the service, food quality and ambiance have suffered. I am well aware that the restaurant business is a tough one and feel bad leaving a critical review. Last nights dinner was not up to par. The charcuterie board had little to do with the explanation on the menu. Totally different. No more in house made pate, a lot of cheese which wasn't even in the description, barely any charcuterie type meats. The service lacked. Our bread/appetizer plates were not removed and clean silverware was not provided until we asked. My waterzooie , usually my favorite totally lacked the delicious herbed scented flavor of the past, the fish was ok, especially the scallops. All that said as caprice was one of our favorite restaurants, we would be hesitant to dine again. read more

We got the pistachio-crusted salmon and mussels in curry broth, both were perfection! Our server was quick, attentive, and had excellent recommendations. We loved how cozy the upstairs felt. Would recommend! read more

I have been to Caprice a couple of times and have enjoyed my experience. The food was delicious, and the craft cocktails were fun. Their seating is a little tight. I prefer a little more elbow room to have intimacy with whoever I am having a meal with. However, overall, we enjoyed our food, and our service was attentive. Upstairs in the lounge, I had a lovely cocktail with my other sister. It was a very pleasing atmosphere. read more

First visit with the new owners. The food and service were both outstanding. great new additions to the menu including Waterzooi - a house specialty of Cream-based Fish and Seafood Stew with Herbs, Leeks and Mushrooms. It was fantastic. i will definitely order it again. The wine list has been refreshed and is fantastic!! read more

Great spot! Appetizers were amazing- we got calamari and the Brie crepe. Pork chop was really dry but listed as "juicy" or this review would be a 5. Sauces were amazing. Service was okay, took about 1.5 hours until we got our food after ordering and apps. read more

Caprice Bistro - Pork chop - French Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Enjoyed mussels provencal on mussels Monday with french riviera martini and escargot starter. Also tasted tomate tarte tatin starter. All yummy and as good as under past owners. Thanks. read more

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Cool vibe, I like that the bar is upstairs. Only indulged in the Happy Hour bar menu trying everything once. A couple of items stood out. One, the mussels and two was the rabbit sausage. That was outstanding and required a second helping. Next time I will try dinner but don't pass up the HH vibe read more

I enjoy this restaurant because the food is pretty good but I do think there are other French restaurants in town that are better. I don't particularly like downstairs dining as it is kinda stuffy and a much older crowd. Tonight I dined with two friends and we had the escargot and calamari as appetizers. Both were very good. I would recommend either I had the mussels with curry for my meal and it was also very good. Service is good, and I have never had a bad time here. Drinks are very pricey so be prepared to spend just as much on one drink as a meal. You really can't go wrong here for a date or a girls night out read more

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Definitely a hidden gym in downtown Wilmington. Stumble up on this little spot as we were walking on date. I loved these narrow stairs up to this upstairs bar, French lounge music In the background. The most amazing old-fashioned. I've had. The service is great, Sinyun Was so nice. Definitely bookmarking this place for the next visit . Go check the spot out. Perfect for a girls/date night read more

5 stars for the food and service. Ok, the food is amazing but Katie, our server made our experience even better. She knows the menus inside out and has this knack for assisting with the selection of the drinks, starters, entrees and desert. She was delightful and as busy as she was, she never missed a beat and she made a point to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. The food was the best I've had in a long time. ***** for the Rilletts. read more

Caprice Bistro - French Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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One of our favorite spots in town. Great authentic food, good prices. Our most recent visit, our server was kind and attentive, but forgot one of the two appetizers we had ordered. Honestly, it ended up being a blessing! We were stuffed between the crepe appetizer and our meals. I love the chef's speciality, the Waterzooi (just get it, you won't be disappointed). Perfect creamy broth with generous chunks of so many different types of seafood. Salmon, mussels, shrimp, flounder. My boyfriend loves the beef bourguignon. So rich and tender. (Pro tip: order extra mashed potatoes, they're awesome) Check it out, promise you'll love it. read more

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Went for dinner before a show at the Wilson Center! Service was top notch and Ambience great! We sat on top floor! Had 2 different Martini's which were great! French Onion Soup was best I've ever had! Crepe was a little boring! But biggest disappointment was the steak! Ordered Steak Frites, which was described as Rib Eye tonight, although menu says Filet! However, it was a NY Strip, which was a tough piece of meat, especially Given a $42 price tag! That was their special of the night, so they probably got confused on the order! Much better places to go for steak! read more

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We enjoyed our experience greatly, recommend an early reservation for a more quiet evening. Food was terrific and service was thorough but not intrusive. Thanks for a great meal read more

Honestly, this might be my favorite place in town for a good, quality date night. Bare in mind, it is pricey, but it is worth it. As always, we made a reservation, but there was adequate seating on a Thursday. We started with the cheese plate, accompanied by lots of bread! I had the salmon dish and my boyfriend had the duck. Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Plus, it was presented beautifully. Our drinks were wonderful, too. I had espresso martinis, and they were just how I like them. My boyfriend enjoyed the brown sugar champagne cocktail. I finished with a glass of champagne and he had a pour of a dessert wine. Oh... dessert. How wonderful it was. I didn't really have lots of room, but we were celebrating and there is always room. I had the creme brûlée and he had the profiteroles. Both were wonderful. Our service was good, but slow. We weren't in a rush but that can be off putting sometimes. Our drinks and water stayed full though and that is where I judge the service! Overall, it was amazing. $200 for an app, two entrees, two desserts, and six drinks; can't complain based on the quality. I can't wait to go back! read more

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If you're looking for a romantic restaurant near the coast, look no further. The food was absolutely delightful, and the food melted on your palate in the most exquisite way. It's the perfect place to take your loved one on Valentine's Day with its intimate ambiance and delicate cuisine. Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a special and romantic dining experience. read more

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I live this quant little spot with great service and friendly patrons. Great wine and cocktail options. Many gluten free me u choices. My food was excellent and even though they had a child's offering my 5 year old ate half of my trout hahaha! My husband's wasn't as good but it was a daily special. The wait staff was awesome. I love that there is no loud music so you can enjoy the company and conversation of your table!!!! I can't wait to visit again. Reservations seem to be a must so plan accordingly. read more

Been here a few times and it never disappoints. We had Elliot as our waiter and he was very good. The food is top notch and seasoned well. I had the duck and my boyfriend got the lamb. It was his first time here and he was impressed with the food and said the martinis are the best he's ever had. The ambiance and environment is so nice and relaxing. 10/10! read more

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I really wish I could give Caprice Bistro a better review. My wife and I have been going there for special occasions for many years, and it was always a fine dinner. Earlier this year, owners Thierry Moite and his wife sold Caprice Bistro to new owners, and you can really tell the difference. My wife and I visited a couple of weeks ago for the capstone dinner to our 41st anniversary trip to Wrightsville Beach. Strike One: we arrived at 7:30 and were told by our server that there was no French onion soup. At a French restaurant. At 7:30. Basically second dinner sitting. Strike Two: I ordered the pork chops, because the lack of French onion soup dashed my plans to eat off the app menu. The sauce was fine, and the veggies were okay, but the pork chop--the star of the plate--was horribly overcooked. It feathered when cut with a knife, was shock white inside, and chewy as shoe leather. The server agreed that it was overcooked and offered to take it back to the kitchen, bit by then we had been there for almost an hour and a half, because service was so incredibly slow, and our parking was going to expire. Strike Three: The server said she'd take the inedible pork chop dish off our bill, but when the bill arrived it had not been taken off. She apologized and said Caprice would refund that amount. I said that was unlikely, and two weeks later I have still not received a refund on my card. All in all, Caprice Bistro is apparently struggling under the new owners. Our service was incredibly slow, key menu items were not available, and the food preparation was unacceptable. Finally, they didn't follow up on the promise to refund the price of my dish. We'll think long and hard about returning. I miss the Caprice Bistro we enjoyed under Chef Thierry. read more

Always a great meal and great atmosphere. This is a star and a cornerstone of the restaurants we have tried in Wilmington.

There has been a recent ownership change of this restaurant, which happens to be one of our favorites and Wilmington. They had put out a post saying that the menu would stay the same, but that they would also be adding more exciting specials. We went last night and were disappointed with the French onion soup. NOT the same. Unless the chef screwed up on our particular soups, or simply doesn't know how to make a French onion soup well, it almost seemed like they switched from a beef stock to a chicken stock. Also, and most disheartening, was that the cheese was not overflowing over the sides and crispy. It was more like a cheese soup. One of my wife's favorite dishes there is the salmon. Luckily, she asked if they still made it with the dill on top, but the waiter said that they did not or that they simply didn't have dill that day. That is what made that dish so special for her. She ordered the trout instead, which was excellent as usual. The last thing I noticed was with my favorite dish there, the fish stew. I have ordered that for years because of the delicious seafood mix. Last night was a bit different. Still delicious, but not quite the same magic. in the past large shrimp were always used and the fish was always a high-end catch, like halibut or Seabass or monkfish. Last night, the shrimp were medium size, and the fish was flounder which is typically a less expensive lower end fish. Hopefully, this is not their way of shaving off costs to increase profit. Overall great experience. Just a little different. read more

Traveling on business I had dinner here a couple years back and thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience so as I was back in town I had to revisit! I can't explain just how fantastic this place is.. the ambiance is PERFECT .. the meal, from the Escargot appetizer to the Lamb Shank entree and the dessert cheese board was phenomenal ...First Prize again! and the service at the upstairs bar ( from Lauren) was perfection. I can't say enough about my experience and I hope those of you reading this will make an effort if ever you're in Wilmington NC to make this place a priority. Class Act! The ENTIRE EXPERIENCE... read more

The Caprice Bistro was a lovely surprise. We live in Raleigh and also in Boone and did not expect to find the quality of the fare we enjoyed at your place. Just perfect in every way, read more

It breaks my heart to write this mediocre review on this restaurant. It has been our favorite restaurant in the Wilmington area for the past 14 years. We made reservations last week as we now moved to Florida and whenever we visit the Wilmington area we make sure we visit Caprice bistro. My husband ordered the muscles in the curry sauce and I ordered the beef bourguignon. my husband woke up with severe stomach cramps around 3 o'clock in the morning after eating some of the muscles. I don't know if it's related, but I'm just sharing. My experience with the beef was not a good cut of beef and or not cooked long enough because it was quite tough and chewy. Definitely not what we're used to. read more

The real deal Food and service is incredible! Great seafood and French cuisine is outstanding Wine list plentiful! Enjoy. read more

It is a pleasure to dine at Caprice Bistro, a cozy French restaurant on Market near the riverfront. Start with one of their signature cocktails, like the French 75, then sit back, relax, and let the wonderful staff cater to your every need. The food is lovingly prepared and will satisfy any Francophile. The Meli Melo salad, artisanal greens dressed with a dijon vinaigrette and topped with shaved Parmesan delivers a punch of flavor with every bite. A recent special of local flounder and shrimp a la Provencal, served to remind just how yummy and sweet our North Carolina shrimp taste, especially when cooked to mouth-watering perfection. For a fitting end to the meal, try the expertly scorched creme brûlée. Bliss. Other stellar dishes include the French onion soup, steak frites, Carolina trout, and salmon au vert. Food allergies? No worries, the staff will guide you expertly through the menu, and check with the chef if there's a question they can't answer. The menu helpfully notes GF options, and the kitchen can prepare an alternate sauce if necessary. read more

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I've been to Caprice Bistro twice now with family and have had an incredible experience both times. The restaurant is situated at the heart of downtown historic Wilmington near the river. It has a great ambience and usually requires reservations. Both visits we ordered the escargot as an appetizer. That dish is superb, and at the end, you have a yummy sauce you can use for the bread. For my main dish, I have tried the duck confit, which was absolutely mouthwatering. It's served with greens and mashed potatoes that are similarly delicious. Yesterday, I opted for their flounder special. It had a lemon flavored sauce with capers and topped with shrimp. It was extraordinary! We also got creme brûlée for dessert, and the caramelized sugar had a perfect crisp. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant and plan to come again. The prices are reasonable for an upscale experience with excellent quality. read more

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Had a wonderful dinner at Caprice Bistro on Saturday night. My wife and I shared the Leeks as an appetizer, and I had the Leg of Lamb and my wife had the Waterzool. It was all great! Well done! read more

Well someone in the kitchen has had divine inspiration. The food is heavenly. We had the mushroom soup. Delicious, creamy and full of mushroom goodness. If you are from western PA I put this on par with Longwood Gardens soup! That is saying something! A mistake was made and they delivered a trio appetizer, we tried to decline but after it was on the table we were told it would be free and the apologized. The rabbit sausage was oh my god good, the pate, inspired,and the calamari well cooked, could of been crispier but still good. Another appetizer, the broiled leeks, absolutely yummy! Forget the fried crapes, they were crisp but greasy. Then we split an entree of mussels. Perfect meal! Killer coffee as well!!!! read more

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