Sometimes the view is what you need to get started. And when near the water, seafood is a good place 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. read more

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We sat out on the covered patio. It was a very nice view and great for our party (10). The service was 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 read more

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The location of the restaurant was nice. I think they use that to their advantage as the food left much to be desired. We were asked if we had reservations but the place was pretty empty and still was by the time we left. It was a Friday evening around 5pm. Maybe that was a sign. Calamari - it was ok. Crispy but whatever sauce was served with it was gross. Tasted rancid. The bread was ok. The clam chowder was not very thick or flavorful. My company got the lobster tails which he said was good with butter. However, the truffle mac and cheese was lackluster, very loose, and didn't taste cheesy. It was disappointing. The mashed potatoes tasted like instant mash with some kind of tart taste mixed in. We couldn't make out what it was. Sour milk? Cheese? We don't know. I got the shrimp appetizer which the shrimp was ok, the sauce for that was the most flavorful thing we ate. Nothing was mind blowing or delicious. For over $100 meal ... just ok is disappointing. I was also charged for extra sauce (bc the sauce given wasn't good) and for a soda refill I never asked for. The service was decent. The ambience nice. The food, which is the whole point, not good. read more

If you want elevated dining on the waterfront, River 128 is an excellent choice. You have many options of seafood to choose from, and their crab dip is an excellent choice, as well as the Brie appetizer, served warmed with toasted garlic and softened cranberries. Everyone at the table was praising the combination of flavors. Service was exceptional. We chose to sit inside at a booth since it was cold outside; if you want to dine by the waterfront after sunset, come prepared with layers because even with patio heaters you'll feel the chill. Inside is warm and cozy. We got salads, and the greens were fresh and crispy. The decor is nothing too fancy, and the place is clean. read more

We were visiting from out of town and were in downtown area. My husband made a reservation but not sure if we really needed it, as there were plenty of empty tables on a Saturday night. Our waitress was very nice and got our orders in quickly and brought out a basket of bread and butter. our food came out pretty fast as well. We ordered the black bass that was on top of coconut rice, spinach and curry mustard sauce. The rice was pretty mushy and the black bass tasted fine but was not anything special. We also got the lobster ravioli which was also ok, but nothing special. For the price point, i'm not sure i would come back. The inside was nice and there was a parking lot across the street that the restaurant could help validate for 2 hours. read more

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Overpriced for what it is. High end prices for a casual restaurant. The food is good though.

Had a great meal with friends. Outdoor covered seating was comfortable. Nice outdoor fans. We had great service and food. We would definitely return. read more

River 128 Restaurant - Menu - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Another amazing waterfront restaurant in downtown Wilmington. We sat outside under the awning and had great weather. Our server was prompt, helpful, and kept our drinks filled as well as quickly brought out another beer when we asked. Everything we ate was flavorful, spiced nicely, and hot! The star of the show today was the Blackened Chicken Caesar wrap. IDK what made it the star - but the wrap was crunchy and the inside moist and had just enough dressing to add flavor without it running down your arm when to took a bite. Great restaurant consistently. read more

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Quick Summary - In the old George location - Right on the river with great views if sitting outside - Casual setting but slightly upscale with the decor and menu - Not Ruth's Chris expensive, but don't expect TGIF prices - Food, location and service 5 stars - Inside, covered outside, and exposed outside seating - Best to make a reservation if going for diner, especially on the weekend - No private parking - Food ranges from handhelds, fish, chicken, and steaks This is the old The George restaurant. It has been rebranded as River 128. They haven't missed a step. Food is still great, if not better than before. Some updates to the inside, which looks great. The food portions are very large for some of the dishes. We got the Brussel sprouts small plate, and it was enough for four people. Mrs. Tim ordered the smash burger with a side of asparagus. The asparagus was freaking large. Very tasty as well. I got the shrimp and grits, which was a solid 4 stars. The dish came loaded with 8 large shrimp. They did not scrimp on the shrimp. My only compliant is I wanted more grits. Everything else, 5 stars easy. Service was 5 stars. Highly recommend. read more

Went here for a quick lunch today. The place is nice - directly at the Wilmington River Walk, but the food I think was average and the staff made me feel not very welcome, even there was a coke and coffee refill offered. I do not know what it was, but I did not like the atmosphere. So I am giving 3 well meant stars, but next time I would try another restaurant. read more

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For starters, location is great, food and service not so great. 3 of 8 meals arrived over cooked. Waitress said "I don't cook them" but I think she forgot it is her responsibility to ensure meals are perfect. She never did a check back and we had to go find her then she had the nerve to argue about it all. Those were steaks (stay away). I had chicken, was not good, appeared to be pre-cooked then heated. Service for other items like drinks was slow to non-existent. They offered the tree a free desert, wow...ruined the meal as 1/2 were done and 1/2 still waiting for their steaks...poor service, poor quality of food. I have been there several times, and getting worse each time. I will not be back anytime soon. Very pricy for what you get, but to be expected at a tourist trap like that. Go somewhere else and you will leave happy. The only upside was parking is covered/validated. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!!!! read more

Made a reservation on OpenTable and parked on the metered street parking across the street. Owned by the same recent owners as George on the Riverwalk. Inside and even the bathroom are remodeled. Looks a lot nicer and more comfortable inside. They have an enclosed patio seating with heaters and a view of the river. I liked the indoor fireplace. High chairs are available. We started off with complementary warm bread with honey butter. The had fried brussels sprouts appetizer which comes with shallots, shiitake mushroom, manchego cheese, and sichuan soy dressing. It was very flavorful, not spicy. Definitely recommend getting this appetizer. We ordered the spice crusted salmon, and the smashed burger. Both were great. The salmon came with wild mushrooms, peas, onion confit, cooked spinach, creamy smooth potatoes and a slightly tart puréed sauce. Also tried a side of truffle mac & cheese, which was served in a mini cast-iron skillet, so it was piping hot and stayed hot. It was very good. We didn't get dessert but they did have I believe white chocolate creme brulee, mousses, and chocolate NY style cheesecake. Our waiter was great. Impressive that all of the food came out pretty quick. read more

I started with the local Pilsner that came out fast and cold. My wife had the burger which was two smashed paddies and she loved the sweet chutney that it came with. I had the catfish sandwich which came with two pieces and a sauce with a little heat that was good for me. I opted for Brussel sprouts which I loved. A little pricey if we weren't sitting on the water but probably not pricey for the area. The ambiance outside was good we did not go inside. The service was good and overall experience was great. read more

River 128 Restaurant - Pilsner - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Our first dinner in Wilmington this weekend, and it did not disappoint. The Lobster Crab Dip was amazing! Our waiter was cordial and efficient. We were hoping to sit on the covered patio with the heaters but it was very, very windy. All staff members were friendly and hospitable. Loved the vibes here. read more

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Beautiful location and sunset views. Service was okay, the waitress seemed very new and unsure about menu questions. The calamari appetizer was very rubbery and tasteless. We only had a few bites. Couldn't finish. My wife had the roasted salmon and said it was decent, but not great. I had the lamb. Cooked a little over done, but otherwise okay. An older group sat beside us with their dog. I'm a dog lover and have three of my own. However, not a big fan of eating an expensive dinner with someone else's under my feet. For the price... hard no on a return. read more

River 128 Restaurant - Calamari - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Disappointed with the clam chowder as it barely had any clams. Also it was very watery. Service - the waiter refused to consider my request for diet consideration to eliminate rice from the dish. The salmon salad was average . Food price was high. The ambience was ok. I would not revisit this place read more

River 128 Restaurant - Barramundi fish on rice mixed with cocunut milk, drizzled with mustard sauce then topped with pineapple - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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I made reservations for four of us. This used to be called the George on the Riverwalk, which I really loved, so I kept my fingers crossed that the new place was just as good. It is!! Lovely atmosphere and very comfortable inside. There is outside dining but not really great at dinner because the views face west and the sun shines directly in. I started with a cup of clam chowder. It was very good. Not a lot of clams but it was tasty. I ordered the seared scallops with risotto for my entrée. Five beautiful, plump scallops cooked perfectly. The risotto had asparagus and corn, along with a truffle vinaigrette. It was topped with microgreens. I'm so glad they didn't do away with this dish on their new menu. It's a favorite of mine. My husband had the catfish that came with shrimp and cubed potatoes. He never liked fish but has been expanding his taste buds. He enjoyed the catfish. Our friends enjoyed their meal as well. Very nice service from our waitress. Next time, I'll have to try their shrimp and grits. read more

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Food was really well prepared. Full of flavor and really liked the small menu. Keeps it simple. Presentation was pleasant as well. I would highly recommend. The atmosphere was nice. Very elegant but casual setting. read more

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I'll give it a 4 star for the good service and view. The entrees were bland (scallops and salmon). We have to put a lot of salt and pepper to have some taste in it. Calamari was good tho but again the crème brûlée was just ok. read more

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Food was excellent. Came here for lunch. I ordered the green fried tomato BLT with brussel sprouts and my husband ordered the smash burger with parmesan fries. Both meals were delicious. Service was good. Waitress didn't talk much, but I almost preferred that. Came when she needed to and refilled our waters. Tons of outdoor space. Sat outside right up close to the water. The view of the Cape Fear River was beautiful. We had a view of the bridge and the battleship! Will definitely be back again! Was able to park the car in a gravel lot right across from the restaurant. They validated parking for 2 hours. read more

Vacationing in the area and happened to choose this place. We ate on the dock which was great to watch people walk on the river walk and see the cape fear river. The food was gods as we celebrated a burgers ya and retirement. Thank you for the birthday desert. Server did a great job with our party of 6. My niece has celiac and they did a great job catering to her needs. would definitely return. read more

I loved my lunch here, today! I actually enjoyed it better than the last place that was here. I ordered the tomato and burrata salad which I highly recommend. It was light and delicious. I ordered crab cakes on the side. I wasn't expecting them to be as breaded and pan seared as they were but they were still Good. My friend ordered the smashburger and parm fries and it looked amazing! My other friend ordered the crab ale sandwich with regular fries. I saw some other tables with different things and I can't wait to try more. Service was great and there are 4 different places for seating. Eating right on the riverwalk is the best. It's a smaller restaurant than the others around which makes it more intimate. read more

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Had a Filet. Seemed like a great piece of meat, and very well cooked. Very overseasoned. All I tasted was salt. Less is more with steak. Not saying anything a Chef shouldnt know. read more

4 out of 5 Stars This American restaurant is a great hidden gem the view was phenomenal, making it the perfect location for a sunset dinner. The food was outstanding fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. It really checked all the boxes when it came to the atmosphere and quality of the meal. The only reason I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars is because the service was a little slow, especially considering it wasn't very busy for a Sunday evening. That said, it's still a great spot in a beautiful location, and I would absolutely come back. Ideal for a relaxing night out or a special occasion. read more

River 128 Restaurant - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I was so looking forward to eating here as this was our one splurge dinner on our family vacation. We left so disappointed. We sat on the patio and view was lovely. Service was fine but does not reflect the food prices. Silverware was not replaced between meals, server reached over people to serve dishes instead of coming around, drinks weren't refilled timely. My boyfriend ordered two beers and the 2nd one he ordered they brought out a completely different beer. For the price of the food I was expecting table cloths and more fine dining experience but the tables were bare. Sitting outside, our water glasses condensated immensely and just dripped all over us our entire meal. And while I know they can't defy science I am sure they could provide some sort of coaster or cocktail napkin or table clothes to help with this. The bread we started off with was just ok, seemed store bought and not baked fresh, and I love me some warm baked bread. No complaints on the roasted oyster app, but the calamari app was bland and the paste (not sauce) they served with it was so odd. My duck was nice and crispy but overly sweet. There was nothing savory to counterbalance the sugary cherry jus. My fried rice was completely inedible and just sticky mush. My boyfriend had the rack of lamb. He mostly enjoyed it but his last bite was completely raw and he couldn't finish it. I tasted it and thought it was bland. In fact everything was essentially bland. For the prices I was severely missing flavor and so disappointed. My parents had a salad and the sea bass and they said the same thing about lacking flavor. They didn't even eat hardly any of their meal and my stepdad is the least pickiest eater I know. My daughter had a smash burger and she said it was too sweet. No one complained we just left disappointed and out $400. Definitely was not worth it and we won't be back. read more

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Amazing view, it's near every fairy boat ride you wish to embark on. I highly recommend coming for dinner during the summer and seeing the sunset. Have a drink, great cocktails. The appetizer crab and lobster dip is very cheesy and creamy and taste very good with the pita, the service is so good and helpful and friendly we even received recommendations for our stay and where to visit. I wish I remembered the waiters name. I shared a salad with my mother that had pears and feta and arugula and chose crab cakes as my protein and compared to another crab I had in a near by restaurant this one beats it by one thousand miles! I loved the combination of the salad ingredients perfect for a summer diner or lunch! Hope to have it again on my next summer vacation visit. read more

My family and I sat in their outdoor space overlooking the river, and it was relaxing and pretty. The staff were sweet, and the food was good! The best dish by far was the roasted chicken -- and don't skip the Brussels sprouts! The calamari was okay, not my favorite, but overall it's a good spot to enjoy lunch. read more

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I was very disappointed in the main dish. The risotto was undercooked and the scallops were rubbery and mushy at the same time. No flavor at all. The only thing good was the mocktail and Caesar salad. My server was nice and took my dish back to be cooked some more but it was still undercooked and parts were over cooked. Lacked flavor. Very bad experience. read more

Food is great needs some salt but that's alright. I got the eggs benidict and my friend got the smash burger. Our waitress wasn't the friendliest and didn't really listen to what we asked for. My friend asked for no Tomato And no jam on the burger and yet it still came as so. For the prices i expect my food to come the way i intended to read more

River 128 Restaurant - sunset mocktail - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

My husband and I hadn't been there since they changed from The George. The food was hot, fresh and AMAZING! Great pricing too and our server Georgia was nice and helpful. We loved where we were seated, away from others so we had a nice peaceful meal together. It was my husband's birthday and It was perfect. We DEFINITELY will be back!!! read more

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We sat outside and the view was beautiful! We all ordered from the small plates. Calamari was delicious Very tender ! Brussel sprouts had a great flavor and cooked just right.Not mushy! read more

River 128 Restaurant - Delicious Calamari - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Crab dip was amazing. The food was ok. My husband enjoy the bass and my friend enjoyed the samon. The staff was amazing!! read more

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Unfortunately, this was not the experience we were hoping for. Came with another couple and got there around 4 PM when dinner service began. Our dishes were just not that good. I had the chicken penne Cajun dish and it was OK and had plenty of flavor, but very little chicken. My wife had the sea scallops and they were undercooked and the risotto was mushy. One of our friends had the smash burger and was not impressed. All in all for what you're paying these days at restaurants, we had expected more. Hopefully things will get better over time. On a positive note, the location is exceptional with beautiful views of the river. read more

This place is disgusting. I found hair in my bread. The salmon was served 2 minutes after I ordered it which means it was probably someone else's. Worst restaurant on the river. Will never go back. If I could give it zero stars I would. read more

1st week in operation, we had a Valentines Day Lunch here the service was amazing, food was delicious portion sizes were generous. We shared the lobster crab dip can't say enough about it! The crab cake was large and had tons of white crab meat (no filler) fried Brussel sprouts were tender. French fries were very good, chicken bacon Sandwich did not disappoint. We sat on the inclosed porch which had a wonderful view of the river. I must also add rest rooms were spotless. We will definitely be return customers. This place is a gem!! read more

I emailed ahead to ask if there would be a vegan option. "Oh yes. The chef will always be happy to make you something." So when I get there, the waitress tells me she will have to check to see if they can accommodate me. Then she tells me they have one dish they always give to vegans - a vegetable hash over rice. The vegetables were mostly potatoes and mushrooms and spinach. The rice was so mushy and tasteless that I absolutely could not eat it. First of all potatoes over rice? And they were overcooked. I ate about 3 bites and paid $20 for that mush. It was awful. The glass of Malbec was $12 and okay. Views were great but food awful. Service was mediocre! read more

I love the location of this tests as it sits right on the water. The service was really good and we sat outside on the patio which was very relaxing . The food left a lot to be desired. I don't think there was anything that we actually liked except the oysters. I'd go back to enjoy drinks on the patio but definitely not for the food. read more

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Do not try the truffle Mac and cheese absolutely no flavor had to bring truffle oil and even then didn't change the dish much. Also don't try the lobster ravioli it wasn't and required more flavor and the last bite I took something in the pasta was completely unchewable and causing me to gag almost threw up and had to spit it out. Other than that the service was good and the servers were nice and understanding. And the ambience was beautiful on the patio overlooking the river and a view of the USS North Carolina. Only 2 stars for the ambiance and service at the same time didn't really come for that. read more

River 128 Restaurant - View of USS North Carolina from restaurant - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I went for lunch and got the grilled chicken sandwich and mimosa flight. I took the chocolate cake to go. It was very rich. Chocolate cake, chocolate icing and chocolate ganache. Lots of chocolate. Perfect weather to sit on the patio. Everyone was very accommodating with my dog and brought her water immediately. read more

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Delicious, good service, and amazing views of the river from the outdoor covered seating! read more

River 128 Restaurant - Fried catfish, fries, coleslaw - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina