Ate here on April 3,2026- Although we didn't have a reservation, they made room for us. It was packed because of Easter Weekend. They were slammed, but you'd never know it. Service was exceptional, felt personal, like they really cared that, not only was our food good, but that we were satisfied with even the small details - my soy allergy was a big deal - and she split the meal into food I could eat and food I should avoid. Made it smooth, with no worries. Her Name was MACY and she is to be commended for her care and her gracious manner. Much more than that: the food was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. NYC eat your heart out! Atmosphere, Food, and really being treated like you matter, that is the heart of hospitality, the Seabird is marvelous, One tip: don't skip desert! read more

For my birthday, my amazing fiancé surprised me with dinner at Seabird!! One of my favorites!! We had the best time!! Julia was our server, and she was fantastic. She did a great job of explaining everything on the menu and helping us pick some incredible options. We had the presquile chard, the seared fish, the schnitzel, the broiled oysters with hollandaise, the chili pork ribs, the Caroline handshake, the tall and fluffy cheesecake, and the brownie, and every bite was amazing! We were so pleasantly surprised by the hollandaise oysters- the sauce added a perfect taste to this appetizer. The restaurant wasn't super loud, only one table of ladies really enjoying their meal and laughing a bunch. My fiancé had told them it was my birthday when he made the reservation so our cheesecake came our with a birthday candle on it! We loved our experience and can't wait to come back! read more

I will be daydreaming about this meal often. Seabird has always drawn us in visually from the street because of its cool/retro exterior and so cutely decorated inside. Finally made it in! We started off with a dozen oysters, all from NC, paired with the recommended martini. Each oyster was phenomenal and we loved the martinis. Perfect way to start the meal. We moved along to the tuna tartare which was unreal. The crispy potatoes paired with the tuna was such a good combination, we absolutely loved this dish. We battled on whether to continue with only small plates or to branch into entrees. The sea bass and swordfish schnitzel looked too good to pass up, so we ordered both. Blown away. We both cleaned our plates. Such a special dinner - can't wait to come back. read more

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Came here for dinner with my husband and overall the food was great! We ordered got the server to course the dinner out as we were sharing everything. We started with the complimentary cornbread which was good but the drizzle sauce made it quite sweet. Then we had: Raw Oysters - Super fresh and delicious; prepared well Mussels - Good but we just weren't a huge fan of the strong pepper taste; very tasty broth overall Catfish & Oyster Pie - Absolutely delicious and so unique 100% recommend this to be ordered Trout - Popular fish as it was selling out fast, and we could see why; it was so tasty and the herb sauce was so smooth too, would 100% order again read more

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Seabird will always be one of my favorites in Wilmington! Chef Deans rotating menu always highlights the beauty of the coast and the service is always top notch. My favorites are the seafood tower which changes weekly but always includes many different types of seafood all prepped in a different way and any of their desserts! read more

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Grabbed cocktails at the bar at Seabird. The space was lovely, guys behind the bar were attentive and kind, and the whole vibe was chill. Also - Love the fact that we could chat while enjoying our drinks! Will add this to the fav rotation of places to grab a drink. read more

Seabird - Cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

The positives first: the service was impeccable, prompt but not fussy. This is a casual fine-dining spot, with $100 a person pricing for a modest meal. We had a Cosmo and an Old Fashioned pre-dinner, both excellent. Our apps were tuna tartine and a fish crudo with a very mild sauce. These were fair-to-good, and the best part of the meal. The seasoning wasn't there, and the portions were, well, not shareable. Even at these prices, we got the impression they were skimping. For entrees we had the soft-shelled crab and the cioppino. The (single) soft-shelled crab was missing a claw, and served over a bed of dense, gummy pasta. The flavor was missing. This for $43. The cioppino was somewhat better, with one of the two scallops reasonably well cooked. The shrimp, single mussel, the other scallop, and the two clams were badly overcooked. The two decent-sized pieces of fish were reasonably cooked, and the soup, while not stellar, was tasty. It was very sad for a seafood restaurant to destroy seafood by overcooking. However the (two pieces of) andouille sausage were tasty and had a kick. There was a slice of bread with Sriracha aioli, but the soup wasn't good enough to ask for an extra order of bread. We know the restaurant can do better, because we came a year ago and it was five stars. We hope they can get back on the horse, because it can be a great experience. read more

We chose Seabird because of a local recommendation, and they were spot on. The bar when you walk in has a very cool vibe. We chose to sit at the other bar area in front of the kitchen so we could be served by Andy, who happened to have served us the night before at another restaurant. I had oysters (forgot to photograph them). They had 3 varieties, and I sampled all three. They were excellent! My husband ordered the smoked catfish and oyster pie. He enjoyed it so much that he plans to figure out how to make it. If you're visiting Wilmington, give Seabird a visit. read more

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I sat at the bar for a solo dinner and had such a wonderful time chatting with the other patrons and bartenders. I ordered the swordfish schnitzel (they prepared it dairy free for me) and it was wildly delicious. Easily the best swordfish I've had. I unfortunately ate before the camera but their espresso martini is also worth your time. 10/10 all around. read more

Seabird - Espresso martini - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Had dinner at the Seabird in Wilmington, what a great experience. The Seafood Tower was outstanding - the items are (as it says) seasonal, which makes for inspired eating. The service is top-tier, attentive yet not overbearing. I'm pretty sure the Owner was also there as the lead chef- ensuring everything coming out was perfect. [Correction, it was Dean Neff, the James Beard nominated chef. I can be pretty dense.] The atmosphere is bright and bustling: great energy. Definitely get on their reservations list. read more

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Wow Great space. Great staff. Nice wine options Oysters were awesome and served on great plates. Jack schnitzel over spaetzel was great, as was the Flounder with crispy rice. Was a GREAT meal and nice night. read more

Fantastic food and service. Split the broiled Hollandaise oysters, Serrano NC pork ribs, Eastern Cioppino. Everything was delicious. Chef sent out a taste of the yellowfin tuna Bolognese and a fried fish ball dish. Coming from up North, everything was really unique with its own taste profile. Only regret was we didn't have more people along to try more dishes. We didn't realize that they validate parking at the garage across the street or we would have taken advantage of it. read more

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We ate here for the first time and were blown away! My wife and I opted to forgo appetizers and individual entrees. We shared the seafood tower, which was incredible. The deviled eggs with caviar were my favorite, as well as the blue fin tuna toro. Their desserts were amazing, and my whiskey sour with egg whites was equally impressive. Great waitstaff and cool atmosphere. The chef/owner even came out to talk with us. read more

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Our second visit, this time for brunch. Service was very attentive and helpful with our questions. Food was fresh and presented nicely. Be ready for the smaller portion size. Pleasant ambiance with mostly younger patrons. Still found the prices a bit much for the value. read more

Seabird - Smoked Tuna Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I visited Seabird with a few girlfriends who were visiting from out of town, and it was exactly the kind of unique local spot we were hoping to find. We made a reservation only a few days in advance. The space is beautiful, and every dish, drink, and dessert was plated with such care and creativity. We shared everything, which was nice to try a bit of everything. The staff were friendly and attentive. I would recommend for a special night out. read more

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Seabird is a great gem in downtown Wilmington! A must have is the catfish and oyster pie appetizer! You can thank me later

I really really wanted to like this place a lot more, but unfortunately, it is difficult to justify the price. Seabirds is a primarily seafood focused restaurant right in the heart of downtown Wilmington. They are an upscale, classy restaurant that has a great atmosphere for a nice date night or special occasion. I had the swordfish schnitzel, it was a huge piece of fish, with a very nice presentation. The fish was fresh, but was a bit heavy handed on the use of fat, which overpowered it a bit. My partner had the smoked catfish, and it was just plain and simple not very good. The breading was soggy and it was overwhelmingly greasy, on an already heavy bed of grits. Again the presentation was nice, but it was not enjoyable. There are lot of great places to get a great meal in Wilmington, unless you are enamored with the location and presentation of their dishes, I would look elsewhere for a classy meal. read more

Seabird - Swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

An old diner vibe with a facelift is a great environment to enjoy Wilmington's local seafood. We had an amazing waitress who read our palettes perfectly and made excellent recommendations. If you like oysters, look no further. If you like oysters and seafood prepared with a southern twist in a cool ambience, this should be a strong consideration. read more

This place did not disappoint! Our server was wonderful- actually everyone that worked there was. Started off with some drinks- a perfect dirty martini- and I am typically picky. We had 6 oysters, 2 of each, and the tuna crudo to start. The local Southern Salts were our favorite oysters. For our entrees we had the Eastern Cioppino and the Swordfish Schnitzel. Both great but the Swordfish was a show stopper. Would come back! read more

Seabird - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Possibly one of the best restaurants I've been to. The ambience and vibe was a casual chic, which matches my vibe;) This was my birthday dinner, & as soon as I entered the restaurant was welcomed by warm smiles & greetings by the staff, immediately acknowledging that we were celebrating a birthday. My table had a sweet birthday note, with the cutest origami bird. My boyfriend got a brightly flavored cocktail called the matchmaker, which was a clarified matcha mojito, that I absolutely loved!Our meal service started with honey drizzled corn muffins that were savory & sweet, like starting our meal with dessert. We were told about this epic seafood tower that was nothing short of spectacular - not your typical seafood tower. This has probably the best raw oysters I've ever had at the top(chefs choice of top sail wilds), then a deviled catfish dip for crackers, oysters escabeche, crab legs, ahi mignonette, deviled eggs, pickled shrimp, & Sambal cocktail - the flavors were a symphonic mix of citrus, brine, acid, spice, omega-3 powered fats, & salt. As if that wasn't enough, we added the red beard roasted carrot salad - which was a fresh salad that wowed with its freshly pulled from the garden quality, & an amazing ginger dressing. We also got the barbecue baked oysters that were packed with flavor from the Worcestershire butter & lemon with a bread crumb topped crunch. To end this fabulous meal We got the black sesame crème brûlée - this desert shined and sealed the meal with a kiss by adding to an already classic dessert a unique but flavorful spin on the cream classic. the butter cookie added a crunchy sweet texture to the caramelized treat! We also had a homemade lavender vanilla ice cream made in house. All this to make my birthday dinner make a girl like me blush, from the genuine thoughtfulness & attentiveness of the service, & chefs kiss on each plate! read more

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We enjoyed an excellent experience here at Seabird in downtown Wilmington. Recommend reservations and get them early. We sat at the "chef's" table which offers a close look at the kitchen. The service and food were exceptional. We even had a moment to chat with the chef. The entire meal was well orchestrated and each dish delightfully presented. This is a great experience in dining and would not hesitate to visit again. read more

Came here for a lovely dinner. Was not disappointed with decor, staff's service & food. Added note to reservations that it was to celebrate my husbands graduation and there was a hand written card on table waiting for him with congratulations. We had local oysters to start with some delicious cocktails then the seafood tower for our main to share. We both had 2 cocktails and all that for less than 200 before tip. I think that was very affordable for the quality. I'd definitely return here when in the area. Get a reservation it's a small place & stayed busy. read more

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If you like seafood, you really need to give this place a try. It's great for a special occasion, but I saw people sitting at the bar, reading a book and just enjoying the good quality food. The service was prompt and efficient. They gave us a little amuse bouche to begin, and then the real fun began. We tried the seafood sampler, which was a total star. Of note, the Fresno chili vinegar was the perfect compliment to oysters on the half shell. I would go back just for that. Indescribable. They had a variety of seafood preparations that really showcased the different attributes of the seafood. It's also seasonal, so the sample changes throughout the year. The only part that was not good was the crab claw: it had been frozen and was not of good quality. You can ask for extra saltines, if you run out. The saltines were also a special treat. The chicken liver pate with house pickles was perfectly balanced, and really a delight. read more

Seabird - Seafood sampler - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This place is an upscale seafood lovers dream. One of the best meals I've had lately and will definitely be going back next time I'm in town. Gorgeous place with incredible food and great service. 10/10 read more

Seabird - Raw oysters on the half shell - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Always one of Wilmington nc's best! Chef is a rock star! And vibe is perfect! Staff is rocking and drinks are perfect !!!

Here is an updated (as of 15 Feb 2025) brunch menu for Seabird. Not sure how long it will last since they seem to change it quite frequently. Our experience: We decided to come here for brunch for the first time even though we weren't crazy about the menu we found online, but we thought it might be different when we actually arrived and to our pleasant surprise it was! We didn't make a reservation, but the hostess was able to get us a table within 15 min. We ordered the Ricotta Pancakes, Smoked Red Drum Benedict, and the Mushroom Omelette. The food took much longer than usual to come out, which is the main reason I am giving 4 stars versus 5. Our server was actually in the process of offering us some muffins since it was taking so long, but the pancakes were coming out while she was asking us if we wanted them, but then didn't end up giving them to us. I think it would have been a nice gesture to offer them anyway, in my humble opinion. The ricotta pancakes were absolutely delicious. The cara cara [orange] marmalade paired nicely with the fluffy pancakes and the vanilla whipped cream. All good things to say about these. The mushroom omelette was tasty and they cooked the eggs perfectly. We like a softer scramble and a lot of restaurants tend to overcook omelettes, but these were exceptionally cooked. The Smoked Red Drum Benedict was yummy; the fish flavor was a little more robust than some people might be used to, not fishy, just a stronger ocean-y flavor, but also mildly sweet and smoky. Overall great experience. Would definitely go back again. Really want to try the Smoked NC catfish and grits, which is rumored to be their most popular brunch dish. read more

Seabird - Foreground: Smoked Red Drum Benedict. Background: Mushroom Omelette with a side of bacon. - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Sitting at the Chef's table was an amazing experience. The cauliflower was a light and crispy appetizer. The seafood tower is a must-have with limitless options and pairings. read more

Seabird - Seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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The bartender cut me off because I was having an emotional incident where I didn't know if my son was alive or dead. He was so rude. I will never go back read more

The seafood tower!! It is so pretty. Also everything on it is just amazing. It will be all other seafood towers to sham. Also the espresso martini. Perfection read more

Seabird - Seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Great atmosphere with a sleek and warm interior. Our server was wonderful - friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about both the food and drink menus. The cocktail and wine lists were well-curated, with some really interesting selections. The food was amazing! We decided to share a few appetizers, and everything was spot on. The hollandaise oysters were fantastic - I loved the light hollandaise paired with the crab, and the mild buffalo sauce on the fried oysters brought it all together beautifully. The tuna tartare was so fresh and flavorful, and the gaufrettes added the perfect crunch while the accompaniments complemented the dish perfectly. The Caesar salad might be one of the best I've ever had - the Benton's bacon and thinly shaved wedges of lemon were such a great touch. The mussels came in a delicious broth, garnished with fresh and pickled elements that added brightness and depth. I only wish there had been a second slice of toast to soak up that amazing broth! We finished with the peanut butter mousse and espresso ice cream. There was a slight mix-up and we initially got a scoop of banana (I hate bananas - call me crazy!), but my husband loved it. Once we mentioned it to our server, he quickly brought the espresso ice cream plus a bonus scoop of sweet potato ice cream- and that turned out to be a happy accident, because the sweet potato ice cream was incredible! We're already planning another trip back to try the SEAFOOD TOWER! read more

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One of my wife and I favorites. Delicious food, great service. Terrific cocktails. We try to come at least once a month.

If you are going to one restaurant in Wilmington, I'd recommend Seabird 10x over. I'm visiting from California and these were the best oysters I've ever had, like I would come back to Wilmington just to come to Seabird. All the other food we had here was delicious too, the pork ribs were so tender and literally fell off the bone. It's a very clean and welcoming environment, very well-run. GIVE COLBY A RAISE RIGHT NOW the sweetest waitress ever, and I appreciate everyone else including the people behind the bar and the GM you rock thank you again read more

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This is supposed to be the best new restaurant in all of North Carolina - and I don't want to be a hater, but on our one visit we were a little underwhelmed. Granted, our experience may not have produced an optimal read - all four of us looked at the menu and said, the only thing that looks good is the seafood tower ($99) - which, by the way, is perfect for sharing. Our server didn't like the fact that we were a short order and definitely let us know. But the service was fine otherwise, and the cocktails were solid if not spectacular (my wife and friend got some kind of briney martinis they liked; my old fashioned was good). The highlight of the evening was the table of four where one of the diners passed out at the table, the staff went into panic mode, and the dude across the table looked at her the whole time like "christ not this again". read more

Reservations are hard to get, so dropped in and sat at the bar. The staff were incredibly welcoming and the space was nice. Started with oysters and a martini. Both were amazing. Also, a little taster of their cornbread muffins came out on the house. Unsure of how to approach dinner since I was alone and wanted to try several things, the bartender steered me to the small plates (bonito crudo and the lamb sugo). We discussed wine pairing and made some really terrific decisions together. In all, the food was out of this world, and the service was impeccable. Will come back - again and again read more

Swordfish is outstanding. Also loved oysters Rockefeller. Cioppino was excellent Service is excellent. Highly recommend for a great dining experience.​ read more

Lucked into their Monday night $1 oyster special. It's only for an hour starting upon 5 pm opening and fills up quickly in bar and patio. Delicious! Great service by our bartender, Frean, and good local advice from Sean. read more

Seabird - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I'm on my second course and said to my husband, "I'm writing a review". The first course we opted for 4 of each type of oyster they had. 12 total. I'm speechless. The presentation, the taste, the pairings were all unreal. They even brought out the most amazing cornbread muffins for our toddler who ate all three. They don't do anything without a bang here. By the end of the second course I told my husband we need to move here. We ordered the Caesar salad and tuna crudo. As major foodies we can honestly say this is one of the best restaurants we've ever eaten at. The ambiance is romantic and chic. I'm so excited for our third course. If you are in Wilmington- you MUST eat here read more

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Best seafood meal we had while in Wilmington. The reviews we read were all great...it did not disappoint. Great menu with exceptional quality, both in food and presentation. What really complimented the amazing food was our waiter. 10/10! Oh...their gluten free considerations were on point. I highly recommend. read more

Seabird was perfect to celebrate our anniversary. We were greeted with smiles and the wonderful experience was just beginning. The cocktails were delicious and the oysters were just as delightful. Our server Colby, made us feel welcome and provided the level of service that will definitely make us return every time we're in Wilmington. The small plates were the way to go as we were able to take advantage of several items. Crab cakes , crab linguine , ribs. The chocolate brownie for dessert was a scrumptious end to a flavorful evening. Did I say we'd be back? Seabird is a must if you're traveling to Wilmington!!! read more

Seabird - Chocolate brownie, brûléed banana with banana ice cream - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Seabird was our first stop when we got to Wilmington. The ambiance is relaxed and the restaurant is very clean. The food was incredible, all made from scratch and with local ingredients. Our server Elly was sweet and attentive. Looking forward to coming back! read more