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

We have been to Seabird a number of times when visiting Wilmington on vacation and it is always excellent! The interior is gorgeous, the staff are extremely professional and friendly, and the food is wonderful. The menu changes seasonally so don't be surprised if it's different than what you find online. In any case, you are sure to find a dish (or several) to enjoy. We always go for the oysters and share a few small plates. This place is a 10/10! read more

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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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

Beautiful decor, delightful vibe and great service! My friend brought me here for dinner during my visit to Wilmington and we had a really nice meal. The food was delicious although I found my seafood dish a bit too salty. Overall an enjoyable meal and I recommend it. 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

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

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

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

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

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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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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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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I loved this place. Beautiful for a date. Cornbread on the house :) Low-key, but won't feel crazy uncomfortable if you're dressed up. I got one of their IPAs which went really well with my flounder. Watch out for the Vegan Salted Maple Ice Cream Bar. Recommended by our server -- "a dessert alot of people sleep on, but I think is quite good" So glad we asked her what was up!! read more

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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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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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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

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

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

I love the idea that of making a reservation for a group of 10 and having a slightly private room. Our server (Justin?) was super attentive with keeping our water full, drinks and got the orders right. I started with the field of dreams to drink - it was not exactly what I was expecting. The first two ingredients on the menu were strawberry and mint but I think it tasted more like blackberry. To be fair, I didn't know what a bramble was. My second drink was an espresso martini and was much better. The salted cornbread honey bites were tasty, but more salty then sweet. Our group got oysters a few different ways which were served with a small droplet container with carrot haberno sauce - which was hot!! The menu is a bit limited if you don't like seafood, but I was very pleased with the strawberry salad. They also have a vegetarian entree option. Everyone loved their food but did comment the portions are a bit small. read more

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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

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

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

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

Oh no, what has happened to this restaurant? it used to be my go to and now just OK..are we missing the great chef?? it took us 30 minutes to get a drink. OK rough start, but the food has always been the magic. My catfish was just OK. The little corn muffin they gave you was actually stale and my Caesar salad was nothing to write home about. I won't be back anytime soon. so sad this was on my top 5.... read more

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 was phenomenal! Food = Amazing Service = Amazing Ambiance = Amazing Get the seafood tower! It exceeded by expectations and I can't wait to go back. read more

This place is hands down the best restaurant I've ever been to in Wilmington. The ambiance is immaculate, with a mid-century modern aesthetic that feels cozy, classy, yet not stuffy and pretentious. My girlfriend and I dined for my birthday, and we ordered the seafood tower. It was an absolute adventure. If you love seafood, the tower is a dream come true, adorned with wide variety of foods with different flavors profiles. There were down home southern favorites like crawfish and pickled shrimp, right next to oysters en escebeche. My expectations were exceeded by miles! Our server was awesome and knew the menu intimately. Even gave me a hint on how to marinate the pickled shrimp. She was so on point and never left us hanging needing more wine or water. I can't wait to show this place to every friend and family member when we pass through Wilmington for a beach weekend and I hope they stay open for years to come. read more

Seabird - Seabird's Seafood Tower is a straight up adventure! - Seafood Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Without a doubt, Seabird claims the best spot in Wilmington. Absolutely unreal! Farm to table + small menu allows the kitchen to perfect their dishes and boy, do they. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with tasteful nautical decor. It's a pleasant escape from the over the top beach spots, but reminds you you're eating local seafood. Their oysters are second to none! With three different types of raw & three varieties of cooked, there is something for everyone. They have their own type "Seabirdies" that are farmed just for them. The seaweed mignonette is the perfect pair. And the house made saltines - oh my. Rockefeller and the fried oysters with blue crab - stellar! Other great apps: asparagus salad, chicken wings, & the pork ribs. I could go on and on about the quality, presentation, and taste. Our server was spot on with recommendations and knew the menu inside and out. Entrees were equally as impressive. They change their menu frequently, but it is stellar no matter what. They have a vegan dish - root veg succo - and the other two got the swordfish schnitzel and the seafood spaghetti. The resident German LOVED the swordfish and was pleased at the authenticity. We were way too stuffed for dessert, but they looked to die for! Drinks were lovely, and their bar is beautiful. A must if you're in town! read more

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Lovely restaurant, fantastic food, excellent service. Never disappointing. If you're a serious foodie, or a seafood lover, Seabird is a must. Innovative, creative , delicious, and always fun read more

I will start with the the things that I consider 5 stars. - Oysters (raw) are very good. - The service is impeccable - I love the decor of this restaurant - Nice wine selection, if you are spending over $50 per bottle - Cocktail menu - Restrooms are very nice and clean, very dump worthy So why just 3 stars Tim? The entrees just didn't work for me. Schnitzel swordfish shouldn't be a thing. I like swordfish and I like schnitzel, but I did not like them together. The soft-shell crab had very little meat to it. Unless I missed it, the bottles of wine started ~$50. I would have appreciated a cheaper option, primarily because I am a cheap ass when it comes to wine. The oysters are great, but expensive. You only get 6 raw or 4 Rockefeller. The complimentary biscuits are meant for a child. Very tiny. Reminds me of that Geico commercial where the gecko is giving his new neighbors tiny biscuits as a "welcome to the neighborhood" gesture. Tips - Make a reservation. Open Table app works. - This place is expensive so bring your credit card with the biggest limit - Casual attire is fine read more

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Food was really good. Complimentary cornbread. Service was attentive. It's a lovely downtown restaurant.

Insanely amazing food! I've only been to a few places in the area, as this was my second time passing through on my way to Florida, but I can say with relative ease that this is the best restaurant in Wilmington. The corn muffins were the best in I've ever had, drizzled with honey and delicious. The fried Catfish over the gritz with a gumbo drizzle with a variety of candied and pickled vegetables was... probably the best dish of food I've ever had. And I've been everywhere, grew up in NYC, and consider myself a foodie and amateur chef. The bourbon apple dessert was equally killer. Absolutely plan to come back next time I pass through or decide to spend a weekend in the area! (Would have to be a summer trip as it looks totally dead in the winter). read more

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Dinner at Seabird was epic! I ordered the Eastern Ciopinno. The broth was exquisite and perfect for dipping the perfectly toasted bread that came with the dish. Every bite was a new experience because you had such a variety of seafood in the dish! Some bites had the scallops and/or the shrimp, or you'd get the fish, vegetables , and broth . I mostly used my spoon to gather broth with each bite for the cohesive goodness that brought to every single bite. Loved loved the peppery, balanced flavors all around! Cocktail choice for me was Birds of a Feather. I loved the rum and passionfruit flavors! It was amazing. And the presentation of the drink with the gorgeous flower gets 5 stars! Love it! Inside decor is beautiful. Servers were friendly and excellent! read more

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This place understands flavor. The small plates menu is more adventurous than the mains, and worth exploring. The oyster pie with smoked fish was a standout. Easily one of the most complex and succulent dishes I've had in a long time. The small plate ribs were generous and packed a spicy kick. The tuna dish was a bit skimpy, but the sauce is an Asian inspired wonder. Service was friendly and attentive. A must-stop in Wilmington's charming downtown. read more