I had the pesto encrusted salmon with the risotto and asparagus to go. It was sooo delicious and the servers were super kind! I also had the gluten-free brownie with ice cream and it was super rich and decadent. Highly recommend! read more

Soooo... I loved the food but not the food description. Didn't really know some of the ingredients but the flavor and taste were amazing. Service was fantastic. read more

Selected The Basics for proximity to ALoft hotel. Turns out it was one of my top 10 breakfasts ever! Fantastic service people (due to our host's supportive, upbeat attitude toward the staff). I selected the fruit as the side with no expectations. Crazy but they had the best fruit plate imagineable. Fruit was beautifully placed, fresh, with amazing variety. I had the Southern Benedict as a main dish which was amazing! Thtow your diet away for that one! Very tasty with a Cajun seasoningn bit not spicy. Yes, they have real hot sauce (forgive me I'm a northerner). read more

Excellent service excellent food. They put a fresh spin on some traditional dishes and it is abundantly flavorful. Well done.

Delicious way to start the day! Stopped by the basics for breakfast one morning and good lord! I started with the Benedict and the sweet potato coffee cake for breakfast. Y'all, you absolutely need to try the sweet potato coffee cake. I promise you will fall in love. I let everyone at the table try a bite and they regretted not ordered this tasty treat. Service was wonderful, the waitress was extremely attentive and had everyone out quickly. Excellent service and food, I highly recommend! read more

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I really liked this spot. It's in the center of Wilmington near the Riverwalk with a bunch of shops and such in the area so the location is great. I got the fried chicken BLT on chabatta bread with a side of fried okra and garlic aioli. All of it was amazing! My friend got the same sandwich with fried green tomatoes which is a southern must have and it was done perfectly. My other friend has a salad which she enjoyed as well. We also got the pimento cucumbers and deviled eggs as an app and it was a tasty and refreshing choice! The server was extremely pleasant and fun. I'd definitely recommend this place. read more

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Now THIS is a great spot downtown! The Basics continues to be our go to for breakfast. Their service is great and the staff seems to have a great time being there. It is well decorated and laid out. There is nice outdoor seating tucked away in the Cotton Exchange. The menu is updated with daily specials and flavors. While we haven't tried their lunch or dinner, their breakfast menu has a variety of choices from lighter vegan fares to more comfort based options. I find that no matter what I'm in the mood for, there is something there for me. It's so popular that there is a wait when they open. Plus, the full bar is a nice addition. They have a couple of speciality cocktails that rotate. read more

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I have to say this is one of the best places that I've ever been in Wilmington. When arriving I was immediately greeted by the friendliest person I've spoken with in months! He was super chatty and made the menu explanation and choosing breakfast easy. I had the blueberry pancake, apple butter with a biscuit, fruit & two eggs over easy... I am stuffed! 10/10. Place is the best I've eaten in a long time. Almost forgot... the decor is great. The people are fun and the spacious but comfortable restaurant is right up my alley. read more

The Basics - Two eggs over easy, biscuit with apple butter, Side Blueberry Pancake, unsweet tea - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

This is one of our favorite brunch sites! The food is beautifully prepared and very generous! Delightful atmosphere with red brick walls, next door to the Cotton Exchange. Their homemade jam is so good - bring back a small jar and they charge a nominal fee to fill it up- a must try! read more

The best end to a long day! After traveling all day here from Southern California and walking around trying to find a place to eat, we were just so happy to be sat at a table right away. Let me tell you, this place is everything. The service: phenomenal, the vibe: immaculate, the food: every single dish was delicious. I had the Jamaican pork chop and honestly, 10/10 would order again and again. Everyone in our party loved every bit of food. We had the special meatloaf, bbq pork plate, the bird with collard greens (make sure to add the peppered vinegar on the table), and the Dijon crusted lamb chops. Finished the night off with coca-cola cake. I wish we lived closer because I'd come back all the time! read more

The Basics - Jamaican Pork Chop - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Wow! If you are looking for a small, locally owned restaurant, THIS IS THE PLACE!! Janae, our server, was absolutely fabulous. She was so kind and helpful. The Pesto Crusted Salmon with Risotto and asparagus had so much flavor! Delicious! You might be full, but don't pass on the dessert. We had the special, Devils Food Cake with Raspberry and buttercream icing! The easiest 5 Stars I have ever given!!!! read more

The Basics - Dessert! - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Food is always delicious and love the upbeat atmosphere! The staff is always so friendly and brunch is our favorite here! read more

The Basics - Grits and French toast - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Love their shrimp and grits! Great drink special cocktails too. Staff is great too! Very friendly and welcoming.

Awesome brunch spot. Really friendly service. Not too long of a wait to get a table. The most interesting touch was the biscuit and kiwi added to every entree. The sangria was REALLY strong. Pecan coffee drink was tasty. Perfect pancake. The Shrimp and grits and the omelet were mid. The vibe and design is a chill ambiance. Expect a traditional brunch experience with a bit of flair. read more

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Fantastic brunch and service. Great menu, elevated southern food with an upbeat vibe. We will be back! My husband said "best food so far" on our visit to Wilmington. Highly recommended! read more

The Basics - Great bar too! - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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A friend of friend was in town for the weekend and wanted to try a good breakfast spot. The Basics seemed like the only place in downtown Wilmington that didn't have a giant wait list. At first, we were going to sit outside until we realized that it was a giant wind tunnel and we would just be more cold (during March/April). We opted to sit inside to stay warm. The Basics does not seem that big in the inside but it can sure fit a lot of people. They have a bar in the front where people can also sit instead of waiting for a table. For food we all got something a little different. I like that we all could order some breakfast and lunch items at the same time. My friends got the steak and eggs, ham and cheese omelette, omelette with vegetables, bbq pork platter with mac and cheese and the herb fries, egg platter bowl with a side of blueberry pancakes and lastly fried chicken. We all ordered quite a lot and mostly enjoyed it all! I thought my bbq platter could have been better but I very much enjoyed the mac and cheese and fries. My friends were also in shock how much ham they stuffed into their omelette! It looks absolutely delicious! Overall, i think this is a great spot to try when visiting Wilmington! read more

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Went for lunch, had the fried green tomato sandwich with pimento cheese upgrade and collards on the side. What a delicious sandwich! It was perfectly built and all the elements were executed well. The in-house made pimento cheese was awesome. The collards had just the right amount of heat. The service was exceptionally friendly. My one critique is I felt the floors and bathroom could use a deep cleaning. The location is perfect for a pre-show dinner at the Wilson Center and I definitely plan on doing that in the future. read more

As a gay lady, I've been genetically programmed to get giddy over brunch. It is the way of my people. This place had a great brunch offerings and I was very happy with it. When we arrived on a busy Sunday, we were quickly seated. Even though the place was packed, it didn't feel cramped. There were a bunch of things on the menu for me to choose from as a vegetarian/pescatarian. I opted for the Spinach Feta Grill. The creamy spinach sauce on top of the thick French bread was simply decedent. My poached eggs were slightly overdone. The artichoke heats were a little disappointing. They tasted canned and they were served cold. When I brought it to the attention of my server, she had the kitchen make me a new one. They did warm the artichoke hearts for me; even though that's not what they typically do. The side of fresh fruit was definitely worth the up charge. There were at least eight different types of fruit on my plate, and all of them were fresh and beautifully presented. I enjoyed my meal here, and it would eat here again. read more

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We decided to try out the Basics for brunch during the Azalea festival. A few days prior we had made reservations on Resy which was super easy to do and the day of our brunch, there was a line to get in when we arrived. You do have to wait outside before they seat you, since it is such a small location, but when we arrived, we told them we had a reservation and were seated right away. (**Highly recommend doing this since it is normally busy and packed on the weekends) We got to sit upstairs, which was our first time. It still is a small area but they were able to accommodate the 5 of us, no problem. They were a little slow with the service, but once again they were very busy. We got their Mimosa special which had passionfruit in it and a shot of vodka (delicious and dangerous), and my husband got the sangria. Both were tasty, but I prefer the Mimosa more. For our entrees, I got the Migas (a Huevos Ranceros of sorts) and it was very good. At our table other individuals got an omelette, shrimp and grits, and French toast. All were large portions and none of us were disappointed. read more

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We love eating here!! Every meal is so so tasty and really just perfect! Also want to do a special shoutout about your earth friendly compostable leftovers boxes. Thank you!!! read more

Waking up in the morning we were craving a decent pancake so after looking at local morning spots "The Basics" was one of the first to pop up. Walking up to the front you would not expect it to be a whole lot. You have to wait outside to be seated which I assume is still a Covid thing because you exit from a different door as well. We were seated pretty quick and got a lovely spot next to the front window. Our server came up with prompt timing. He was very nice and got our drink order to start. Although he never introduced himself by name. After reading the online menu I went with the Biscuits and Sausage Gravy with a pancake. My significant other got Avocado toast and egg with a pancake. She loved her food and both came out looking delicious. My biscuits on the other hand though were deceiving. As you can tell from the picture they don't look super appetizing but OMG were they AMAZING. Throughout breakfast the server was attentive and the food was great. The coffee is also a really bold and flavor blend to kick start your morning. I have a 4 out of 5 though because the restaurant could use some organizing and cleaning up of the common areas. All in all a very fantastic morning breakfast place! Bravo read more

The Basics - Biscuit and Sausage Gravy with a Blueberry Oatmeal Pancake - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We came in on a Saturday after I made a reservation on their website - super easy and convenient! There was a line outside when we got there so we still waited a bit but were seated quickly. It was a very busy place. On the weekends they have a brunch menu that has a lot of savory or sweet options. They do have some specials that change each weekend and I also noticed they upcharge for sauces and certain sides. I started with an Irish coffee which was delicious and even got a little top off of coffee halfway through. I went with the classic BLT which was good and filling. I got the ciabatta which was a $1 upgrade which wasn't mentioned when I ordered. My side was the fried green tomatoes which needed a bit more crunch but had a good sauce/topping. The staff was friendly and the place had a relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely come back to try more of their food. read more

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A terrific spot in freshly refurbished downtown Wilmington. I tried their brunch items a few times, and all were great. Omelet and french toast were terrific. Service is great. I wanted to try a crab cake, but they're ginger-spiced (!?), so I reluctantly avoided them. Some of the clientele, especially during the weekend brunch, seems pretty upscale -- I felt like an old hobo, by comparison to the bright young things. But the background music was classic Broadway showtunes -- so I didn't feel entirely out-of-place. read more

Good service. Inventive food nice kitsch interior. We went for Some nearby brunch and stood outside in a long line. To my surprise everyone in front of t if us were seated. We were a large party and had to wait some additional time but after 10 minutes we were seated. I recommend reservations. My dish was the Southern Benedict which had Coca Cola house smoked ham. read more

Good pulled barbecue, love the hopping John side. Favorite part was hummingbird cake! Everything is made in house from scratch. Great place, and really friendly service. read more

Got the stew with Mac n cheese. It was balanced, savory, filling, and spiced perfectly. Service was friendly. The building is beautifully preserved. Some of the best food you can get in Wilmington. Would 100% recommend for any occasion. read more

We love eating at The Basics every time we are downtown. Food is fresh. Service is on point. Outdoor space is dog friendly. I always order something off the daily specials menu. Hubby sticks with a burger- he's addicted. Cocktails fun. One of our favorite Ms for lunch or dinner. read more

The Basics is a small restaurant located downtown Wilmington on Front Street between Walnut and Grace streets. They have a few different menus depending on the time of day and week including lunch, dinner and brunch. Everyday they have specials (i.e. sandwich, salad, entrée, cocktail) and the ingredients are fresh and locally curated. The staff are very hospitable and during the pandemic they've adopted pick up service and enforced safety measures to best protect everyone. Some of the food I've tried missed the mark like the Brunswick stew and the cranberry pomegranate sangria (tasted like Robitussin) while others were very delicious and flavorful like the oyster po boy and flank steak salad. I haven't gone to their brunch yet but I have a feeling it might be overrated. Although this is a convenient spot with good customer service the food is okay nothing spectacular but good in a pinch or to take or meet someone for a bite. read more

The Basics - Grilled tuna salad - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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When in Wilmington check out this spot. It's got a hip vibe. Chic decoration and incredibly wonderful waiters. Food was good, although I think the BL fried green T should have mayo not mustard. read more

Avocado toast with eggs This place was cute and affordable. I will be going here again! The service was also quick! Good breakfast spot. read more

The Basics - Avocado toast with eggs - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Amazing! I think we ordered every appetizer & special on the menu! It was our first time & the staff was so gracious & patient to help us understand the menu. My daughter left something on her plate she didn't care for and they offered to replace it with something else to take home. Such a thoughtful gesture. We loved every minute of our experience! The drinks were devine! read more

The Basics - Southern Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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I felt misled by the many raving reviews. It's a cute place. They seem very popular and there was a line on a midsummer Saturday afternoon. Our service was poor. It seemed like after we were seated they basically ignored us. It took a while to bring us water. Took a long time to take our order, and we were hard to miss since we right up front and our menus were closed for a long time waiting on someone to take our orders. Then, it took an even longer time for the food to come out. We were getting hangry! Food was pricey. My meal was inadequate in quantity and flavor. I ordered the Mediterranean Scramble with a side of sausages. The scramble seemed to be a 2 egg portion and a half shot amount of diced tomatoes and spinach. I chose the sausages as my side and they were puny. I was still hungry. There was an upcharge for most of the sides choices. read more

I was very excited for this place after reading the reviews and seeing 4.5 stars, but I was a little let down by the food. The biscuits and jam that came to the table before breakfast was cold and stale. I ordered the fried green tomatoes- good flavor, very basic, nothing special about them. For my main meal I ordered the crab cake eggs benedict- and was NOT Impressed. The crab cake was a lot of breading, and the crab itself had NO flavor. On the plus side, very dog friendly, and the outside seating on the side of the restaurant is nice (shaded, lots of space between tables). read more

Food was good! Had brunch with family on Mother's Day and it was busy! Our waiter was great and the food was amazing! Would definitely recommend!! read more

Excellent place! Loved the salads with the tarragon balsamic vinaigrette. Staff was very friendly! Will definitely be back!

Great experience sitting at the bar. Lovely food and great seafood. Would recommend. We came during the middle of the week and they wondered if we had a reservation, so if you're coming during peak time, I would take them seriously about getting one. Lovely humans! read more

We pretty much stumbled into this place on St. Patrick's Day in search of coffee. It, along with everything else that day, was packed. Yet, they're so attentive and on the ball that we were seated right away. Everything is homemade and this makes the menu items fresh and creative. I ordered the two eggs and two sides and chose the fruit plate and the sautéed spinach. I was ridiculously excited about the fruit - it was stacked with fresh fruit including watermelon, blue and blackberries, grapefruit, apples... The service was great, the price was fair, and the food and coffee were delicious. read more

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Loved the atmosphere and food! Highly recommend. Excellent customer service. The Carolina Cobb Salad was paired well with the Honey Dijon and Blue Cheese Vinagrette. I also enjoyed the house made Hummingbird Cake. Overall, a great lunch experience. I'm glad this restaurant was recommended to us by one of the locals. My husband enjoyed the Meatloaf. The meatloaf and mashed potatoes were both moist and flavorful and a good portion. read more

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We came up to see a concert at the Wilson Center in 2019 and stopped here for dinner. I had the butternut squash over risotto, fabulous. My girlfriend had the duck, she loved it. Very reasonably priced, you actually get more than what you pay for. My only disappointment is that it's an hour drive from my home but I will come back. We returned to the Wilson Center in 3 years later for another show and stopped here again we were treated to a fabulous dinner and great show. read more

Another great experience in Wilmington. Steps from our hotel (Aloft) in the downtown historic district. Also next-door to Cotton Exchange which makes it doubly good. My husband and I have lived in a lot of places and love finding unique one-of-a-kind experiences, especially if eating is involved. My favorite meal is always breakfast/brunch when eating out and "The Basics" did not disappoint. There's nothing basic about this place just well loved historic, clean and delicious. We were seated promptly on a Thursday and the service was A+ I decideded on the French toast with bacon and my husband had the blueberry oatmeal pancakes with bacon. We both decided we would order both again (and again). The menu offers many choices for a plethora of tastes. Again, not basic, selections and I really don't think from looking around at other diners plates that you could go wrong. Another place that goes on our "must return" list. P.S. Enjoyed the hot coffee as well read more

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