By Judy Royal

Blackfinn Ameripub, 18 Harnett St., Wilmington
This spot in the Pier 33 northern riverfront section of downtown Wilmington has a prime waterfront location with lots of indoor and outdoor seating for all seasons. Catch your favorite sports games on plenty of TV screens, or just sit and enjoy the view for lunch, dinner, or late night. There are plenty of beer, wine, and cocktail selections, including the refreshing Cucumber Cooler and the Blackfinn Bacon Mary. Food runs the gamut from appetizers and small plates such as Fried Deviled Eggs, Southern Nachos, and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes to salads, sandwiches, and large main dishes, including Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf, Shrimp N Grits, and Chicken Fried Chicken. There is also a weekday happy hour menu with $5 noshes and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Cruz, 7205 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington
The newest creation from the folks who brought the area K38 Baja Grill and Tower 7 is now open in the bottom floor of the Grand View Luxury Apartments building just west of the drawbridge to Wrightsville Beach. Enjoy lunch and dinner daily, with tasty bites such as Truffle Fries, Florets of Fire (cauliflower), and Mexican Street Corn as well as salads, sandwiches, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and main dishes, including Tuna Sedona, Cruz Spring Chicken, and Masonboro Shrimp Bake. Wash it all down with selections from the full bar. The crisp-looking décor includes light colors in a beachy theme.
Far from France, 1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd. #204, Wilmington
Pastries, bread, gourmet chocolate, macarons, and imported French goods line the shelves at this bakery in The Pointe at Barclay, a mixed-use development at the corner of South 17th Street and Independence Boulevard that also features a brand-new movie theater and a number of other shops and businesses. Grab some sweet souvenirs or other goodies and sit outdoors with some coffee, or take them with you. Recent selections included croissants, baguettes, crepe cake, wheat bread, and madeleines, which are French tea cakes. The café is open every day except Monday.
Nollie’s Taco Joint, 3 Pelican Lane, Carolina Beach
Located just a few steps off the beach yet hidden on a side street just off the town’s bustling Boardwalk area, this spot is open daily for lunch and dinner. Tacos on corn or flour tortillas, chips with various salsas and guacamole, burritos, salads, and quesadillas make up the menu, including some vegetarian selections. There is also a lineup of drinks such as micheladas, margaritas, and cold beer. Sit indoors or outdoors on the deck, or take your food with you to enjoy on the sand. Just watch out for the seagulls!
Pho Café, 3926 Market St. #201, Wilmington
Owners of the former Saigon Bistro are back with a smaller-scale operation serving many of the Vietnamese street food items previous customers have been missing. The menu includes a variety of pho, a soup made from a complex broth paired with meat, rice noodles, white onion, green onion, cilantro, bean sprouts, basil, lime, jalapeños, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha sauce on the side. Banh mi, a traditional Vietnamese sandwich served on homemade baguettes, and boba tea are also among the offerings. Service is mostly takeout with limited dine-in seating. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Southeastern North Carolina has you covered when you’re hungry for a good meal, and Intracoastal Realty is here to satisfy your Wilmington NC real estate needs. We are a full-service real estate brokerage operating since 1976, and we currently have 13 offices with over 400 agents and staff to serve Southeastern North Carolina, including the areas of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Southport, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Leland, Hampstead, and Topsail Island.
***This list is informational only and does not serve as a review or any other endorsement for these establishments.