Wilmington isn’t just about sandy toes and sunsets—it’s also a brunch-lover’s playground with more options than your group chat has opinions. Whether you’re craving biscuits with attitude, seafood that swam in this morning, or a syrup-soaked tower of waffles, this city’s got you covered. Read on for our favorite spots guaranteed to turn every late morning into your new brunch tradition.
First Watch | Brunch for the Commitment-Phobic
If you can’t decide between sweet or savory, this is your brunch headquarters. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes flirt with your sweet tooth while Avocado Toast reminds you what virtuous feels like. Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict arrives with silky hollandaise and layers of tender fish. Each dish feels thoughtfully crafted, whether you lean indulgent or sane.
Portions arrive large enough to share or conquer solo. An online waitlist means you can book your spot without camped in front of the door. Patio seating fills fast but the breeze makes it worth the little bit of planning.
Project Sunrise Coffee fuels your morning lineup. Vegan and gluten-free swaps show the kitchen’s flexibility. Parking is plentiful, the atmosphere keeps things low-key, and families roam freely without a speck of pretension. Brunch here feels built for every kind of appetite. Check out the lineup—your indecision never tasted so fresh.
Seabird | Seafood-Obsessed Brunch Nirvana
Imagine brunch that feels like a seaside escape without ever leaving town. Nestled in a charming downtown building, this spot elevates morning fare with seafood so fresh, it practically still sways with the tide.
Begin with the smoked sturgeon Benedict. Its silky caviar hollandaise makes every bite worthy of celebration. Prefer something a little more casual? The fried fish sandwich showcases whatever local catch is shining that day, tucked into a soft, buttered roll. And the pancakes—yes, those gravity-defying towers of fluff—are begging to be Instagrammed.
Step inside and you’ll find an interior that balances laid-back coastal charm with boutique-worthy style. Oysters take center stage here; try the sampler or let the staff curate your flight. Every plate feels like a nod to the hardworking folks who haul in today’s catch.
Brunch here runs weekends only, and seats get snagged quickly. Making reservations is a must if you’d rather dine than hover. When the weather is right, grab a table on the patio and pretend you’ve stumbled onto your own seaside retreat. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Molly Pitcher’s American Grill | Brunch With Serious Swagger
Forget dainty tea cups and curated backdrops. Rough-hewn beams and stag horn chandeliers set the scene for big flavor decisions. Bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits combine salty crunch with creamy comfort. Crab Benedict lands with genuine crab sweetness swirled into the sauce. The fried chicken biscuit boasts house pickles that snap through every bite.
Wait times rarely stretch beyond a few minutes, even when the dining room buzzes. Dogs on the patio earn tail wags and kid giggles in equal measure. It becomes a family free-for-all, where grandparents, toddlers, and neighbors swap meal praises without skipping a beat.
Local pints and craft cocktails fuel the midday cheer. Open parking means no scavenger hunts before you dig in. This is brunch done big. check out the menu and brunch schedule here.
Savorez | For the Flavor Adventurer
You come here because you want something that feels crafted with intention. Chef Sam Cahoon has banished ordinary brunch to the sidelines. When the Breakfast of Champions arrives you’ll see why: buttermilk fried chicken on an arepa swimming in chorizo gravy. It is a bold lead that bursts through the plate.
French toast made from fried Cuban bread stands next to bright vegan bowls. Even the cocktails deserve applause for striking flavor balances. The art-lined space hums with energy and color.
The dining room is modest in size yet feels like a lively street fete indoors. Tables fill up fast and there is no reservation list to plead your case. Scoring a seat here becomes part of the adventure.
Service feels genuine and upbeat. You’ll leave with a satisfied appetite and a phone full of photo evidence.
Vegan or gluten-free? The kitchen has you covered with inventive twists that taste thoughtful. And if Instagram’s your judge, this place rarely disappoints. This is the sort of spot where flavors surprise and the vibe keeps you smiling. Check the brunch menu for yourself.
Rooster & The Crow | Southern Brunch, No Pretense
Historic Chandler’s Wharf frames this waterfront hideaway with exposed brick and river whispers. Chicken and waffles arrive crowned with apple cider bacon that crackles under a drizzle of syrup. Bananas Foster French toast makes a show of itself with sticky rum glaze. Biscuits smothered in hoop cheese and sausage gravy carry you through any lingering fog of last night.
The beer garden spills beyond the dining room, complete with string lights and people-watching views over the water. Custom cocktails arrive in mason jars, ready for noon festivities. Kid chatter and adult laughter bounce off wooden beams.
Dogs on leashes patrol the patio, eyes bright for any fallen fry. Whether you’re chasing a hangover cure or just someone who loves serious comfort food, this place delivers.
They don’t take reservations so early arrivals get first dibs. A validated lot next door eases the parking puzzle. Family-friendly never felt so unpretentious. cancel your sad granola plans and check out their Sunday brunch menu here.
Goody Goody Omelet House | Classic Diner Nostalgia
This one’s about nostalgia in the best possible way. Step into a place where eggs sizzle with comforting familiarity. Spanish omelets drenched in house-made sauce showcase why this spot feels timeless. You’ll need both hands for towering pancakes that stand two inches high. Flaky biscuits arrive so fresh they practically whisper “butter me.”
There are no avocado toasts here. Expect plain old booths and a counter lined with regulars chatting over bottomless coffee. No mimosas. No airy patio setups. What you’ll find is honest service and prices that leave your wallet cheering.
Lines snake out the door come weekend mornings because locals know a good secret when they taste one. Families gather without fuss, and strangers swap table space like old friends.
You won’t find pretense, just a perfect breakfast done right. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Vicious Biscuit Wilmington | The Over-the-Top Biscuit Stop
Vicious Biscuit makes a bold statement that biscuits are not sidekicks but the main event. Each creation feels like a showstopper on a plate.
Fried chicken perches atop cheddar-jalapeno biscuits crowned with oozing sausage gravy and a drizzle of spicy cowboy candy. Shrimp and grits come mounded so high you might need a running start to tackle them. The syrup and butter bar showcasing bourbon-maple butter deserves its own fan club.
This casual, lively eatery flirts with danger if you roll in wearing tight pants. Soon enough, a line might wrap around the block, but it moves surprisingly fast.
Outdoorsy souls can snag a table under the sky, accompanied by ridiculously good coffee and breakfast cocktails. Vegetarian and gluten-free biscuit options ensure everyone can join the feast. Free parking seals the deal for stress-free arrivals.
Generous portions and wallet-friendly prices invite you back for a second mimosa without guilt. Welcome to your new Sunday routine, where family vibes and indulgent brunch collide. See what biscuit madness looks like here.
Cast Iron Kitchen | Quintessential Southern Brunch
Here, brunch is an unapologetic ode to Southern hospitality. Every dish is built to satisfy the soul, from a meatloaf so tender it might make you nostalgic for Sunday dinners to biscuits hefty enough to double as doorstops.
French toast gets luxuriously coated in pecans, then stuffed with sweet blueberries and velvety custard. And the Dirty South Biscuit? Expect a warm, flaky monster of a sandwich that stands up to any hearty spread.
The moment you step inside, you’ll spot vintage crates and a country store aesthetic. Outdoor seating comes complete with high-powered fans to shoo away any unwanted critters. Friendly servers hustle by with sweet tea refills, and homemade mimosas offer a mellow buzz without caffeine.
Lines are part of the ritual, especially if you sleep past dawn. But those who arrive early snag prime tables. Pack your stretchy pants and an appetite—this place isn’t messing around. See if you can conquer the Dirty South Biscuit yourself.
Blue Surf Café | Wholesome Coastal Comfort
Picture yourself in an Adirondack chair with a stack of blueberry buttermilk waffles the size of dinner plates. That’s just the start of the charm at this laid-back café, where beach vibes meet breakfast classics.
Fire pits crackle on the Arboretum patio, cocooning you in warmth even on cooler mornings. Kids roam freely—mess and all—while allergies and picky palates are easily accommodated with made-from-scratch options.
Craving a fluffy egg scramble? It’s here. More in the mood for shrimp tacos in place of your usual morning eggs? They’ve got you covered. Craft cocktails and local beers line the bar, ready to nudge you into weekend relaxation.
Two locations mean two experiences. Walk-ins at the Racine Drive spot enjoy old-school spontaneity, while the Arboretum branch offers reservations and settled-back people-watching alongside meatloaf sandwiches that defy expectations.
This is the kind of place you drift into on a slow morning and find yourself calling “our brunch hideaway” before the plates even hit the table. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Savor Southern Kitchen | Modern Southern Comfort
If the thought of light salad at brunch makes you laugh, welcome to Savor Southern Kitchen. Here, biscuits and gravy are treated like royalty, while corned beef hollandaise bowls pile Irish fare on top of your morning cheer.
Waffles stuffed with Nutella and bananas foster sauce offer a dessert-for-breakfast thrill. Benedicts pull no punches with lump crab or juicy steak beneath silky hollandaise. The menu feels like a love letter to both classic comfort and playful innovation.
This women-owned spot strikes the perfect balance between cozy and cool. Even when your parents join the table, you’ll still feel like you’ve found the city’s best kept secret.
Fast service and easy reservations keep the line moving. Outdoor tables are plentiful, so nobody has to fight for that midmorning sunshine.
Corned beef hollandaise bowls pile Irish fare high enough to test your stretchiest pants. Brunch runs every day except Tuesday, and vegetarians won’t be stuck nibbling dry toast. Get a peek at the comfort food goldmine here.
Famous Toastery of Wilmington | Sweet & Savory Overachiever
Stepping into this bustling café feels like entering a brunch utopia. The menu caters to every whim, whether you crave chicken and waffles drizzled in maple-bourbon glaze with crumbled bacon or French toast bursting with playful fillings.
Servers roam the room before you realize you need anything, topping off coffee and clearing plates with perfect timing. A DIY mimosa kit lands on your table for mixing flighted flavors at your own pace. Portion sizes lean toward “take-home leftovers,” so bring a stash of containers.
The laid-back atmosphere embraces families and solo diners alike. You’ll find a sun-dappled patio where laughter mingles with passing breezes. Gluten-free, vegan, or carnivore—dietary labels dissolve into the background here.
On busy weekends, setting an alarm might just be smart. But once you taste that signature glaze or that overstuffed toast, waking up early doesn’t seem so bad. Check out the menu for your next “treat yourself” morning.
The Original Salt Works | Classic Diner, No-Frills Brunch
For over forty years, this humble diner has championed breakfast traditions without frills or fuss. You won’t find microgreens or bottomless bubbles here—just honest-to-goodness classics that stick to your ribs.
The fried bologna sandwich is a regional legend, nestled between toasted bread with a side of perfectly crisp hashbrowns. Omelets arrive so generously proportioned they could feed two, and cinnamon French toast pulls its weight without any boozy accomplices.
Coffee flows from the pot like a comforting ritual—black, strong, endless. Outdoor tables sit beneath a grand live oak, its shade as timeless as the menu. Prices remain delightfully unchanged from decades past, living proof that Simple Works best.
Be sure to carry cash—you’ll help cover the cost of scrubbing plates if you forget your wallet. But locals return again and again, greeted like old friends at a family reunion that never feels awkward. See why locals keep coming back, bologna sandwich after bologna sandwich.
PinPoint Restaurant | The Brunch-for-Grown-Ups Spot
If you crave an artful biscuit instead of a bottomless mimosa frenzy, you’ll feel right at home. PinPoint is tucked into a historic building adorned with exposed brick and a curated art collection that demands your attention.
Sundays here turn into a showcase of brunch classics with a twist. There’s French toast that oozes indulgence and eggs packed into sassy burritos that wrap playful flavors in every bite. Don’t even think about missing biscuits smothered in silky gravy so good you might consider relocating to Market Street.
Natural light streams through large windows, spotlighting original paintings on timeworn walls. Conversations flow easily when art is on the menu, too.
The space is cozy enough to bring the whole family yet quiet enough to hear every story. Gluten-free and vegetarian options make sure nobody misses out.
A shaded patio invites you to sip a craft cocktail while you people-watch. Pro tip: make a reservation, park across the street and pretend this is your weekly ritual. Sneak a peek at their drool-worthy brunch menu here.
Honorable mentions:
• Amanecer Cocina & Café – Shipyard