The Wilmington region has seen a flurry of changes in its dining landscape, with new coffee shops, ramen spots, and sandwich places opening alongside the closure of several established eateries. Brunswick County in particular has welcomed expansions from local brands and national chains. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of the local hospitality scene.
In recent weeks, the Wilmington area, including New Hanover and Brunswick counties, has undergone notable transformations in its restaurant sector. Several new establishments have launched, catering to diverse tastes from coffee and biscuits to sushi and frozen yogurt.
Among the openings, Salty Cow debuted as a riverside tavern in Shallotte at 4812 Main St., taking over the former Smoke’d site that closed in January. The menu features shareables, wraps, bowls, sandwiches, and a full sushi selection. Southport Coffee Co. expanded with a new spot in Bolivia at 4309 E. U.S. 17, offering drive-thru and walk-up service. Palouse began soft-opening hours in February at 497 Olde Waterford Way in Leland, where customers can purchase specialty beverages alongside books and gardening supplies.
Biscuitville marked its first Brunswick County location with a grand opening on February 23 at 4425 Main St. in Shallotte, with plans for another in Southport. The Half, a popular sandwich shop, added a second outlet on February 24 at 7110 Wrightsville Ave. in a former Subway space, maintaining its lineup of warm, cold, and vegan options. Monaco Market opened at 419 College Road, providing self-serve ramen, boba teas, drinks, and international snacks. Umami Ramen & Sushi House repurposed the old Monkey Junction Fun Bowl at 5226 College Road, specializing in Japanese sushi and ramen for lunch and dinner.
Tropical Smoothie added a fifth local site with a ribbon-cutting on February 16 at 5621 Carolina Beach Road, complete with specials and giveaways. Van Gogh Gurt introduced a mobile unit called Annette the Van at 1502 23rd St. in Wilmington's Azalea Antiques. Ben & Jerry’s launched at 951 International Drive in the Mayfaire shopping center, with a grand opening planned for April.
On the closings side, Platypus & Gnome will end operations after 10 years on February 28 at 7205 Wrightsville Ave., having offered burgers and pizzas. The Green House Restaurant, the area's only fine-dining vegan spot, shut on February 21 at 1427 Military Cutoff Road. Owner Anastasia Worrell expressed being 'heartbroken, but also proud' of their five-year run, and she intends to start online cooking classes while developing a vegan cookbook. Edward Teach Brewing ceased in mid-February at 604 N. Fourth St. in the Brooklyn Arts District, following a troubled past. The Cove Restaurant closed February 13 at 2633 Holden Beach Road, but the site now hosts Co•No•Mo, a coastal cafe and lounge with a shared-use commissary kitchen.
