The Homemade Donuts At This North Carolina Spot Have People Driving Across Town

A good donut can ruin your plans in the best possible way. You tell yourself you are just stopping for one, then somehow you are leaving with a box balanced on the passenger seat. That kind of thing happens often at one North Carolina spot where fresh, homemade donuts have...

Wilmington's New Hollywood East Brewseum Pours Beer Named for Local Film Hits

A new spot on Market Street in Wilmington wants to be the place where movie buffs and film crew members alike can grab a beer named after Under the Dome while standing next to the actual raincoat from I Know What You Did Last Summer. The Hollywood East Brewseum, a combination restaurant and film museum, offers free admission to anyone curious about North Carolina's decades of on-screen history.

The best tacos in the Wilmington area, according to StarNews readers

In the Wilmington area, there's a taco for everyone and every mood. Traditional taquerias, longtime favorites, and restaurants serving everything from authentic Mexican flavors to creative coastal versions can be found across New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. To find out which restaurants resonate most with local diners, the StarNews asked readers to vote for their favorites, whether it's a place with street-style classics or something unexpected. The votes were tallied, and these three restaurants (which represent a range of taco styles) were the top vote-getters. Here's a look at your picks for the area's best taco spots. More: Best sandwiches in Wilmington? Here are 10 you should know by name No. 3: Nollie's Taco Joint, Carolina Beach Former professional skateboarder E.J. Griffin opened this restaurant at 3 Pelican Lane with indoor and outdoor seating and a quirky vibe. The Pesky Taco, which is billed as Griffin's fave, has mahi-mahi with guacamole, jalapeños, cheese, cabbage, black beans, cilantro, and rancho sauce. Also look for shrimp tacos, and The Kimba jackfruit taco. No. 2: Los Portales Taqueria, Wilmington Ramon and Miguel Villaseñor started with the Los Portales supermarket more than 20 years ago before growing the brand to three stores and

New restaurants, and oyster specials, in the Wilmington area

The time has come to say goodbye to a Carolina Beach icon. Luckily, it's also time to say "Hello!" to local oysters. If you're like me, you never said goodbye to oysters – the cultivated variety of which can be enjoyed year-round, of course – but it is officially N.C. Oyster Month. For details, and more of this week's food news, read below. What's new It's All Good : If you're looking for a new place to get a bite to eat with a delicious beer, check out the new chef-driven pub grub menu in the shipping container kitchen at this Brunswick County brewery. I, for one, can't wait to try his take on beer cheese. It's Lit : And, speaking of beer, it will play a crucial role in this new bar / bookstore in the works on Castle Street, which is slated to open in the coming months. More: Leland brewery adds long-awaited kitchen with burgers, tacos Where to eat Last call : It's some consolation that the owners of this particular tiki bar in Carolina Beach say they will bring some of the menu favorites to the new version of the bar and restaurant, which could open

This North Carolina Restaurant Is Serving One Of The Best Low Country Boils In The South

It is generally understood in the South that the best food is never found in the places you expect. This restaurant has been hiding in plain sight for years, serving a Low Country boil that people drive across state lines to eat. This place does not look like much from...

Wilmington brewery hosting fundraiser for Hope Harbor Home

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington brewery will host a fundraiser this month benefiting Hope Harbor Home, a Brunswick County organization that supports people and families impacted by domestic violence. Broomtail Brewing will host its Hops & Hope fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at the...

Cape Fear Foodie: Fall Food Events

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - As locals summer slides into autumn (and the glorious weather that comes with it) there is plenty on the agenda to keep you busy. From oyster roasts to food and beer festivals, you can quickly find your calendar booked for weeks to come. Let’s take a look at a range of foodie events in the coming weeks! Note: there are several other events I did not include due to low tickets or their general exclusivity, but if you can think of anything I missed, I would love to include it here!

This North Carolina Roadside Diner Is Known For A Liver And Onions Plate Locals Still Talk About

Choose carefully. This is where friendships with mashed potatoes get tested. The main event is already wonderfully old-school: liver and onions still has a regular spot on the menu at this family-style Southern restaurant. No comeback campaign required. It never left. The kitchen has been serving Wilmington under its current...

Publix announces opening date for new Calabash store

CALABASH, N.C. (WECT) - A new Publix Super Market is set to open next month in Brunswick County. The store, located at Commons at Carolina Shores, will open its doors Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 a.m. The 46,791-square-foot supermarket will employ approximately 140 workers. “We’re excited to welcome customers to...

Everyday Kentucky On The Go | The Winchester Cafe

Cape Fear Cooking: Ultimate game day skirt steak marinade

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - As football season kicks off and cooler fall weather settles across the Cape Fear region, outdoor cooks are looking for quick, high-flavor recipes for game day tailgates. Mike Murrill from Butcher’s Market joined WECT in the kitchen to demonstrate the recipe for a fan-favorite marinated skirt...

SeaWitch Tiki Bar wraps final weekend with live music, bartender reunion and public auction

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - Before major renovations begin, the SeaWitch Tiki Bar is hosting a packed final weekend of farewell festivities celebrating decades of live music, coastal memories and community favorites. The celebrations kick off Thursday, Oct. 1, with the “OG Bartender Legends” reunion event, bringing back longtime staff...

Publix announces opening for next Brunswick County location

The newest Publix Super Market has announced its official opening. After three years of waiting , the Publix Super Market is scheduled to open on Oct. 28, 2026, at 7 a.m., according to a Publix news release. The store, once open, will be the third operating Publix in Brunswick County, the other two locations being in Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island. The Commons at Carolina Shores shopping center will be anchored by the 46,791-square-foot Publix Super Market at 9770 Ocean Highway West, Calabash. The new store will employ approximately 140 associates, the release states. “We’re excited to welcome customers to our new Calabash Publix,” Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover said. “Our associates are dedicated to providing the exceptional service Publix is known for, and we look forward to serving this community for years to come.” Publix currently operates 1,444 stores throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky, as stated in the release. Previous coverage: Walmart, Publix race to open Brunswick locations in coming months Publix is not the only new supermarket in the area planning to open soon . Walmart submitted plans for a store and gas station on over 20 acres of

Here’s Where To Find The Best Muscadine Grapes At These 7 North Carolina Vineyards

Muscadine grapes are thick-skinned, sweet, and so tied to North Carolina that a muscadine variety called the scuppernong is the official state fruit. These grapes are native to the South, and they grow happily in our hot, humid summers, which is why vineyards across the state have built whole farms around them.

Wilmington Coffee Passport offers local adventure for National Coffee Day

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Tuesday is National Coffee Day, and coffee lovers across the Cape Fear have plenty of places to grab a cup while supporting local businesses. The Wilmington Coffee Passport is helping people discover coffee shops throughout Wilmington, Leland, Wrightsville Beach and beyond. Will and Ellen Rysanek...

Calabash Publix Opens Oct. 28 as Brunswick County Grocery Race Heats Up

Publix will open its newest Brunswick County store on October 28 at 7 a.m., bringing a 46,791-square-foot supermarket to 9770 Ocean Highway West in Calabash and roughly 140 jobs to the area. The store will anchor The Commons at Carolina Shores and become the third operating Publix in Brunswick County, joining existing locations in Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island.

30 of the best restaurants and bars in the Wilmington area

The best restaurant is always one where you can get your favorite food, made with love and served with a smile. But, of course, there are other parameters we can use to try to find the top eateries in the Wilmington area. Review sites like Yelp regularly produce lists of restaurant superlatives. USA TODAY compiles its Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year annually. And, of course, the Wilmington StarNews has asked readers to vote for their favorites in numerous polls. Here’s a look at some of those bars and restaurants that are considered among the best in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Al’s Burger Shack , 3556 Leland Town Center Drive, Leland: This restaurant, which was born in Chapel Hill, was named the Best Burger in America by TripAdvisor in 2018 and the best cheeseburger in North Carolina in 2026 by Fast Food Club. Beer Barrio , 34 N. Front St., Wilmington: This chef-driven Mexican restaurant serves the best burrito in the state, according to national roundups by both loveFOOD and Far & Wide . The specialty is its signature pressed burrito. The Blind Elephant , 21 N. Front St., Wilmington: This downtown speakeasy with an