Wilmington, known as North Carolina’s “Port City” is a charming destination with magnificent beaches, rich Civil war history, a fun beer scene, as well as tempting vegan and vegetarian restaurants just waiting to be explored!
With plenty of classics and diverse cuisines that cater to both the vegan and vegetarian community, Wilmington has something to please everyone!
So whether you’re looking for a casual spot, want to discover some creative dishes, or want to have a relaxed fine dining experience with your family, this city has it all!
So let’s get it started!
Five Exceptional Vegan &Vegetarian Restaurants In Wilmington, NC: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Panacea Brewing Company
An exclusively vegan restaurant specializing in Southern fare, as well as kombuchas and local beers on tap all prepared in-house.
Panacea Brewing Company just had to be the first on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Wilmington, NC for the large variety of exclusively vegan fare, as well as incredible selection of kombuchas and local beers on tap.
Walk into this hip restaurant and have a unique whimsical experience thanks to the colorful and eccentric wall art, along with a very spacious interior. And when it comes to the food, expect some of the best plant-based Southern fare in town and excellent Sunday brunch, full of food and drinks all made in-house.
One of the popular starters has got to be their Cauliflower Wings which can either be prepared in a raspberry citrus sauce, or even better – barbecue sauce, then served with celery and ranch. Another starter great for sharing is the Panacea Pimento Cheese Plate which consists of a lightly spiced pimento spread with celery and a choice of either pita bread or tortilla chips.
For mains, the name might not sound that appetizing, but the Trash Burger 2.0 is a great find thanks to the plant and grain-based burger, vegan Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and smothered with queso, fried onions and roasted jalapeno. Another delicious choice is the Mediterranean Gyro which is prepared with Impossible meat, lettuce, tomato, red onion tzatziki sauce.
They also serve a super tempting Sunday brunch from 11am to 3pm and one of the incredible options is the Wheatberry French Toast which is topped with strawberry compote and creme anglaise. As for a savory option, their Chick’n and Biscuit which comes with an oversized biscuit, fried chick’n patty, pimento cheese, spicy maple drizzle, and served with a side of fries and fresh fruit.
Panacea Brewing Company is open Wednesday to Sunday and Monday from 11am to 8pm, but is closed on Tuesday.
Address: Anderson Square, 4107 Oleander Dr Unit H, Wilmington, NC 28403
2. Sealevel City Vegan Diner
A fully vegan diner with an internationally inspired menu comprising of Mediterranean dishes, as well as many from Greece, Mexico, Korea and classic American comfort food.
Sealevel City Vegan Diner is a down-to-earth restaurant serving fully plant-based dishes that are inspired from around the world, so expect a diverse cuisine including Mediterranean, Greek, Mexican, Korean and some American comfort food.
You’ll find a light and airy seating space with lots of booth seating and bar stools for that classic 1980s diner style. The staff here are also very welcoming and helpful so feel free to ask for any their suggestion of popular dishes.
The menu has a large variety, ranging from appetizers, mains, hot dogs, sandwiches and burgers, all bursting of flavor and seasonings. And some of the must-try appetizers are the vegan Fried Shrimp, warm Coconut Curry Soup or the Plantains which is a starter served with jerk sauce.
As for mains, we recommend going for their Big Taco Salad which consists of the mixture of greens, black bean tempeh chili with cashew queso, kale, tortilla chips, avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro and finally topped with salsa.
Another great pick is their Brown Rice Tortilla which is either served with melted cheese or hummus, depending on your choice, as well as avocado, sprouts, carrots, lettuce, tomato, salsa and one side. These two options are both gluten-free, so you won’t have to worry about the dreaded bloat afterwards.
Their hot dogs are super tasty and one of the winning combination of flavors is the Kimchi Dog which is also topped with kimchi, slaw and mustard. For a bit of a different option, their Shrimp Burger is a must as this juicy burger is topped with fried vegan shrimp, their home-made cocktails and tartar sauce, tomato, lettuce and onions.
Sealevel City Vegan Diner from 11am to 9pm, but is closed on Monday and Sunday.
Address: 1015 S Kerr Ave Unit A & B, Wilmington, NC 28403
3. The Green House Restaurant
A sustainable restaurant offering an internationally-inspired menu prepared with some of the freshest farm-to-table produce. Enjoy half off on appetizers every Thursday and grab your fresh produce next door in their amazing greenhouse!
Welcome to one of Wilmington’s best vegan restaurants which serves fresh and wholesome dishes. The Green House Restaurant offers globally inspired dishes, all prepared with farm-to-table produce.
This contemporary restaurant has a super appealing exterior that can’t be missed by nature-lovers because of the stunning climbing plants adorning the walls. The interior space is also well decorated with a chic, yet minimal look, giving it a relaxed and zen vibe.
This eatery is obviously passionate about sustainability and they not only buy produce from local producers, but also have their own greenhouse where they grow organic and non-GMO herbs and greens right beside the restaurant! And if you want to visit the greenhouse and pick up some greens, they’re open every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm. You can also just drop by to spend time with the plants or even learn from Michelle who is the horticulturist!
And when it comes to the menu, well we can’t suggest trying any particular dish as their menu is updated daily, depending on what’s locally available. All the dishes are prepared with lots of flavor, aromas and creativity that enhance the fresh ingredients.
Regulars rave about their robust zero-proof drink selection, including delicious cocktails and a list of natural wines. If you end up visiting on a Wednesday, you’ll be in for a treat as they do half price off the wine selection.
And what better way to catch up with your friends than around some tasty appetizers? The Green House Restaurant does half off on all appetizers on Thursday, so make the most bang for your buck!
The Green House Restaurant is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm and on Friday from 5pm to 10pm, but is closed on Monday and Sunday.
Address: 1427 Military Cutoff Rd unit 106, Wilmington, NC 28403
4. Mellow Mushroom Wilmington
This riverfront pizzeria is perfect for a fun and lively family time out around tasty stone-baked pizzas, as well as other tempting choices on the menu. Don’t miss on the amazing selection of draft beers or handcrafted cocktails and some occasional live music too!
This chain pizzeria is the place to be for a fun family meal for the excellent vegan and vegetarian options served in a lively atmosphere, full of funky and eclectic wall-art.
Mellow Mushroom does have two restaurants in this city, one located on Oleander Drive, and the second on North Water Street. We just had to mention the latter on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Wilmington for its riverfront setting, but whichever you do end up visiting, expect an upbeat and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a family gathering.
They offer incredible stone-baked pizzas that can be made vegan, vegetarian, and even gluten-free. But they also have many more choices ranging from munchies, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Pair that with one of their 30 draft beers or handcrafted cocktails for the ultimate pizza party.
For vegetarian choices, the Veggie Calzone is a great pick for the combination of oozy mozzarella cheese, provolone, spinach, mushrooms, roma tomatoes and seasoned ricotta. Another tasty choice is the Kosmic Karma consisting of red sauce, feta cheese, mozzarella, spinach, sun-dried roasted tomatoes and roma tomatoes.
As for vegans, we recommend starting with their Vegan Tempeh Hoagie which is prepared with balsamic marinated tempeh layered on top of lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and melted vegan cheese.
When it comes to entrees, they don’t offer loads of vegan options, but the option that’s well worth trying is the Vegan Veg Out which consists of vegan cheese, spinach, green peppers, sliced mushrooms, sweet onions, black olives and Roma tomatoes. You can even get crafty by building your own pie from choosing your base, cheese and toppings.
They also host live music occasionally, so we recommend you keep an eye on their social media so that to not miss out on a fun and lively night out!
Mellow Mushroom Wilmington is open everyday from 11am to 10pm.
Address: 208 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
5. Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine
Get a taste of authentic Indian cuisine at Nawab thanks to the rich spice, flavors and aromas in each dish. Enjoy your food in an inviting atmosphere with some traditional decor and a stunning rickshaw bike.
This next pick on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Wilmington is a casual spot that serves a diverse selection of Indian food that showcase this cuisine’s richness, flavors and aromas.
At Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine, you’ll get to savor authentic Indian cuisine, as well as a more modern twist on some classic dishes that won’t disappoint. The interior incorporates plenty of traditional Indian decors, and you’ll even find a classic and colorful rickshaw bike!
Start with the Assorted Vegetable Bites that include a nice selection of vegetable samosa, aloo tikki and vegetable pakora. Another great appetizer is their Mixed Veg Pakora which consists of traditional south Asian fritters, lentil flour and spices.
Their menu also has a section for exclusively vegetarian meals and one of the small dishes well worth trying are the Dal Makhani which is prepared with black lentils, tomatoes, cream, ginger, garlic and spices. Pair that with their tasty Malai Kofta Nawab which consists of paneer and potato dumplings, cream, cashew paste, nuts and raisins.
But if you want a dish that’s got it all – from the rich flavors, aromas and spice, then we highly recommend their Navrattan Biryani which is prepared with white basmati rice, organic mixed vegetables, saffron, cashews, raisins and nuts.
Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine is open Wednesday to Sunday and Monday for lunch from 11am to 2pm and for dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm, but is closed on Tuesday.
Address: 6828 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
