Smoke on the Water is a culinary haven nestled along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington’s enchanting Riverlights district. As you stroll along the Boardwalk, the enticing aroma of our delectable offerings beckons you to indulge in a symphony of flavors that capture the essence of Southern charm and coastal indulgence. Our expansive indoor/outdoor bar, a social focal point, offers craft beers and expertly crafted cocktails to enjoy with friends as you watch the sun gracefully set over the water. At Smoke on the Water, our menu is a fusion of tradition and innovation, featuring beloved classics like the fried oyster po’boy and seafood steamer pots, raw oysters, fresh salads, fresh seafood and more.
Smoke on the Water
Premier waterfront dining and event space, nestled in the Riverlights community in Wilmington, North Carolina. Here at Smoke, we prefer to give a relaxed …
Shannon Claus
Our family had a birthday party of 13 dine in earlier this January. We did call ahead and had prior reservation. Our party arrived a little early and they were already set up and ready for us to go. The hostess was more than happy to hide our cake in the fridge for us. The service was flawless. (Our family can be a bit loud and a handfull at times.) The beer was cold and refills did not lag what so ever. Lucky for us they also had live music playing that evening. We ordered an array of appetizers that all came out together, hot , and fresh. Our main dishes also came out in sync together. To our surprise the restaurant offers a big patio hang out area in the back where they had a propane fire pit going over looking the Cape Fear River. I can’t wait till the weather gets warmer so we can enjoy the view of the back patio with out having to be all bundled up.
… morecarmela laber
First time visiting the bar restaurant on the Cape Fear. The view is beautiful and the place has indoor outdoor seating with live music and fire pits. The food was just okay. They had a prime rib special tonight which I was very excited for. It was extremely overpriced at $38 and was just okay. Others at my table had more bar food and that was well priced and very good. It’s definitely more of a bar restaurant ..
… moreStephanie Hamrick
Our first visit here and we were not disappointed! The atmosphere was spectacular, service was great and the food was delicious. We started off with their jalapeño buffalo wings (absolutely amazing) and their homemade broccoli cheddar soup (even the kids loved it). Our dinner picks were the Hollywood Smashburger, Crab Cake Dinner, Meatloaf Plate and the kids Chicken Tender Basket (tenders were also amazing). The food was phenomenal and we will definitely be returning soon!
… moreDennis Duffy
Finally had a good experience at Smoke. Was there for lunch, and they weren’t busy, but hey, baby steps!
Server was in a pleasant mood, and never had long stretches of disappearing. Burger special was good!
If Smoke can figure out how to maintain even decent service, it will be a good place to enjoy great sunsets again!
… moreImelda
I went here on New Year’s Day. I had been wanting to go for the past 3 years. I finally made time to go. I ordered the fried platter, I can’t remember the exact name but it was good. The shrimp were delicious even later after I took my left overs home. The chocolate cake was delicious not too sweet.
… morestevie jacobs
my wife and I enjoyed the atmosphere but we had to pay $90 for two salads and an appetizer. Didn’t even receive what I ordered. It was my first and my last time eating here. I called and spoke to the manager and he blamed the waitress for the problems. Sincerely, Stevie Jacobs.
… moreJustin Pampuch
I had the best brisket sandwich and macaroni salad I think I’ve ever had. (Sorry mom) The brisket sandwich had onion rings, sweet peppers and a dipping sauce.
The macaroni salad wasn’t overly sauced and had dill pickle in it.
Liz had the shrimp tacos that were really good also.
That was their lunch. The waitress said to come back for dinner, it was even better.
The view was really beautiful also.
… moreRobert Guardino
The view of the Cape Fear river on a sunny fall day is inviting. The draft beer was good. I ordered the mixed grill, brisket, saugage, chicken, French fries. I love a good brisket. This was not. Not much on flavor, fatty. The sausage was terrible, threw the rest away the next day. I saved the chicken for the next day, it was okay since I added some good Staub’s bbq sauce at home. My wife ordered a grilled chicken sandwich. She said that it lacked flavor as well. Would recommend going on a nice day, order a draft beer or a good glass of wine and sit outside looking at the river, maybe sit by the outdoor firepit on a cool day.
… moreBrian Quinn
Great restaurant! We have been going to Smoke on the water for several years but it has been a while. We heard the experience had gone down hill. It has not ! The drinks were excellent, the food was delicious and the service was outstanding. And of course , the view was beautiful. Highly recommended!
… moreJessica Teeters
We visited this restaurant on Wednesday without a reservation, but they accept walk-ins. However, I would recommend making a reservation to ensure a table. The beautiful restaurant has ample parking space, which is a big plus.
The staff greeted us with smiles and warmth from the moment we arrived, setting a welcoming tone for our meal. For our appetizer, we ordered the crab dip, which was outstanding. However, I wasn’t a fan of the fried saltines that accompanied it; they didn’t quite complement the dip as I had hoped.
I chose a soup for our main courses, while my husband opted for the smoke trio. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and expertly prepared. To top off our meal, we ordered the coconut cake for dessert, which was creamy and delightful.
Dining outdoors was a highlight, especially with the fantastic weather, great atmosphere, and beautiful views. One cannot often enjoy such a perfect combination of ambiance and quality food. We had a wonderful experience and would recommend this restaurant to others.
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