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22 North Restaurant
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
22 N Lumina AveWrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 509-0177
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for 22 North Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Great shrimp and grits and curried Scallops."
(in 4 reviews)
"Their menu changes daily as well as their dessert."
(in 3 reviews)
"The menu features fresh seafood and changes nightly."
(in 4 reviews)
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Kenny F.
New Paltz, NY
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a hidden gem this place turned out to be! My date and I went in on a weekday, in the off season and there were only a couple other people in, at the bar. We had the entire dining area to ourselves which was really nice. They don't have menus since the chef changes up the specials daily, so they post it on black boards around the dining room.
We started out with a sliced steak appetizer (can't recall the name) and it was delicious. Then on to the Mahi for me and the shrimp and grits for my date. Both were excellent and the portions were very sizable.
After finishing up these meals, (both served with salads and homemade muffins/cornbread) we opted to get the peanut butter pie to go. What a massive piece it turned out to be!
I would definitely go back and after speaking with the server, found out that I can request basically ANY dish I choose with a couple days notice to the chef to gather the required ingredients. What a GREAT idea to have! -
Review from Gary S.
Commerce, MI
10/22/2011
I was seriously doubting my restaurant choice after walking into 22 North. It is poorly lit and in bad need of some fresh paint and renovations. There is no menu, just a few chalk boards strewn about the tables with the day's selections. The waiter commented that this was because they use a lot of fresh seafood caught locally. In any case, the selection is limited.
Luckily the food ended up being excellent and the service was very good. I had a skirt steak with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. It was a little cold, but otherwise tasted great. My co-worker had lobster ravioli, which he graciously let me try... wow was that phenomenal! The meal came with a fresh spinach salad, topped with mushrooms, egg, croutons, a slice of bacon and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. It was also good.
Parking can also be a bit tricky, since it is near the beach. Don't let the shabby interior fool you, 22 North is worth a try. -
Review from Heather B.
Raleigh, NC
FRESH...Right off the boat
VISIT: August 13, 2011
If you want fresh seafood, check out 22 North. It's so fresh that the menu changes frequently and they don't bother to print menus. Good for them-no wasting paper. 22 North displays their menu on a chalkboard. Yes, a chalkboard. I didn't think they made those any longer. Our waiter, Caleb, brought us the blackboard menu on an easel to our table as soon as we sat down. It's kinda quirky but fun and it shows the menu changes with the fresh fish of the day and the innovation of the chef.
Caleb was more than happy to describe all the dishes I was interested in. After he brought our wine, I asked him more questions as well as repeat two of the dishes I thought sounded particularly yummy. He dropped off a basket of breads to our table that contained 3 different types of bread. I thought the corn bread was too dry. However, the little biscuits were moist and spicy which were delicious. Caleb was very attentive and asked how we were enjoying our wine and the bread.
Since there were so many appetizing options, it was difficult to pick an entrée but I finally decided on the bacon wrapped wahoo with a black bean relish. The wahoo was very large and it came with a salad and a side of rice and a veggie, all for $23. The bacon gave the fish on nice light smoky flavor and provided some oil to the meaty white fish. I thought the prices were very reasonable for the quality, the quantity, and being located at a beach resort town. My husband ordered the Thai scallops with a sweet and spicy sesame ginger sauce. The six large scallops were cooked to perfection and the sauce was very mild, not too sweet or spicy.
Caleb invited us to come back later at night to enjoy the Saturday night special of $2 domestic beer. BTW, 22 North has a drink special every night. The restaurant was completely full with a wait list at 7:30 pm so I would highly recommend a reservation. The building doesn't look like much on the outside and the décor is outdated but it's a fun place with great service and delicious, fresh seafood. -
Review from Korah S.
Wilmington, NC
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
The menu changes nightly. I went in Jan and was the only customer. What a surprise! During the summer they are on long waits but for some reason people forget about this place during the winter. Big mistake, this is the best time to come for a good meal! If you call ahead, you may even be able to conviejust the chef to put something on the menu for you! just have to call the day before. Will definitely be back.
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Review from howard f.
Bellmore, NY
11/9/2011
wonderful food in what is otherwise a popular bar scene crowd establishment.
Great shrimp and grits and curried Scallops.
And the oyster soup was quite tasty as were the fried green tomatoes -
Review from Christine R.
Fairfax, VA
9/4/2010
A hidden gem. Not that there are many choices in this cute little beach town but regardless it stood up to it's well deserved 5 star rating. The staff was incredibly friendly, young and informative about each item on the menu - WHICH changes daily/weekly. We were told that there was one fisherman that catches for the restaurant so the menu goes based on .. the catch of the day/week. Like previous reviews said once you're seated a menu written out on a large chalkboard is placed right in front of you at your table. It caught me off guard at first but then I noticed other tables with chalkboards in front of them too. Phew, they didn't think were blind.
We started with scallop wrapped bacon, which came on a bed of white rice and a delish chilled corn and chopped pepper garnish. Yum. I opted for the clam chowder instead of the typical salad that comes with an entree at no extra cost, awesome. It was a cup but so filling, Full of clams, perfectly cut potatoes and seasoned brilliantly. We split lobster mac and cheese (5 different cheeses, with sauteed mushrooms and butter sauteed lobster) and crab cakes (rolled in a seasoned mustard, horseradish rub) served with a bed of assorted steamed veggies and mashed squash.
This was seriously the bidness. Prices were not outrageous either. PLUS saturday night was $2 domestic night. Woohoo. Couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere and surprisingly great tasting food. If I ever find myself back in this quaint little beach town I will most definitely return to see what the menu has to offer. -
Review from Tara A.
Wilmington, NC
9/21/2010
The meals here are beautiful, I'll give them that, but I got the sincere impression that their chef thinks he is some sort of gift to the area. The obscure menu made it challenging for everyone with us to find something that he or she would enjoy. The wait staff was friendly, but the bizarre (and constantly changing on the chef's whim - we were told by our waitress) menu was just a little out there.
For as fancy as the meals were plated, they weren't as wonderful as I had expected for the high cost. If you want a gourmet meal, visit Catch on Market instead. -
Review from Jen L.
6/27/2010
Hands down the best meal we ate in Wrightsville Beach. The food was fresh, creative and delicious. I loved that the menu is written on chalkboards and changed weekly. I had the local stuffed trout and it was very well balanced.
My only criticism of the restaurant is that clearly becomes just another 20-something bar after a certain point. I understand the economic realities of the situation and the bikini clad girl racing for the door was sort of funny...but not really conducive to find dining. -
Review from Crissy H.
4/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great late night place. Good drinks and mix of music. Other than that - everything is a blur :-)
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Review from Ted N.
Macomb Township, MI
7/29/2010
The atmosphere was excellent. We celebrated my parents 40th wedding anniversary their. They have no menu's but their concept of a menu was phenomenal idea. They write their menu on a chalkboard. They had some great items to choose from. Their menu is seasonal, so I am sure it will be different from what I had. I tried their scallops wrapped in bacon, then I had the New England Clam Chowder which was great and made from scratch. Then I had a tough choice to go with the Wahoo fish dish, Crab Cakes or Alaskan Halibut. I went with the Wahoo dish. The fish was dry, but I have never had a Wahoo fish dish before so it could be a dry fish. For dessert I had the Peanut Butter pie. It was outrageously good.
We order bottles of wine and beer, however they do have a Martini list. The service was excellent. If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or a romantic dinner this is an excellent restaurant to go too. -
Review from Amy P.
New York, NY
3/4/2011
I used to frequent 22 North for the fun beach bar scene. Overly the last two years I have discovered how amazing the food really is. The chef is always coming up with new blackboard specials that never cease to impress. The shrimp and grits are a personal favorite as well as the scallops. One thing that I really love about 22 is that they will make something just the way you want it. Request it, and they will do it. Service is usually good and you can always count on a good time.
I agree with some of the reviewers that the decor could be updated, however, since it is located on the beach (not in a metropolis), I think it fits the environment nicely. -
Review from Meg T.
Saint Louis, MO
8/21/2010
Great find! The menu features fresh seafood and changes nightly. Friendly service from the waitstaff and host. Really cheap drink specials.
For appetizers we had grilled wings (15 of em!!) and bacon-wrapped scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly. For my entree I had the wahoo prepared with a guac salsa thing and fresh seasonal veggies. My companion had crab-horseradish crusted grouper in a saffron butter sauce with seasonal veggies. Both were delicious. Entrees come with salads.
Really glad we found this place-- thanks to Yelp! -
Review from Julie E.
Carrboro, NC
Delicious food and great service. Loved the crab encrusted sea bass and scallop appetizer. Had a wonderful meal there while on a weekend trip to Wrightsville beach. Grew up here, wish it'd been are then.
The menu on the chalkboard features a changing menu, so looking forward to an opportunity to go back and try something new. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Long Island, NY
6/4/2008 1 photo
It was a hot summer evening and I was a tourist from New York aimlessly wandering the streets of Wrightsville Beach when I saw a chalkboard sign outside a restaurant that advertised its Fried Alligator appetizer. Now, had it not been for the chalkboard sign, I might have passed this place up...but it's a good that me and my family love to eat weird shit so we decided to stop in. It was without a doubt the best place to eat along Lumina Ave in Wrightsville Beach.
The neighborhood is like a surfer heaven and a lot of the places along the strip are trendy, but this one had such an eclectic & tasty food selection.
First of all, the wait staff was awesome. We had the nicest waiter ever and the lady who brought out the food was also real nice. I ordered a caramel apple martini and it was the most delicious thing that has ever touched my lips...okay I"m exaggerating, but you get my point.
We ordered the fried alligator and crab cake appetizers. The crab cakes were so good, we ordered seconds! The waiter was telling us that they take a huge lump of crab meat and fry it up so it's not full of bread - just straight up lump crab.
Unfortunately, they didn't have any beers on tap (booo), but they did have a decent beer bottle selection (Blue Moon, Stella Artois). They also have a quarter pool table in the back near the bar. The food was so great here that even the bread they serve was fantastic.
If you ask for a dessert menu, the waiter will actually bring out a tray with all the desserts on it so you can pick out which one you want. This also makes it impossible to NOT order dessert.
The prices were very reasonable especially for this level of deliciousness.
In the highly unlikely event that I'm ever in Wrightsville Beach, NC again, I'll definitely be sure to return here. -
Review from Angel D.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
4/21/2011
Based on the other reviews I feel like I went to a different restaurant! The decor is dreadful 80's beach house style, the place is dark and has a slight bar smell. Unfortunately though the dinner menu sounds creative the items we ordered did not have harmony amongst the ingredients used.
It might be worth a visit to the huge wrap around bar for a late night experience but it doesn't really add up for fine dining. -
Review from sami j.
Wilmington, NC
7/25/2009
This just may be my absolute favorite restaurant now!
I've been here more times than I can remember and every time I was just blown away by the quality, originality, and tastiness of everything I've had. I'm a liiittle big of a picky eater, but this is one place where I'm not afraid to try new and different things I've never eaten before because it's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing.
Story Time:
One of the first times we ate there, I had these amazing citrus/lemongrass jasmine rice cakes that were deep fried and absolutely "out of bounds" (to use a guy fieri term) and, many many months later, asked our server about them since we hadn't seen them on the menu since... the chef himself actually came out, talked to us, and was able to create an almost perfect replica for our appetizer! Wow!! I think it was that point where my culinary heart was won :) That's the kind of personal touch you don't get at every restaurant.
The menu changes daily and is shown on an easel-like blackboard; the waitstaff are stellar and will explain the nuances of every dish to you! The restaurant itself has a very laid back, comfortable atmosphere -- we like to take our time and enjoy every course. And the drinks are out of this world! Don't forget dessert -- it may seem like a lot after such a decadent meal, but fear not!, as you can take it home and enjoy a nice late-night snack. ;)
GO!!!! You won't be disappointed!!! -
Review from Katie W.
Lancaster, PA
10/4/2009
This is a great choice for dining at Wrightsville Beach. It is one of the few restaurants that is a block from the beach and is excellent quality.
The main menu is updated every day, uniquely on a chalk board that is posted outside. When you sit down, rather than handing out a menu, the server brings a giant chalk board on an eisle to your table. Very different!
They also have a bar menu, filled with your standard fried foods. The fried pickels are excellent as well as the barbecue popcorn shrimp.
In my opinion the best part about 22 North are the drink specials, every day there is a great deal going on. Can't beat the $2.00 well drinks on Tuesdays, they actually make them strong here! There is plenty of room for a big crowd on the weekends and this is the better bar choice for a late night in Wrightsviile Beach compared to the dive Lager Heads. Now if only they could get up with the rest of the country and go non smoking......... -
Review from Faith D.
7/11/2009 2 photos
Treat your tastebuds at 22 North!! After a day at the beach, my husband and I worked up an appetite.
22 North offers fresh seafood, most of it is locally caught. They do not have a standing menu, rather, they put their daily entrees on a chalk board. When they are out of an item, they erase it. The chef is fantastic! Each entree is paired with its own side. The flavor of the entree is delicious...I savored every bite! The desserts are all made in house. If they offer the peanut butter pie, get it. It is a great way to end the night!
The staff is very friendly, helpful, and attentive. We stayed approximately 2 hours eating and visiting and never felt rushed. It's not necessarily a slow dining experience, we just had a really nice time. Even though I give this restaurant 5 stars, there were a couple areas that I want to comment on: 1) Although the food was delicious, be aware it's on the salty side and 2) They still offer a smoking section. It was not distracting, but I prefer establishments that are purely non-smoking.
Enjoy, it was worth every penny. -
Review from Zack B.
Wilmington, NC
3/21/2011
As a college student here, I only ever associated 22 North as a highly-frequented bar. I knew it was primarily a restaurant (at least in theory, I doubt their books say the same thing), but I imagined the food was the standard assortment of greasy bar food. I was wrong. Like everyone else has noted, the menu changes based on what they can get from their sole local seafood purveyor. It's a really cool and original idea, but it diminishes the variety of the menu, putting extra emphasis on the appetizers. I ended up ordering two appetizers. Like most other people, I got the fantastic bacon-wrapped scallops, but mine were over a bed of hominy (or just very fine grain) grits. The entree one of my friends got, salmon stuffed with the likes of artichoke hearts and goat cheese, was pretty stellar as well.
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Review from Doug A.
Greensboro, NC
5/26/2011
Best in town! Yes the menu is unusual and pricey but it's all delicious and well worth the money if you give it a chance. I've eaten there more times than I can remember over the last 2 years or so and never have gone wrong. The decor and exterior are a little shabby, but it's a relaxed beach town where people don't put on airs. If you want snooty and overpriced, the Oceanic is just down the beach. The bar is a good place to hang out late at night, too, especially if you don't like deafening music. I recommend making reservations in the busy summer season, especially holiday weekends.
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Review from Chris and Jennifer A.
Topsail Beach, NC
12/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
Lovely atmosphere, exceptional service and beautifully plated food. You need adventurous taste buds to appreciate the creative dishes. Ours generally prefer something a bit less complicated. But we are so glad we tried 22 North.
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Review from Christina N.
Hermosa Beach, CA
9/12/2010
In town for a family reunion of sorts, it was time to break free of group meals and taste the local offerings. I trusted my fellow Yelpers once again and landed on 22 North. We arrived around 8pm on a week night to a literally empty restaurant. I was initially nervous seeing as I had lead the group this direction, but was quickly comforted by the waitress who explained to my family that it was "traditional american with a cajun flair". I had somehow missed this note in both reviews and on the website, but was beyond delighted as a former New Orleans native and knew the others would be too.
The portions are REALLY large so it is easy to share. We ordered the BBQ grits and bacon wrapped scallops as starters. The scallops though cooked perfectly left a little something to be desired with the soft bacon, but the BBQ grits were a gift from the gods. You can argue with anybody, but the home of the best barbeque is in North Carolin and this dish was proof.
This was followed up by the sharing of a duck dish, Moroccan shrimp and grits, the crab cakes (which we were assured were ACTULALLY good) and the piece de resistance: LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE. The duck was reported as "just okay", but I didn't think it would be the strongest considering the direction of the rest of the menu. My father never really opened his mouth other than to insert spoonfulls of the shrimp and grits, and to "Mmmmm, ooooh, this is, oooh..." My brother and his girlfriend split the extra wide stuffed crabcakes which were certainly more crab, less batter. They were atop a mashed potato with something mixed in that they couldn't quite place. When asked what it was, the answer "cheese" was all we needed to hear. Last but not least , I split the lobster mac and it was beyond. Thankfully it was not as heavy as it sounds and the fancy version of Velveeta shells had a lighter cheese sauce. Sprinkled with pancetta and scallions, it could not have been better.
I ate the balance of my dads grits in the morning over scrambled eggs, but otherwise the plates were licked clean.
A couple of reasons for the not perfect score:
- Ambience is kind of weird with a late night party bar (which smells like one) behind the restaurant. Revelers were playing the jukebox - which I'm all for - but it competed with the overhead music in the dining room. I don't mind AC/DC with my pasta, but I don't like it mixed with oldies.
- Had the same experience as a previous reviewer and the waitress did not clear the plates before bringing out our next course. It called for a bit of a shuffle especially with 6 people in our big booth.
- Cesar salad is "meh". Go with the mixed green and suggested raspberry vinagrette instead.
All in all delicious and I will certainly return if I find myself in that neck of the woods again. Don't be deterred if it looks slow, it will be worth it and you can rule the roost! -
Review from Jed H.
Gurnee, IL
9/9/2010
One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. This is the first restaurant my friends and I stooped in at north carolina and what a find. Service was excellent and the food was delicious. Their menu changes daily as well as their dessert. This is where we had the best sweet tea of our road trip and the best food. It's walking distance from the beach which was great for us and definitely the best restaurant out of all around. If I went back to Wilmington Beach I'd definitely stop by here again.
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Review from Jim W.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
9/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Half price bar food on tue. and thur. Cute waitresses. Dave at the bar was great. I got a burger. It was excellent.
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Review from Erin S.
Carolina Beach, NC
1/14/2009
I know I'm beach hopping, but we were invited here last Friday night for a friend's birthday. Now, I wasn't even aware that this place had food. I've only been here a handful of times and it was always after midnight and I don't remember much of it.
So, what a surprise it was to walk in to a mostly empty restaurant setting. There were 9 of us and they set us up at a big table near the window. There was only 1 other party in the room. I had a glass of wine and it was huge. Definitely worth the money.
They don't have menus in the winter so as not to have food sitting in the back not being wasted. They write the chef's choices for the evening on blackboards around the room. They also have a bar menu if you're in the mood for a salad or sandwich. The waiter explains everything in detail which was very helpful. Apparently the chef makes a new menu every night depending on availability of ingredients and his whim. I chose the stuffed flounder. It was served with black-eyed peas and jasmine rice. I LOVE jasmine rice. Everyone loved their entrees. Very solid on the food quality.
The service was a little slow. I'm ok with it when it means that there is one guy in the back making the best food that he can. But, after we ate, the waiter never cleared our plates. A bartender that my friend knows came over to say hi and ended up clearing the plates for us. It was a good 20 minutes after we had all finished eating.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. And if it weren't a 20 mile drive from the more fantastic beach that we live at, we might come here more often. -
Review from Eli L.
San Diego, CA
3/29/2011
Great food, great service!!! I'm in Wrightsville Beach on business and saw this place listed on yelp! Since it's right on the main drag, I thought I'd give it a shot. I ate the BBQ shrimp and grits and, man, they were the best I've had!!! The service at the bar was friendly and attentive. Overall, an awesome place. I'll definitely be back!
