5 Best Burger Spots in Wilmington that Locals Rave About

Wilmington, NC is better known for seafood and riverfront dining, but locals have serious opinions on where to get a top‑tier burger. These are the names that keep popping up.

1. Winnie’s Tavern

Ask anyone who grew up in Wilmington where to get a great burger and “Winnie’s” is usually the first answer.

This is a no‑frills, old‑school joint that’s been around forever. Burgers are big, juicy, and cooked on a well‑seasoned flat top. The Carolina‑style setups—chili, slaw, onions, and mustard—are legendary, but even a plain cheeseburger hits the spot. The vibe is casual, a little divey, and very local.

2. PT’s Olde Fashioned Grille

With multiple locations around town, PT’s is a go‑to for a simple, reliably good burger.

You order at the counter, choose your toppings, and they grill your burger fresh. Patties are flavorful and not overly fancy, buns are toasted, and the hand‑cut fries get constant praise. It’s fast, friendly, and very much an everyday burger spot.

3. Fork n Cork

Downtown Wilmington, Fork n Cork is a small, always‑busy spot that feels like a bar crossed with a chef’s test kitchen.

Burgers lean creative: pimento cheese, bacon jam, fried onions, jalapeños, specialty sauces, and more. The patties are juicy and rich, and the toppings are bold without being gimmicky. You’ll want to get there early or be ready to wait—it’s that popular.

4. Poe’s Tavern (Wrightsville Beach – a short drive)

Poe’s is technically out toward the beach, but locals treat it like part of their burger circuit.

Burgers are big, cooked medium‑ish, and come with toppings themed around Edgar Allan Poe stories—think spicy jalapeños, queso, guacamole, bacon, and fried onions. The fries are crisp, the onion straws are addictive, and the beach‑adjacent setting doesn’t hurt.

5. Hops Supply Co.

A modern gastropub‑style spot with a solid burger program.

Look for thick, juicy patties on brioche buns, with toppings like smoked Gouda, bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, and house aioli. It’s more “sit‑down dinner burger” than dive‑bar burger, with craft beers on tap and plenty of shareable apps to round things out.