If you’ve spent any time wandering the Wilmington Riverwalk, you’ve seen it. It sits there, perched on the northern end of the downtown stretch, looking out over the Cape Fear River like it owns the place. 34 North—the flagship restaurant and bar inside the Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront—is one of those spots that people argue about. Some locals think it’s just a "hotel bar." They’re wrong. Others think it’s the only place worth getting a drink at sunset. They might be right.
I’ve sat at that bar on a Tuesday when the breeze was coming off the water just right, and honestly, it hits differently than the crowded spots on Front Street. It’s located at 9 Estell Lee Place. That’s a weird address if you aren't from around here, basically tucked right next to the Wilmington Convention Center.
What’s the Deal with the Name?
The "34 North" isn't some random marketing number. It’s the latitude. 34 degrees north. Wilmington sits right on that line, and the restaurant leans hard into that coastal identity.
But here is the thing: the vibe is surprisingly upscale for a place where people are frequently wearing flip-flops. You have these massive floor-to-ceiling windows. If the weather is even remotely nice, the outdoor terrace is the only place you want to be. You’re looking directly at the USS North Carolina. That battleship is hauntingly beautiful when the sun starts to dip.
Most hotel restaurants feel like an afterthought. You know the type—beige carpet, sad club sandwiches, and a staff that looks like they’d rather be anywhere else. 34 North Wilmington NC avoids that trap by pretending the hotel doesn't exist. It functions as a standalone destination.
The Food: Is It Just Overpriced Seafood?
Let’s talk about the menu because that’s where things get interesting. They call it "refined coastal cuisine." That’s fancy talk for "we take local fish and try not to mess it up."
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Chef-led kitchens in Wilmington have a high bar to clear. You have places like manners and Seabird nearby. 34 North holds its own by focusing on the source. They work with local North Carolina fisheries. If you order the catch of the day, it likely came off a boat in Wrightsville Beach or Southport not long ago.
- The Shrimp and Grits: Everyone in the Port City does shrimp and grits. It’s a legal requirement at this point. Theirs uses smoked gouda grits and a Tasso ham gravy. It’s heavy. It’s salty. It’s exactly what you want after a long day of walking the cobblestones.
- The Cast Iron Seared Scallops: These are usually the star of the show. They serve them with seasonal risotto. The sear is usually perfect—that golden-brown crust that creates a "snap" when you bite in.
- Small Plates: If you’re just there for the view, get the crab dip. It’s loaded with jumbo lump meat and served with pita.
It isn't cheap. You’re paying a "view tax," sure. But compared to high-end spots in Charleston or Savannah, the value holds up. You can get a solid meal for two with drinks for around $100-$150, depending on how hard you go on the wine list.
The Bar Scene and the "Blue Hour"
The cocktail program is surprisingly tight. They do a lot of infusions. You’ll see a lot of people ordering the "Cape Fear Mule," which is a localized riff on the classic.
But the real secret? Go during "Blue Hour." That’s the thirty minutes after the sun goes down but before it’s pitch black. The lights on the Isabel Holmes Bridge start to twinkle. The battleship gets illuminated. The fire pits on the terrace get cranked up. It’s one of the most Instagrammed spots in the city for a reason, but even if you hate social media, you can’t deny the atmosphere.
Logistics Most People Forget
Parking in downtown Wilmington is a nightmare. It’s a universal truth. If you’re heading to 34 North, don’t try to find a spot on the street. You won't.
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The restaurant offers valet through the hotel, which is the easiest route. Otherwise, use the Convention Center parking garage right next door. It’s a short walk, and it saves you from circling the block for forty minutes while your dinner reservation slips away.
Also, they do breakfast. People forget this. Because it’s in an Embassy Suites, they have a massive breakfast spread. While hotel guests get the "made-to-order" omelet station as part of their stay, locals can actually go in and eat too. It’s one of the quietest places in town for a morning business meeting.
Why This Area of Wilmington is Changing
34 North Wilmington NC is the anchor for the "North End" redevelopment. Ten years ago, this part of the riverfront was mostly industrial wasteland and empty lots. Now? You have the Live Oak Bank Pavilion—the massive outdoor amphitheater—just a few steps away.
This has changed the "pre-concert" ritual in Wilmington. If there’s a big show at the Pavilion, 34 North gets slammed. You’ll see fans in band t-shirts clinking glasses of Chardonnay with business travelers in suits. It’s a weird, beautiful mix. If you’re planning to eat there on a concert night, you better book a table weeks in advance. Seriously. I’ve seen people get turned away at 5:00 PM because the books were full.
Common Misconceptions
People think it's stuffy. It's not. It's "Wilmington fancy," which means as long as you have a shirt on and you aren't dripping salt water on the floor, you're fine.
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Another misconception is that it’s only for tourists. While the hotel brings in a lot of out-of-towners, the bar has a loyal local following. The bartenders know the regulars by name. There’s a certain group of Wilmingtonians who meet there every Friday specifically to watch the boats come in.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, if you want a dark, divey hole-in-the-wall with $2 PBRs, this isn't it. Go to Blue Post for that.
But if you want to feel like you’re actually in a coastal city, 34 North delivers. There is something about the scale of the river that you don't get at the smaller bars tucked away on Front Street. You feel the breeze. You smell the salt. You see the current of the Cape Fear, which is notoriously fast and impressive to watch.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Time it right: Aim for a reservation 45 minutes before sunset. This gives you time to get your drinks and appetizers before the "light show" begins.
- Check the concert schedule: Before you go, Google the schedule for Live Oak Bank Pavilion. If a major artist is playing, the traffic and noise level will be 5x higher than usual.
- Sit at the bar: If you don't have a reservation, the bar is first-come, first-served. It’s a full-service bar, meaning you can eat your entire dinner there. The service is often faster, and the bartenders have the best stories about the river.
- Explore the Riverwalk: After dinner, walk south. The path from 34 North all the way down to the foot of Market Street is about a mile. It’s the perfect way to walk off those grits.
- Bring a jacket: Even in the summer, the wind off the Cape Fear can be surprisingly chilly once the sun drops.
34 North isn't just a place to eat; it's the visual heartbeat of the new Wilmington. It represents the shift from a sleepy port town to a modern, polished destination. Whether you're there for the scallops or just a glass of bourbon, you're getting the best seat in the house for the city's ongoing transformation.
To ensure you get the most out of your visit, verify their current seasonal hours on their official website, as the terrace availability often changes based on the time of year and private event bookings.