The Pilot House

“The Pilot House is a wonderful place for a special event or a regular dining experience. I do not understand the slights against this restaurant. We were looking for somewhere to have a special graduation dinner for my daughter at UNCW, We were not really familiar with the Wilmington area and the dining options in the city. I chose the Pilot House based on pictures of the food and the location. We are so thankful that we did. We had reservations and were seated promptly. Our server was Aaron, who was knowledgeable about the menu, efficient and a wonderful resource explaining the menu. Upon learning my daughter was gluten-free he then asked if she had celiac disease. He seemed to be versed in dietary constraints and limitations. Our appetizer was the fresh baked bread. Wow I have not had bread this good since Carmines in Atlantic City. The bread was soft and airy in the middle while having a nice crust. My daughter ordered the shrimp and grits. The grits were creamy and the shrimp was plump, juicy and delightful. Nick her friend ordered the captain’s platter. The fried seafood plate had plump oysters, plump shrimp, flaky scallops, and flaky fish. My wife ordered the hot chicken with a hot honey on the side so the fried chicken crust was darker than what we were used to, but was not burnt. It was crispy and juicy on the inside. The hot honey sauce was the best I’ve ever tasted. and her sides of mac & cheese was creamy and velvety; her collards were tasty and fresh. I ordered the pan seared red fish. The portion was thick and flaky and exquisite . To top off the celebration me and my daughter split a piece of scratch made cheesecake. This was a piece of heaven that was second to none . We could not have been more pleased with our meal. Also whenever our server was busy with the other tables, members of the staff pitched in to make sure we were accommodated. Like I said before I do not understand this lights against this restaurant. Our experience was wonderful. The food was great; second to none. I had rather a restaurant have limited offerings and do them great than to have a broad so so menu. Thank you Pilot House for a wonderful celebration dinner! Type to enter text”

“I had an incredible experience at Pilot House. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere set the tone for a great evening. Sitting right on the water, the views are absolutely stunning—especially around sunset. It’s one of those places where you can truly relax, enjoy the scenery, and take your time. The food was outstanding across the board. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Whether you’re into seafood or something more classic, the menu has a strong variety and doesn’t disappoint. You can tell they take pride in both presentation and quality, which really elevates the whole dining experience. What really stood out to me was the service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were taken care of without ever being overbearing. Drinks stayed filled, food came out at a great pace, and any questions we had were answered with genuine hospitality. It’s always a huge plus when the service matches the quality of the food. Overall, the Pilot House is a must-visit spot in Wilmington. Between the fantastic waterfront views, great food, and top-notch service, it’s an easy 5-star experience. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending it to friends and family looking for a memorable night out. Server: NATALIE 5 STARS! NEEDS A PROMOTION!”

“We visited The Pilot House this past Friday evening. Our reservation was at 5:30pm but we arrived at 4:30 and had a cocktail at the bar. Great drink recommendations based off our asks. We were then sat at our table and had phenomenal service. Our table was touched a minimum of 6 times by different staff making sure we were set and enjoying our experience and food! We started out with crab dip and then enjoyed the sweet potato crusted grouper and the seafood bucatini which were all outstanding! We got to enjoy their new head chef’s food and were told their new menu will be rolling out in April- can’t wait to get back for more!”

“The service was incredible! The hostess was so sweet and our server, Devin, was amazing. He made our first time such a good experience, he heard us talking about how it was my son’s birthday weekend and even brought out a dessert with a candle. We will absolutely be coming back simply because of the service, not to mention the incredible food. We didn’t have a single bad bite. The drinks were also insane!! You guys rock!!!”

“I loved everything about this place. The food was amazing. So were the drinks and wine. Our waiter was awesome, attentive and great with suggestions. I especially liked the cast iron steak and the grouper. Bread pudding was memorable too & creme brulee. Atmosphere was great and the manager came to check on us. Highly recommend.”