The Wilmington food scene is rapidly gaining attention as a destination to include on a summer travel list after being mentioned by a top website known for its national rankings.

In a recently released ranked list from Yelp, Wilmington ranked seventh in Yelp's nationwide analysis of must-vist small foodie cities.

Focusing on smaller towns, Yelp's data science team gauged cities with high ratings from visitors and analyzed their Yelp reviews. The list focused on cities with populations under 250,000 “that have must-know food scenes.” 

Wilmington ranked seventh out of ten areas on the list and was included among other popular Southeastern foodie cities, such as Charleston and Savannah, and other destinations including Oregon and Hawaii. Three cities in North Carolina made the ranking, with Asheville topping the list.

Yelp's synopsis urged visitors to look beyond the beaches and tourist attractions of Wilmington and discover a "must-try food scene filled with Southern cuisine and seafood.” Two local seafood restaurants got a special shout-out mention: First, the crab cakes at The Bridge Tender, which many Yelp reviewers consider some of the best in the area. 

Located at the foot of the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge, the restaurant offers sunset views, a range of seafood appetizers and a la carte specialties from both the sea and land. 

The other shout-out was Cape Fear Seafood Company's crab dip that mixes crab meat with horseradish, cheese and spices. Locally owned and operated, the restaurant specializes in regional American seafood, signature dishes and hand-cut fish. With two locations in Wilmington, it has received multiple “worth the drive” reviews.