Print
Restaurants

Latin Fusion Restaurant In Works At Pier 33

By Miriah Hamrick, posted Oct 17, 2022
Bonita Latin Fusion & Cocteleria, slated to open in the Pier 33 complex in 2023, will include outdoor seating with waterfront views of the Cape Fear River. (Photo courtesy of Pier 33)
A vibrant Latin fusion eatery and cocktail bar will join the spate of apartment complexes in the newly developed northside of downtown Wilmington’s riverfront.

Bonita Latin Fusion & Cocteleria plans to offer a menu of fusion dishes and cocktails that celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Latin American countries. Owners Jennifer Rigard and Yesenia Leon both have roots in these traditions: Rigard is from Colombia and Leon is of Mexican descent.

Rigard said they are still perfecting the menu, but highlights include ceviche, tostadas and plantains prepared in ways that incorporate flavors and techniques from Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and beyond. The food will not be "traditional Mexican food," she said; for example, they are working on a Latin twist on sushi inspired by dishes like ceviche and aguachile. Aguachilie means "chile water," and similar to ceviche, it uses an acid like lime juice laced with spicy chiles to cure raw seafood.

Tropical fruits like guava, pineapple and mango will feature prominently in the cocktails.

Rigard said the design of the restaurant will be colorful and lush to mimic the feeling of being on vacation.

"You walk in and feel like you're in a resort. You're relaxed. You're expecting different foods, different flavors, different ingredients," Rigard said.

Rigard said they want the space to feel feminine and empowering as a women-owned business. A mural will include representation of women across the world, a nod to the cultural melting pot of African, European and Indigenous influences in Latin America. 

"The purpose is to inspire other women by the look of the interior design," Rigard said. 

Rigard and Leon worked with Terry Espy, broker and owner of MoMentum Companies, for more than a year to find the right space for the restaurant before they settled on Pier 33. 
 
The restaurant, which will include outdoor seating next to the pool with waterfront views of the Cape Fear River, is located near the Wilmington Riverwalk, Wilmington Convention Center, Port City Marina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. It will be one of a handful of dining options currently available in the fast-growing area of downtown Wilmington near Riverfront Park.
 
The restaurant is slated to open in 2023. It's the first commercial project for Pier 33, which boasts 22,000 square feet of retail space on the north and sound end of the complex. 

Editor's Note: This version has been updated to include more details from the new restaurant's owners.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Microsoftteams image

The Technology Your Business Already Depends On: And What Comes Next

Shaun Olsen - CloudWyze
Untitleddesign14 2142522346

Cape Fear Buyers See More Options as Active Listings Reach New Highs

Janet Kane - Cape Fear REALTORS
Whalinheadshot11

A Commitment to Care and Community in Our Coastal Region 

Laurie Whalin - Novant Health

Trending News

Mineral Companies Shortlist Brunswick County For Proposed Refining Facility

Emma Dill - Jun 16, 2026

Novant Health NHRMC Named To Newsweek 'greatest Workplaces' Lists

Staff Reports - Jun 16, 2026

Atrium Joins Novant, UNC Health In Race For 225 New Hanover Hospital Beds

Cierra Noffke - Jun 15, 2026

Tech Wilmington: Upcoming Events Calendar

Staff Reports - Jun 16, 2026

Healing Place Announces Board Leaders, Additions

Staff Reports - Jun 16, 2026

In The Current Issue

NCino CEO Eyes AI Future

The decisions he makes ripple through his organization of over 1,700 employees, into the finance and banking industries, and, in some cases,...


OPINION: Beyond The Lab Bench

As a faculty member who transitioned from academia to the world of startups, I have learned that the journey from a discovery to a real-worl...


Making Use Of Art’s Leftovers

Creative reuse centers, which function like thrift stores, collect donated materials and resell them to the public at discounted prices to b...

Book On Business

The 2026 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season