
Circa 1922
A renowned upscale restaurant in a historic bank, offering global small plates, sushi, and high-end American cuisine with live piano music.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Circa 1922

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned upscale restaurant in a historic bank, offering global small plates, sushi, and high-end American cuisine with live piano music.
"Exceptional dinner experience with incredible food, service, and atmosphere – a Wilmington must-visit!"
Make Reservations
Circa 1922 can get busy, so booking in advance is recommended. Consider small plates or full entrees.
Oyster & Seafood Selections
Try their excellent oysters and unique seafood options like octopus and calamari for a distinct culinary experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Tapas, Sushi
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Tapas and Global Small Plates
Indulge in a diverse array of global small plates, from sushi to Spanish tapas, perfect for sharing and exploring unique flavors.

Historic Ambiance and Live Music
Dine in a beautifully refurbished bank, enjoying an old-world atmosphere complemented by live piano music.

Seafood Delights
Savor exceptional seafood dishes, including fresh oysters and unique options like octopus and calamari.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Circa 1922 can get busy, so booking in advance is recommended. Consider small plates or full entrees.
Oyster & Seafood Selections
Try their excellent oysters and unique seafood options like octopus and calamari for a distinct culinary experience.
Seating for Ambiance
Request seating away from the piano area for a quieter meal, but still enjoy the live music ambiance.
Specialty Cocktails
Don't miss the specialty cocktails, such as the Old Forester Bourbon-based drinks.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Circa 1922 can get busy, so booking in advance is recommended. Consider small plates or full entrees.
Oyster & Seafood Selections
Try their excellent oysters and unique seafood options like octopus and calamari for a distinct culinary experience.
Seating for Ambiance
Request seating away from the piano area for a quieter meal, but still enjoy the live music ambiance.
Specialty Cocktails
Don't miss the specialty cocktails, such as the Old Forester Bourbon-based drinks.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Circa 1922 for its exceptional food quality, attentive service, and the unique ambiance of its historic bank setting. While some find the noise levels a bit high, the overall experience, from tapas to entrees and desserts, is highly recommended for a memorable upscale dining experience.
"Incredible dinner experience here at Circa 1922. We haven't been back in Wilmington for quite some time but the service, food, Atmosphere were everything we remembered. We sat upstairs of this old Bank and could still here the pianist playing downstairs. Put this place on your list if you haven't already."
Larry Ray
"We had an excellent time at Circa. We have lived in the Greater Wilmington area for 3 years now and this is our first visit. We will definitely be back. All of the food was extremely well done. They were accommodating for our children and were very quick with our orders for how busy they were. The place itself has a fantastic aesthetic. The piano player arrived about halfway through the meal and added an amazing feel to the atmosphere."
Jordan Nichols
"We had a fantastic experience this evening. Their focaccia bread is delicious! I ordered the ravioli and my husband had the flounder and we both were very impressed. They grill their broccoli and he said it was the best he's ever had. I highly recommend visiting and trying."
Rachael King
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Circa 1922 offers a diverse menu featuring global small plates, sushi, and high-end American cuisine.
Yes, live music, often featuring a piano player, contributes to the charming atmosphere.
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends.
Popular choices include oysters, crab dip, mushroom bruschetta, bolognese, and various seafood and tapas selections.
The restaurant is set in a beautifully refurbished bank, offering an old-world glamour and a sophisticated dining experience.
The menu often features vegetarian-friendly small plates like charred Brussel sprouts.
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Featured in these publications
Holiday Dining in Wilmington NC
Thanks to its modish setting in an opulently refurbished bank right in the heart of downtown, the skilled ensemble in front of (and behind) the kitchen curtain, and of course, those famously fabulous tapas—Circa is a long-standing treasure among locals and out-of-towners alike. And when it comes to gathering for a good time, the prix fixe and specialty menus always hit a homerun. Must-have vegetarian snacks include the charred Brussel sprouts, and the limey fried okra boosted with chaat masala, pop-able garbanzos, and fresh herbs stirs memories of Indian street food.
15 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC
Focusing on globally inspired small plates and traditional dishes, Circa 1922 in historic downtown Wilmington is a popular upscale restaurant and wine bar that specializes in tapas-style dining. From sushi to homemade pasta, this restaurant is a must-visit that focuses on fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavors in a refurbished historic bank. Open daily for dinner, Circa 1922 carefully selects ingredients from local farmers and fishermen to ensure quality and freshness.
The Best Upscale Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Located in downtown Wilmington, Circa 1922 is an establishment renowned for its contemporary approach to high-end American cuisine. Circa 1922’s commitment to excellence is reflected in their use of the freshest ingredients, customized meats, and an array of delectable flavors. The Circa 1922 menu is thoughtfully designed to evolve with the seasons, offering an ever-changing selection of dishes crafted to perfection.
WILMINGTON MAGAZINE's Fine Dining Guide
A location filled with old-style glamour, Circa exudes the tapas spirit – to eat a variety of tastes and textures by whim. Starters of tequila shrimp, curry mussels or lobster and crab wonton lead into small plate feasts of organic greens, mixtures of lobster ravioli, sushi and sashimi, seared duck breast, stuffed pork, shrimp orecchiette, lamb shank, filet mignon porto in pastry, ribeye.
16 INCREDIBLE Restaurants in Wilmington, NC (You'll Love!)
Circa 1922 is a wonderful restaurant in downtown Wilmington where you can get delicious food which is a modern take on traditional dishes. The restaurant uses the freshest ingredients that are sourced from local farmers and seafood merchants. In addition to that, the restaurant makes its food from scratch and there’s a seasonal menu that keeps on changing.
Best Wine Bars In The Greater Wilmington Area
Step back at Circa 1922, a chic wine and tapas bar downtown Wilmington. Known for its extensive wine list featuring both old-world and new-world varietals, Circa 1922 offers a sophisticated setting for wine enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite vintages. Pair your wine with an array of small plates and shareable dishes for a memorable dining experience.
Best Restaurants in the City
Circa 1922 is an upscale, tapas-style restaurant that brings a touch of global cuisine to downtown Wilmington. This gem is known for its inventive small plates, eclectic wine selection, and handcrafted cocktails. You can savor everything from Korean BBQ ribs to Thai-style calamari while enjoying the charming ambiance of their historic building.
15 Best Restaurants in Wilmington (NC)
Circa 1922, a fantastic Wilmington restaurant, bases its menu on the idea that classic foods may be made more contemporary. With a constantly changing seasonal menu, they emphasize the freshest ingredients, specialty meats, and nice flavors. The chefs at Circa take great satisfaction in using only the best ingredients to create each dish.
Wilmington Restaurants, Bars, and Foodie Festivals: Where to Eat and Drink
Downtown, the seafood at Circa 1922 gets the white tablecloth treatment, and dishes like their seafood paella, seared sea scallops, and butter-poached halibut are neighborhood classics. If sampling small plates is your thing, you can dine on local veggies, charred octopus, crispy calamari, or even the foodie favorite: roasted bone marrow.
15 Best Restaurants in Wilmington NC You Must Try!
It has a menu featuring local American-International cuisine so there’s something for everyone!. It has dishes from 16 to 39 dollars, has a lunch and dinner service featuring vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options!. When wondering what to eat in Wilmington, definitely consider a restaurant that has fantastic atmosphere, awesome food!
10 Upscale Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Circa 1922 is a tapas bar and restaurant with a full selection of sushi, cheese, and charcuterie. It’s located on North Front Street and the setting is ideal for historic downtown Wilmington. The dinner menu includes duck, lamb, chicken, and beef options, as well as vegetarian tapas that include grilled peaches and mushroom bruschetta.
15 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC 2023
Located in the heart of Wilmington’s historic downtown, Circa 1922 is set in a refurbished bank. The restaurant serves diverse, delectable dishes from both the land and the seas, and it is known for its rich flavors and selective ingredients. Their menu features renowned global dishes such as tapas, sushi, and charcuterie.
35 of the best restaurants in Wilmington, NC
Open daily for dinner, Circa 1922 takes traditional dishes and elevates them to a modern experience. Their ever-changing, seasonal menu is sourced from highest quality, local products—often straight off the boat!. If you can, save room for a decadent dessert crafted by their in-house pastry chef.
Wilmington, NC Valentine's Day Escape
Sample savory bites from a customized charcuterie board with your special someone at Circa 1922. Offering fine dining in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington, don’t miss out on delicious main course offerings like Tagliatelle Bolognese or Seafood Paella.
Places to Eat in Downtown Wilmington, NC
Last, but certainly not least, I want to mention Circa 1922. This restaurant is more upscale than most restaurants downtown. The velvet booths, white table clothes, and beautiful antique fixtures make you feel like you really are back in the 1920s.
31 Romantic Things to Do in Wilmington NC: Date Ideas, Restaurants, & Hotels for Special Occasions
For a classic Wilmington date night, head to Circa 1922 (8 N Front St) where steak and seafood are the stars of the show, with a delightful cocktail list as well. Take your date there on a Saturday evening for live piano music to set the mood.
Heads Up Port City Foodies
Tasty little bites from the tapas menu at Circa 1922 grace this week’s Tasty Tuesday restaurant review with Kirk Pugh stopping in at Circa 1922 before hitting the galleries and the Downtown Sundown concert. We love the bar vibe at Circa, too.
Unique Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Circa 1922 is a restaurant that serves seasonal American food. What’s on the menu completely depends on what’s available to the local farmers that season. Circa’s core principle involves elevating traditional dishes to a modern experience.
10 Best Fine-Dining Restaurants In Wilmington, North Carolina
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by Circa 1922 (@circa1922nc). As you visit Wilmington’s historic center, you may come across this tapas bar and restaurant called Circa 1922.
FINE DINING GUIDE
This restaurant filled with old-style glamour has a menu made for sharing – and we’re not just talking about the appetizers or enormous desserts. The menu is full of different tastes and textures that come in small-plate portions.
Must See/Do in Wilmington, NC (Wrightsville Beach: home, living, restaurants) - Coastal North Carolina - North Carolina
I really like Circa 1922 but if you want a river view, check out Elijah's or The George. Wrighsville Beach is a must see. I personally like Airlie Seafood Co or Bridge Tender for waterfront dining at the beach.
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This chic tapas bar and restaurant has a prime Downtown Wilmington location, and a wonderfully varied menu that allows patrons to sample veritably every elevated cuisine under the Cape Fear sun.
Top Wilmington, NC Wilmington Restaurants for 2024
This chic tapas bar and restaurant has a prime Downtown Wilmington location, and a wonderfully varied menu that allows patrons to sample veritably every elevated...
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Wilmington by Diners
- Rating: 4.2/5 (531 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 8 North Front St. Wilmington, North Carolina - Categories: Tapas Bars- Read more on Yelp
Travel Feature: Wilmington, NC
After eating all day, we still had food reservations at Circa 1922. Such an elegant restaurant. They even had a live piano player.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit