
Caprice bistro
Experience a taste of Paris in Wilmington with classic French cuisine, romantic ambiance, and impeccable service.

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

Caprice bistro

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a taste of Paris in Wilmington with classic French cuisine, romantic ambiance, and impeccable service.
"A true touch of Paris in Wilmington, NC, offering an exquisite French dining experience."
Reservations Recommended
Caprice Bistro gets busy, especially during peak hours. Booking ahead is advised.
Try the Specials
Ask about daily specials for unique culinary experiences beyond the regular menu.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
French
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic French Cuisine
Experience traditional French delights like escargot, Beef Bourguignon, and mussels in a cozy, romantic setting.

Romantic Ambiance
A charming bistro with a pressed-tin ceiling, ideal for anniversaries and intimate dinners. Request upstairs seating for a special touch.

Must-Try Desserts
Indulge in decadent desserts such as profiteroles or the perfectly caramelized crème brûlée.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Caprice Bistro gets busy, especially during peak hours. Booking ahead is advised.
Try the Specials
Ask about daily specials for unique culinary experiences beyond the regular menu.
Upstairs Seating
For a more intimate experience, request a table upstairs.
Happy Hour Deals
Enjoy happy hour for amazing deals on mussels and cocktails.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Caprice Bistro gets busy, especially during peak hours. Booking ahead is advised.
Try the Specials
Ask about daily specials for unique culinary experiences beyond the regular menu.
Upstairs Seating
For a more intimate experience, request a table upstairs.
Happy Hour Deals
Enjoy happy hour for amazing deals on mussels and cocktails.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Caprice Bistro is widely praised for its authentic French cuisine, cozy ambiance, and attentive service, making it a top choice for romantic dinners and classic French fare. While most diners rave about the food and atmosphere, some have experienced minor service hiccups during busy periods. Despite these occasional issues, the overall consensus is that Caprice Bistro offers a delightful dining experience with standout dishes and a charming setting.
"Super cute and quaint bistro. The service was excellent. Beautiful location. I do have to say the special mushroom and leek Mac and cheese was amazing. Easily one of the best macs Ive ever had and I dont even like mushrooms!!!"
Christina Davis
"Tried this restaurant a week ago for dinner. They helped us with a table quickly and got us in without a reservation.
The service was chaotic, I had to ask for the waiter many times, ordered a beer that never showed up until I persisted and then wrong food showed up which had to be corrected so my wife ended up finishing her meal while I wait for my food; this could be a honest mistake, however, overall I was not pleased with the service.
The food tasted good and comes hot to your table so it’s not sitting there. I wouldn’t mind going back and trying the profiteroles with the ice cream as that’s what we wanted 😃"
Mohan Shash
"4.5 ⭐️ Ate here to celebrate our anniversary. Set upstairs and it’s a lovely atmosphere. Had the featured fish, mahi mahi which was potato encrusted with a buerre blanc sauce on bed of rice and veggies. Started with arugula salad (featured). Salad was huge! Fish was fab! Also had the rabbit sausage app. All wa yummy and would definitely go again and recommend!!"
Stephanie Evans
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Caprice Bistro is renowned for its charming and romantic ambiance, making it an ideal spot for date nights and special occasions.
It is recommended to make reservations in advance, especially during peak hours, as the bistro can get busy.
Popular choices include escargot, Beef Bourguignon, mussels, profiteroles, and crème brûlée.
Yes, Caprice Bistro offers dog-friendly sidewalk seating.
The restaurant features a cozy yellow space with a pressed-tin ceiling downstairs, and a lounge bar upstairs, creating a refined yet intimate atmosphere.
Yes, Caprice Bistro has a happy hour with deals on small plates like mussels and steak frites, as well as creative cocktails.
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Featured in these publications
Valentine’s Day Dining Guide | Wilmington NC Magazine
It would be a shame to not note Caprice’s achievement of being dubbed one of OpenTable’s top romantic restaurants in the country. You’ll fall head over heels for their French delights the minute you step foot off of Market Street and enter the cozy, refined bistro. I’m a sucker for swapping bites of parmesan-dusted calamari and garlicky Roquefort cream-bathed escargot on the chic second floor cocktail lounge, but when it comes to must-have mains—the Waterzooi is clutch.
15 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC
Opened in 2001, Caprice Bistro on Market Street is serving traditional French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Ranked as the number seven best restaurant in Wilmington by Tripadvisor, Caprice Bistro is taking elegance to a whole new level through the restaurant's music, service, French charm, and most importantly, the food. Open for dinner, diners will be able to order anything from escargots and mussels to homemade crepes and charcuterie.
WILMINGTON MAGAZINE's Fine Dining Guide
Chef Thierry and Patricia Moity provide experienced classic cuisine from their previous owned restaurants in Charlotte and New York. Appetizers of Streudel Danube and grilled white sausage with sauted apples and onions precede hearty entrees of breast of duck, pan-roasted pork tenderloin, braised veal cheeks, stew-cooked rabbit and lamb osso bucco. For an after-dinner drink or light fare, venture upstairs to the cozy sofa bar.
2-Day Wilmington NC Itinerary
Options include Manna (American cuisine featuring local, regional and American ingredients), Catch Modern Seafood (seafood with a modern twist), Caprice Bistro or Brasserie du Soleil (authentic French bistros), The Basics (gourmet Southern comfort food), Rx and Pembroke’s (seasonal farm-to-table menus). Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours even offers walking culinary tours of downtown restaurants and markets.
The 20 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, North Carolina
A love story is at the helm of this beloved French restaurant. Owners Thierry and Patricia met in Cannes in 1975, opened their first restaurant together in New York City a little over 10 years later, and eventually made their way South to North Carolina. Open since 2001, their latest endeavor, the intimate, dark-wooded Caprice Bistro shows off Thierry’s culinary chops and Patricia’s gift for hospitality.
10 Upscale Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Caprice Bistro is a French cuisine restaurant located on Market Street, steps from the riverfront, at the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. Their dinner menu consists of crepes, mussels, soups and salads, and a variety of entrees from traditional steak and frites (fries) to duck confit. Diners can enjoy some international flair and then enjoy a nice walk and beautiful views beside the river.
The Best Upscale Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Caprice Bistro is a culinary gem dedicated to serving traditional French Cuisine crafted from the freshest locally sourced ingredients. This charming restaurant offers a two-tiered dining experience, with an exquisite fine dining atmosphere downstairs and a cozy sofa bar upstairs. Caprice Bistro also welcomes four-legged companions, as their sidewalk seating is dog-friendly.
10 Best Date Night Restaurants in Wilmington NC for Romance
For those seeking a taste of France in the heart of Wilmington, Caprice Bistro is an absolute must-visit. This charming restaurant exudes Parisian romance with its intimate setting and authentic French cuisine. The cozy downstairs dining room is perfect for a casual date night, but for an extra touch of romance, I suggest requesting a table upstairs by the window.
Southern Living magazine names Wilmington's best restaurants
It includes well-known, chef-driven eateries like manna, Seabird, Catch, PinPoint and the new Olivero -- as well as local favorites like Indochine, The Basics and Caprice Bistro. But it isn't all fine-dining, or even sit-down eateries. Britt's Donut Shop is on the list along with the nearby Carolina Beach biscuit spot The Southerly.
35 of the best restaurants in Wilmington, NC
Chef Thierry Moity and his wife, Patricia, have been serving up regional French cuisine to Americans for more than 35 years. In 2001, they opened Caprice Bistro in Wilmington. Now, the dinner restaurant offers a full menu of Francophile favorites, including escargot, mussels du jour, and beef bourguignon.
15 Must-Try Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Caprice Bistro is located in historic downtown Wilmington and has been in its location since 2001. Fun fact, it is featured in the Hallmark movie USS Christmas. The cozy interior is so charming and inviting and my personal favorite seating area is the loft on the second floor.
These Wilmington restaurants are best for cozy, romantic vibes
This long-time Wilmington French bistro is a stronghold of dining downtown. Enjoy authentic French cuisine either downstairs in the cafe or upstairs in the cozy lounge. The curried mussels are fantastic, don’t skip on their martinis and definitely don’t leave without dessert.
Sand Play: Donald Ross Golf in Wilmington, N.C.
This continues inside Caprice Bistro, where ceilings are covered in pressed tin. Try its house specialty – Waterzooi – a mix of local seafood and cream broth. The menu also includes traditional French dishes such as duck confit, beef bourguignon and a three-chocolate mousse.
Unique Restaurants in Wilmington NC
Caprice Bistro is a French restaurant founded by a couple from France. It is a nice and relaxed place to have a good dinner in a quaint setting. They have a great menu filled with choices that will delight you and anyone you bring over with you.
Top Carolina Beach Wilmington Restaurants for 2025
Caprice Bistro is Wilmington’s go-to for incredible martinis and French cuisine in the heart of the Downtown area. Found within a classic brick building, and boasting two levels of dining, (including an upstairs bar that’s popular with...
15+ Romantic Things To Do In Wilmington, NC
If you want romance, you want to go to Caprice Bistro (10 Market Street). But, very specifically, you want to sit upstairs in the sofa bar. It offers a small menu compared to the full restaurant downstairs, but a full cocktail menu.
13 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC 2023
Caprice is a French bistro with an abundance of charm that compels locals and travelers alike to return again and again!. Although quaint, Caprice’s excellent servers can help you get started with a heaping plate of escargot.
Top Wilmington, NC Restaurants for 2025
Caprice Bistro is Wilmington’s go-to for incredible martinis and French cuisine in the heart of the Downtown area. Found within a classic brick building, and boasting two levels of dining, (including an upstairs...
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 Caprice Bistro (@capricebistro). Do you want to experience Parisian-style elegant dining?
Wilmington, NC Valentine's Day Escape
The elegant Caprice Bistro is another perfect place for Valentine’s Day dinner. The elevated French cuisine perfectly complements the restaurant’s romantic atmosphere.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Wilmington by Diners
- Rating: 4.5/5 (349 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 10 Market St. Wilmington, North Carolina - Categories: French- Read more on Yelp
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