The Fork 'N' Cork
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The Fork 'N' Cork

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A cozy, brick-walled gastropub serving elevated bar food, famed for its creative gourmet burgers and shareable appetizers.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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The Fork 'N' Cork

The Fork 'N' Cork

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A cozy, brick-walled gastropub serving elevated bar food, famed for its creative gourmet burgers and shareable appetizers.

"Indulge in creative, generously portioned gourmet burgers and appetizers in a charming, rustic setting."

TIP

Make Reservations

Small seating capacity means reservations are highly recommended for dinner, especially on weekends.

Lunch for Fewer Crowds

Consider lunch for a potentially less crowded experience and easier seating.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

American / Gastropub

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(910) 228-5247

Address

122 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Gourmet Burgers & Creative Bites

Gourmet Burgers & Creative Bites

Known for unique gourmet burgers and creative appetizers like confit duck wings and Beef Wellington bites.

The 20 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington Restaurants, Bars, and Foodie Festivals: Where to Eat and DrinkGoogle Review
Cozy, Rustic Atmosphere

Cozy, Rustic Atmosphere

Enjoy a meal in a charming, brick-walled bar with a warm and rustic interior, perfect for a casual outing.

35 Super Romantic Things to do in Wilmington NC: Hottest Dates in NC!Google Review+1
Generous Portions & Shareables

Generous Portions & Shareables

Portions are large and shareable, with popular appetizers like Brussels sprouts and creative mains.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Make Reservations

Small seating capacity means reservations are highly recommended for dinner, especially on weekends.

Lunch for Fewer Crowds

Consider lunch for a potentially less crowded experience and easier seating.

Try Popular Apps

Don't miss out on highly recommended appetizers like Brussels Sprouts or Beet Salad.

GF Options Available

The restaurant offers gluten-free options, catering to various dietary needs.

Tips

from all over the internet

Make Reservations

Small seating capacity means reservations are highly recommended for dinner, especially on weekends.

Lunch for Fewer Crowds

Consider lunch for a potentially less crowded experience and easier seating.

Try Popular Apps

Don't miss out on highly recommended appetizers like Brussels Sprouts or Beet Salad.

GF Options Available

The restaurant offers gluten-free options, catering to various dietary needs.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Fork 'N' Cork is praised for its delicious and generously portioned gourmet burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers, set in a cozy, rustic atmosphere. While many rave about the creative dishes and exceptional service, some diners note that the small space can lead to long waits, and occasionally service can feel inattentive.

"I cannot recommend this place enough!!!! Absolutely everything is delicious. The Duck Duck Goose burger is so unique and to die for!!!! My friend ordered the Beet salad and it was huge. She had more than enough to take home for another meal. The portions are more than generous even for kids meals. This place isn’t the biggest and is very popular but we walked right in and sat down for lunch."

Jaden Hager

"The made my day!!
I suddenly found this place, walking down the street and just got a seat.
Appreciate server Jamie 🫶
She has a great attitude, knows what to suggest and was very sweet in general!
The food was great! Fresh&healthy! Loved it! Highly recommend as they have GF options"

Alex Zubko

"This is a cool place with a lot of potential! My family and I have popped in for a late lunch. Tried to order them from the brunch menu, but a lot of items were sold out which is a good sign! That tells me that they typically make fresh and seasonal items.

My wife ordered the hot mess burger. I ordered the music city chicken sandwich. And my kids share chicken tenders and fries. We also had duck wings as an appetizer!

So I wasn’t wild about the duck wings, but I’m not holding that against them. It was my first time ever having them so I don’t really have anything to judge them with. Onion rings, french fries, and macaroni and cheese for our sides all phenomenal mac & cheese was probably a 10 out of 10!

Portions generally are huge and generous! What I wasn’t wild about it was the service it’s a small place and we just felt very unattended. Had to wait for refills. Also seen waitresses on their phone the entire time.

I would definitely come back and update this review after I have brunch!"

Skyler Rader

What People Like

Gourmet burgers and unique appetizers
Huge, generous portions
Cozy, rustic atmosphere and friendly staff

What People Dislike

Small space leads to waits
Occasional inattentive service

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, its cozy and rustic atmosphere makes it a great spot for a romantic date night, especially with its unique gourmet offerings.

35 Super Romantic Things to do in Wilmington NC: Hottest Dates in NC!

Yes, due to its small size and popularity, reservations are highly recommended, particularly for dinner.

Google Review

Popular choices include gourmet burgers, confit duck wings, Beef Wellington bites, and the Crispy Brussels Sprouts.

The 20 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, North CarolinaGoogle Review

Yes, the restaurant is known to offer gluten-free options, catering to dietary needs.

Lunch is a good option to potentially avoid crowds, and the menu offers delicious sandwiches and appetizers.

Parking can be a challenge, especially on weekends, but is generally better during the week. Some nearby lots may have a fee.

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If exposed brick, quaint vibes, bars, gourmet burgers, and appetizers are up your alley, The Fork ’N’ Cork is the perfect place to visit with your significant other. Located in the heart of Wilmington, this pub and eatery provides a wide variety of appetizers and burgers along with alcoholic beverages and outdoor seating. Enjoy a burger and a cool beverage (alcoholic or not) with your partner while exploring the beautiful downtown area of Wilmington.

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One of the earliest discoveries to be featured on Guy Fieri's “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”, Fork ‘N’ Cork has built a legacy around creative and delicious bar food. Look for appetizers like Wellington Bites, Toasted Crab Bread, and deep-fried Duck Wings served with sauces that run the gamut from hot honey garlic to habanero orange marmalade. The burgers here are stacked high, the drinks are ice-cold, and the vibes are always top-notch.

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Guy Fieri stopped by The Fork n Cork — a burger joint with locations in downtown Wilmington and Carolina Beach — for confit duck wings and Beef Wellington bites, two dishes done outrageously well. There are a dozen burgers also on the menu, and you can choose a range of toppings from tasty (bacon jam) to surprising and tasty (peanut butter), and options from brisket and the traditional beef burger to duck, lamb, and veggie burgers.

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If you think enormous, juicy burgers are just made for the dinner table—Fork n Cork will prove you wrong. I dare you to take on this epic culinary dive for brunch and not fall in love with every bite. If it feels too early for something between buns, brunch it up with a mimosa and the Brisket Biscuit: a mountain of outrageously tender, fourteen-hour smoked meat, Creole mustard cream sauce, and two runny eggs.

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Just off the Wilmington Riverwalk in the historic district you’ll find a fan favorite: The Fork ‘N’ Cork. The menu is packed with down-home southern comfort food like brisket, pot pies, and burgers. It also boasts a mac-n-cheese that was voted the best in North Carolina and seriously impressed Guy Fieri on his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”122 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401(910) 228-5247

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The Fork n Cork is a restaurant that is located in Wilmington’s Historic District on Market Street. You can go to the restaurant for delicious burgers and sandwiches, as the restaurant’s menu offers a large selection of those. One of the best burgers is the Carolina Burger, which comes with homemade chili, slaw, cheddar, and mustard, and one of the best sandwiches at Fork n Cork is the “Texas Bricket”.

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Description: The Fork ‘n’ Cork correctly appeared on the “Grab and Grub” episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” Take one look at the restaurant’s menu, and you’ll understand that this place serves seriously good eats (not to be confused with Alton Brown’s TV show). The menu is chock full of elevated bar food that brings unique dynamics to what one might normally think of as beer accompaniments.

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Fork n Cork is a dog-friendly, gastropub-style eatery in Wilmington, NC, that dishes up delicious, palate-pleasing grub. Snag a seat at one of their two pet-friendly outdoor tables and enjoy the day with Fido by your side. Start with an order of Crispy Brussels Sprouts and then try one of Fork n Cork's specialty burgers that are their claim-to-fame!

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Fork and Cork in downtown Wilmington offers up food like no other and one of the items that hits top on my list are their fried confit duck wings. The outstanding and unique twist for a “wing” offering rates second to highest on Yelp as a local menu favorite. The moist, succulent duck wings are brined first and then deep fried naked.

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James Smith, chef/owner of Fork N Cork, appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. He started with a local food truck, The Paddy Wagon, and here does “bar food kicked up.” The Texas Bricket Poutine is magnificent. The fonduta is addicting — 3 cheeses baked into a cast iron skillet with walnuts, honey, and chili flakes.

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This burger joint and whiskey bar serves up some of the most outrageous (and delicious) creations in town. The “Mac Daddy” burger, piled high with mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon, is a fan favorite, but their fried pickles and loaded tots are just as addictive. The vibe is lively, with sports on the TVs and a solid craft beer selection.

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Set in historic downtown,The Fork ‘N’ Cork is a casual restaurant serving comfort food and drinks. It only started as a food truck but gained significant popularity among locals, and it is now a cozy and stylish restaurant. Fork N Cork is known for its intriguing burgers, brisket, gourmet pot pies, and macaroni and cheese.

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One of the best ones I’ve had in quite some time is at Fork ’n’ Cork, a tiny place that started out as a food truck and is now in a 30-seat jewel box on Market Street. I had intelligence that its burgers and smoked brisket were both outstanding, and I was having trouble deciding between the two.

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What do a young student bullied by peers and a Food Network star have in common?. In 2018, Fork N Cork owner and chef James Smith let Ava create a burger for their menu. Weeks later, Guy Fieri fell in love with the restaurant’s confit duck wings and shared “Ava’s burger” on air.

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I have not had one thing here that wasn’t absolutely amazing. My favorite thing to get here is there appetizers though!. Their appetizers are delicious and unique and they have plenty to choose from.

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