This off-the-beaten-path restaurant on downtown’s north end blends a little gourmet and a little Southern with a little rock and roll to create a neighborhood gem. Located in the Cotton Exchange, once one of the largest and busiest cotton export companies in the world, The Basics is a favorite breakfast and brunch spot that serves classic dishes like crab cakes Benedict, blueberry oatmeal pancakes with maple syrup and walnut butter, fried chicken biscuits with homemade mayonnaise, and shrimp and grits with green tomato bacon gravy. The cozy restaurant features exposed brick walls covered with rock and roll posters, two dining rooms, and a full bar with an extensive variety of creative cocktails.

319 N. Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401, Phone: 910-343-1050

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