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Circa 1922, Wilmington, NC

Circa 1922

4.4
4.4
1173 Reviews
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates
Circa 1922 is home to tapas-style dining and wine bar in historic downtown Wilmington. Regionally-themed sharing platters are a popular new addition to the menu allowing guests to sample several tapas offerings. A 12-bottle custom cruvinet keeps our wines by the glass consistently fresh and true to taste or choose from an eclectic international selection of wines by the bottle. After-work tapas specials, weekly sushi specials and a 3-course prix Fixe menu make Circa 1922 a popular downtown destination.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, International
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (910) 762-1922
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Kyle McKnight
  • Private party facilities
    Semi-private upstairs dining room accommodates up to 65 guests. May be utilized for either hors d'oeuvres receptions or sit-down dinners. Private parties are offered a 4-course limited menu. Customized menus are also available.
  • Private party contact
    Greg Lightcap: (910) 762-1922
  • Neighbourhood
    Wilmington
  • Cross Street
    Market Street
  • Parking Details
    Market Street parking deck located directly behind Circa 1922. First hour is free, $1 for each additional hour. Special rates for weekday evenings. $5 after 9:00pm on weekends. On-street parking is free after 6:30pm and all day on Sundays.
  • Entertainment
    Live jazz piano standards Friday & Saturday evenings from 8:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Indoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,173 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

1,173 Reviews
  1. luvCapeMay

    Raleigh

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Reviewed on January 16, 2020

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Love Circa 1922. We always get the same waiter with a very dry sense of humor. The food is delicious!

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  2. CarolR

    Wilmington

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on October 20, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    The food is amazing. Service is always excellent. Love the decor, gives one a feeling of warmth and comfort.

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  3. JenniferD

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on July 4, 2019

    overall2foodserviceambience
    Waiter we had was so borderline rude. He's been there forever but ruined our dining experience. The food isn't what it use to be, which is sad because it was definitely a favorite of mine.

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  4. LawrenceD

    Washington DC

    62 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    62 reviews

    Reviewed on June 24, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Good food, good service, lousy wine list, really small portions, GOOD piano player. Nice evening, all and all, but we had to stop for ice cream.

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  5. AnnaS

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Reviewed on June 19, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    It's one of our favorite spots in town. Love everything about it!

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  6. Jennifer910

    Wilmington

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on June 3, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Excellent food in a nice atmosphere downtown. One of my favorites!

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  7. Kwipke

    Wilmington

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Reviewed on May 31, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Please see all my previous reviews for Caprice. This is a wonderful restaurant. We've never had less than a wonderful meal there.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was delicious and the service was very attentive. Went for my son's graduation from UNCW with his Master's Degree. Having reservations helped to make sure we would celebrate with style!

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  9. JosephS

    Wilmington

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our third visit to Circa 1922 and had an excellent dining experience as usual. We will definitely be back!

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. The duck was prepared to perfection.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2017

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    It has been a really long time since I’ve been to circa, and it used to be my favorite place to go downtown. We were seated upstairs to celebrate two adult birthdays and there was only one other family up there with a baby. It was a Friday night but clearly the staff was ready for us to leave by 9pm as they were cleaning and blowing out candles. We also got shooed off the sidewalk in front of the restaurant as we were waiting on our Uber- kind of rude. I️ miss the old menu of tapas as well, wish they would bring that back as it seems the food was not as good as I recalled. That said the mushroom truffle bruschetta was my favorite.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Wilmington

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We have always loved Circa, especially for special occasions. I was not as thrilled with the new menu. I guess it's been a while since we were in last. I miss the sushi roll.

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  13. RJOHNS

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2017

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    The food was good, but nothing to write home about. We walked in with high hopes based on all the good reviews, but ultimately left feeling it was nothing special. The highlight was the beet and arugula salad, it was delicious. The restaurant is beautiful, but overall the experience was underwhelming.

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  14. Hank

    Wilmington

    160 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    160 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Circa is always a great meal and offers a wide range of tasty food and drink. Ash and his team make sure you have a wonderful dinner. Go and try different things with your friends.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent service.

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  16. DanielleN

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time in Wilmington, and we wanted to go to a nice restaurant to celebrate a birthday, and Circa 1922 was exactly what we were looking for! We were in a back booth, so it was cozy and romantic, and the piano playing was wonderful, but not overly loud. Our service was outstanding, and our server was attentive but not overbearing, knowledgeable, and friendly. We decided on a bottle of champagne, and our server did a great job with this! Food was exceptional--we had the shrimp and pork spring rolls appetizer--delicious! I had the shrimp ceviche cold tapas, I really liked it and loved the marinade. My boyfriend had the filet and said it was one of the best he's ever had. We will definitely be back when we are town again!

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  17. Rifkie

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Lovely restaurant. Wonderful service. Waiter was especially helpful. Very good value

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Some of the best food I've had in years - and - priced reasonably. Next time I am in Wilmington I will definitely go back.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best meals we've had EVER - and we've travelled all over the world. Everything was delicious, great service, creative plating & nice ambience. Only complaint is the ceiling fans were on and it was quite chilly/drafty.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved the food and wine! The service was excellent would go back for sure!

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  21. BDUJeff

    Raleigh

    47 reviews

    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2017

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    This is my second time at this restaurant. Everything was very nice, but there always seemed to be one thing lacking throughout the night. From the moment the hostess sat us down at a table with four seats. We sat closes to the server, but the hostess took those settings from the table. We decided to wait to see if our waitress would move the other setting to over in front of us. She did not. Not a big deal, but it's just lacking that level of service I have come to expect at this level of restaurants. A few other things struck me in the same way throughout the night, but no need to list them. All of the food was timed very well. Temperature, presentation, and flavors were on point. Wine suggestions were all spot on. Dessert selection was the single shot glass style we have seen at many restaurants. We tried six (special night) and none were as good as the restaurant's own vanilla ice cream. We look forward to returning any time we come to Wilmington.

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  22. PatrickH

    Greensboro

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2017

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    An excellent array of tapas and some bodacious desserts. Our server, Yana, was great fun.

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  23. Annimal

    Charlotte

    40 reviews

    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A beautiful space. We ate upstairs. Amazing service,and a delicious array of tapas. Great for special occasions. Loud and lively on a Saturday night. A great experience.

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  24. FoodieJ

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2017

    overall4food2service5ambience2
    It was a special occasion for only 2, which was on our reservation in hopes of getting decent more private seating. The notes on the reservation were clearly not taken into account at all. Instead we were crammed at a 2-seater table at the end of a row in the back,right on the edge of a step, and surrounded by a very loud and large group (bachaelorette party.) Neither meals, lamb ragu and paella were served barely warm. The best thing about the evening was our server, Robert, who deserves an award for keeping it all together as busy as he was. And no, I did not complain as he was already so busy. I was really looking forward to Circa 1922 as I had only heard amazing things about this place as a “special occasion” venue and as a perfect ending to a full day of celebrating a special day. Doubtful I will return. What a let down.

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  25. Carolinaretirees

    Wilmington

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely loved our dinner. Great choices on the menu especially if you just feel like having a light bite. Plenty of tapas plates to choice from. Entrees were extremely thought out. And I loved that they have large plate desserts, big enough for our table of 4 to share. This was the first time we've ever sat upstairs and it was very romantic....The staff is definitely professional and our waitress made sure to ask if we had tickets for a play that evening and would make sure we got our food quickly. Circa is one of those restaurants that is a neighborhood gem with constantly great food and service and flexible in being a place for an intimate dinner, quick bite or a great place for a group.

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  26. KennethB

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Disappointed the carpaccio wasn't available, but an excellent meal nevertheless.

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  27. AyserNC1

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2017

    overall5food5service2ambience5
    We really enjoyed the food and wine. Our server, however, was not very pleasant and that kind of put a damper on the mood.

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  28. PhilB

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service was excellent and I strongly recommend it.

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  29. NCgirl

    Wilmington

    114 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    114 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2017

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    This was for a pre-theater. It took a little while to be seated as they were seating a large party upstairs so it made us not have all the time we wanted for having our meal. My husband had oysters and a salad with hanger steak, candied pecans and bleu cheese and I had spring rolls and the same salad with shrimp. They were accommodating in that we wanted a salad with protein and there were none on the menu and they obliged us. We both thought our food was very good.

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  30. Visitor

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2017

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    One sald meal was not served correctly and had to be returned.

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  31. SandyT

    Wilmington

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2017

    overall3food4service5ambience4
    All four of us in our party thought the food was very good. Two had seafood and both enjoyed their dishes. Two of us had Tapas and also enjoyed them very much. The reason for the 3 or 4 stars was that a salad was dressed with too much vinegar and couldn’t be finished. The seared scallops came out cold and when sent back the kitchen only heated them to Luke warm. Both tapas that I ordered were room temp instead of hot. I thought they were exceptionally tasty and did not want to wait further for them to be reheated. The restaurant was quite empty when we were there so we didn’t understand why we had those issues. The service by our waiter was excellent!

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  32. MichelleT

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice atmosphere, great food. Will definitely go back! Had a very nice time.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2017

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The crap dip appetizer was spot on, however our main course entrees were very dissapointing.

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  34. Beachlover

    Wilmington

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was just wonderful- the food and drinks outstanding, as well as the service. Would recommend ordering as many of the small plates as you can and sharing with your table. Can't wait to go back!

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    44 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2017

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    Good experience at Circa 1922. Service was excellent and restaurant very comfortable for modest size groups. Only 1 complaint. 4 in our party of 7 ordered the Paella. All felt it was a bit dry and not as seasoned as they were used to ... but, it disappeared from all bowls so it must have been OK.

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  36. MarkA

    Wilmington

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 5, 2017

    overall4food5service5ambience2
    Everything was delicious. Restaurant was too dark, need more light.

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  37. JustMe

    Greensboro

    33 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We went here for a birthday celebration and it delivered. The meal was delicious, atmosphere cozy, and service was good.

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  38. tweety08

    Charlotte

    73 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    73 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our second visit to Circa 1922 and we enjoyed it even more! Ali did a fantastic job answering our questions and presenting a book on the diverse history of this wonderful old building. The ambiance was very special. We had the beets, bleu cheese and pecan appetizer -which was artful and delicious. The paella provided a great assortment of chorizo and fresh seafood. The bread pudding was to die for! The wine list provided a nice assortment. We would definitely return on our next visit to Wilmington!

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  39. CynthiaG

    Miami - Dade

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first visit to circa 1922, and was delightful from start to finish. Highly recommend the tappas style dishes and our server, Ali, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Helped to make our 35th wedding anniversary evening memorable!

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  40. NYE2023

    Raleigh

    58 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Well prepared. Very romantic atmosphere.

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FAQs

Circa 1922 offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (910) 762-1922.

Circa 1922 is rated 4.4 stars by 1173 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Circa 1922

8 N. Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Market Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Wilmington
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking Details
    Market Street parking deck located directly behind Circa 1922. First hour is free, $1 for each additional hour. Special rates for weekday evenings. $5 after 9:00pm on weekends. On-street parking is free after 6:30pm and all day on Sundays.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Kyle McKnight
  • Entertainment
    Live jazz piano standards Friday & Saturday evenings from 8:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Indoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (910) 762-1922
  • Private party facilities
    Semi-private upstairs dining room accommodates up to 65 guests. May be utilized for either hors d'oeuvres receptions or sit-down dinners. Private parties are offered a 4-course limited menu. Customized menus are also available.
  • Private party contact
    Greg Lightcap: (910) 762-1922
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