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Pp - Tequilas Waterfront, Wilmington, NC

Tequilas Waterfront

4.5 (218)
$30 and under
Mexican
View menu
14 Harnett St, Wilmington, NC 28401

Make a booking

A photo of Tequilas Waterfront restaurant

Tequilas Waterfront

4.5
$30 and under
Mexican
Wilmington

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 1 time today

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for happy hour
  • Great for scenic views
A culinary collaboration between Tequila Comida & Cantina and Marina Grill, infusing the vibrant flavors of Mexico into the heart of Wilmington’s waterfront. Established in 2018 by Chef Ramon Villasenor and Miguel Villasenor, Tequila Comida & Cantina has teamed up with Marina Grill to create an exceptional dining experience.

Nestled beside the Riverfront Park and boasting an extraordinary view of the Riverfront Marina, Tequila’s Waterfront offers a unique setting. Our spacious outdoor area is the perfect spot to enjoy live music during the summer months. Located next door to the Riverfront Park, home to the Live Oak Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater hosting open-air concerts and entertainment, we invite you to savor the magic of Mexican cuisine amid cultural warmth and breathtaking views.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Tex-Mex, Traditional Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 11:00–22:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Elevate your event with Tequilas Waterfront catering! From bold Latin flavors to handcrafted cocktails, our curated menus are perfect for any occasion. Whether on-site or off, our team delivers fresh, flavorful dishes and seamless service to make your celebration unforgettable.
  • Private party facilities
    Host your next celebration at Tequilas Waterfront! Enjoy stunning Cape Fear views from our private rooftop patio or cozy up in the upstairs Tequila Lounge. Perfect for birthdays, corporate events, and more — with curated menus and dedicated staff to make it unforgettable.
  • Area
    Wilmington
  • Cross Street
    Next to Marina Grill, at the roundabout of Harnett St. & Nutt St.
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Public transport
    Additional Parking Information:Park on our waterfront pier, located behind Tequila's Waterfront & Marina Grill (around the roundabout and behind both restaurants) for easy access to delicious dining. Additional parking available on the second and third floors of the Metropolitan Garage, just a stone's throw away at 41 Harnett St. Public Transit Stops:Route 203 stop at Harnett St. /Pavilion: 4-minute walk.Route 101 stop at MedNorth Health Center: 8-minute walk.Padgett Station Transit: 12-minute walk.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 218 people are saying

Tequilas Waterfront reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Hot spot

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Wilmington

    Good for groups

  • Wilmington

    Hot spot

  • Wilmington

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Wilmington

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Tequilas Waterfront offers "great views" and a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for group dining. Guests praise the "outstanding service" and delicious menu offerings like brisket street tacos and mole poblano enchiladas. While some reviews suggest room for improvement in ambience and menu variety, the friendly staff and picturesque location make it a popular choice.
199 Reviews
  1. Margaret

    New York City10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 1 May 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Tequila’s Menu has a nice variety The ambience is pleasing Great views Plenty of seating options Staff is always friendly and working hard!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jamie Gold

    Orange County6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 26 April 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    I was disappointed that they changed the menu and downgraded the overall experience. They cut back their cocktail list, and all of the menu selections just fell flat. I will say my food was good, but it was expensive given the lackluster ambience, service, and vibe. The decor and setting are so nice that they should lean into being a more upscale Mexican restaurant. Until they return to that, I will not be going back.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jay

    Wilmington1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 25 April 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The total experience was great!! The wait staff was awesome.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Stephen

    Raleigh1 review

    2.0

    Dined on 18 April 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great location and ambience. The service was good as well. However the food was extremely disappointing. Skip the food and have a beer on the patio

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Brian Gold

    New York City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 April 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a large group and made last minute reservations. The food was great. Everyone went away full and happy. Our server was absolutely fantastic. Even if we didn’t like the food we’d come back because of her. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Marcus

    Wilmington4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 8 April 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and atmosphere. Always have a great meal at Tequilas

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ryan

    Wilmington2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 5 April 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We ate here Easter evening and the weather was a heavy rain. This gave us a great opportunity to go and eat at Tequilas without long wait times or a noisy restaurant. Our server was quick to act on refills and checked on the table regularly. This is my second time eating there and I am 100% likely to return.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Mary Gold

    Raleigh12 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 1 April 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Went for a birthday celebration and frankly, embarrassed at the quality of food and service. Can't imagine why it closed...

    Is this helpful?

  9. Kristin

    Charlotte1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 21 March 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Macy was the best server! Fajitas were delicious .

    Is this helpful?

  10. Edward

    Wilmington6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 6 March 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Our service was excellent. Our fajitas were very hot. My steak was a little tough. Seating was ok. We were by the restroom and only ones in the area. Location was loud and very busy. Parking was a problem.

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Tex-Mex, Traditional Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 11:00–22:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Elevate your event with Tequilas Waterfront catering! From bold Latin flavors to handcrafted cocktails, our curated menus are perfect for any occasion. Whether on-site or off, our team delivers fresh, flavorful dishes and seamless service to make your celebration unforgettable.
  • Private party facilities
    Host your next celebration at Tequilas Waterfront! Enjoy stunning Cape Fear views from our private rooftop patio or cozy up in the upstairs Tequila Lounge. Perfect for birthdays, corporate events, and more — with curated menus and dedicated staff to make it unforgettable.
  • Area
    Wilmington
  • Cross Street
    Next to Marina Grill, at the roundabout of Harnett St. & Nutt St.
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Public transport
    Additional Parking Information:Park on our waterfront pier, located behind Tequila's Waterfront & Marina Grill (around the roundabout and behind both restaurants) for easy access to delicious dining. Additional parking available on the second and third floors of the Metropolitan Garage, just a stone's throw away at 41 Harnett St. Public Transit Stops:Route 203 stop at Harnett St. /Pavilion: 4-minute walk.Route 101 stop at MedNorth Health Center: 8-minute walk.Padgett Station Transit: 12-minute walk.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

FAQs

Yes, call ahead to request seating (window/patio/upper lounge), mention dietary needs, or note a celebration. Guests report success requesting window seats and special table setups for dates and events, though a few reviews mention occasional difficulty with reservations, so confirm by phone if you have important seating requests or accessibility needs.

Yes, families and children are commonly welcomed. Guests frequently mention bringing teens, celebrating birthdays with kids, and family-friendly plates like tacos and shareable starters. There isn’t a widely noted kids’ menu in reviews, so for young children consider an earlier seating and call ahead to ask about any child-friendly options or substitutions.

Not explicitly, but expect waits during peak times. Guests report busy weekend nights, live-music evenings and holidays sometimes causing waits or seating delays; some also describe reservation hiccups with OpenTable and being seated late. To avoid waits, make a reservation and call ahead if you’re concerned about timing or special seating needs.

Tequilas Waterfront is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, according to the restaurant. Guests often visit for lunch, happy hour and dinner; weekend evenings can be especially busy with live music and waterfront activity. If you plan a holiday or severe-weather visit, call ahead to confirm.

It depends: go Tuesday for Taco Tuesday deals or Monday for Margarita specials, and Friday for live music and a lively waterfront scene. For a more relaxed visit, choose a weekday lunch or early weekday dinner. Guests love the river views and special-event nights, so pick the day that matches whether you want deals, music or a quieter table.

Generally yes, guests report dining here on holiday weekends (Fourth of July, Mother’s Day) and the restaurant lists daily hours. That said, one guest experienced an unexpected closure during snow, so for major holidays or severe weather it’s wise to call ahead and confirm the restaurant is open.

Portions are generally filling but can vary by dish. Many guests report leaving satisfied, burrito bowls, fajitas and shareable starters like flautas and ceviche sampler are called generous and good for groups. A few guests felt certain entrees were small or lighter on protein (and some specials alter sides), so if you’re hungry consider sharing an appetizer or ordering a heartier entree. Specials (Taco Tuesday, Fajita Friday) often add extra value.

Tequilas Waterfront offers several seating options: a main dining room, an upstairs lounge area, bar seating, and a spacious outdoor patio/deck overlooking the marina. Guests frequently praise the upstairs lounge and patio for views and live-music nights; some mention tighter table spacing inside. The restaurant does not advertise private dining rooms, so larger parties are typically accommodated in open seating areas.

Casual dress is appropriate. The restaurant lists a casual dress code, and guests commonly describe relaxed, festive attire, from casual daytime outfits for lunch to slightly dressier looks for evening dinners and date nights. Comfortable waterfront casual is a safe choice.

Busiest: weekends, Friday nights (live music), Taco Tuesday promotions, holiday evenings (Fourth of July, Mother’s Day) and summer patio nights. Quietest: weekday lunches, rainy days and early weekday dinners, guests specifically mention easter rain night and midweek as calmer times. If you want lively energy go weekends; for a quieter meal pick midweek or early evening.

Yes, Tequilas Waterfront has a spacious outdoor patio/deck overlooking the marina and Riverfront Park. Guests frequently recommend sitting outside for live music, sunset views and fireworks, though some mention that certain outdoor seats can face parking or portable restrooms depending on timing. If a specific outdoor view matters, request a riverside or upstairs patio table when you book.

Yes, Tequilas Waterfront can be a great date-night spot if you’re after vibrant waterfront views, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Guests often praise the river views, colorful decor and festive upstairs lounge for a memorable evening. Note it can get loud during live music and busy weekend nights, so for a quieter, more intimate table request a window or patio seat and consider an early weekday seating. Reservations are recommended for peak times.

It depends on your goal: go on Taco Tuesday or Margarita Monday for deals and a festive crowd; Friday nights are ideal for a lively waterfront vibe and live music. For a quieter, more relaxed visit pick weekday lunches or early weekday dinners, guests note midweek and rainy evenings are less crowded. If you want sunset views, aim for early evening on a clear day and request a window or patio table.

Tequilas Waterfront has a lively, colorful and festive atmosphere with strong waterfront vibes. Guests praise the river views, upbeat music, creative cocktails and a fun, energetic crowd, great for groups and celebrations. It can be loud, especially during live music, holidays and weekend evenings, so it’s less suited for very quiet or romantic dates unless you request a quieter spot or go on a weekday evening.

Family-friendly seating: yes. Guests frequently bring families, celebrate birthdays, and mention kids and teens dining comfortably. The space offers a mix of booth, bar, upstairs lounge and outdoor deck seating that works well for groups. Accessibility: the reviews and restaurant information don’t explicitly confirm ADA-accessible seating or ramps, so if you need accessible seating or accommodations, call ahead, the staff and servers are described as helpful and often accommodating.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Coastal North Carolina
  4. Wilmington
  5. Wilmington

Make a booking

A photo of Tequilas Waterfront restaurant

Tequilas Waterfront

4.5
$30 and under
Mexican
Wilmington

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 1 time today
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