Nema Lounge

Great service and good food. My son and I are lactose intolerant and they had vegan cheese available. We ordered the pizza and the tofu fajita and both items were great. Highly recommended and vegetarian friendly. Most restaurants advertise themselves as vegetarian friendly because they serve a salad. Glad to see that this place is actually vegetarian friendly with more options to eat besides a salad.

Finally, downtown Wilmington offers a fantastic eatery without the pretentiousness and price tag. A «must-​eat» place for locals and tourists alike! I’m a ridiculously picky eater (think chicken strips and fries as an adult entrée) and this place rocked my world. Get the Nema Fancy Fries… and everything else on the menu. Please, for the love of all that’s good, do not let this place pass you by! As a local, I NEED restaurants like this to stick around! Thank you for a wonderful lunch today, gentlemen. Well played!!!

This is a cozy little place on the river, just perfect for a rainy afternoon. They have convenient free parking right across the street.
The $ 5.00 mimosas hit the spot. I liked that they weren’t cloyingly sweet.
A bowl, of fries was ordered for the table. Hot and tasty, they were tossed with Parmesan, coarse salt, and herbs. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
I ordered the garden pizza: garlic infused olive oil, carmelized onions, kale, pear, basil, mozzarella, Parmesan, Gruyère, and balsamic reduction drizzle. You could choose a sourdough crust, gluten free crust, or cauliflower crust. I chose cauliflower, because I adore that vegetable, and I also wanted to experience a cauliflower crust made by a professional. I had tried to make this before with less than optimum results. This pizza was excellent! The crust was crunchy and flavorful. It held together well (my homemade attempt did not). And, the toppings were a harmonious blend.
The chef even came to our table to ask how I liked the cauliflower crust. He said that it took him a couple of attempts to perfect the recipe. And, perfect it, he did.
This restaurant has the successful combination of good food and drink, attentive service, and a chef who cares about his creations. Plus, they offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Nema Lounge has the winning number.

Just had perfectly cooked burgers and the famous ‘fancy fries’ at Nema on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Everything was so delicious! I tried not to eat every last bit of the fries, but could not stop — so good! And the burgers are just right — entirely satisfying — yum!

Really enjoyed Nema Lounge. Went there for a late brunch. I got the Benedict #3 so delicious and fulfilling. The server was very attentive! They have a nice drink selection and menu options. Also another thing that makes this place nice is it sits along the river and has outdoor seating.

Made it back to try dinner. We got the Date Night Special and it was all fantastic. Was so happy that the fries lived up to the hype. Friendly service again… you will feel like a regular even if it’s your first time there.

The food is decent, service was horrible! I felt that the atmosphere was really awkward. My burger was 11.00, and they added a dollar for cheese! The chef actually took my dishes away. I waited 10 minutes for a drink and was never asked if I wanted another. I won’t be back. As I am writing this review, I have been sitting at my table with no drink or food for 15 minutes. Nor have I been given my check.

So. Let’s start like this. After reading these reviews, eating here, then reading the reviews again, I’ve decided they are fake. there is not a chance in sweet baby jesus’s green earth that the patrons of this restaurant have fully functioning taste buds. Or maybe they’ve been kept in a bunker, hiding from a zombie apocalypse that has yet to happen and have had nothing to eat but canned beans. At least then their inexperience would explain the use of words like «amazing» «outstanding» and «incredible». Certainly no taste buds went on rides, unless that ride was to crap town. So let’s talk about this food. what are these short ribs? Not real sure what that was. Dry meat and a sauce that was somehow tasteless and terrible simultaneously. The garden pizza was just weird. Burger… meh…good but not gonna call my momma over it. oh and dear lord the salad. it was as if they had intended the ingredients to go towards something else then realized they were supposed to be making a salad then dumped a bunch of stuff on a plate. service could use a smile and a coke.
There was some other real bad stuff but now I hate that I’ve dedicated more time to this review than they did to the food. I mean how can you expect anyone to believe that people ate here and decided it was so good they had to download Unilocal and open an acount solely to inform the world of the amazing artistry they might be missing out on? you can’t because these are your friends and coworkers. with ya 1 review, come on.
So to recap, I 100% am calling out the fake reviews and giving an actual review at the same time. You get 2 stars for not making us violently I’ll from whatever it was we ate. congrats.

I got the Il Carne Pizza, cauliflower crust. It was so good! We split the nori rolls as an app and that was equally as yummy! I love that the food is fresh and healthy and priced well! My new favorite spot in Wilmington!

Love this spot. Great service, friendly owners and the food is spectacular. Try the cauliflower soup.

I had heard a lot of good things about NeMa and decided to give it a try. There are a lot of dining options in Wilmington but do yourself a favor and put NeMa at the top of your list to make sure you visit while in town. Fantastic!
My family ordered a lot of items to get a feel for their menu. We tried the burger, fries, Mexican pizza, Ravioli, Crème brûlée and lollipops.
The burger was the best tasting meat I’ve ever had. It’s grass fed and seasoned with only salt and pepper. I had the egg and cheese added to it. Unbelievable!!! Juicy, fresh, and the taste was amazing! Chef Mark came out and asked us how we liked our meals and he explained he is a bit neurotic about his food. It shows. Homemade buns too. I could go on and on but I won’t.
The fries are to die for! We had heard they are awesome so we actually went there to try these first. We ordered them as an appetizer. Then we ordered a second order then had some with our burger. They don’t need ketchup. They season them with sea salt, truffle salt and parsley and Parmesan cheese. Get the fries, get the fries, get the fries!
Mexican pizza was delicious! I’m from Texas and was a little worried but it was so good. The flavor of the chicken and sauce and cheese were perfectly blended.
The ravioli had short rib stuffed in the homemade ravioli. They were fantastic! Fresh and the ribs were so good.
We finished off with a couple of the desserts, the Crème brûlée and lollipops. Chef Mark’s attention to detail showed here too. They tasted so good. It was the perfect finish to an amazing meal at NeMa’s!
We will definitely be back. Very friendly staff and great service too. I was so blown away by the food — I forgot to mention that! Do yourself a favor and get to NeMa’s!

This place is pretty great! Everyone else is right, the fries are so amazing. They obviously use very fresh fry oil. They are light and crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, with what seems like hand-​grated, parm on them. I liked their brunch pizzas, the sourdough crust is excellent. The bechemel sauce on brunch pizza #2 was somehow super creamy, but kind of light at the same time. The only reason it got four stars is that the egg was overdone on my friend’s brunch pizza #1 –she asked for over medium, got over hard; and I didn’t love the turkey sausage on mine. The sliced links were a little dry, and not very flavorful. However, service was excellent, atmosphere was nice, and the food was really good. Overall, I would definitely recommend, and return! And those fries… even if it’s just for those fries, I will be back!

I am a lentil soup fan and this was by far, head and shoulders above, the best lentil soup I’ve ever had. The whole experience was A1. Good service, good look, and GOOD food. I’ll be back. Gotta try the fries.

The fries are awesome. The carrot ginger parsnip soup had a perfect texture, and the ginger wasn’t overpowering. The jerk chicken skewers had a good heat. The short rib ravioli stole the show. The crème broulee had perfect flavor, but tonight the custard was just a bit scrambled. Not enough to take away a star though, it just proves that it is craft made. I love seeing all the gluten free, vegan, and allergy-​sensitive options.

OMG! Do yourself a favor and order the fries. I have been back here twice in one week simply because the fries are literally the best I have ever had.
My wife and I ate here last Sunday to celebrate our anniversary. The ambiance is nice and welcoming. We attempted to order off the Brunch special menu but the first three things we asked for were unavailable which was odd because the restaurant was completely empty. I really wish they had updated the menu instead of getting my taste buds excited. After three failed attempts we decided to order the fries, house salad, chicken fajitas and short rib ravioli off the regular menu. I am still dreaming about the fries. The salad and chicken fajitas were both great however the short rib ravioli was hard as rock. Yes, the ravioli was filled well with short rib but instead of a steaming the ravioli it was fried way way to long. I couldn’t even cut it with my knife. Regardless of the awful ravioli, which I will never order, again the fries made me want to come back.
I returned Wednesday and ordered the burger to go. It was perfect, large juicy and mouth watering. Honestly I wish there was more bacon jam but the spicy mustard completed the burger perfectly. The fries of course were amazing; my only complaint is that I wanted more.
Can’t wait to return and try more of the menu until then I will be dreaming about those fries.

Absolutely amazing food and great staff!

Stop just for the fancy fries! Seriously, we will come back for the fries alone. Perfection! Everything was delicious. Allergy friendly which is s plus. Cauliflower crust for Mexican pizza was delish! Burger w fresh bun was amazing!!! Try it!

First visit today for lunch and it will be the first of many visits!!! As someone who likes to be able to eat out, not make it a huge cheat meal, and has family and friends with special dietary needs this place has made my day. Not only does it meet these desires but it was also delicious. I had a pizza with paleo crust (cauliflower crust) and my fiancé had another pizza with regular crust. They were both yummy and just the right size. The service was great, and the chef actually visited tables with dietary concerns to make sure he understood their needs. I’m sure when at capacity this would not happen (it was filling when this happened), however the servers are instructed to ask about allergies. I can’t wait to go back and get a burger in a lettuce wrap! Yeah I said it!!!

Sooo good!!! Large party and they seated us quickly and together. Had the fancy fries for appetizer. My 5year old daughter had a mixed green salad — and we all devoured it! So good! So simple, yet so much better than a typical mixed green salad! My 10 year old son had beef fajitas and the Thai chicken skewers (the spicy coconut sauce is incredible– I dipped everything in it and wouldn’t let them take it away!) — and he says it was his favorite meal ever. I had the vegan pizza– it has roasted kale (yum– so great, cheese not necessary!)!!! Husband got the Mediterranean chicken sandwich — everything homemade including the pita bread and Tzatziki sauce yum! Loved it. Can’t wait to come back and try more items on the menu. You can tell the menu is very deliberate and well thought out. Chef Marko is definitely a Wilmington gem.

Disappointed that I am the first to review this place, but OMG is it amazing. Their pizza and their tortillas are HOMEMADE sourdough and hand rolled. Nut-​free, organic and non-​gmo bs, gluten free and vegan options for those that are on the high maintenance list, you know who you are and it takes one to know one ;) I wasn’t craving a grass fed burger but was tempted, I’m sticking with the Napa cabbage salad and the Mediterranean pizza because I am now obsessed with the homemade sourdough crust, but the short rib handmade ravioli with a red wine reduction sauce is first on my list for next time I go, I think I swooned when it was served beside me.
I like this for late night dinner and wine/​beer since it is not a night club, yet open late. Maybe I’ll let a dreamy someone take me here on a date, go on and form an orderly line boys, they are open 7days a week so we have plenty of time, I’ll let you buy me a cabernet. You’re welcome.