Riverside Greens Offers Healthy Options For Downtown Diners

Since opening quietly in April, Riverside Greens has extended its hours and expanded its menu week by week, bringing healthy options to the riverfront area of downtown Wilmington. 

The idea for Riverside Greens stems from owner Demetria Waddell’s journey as a cancer survivor. Waddell said she’s experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to eat healthy on the go and longed to create a space that offered convenient, nutritious meals. 

“I had to make changes to my diet, and I know there are others out there like me who need to make changes as well,” Waddell said.  

Waddell, who recently relocated to Wilmington from Tampa, Florida, selected the downtown space because her sister owns a business nearby, and she felt it was the perfect location for attracting both the downtown workforce and visitors. While the restaurant attracts mostly a lunch crowd, it is open until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.   

In recent months, Waddell has expanded the menu from fresh, made-to-order salads to acai bowls, smoothies, protein waffles and protein coffees made with Herbalife protein powders. She will soon be launching a line of Herbalife energy teas as well as a small wine menu.   

“We’ve been rolling things out a little at a time so we can continue to have something new to offer each week,” Waddell said. “That way as people try to incorporate more healthy items into their diet, they always have new things to choose from.” 

Waddell said that in her own journey toward better eating, she finds it much easier to make just one small change each day rather than cutting things out or trying to eat completely healthy at every meal.   

“I struggle too because I love fries and sugar,” Waddell said. “But it’s about finding delicious alternatives one day at a time.” 

The acai bowls, with six signature bowls and a create-your-own option, have become bestsellers, according to Waddell. The protein waffles with a choice of fresh toppings have also quickly become a customer favorite. 

The restaurant offers online ordering and is working to establish a connection with Uber Eats as well as a loyalty point system. Riverside Greens is located at 106 N. Water St., Unit 107 and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.