From “Eater Washington, DC”
Any regular visitor to the Delaware beach towns knows that the culinary offerings include more than Grotto’s Pizza and Thrasher’s Fries. In addition to dishes composed of fresh fish, crab and scallops, diners can expect to find fresh produce from nearby farms, several solid Italian restaurants, tasty taco spots, and standout sushi.
And each summer, the tide brings in a new wave of restaurants that get gourmands excited. Two-year-old Big Chill Beach Club is ideal for casual dining with a view of the ocean and bay. New brewery restaurants like Big Oyster Brewery and Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant have tapped into the market and wine lovers can cheer the year-old Cuvée Ray Wine Bar & Restaurant.
The beach towns also feature numerous casual cafes and delis for quick eats for diners who want to forego full-service restaurants listed here. Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen in Rehoboth, hybrid retail store/restaurant the Station on Kings, and Nectar Café and Juice Bar in Lewes are all good options. Maryland’s Rise Up Coffee Roasters also recently opened in Rehoboth.
Before battling traffic on the Bay Bridge this weekend, check out these 15 restaurants (including party spots, farm-to-table, and family friendly places) in Rehoboth, Bethany, Lewes, and Dewey.
1. Heirloom
212 Savannah Rd
Lewes, DE 19958
(302) 313-4065
2. Touch of Italy [Multiple Locations]
Lewes, DE 19958
This traditional Italian deli/market originated in Lewes with a mix of house-made products and imported delicacies. Now there are locations in Rehoboth and Ocean City, Md., as well. Stop in for a full meal or grab something to-go from the counter.
3. The Cultured Pearl Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Rehoboth Beach, DE
For sushi, head to The Cultured Pearl, a Japanese-themed oasis within a cluster of shops. There are over-the-top signature maki and a variety of sashimi options. The rooftop deck is like another world, with wooden walkways and gazebos perched over rippling ponds.
4. Confucius Chinese Cuisine
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Locals know that some of the area’s tastiest fish dishes come topped with ginger scallions or black bean sauce. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of poultry, meat and vegetable dishes.
5. Chesapeake & Maine
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
The restaurant from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (recently purchased by Sam Adams) serves seafood sourced from the Chesapeake Bay & Maine, as its name would suggest. It’s right next door to Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats, which got a new building with outdoor seating a couple of years ago. Dogfish Head also recently collaborated with the Cape May Lewes Ferry to open Off-Centered On The Rocks restaurant and outdoor space to feed hungry travelers before they head to Cape May.
6. Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
The late Matt Haley, who received the James Beard Humanitarian Award, built a culinary legacy that continues long past his tragic death five years ago. You can’t go wrong at any of the SoDel Concepts restaurants, all of which offer top-notch food and service. Seafood lovers should head to Bluecoast in Rehoboth or Bethany, which offers a deck with great bay views.
7. Henlopen City Oyster House
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Fan-favorite Henlopen City Oyster House boasts a raw bar featuring assorted oysters on the half shell and shooters, as well as steamed, fried, and baked selections. There’s plenty of other surf and turf fare served during lunch and dinner, as well as a killer daily happy hour. Reservations aren’t accepted, so be prepared to wait. And check out the sister property, the Blue Hen, which was nominated last year for a James Beard Award in the Best New Restaurant category.
8. Grotto Pizza [Multiple Locations]
Rehoboth Beach, DE
The debate over the best beach pizza is one that can’t be settled civilly, but Grotto is a true classic. Founded in 1960 in Rehoboth, the iconic spot was recently inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame. (Yes, that exists.) Order the original cheese pie to fully appreciate the swirl. It certainly can’t hurt to hit up neighboring Nicola Pizza and Louie’s Pizza as well.
9. La Fable
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
The owners of now-defunct Bramble & Brine have returned with a French restaurant called La Fable. Expect traditional Gallic cuisine in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Parisian street café. The succinct menu has all the classics, like onion soup gratinee, escargot, duck confit, bouillabaisse, and trout almondine.
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
With white paper tablecloths and crayons at diner’s disposal, the seafood spot is a great spot for the kiddos and playful adults. While the restaurant has a regular menu, guests can also choose one of the many items on daily catch board.
11. Surf Bagel Restaurant
Lewes, DE 19958
Chewy on the inside and served piping hot in the a.m., these are some of the best New York-style bagels eaters will get outside of the Big Apple. The owners opened a second location in Rehoboth a few years ago.
12. Leo’s Modern Mixture
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
The beach towns offer several good Mexican eateries, but a stand-out pick is this unpretentious family- and wallet-friendly establishment. Try one of the burritos or tacos and pair it with the lavender margarita.
13. Cafe Azafran
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Come for the flavorful Mediterranean tapas at lunch and dinner or the weekend breakfast buffet. Visit the sister restaurant in Lewes, Olive & Oats by Azafran.
14. Off the Hook
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Serving scallops, crab cakes and other seafood specialties, Off the Hook is another local favorite.
15. Striper Bites
Lewes, DE 19958
Located in a Cape Cod-style house in downtown Lewes, the casual, kid-friendly restaurant offers a selection of fresh fish daily, served seared or blackened. Eat on the covered porch on a nice day. Stop in one of the sister restaurants: the more dimly lit Kindle or the wine bar and pizza place Half Full.
16. Big Chill Beach Club
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Located at the Delaware Seashore State Park, Big provides the perfect spot to sip crushes and enjoy bay and ocean views on its expansive deck. Eat tacos from the sister concept, food truck Taco Reho. The kid-friendly Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes and the adults-only Big Chill Surf Cantina in Rehoboth also fall under La Vida Hospitality restaurant group. Pasta lovers can head to make-your-own fresh pasta concept Grandpa Mac while diners looking for small plates and a cocktail bar can head to Fork and Flask at Nage.
17. Cuvée Ray Wine Bar & Restaurant
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Rehoboth’s only wine bar recently added a rosé garden just in time or the summer sipping season. The 12-page wine list includes 170 wines by the glass.
18. Rusty Rudder
Dewey Beach, DE
The Rusty Rudder boasts an extensive land and sea buffet, as well as live music, making it the place to be for fun tunes and no-frills dining in Dewey.
19. The Starboard
Dewey Beach, DE
The Starboard is another renowned party place with an extensive list of specialty drinks. There’s also a hangover-busting breakfast served until 2 p.m. daily. Don’t skip the bloody Mary Smorgasbord where diners can mix their own recovery elixirs.