Chapter 1: Where and What to Eat in Coastal Delaware
With access to fresh seafood from the Atlantic and produce from local farms, Delaware beach towns feature some of the best restaurants in the state. There's no shortage of options, from casual bites on the boardwalk to fine dining at a waterfront restaurant.
Foodies flock to the first state to experience a variety of cuisine. You'll find restaurants that serve exquisite seafood, international cuisine and all-American staples. In this chapter, we'll explore some of the best places to eat along Delaware's Coastal Highway.
What Food Is Delaware Famous For?
There's more to Delaware than sandy beaches and sunshine. It's home to a unique food culture developed from abundant fresh local ingredients. You might be surprised by some of these Delaware delicacies:
The Bobbie: Piled high with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, Delaware's signature sandwich is a Thanksgiving feast in a bun.
Blue crab: Delaware fishers harvest approximately 4 million pounds of blue crabs every year, so it's no wonder why this crustacean is famous here.
Fries with vinegar: Piping hot french fries with a drizzle of apple cider vinegar somehow taste better at the beach. They're so delicious that the seagulls might fight you for them.
Pizza: Are you really on vacation if you don't have pizza at least once? Crust & Craft turns pizza night up a notch with a wood-fired oven, fresh local ingredients and cocktails! Find their delicious pasta, salads and artisanal pizza near you in Rehoboth Beach.
Fried chicken: Rumor has it that in 1923, Cecile Long Steele ordered 50 chickens for her farm and received 500 by mistake. As a result, Sussex County, Delaware, is now the largest producer of chicken meat in the U.S. Since Delaware has an abundance of locally raised poultry, fried chicken is a staple on most restaurant menus.
Saltwater taffy: Saltwater taffy is an iconic East Coast treat, and Delaware beaches are no exception. There are countless flavors to choose from.
Frozen desserts: Italian water ice and ice cream are popular treats for travelers trying to beat the summer heat.
Peach pie: The peach is significant to Delaware for several reasons. The first peach orchard in America sprouted in Delaware City in 1832 and became a critical part of the state's agricultural history. The Peach Blossom was named the state flower in 1895, and peach pie became Delaware's official state dessert in 2009.
Seafood in Coastal Delaware
Seafood restaurants are abundant along the Delaware Coast. They have it all, from sushi and raw bars to traditional seafood grills. Delaware is famous for crab, but the local cuisine features many other Atlantic delicacies like lobster, shrimp, clams, scallops and fish. Whether you're feeling fancy or prefer a casual dining experience, you're sure to find a local restaurant that matches your vibe.
SoDel Concepts has launched several award-winning seafood spots that feature fresh local ingredients. Here are some of their most popular restaurants along the coast:
Matt's Fish Camp: Enjoy good local seafood in a friendly, casual setting at Matt's Fish Camp. Locals and tourists flock to Matt's for their creative spin on traditional seafood. Their menu features classics like the lobster roll, crab cakes, fried fish and fresh local clams along with a few chef specialties like short rib stroganoff and Fish Camp stew that vary by location. You can find Matt's Fish Camp in Fenwick Island, Lewes and Bethany Beach.
Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar: If you're craving simple yet beautiful seafood, get your fill at Bluecoast. The premier Bethany Beach location overlooks a picturesque salt pond that reflects the sunset beautifully — perfect for a romantic dinner with your loved one. The menu includes freshly caught seafood and an award-winning wine list. A few miles north, you'll find the hip and trendy Rehoboth Beach location featuring land-, air- and sea-inspired dishes like the center-cut filet, crispy skin roasted duck breast and crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp.
Catch 54 Fish House: Recently named one of the best waterfront restaurants in Delaware, Catch 54 offers freshly caught seafood overlooking the bay on Fenwick Island. Enjoy Delaware's best cocktails and cuisine while you soak in the scenery on their outdoor patio or inside the gorgeous two-story dining room lined with windows. The menu features coastal classics with a southern flair like shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo and fried chicken with bacon corn gravy. They also offer an extensive selection of wine and craft ales.
Fish On Seafood Grill & Bar: Enjoy casual dining in a venue that's as fresh and modern as the menu. Fish On Seafood Grill & Bar puts a creative spin on traditional recipes with spectacular flavor combinations like maple glazed salmon and Sticky Icky wings coated in a pineapple soy glaze. Savor your meal with a glass of wine, craft beer or one of their signature cocktails on the spacious outdoor patio. You can find Fish On in The Village of Five Points in Lewes.
Northeast Seafood Kitchen: Experience New England-style seafood with a Delaware twist at Northeast Seafood Kitchen. Their menu features a Connecticut and Maine lobster roll, New England clam chowder, Rhode Island calamari, Ipswich clams and Boston baked beans. They also showcase local ingredients and flavors with chef specialties like Delaware crab soup, Baltimore Style flash-fried shrimp and Fisherman's stew. You can enjoy the best of both cuisines at the Northeast in Ocean View.
Breweries in Coastal Delaware
Breweries are the perfect place to relax and unwind during your vacation. The beer scene in Coastal Delaware is booming with independent craft breweries. You can spend the day at the beach and wind down for the evening with a sampling of locally made craft beverages.
At Ocean View Brewing Company, you can sip a cold one by the fire pit in their outdoor beer garden. Relax and enjoy the lively atmosphere, complete with delicious food and excellent service.
If you're staying in Rehoboth Beach, Thompson Island Brewing Company is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. With cold beer, lawn games and casual comfort food, the atmosphere will remind you of a summertime picnic from your childhood.
International Cuisine in Coastal Delaware
If your children don't like seafood, or you like to switch up your cuisine, Coastal Delaware features many other dining options. Here's a sample of the worldly fare we have to offer:
1. Italian
At Lupo Italian Kitchen, you can enjoy a mix of traditional and modern Italian cuisine inside the elegant Hotel Rehoboth. The menu includes some of the best Italian on the Delaware Coast with classic dishes like eggplant or chicken parmesan, spaghetti and veal meatballs and rigatoni Bolognese. All of their pasta is made fresh in-house, so you truly feel transported to Italy.
Every dish is made with the freshest ingredients from local producers. Several recipes also feature freshly caught seafood like shrimp arrabbiata, lobster bucatini, whole branzino and seared scallops. You'll find the perfect pairing for any dish you choose on Lupo's extensive all-Italian wine list.
2. Mexican
Papa Grande's Coastal Taqueria serves delicious authentic Mexican cuisine in a unique waterfront venue with a lively atmosphere. The second-floor garage door bar is one of the coolest indoor/outdoor dining spots in Coastal Delaware. Enjoy a tangy homemade margarita or famous agave crush cocktail while you watch the sunset over Shark's Cove Marina.
The menu includes traditional Mexican classics like tacos, burritos, fajitas and nachos. Some recipes feature fresh seafood, but they also offer beef, chicken, pork and veggie-based dishes. Their specialties include crispy fish tacos, blackened shrimp tostones and short rib cheesesteak burritos. Papa Grande's is located right across the street from Catch 54 on Fenwick Island.
3. Chinese
Chinese food is always a crowd-pleaser, which is why it's so desirable for vacationers. Chinese cuisine features various delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy. You can always find a Chinese restaurant near you on the Delaware Coast.
Since the flavors are so popular, you'll often find Chinese-inspired dishes at other local eateries. Fish On Seafood & Grill Bar in Lewes features pork dumplings and braised short rib lo mein on their menu. Or, head south on Coastal Highway to enjoy Sussex County Fried Rice and Kung Pao chicken salad at Matt's Fish Camp on Fenwick Island.
4. Thai
With layers of exotic spices and sweet and sour flavors, it's no wonder why Thai cuisine is so popular. Many restaurants on the Delaware Coast showcase authentic Thai dishes on their menus.
The green curry from Fish On features Thai basil, cilantro and julienned vegetables. The creamy sauce has just the right amount of spice. It's even more outstanding when you add chicken, shrimp, scallops or fresh fish to the mix. A few miles south at Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach, you can order wood fired Thai salmon drizzled with lime and a Thai peanut sauce. Both menus include a variety of international cuisine to please the entire family.
5. Japanese
The bounty of fresh local seafood has inspired many Coastal Delaware restaurants to offer sushi and other Japanese staples. On their casual menu with fried cod and meatloaf, Matt's Fish Camp in Fenwick Island also offers tuna sashimi rolls with wakame, spicy mayo and smoked soy dusted with a flavorful sesame spice. Further up the beach at Bluecoast in Rehoboth Beach, their raw bar also features market-fresh sashimi — raw locally-sourced fish cut into thin slices.
6. Hawaiian
Hawaiian food is inspired by a blend of ethnic cuisine that was introduced by immigrants from Japan, China, the Philippines, Portugal and Puerto Rico. The unique cooking techniques and flavors from each country created the diverse Hawaiian cuisine that people enjoy today.
If you can't make it to the islands, you can enjoy Hawaii-inspired culinary creations at restaurants in Coastal Delaware. Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach makes an excellent spam musubi — a slice of spam over a bed of rice that's topped with togarashi, soy sauce and spicy mayo and wrapped in seaweed. Right across the parking lot at Bluecoast in Rehoboth, Hawaiian-style poke made from fresh local fish is featured in their raw bar.
7. All American
Cheeseburgers, fries, hotdogs, popcorn, funnel cake and other boardwalk delicacies are widely available on the Delaware Coast. You'll also find All American breakfast spots around town featuring traditional foods like omelets, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, pancakes and bagel sandwiches.
Surf Bagel in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach make the best New York-style bagels on the Delaware Coast. You can eat them toasted with cream cheese or loaded with many delicious toppings. They also offer killer cheesesteaks for a casual picnic on the beach.
Experience Delaware's Culinary Coast
The only way to experience Delaware's Culinary Coast is to sample it yourself. With so many delicious options, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Since Delaware features culinary flavors and techniques from all over the world, you can sample global cuisines in one convenient location.
Coastal Delaware is the perfect destination for all the foodies in your family. Plan a trip to visit some of the best restaurants that Delaware beaches have to offer this summer!