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American Restaurant
Upstate: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
620 Justison St., Wilmington, 472-2739; 147 E. Main St., Newark, 266-9000, ironhillbrewery.com
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Bar
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200; 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890; 2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231; 840 Kohl Ave., Middletown, 378-8199, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Barbecue Place
Upstate: Limestone BBQ & Bourbon
2062 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 274-2085, limestonebbqandbourbon.com
Downstate: Bethany Blues
6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach, 537-1500; 18385 Coastal Highway, Lewes, 644-2500, bethanyblues.com
Beer Selection
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200; 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890; 2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231; 840 Kohl Ave., Middletown, 378-8199, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats
320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2739, dogfish.com
Best Restaurant in Bethany Beach/Ocean View
Big Fish Grill Ocean View
30415 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, 829-8163, bigfishoceanview.com
Bistro
Upstate: Eclipse Bistro
1020 N. Union St., Wilmington, 658-1588, eclipsebistro.com
Downstate: Fork + Flask
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, forkandflask.com
Breakfast Place
Upstate: Drip Café
144 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 234-4430, hockessin.dripcafede.com; 60 N. College Ave., Newark, 565-4685, newark.dripcafede.com
Downstate: The Starboard
2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, 227-4600, thestarboard.com
Brewpub
Upstate: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
620 Justison St., Wilmington, 472-2739; 147 E. Main St., Newark, 266-9000, ironhillbrewery.com
Downstate: Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats
320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2739, dogfish.com
Brunch
Upstate: Home Grown Cafe
126 E. Main St., Newark, 266-6993, homegrowncafe.com
Downstate: The Starboard
2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, 227-4600, thestarboard.com
Burgers
Upstate: The Charcoal Pit
714 Greenbank Road, Wilmington, 998-8853; 2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington 478-2165, charcoalpit.net
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Candy/Chocolate Shop
Upstate: Govatos Chocolates
4105 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-5324; 800 Market St., Wilmington, 652-4082, govatoschocolates.com
Downstate: Candy Kitchen
37075 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 539-6805; Route 1 Westway Drive, Bethany Beach, 537-7655; 123 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, 539-8525; 100 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, 537-1733; 1 S. Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, 227-9200; 102 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7195; 18627 Route 1, Rehoboth Beach, 645-4769, candykitchen.com
Catering
Upstate: Bachetti Bros. Meats, Market & Catering
4723B Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, 994-4467, bachettis.com
Downstate: Bethany Blues
6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach, 537-1500; 18385 Coastal Highway, Lewes, 644-2500, bethanyblues.com
Cheesesteak​
Upstate: Claymont Steak Shop
3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, 798-0013; 2720 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-1500; 57 S. Main St., Newark, 453-9500, claymontsteakshop.com
Downstate: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
1604 Savannah Road, Lewes, 644-8998, capriottis.com
Chef
Upstate: Robbie Jester, Stone Balloon Alehouse
115 E. Main St., Newark, 266-8111, stoneballoon.com
Downstate: Sean Corea, Fork + Flask
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, forkandflask.com
Chinese
Upstate: The Crownery​
228 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-3825, thecrownery.com
Downstate: Confucius Chinese Cuisine
57 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3848, confuciusrb.com
Cocktail Selection
Upstate: Grain Craft Bar & Kitchen
270 E. Main St., Newark, 444-8646; 3006 Summit Harbor Lane, Bear, 440-4404, meetatgrain.com
Downstate: The Starboard
2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, 227-4600, thestarboard.com
Coffee Shop
Upstate: Brew Ha Ha!
3838 Kennett Pike, Greenville, 658-6336; 45 E. Main St., Newark, 369-2600; Christiana Hospital, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, 733-2739; 1812 March Road, Wilmington, 529-1125; 3636 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-7227; 222 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 777-5137; 824 N. Market St., Wilmington, 777-4499; 5329 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 234-9600; 1400 N. DuPont St., Wilmington, 384-6344, brewhaha.com
Downstate: The Point Coffee House and Bake Shoppe
37140 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, 260-9734, thepointcoffee.com
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Delaware Technical Community College, winner of best Upstate cooking class.//photo by Moonloop Photography |
Cooking Class
Upstate: Delaware Technical Community College
400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark, 454-3900, dtcc.edu
Downstate: Big Fish Grill
20298 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3474, bigfishgrill.com
Crab Cakes
Upstate: The Reef Seafood & Steak Restaurant
2618 Carpenter Station Road, Wilmington, 529-1985, thereefde.com
Downstate: Woody’s Dewey Beach
1904 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach, 260-9945, deweybeachbar.com
Date Night Restaurant
Upstate: Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Downstate: Salt Air
50 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3744, saltairrestaurant.com
Desserts
Upstate: Big Fish Grill Riverfront
720 Justison St., Wilmington, 652-3474, bigfishriverfront.com
Downstate: Fork + Flask
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, forkandflask.com
Best Restaurant in Dewey Beach
Woody’s Dewey Beach
1904 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach, 260-9945, deweybeachbar.com
Distiller/Craft Spirits
Dogfish Head Distilling Co.
6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, 684-1000, dogfish.com
Family-Friendly Restaurant
Upstate: Big Fish Grill Riverfront
720 Justison St., Wilmington, 652-3474, bigfishriverfront.com
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Farmer’s Market
Upstate: New Castle Farmer’s Market
110 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, 328-4101, newcastlefarmersmarket.com
Downstate: Historic Lewes Farmer’s Market
Johnson and DuPont avenues, Lewes, 644-1436, historiclewesfarmersmarket.org
Best Restaurant in Fenwick Island/West Fenwick
Harpoon Hanna’s
39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island, 539-3095, harpoonhannasrestaurant.com
Fine Dining
Upstate: Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Downstate: Bluecoast Rehoboth
30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, 278-7395, bluecoastrehoboth.com
Food to Go
Upstate: Home Grown Cafe
126 E. Main St., Newark, 266-6993, homegrowncafe.com
Downstate: Arena’s Deli & Bar
200 N.E. Front St., Milford, 422-3354; 21553 Rudder Lane, Georgetown, 856-3297; 17314 N. Village Main Blvd., Lewes, 644-0370; 20312 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, 226-2233; 149 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-1272; 25938 Plaza Drive No. 5, Millsboro, 947-4700, arenasdeliandbar.com
Food Truck
Upstate: Mojo Loco
Wilmington, 222-3866, mojoloco302.com
Downstate: Taco Reho
Rehoboth Beach, 226-8226, tacoreho.com
French
Upstate: The Green Room, Hotel DuPont
42 W. 11th St., Wilmington, 594-3100, hoteldupont.com
Downstate: Bon Appetit Restaurant
312 High St., Seaford, 629-3700, bonappetitseaford.net
Greek/Mediterranean
Upstate: Opa! Opa!
7A Trolley Square, Wilmington, 654-4500, opa-opagyros.com
Downstate: Café Azafran​
18 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8100, cafeazafran.com
Happy Hour
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200; 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890; 2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231; 840 Kohl Ave., Middletown, 378-8199, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Fins Ale House and Raw Bar
19269 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3467, finsrawbar.com
Hockessin/Pike Creek Restaurant
Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200, twostonespub.com
Hot Dog
Upstate: The Dog House
1200 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, 328-5380
Downstate: Taco Reho
Rehoboth Beach, 226-8226, tacoreho.com
Ice Cream
Upstate: Woodside Farm Creamery
378 N. Star Road, Newark, woodsidefarmcreamery.com
Downstate: Hopkins Farm Creamery
18186 Dairy Farm Road, Lewes, 645-7163, hopkinsfarmcreamery.com
Indian
Upstate: Taj Mahal
2314 Carpenter Station Road, Wilmington, 475-0840, tajmahalde.com
Downstate: Flavor of India
348 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, 677-0121, flavorofindiade.com
Italian
Upstate: Mrs. Robino’s Italian Restaurant
520 N. Union St., Wilmington, 652-9223, mrsrobinos.com
Downstate: Touch of Italy
19724 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3900; 101 Second St., Lewes, 827-2730, touchofitality.com
Jamaican/Caribbean
Upstate: D&H Jamaican Cuisine
748 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, 369-8826, dandhjamaican.com
Downstate: Zogg’s Raw Bar & Grill
1 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7660, zoggsbar.com
Japanese
Upstate: Mikimotos​
1212 Washington St., Wilmington, 656-8638, mikimotos.com
Downstate: The Cultured Pearl
301 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8493, culturedpearl.us
Late-Night Menu
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200; 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890; 2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231; 840 Kohl Ave., Middletown, 378-8199, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Stingray Sushi Bar + Asian Grill
59 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6476, stingrayrestaurant.com
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Big Fish Grill, winner of best upstate lunch spot.//photo by Moonloop Photography |
Lunch Spot
Upstate: Big Fish Grill Riverfront
720 Justison St., Wilmington, 652-3474, bigfishriverfront.com
Downstate: Arena’s Deli and Bar
200 N.E. Front St., Milford, 422-3354; 21553 Rudder Lane, Georgetown, 856-3297; 17314 N. Village Main Blvd., Lewes, 644-0370; 20312 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, 226-2233; 149 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-1272; 25938 Plaza Drive No. 5, Millsboro, 947-4700, arenasdeliandbar.com
Mexican
Upstate: La Tolteca​
4147 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 778-4646, authenticmex.com
Downstate: Agave Mexican Restaurant
137 Second St., Lewes, 645-1232, agavelewes.com
Best Restaurant in Middletown/Odessa/Townsend
Cantwell’s Tavern
109 Main St., Odessa, 376-0600, cantwells-tavern.com
Best Restaurant in Milford
Arena’s Deli & Bar
200 NE Front St., Milford, 422-3354, arenasdeliandbar.com
Best Restaurant in Millsboro
Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Nachos
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-2200; 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890; 2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231; 840 Kohl Ave., Middletown, 378-8199, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Agave Mexican Restaurant
137 Second St., Lewes, 645-1232, agavelewes.com
Best Restaurant in New Castle/Old New Castle
Jessop’s Tavern
114 Delaware St., New Castle, 322-6111, jessops-tavern.com
New Restaurant
Upstate: Limestone BBQ & Bourbon
2062 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 274-2085, limestonebbqandbourbon.com
Downstate: Dewey Beach Country Club
1705 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach, 227-1614, facebook.com/DeweyBeachCountryClub
Best Restaurant in North Wilmington
Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Outdoor Dining
Upstate: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant—Riverfront
620 Justison St., Wilmington, 472-2739, ironhillbrewery.com
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Best Restaurant Over the State Line, Maryland
Chesapeake Inn Restaurant & Marina
605 Second St., Chesapeake City, Md., (410) 885-2040, chesapeakeinn.com
Best Restaurant Over the State Line, Pennsylvania
Two Stones Pub
843 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, Pa., 610-444-3940, twostonespub.com
Pizza
Upstate: Pizza by Elizabeths​
3801 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, 654-4478, pizzabyelizabeths.com
Downstate: Nicola Pizza
8 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6211, nicolapizza.com
Romantic Atmosphere
Upstate: Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Downstate: 1776 Steakhouse
18585 Coastal Hwy., No. 6, Rehoboth Beach, 645-9355, 1776steakhouse.net
Salads
Upstate: Home Grown Cafe
126 E. Main St., Newark, 266-6993, homegrowncafe.com
Downstate: Big Fish Grill
20298 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3474, bigfishrestaurantgroup.com
Sandwiches
Upstate: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
120 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 257-5222; 743 N. Broad St., Middletown, 376-7827; 614 Newark Shopping Center, Newark, 454-0200; 4132 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, 533-5132; 4522 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, 998-0096; 510 N. Union St., Wilmington, 571-8929; 2124 Silverside Road, Wilmington, 479-9818, 708 W. Basin Road, Wilmington, 322-6797, capriottis.com
Downstate: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
130 Gateway South Blvd., Dover, 698-3090; 321 Independence Blvd., Dover, 678-2808; 1604 Savannah Road, Lewes, 644-8998; 684 N. Dupont Hwy., Milford, 424-3309; 456 W. Glenwood Ave., Smyrna, 659-1388, capriottis.com
Scrapple as a Menu Item
Upstate: Two Stones Pub
2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 439-3231, twostonespub.com
Downstate: Helen’s Sausage House
4866 N. DuPont Hwy., Smyrna, 653-4200, facebook.com/helenssausagehouse
Seafood
Upstate: The Reef Seafood & Steak Restaurant
2618 Carpenter Station Road, Wilmington, 529-1985, thereefde.com
Downstate: Bluecoast Rehoboth
30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, 278-7395, bluecoastrehoboth.com
Seafood Market
Upstate: Feby’s Fishery
3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, 998-9496, febysfishery.com
Downstate: Big Fish Market
20312 Coastal Hwy., Unit 1, Rehoboth Beach, 227-3665, bigfishgrillmarket.com
Best Restaurant in Seaford/Laurel
Abbot’s on Broad Creek
300 Delaware Ave., Laurel, 280-6172, abbottsgrill.com
Small Plates/Tapas
Upstate: Olé Tapas Lounge & Restaurant
1126 Capitol Trail, Newark, 224-9378, oletapaslounge.com
Downstate: Fork + Flask
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, forkandflask.com
Smoothies
Upstate: Newark Natural Foods
230 E. Main St., Newark, 368-5894, newarknaturalfoods.com
Downstate: Nectar Café & Juice Bar
111 Neils Alley, Lewes, 645-5842, cafenectar.com
Best Restaurant in Smyrna
Brick Works Brewing & Eats
230 S. Dupont Blvd., Smyrna, 508-2523, brickworksde.com
Soul Food
Upstate: Nora Lees French Quarter Bistro
124 Delaware St., New Castle, 322-7675, noralees.com
Downstate: Southern Grill Seaford
23466 Sussex Hwy., Seaford, 628-3838, facebook.com/southerngrillseaford
Sports Bar
Upstate: Stanley’s Tavern
2038 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 475-1887, stanleys-tavern.com
Downstate: Bethany Blues
6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach, 537-1500; 18385 Coastal Highway, Lewes, 644-2500, bethanyblues.com
Steakhouse
Upstate: Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Downstate: 1776 Steakhouse
18585 Coastal Hwy., No. 6, Rehoboth Beach, 645-9355, 1776steakhouse.net
Sushi
Upstate: Mikimotos​
1212 Washington St., Wilmington, 656-8638, mikimotos.com
Downstate: The Cultured Pearl
301 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8493, culturedpearl.us
Thai
Upstate: Ubon Thai Cuisine
936 Justison St., Wilmington, 656-1706, ubonthaicuisine.com
Downstate: Lily Thai Cuisine
10 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3348, facebook.com/pages/Lily-Thai
To-Go Delivery Service
Upstate: Grubhub
grubhub.com
Downstate: Pete’s Steak Shop
19287 Miller Road, Unit A, Rehoboth Beach, 226-3000, petessteakshop.com
Traditional Pizza
Upstate: Grotto Pizza
1819 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, 777-3278, grottopizza.com
Downstate: Nicola Pizza
8 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6211, nicolapizza.com
Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly
Upstate: Home Grown Cafe
126 E. Main St., Newark, 266-6993, homegrowncafe.com
Downstate: Fork + Flask
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, forkandflask.com
Water View Dining
Upstate: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant—Riverfront
620 Justison St., Wilmington, 472-2739, ironhillbrewery.com
Downstate: Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck, 945-4500, paradisegrillde.com
Best Restaurant in Wilmington (City)
Big Fish Grill Riverfront
720 Justison St., Wilmington, 652-3474, bigfishriverfront.com
Wine List
Upstate: Harry’s Savoy Grill & Ballroom
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harryshospitalitygroup.com
Downstate: Bluecoast Rehoboth
30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, 278-7395, bluecoastrehoboth.com
Related: See Snapshots From Our 2018 Best of Delaware Party