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Discover Delaware Today readers’ picks for the best restaurants, food, breweries and more in the First State in 2022.
Food & Drink (Readers)
Acai Bowl
Downstate, Readers: Bee Bowl’d 301 E. Camden Wyoming Ave., Camden; 745-4996
Upstate, Readers: Greenbox Kitchen 400 N. Market St., Wilmington; 274-2195; greenboxkitchen.com
1412 N. DuPont St., Wilmington; 655-8600; piccolinatoscana.com
Al Fresco Dining
Downstate, Readers: Victoria’s Restaurant 2 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-0615; boardwalkplaza.com/dining
Upstate, Readers: Banks’ Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar 101 S. Market St., Wilmington; 777-1500; banksseafoodkitchen.com
American Restaurant
Downstate, Readers: Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar 30904 Coastal Highway,Bethany Beach; 539-7111; bluecoastseafoodgrill.com.
Upstate, Readers: Home Grown Café 126 E. Main St., Newark; 266-6993;
homegrowncafe.com
Bakery
Downstate, Readers: Old World Breads
32191 Nassau Road, Unit 4, Lewes; 313-5191; oldworldbreads.com
Upstate, Readers: Serpe & Sons Bakery
1411 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere; 994-1868; serpesbakery.com
Barbecue Place
Downstate, Readers: Bethany Blues BBQ
6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach; 537-1500; bethanyblues.com
Upstate, Readers: Limestone BBQ & Bourbon
2062 Limestone Road, Wilmington; 274-2085; limestonebbqandbourbon.com
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Below-the-Canal Restaurant
Readers: First State Brewing Co.
109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; 285-9535; firststatebrewing.com
Bethany Beach/Ocean View Restaurant
Readers: DiFebo’s Restaurant Bethany Beach
789 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach; 539-4550; difebos.com
Breakfast Spot
Downstate, Readers: Honey’s Farm Fresh Gourmet Kitchen
329 Savannah Road, #1438, Lewes; 644-8400; facebook.com/honeysfarmfresh
Upstate, Readers: Joey T’s Sausages & More
1401 E. Newport Pike, Wilmington; facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065414412592
Brewpub
Downstate, Readers: Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 226-2739; dogfish.com
Upstate, Readers: First State Brewing Co.
109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; 285-9535; firststatebrewing.com
Brunch
Downstate, Readers: Victoria’s Restaurant
2 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-0615; boardwalkplaza.com/dining
Upstate, Readers: Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
1801 W. 14th St., Wilmington; 658-4600; harryshospitalitygroup.com/kid-shelleens
Burgers
Downstate, Readers: SmashMouth Burgers Food Truck
19406 Coastal Highway, #2, Rehoboth Beach; 557-6274; smashmouthde.com
Upstate, Readers: Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
1801 W. 14th St., Wilmington; 658-4600; harryshospitalitygroup.com
Butcher Shop Downstate, Readers: Hickman’s Meat Market
19730 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach; 226-8345; hickmansmeats.com
Upstate, Readers: Bachetti Bros. Meats, Market & Catering
4723B Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington; 994-4467; bachettis.com
Candy/Chocolate Shop
Downstate, Readers: Edie Bees Confection Shop
115 2nd St., Lewes; 645-2337
Upstate, Readers: Govatos Chocolates
4105 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 478-5324; govatoschocolates.com
Catering
Downstate, Readers: Bethany Blues BBQ
6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach; 537-1500; bethanyblues.com
Upstate, Readers: Bachetti Bros. Meats, Market & Catering
4723B Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington; 994-4467; bachettis.com
Centreville/Greenville Restaurant
Readers: Buckley’s Tavern
5812 Kennett Pike, Wilmington; 656-9776; buckleystavern.com
Cheesesteaks
Downstate, Readers: Casapulla’s
535 Atlantic Ave., Millville; 539-5488; alcasapullas.com
Upstate, Readers: Claymont Steak Shop
2720 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 478-1500; claymontsteakshop.com
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Chef
Downstate, Readers: Christian Costantino, Off the Hook
769 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach; 829-1424; offthehookbethany.com
Upstate, Readers: Andrew Thorne, Home Grown Café 126 E. Main St., Newark; 266-6993; homegrowncafe.com
Chinese
Downstate, Readers: Confucius Chinese Cuisine
57 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-3848; confuciusrb.com
Upstate, Readers: King Garden Chinese Restaurant
3466 Naamans Road, Wilmington; 478-8789; kinggarden21.com
Classic Diner
Downstate, Readers: Ocean Grill Longneck
26089 Shoppes at Long Neck Blvd., Millsboro; 945-2001; oceangrillde.com
Upstate, Readers: Lucky’s Coffee Shop
4003 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 477-0240; luckyscoffeeshop.com
Coffee Shop
Downstate, Readers: The Station on Kings
720 Kings Highway, Lewes; 645-0300; thestationlewes.com
Upstate, Readers: Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co.
16 Haines St., Newark; 455-1040; littlegoatcoffeeroasting.com
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Crab Cakes
Downstate, Readers: Woody’s Dewey Beach
1904 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; 260-9945; deweybeachbar.com
Upstate Readers: Banks’ Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar
101 S. Market St., Wilmington; 777-1500; banksseafoodkitchen.com
Craft Cocktails
Downstate, Readers: Feebs Distilling
733 McColley St., Milford; 682-8422; feebsdistilling.com
Upstate, Readers: Torbert Street Social
305 Torbert St., Wilmington; 407-6627; torbertsocial.com
Date-Night Restaurant
Downstate, Readers: Lupo Italian Kitchen
247 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 226-2240; lupoitaliankitchen.com
Upstate, Readers: Harry’s Savoy Grill 2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington; 475-3000; harryshospitalitygroup.com/harrys-savoy-grill
Desserts
Downstate, Readers: The Station on Kings
720 Kings Highway, Lewes; 645-0300; thestationlewes.com
Tie: Upstate, Readers: Bing’s Bakery
253 E. Main St., Newark; 737-5310; bingsbakery.com
Tie: Upstate, Readers: Sweet Melissa’s
5407 Peterson Road, Middletown; 376-5049; sweetmelissade.com
Dewey Beach Restaurant
Readers: Woody’s Dewey Beach
1905 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; 260-9946; deweybeachbar.com
Dover Restaurant
Readers: Roma Italian Restaurant
3 President Drive, Dover; 678-1041; romadover.com
Fairfax/Brandywine Hundred Restaurant
Readers: Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar
1601 Concord Pike, Suite 77-79, Wilmington; 303-7676; snuffmillbutchery.com
Family-Friendly Restaurant
Downstate, Readers: Lefty’s Alley & Eats
36450 Plaza Blvd., Lewes; 864-6000; iloveleftys.com
Upstate, Readers: Crooked Hammock, Middletown
316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown; 601-7837; crookedhammockbrewery.com
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Farmers Market
Downstate, Readers: Historic Lewes Farmers Market
114 Second St., Lewes; 644-1436; leweschamber.com
Upstate, Readers: New Castle Farmers Market
100 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle; 328-4101; newcastlefarmersmarket.com
Fenwick Island/West Fenwick Restaurant
Readers: Nantuckets Restaurant
601 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island; 539-2607; nantucketsrestaurant.com
Fine Dining
Downstate, Readers: 1776 Steakhouse
18585 Coastal Highway, #6, Rehoboth Beach; 645-9355; 1776steakhouse.com
Upstate, Readers: Harry’s Savoy Grill
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington; 475-3000; harryshospitalitygroup.com
Food Truck
Downstate, Readers: SmashMouth Burgers Food Truck
19406 Coastal Highway, #2, Rehoboth Beach; 557-6274; smashmouthde.com
Upstate, Readers: Joey T’s Sausages & More
1401 E. Newport Pike, Wilmington; facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065414412593
French
Downstate, Readers: La Fable
26 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-8510; bonjourfable.com
Upstate, Readers: Le Cavalier
42 W. 11th St., Wilmington; 594-3154; lecavalierde.com
Fried Chicken
Downstate, Readers: Kick n’ Chicken
907 N. Dupont Blvd., #101, Milford; 424-1110; kicknchickende.com
Upstate, Readers: Lettie’s Kitchen
1318 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin; 239-7816; lettieskitchen.com
Greek/Mediterranean
Downstate, Readers: Semra’s Mediterranean Grill
19 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 226-4976; semras.com
Upstate, Readers: Opa! Opa!
7A Trolley Square, Wilmington; 654-4500; opaopagyros.com
Happy Hour
Downstate, Readers: Lefty’s Alley & Eats
36450 Plaza Blvd., Lewes; 864-6000; iloveleftys.com
Upstate, Readers: Two Stones Pub
2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington; 439-323; twostonespub.com
Hockessin/Pike Creek Restaurant
Readers: House of William & Merry
1336 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin; 234-2255; williamandmerry.com
Hot Dog
Downstate, Readers: Twilley’s Willys Hot Dogs
300 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island; 581-0255; twilleyswillys.com
Upstate, Readers: Deerhead Hot Dogs
1233 Churchmans Road, Newark; 266-9333; dhhotdogs.com
Ice Cream
Downstate, Readers: Hopkins Farm Creamery
18186 Dairy Farm Road, Lewes; 645-7163; hopkinsfarmcreamery.com
Upstate, Readers: Woodside Farm Creamery
1310 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin; 239-9847; woodsidefarmcreamery.com
Indian
Downstate, Readers: Raas
210 Savannah Road, Lewes; 644-1747; raaslewes.com
Upstate, Readers: Curry & Cocktails
422 E Main St., Middletown; 524-4309; curryandcocktails.com
Italian (Neighborhood)
Downstate, Readers: DiFebo’s Restaurant
12 N. 1st St., Rehoboth Beach; 226-4550; difebos.com
Upstate, Readers: Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant
520 N. Union St., Wilmington; 652-9223; mrsrobinos.com
Italian (Upscale)
Downstate, Readers: Lupo Italian Kitchen
247 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 226-2240; lupoitaliankitchen.com
Upstate, Readers: V&M Bistro
1717 Marsh Road, Wilmington; 479-7999; vmbistro.com
Jamaican/Caribbean
Downstate, Readers: Zogg’s Raw Bar & Grill
1 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-7660; zoggsbar.com
Upstate, Readers: D & H Jamaican Cuisine
748 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark; 369-8826; dandhjamaican.com
Japanese
Downstate, Readers: Stingray Sushi Bar + Asian Grill
59 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-6476; stingrayrestaurant.com
Upstate, Readers: Sakura Japanese Sushi in Elsmere
1203 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington; 588-2323; sakurasushielsmere.com
Late-Night Menu
Downstate, Readers: Lefty’s Alley and Eats
36450 Plaza Blvd., Lewes; 864-6000; iloveleftys.com
Upstate, Readers: Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
1801 W. 14th St., Wilmington; 658-4600; harryshospitalitygroup.com
Lewes Restaurant
Readers: Matt’s Fish Camp
34401 Tenley Court, Lewes; 644-2267; mattsfishcamplewes.com
Lunch Spot
Downstate, Readers: Matt’s Fish Camp
34401 Tenley Court, Lewes; 644-2267; mattsfishcamplewes.com
Upstate, Readers: The Peach Blossom Eatery
76 E. Main St., Newark; 715-3392; peachblossomeatery.com
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Mexican
Downstate, Readers: Agave
137 2nd St., Lewes; 462-4283; agavelewes.com
Upstate, Readers: Santa Fe Mexican Grill
109 E. Main St., Newark; 369-2500; santafemexicangrill.com
Microbrewery
Downstate, Readers: Dewey Beer Co.
2100 Coastal Highway, Dewey; 227-1182; deweybeerco.com
Upstate, Readers: Wilmington Brew Works
3129 Miller Road, Wilmington; 722-4828; wilmingtonbrewworks.com
Milford Restaurant
Readers: Benvenuto
249 NE Front St., Milford; 265-2652; benvenuto-restaurant.com
Milton Restaurant
Readers: Po’ Boys Creole Restaurant
900 Palmer St., Route 16, Milton; 684-0890; poboyscreole.com
New Restaurant
Downstate, Readers: Matt’s Fish Camp, Fenwick
700 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island; 375-2267; mattsfishcampfenwick.com
Upstate, Readers: The Peach Blossom Eatery
76 E. Main St., Newark; 715-3392; peachblossomeatery.com
New Castle/Old New Castle Restaurant
Readers: Jessop’s Tavern
114 Delaware St., New Castle; 322-6111; jessops-tavern.com
Newark Restaurant
Readers: Caffé Gelato
90 E. Main St., Newark; 738-5811; caffegelato.net
North Wilmington Restaurant
Readers: Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar
1601 Concord Pike, Suite 77-79, Wilmington; 303-7676; snuffmillbutchery.com
Over the State Line, Maryland
Readers: Schaefer’s Canal House
208 Bank St., Chesapeake City; 410-885-7200; schaeferscanalhouse.com
Over the State Line, New Jersey
Readers: Di Paolo’s Italian Ristorante
28 Broad St., Penns Grove; 856-299-4645; dipaolosrestaurant.com
Over the State Line, Pennsylvania
Readers: Sovana Bistro
696 Unionville Road, Kennett Square; 610-444-5600; sovanabistro.com
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Pizza (Gourmet)
Downstate, Readers: Crust & Craft
18701 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach; 313-5029; crustandcraftrehoboth.com
Upstate, Readers: La Pizzeria Metro
3101 Miller Road, Wilmington; 761-9199; lapizzeriametro.com
Pizza (Traditional)
Downstate, Readers: Nicola Pizza
71 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 833-358-7676; nicolapizza.com
Upstate, Readers: Claymont Steak Shop 2720 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 478-1500; claymontsteakshop.com
Rehoboth Beach Restaurant
Readers: Big Fish Grill, Rehoboth
20298 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach; 227-3474; bigfishgrill.com
Salads
Downstate, Readers: Seed Eatery
18979 Coastal Highway, Unit 105, Rehoboth Beach; 313-5981; seedeatery.com
Upstate, Readers: Home Grown Café
126 E. Main St., Newark; 266-6993; homegrowncafe.com
Sandwiches
Downstate, Readers: Arena’s
149 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-1272; arenasdeliandbar.com
Upstate, Readers: Capriotti’s
510 N. Union St., Wilmington; 571-8929; capriottis.com
Seafood
Downstate, Readers: Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar
30904 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach; 539-7111; bluecoastseafoodgrill.com
Upstate, Readers: Feby’s Fishery
3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington; 998-9501; febysfishery.com
Seafood Market
Downstate, Readers: Big Fish Market
20312 Coastal Highway, Unit 1, Rehoboth Beach; 227-3665; bigfishgrillmarket.com
Small Plates/Tapas
Downstate, Readers: Cafe Azafran
18 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-8100; cafeazafran.com
Upstate, Readers: Ole Tapas
1126 Capitol Trail, Newark; 224-9378; oletapaslounge.com
Smoothies
Downstate, Readers: Juicebox
3 Town Road, Ocean View; 616-1025; myjuicebox.biz
Upstate, Readers: The Juice Joint
323 Justison St., Wilmington; 803-6886; thejuicejoint.de
Sports Bar
Downstate, Readers: Grotto’s
36 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-3278; grottopizza.com
Upstate, Readers: Grotto’s
1819 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington; 777-3278; grottopizza.com
Steakhouse
Downstate, Readers: 1776 Steakhouse
18585 Coastal Highway, #6, Rehoboth Beach; 645-9355; 1776steakhouse.com
Upstate, Readers: Walter’s Steakhouse
802 N. Union St., Wilmington; 652-6780; walters-steakhouse.com
Steamed Crabs
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Downstate, Readers: The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar
16723 Coastal Highway, Lewes; 644-4448; thesurfingcrab.com
Upstate, Readers: Gus’s Crab Shack
29 W. Market St., Port Penn; 598-2685; gusgotcrabs.com
Subs/Hoagies
Downstate, Readers: Casapulla’s
535 Atlantic Ave., Millville; 539-5488; alcasapullas.com
Upstate, Readers: Casapulla’s
2707 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 477-0221; alcasapullas.com
Sushi
Downstate, Readers: Stingray Sushi Bar + Asian Grill
59 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-6476; stingrayrestaurant.com
Upstate, Readers: Mikimotos
1212 Washington St., Wilmington; 656-8638; mikimotos.com
Thai
Downstate, Readers: Bangkok Bistro Thai Eatery
24 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown; 265-6256; bangkokbistrodelaware.com
Upstate, Readers: Ubon Thai Kitchen & Bar
936 Justison St., Wilmington; 656-1706; ubonthaicuisine.com
Townsend Restaurant
Readers: Cantwell’s Tavern
109 Main St., Odessa; 376-0600; cantwells-tavern.com
Vegan/Vegetarian
Downstate, Readers: Seed Eatery
18979 Coastal Highway, Unit 105, Rehoboth Beach; 313-5981; seedeatery.com
Upstate Readers: Home Grown Café
126 E. Main St., Newark; 266-6993; homegrowncafe.com
Water-View Dining
Downstate, Readers: Harbour Restaurant at Canal Square
134 W. Market St., Lewes; 200-9522; harbourlewes.com
Upstate, Readers: Banks’ Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar
101 S. Market St., Wilmington; 777-1500; banksseafoodkitchen.com
Wilmington/Center City Restaurant
Readers: La Fia
421 N. Market St., Wilmington; 543-5574; lafiawilmington.com
Wilmington/Little Italy Restaurant
Readers: Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant
520 N. Union St., Wilmington; 652-9223; mrsrobinos.com
Wilmington/Riverfront Restaurant
Readers: Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
720 Justison St., Wilmington; 652-3474; bigfishriverfront.com
Wilmington/Trolley Square/Highlands/Rockland Park Restaurant
Readers: Trolley Square Oyster House 1707 Delaware Ave., Wilmington; 384-7310; trolleysquareoysterhouse.com
Wine List
Downstate, Readers: Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar
30904 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach; 539-7111; bluecoastseafoodgrill.com
Upstate, Readers: Harry’s Savoy Grill
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington; 475-3000; harryshospitalitygroup.com
Wine Store
Downstate, Readers: Outlet Liquors
19724 Coastal Highway, #6198, Rehoboth Beach; 227-7700; outletliquors.net
Upstate, Readers: Franks Wine
1206 N. Union St., Wilmington; 429-1978; frankswine.com
Winery, Statewide
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Readers: Nassau Valley Vineyards
32165 Winery Way, Lewes; 645-9463; nassauvalley.com
Related: These Best of Delaware Award Winners Make the First State Great
