The Best Restaurants, Food and Drinks in Delaware in 2022

Adobe Stock | Maridav

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

- Advertisement -
Calling all health nuts: Bee-Bowl’d (Camden) and Green Box Kitchen (Wilmington) were your favorite spots to enjoy acai bowls with fresh, fruity toppings

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

- Partner Content -

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

- Advertisement -

Upstate, Readers: Limestone BBQ & Bourbon

2062 Limestone Road, Wilmington; 274-2085; limestonebbqandbourbon.com

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

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Claymont Steak Shop (@claymontsteaks)

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

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

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

Pile on the toppings at both Twilly’s Willys Hot Dogs (Fenwick Island) and Deerhead Hot Dogs (Newark). Adobe Stock | Sergei Shavin.

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

You all scream for ice cream at Hopkins Farm Creamery (Lewes), beloved for a wild list of flavors (cow pie, anyone?) and a scenic, countryside setting. Adobe Stock | Andrey Kuzmin

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

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

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by sovanabistro (@sovanabistro)

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

No time to catch your dinner? Feby’s Fishery (Wilmington) serves up salmon, halibut and other fresh catches of the day, all ready to hit the grill. Best food & Drink in delaware in 2022
No time to catch your dinner? Feby’s Fishery (Wilmington) serves up salmon, halibut and other fresh catches of the day, all ready to hit the grill.

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

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Surfing Crab (@the_surfing_crab)

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

Readers: Nassau Valley Vineyards

32165 Winery Way, Lewes; 645-9463; nassauvalley.com

Related: These Best of Delaware Award Winners Make the First State Great

Our Best of Delaware Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.