For those looking to enjoy a meal outside this season, Delaware Today compiled a list of restaurants across the First State with al fresco dining.
Outdoor Dining in Delaware
The Backyard Milton
The Backyard Milton specializes in a mix of classic breakfast, lunch and dinner plates, including a wide array of sandwiches, burgers and salads, plus a bakery and market for desserts. With its quaint, comfortable backyard patio, it’s a welcome break from the home kitchen table.
211 Broadkill Rd, Milton | 684-3440
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Banks’ Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar
Located adjacent to the Wilmington Riverwalk, Banks’ specializes in fresh seafood. The Delaware restaurant’s covered patio gives guests a spectacular view of the water—and the Kalmar Nyckel, when it’s in town.
101 S. Market St, Wilmington | 777-1500
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Bardea Garden
The Bardea brand—known for neo-Italian fare from pizza to pasta at Bardea and upscale steak and accompaniments at Bardea Steak—also includes the Bardea Garden. This outdoor lounge nestled between Bardea and Bardea Steak features light bites, delicious cocktails, beer and wine, Thursday night DJs and plenty of great times throughout the warm season.
612 N. Market St, Wilmington | 426-2069
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BBC Tavern and Grill
A true neighborhood bar and grill in Delaware, BBC Tavern offers soups and salads, sandwiches and a variety of different entrees, from petit filet mignon to homemade meatloaf. The restaurant also has a spacious outdoor area.
4019 Kennett Pke, Greenville | 655-3785
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Big Chill Beach Club
This oceanfront restaurant is nestled in Delaware Seashore State Park and open and ready for the 2024 season. The main dining area boasts a 200-seat rooftop deck and umbrella bar, complete with 360-degree views of the ocean, the Indian River Inlet and Inland Bays.
27099 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach | 402-5300
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Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar
Customers far and wide come to Bluecoast for local seafood, great happy hour specials and an award-winning wine list. They stay for a stunning view that overlooks Bethany’s scenic salt pond. The Rehoboth location also has a large outdoor dining area (with a nice bar, too) that somehow disguises all the noise from busy Route 1.
30904 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach | 539-7111
300115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach | 278-7395
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Buckley’s Tavern
Enjoy a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, comfort food, seafood and steak on Buckley’s lovely outdoor terrace. Buckley’s is also home to a rooftop bar offering stunning views of Centreville.
5812 Kennett Pke, Centreville | 656-9776
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Cavanaugh’s Restaurant
This Delaware eatery is known as a great spot to grab lunch on a busy workday. Now that it’s warming up, you can enjoy a midday break on the gorgeous patio.
703 N. Market St, Wilmington | 656-4067
Chelsea Tavern
This Delaware gastropub offers a wide selection of menu options including pizzas, salads and sandwiches, along with a hearty beer, wine and cocktail list.
821 N. Market St, Wilmington | 482-3333
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Columbus Inn
Grab lunch, dinner or brunch underneath twinkly lights on Columbus Inn’s covered patio, which overlooks the bustling Pennsylvania Avenue.
2216 Pennsylvania Ave, Wilmington | 571-1492
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Constitution Yards
Constitution Yards is a staple spot on the Wilmington Riverfront during the summer months. A seasonal beer garden, it’s perfect for a local beer or cocktail with a river view. And don’t forget the pub-style fare.
308 Justison St, Wilmington | 407-5192
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Crooked Hammock Brewery
Toes in the sand with a beer in hand. That’s the laidback vibe at this Lewes brewpub, which specializes in backyard brews and food. Relax around a fire pit during those chilly spring evenings or snag one of the hammocks when the weather warms up. Plus, a new hard tea release makes for the perfect outdoor drinking.
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes | 644-7837
316 Auto Park Dr, Middletown | 601-7837
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The Cultured Pearl
Gourmet Japanese and American cuisine is the star at this downtown Rehoboth restaurant. The iconic rooftop deck is a staple for tourists and locals and is complete with a 5,000-gallon Koi pond.
301 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach | 227-8493
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Del Pez
With its specials fitting into Mexican cuisine, Del Pez Mexican GastroPub allows for entire families to sit down and enjoy round after round of enchiladas, fajitas and tacos, alongside variations of side dishes and cocktail drinks. The eatery has a spacious porch on the side of the restaurant where customers can enjoy a view of the busy riverfront.
400 Justison St, Wilmington | 691-7974
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Docklands Riverfront
Offering a riverfront view, Docklands Riverfront provides visitors comfort food, cocktails and live entertainment. Take it all in on the spacious enclosed patio.
110 West St, Wilmington | 658-6626
El Diablo Burritos
Enjoy fast-casual Tex-Mex in the form of burritos, bowls, quesadillas and tacos. With multiple locations, there’s a variety of different outdoor seating from which to choose. Each location offers takeout and dine-in.
Various locations
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Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen
Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen has many spots in the First State with great outdoor seating options. On Newark’s Main Street, enjoy the outdoor patio and fire pit. Trolley’s location has the perfect ambiance for night-life lovers. The Bear location has stunning views of the C and D Canal, which can be reached by car, bike or boat. Grain on the Rocks boasts breathtaking views of the Delaware Bay.
Various locations
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Half Full
Evocative of a neighborhood cottage, Half Full brings to life classic dishes such as pizza, soups and salads with its own little, unique touch of extra, all while providing wide indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy.
125 Second St, Lewes | 645-8877
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Hamilton’s on Main
This Newark eatery offers approachable fine dining in a cozy and inviting setting. The patio is risen off of Newark’s Main Street, so you can enjoy the liveliness of this charming college town while still feeling separated from the pedestrian traffic. Bistro tables and top-notch service make this an unbeatable outdoor dining experience.
Plus, bring your dog to enjoy a fine-dining experience of their own with a vet-approved dog menu full of $5, nutrient-packed options for your furry friend.
102 E. Main St, Newark | 358-8533
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Heirloom
With the everyday familiarity of your neighborhood house, Heirloom grants patrons the chance to dive into new and unknown dishes alike, made from ingredients sourced locally and responsibly.
212 Savannah Rd, Lewes | 313-4065
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Home Grown Cafe
This restaurant is a crowd-pleaser with a variety of menu items for vegetarians, pescatarians and carnivores alike. The patio offers views of Newark’s bustling Main Street.
126 E. Main St, Newark | 266-6993
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Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
With a brewery feel along the riverfront, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant grants customers a voluminous abode for sitting down for a meal, ordering a drink or two and taking in the urbanite view seen right from outside. Newark’s location features a covered and enclosed patio on Main Street. The menu features both beer-inspired and vegetarian options.
Various locations
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Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
With modern twists on classic brunches, dinners and everything in between, such as cheesesteak sandwiches, self-made omelets and charcoal-grilled burgers, as well as an enclosed porch recollective of any neighborhood barbecue, Kid Shelleen’s grants customers the chance to reconnect with the familiar while also becoming familiar with the new. Enjoy outdoor dining at both locations.
1801 W. 14 St, Wilmington | 658-4600
1812 Marsh Rd, Wilmington | 308-3560
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La Fia Bistro
A little bit of classic European cuisine in the First State, La Fia introduces Old World-style signatures, including handmade pasta and fresh vegetables, to those looking for an escape to simpler times. With outdoor seating along downtown Wilmington’s Market Street to set the mood, you’ll feel transported to a Parisian café.
421 N. Market St, Wilmington | 543-5574
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Le Cavalier
This French-inspired cuisine offers a brasserie experience featuring thoughtfully sourced classics and inventive riffs on French staples. Le Cavalier’s menu changes frequently, but patrons are guaranteed a delicious array of French-inspired dishes. Along with indoor dining, the outdoor patio is fully available for an open-air brasserie experience.
42 West 11th St, Wilmington | 594-3154
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Makers Alley
Makers Alley delivers a quaint, communal experience to all, matching the aura of a backyard gathering with family and friends. Enjoy a free, reaching space to move around, along with a variety of favorites from burgers to tacos crafted inside an Airstream converted to a kitchen.
804 N. Orange St, Wilmington | 482-1299
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Nalu Surf Bar
For outdoor dining and drinking, it’s hard to beat a tiki bar! Nalu has locations in both Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach, each with fun tropical cocktails and delicious beachside eats.
1308 Coastal Hwy, Dewey Beach | 227-1449
41 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach | 278-7960
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Park Café
This Wilmington eatery serves up lunch, Saturday and Sunday brunch and delicious specialty cocktails with a gorgeous outdoor dining area.
2510 West 5th St, Wilmington | 543-2233
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Piccolina Toscana
If you’re looking for outdoor seating and Italian eats, sit back on the patio and enjoy hand-rolled pastas, hearth-baked pizzas and more at this neighborhood eatery.
1412 N. DuPont St, Wilmington | 654-8001
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The Quoin Rooftop
Featuring Wilmington’s first rooftop lounge, The Quoin offers artisan sips, local beers, wines and small plates in a cozy yet swanky setting atop its historic Wilmington building. Snack on charcuterie, shrimp cocktails, oysters, steak tartare or deviled eggs with cocktails on the roof.
519 N. Market St, Wilmington | 446-5600
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Striper Bites
Matching its oceanside climate, Striper Bites grants a variety of seafood options for lunch and dinner, as well as an in-house bar for drinks to rival customers’ appetites. With an outdoor porch overlooking the nearby coastline, as well as an open indoor space to replicate that same outside vastness, Striper Bites promises a memorable experience.
107 Savannah Rd, Lewes | 645-4657
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Somewhere
This brunch hotspot in Rehoboth Beach offers incredible cocktails, delicious fare and a stunning atmosphere in its outdoor “oasis” with plenty of greenery, ample outdoor seating and incredible views.
52 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach | 858-6280
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Taverna
Enjoy classic Italian dishes, pizzas and more at this eatery. Taverna offers a top-notch outdoor dining experience in both Wilmington and Newark.
121 E. Main St, Newark | 444-4334
3549 Silverside Rd, Wilmington | 384-8552
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Related: 14 Delaware Crab Houses to Visit for Mouthwatering Crabs
Tonic Seafood & Steak
Enjoy upscale seafood and steak options with outdoor seating at this enclosed patio in the middle of Wilmington’s bustling downtown.
111 West 11th St, Wilmington | 777-2040
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Victoria’s Restaurant
If you’re looking for fine dining with a side of oceanfront views in Delaware, Victoria’s in the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is a perfect match. Outdoor seating on the boardwalk patio is a solid option when things start to heat up.
2 Olive Ave & the Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach | 227-7169
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Olivia Montes, Kaydee Jones, Sydney Kerelo and Sydney Livingston contributed to this article.
