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Constitution Yards in Wilmington./Photo courtesy of GWCVB
From rooftop decks to spacious patios, these Delaware restaurants offer great spaces for outdoor dining throughout the season.
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.
Editor’s note: Some restaurants on this list may have restricted outdoor operations due to COVID-19 regulations. Contact the restaurant directly for updated information.
Outdoor Dining in Delaware
The Backyard Milton
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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
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
Bardea Food + Drink
Featuring neo-Italian fare, from pizza to pasta, this James Beard semifinalist offers patio seating right on downtown Wilmington’s Market Street.
620 N. Market St, Wilmington • 426-2069
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 petite filet mignon to homemade meatloaf. The restaurant also has a spacious outdoor area.
The outdoor patio, indoor bar and dining room are now open with social distancing. Call 655-3785 to make a reservation or visit the website to order online.
4019 Kennett Pke, Greenville • 655-3785
Big Chill Beach Club
This oceanfront restaurant is nestled in Delaware Seashore State Park and reopens for the summer season on April 23. 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
Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
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Just as its name suggests, Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront will please any seafood lover with its variety of fresh dishes from the sea. Its outdoor patio offers a view of the Christiana River.
720 Justison St, Wilmington • 652-3474
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
Buckley’s Tavern
Enjoy a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, comfort food, seafood and steak on Buckley’s lovely outdoor terrace. Then head to the rooftop bar for an after-dinner drink and stunning views of Centreville.
Offering indoor and outdoor seating by reservation only. Call in advance at 656-9776.
5812 Kennett Pke, Centreville • 656-9776
Cavanaugh’s Restaurant
This Delaware eatery is known as a great spot to grab lunch on a busy workday. But now, it can be enjoyed for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday.
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. Its outdoor seating area will soon feature TVs for additional entertainment.
821 N. Market St, Wilmington • 482-3333
Columbus Inn
Grab lunch, dinner or brunch underneath twinkly lights on Columbus Inn’s covered patio, which overlooks the bustling Pennsylvania Avenue, or in its newly renovated outdoor dining greenhouses. Each greenhouse is heated and comes with a personal Bluetooth speaker.
2216 Pennsylvania Ave, Wilmington • 571-1492
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 socially distanced cocktail with a river view. And don’t forgot the pub-style fare.
308 Justison St, Wilmington • 407-5192
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.
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes • 644-7837
316 Auto Park Dr, Middletown • 601-7837
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
The Den at Bear Trap Dunes
This must-try coastal restaurant in Delaware features exciting twists on classic pub fare. Enjoy an expansive beer, wine and handcrafted cocktail list and chef created specialties that are legendary. Make yourself at home while we treat you to the most delicious and fun culinary experience around. Sit outdoors by our cozy fire pits with a view, gather around our TVs to catch a game, or partake in community revelry. Conveniently located off Rt. 26 just minutes from downtown Bethany Beach.
Bear Trap Dune, 7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View • 537-5600
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
Docklands Riverfront
Offering a riverfront view, Docklands Riverfront provides visitors comfort food, cocktails and live entertainment. With a contained, outdoor porch, along with new arranged seating areas indoors, this eatery places trusts within customers to be safe, while still encouraging them to take in the scenery around them.
110 West St, Wilmington • 658-6626
El Diablo Burritos
Enjoy fast casual Tex Mex in the form of burritos, bowls, quesadillas and tacos. With a variety of locations, there’s a variety of different outdoor seating from which to choose. Each location offers takeout and curbside pickup.
Various locations
Fish On
Simple coastal cuisine and a casual atmosphere define this SoDel Concepts restaurant. Head to the outdoor patio and relax in an Adirondack chair for the ultimate relaxed dining experience.
17300 N. Village Main Blvd, Lewes • 645-9790
Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen
Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen has three spots in the First State with great outdoor seating options. On Newark’s Main Street, enjoy the outdoor patio and fire pit. 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 at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal is now open and boasts stunning views of the Delaware Bay.
270 E. Main St, Newark • 444-8646
3006 Summit Harbour Ln, Bear • 440-4404
43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes • 291-3900
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
Hammerheads Dockside
The sunsets overlooking Rehoboth’s Indian River Marina at Hammerheads Dockside are just too pretty to pass up. Sip on a signature crush, cocktail or wine and enjoy oysters, tots, wings and more at the outdoor bar and seating areas. The restaurant will reopen for the season on April 15th.
39415 Inlet Rd, Rehoboth Beach • 752-8010
Heirloom
With the everyday familiarity of your neighborhood house, Heirloom grants patrons the chance to dive into new and unknown dishes alike, all from the comfort of a space with enough room for all to have their own space, both inside and outdoors. Outdoor dining is available beginning in April.
212 Savannah Rd, Lewes • 313-4065
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Home Grown Cafe
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This restaurant is a crowd-pleaser with a variety of menu items for vegetarians, pescatarians and carnivores. The dining room, bar and deck are open, with pickup and delivery available.
126 E. Main St, Newark • 266-6993
Irish Eyes Restaurant & Pub
Neighboring right next to the riverside, Irish Eyes Restaurant & Pub brings to life an authentic Irish bar in Delaware, while also bringing current favorite menu items into the mix.
213 Anglers Rd, Lewes • 645-6888
105 Union St, Milton • 684-8889
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. The menu features both beer-inspired and vegetarian options.
620 Justison St, Wilmington • 472-2739
147 E. Main St, Newark • 266-9000
Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
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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.
1801 W. 14 St, Wilmington • 658-4600
La Fia Bistro
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A little bit of classic European cuisine brought to 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
Le Cavalier at the Green Room
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 limited indoor dining spaces, the outdoor patio is fully available for an open-air brasserie dining experience.
42 West 11th St., Wilmington • 594-3154
Makers Alley
Makers Alley delivers a quaint, communal experience to all, matching the aura of a backyard gathering with family and friends. With 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, Makers Alley brings back a comfortability factor for those steadily becoming acquainted with the new way of dining out.
804 N. Orange St, Wilmington • 482-1299
Paradise Grill
The dining experience at Paradise Grill is hard to beat. Relax along the Indian River Bay at any of the outdoor seating areas, including the lagoon bar, beach bars, marina, Paradise Beach, kids’ playground and more.
27344 Bay Rd, Long Neck • 945-4500
Rusty Rudder
Bay views and live entertainment on the outdoor deck make this Dewey mainstay an open-air oasis. Rusty Rudder reopens for the season on April 30.
113 Dickinson St, Dewey Beach • 227-3888
Signatures at Bayside
The clubhouse at Bayside features Signatures restaurant, with stunning views of Delaware’s premier Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Our culinary team has blended the charm and comfort of homemade favorites infused with contemporary, coastal cuisine. Sit back with a local craft brew after your round at one of our indoor or outdoor bars. Enjoy fire pits, two clay bocce courts and fun for the whole gang with a multi-sport golf simulator.
12021 North Haven Drive, Selbyville • 436-3200
Stitch House Brewery
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Enjoy American fare and a rotating beer selection at this downtown Wilmington Market Street spot.
829 N. Market St, Wilmington • 250-4280
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
Stone Balloon Ale House
On the site of the former music venue of the same name, this pub offers American fare with an expansive wine and cocktail list.
115 E. Main St, Newark • 266-8111
Tasties 302
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Enjoy soul food dishes at this elegant restaurant. Customers can enjoy lunch and dinner featuring crispy fried chicken, mac and cheese, freshly pulled greens and so much more.
825 N Market St, Wilmington • 482-2584
Taverna
Enjoy classic Italian dishes, pizzas and more at this eatery. Reservations for up to five guests can be made online, but for larger groups call 444-4334.
121 E. Main St, Newark • 444-4334
3549 Silverside Rd, Wilmington • 384-8552
Piccolina Toscana
Sit back on the patio and enjoy hand-rolled pastas, hearth-baked pizzas and more at this neighborhood Italian eatery. Toscana offers to-go menus as well as a catering option for events.
1412 N. DuPont St, Wilmington • 654-8001
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
Olivia Montes, Kaydee Jones and Sydney Kerelo contributed to this article.