Delaware is a very versatile state. It’s a state with miles of metropolitan landscape and acres of verdant vegetation. It’s a site where all four seasons may be seen in full bloom. It’s a walk in the park for some. It’s a boat excursion into the city for some, and it’s an open cornucopia filled with surprising flavor for foodies.
Below are Delaware’s top 10 restaurants, ranging from the well-known to the unknown, from Zagat-rated to locally favored.
1. Harry’s Savoy Grill, Wilmington, DE
This Zagat-rated restaurant is located right on the Pennsylvania-Delaware border, making it an ideal stop if you happen to be in either state. Harry’s is a Wilmington institution tucked away along the busy side streets of Naamans Road. They’ve been serving up a fantastic selection of five-star cuisine since the early 1990s. Year after year, all of its subsidiaries, including Harry’s Seafood Grill and Harry’s Savoy Ballroom, have received local accolades and awards.
2. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Newark, Wilmington, DE
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is quickly becoming a local favorite, with a TripAdvisor rating of No. 1 in Newark. This fantastic, relatively new restaurant has many Delaware locations, which are equally delicious. The herb-crusted, slow-roasted prime rib entrée and the minimalistic modern décor make for an excellent premium evening at a reasonable price.
3. The Crooked Hammock Brewery, Lewes, DE
If you enjoy lounging, live music, craft brews, and a backyard meal to match, a visit to the Crooked Hammock Brewery is for you. This laid-back brewery, part of the La Vida Hospitality Group, is located in Lewes and has everything you might want on a leisurely Sunday afternoon. It’s even possible to order it on a Tuesday. The Crooked Hammock joyfully organizes many community-inspired events while providing a fantastic menu of backyard favorites like chicken kebabs and slow-cooked short ribs.
4. The Charcoal Pit, Wilmington, DE
While President Barack Obama has been cited as saying that Five Guys is his favorite burger spot, yours recently saw him eating at none other than Delaware’s famed Charcoal Pit. Nobody can hold him responsible. The informal environment puts you right where American cuisine belongs. In a stress-free environment where good company, good conversation, and a delicious shake are all you need to have a wonderful time.
5. Salt Air, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Salt Air, an aptly named beachside café providing locally farmed food, offers farm-to-table dining by the sea in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Their seasonal menu is subject to change, but we always find something savory and delicious here. It’s well worth making a reservation, especially if you haven’t yet experienced Delaware’s burgeoning farm-fresh trend.
6. Hunan, Wilmington, DE
Hunan is a must-visit for fans of Asian fusion food, notably Chinese and Japanese. This upscale Wilmington restaurant has been a local favorite for years. They serve fresh, MSG-free mainstays like crispy duck and General Tso’s chicken, and they also have their distinct flavor, with seasonal house specialties constantly spicing up the menu. If you have food allergies or specific dietary requirements, this restaurant is a great choice. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, and the restaurant’s elaborate appearance makes it a charming, albeit hidden, delicacy.
7. Meding’s Seafood, Milford, DE
If you’re looking for a hidden gem on your route to one of Delaware’s sandy beaches, this wayside diner should be on your list of visits. Meding is a local favorite that serves a lot of surf and a little turf. This unusually designed eatery may easily be mistaken for a grocery shop, but the gold-encrusted windmill out front is impossible to miss. Visitors are encouraged to try their crab daddy, which consists of a cheese-covered crab melt served with a certified Angus burger and served with their famed French fries.
8. The Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth Beach, DE
The Cultured Pearl earns a well-deserved spot on our exclusive list as proof that Delaware can transition from burger to buffet to high class with the stroke of a fork. A seat at this cafe is one of life’s little jewels, with breathtaking seaside views, rooftop dining, a glistening koi pond, and a sushi bar that has earned the best of Delaware 20 years in a row.
9. Grotto Pizza
When in Delaware, there’s always room for pizza, and Grotto has the secret sauce. Their pies are perfectly prepared and are finger-licking well until the last bite. Grotto has locations in practically every part of Delaware, so no matter where you are on the map, you should be able to find one. Cheese lovers should order additional cheese because this pizza is intended to showcase the intricate sauce.
10. Ali Baba Restaurant, Newark, DE
Ali Baba Restaurant in Newark, Delaware, serves Middle Eastern cuisine in a beautiful environment. In addition to the delicious Moroccan-inspired food, there are themed amenities such as belly dancing and a hookah bar. The atmosphere alone is enough to pique your interest in ethnic food.