My family has had a vacation house between Dewey and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the past 21 years. A few months ago, they made the move permanent. I’ve always considered Rehoboth a home and have enjoyed the culinary scene here for as long as I can remember. I decided to rank my favorite places to go out to eat in my home-base beach town: Rehoboth. Check out my list of the 20 best Rehoboth Beach restaurants.
20. Arena’s Deli
Arena’s is a casual deli and sports bar with two locations in Rehoboth. My personal favorite (and the original) is on Rehoboth Avenue. Sit outside on the spacious patio or in the main dining area. Order the nachos to start, they were voted the best in Delaware several times and get a draft beer alongside. All of their sandwiches are excellent, but a personal favorite of mine is the Reuben.
19. Salt Air
Salt Air is my first “upscale” inclusion on this list of the best Rehoboth Beach Restaurants. The establishment prides itself with serving high-end picnic food in a bright and nautical atmosphere. Their seafood is great here, however unlike other fabulous restaurants in town it does not overwhelm the menu. Some of my favorite dishes include their PEI mussels in a mustard creme sauce, the lamb ragu featuring goat cheese and shaved cured egg yolk and the shrimp fry.
18. Grotto Pizza
Grotto pizza is a staple takeout place for my family. They have a handful of seaside and avenue locations within Rehoboth Beach to choose from. Definitely check out the one right on the boardwalk for the best atmosphere. Another laid back inclusion, Grotto’s is famous for their pizza with swirled sauce. The plain cheese pizza is my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the classic pepperoni or the Grande either. Wash it down with a draft beer.
17. Big Fish Grill
Big Fish Grill is one of the most popular restaurants in the state and a staple for my family. They’re a casual atmosphere serving phenomenal seafood for a reasonable price. My go to dishes include the Pot O’Mussels with andouille sausage and saffron, the smoked salmon napoleon, the flash fried seafood combo and the Big Fish cioppino. All of the dishes are absolutely huge, but I always start with one of their salads as well. They’re just that good.
16. Fins
Fins is one of my favorite places for seafood on this list of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants. They have two locations in Rehoboth, but once again my favorite is on the Avenue. I sometimes go just for the raw oysters and hot crab dip, but you also must try the build your own fresh fish board. Choose a selection of one of their daily fresh caught 9 oz. fish filets, select one of four preparation methods, one of nine sauces and 2 side dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous this is also a great place to try an oyster shooter.
15. La Fable
La Fable is a traditional French bistro among the Rehoboth Beach restaurants. The inside of the restaurant is purely whimsical, like stepping into an old European fairytale. Start your meal off with the steak tartare or Foie Gras au Torchon paired with a recommended glass of wine from the in house sommelier. Some of the best entrees here include the boeuf bourgignon and the saumon served with ratatouille.
14. Claws
Another casual option that is great for dine in or takeout, Claws is my favorite place for crabs in Rehoboth. My recommendation is to get enough crabs to feed a crowd and order shareable sides to go with. The Jumbo crabs are excellent, but for the sake of your wallet the medium and large are just fine. As for sides, you can’t go wring with Mac & Cheese, hush puppies and potato salad. If you’re not a crack-your-own-crab kind of person I’d also recommend the jambalaya and crab cakes.
13. Dogfish Head
Rehoboth (and the other beach towns of Delaware) have phenomenal breweries, but when it comes to both food and beer Dogfish is the winner. Order a flight of beer to find your favorite and then get a pint (or two) after. I love an IPA, so some of my personal favorite brews here include the Hazy-O and the 60 Minute IPA. A favorite lighter beer of mine is the Namaste, and their Punkin Ale is one of my favorite seasonal beers of all time. When it comes to food, I love doing shared plates here. My favorites are the soft pretzel bites with 60 minute IPA cheddar to dip, the fried pickles and the Light of the World pizza.
12. Touch of Italy
Touch of Italy has a special place in my heart (and on this list) as I worked here for a summer! Regardless, it made this list as it is some of the best authentic Italian in the state. To start, you must try the polpette della mamma and rollatini di melanzane or the meatballs and rolled eggplant. The pollo alla parmigiana or chicken parmesan is possibly the most ordered dish in the restaurant and for good reason- it’s delicious and the size of a pizza. For pasta try the gnocchi calciano, for pizza the Fiaschetto is best and for a panino get the classic bianco e rosso. End the night with a selection of cookies from the pastry case.
11. Chesapeake & Maine
Chesapeake and Maine is owned by the same company as Dogfish Head, but they have an entirely different menu and personality. While Dogfish is focused on beer and brewery eats Chesapeake and Maine is it’s higher end sister restaurant with nautical decoration and upper scale food. One reason why I love them is their $15 lobster menu item served all day every day. Try their drunken roasted stuffed clams, the Maine clam bake or the SeaQuench Ale mussels.
10. Cafe Azafran
Cafe Azafran is a Mediterranean and Spanish fusion restaurant with outstanding tapas. Their dining room is open air and surrounded by greenery, making for the perfect place to get away from the bustle of Rehoboth Avenue. Try the Lamb albondigas, la mancha plate, duck birria tacos, pan sautéed mussels, the baked goat cheese gratin and whatever else calls to you.
9. Egg
I love getting brunch in Rehoboth, but of all the options Egg is the clear winner. They have a cute indoor dining area as well as a large patio to choose from. To start, get both a Bloody Mary and a mimosa. The Bloody Mary is served with shrimp and candied bacon and the mimosa perfectly balances out the savoriness of the Mary. As a breakfast appetizer also try the sriracha bacon candy. My absolute favorite breakfast option in the world is served here – the eggs normandy. The eggs normandy is a pile of scrambled eggs with warm smoked salmon and goat cheese on top of rye toast. It’s phenomenal. The Eastern Shore Benedict with lump crab meat is also great.
8. 1776 Steakhouse
1776 is one of the more off the beaten path restaurants as it is actually in a strip mall. Location aside, it is the best steakhouse on the Delaware coast. Step inside and you are instantly in a whole new world of high end dining that juxtaposes the parking lot. Try the filet mignon trio if you aren’t quite sure how you want your steak dressed. The Barrel 10 oz is also phenomenal. If you’re not into steak get the black ravioli stuffed with lobster and made with squid ink or the lobster and crab au gratin.
7. Fork & Flask
Fork and Flak has plenty of delicious fare, but one entree put them on this list of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants – the Nage Burger. The Nage Burger was once voted one of the top 50 burgers in the world and it does not disappoint. It is rather simple, served only with a brioche bun, sharp white cheddar, tomato jam and truffle fries. I almost never order burgers out but this is the exception. Try the fried olives and pot of fondue to start.
6. The Blue Hen
The Blue Hen has high end dining in a laid back atmosphere with a spacious patio and fire pit. Try a handful of shared plates like the raw oysters, beef carpaccio and lobster toast. For the main entree I recommend the pan seared duck breast, fried chicken or crab spaghetti. The menu is constantly changing to feature the seasonal cuisine of Delaware.
5. Stingray
Stingray, by far, has the best sushi of all coastal Delaware towns. They have an expansive list of unique rolls as well as other dinner options such as Szeuchan salmon and general Tso’s chicken. As for rolls, some of my favorites include the Flying Eagle, the Yellow Submarine and the Hairy Mexican. My favorite sushi roll of all time is also served here – the Crazy Philly. This roll is made with fresh salmon, avocado and cream cheese before being deep fried and topped with crab stick, cooked shrimp, spicy mayo and eel sauce. It’s huge.
4. Just in Thyme
Just in Thyme is in the forgotten mile but so good it had to be included on this list of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants. This restaurant has phenomenal Cajun cuisine in a place far from Louisiana. Some of my favorite menu options include the crawfish beignets, jambalaya, shrimp and grits and pork Orleans.
3. Henlopen City Oyster House
If you’ve made it this far in the list of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants, you know that I love raw oysters. Henlopen City has the best in Delaware. The fare aside from this is also outstanding and is why it is in the top 3. Try the pot luck for a steamed bucket of shrimp, mussels, oysters, sausage, potatoes and corn if you’re an indecisive seafood lover like myself. The restaurant also offers a caviar sampler, oyster shooters and a selection of baked and steamed shellfish. the lobster mac & cheese is also to die for.
2. The Cultured Pearl
The Cultured Pearl has great food, but they rank so high due to the atmosphere. The inside portion of the restaurant is gorgeous, but the spacious rooftop patio is always my seating choice. The rooftop is covered in lush greenery, koi ponds that interconnect through tunnels under the boardwalk tables and canopied dining sets four stories above the rest of town.
As for food, their sushi is excellent but I particularly love some of their hot entrees. Start the night with their incredibly decadent cream of crab soup and then move on to a main like salmon teriyaki, Korean BBQ or yellow curry shrimp. The edamame bar is also an excellent lighter option. Be sure to end the night with their selection of mochi.
1. The Back Porch
This was a hard choice, but the Back Porch is my number 1 option for the best Rehoboth Beach restaurant for a number of reasons. First, the atmosphere is lovely. Most of the restaurant is located within a quiet courtyard directly off of Rehoboth Avenue. The decor is vintage and emulates a step back in time, which makes sense considering the restaurant has been here for nearly 50 years.
Dining here is an experience. Come for an early dinner and start the meal with shared appetizers. I recommend the gorgonzola flan, rainbow cauliflower with pine nut hummus and foie gras crostini with grainy mustard. For your main, try the rabit bolognese with a whole confit leg of rabbit, the grilled dayboat scallops or the grilled pork tenderloin with pineapple jalapeño polenta. You must not leave without desert – the Back Porch is famous for their spiked flambe coffee made table side. I also love the cinnamon basil creme brûlée and the dark chocolate bourbon torte.
Rehoboth Beach is a culinary destination located in the heart of my home – Southern Delaware. Be sure to try out all 20 of my recommendations for the best Rehoboth Beach restaurant. Check out more writing on the East Coast here.
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