The coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is a small town with a booming restaurant scene. With fresh seafood, farm-to-table specialties, and excellent brunch, there are lots of outstanding places to eat here year-round. Whether you’re looking for a cozy brewpub or an upscale coastal dinner experience, you’ll find it among our picks for some of the best restaurants in Rehoboth Beach and nearby.
Henlopen City Oyster House
Fresh, local seafood is the star at Henlopen City Oyster House. Busy year-round, it’s one of the top restaurants in Rehoboth Beach.
Henlopen City Oyster House has an impressive selection of fresh oysters and shooters plus oyster stew, fried oysters, and more. Their steamed seafood options and crispy soft shell crabs are also winners. The wide selection makes it difficult to choose, but we particularly love the New England lobster roll and the Maryland crab cakes (no filler here!). They don’t accept reservations, so put your name on the list and grab a drink at the bar while you wait for some of the best seafood at the shore.
Lewes Oyster House
From the moment you see the large oyster display in the front window, there is no doubt what the focus is at Lewes Oyster House. This welcoming restaurant on 2nd Street in Lewes serves a range of raw and prepared oysters, and, if you’re lucky enough to get a seat at the raw bar, they’ll be shucked right in front of you.
The menu features elevated tavern fare like steamed mussels and fries, popcorn scallops with Old Bay and sweet corn aioli, rotisserie chicken with truffled mashed potatoes, and a Wagyu smash burger. The coconut shrimp and butter poached halibut were among our favorites. Don’t miss the cocktail list—we dream about Killing Me Softly, a mix of cognac, amaretto, and house-made cherry syrup topped with Prosecco.
Heirloom
A table at Heirloom is one of the most sought-after reservations among Delaware restaurants. A farm-to-table gem set in a charming 19th-century house, the menu here is always exquisite and changes frequently to feature the best ingredients available. Housemade pasta, grilled meats and seafood, and delicious, beautifully presented desserts are staples of this award-winning restaurant. A meal here is guaranteed to be special.
Salt Air
The eclectic dining rooms at Salt Air overflow with guests enjoying seasonal dishes that showcase the best ingredients in the mid-Atlantic region. With lots of fresh seafood, pasta, and highlights like a grilled pork chop and flat iron steak, it is one of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants.
The New American cuisine at Salt Air ranges from crab deviled eggs to a delectable cheese board to lamb Bolognese. The extensive wine, cocktail, and beer list is complemented by a selection of mocktails. Plan ahead for a reservation here, especially in the summer.
Agave (multiple locations)
A mix of traditional and modern Mexican, Agave has delighted visitors to the Delaware beaches for over 15 years. Agave is known for its pomegranate margaritas, blue cheese and steak quesadillas, and selection of guacamoles, among many other flavorful dishes. Lines here can be long, so those in the know recommend arriving at opening time or shortly before to minimize the wait.
Fins Ale House (multiple locations)
An inviting pub with multiple locations at the Delaware shore, Fins Ale House & Raw Bar is great for those times when you want to keep it casual and still have great food. From jumbo lump crab cakes to platters of fresh fish, burgers, and pork chops, the menu leans heavily toward seafood but offers a good range of other options as well.
Fins is owned by the same company as local Big Oyster Brewery, so those products have a prominent place among the beverage options. You’ll also find lots of other beers plus wines and cocktails. The restaurant has great specials—particularly lobster and crab at the right time of year—and a very popular happy hour. We especially enjoyed the raw oysters and the crab dip. It’s hard to go wrong here.
Matt’s Fish Camp (multiple locations)
A relaxed atmosphere and top-notch ingredients combine to make Matt’s Fish Camp one of the best casual restaurants in southern Delaware. At its multiple locations, you’ll find a raw bar plus starters like steamed clams, mains including chicken pot pie and short rib stroganoff, and some of the best fish and chips in the area. The buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits and the lobster roll are local favorites.
Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats
Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats has been a top place to visit in Rehoboth Beach for nearly 30 years. The pub, which also features regular live music, serves Dogfish Head beers, some of which are exclusive to the tasting room.
Wood-fired pizza and wood-grilled burgers are the go-to here, and the pretzel bites are exceptional. There are also lots of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Some of the dishes include products–such as the 90 Minute IPA Cheddar–made with Dogfish Head beers. For a menu more focused on seafood, check out the company’s Chesapeake & Maine restaurant next door.
Egg
If you’re in search of an excellent brunch, make a beeline to Egg. With indoor and outdoor seating, this spot does a bustling business every day of the week. Though there may be a wait for a table at peak times, it’s worth it for toast piled high with crab and avocado, lobster Benedict, and lemon curd crepes.
Victoria’s
From its Victorian décor to the talking parrots in the lobby, Victoria’s is filled with character. Set right on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, it offers great views and people watching while you dine on cream of crab soup, bang bang shrimp, and grilled filet in a cognac and mushroom sauce.
Victoria’s is open from breakfast through dinner and serves a spirited afternoon tea—you may even get to take photos with their Victorian hats.
Our Harvest
Great cocktails and decadent dishes are the hallmarks of a night out at Our Harvest. This unassuming spot in Fenwick Island is great for groups, a date night, or anyone looking for a special experience.
Our Harvest features ingredients from around the mid-Atlantic on its menu, which includes smaller plates like burrata and roasted oysters as well as their signature “feasts.” These larger plates are designed for sharing and include a whole grilled Amish chicken, woodfired whole fish, paella, and larger steaks cooked to perfection. Because items are sourced daily, the menu changes frequently. Plan ahead for a reservation.
Summer Salts
Right on Route 1, Summer Salts Beach Grill in Bethany Beach has all the classics you would want in a quality spot near the beach. From chicken fingers and wings to fajitas, salads, and a selection of over half a dozen burgers, the menu features a little bit of everything.
There are several TVs for those looking to catch a game, plus outdoor seating.
Big Chill Beach Club
There are few places as enjoyable as the Big Chill Beach Club on a sunny day. Located at the Delaware Seashore State Park, it offers ocean views from its lovely deck, so you can gaze out at the water while enjoying tacos, burgers, and salads. Pull up a seat for lunch or dinner any day during the summer. (Note that state park admission is required.)
Grotto Pizza (multiple locations)
You can’t drive more than a few miles near Rehoboth Beach without seeing a Grotto Pizza. For over 60 years, this ubiquitous regional icon has supplied families with some of the best pizza around. You can try the Buffalo chicken, the Hawaiian, or one of the other specialty pizzas, but the original is most well-known—with melted cheese and a swirl of sauce on top, it’s proof that good things stand the test of time.