10 Best Casual Restaurants in Coastal Delaware
Delaware restaurants are exciting and fun, especially when you're looking for locations with great food, excellent service and incredible drinks. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or enjoying an extended staycation, you want to indulge in some of the best drinks and dishes in the area. The options on this list are some of the best casual restaurants in Delaware. They're perfect for stopping by right after hitting the beach, during an afternoon stroll or when gathering with your friends and family for a late-night get-together.
You're in the right place if you're looking for restaurants with a casual atmosphere, sweet or savory happy hour selections and fresh seafood. These casual Delaware restaurants have everything you're looking for and more.
1. Thompson Island Brewing Company
Thompson Island Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery and restaurant with an incredible atmosphere, service and food. It's also one of the most relaxing restaurants in Delaware. The bustling staff at Thompson Island Brewing Company celebrates the coastal Delaware lifestyle, and you can enjoy this casual dining experience any day of the week.
This is one of the best locations you can visit during your time in Delaware. With its porch, dining room, beer garden and bar, you can enjoy the many faces of Thompson Island Brewing Company with your friends and family. The action and excitement make it the perfect spot to get cozy with your friends, play games with your family or grab a late-night bite.
As you flip through the menu, you'll notice many original brews and rotating taps to enjoy. The food is just as delicious, inspired by local farms, bays and beaches. You can taste the likes of oysters, chicken, catfish and more on the menu while sipping a cocktail, craft beer or wine. There are also specials, so you can always expect a fantastic deal and even better food.
2. Claws Seafood House
Claws Seafood House is a family-oriented business that celebrates its employees and guests. This philosophy embodies the essence you feel when you walk through the doors because the fun staff at Claws have crafted a place for everyone to belong, feel welcome and feel at home.
The fun doesn't stop with its family. Claws Seafood House also participates in local community events. It's always looking for new ways to engage and get involved with the people who enjoy its food and add to its culture.
When you browse the menu at this downtown Rehoboth Beach location, you can find craft beer, raw oysters and fresh fish. Enjoy Maryland Blue Crabs and a delicious drink during happy hour. There's also a rotating list of daily specials and delectable land and sea plate options. Start your meal with a mouthwatering appetizer of crab dip, seared tuna or calamari, and follow it with a seafood specialty or a sandwich and fries. Pair your meal with your favorite side, and enjoy a drink from its in-house Big Oyster Brewery.
3. Fins Raw Bar
If you're looking for casual restaurants in Rehoboth and beyond, stop at Fins Raw Bar. You can find three different locations for Fins in Delaware — Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Avenue and Bethany Beach. These casual places to eat are family- and community-friendly, as they consistently take part in events that bring people together.
On this menu, you can find all kinds of seafood. From steamed clams to mussels of the day to vodka oyster shooters, you can delight in fresh food and a relaxing atmosphere. You can also find some classic meals like burgers, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese entrees, making this a great place to bring the entire family because you can find something for everyone.
When you stop at Fins Raw Bar for dinner, you can opt to create your own fresh fish board. Choose to blacken, stuff, grill or broil the daily selection of fish. For dipping, you can enjoy your savory meal with different sauce options to create a unique experience for every dish. Happy hour drink specials help casually cap off your meal.
4. The Starboard
The best restaurants in Delaware have a beautiful mix of fun and style. The Starboard is an excellent example of the array of activities and people you can see in the state. This Dewey Beach venue has been operating for more than 60 years, and it's known for the great time it delivers to guests. The service is incredible, but the games and events are even more noteworthy.
The Starboard hosts live music, puts on shows and invites guests to participate in games many times throughout the year. Whether you're visiting to see the happenings, play games or listen to live music, you can sip on a delicious cocktail, craft cans or bottled beers. The Starboard has original drink creations that take a fun spin on some of the classics, so be sure to try something new when you visit.
The Starboard has an award-winning menu, and it's gotten praise for its brunch and breakfast options from Delaware Today readers. You can bring your friends and family to this spot for any meal and know you're going to experience fabulous service and even better food, all in a lowkey atmosphere.
The full menu features items everyone can enjoy. From classics like Caesar salads, Buffalo chicken wraps and Western omelets to original creations like Starboard burgers and its famous lump crab cakes, you can enjoy a feast with your loved ones.
5. Cottage Cafe
You can find Cottage Cafe on Coastal Highway, making it a great stop after visiting Bethany Beach or on your way to soak in the sun. Cottage Cafe offers seasonal specials throughout the year that change as the weather goes from warm to crisp, so you know you're always getting something fresh and delicious.
The menu is full and mouthwatering. Classic appetizers like mozzarella sticks and chicken fingers are classic casual fare, but unique apps like Buffalo chicken flatbread pizza, coconut shrimp and crab pizza also take the stand. You can reach for the classics or indulge in finger-licking sauces and spices with your table.
When you move to the main course, you can choose from options like vegetable lasagna, burgers and cheesy melts. For lighter fare, opt for a scallop, cobb or garden salad and one of three seafood soups with crab. Pair your dish with a 20-ounce specialty drink, smoothie or domestic bottle. During happy hour, you can find specials on drinks and food, saving some dollars on soups, apps and beverages.
6. Kid Shelleen's Charcoal House & Saloon
Kid Shelleen's has been operating since 1983, and it's been a favorite among Wilmington's Trolley Square locals for years. You can enjoy food and conversation at this venue on the patio or beautiful oval bar. It's earned the title of "Best of Delaware" for its winning brunch and burgers. With televisions all around, this location is an excellent place to gather friends and family to watch upcoming sports games.
Kid Shelleen's has an Irish feel, and it offers drinks that pay homage to the culture. You can browse the Irish selections among signature cocktails, canned beer and bubbling wine glasses. The menu features iconic casual options like wings, salads, tacos, sandwiches, nachos and shareables that will have you craving more. Although you can find some fish and seafood selections, this spot is perfect when you want to step away from the bays and beaches.
The weekend brunch menu operates on Saturday and Sunday, so you can get an early start or have a lazy morning to kick off the day. Choose from eggs benedict, steak and eggs, fried chicken and waffles and more, and you can keep this meal as casual as you'd like.
7. Matt's Fish Camp
A chill weekend getaway in Delaware isn't complete without stopping at Matt's Fish Camp. This venue offers seafood favorites with a coastal twist. Matt's is a local and visitor favorite stop, where you can enjoy chef-inspired specialties and an abundant selection of seafood dishes.
This spot is one of the best for lunch in Bethany because it has a broad food and drinks menu with incredible options. It operates every day of the week, and you can always find fresh seafood and fish for each of your meals. From family favorites to signature recipes, Matt's has it all.
While you browse the menu, try a camp cocktail or fill your glass with aromatic wine. During happy hour, you can find oysters, chicken, burgers and apps on sale alongside select drinks at a reduced price. Of course, it's worth the stop any time, and if you miss happy hour, you'll still enjoy the pickings of stew, clam carbonara, crab dip, oysters, burgers and more.
8. Catch 54
Catch 54 has two bars, and both have an everyday delicious and fun happy hour during the summer. During happy hour, you can find wine bottles at half the normal price, a reduced check on your dinner, delicious burgers and more, depending on the night you go.
Located on Fenwick Island, Catch 54 is just over the bridge on Route 54 and is one of the best spots for seafood. As the name suggests, Catch 54 is constantly bringing in fresh seafood and fish for guest meals. Here, you can find shrimp, scallops, fish and a raw bar with oysters.
If you're looking for a scenic venture, you can enjoy your drinks or meals at the upstairs bar, which overlooks the beautiful bay. Grab a signature martini or choose from its award-winning wine list while enjoying the view and relaxing in this casual environment.
9. Bluecoast Seafood Grill
Bluecoast Seafood Grill prides itself on serving beautiful, simple, local and fresh seafood. Attache Magazine has named it one of the top 10 destination restaurants to visit, so you know you're in for a treat if you choose to stop by for a meal.
Bluecoast overlooks Salt Pond, and guests sitting on the back deck and in the dining room can marvel at the gorgeous views that shine throughout the day and night. Serving tuna, salmon, rockfish, Mahi Mahi and halibut, this is the best place to find a delicious array of seafood.
Of course, there's also more than fish — you can choose between scallops, shrimp, crab, steak and clams during your visit. It also serves an extensive list of cocktails, so you and everyone you're with can find something to enjoy with your meal. If you're looking to escape the sea while still admiring the water, Bluecoast offers casual land food, as well. You can find tater tots, Caesar salads, grilled ribeye, a vegan farmer's bowl and more on the menu.
10. Papa Grande's
Experience a Mexican twist on seafood by stopping at Papa Grande's. It serves fresh coastal Mexican cuisine, and you'll find delicious combinations like blackened fish tacos, short rib cheesesteak burritos and more at this venue. This garage door bar is an excellent casual restaurant to visit when you want to kick back and relax with great friends and amazing food.
During happy hour, make sure to try some signature recipes. You can opt for homemade margaritas, house nachos and the famous agave crush to experience delightful flavor combinations inside or outside. Just over the bridge on Route 54, Papa Grande's is the best Mexican Restaurant on Fenwick Island.
Admire the aquatic views when you choose to sip your tequila on the upstairs deck. Grab some friends to split some queso, nachos or fish tacos. Then, fill your plate with house specialties like skirt steak fajitas, a blackened shrimp quesadilla or beef barbacoa tacos. You can't go wrong with this unique twist on the coast.
Visit Them All!
Why pick just one place to eat during your trip to Delaware when you can visit them all? Whether you're looking to fill your breakfast, lunch and dinner plates at unique locations, need a special place to unwind on vacation or want to make a couple of day trips during the summer, you don't want to miss any of these restaurants. You can find these casual atmospheres all throughout Delaware, so you can count on exceptional food no matter where you're staying or visiting.
Of course, we'd love to see you, too. Thompson Island Brewing Company is all about supporting local businesses and gathering the community. When you dine with us, you can experience a family-friendly and relaxed environment that lets you love the coast just as much as we do.
When you stop by Thompson Island Brewing Company, you can expect more than outstanding service, food and drinks. We create genuine experiences you never forget. Whether you're coming to enjoy the beer garden or participate in our brewery events like the run club, live music, Sunday football or a dine-and-donate event, you can always count on having a unique experience with us.
Grab your friends, significant other and family to enjoy a casual dinner date with us. Your visit or vacation won't be complete without trying our craft beers, delightful food and exceptional entertainment. Stop in during the day, or join us for our happy hour any night of the week!