With so many local mom-and-pop diners, cafes, pubs and restaurants in Delaware, you can probably eat at a new place every time you go out for years. All of the following restaurants are nondescript, unassuming little places that serve some of the best food in Delaware – from homemade donuts to gourmet lobster rolls. These are the places you’ve driven by a million times without much of a thought, but make it a point to visit and you will be stunned.
- Grandpa Mac, Rehoboth Beach
Yelp / JS
Yelp / Mia C. Grandpa Mac is a new restaurant with two locations, but their Baltimore Ave location is my top choice. It’s easy to drive right by without noticing, but once you visit, you’ll never be able to pass it up. Their gourmet mac and cheese make this the most tempting hidden Delaware restaurant on the list, I think. Load up on cheeses and toppings and enjoy a gooey, delicious treat.33 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Laurel Coffee Shop, Laurel
Yelp / Megan C.
Facebook / Laurel Coffee Shop Yes, a coffee shop makes my list of hidden Delaware restaurants because not many people who aren’t Laurel natives know that this is the BEST place to get donuts in Delaware. Their homemade donuts are so good that it’s worth driving here from any corner of the state. They also make wraps and sandwiches, so if you don’t have the biggest sweet tooth, you’ll still enjoy a bite to eat with some excellent coffee.217 E Market St Laurel, DE 19956
- Goat Kitchen and Bar, Wilmington
Facebook / Goat Kitchen and Bar
Yelp / Lili B. Please note, Goat Kitchen and Bar has permanently closed. I’m late to the party with recognizing Goat Kitchen and Bar, I’ll admit it. This tiny spot with a plain sign and simple storefront finally piqued my curiosity, and would you believe it? Goat is one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in Delaware. From their unique appetizers like pork belly skewers to the Goat Cheese Toast, you’ll find dishes you can’t get anywhere else, cooked to absolute perfection. Plaza III Center 1845 Marsh Rd Wilmington, DE 19810
- Striper Bites, Lewes
Yelp / Kimberly T.
Yelp / Julia P. Okay, Striper Bites has the fanciest storefront of any Delaware restaurant on this list, but I had to include it because so many people pass it by. They serve the best shrimp and grits in the state, hands down, and every other little thing on their menu is fantastic. This is the place to go after a Lewes day trip! 107 Savannah Rd Lewes, DE 19958
- Modern Mixture, Rehoboth Beach
Yelp / Kirsten H.
Yelp / Jennifer L. Please note, Modern Mixture has permanently closed. Delaware is home to a lot of great Mexican restaurants, but Modern Mixture is one I always come back to. The contemporary take on traditional classics means that you can try something new every time you visit. Their mussel and shrimp tacos are out of this world.62 Rehoboth Ave Ste A Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Libbys, Wilmington
Google Street View
https://www.yelp.com/biz/libbys-restaurant-wilmington Libby’s in Wilmington is a true hole-in-the-wall, and unless someone specifically takes you there or points it out, you probably wouldn’t even notice the simple storefront. If you did pass this place up, you’d be missing out on one of the best breakfast spots in Delaware, with french toast that you’ll swear is the best you’ve ever tasted. 227 W 8th St Wilmington, DE 19801
- El Dorado, Rehoboth Beach
Yelp / Daren M.
Yelp / Yasmin S. Please note, El Dorado Restaurant has permanently closed. El Dorado is off the beaten path in Rehoboth Beach, but it’s worth visiting for their tacos and other Mexican staples. I was first drawn in to El Dorado by the near perfect online reviews, so I was thrilled when everything I tried stood up to its reputation. I always seem to get the chicken tacos here, but the fish tacos are incredible, too. 18766 John J Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- The Dog House, New Castle
Yelp / Kelly W.
Yelp / Jonny P. The Dog House is a classic spot for anyone who grew up in New Castle County, but those from other areas (or those new to the state!) might just pass up this incredible, unassuming Hot Dog stand. I’m including them on this list, though they are a little more well known than some other spots, because I think that The Dog House serves the best chili dogs in the world. 1200 N Dupont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720
- Seafood City, Felton
Facebook / Seafood City
Yelp / Krystal L. Seafood City is a small bar in Felton that serves All You Can Eat Crabs every night, when they’re available. Load up on seafood and enjoy this place for what it is - a divey bar with some of the greatest fried seafood and seasoned crabs in slower lower. 9996 S Dupont Hwy 13 Felton, DE 19943
- Harper’s Sandwiches and Such, Middletown
Yelp / Harpers Sandwiches
Yelp / Sarah L. There’s no shortage of great sub shops in Delaware, but Harper’s in Middletown gets an extra shout out because of how surprised I was when I first tasted an Italian hoagie I ordered. It was incredible! I had no idea this small sub shop existed, but now I stop by whenever I’m in town.4390 Summit Bridge Rd Middletown, DE 19709
- The Georgia House, Millsboro
Yelp / Ryan K.
Facebook / The Georgia House Please note, Georgia House has permanently closed. The Georgia House, much like the Goat Bar and Kitchen above, will absolutely knock your socks off. The gourmet food they serve is second to none, and completely unexpected if you were to judge based on the dated exterior and off-the-beaten-path location. Millsboro itself is a hidden gem in the state of Delaware, so finding this unbelievable restaurant on main street was a treat!119 Main St Millsboro, DE 19966
Well, now I’m starving! I think I’m going to take advantage of the amazing weather we’re getting this week and dine at some of these places – in fact, I might just have to go on another Delaware Restaurant Road Trip and add some new locations to my map!
Yelp / JS
Yelp / Mia C.
Grandpa Mac is a new restaurant with two locations, but their Baltimore Ave location is my top choice. It’s easy to drive right by without noticing, but once you visit, you’ll never be able to pass it up. Their gourmet mac and cheese make this the most tempting hidden Delaware restaurant on the list, I think. Load up on cheeses and toppings and enjoy a gooey, delicious treat.33 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Yelp / Megan C.
Facebook / Laurel Coffee Shop
Yes, a coffee shop makes my list of hidden Delaware restaurants because not many people who aren’t Laurel natives know that this is the BEST place to get donuts in Delaware. Their homemade donuts are so good that it’s worth driving here from any corner of the state. They also make wraps and sandwiches, so if you don’t have the biggest sweet tooth, you’ll still enjoy a bite to eat with some excellent coffee.217 E Market St Laurel, DE 19956
Facebook / Goat Kitchen and Bar
Yelp / Lili B.
Please note, Goat Kitchen and Bar has permanently closed. I’m late to the party with recognizing Goat Kitchen and Bar, I’ll admit it. This tiny spot with a plain sign and simple storefront finally piqued my curiosity, and would you believe it? Goat is one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in Delaware. From their unique appetizers like pork belly skewers to the Goat Cheese Toast, you’ll find dishes you can’t get anywhere else, cooked to absolute perfection. Plaza III Center 1845 Marsh Rd Wilmington, DE 19810
Yelp / Kimberly T.
Yelp / Julia P.
Okay, Striper Bites has the fanciest storefront of any Delaware restaurant on this list, but I had to include it because so many people pass it by. They serve the best shrimp and grits in the state, hands down, and every other little thing on their menu is fantastic. This is the place to go after a Lewes day trip! 107 Savannah Rd Lewes, DE 19958
Yelp / Kirsten H.
Yelp / Jennifer L.
Please note, Modern Mixture has permanently closed. Delaware is home to a lot of great Mexican restaurants, but Modern Mixture is one I always come back to. The contemporary take on traditional classics means that you can try something new every time you visit. Their mussel and shrimp tacos are out of this world.62 Rehoboth Ave Ste A Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Google Street View
https://www.yelp.com/biz/libbys-restaurant-wilmington
Libby’s in Wilmington is a true hole-in-the-wall, and unless someone specifically takes you there or points it out, you probably wouldn’t even notice the simple storefront. If you did pass this place up, you’d be missing out on one of the best breakfast spots in Delaware, with french toast that you’ll swear is the best you’ve ever tasted. 227 W 8th St Wilmington, DE 19801
Yelp / Daren M.
Yelp / Yasmin S.
Please note, El Dorado Restaurant has permanently closed. El Dorado is off the beaten path in Rehoboth Beach, but it’s worth visiting for their tacos and other Mexican staples. I was first drawn in to El Dorado by the near perfect online reviews, so I was thrilled when everything I tried stood up to its reputation. I always seem to get the chicken tacos here, but the fish tacos are incredible, too. 18766 John J Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Yelp / Kelly W.
Yelp / Jonny P.
The Dog House is a classic spot for anyone who grew up in New Castle County, but those from other areas (or those new to the state!) might just pass up this incredible, unassuming Hot Dog stand. I’m including them on this list, though they are a little more well known than some other spots, because I think that The Dog House serves the best chili dogs in the world. 1200 N Dupont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720
Facebook / Seafood City
Yelp / Krystal L.
Seafood City is a small bar in Felton that serves All You Can Eat Crabs every night, when they’re available. Load up on seafood and enjoy this place for what it is - a divey bar with some of the greatest fried seafood and seasoned crabs in slower lower. 9996 S Dupont Hwy 13 Felton, DE 19943
Yelp / Harpers Sandwiches
Yelp / Sarah L.
There’s no shortage of great sub shops in Delaware, but Harper’s in Middletown gets an extra shout out because of how surprised I was when I first tasted an Italian hoagie I ordered. It was incredible! I had no idea this small sub shop existed, but now I stop by whenever I’m in town.4390 Summit Bridge Rd Middletown, DE 19709
Yelp / Ryan K.
Facebook / The Georgia House
Please note, Georgia House has permanently closed. The Georgia House, much like the Goat Bar and Kitchen above, will absolutely knock your socks off. The gourmet food they serve is second to none, and completely unexpected if you were to judge based on the dated exterior and off-the-beaten-path location. Millsboro itself is a hidden gem in the state of Delaware, so finding this unbelievable restaurant on main street was a treat!119 Main St Millsboro, DE 19966
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