American

Innovative comfort food paired with brews.

In 1997, brothers Eric and Norman Sugrue opened the doors to Big Fish Grill. It has grown from one 90-seat restaurant to the Big Fish Restaurant Group, which includes multiple Big Fish restaurant locations and a variety of other restaurants throughout the Delaware region. Big Fish offers delicious and approachable family-style seafood.

In 1997, brothers Eric and Norman Sugrue opened the doors to Big Fish Grill. It has grown from one 90-seat restaurant to the Big Fish Restaurant Group, which includes multiple Big Fish restaurant locations and a variety of other restaurants throughout the Delaware region. Big Fish offers delicious and approachable family-style seafood.

From the decor to the servers’ attire—crisp white shirts, long aprons and ties—the look exemplifies that of aclassic steakhouse. So does most of the menu, which includes a 12-ounce dry-aged New York strip and 48-ounce primer porterhouse that is large enough for the table to share.

The menu highlights original pub fare such as crab corn chowder, seafood tacos and the indulgence burger piled high with 90 Minute IPA white cheddar ale sauce. There’s no telling which of Dogfish’s famously “off-centered” brews will be on tap, what crazy cocktail the bartenders have created from Dogfish rum, gin or vodka, what delicious Read more...

Chesapeake & Maine isn’t the typical seafood shack usually found at the beach. The airy, welcoming restaurant reflects the efforts of its owner to showcase impeccable seafood sourced directly from watermen he knows. The beverage menu includes Dogfish Head brews, a thoughtful selection of wines, craft cocktails made with Dogfish Head spirits and keg-conditioned mixed Read more...

It’s time to elevate date night—literally. From the rooftop deck—complete with a 16,000-gallon koi pond—enjoy Japanese cuisine and sushi, as well as views of Rehoboth Avenue.

This laid-back Rehoboth Avenue staple has a large bar area with a generous happy hour menu that starts at 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and is available all day on Sundays. Grab a pint or two and dig into an order of tacos.

There is no shortage of restaurants serving oysters at the beach, but few can touch the variety and the flavor offered at Henlopen City Oyster House. Some come for the libations at the bar—check the chalkboard for beers on tap—some for the generously sized fish sandwiches. Nearly all come for oysters.

The team forages from South Jersey to Sussex and from southeastern Pennsylvania to the Eastern Shore in search of meats, fish and produce to transform into food people love: a slow-roasted half chicken with cheese grits, asparagus and tasso gravy; a tomato-y saffron-scented seafood stew.

Visitors of Claws Seafood House are tempted by fresh fish dishes and oysters on the half shell, as well as whole lobster, snow crab legs, shrimp—even chicken and pork chops. In addition to the usual sides—hush puppies, coleslaw, fries—you’ll find chunky applesauce, garlic mashed potatoes and potato salad.

Theo’s provides diners a relaxed, upscale dining experience with a range of menu items from steaks, seafood, burgers and even the popular meatloaf.

Any restaurant that puts Châteaubriand on the menu announces itself as something exceptional, and there hasn’t been a moment in its 34 years that Blue Moon was anything else. Venison tartare, seared Hudson Valley foie gras and oxtail Bolognese seal the deal.

Eden has survived and thrived, despite changes in location, ownership and chefs since 1997, when it opened on Rehoboth Avenue. Now in an elegant space, just steps from the ocean, it lives up to its mission to provide “bold American food.”

To be sure, this is where the well-known chefs go for their own special occasions. The Back Porch Café offers cozy, intimate dining. Much of the menu is seasonal, but you’ll likely find the jumbo lump crab-and-shrimp cakes.

If you’re looking for a couple of big gulps to try, Nalu in Dewey and Rehoboth serves the Wipe-Out—144 ounces of Parrot Bay, coconut, pineapple and passion fruit rums with orange, pineapple and cranberry juices in a souvenir Nalu bucket.