Most restaurants in the First State seem to fall into the “best-kept secret” category because many people pass up our great state for restaurants on the Eastern Shore of Maryland or the Philadelphia area. That’s not a bad thing – it means we’re able to put out list after list of great hole-in-the-wall restaurants. However, it does kind of mean that our best-known restaurants are often looked at by Delawareans as touristy or cliche. Below, you’ll find a handful of our favorite famous Delaware restaurants, and they’re really worth the hype.

1. DiFebo's, Bethany Beach
Facebook / DiFebo's Bethany Beach
DiFebo's Restaurant Bethany Beach, 789 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, USA
Yelp / DiFebo's
DiFebo's in Bethany Beach is one of the most recognizable Italian restaurants in Delaware, and it's one of the best restaurants on the coast. Their signature veal chop, shown above, is always seasoned perfectly and each bite is packed with flavor. Bethany Beach is a town that's full of fantastic restaurants, but there's a reason DiFebo's has been so popular for so long - check it out and find out for yourself.
2. Charcoal Pit, Wilmington
Flickr / Jeff H.
Charcoal Pit, 2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Yelp / Morton F.
There's no better place in Delaware to grab a classic sandwich, a big plate of fries, and a milkshake in an old-fashioned diner setting. The Charcoal Pit makes amazing BLTs, burgers, and their ice cream sundaes are larger than life. These soda-fountain-style diners aren't so common anymore, and it's worth a visit to feel the nostalgia.
3. Border Cafe, Newark
Yelp / John W.
The Border Cafe, 483 Stanton Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19713, USA
Yelp / Jessie S.
The giant EAT sign that you see as you drive through Delaware is more than just a landmark - it's the sign for one of the highest-rated restaurants in Delaware. Border Cafe is part of a small family of restaurants that includes a pair of cantinas in both Massachusetts and New Jersey, but this is the only Delaware location. Order the swordfish tacos or a giant quesadilla and you'll leave Border Cafe full and happy. Be aware that their portions are pretty large - so big, in fact, that their burritos are just called burros

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4. Caffe Gelato, Newark
Yelp / Caffe Gelato
Caffe Gelato Restaurant, 90 E Main St near, Newark, DE 19711, USA
Yelp / Caffe Gelato
Caffe Gelato, on Main Street in Newark, is famous throughout the state for homemade ice cream and gourmet Italian dishes. Everything that's served here is amazing - and yes, the gelato is worth a trip to Newark! Many people first become familiar with this Italian cafe when they're attending the University of Delaware and drag their visiting parents out for a great homestyle meal. This is one of the only places to get gelato in Delaware, and it offers more than a dozen flavors of Gelato at any given time.
5. Gus and Gus Place, Rehoboth Beach
Flickr / Ted Van Pelt
Gus & Gus Place, 15 S Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Yelp / Morgan B.
Gus and Gus Place in Rehoboth Beach has been serving up burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs, and cheesesteaks for decades. There's always a line here because everyone who steps onto the boardwalk knows they need to stop by and grab a bite to eat. It's no surprise that this boardwalk restaurant in Delaware is so wildly popular - we've all been dining here since before we could walk! It's so worth it, even if you're full of fries and salt water taffy before you get there.
6. Jessop's Tavern, New Castle
Facebook / Jessop's Tavern
Jessop's Tavern, 114 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720, USA
Yelp / Shelley C.
Jessop's is one of the only themed restaurants in Delaware, and the servers and staff here dress in colonial clothes and serve colonial fare in the heart of historic New Castle. The building dates back 300 years, so it's truly a piece of history. This tavern is more than just a tourist attraction, though, and the pot pies, oysters, and shepherd's pie they serve are mouthwateringly delicious.

We’re lucky to live in such a foodie state, even if it’s often overlooked by people who prefer the bigger cities. If you enjoy these restaurants and love the Delaware history and tradition of a landmark restaurant, you might want to tackle the Delaware Culinary Trail. Eat at enough iconic Delaware restaurants, and you’ll earn a First State Cookbook. What a cool program and a great way to learn more about the culinary traditions and favorite foods of Delaware.

If you can’t get enough of fine dining in the First State, read about 11 Delaware Restaurants You’ll Never Forgive Yourself For Not Trying and start making that dining bucket list!

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famous restaurants in delaware

Kim Magaraci | July 28, 2022

What's the most famous dish in Delaware?

The single most famous dish in Delaware is hard to define, but you would find a big group of people who would be quick to say Woody's Crabcake. Woody's is a small bar in Dewey Beach that consistently gets awarded "best crabcake in Delaware", and many visitors from all over the country say it's the best they've ever had. Another particularly famous dish is the cioppino at Big Fish Grill, and the Moon Pie at Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach has a pretty big fan club, too. If you think another famous restaurant in Delaware or a famous favorite dish deserves mentioning, let us know and we'll have to try it!

Where are the best restaurants in Dover, Delaware?

Dover is a great little foodie city if you know where to look! 33 West Ale House is the go-to for elegant dinners in town. The Countrie Eaterie is a homestyle diner, and the Governor's Cafe is one of the most historic restaurants in Delaware. If you're looking for a pretty wild experience, the Sugar Factory belongs on any Delawarean's dining bucket list. Restaurant 55 serves over a dozen different types of burgers, and they're always adding new specials to the menu.

Where can I find the best crab shacks in Delaware?

Delaware has so many crab shacks that it's hard to decide which is the best! From way up north at Kathy's Crab House in Delaware City to the Delaware/Maryland Border at Old Mill in Delmar, you'll find great crabs everywhere you look. Some of our other favorites include the Surfing Crab, Lazy Susan's, Boondocks, Sambo's, and Lestardo's. To be honest, most of the seaside restaurants in Delaware bring in fresh crabs pretty regularly, and it's hard to find a bad crab shack here in the First State.

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