10 Best Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach

Big Fish Grill is a long-standing favorite in Rehoboth Beach thanks to its friendly service, fair prices, and generous portions of super-fresh seafood. A short drive from the boardwalk, the spacious restaurant warmly welcomes families, and there’s a menu of kid-friendly portions among the enormous daily list of crowd-pleasing favorites and fresh-off-the-boat specials.

Alongside platters of grilled fresh fish and hearty pots of mussels, Big Fish Grill is renowned for its flash-fried seafood like calamari, Virginia oysters, and shrimp. Steaks will appeal to those who are more about the turf than the surf, and the house margaritas are a popular choice among cocktail lovers.

Henlopen City Oyster House has quietly carved a reputation for itself as one of the best spots in town for those who really know their food and drink. The location just steps from the beachfront is perfect for seafood, and the raw bar is replete with several varieties of perfectly shucked oysters. Tuna tartare is a popular small plate, while swordfish and yellowfin tuna make elegant mains.

The list of wines, craft beers, and imported spirits is one of the most extensive in town. Staff are happy to help advise on perfect pairings in a space whose relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance makes it an increasingly popular option for date night dining and special occasions.

A prime downtown location and a dependably good roster of classic Mexican dishes has made Mariachi Restaurant one of the liveliest restaurants in Rehoboth. Families and groups of friends flock here for the colorful decor, friendly service, and the pitchers of margaritas, alongside form favorites like fish tacos, chiles rellenos, and fajitas.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and can get very lively after dark when there’s high demand for the coveted tables on the outdoor patio. Families flock here at lunchtime, and there’s speedy, friendly service at any time of day. Book a table in advance or turn up early, especially in the summer high season.

A leafy garden is the perfect setting for breakfast cocktails and delicious brunch dishes at Egg. As the name suggests, eggs are a strong suit and you can’t go wrong with the note-perfect Benedict. However, this bright and breezy brunch spot just a short stroll from the beach goes way beyond the breakfast staples.

Vegan and gluten-free options are popular, and there’s a delicious avocado toast topped with a generous helping of crab meat. Sweet options include indulgent chocolate chip pancakes, while strips of sriracha bacon “candy” satisfy both a sweet and savory tooth. And then there are those breakfast cocktails. The mimosas here are the stuff of local legend, while mocktails and fresh juices are tasty booze-free options.

Order a pitcher of sangria and a platter of tapas to begin your culinary voyage to the Mediterranean at Café Azafran. The Spanish influence is evident in classic dishes like garlicky shrimp and charcuterie boards of Manchego cheese and chorizo, but the pan-European menu also takes in Italian favorites like topped bruschetta and delicious spinach and ricotta gnocchi.

The space is intimate and advanced booking is recommended at weekends, because it’s popular with couples at dinner and groups of friends during the late afternoon happy hours. Join the crowds at this Baltimore Avenue hotspot and order tempting tapas plates like chorizo-spiked patatas bravas.

If you’re looking to take your Rehoboth seafood experience up a notch, head to The Cultured Pearl. This award-winning restaurant and sushi bar is a hit with food critics and manages to deliver a gourmet experience without being pretentious. There are family favorites like ramen, Korean BBQ, and tempura alongside perfectly prepared sushi and sashimi.

Part of the charm lies in its design, like outdoor dining in a bamboo gazebo, lit with twinkling lights and overlooking Oriental gardens and a koi carp pond. There’s also a dedicated kids’ menu, clearly marked gluten-free and vegan options, and a tempting range of drinks like sake-infused sangria. It’s easy to find, too: just a couple of blocks from the boardwalk.

Blue Coast Seafood Grill & Raw Bar has impressed critics and food fans with its hip take on the traditional Rehoboth seafood restaurant. The light and airy interior and spacious patio with its fire pit fill up quickly, and diners can enjoy clams and oysters from the raw bar while perusing the lengthy menu of local favorites or the extensive list of wine and cocktails. The seafood gumbo and crab-filled devilled eggs are popular places to start, while the mains include hearty homemade burgers alongside the seafood staples.

Kids are welcome at this popular restaurant, which is less than a 10-minute drive from the Rehoboth beachfront. It’s no reservations, so arrive early to grab the best seats.

When it comes to pizza, Rehoboth locals know that Crust & Craft is where it’s at. The hugely popular pizza and craft beer joint attracts locals and hungry travelers with its Coastal Highway location, and the owners take great pride in serving only the most delicious wood-fired pizzas, served with special toppings like Kalamata olives and Applewood smoked bacon along with handmade tomato sauce and high-quality mozzarella.

The industrial-chic space is particularly busy during its regular early evening happy hours, but the rotating craft beer list can help you through the wait for a table. There’s takeaway available too, but those perfect brews and expertly charred pizzas taste best with a fresh breeze in the lively outdoor seating area.