Erin Elizabeth
Wilmington, Delaware, is known for its performing arts venues, tax-free shopping, and world-class restaurants. Over time, taking various road trips and having stopped at many of the restaurants in the city, I’ve listed my favorite Wilmington restaurants below.
It’s always hard to choose where to eat in Wilmington, simply because a lot of the eateries are close together in certain districts. It can be tricky when you’re trying to find different food choices.
There are numerous to choose from, but the real task is picking the best of the best. Places that put just as much focus on the service as the food tend to get great reviews and give you more bang for your buck.
Hopefully, there’s something on this list that suits your taste buds; each place is highly recommended by locals as well.
Check out our list of the best restaurants in Wilmington!
Best Restaurants in Wilmington
- Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
- Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
- Del Pez Mexican Gastropub
- Mrs. Robino’s
- Feby’s Fishery
- Chelsea Tavern
- Mikimotos
- Stitch House Brewery
- Trolley Square Oyster House
- Libby’s Restaurant
- Columbus Inn
- Southeast Kitchen
- Bardea Food & Drink
- Scalessa’s “My Way” Old School Italian Kitchen
- La Fia Bistro
- Eclipse Bistro
- Ristorante Attilio
Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
720 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-652-3474
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Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront is a stylish restaurant with a lively atmosphere and an amazing view of the river. They offer outdoor seating on a first-come-first-serve basis, and it makes for an even better dining experience. Big Fish has a simple decor scheme that includes a raw bar for your enjoyment.
The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, and they have a daily happy hour on weekdays. My favorite dish is the Linguini Seafood Pasta, recommended by a friend. The Lobster Parmesan and Calamari are also spectacular. This is one of the best Wilmington restaurants I have tried in a while.
I’ll be back, and I suggest you give them a try as well!
Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon
1801 W 14th St, Wilmington, DE 19806
Phone: 302-658-4600
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Located in the Trolley Square neighborhood, Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon has a cool and relaxed atmosphere. It is a place where you can kick back and spend quality time with family and friends while enjoying great food. The open grill, outdoor patio, and oval bar were all a nice touch. There are also many different sporting events displayed on TVs throughout the eatery.
Shelleen’s Nachos are touted as the best in town, and for good reason. All ingredients and sauces are fresh and made from scratch. You can try their brunch if you visit, or the French Onion Au Gratin and the Chili Lime Shrimp salad for lunch. This establishment has won numerous “Best of Delaware” awards for its classic American cuisine.
Del Pez Mexican Gastropub
400 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-691-7974
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Del Pez Mexican Gastropub is right next to the Justis on Landing Park and the Delaware Children’s Museum. If you’ve had a chance to visit those sites, finish off your day at Del Pez. The restaurant has the ambiance of a traditional pub with food that deviates from what you would normally see, which is awesome. The setting is festive, but you can also enjoy a casual date as well.
The first time you bite into a Crab Quesadilla from Del Pez Mexican GastroPub, you can taste the rich cultural inspiration behind their Latin American and Mexican flavors! Del Pez also carries an extensive list of craft beers with a very creative margarita menu to boot. You can stop by for brunch, lunch, happy hour, or dinner.
I recommend the Blackened Chicken Sandwich and their Churros!
Mrs. Robino’s
520 N Union St, Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: 302-652-9223
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Mrs. Robino’s is in the Little Italy neighborhood, near Bancroft Parkway. It’s a modestly decorated one-room restaurant that focuses on making you feel like family. The setting is cozy and inviting, and the servers do an excellent job of being attentive. Her award-winning Italian cuisine has gotten recognized by both the Best of Delaware and News Journals Reader’s choice awards.
If you enjoy handmade pasta and pizzas, along with other traditional Italian foods and desserts, don’t hesitate to visit Mrs. Robino’s. I liked the Chicken Marsala, which was perfectly prepared with al dente pasta. The Lobster-stuffed Ravioli seems to be a staple dish for frequent diners. You should consider Mrs. Robino’s if you’re unsure of where to eat in Wilmington.
Feby’s Fishery
3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: 302-998-9501
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Debby’s Fishery is a must-see venue when traveling through Wilmington if you enjoy seafood. The restaurant’s interior is traditional and pays homage to family traditions. The service is top-notch as well. Feby’s was a great place to stop by and enjoy fine dining with a casual feel.
Feby’s has some of the freshest seafood on this side of the coastline! They have the whole gamut of seafood items such as mussels, shrimp, crab, live lobsters, clams, and more. Many tourists have commented on how good the Fried Lobster Tail is, along with the shrimp Cocktail and the Littleneck Clams. Try these delicacies the next time you’re in town.
Chelsea Tavern
821 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-482-3333
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Chelsea Tavern is a GastroPub located across from the opera house. This place serves upscale American grub in a nicely decorated dining room. They also have outdoor seating available when the weather permits. If you want to know where to get food in Wilmington, look no further!
The variety of choices on their menu is a welcomed sight as you have many options, but it isn’t overwhelming. If you get stuck, you can always ask a server for a recommendation; they’re friendly and helpful. They have a brunch menu, a kid’s menu, a light menu, and even a happy hour menu. I liked the Chelsea Burger and the rich-flavored White Chicken Chili.
For visitors, don’t hesitate to try their famous Banana Foster Stuffed French Toast on your next trip to Wilmington.
Mikimotos
1212 Washington St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-656-8638
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Mikimotos is located on Washington Street, in the center city of Wilmington, Delaware. There are a lot of shops in this area, along with tourist attractions. Mikimotos got awarded the Best Japanese and Sushi in Delaware by Readers choice in 2021, which they intend to uphold for the upcoming year. The setting is warm and welcoming, and the service is impressionable.
This restaurant combined a Sushi Bar and an Asian Grill and made a special assortment of tasty dishes. In my opinion, one of the best dishes on the menu is the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, followed by the California roll. It’s one of the best Wilmington restaurants in the area.
Stitch House Brewery
829 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-250-4280
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The Stitch House Brewery has all the workings of a sports entertainment venue. They have house-brewed beers and craft cocktails coupled with a fitting rustic setting. This is another establishment that has TVs hanging all around for your viewing pleasure. There are different kinds of sports games playing all at once.
Stitch House serves American favorites like mouth-watering roast beef and perfect perogies. The locals are always willing to make a recommendation – or two! – and they raved about the Wild Mushroom Cheesesteak and the Fried Bologna Sandwich with pickles. Get there fast!
Trolley Square Oyster House
1707 Delaware Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806
Phone: 302-384-7310
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Downtown Wilmington has a lot of great restaurants to try. Trolley Square Oyster House is a casual seafood eatery with a fun atmosphere. They have live entertainment going and stylish decor. You can also choose to sit outside if you’d like. The staff is easy-going when it comes to accommodating any requests or changes. They had a really positive attitude.
They also do weekly specials and add a twist to their seafood dishes. The Oyster House was given the Best Lobster Roll award in 2017, and I can see why. I tried that along with the Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Fried Calamari, both of which were very flavorful. Trolley Square Oyster House is highly recommended.
Libby’s Restaurant
227 W 8th St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-655-4246
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Libby’s Restaurant is a staple within the community. The diner has been serving locals and visitors alike for decades. The service is fast in addition to the food being excellent. It’s a simple restaurant, but Libby’s brings everything together with good vibes and down-home cooking.
You can catch one of their daily specials, but honestly, anything from the menu is tasty. Try the Roast Beef platter with creamy coleslaw. The pancakes and french toast are also really fluffy, and you can add fried potatoes for just $2. Overall, they offer an American-style breakfast and lunch that tastes like home.
Columbus Inn
2216 Pennsylvania Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806
Phone: 302-571-1492
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The Columbus Inn restaurant lies in the heart of Wilmington, and some locals say they routinely visit once or twice a week because the food is great and the servers are like family. They offer convenient options for guests, like ordering through Door dash and UberEATS, which is helpful if you don’t want to leave the house.
The Columbus Inn serves classic American cuisine with a contemporary twist. They offer brunch, a daily happy hour, and they have an excellent dessert menu. The servers suggested the Shellfish Cobb Salad and the Butternut Squash Soup as some of the most notable menu items.
Drop by if you’re in the area!
Southeast Kitchen
1901 Delaware Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806
Phone: 302-691-7728
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You can find the Southeast Kitchen near the Delaware Art Museum. They serve a variety of dishes from all over Southeast Asia in a low-key, casual atmosphere. The chef has made sure to include something for everyone.
There’s a variety of options like spicy or non-spicy, chicken, beef, and pork dishes, and healthy options as well. I liked the Green Papaya Salad, but many people ordered the Chicken Curry with bold flavors. The food was fresh, and the servers were personable. They also have daily specials and what’s unique is that you can bring your own beer and wine to the restaurant!
Bardea Food & Drink
620 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-426-2069
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First, Bardea Food & Drink is a huge restaurant in Downtown Wilmington. They can accommodate 120 people, and they’re all about authentic Italian and Mediterranean fare. Bardea’s got the Traveler’s Choice Award in 2020 as a top restaurant in Delaware. They source their ingredients locally from Delaware Valley Farms, and the service is fast.
The menu is diverse, and they put innovative twists on classic Italian. Reviews suggest the Ricotta Gnocchi, stating that it is creamy and delicious. A friend tried the Shrimp Cocktail, and the sauce was different than any she had tasted before – but in a good way. You won’t be disappointed if you give them a try.
Scalessa’s “My Way” Old School Italian Kitchen
1836 N Lincoln St, Wilmington, DE 19806
Phone: 302-656-1362
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Award-winning chef Donnie Scalessa runs Scalessa’s “My Way” Old School Italian Kitchen with love and fervor! Located right outside of Trolley Square, Donnie puts his spin on traditional Italian dishes. The setting is similar to going to a family member’s home for Sunday dinner; it’s casual and relaxing. Additionally, the servers know the menu front and back.
If you try the homemade meatballs, you’ll be hooked for life. All of the meats and ingredients are fresh and served hot and made-to-order. The Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak is another example of a classic dish that’s also unique. Anyone traveling to Wilmington must try Scalessa’s.
La Fia Bistro
421 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-543-5574
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This intimate bistro focuses on diverse types of cuisine that give you a little bit of everything. It’s located on Market Street, which is a historic neighborhood of significance in Wilmington. La Fia offers seasonal foods using sustainable ingredients.
They also offer over 20 different wines, beers, and specialty cocktails. You can get small plates if you want to sample a lot of menu items, or you can select entrees with generous portions. I tried the Pan-seared Branzino and the Squid Ink Spaghetti, both of which were enjoyable. Give them a chance to wow you if you visit Market Street and want a casual lunch or dinner.
Eclipse Bistro
1020 N Union St, Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: 302-658-1588
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Eclipse Bistro is directly next door to a doctor’s office in the Little Italy neighborhood. The restaurant has a modern setting that’s comfortable and inviting. They focus all of their energy on simplicity, honesty, and cooking. That shows first and foremost in the presentation, which is outstanding.
The Cream of Cauliflower soup is a hit amongst first-time visitors and people that live in the area. The Seared Scallops are surprisingly delicious for the restaurant not to have a focus on seafood. The chef is friendly, and so are the servers that contribute to a memorable dining experience.
Ristorante Attilio
1900 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: 302-428-0909
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Near Union Park Gardens, Ristorante Attilio is a family-owned Italian restaurant. They specialize in making all the foods handed down to them for generations. One thing that automatically stood out about this establishment was how spotless it was from top to bottom. Aside from being very clean, the decor was simplistic and welcoming.
Attilio’s only uses fresh ingredients, and they never cut corners but still manage to offer reasonable prices for the quality. You can also order takeout or request their catering services. My favorite menu item was the Spaghetti because the sauce was so fresh and flavorful. The Veal Parmigiana is also a slam dunk. Ristorante Attilio’s offers gluten-free options as well. Stop in to grab lunch or dinner if you’re nearby.
Final Thoughts
Wilmington has been one of my favorite places to visit because of the variety I can get when I’m in town. I’ve tried so many different dishes, and the one thing that unites all of these restaurants is good vibes and great food.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out
You should visit Walter’s on N.Union Street, which is the best steakhouse in town with great service and atmosphere. The owner, John Constantino, knows he is in the hospitality business and takes pride in offering the most welcoming hospitality in town.
Banks’s Seafood Grill at the Riverfront is excellent for top of the line seafood and wonderful raw bar selections. The service is great and the outdoor patio with river view is one of the most special places in town. The chef/owner, David Banks’ takes pride in his restaurant and it is excellent in every way.
Toscana is a delightful modern Italian restaurant with great food, friendly service and welcoming atmosphere. The owner, Dan Butler, is a great chef as well as being one of the nicest people around. Toscana catered the wedding reception of President Biden’s daughter Ashley some years ago.