In the charming coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, dinner is more than a meal, it’s an experience. 

In the first edition of our Restaurant Spotlight series, we’re diving into two standout dinner destinations that bring distinct flavors and strong local vibes. 

No matter if you’re spending a weekend by the coast or live nearby, these two restaurants are perfect picks for a memorable dinner in Rehoboth Beach.

Back Porch Café

Located on Rehoboth Avenue, Back Porch Café maintains a classic fine-dining presence in this beach town while continuing to evolve with inventive seasonal fare. 

The kitchen draws on the traditions of French cuisine. Think mirepoix, rich sauces and technique, while weaving in global and local ingredients.

Founded in the 1970s, Back Porch Café is one of Rehoboth’s most long-standing restaurants, known for its charming second-floor dining room and history of chefs who brought a touch of European refinement to the beach. 

After a change in ownership in recent years, the restaurant retains much of its original staff and timeless atmosphere, blending old-school hospitality with fresh energy.

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In the menu, items span from savory starters to standout mains. Expect dishes such as rabbit loin, pan-seared halibut, pepper cured tuna, or grilled octopus on ragout.

Other dishes praised by regulars include grilled shrimp sausage with parsnip marmalade, goat cheese mousse with artichoke, and magret duck breast in a pear-miso broth, a perfect example of the restaurant’s artistic take on classic French technique.

Desserts are treated with the same care: the dark chocolate bourbon torte topped with crème anglaise has been cited among guest favorites.

Diners also rave about the restaurant’s brunch offerings in season, like homemade blueberry scones, freshly baked breads, and elegant eggs Benedict served with a light hand. 

Each plate shows the same meticulous touch that defines dinner service.

Beyond the food, the experience at Back Porch includes an extensive wine list and a bar serving handcrafted cocktails and a signature “House Coffee” flambé-style table-side.

This flambé coffee is a mini-performance in itself, served tableside with brandy and sugar flamed in front of you, it’s both a show and a sweet finish. 

Reservations are recommended, and seating on the back porch level offers a lovely view over Rehoboth Avenue that makes for a quiet, romantic night out. 

For anyone looking for dinner that blends a touch of elegance with relaxed beach-town charm, this restaurant hits the mark with dishes you’ll remember and a setting that invites you to linger.

Between its long history, inventive seasonal menus, and devoted local following, Back Porch Café remains a cornerstone of Rehoboth Beach’s dining scene.

• Address: 59 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
• Hours: Thursday to Tuesday, starting at 5pm

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The Blue Hen

Tucked inside the Avenue Inn & Spa on Wilmington Avenue, The Blue Hen offers a lively, contemporary dining experience with a menu that celebrates seasonal and thoughtfully composed dishes. 

The team behind it have built a strong reputation, the culinary lead of the kitchen has been nominated for a James Beard Award in its early years.

Reviewing the fall 2025 menu gives a sense of their approach. You’ll find plates like baked feta with local sweet peppers and spicy honey, maple-glazed sweet potato with shishito peppers and miso aioli, or mushroom soup with vadouvan curry.

Small plates like lobster toast and deviled eggs are consistently mentioned by guests as must-try starters. 

The menu changes with the season but often features crowd favorites such as seared scallops with trumpet mushrooms and green apple dashi, or lamb chop schnitzel, an unexpected twist that perfectly sums up the restaurant’s “comfort meets culinary playfulness” style.

The mains continue the theme of elevated comfort: fried chicken with mac & cheese, seared sea bream with confit carrots and cauliflower puree, Iberico pork Milanese with charred pineapple slaw, crab cake sandwich with long hot aioli, and much more.

The fried chicken, in particular, has a cult following among Rehoboth, lightly crisped and juicy, served with house biscuits and honey butter that many say deserve their own menu spot.

All the portions are generous, and the presentation always polished without feeling fussy.

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The ambiance supports the menu’s energy: a modern interior flowing to an outdoor seating/patio zone with fire-pit options, a full bar with craft cocktails, and a wine list curated by an in-house sommelier. 

Even on chilly nights, the patio remains popular thanks to heaters and the glow of the central fire pit, reviewers have described it as “the coziest spot in town” for a glass of wine after sunset. 

Inside, the space is stylish but unpretentious, with a layout that encourages social dining. The bar is known for strong, well-balanced cocktails, making it a favorite for both dinner and drinks-only visits.

Altogether, The Blue Hen is ideal when you’re after dinner that’s part culinary exploration, part social scene.

The restaurant operates mostly on a walk-in basis, and patio tables are first-come-first-served, so arriving early is your best bet for outdoor seating. 

Located right off Rehoboth Avenue, it’s also a perfect choice before a night out or a stroll toward the boardwalk. 

• Address: 33 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, starting at 5pm

Dining in Rehoboth Beach

Both restaurants showcase the very best of Rehoboth Beach dining. 

Back Porch Café offers timeless elegance and culinary tradition, while The Blue Hen adds a fresh, modern energy to the coastal food scene. 

Don’t miss our next Restaurant Spotlight! Follow the blog to discover more local spots and dining highlights around the Delaware beaches.