Wine Spectator has released its 2026 Restaurant Awards, and four restaurants right here in Coastal Delaware made the list! 

Benvenuto Restaurant, Blue Moon Restaurant, Eden, and Lupo Italian Kitchen each earned an Award of Excellence, recognizing their wine programs among several restaurants.

Take a closer look at each restaurant and what you can expect: 

Blue Moon

Blue Moon has been part of Rehoboth Beach since 1981, when a 1907 Sears Craftsman house was transformed from a private residence into the restaurant guests know today.

Locally owned, the restaurant has built its reputation around treating guests like friends while maintaining the character that has defined Blue Moon for decades.

The menu changes often based on what is fresh and available, with seafood playing a major role in various dishes. 

Dishes can include options like pan-seared swordfish and lobster risotto, paired with an extensive wine list. 

Guests can explore separate Dinner, Wine, and Sunday Brunch menus, with the kitchen constantly updating its offerings to make the most of fresh ingredients.

• Address: 35 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
• Dinner hours: Daily starting at 5pm
• Brunch hours: Sundays from 10am to 2pm 
• Contact: (302) 227-6515

Image: Eden Restaurant

Eden

Eden has been a fine dining staple in Rehoboth Beach for more than 25 years, known for its romantic atmosphere, creative cocktails, attentive service, and bold American dishes.

It is also Delaware’s longest-running Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, maintaining the recognition every year since 2004. 

Its wine program has become a major part of the experience, with selections designed to pair with a menu that ranges from seafood and steaks to more unexpected options.

Current dishes include seared ahi tuna, pan-seared Atlantic halibut, Wagyu beef short ribs, crispy soft shell crabs, filet mignon, and grilled antelope tenderloin. 

Guests can also start with options like the local crab and Maine lobster tower, beef carpaccio, burrata salad, or an artisanal cheese board.

Dessert options include key lime pie, vanilla bean crème brûlée, chocolate dome, lemon meringue gateaux, and more.

• Address: 20200 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 5:30pm to 9pm; Friday & Saturday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm
• Contact: (302)-227-3330 & [email protected]

Image: Lupo Italian Kitchen

Lupo Italian Kitchen

Lupo Italian Kitchen brings fresh coastal Italian cuisine to downtown Rehoboth Beach, combining Mediterranean flavors with locally caught seafood, local produce, and pasta made in house.

Its all-Italian wine list is a big part of the experience and has earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence every year from 2017 through 2026. 

The list is organized into categories like Light, Medium, Full, and Sparkling, making it easier to find a bottle that fits both the meal and your taste.

Popular dishes include lobster bucatini, linguini and clams, chicken parmesan, traditional spaghetti and meatballs, rigatoni bolognese, and veal meatballs. 

Lupo also offers daily happy hour specials and half-priced pasta on Wednesday nights throughout the year.

• Address: 247 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
• Hours: Daily from 5pm to 10pm
• Contact: (302) 226-2240

Image: Benvenuto Restaurant

Benvenuto

Benvenuto brings a Tuscan-inspired dining experience to Milford, with a focus on Italian flavors, personal service, and a welcoming atmosphere. 

The restaurant was one of just two in Delaware to earn Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2026, placing its wine program a step above the standard Award of Excellence recognition.

Wine plays a major role in the experience here, with a dedicated wine menu designed to complement the restaurant’s Italian-inspired dishes. 

Benvenuto also offers a Wine Club for guests who want to take that experience a little further.

Members receive access to private tasting events and supplier tastings, 50% off featured bottles on Wine Club nights, and 20% off bottles when dining at the restaurant. 

The club also includes dining rewards, with perks unlocked at different spending levels. Membership for 2026 is $100 per year.

The restaurant offers several different menus, including its Bolgheri Village Menu, Dinner Menu, Finer Dining Menu, Taste of Tuscany Coffees, Wine Menu, and Carryout options.

• Address: 249 NE Front Street, Milford
• Hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 4pm to 9pm
• Contact: (302) 265-2652 & [email protected]

Keep following the blog for more local restaurant news, awards, openings, and places to check out across Coastal Delaware.

Source: Delaware Online

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