If you’re hoping to enjoy your meal in the sunshine, these Delaware beach restaurants offer standout options for open-air dining.
The warm weather brings a perfect excuse to spend time outside, whether that means relaxing on the sand, exploring nature with friends and family, or discovering new places to eat.
Here are several restaurants near the Delaware shoreline that offer inviting outdoor dining experiences:
Wheelhouse at Fisherman’s Wharf
With a Key West-inspired setting and menu, Wheelhouse Raw Bar ‘n’ Grill features seafood favorites like shrimp, fish tacos, and oysters, along with a rum selection and raw bar.
Guests can enjoy patio seating with live music and scenic views of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.
- 7 Anglers Road, Lewes
Harbour Restaurant
Situated in the historic area of Lewes, Harbour Restaurant is a locally owned spot offering views of the waterfront. Diners can enjoy a harborside deck, an open-air bar, and indoor dining spaces.
The menu includes coastal mid-Atlantic fare and international influences, such as seafood, brisket, seasonal salads, and creative cocktails.
- 134 W Market Street, Lewes
The Blue Hen
Located inside the Avenue Inn & Spa, The Blue Hen offers outdoor dining with a beach atmosphere just a block away.
Enjoy boutique wines, oysters, and salmon on a patio that features a cozy fire pit and fresh ocean air.
- 33 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
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Back Porch Café
A fine dining choice in Rehoboth Beach, Back Porch Café offers two outdoor decks for guests to enjoy global fusion dishes.
The menu includes lobster, scallops, and its signature flaming coffee, blending French-style elegance with a beachside feel.
- 59 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
Mango’s
Located oceanfront beside the bandstand and Bethany Beach Patrol headquarters, Mango’s boasts two bars and separate cocktail spaces.
Most weekends feature live music to accompany dishes like crab cakes, jerk chicken, wings, and surf and turf, all served with views of the sea.
- 97 Garfield Parkway, Rehoboth Beach
Somewhere
Somewhere’s outdoor “Oasis” delivers a tropical, beach-inspired setting with lush greenery and a sandy floor.
The menu includes brunch favorites, tacos, salads, and bar snacks such as boneless wings and street corn. Popular cocktails include flavored mimosas and espresso martinis.
- 54 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
Bluecoast Seafood Grill & Raw Bar
Focused on locally sourced seafood and produce, Bluecoast features an extensive raw bar, a rotating oyster selection, and an award-winning wine menu.
Outdoor entertainment is offered on a patio that includes a fire pit, acoustic stage, and full bar.
Woody’s Dewey Bar & Grill
In the center of Dewey Beach, Woody’s welcomes visitors to enjoy a meal on its outdoor porch, just steps from the water. Known for crab cakes, burgers, and house-made chips, it’s a favorite for casual coastal dining.
- 1904 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach
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The Starboard
A long-standing favorite for over six decades, The Starboard in Dewey Beach features nightly outdoor music, seafood-focused meals, and a lively atmosphere.
Diners can order omelets, crab, burgers, and a range of bloody Mary options from the open-air patio.
- 2009 DE-1, Dewey Beach
Big Chill Beach Club
Set inside Delaware Seashore State Park, Big Chill Beach Club provides scenic views of both Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Dishes like shrimp rolls, fish and chips, and pork sliders are paired with live music in a breezy, oceanfront environment.
- 27099 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach
Catch 54
Catch 54 delivers coastal dishes like seafood bouillabaisse, calamari, fried oysters, and a wide raw bar.
Guests can take in sweeping bay views from the outdoor deck while enjoying a cold ale and freshly prepared local fare.
- 38931 Madison Avenue, Selbyville
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Harpoon Hanna’s
This bayfront restaurant has wood-paneled interiors and outdoor features including boat-accessible docks.
Visitors can choose from a tiki bar, sports bar, or live music area while dining on shrimp, smash burgers, and cheesesteak egg rolls.
- 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island
Cultured Pearl
The Cultured Pearl Restaurant & Sushi Bar is a long-standing "Best of Delaware" recipient, specializing in Japanese fusion cuisine and the art of sushi since 1993.
It offers a unique atmosphere with features like a Cherry Blossom Room and a rooftop pond gazebo, making it suitable for special events.
- 301 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
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Iron Hill
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach is a popular spot offering a diverse menu of food and craft beers.
They also feature regular happy hour specials and various promotions, alongside options for catering and private events.
- 19815 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach
DiFebo’s
This restaurant is known for its Italian cuisine, offering a variety of traditional dishes and drinks.
It provides convenient online ordering for pickup, table reservations, and catering services with family-style takeout trays.
- 12 North 1st Street, Rehoboth Beach
Whether you're looking for a casual spot for lunch or a vibrant evening atmosphere with music and drinks, these Delaware beach restaurants offer the perfect blend of outdoor ambiance and flavorful dishes. Enjoy every bite with a side of fresh air and scenic views.
Source: Delaware Today