Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Delaware

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Delaware? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The House of William & Merry

4.9

4.9 (2253)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hockessin

About the restaurant

The House of William and Merry serves contemporary American cuisine prepared from the freshest seasonal ingredients procured from local farms, providing casual fine dining at a reasonable price. Chef-owned by the husband and wife team, Merry Catanuto and William Hoffman, who live on the property, the restaurant is a remodeled farmhouse on the edge of central Hockessin. Dine in a comfortable home atmosphere in one of the two dining rooms, the porch, or the bar. When you arrive, you can see right into the all new, modern kitchen. Full bar service is available including wines by the glass, microbrews on tap, and specialty drinks. Or, take a walk around back to see the herb and vegetable gardens.

Tuesday through Saturday we serve lunch and dinner. On Sunday, we serve brunch followed by a prix fix supper in the evening.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

I’ve been here a handful of times and every time it’s amazing, they do such a great job, and I love to leave positive reviews about this place because it’s just a fantastic gem. Only negative comment for giving four stars instead of five on the food this time was because the halibut was a tad oversalted. Delicious otherwise.

La Fia

4.9

4.9 (2054)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Travel down historic Market Street towards the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware and you will find La Fia Bistro. La Fia is an intimate dinner destination in a historic building located on the corner of 5th and Market. Chef Dwain Kalup's menu utlizes carefully sourced ingredients reflecting the seasons, local region and local farms. The menu at La Fia features small plates, pastas and creative entrees. Our cheese and charcuterie is one of a kind and not to be missed!

Due to the small size of our restaurant we allow 2 hours for guests to enjoy their dining experience. If you feel you need more time please reach out to us directly.

Top review

michaelvip

Dined 2 days ago

The food was OUTSTANDING. Each course was perfect.

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Popular dish

Grilled Spanish Octopus

Popular dish

Squid Ink Spaghetti

Popular dish

Crispy Duck Leg Confit

Bardea Food & Drink

4.8

4.8 (2271)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Bardea, pronounced: bar-DAY-ah, is the Italian term for "the goddess of food and drink." The stunning, 120-seat restaurant utilizes ingredients from local Delaware Valley farms and purveyors, and features modern interpretations of traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes. In 2019, Bardea Food & Drink received a semifinalist nomination in the James Beard Foundation's "Best New Restaurant" category.

Top review

Joshua

Dined 2 days ago

We had Luke for a server. He is one of the best servers we have had in a while. He made a good experience here an excellent experience! The food was most excellent! Every dish we had there was amazing. Finished it off with Olive oil cheesecake that was most excellent as well!

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The Melting Pot - Wilmington DE

4.6

4.6 (1887)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won't find at any other restaurant. Here, you'll discover all the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines & fabulous four-course dinners. No matter what the occasion, from a romantic date to get-togethers with friends, meetings or large groups. The Melting Pot always hits the spot. Make reservations today & come dip into something different.

Top review

Mary Pat

Dined 4 days ago

Always an enjoyable experience for me, as the fondue brings back memories from a long-ago year in Switzerland. And the flavors are scrumptious!

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Experience

BFFF – Wednesday is Friendsday

Bardea Steak

4.6

4.6 (747)

$31 to $50

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

A restaurant and bar by James Beard-nominated chef Antimo DiMeo. We're serious about snacks and steak. Our collaboration with artisanal farmers brings you exceptional cuts from both familiar and rare breeds. Though, Chef Antimo DiMeo extends his creativity beyond meat. Indulge in snacks from both land and sea and embark on a captivating journey with our chef's tasting menu-an exploration of Chef DiMeo's globetrotting inspirations and childhood memories. Join us at the crossroads of tradition and innovation for a distinctive dining experience.

Top review

Carlos

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

One of the best high quality, delicious and creative (non high falutin) restaurants! Thoroughly impressed with my plates and everyone’s at our table. The kind of restaurant that everyone loves what they get but also wants to try everyone else’s because of the look and smells. Boy was I happy everyone didn’t mind sharing. The piedmonte steak was the star but we all loved everything from the cocktails, appetizers, wine, mains and dessert.

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Santa Fe Mexican Grill-Wilmington

4.5

4.5 (331)

$30 and under

Mexican

Wilmington

About the restaurant

We Welcome you to Santa Fe Mexican Grill. Our award winning casual Mexican restaurant brings traditional flavors in a modern, vibrant yet comfortable atmosphere. Since March 2003, our culinary team has offered creative and thoughtful dishes influenced by the regions of Oaxaca and Mexico city “El D.F.” alongside some family recipes from their home state like Puebla and Jalisco. Moles, Tlayudas, Chimichangas, Tacos al Pastor, and creative guacamoles made to order are at the center of the stage. Our cocktail list incorporates some trendy ingredients, relevant tequilas, and a very exciting Mezcal cocktail list.

Our mission is to exceed all of your expectations and become your number one choice to unwind after a long workday or celebrate a special occasion with friends or family.

We cannot wait to meet you!

Top review

Elaine

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

The food was very good and the service was excellent.

The Garden at Bardea

4.5

4.5 (26)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Located in downtown Wilmington, The Garden at Bardea is the fifth restaurant concept from the James Beard-nominated Bardea Restaurant group. This outdoor space promises to become the city's go-to destination for alfresco dining and a good time. Guests can expect a dynamic outdoor dining room, with a mix of lounge and traditional seating surrounded by lush planters and fountains. Retractable awnings provide shade during the day, while fire pits and heaters keep guests cozy after dark. It will be the perfect spot to relax and unwind after a long day at work or groove into the evening over cocktails with friends

Top review

Rickvip

Dined 6 days ago

Bardea Garden is the wonderful child of Bardea and Bardea Steak. We loved the ambiance and the cuisine was off the charts. The single carrot was extraordinary. The hamburger was as good as it gets. The Filet was breath-taking. My NY foodie friends were blown-away. The elk meatballs and the gnocchi were extraordinary. This was the dinner of the year, so far!!! (Service was only ordinary as Bardea appeared to be understaffed that evening. Still, everyone was so nice….)

Lore

4.4

4.4 (89)

$31 to $50

Italian

Middletown

About the restaurant

Newly renovated restaurant is NOW OPEN! Stunning, (soon to be) award-winning, artisan Woodfire restaurant nestled within the St. Anne’s Club in Middletown, Delaware.
Italian and Mediterranean fusion wood fire-kitchen with craft cocktail bar that combines locally-inspired, fresh, and creative food with refined artisan cocktails derived from only the highest quality ingredients.
Expect high-quality food in a comfortable atmosphere, ambiance, and polished staff, striving to create a sense of ‘place’ and provide a great experience to all of our guests.

Top review

Gretchen

Dined 7 days ago

Our experience at Lore was amazing! The calamari was the best I’ve ever had.

322 BBQ | Hill Donut Co. & Pancake House

4.3

4.3 (19)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Experience the best of both the Smoke House at 322 BBQ and the BEST Brunch at Hill Donut Co. & Pancake House in North Wilmington, DE.

Under the expert guidance of Chef David Wiederholt, 322 BBQ serves up slow smoked BBQ that has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike—the award-winning Smoked Brisket is a must try along with the Triple Smoked Candied Bacon. Guests can savor authentic BBQ in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere with a full Bar.

Same place different time of day, Hill Donut Co. & Pancake House tempts with its 20+ kinds of huge handmade brioche donuts and a dozen flavors of fluffy pancakes, establishing itself as a morning favorite. Not to miss the brisket hash, and fried chicken egg and cheese.

Visit us online at 322bbq.com and hilldonuts.com to discover more about our unique dining experiences. Whether you're in the mood for savory slow-smoked meats or artisanal sweets, our team welcomes you to indulge in the flavors that make each visit memorable.

Top review

Jim

Dined 7 days ago

I’m so glad I finally had a chance to try 322 BBQ, it will be at the top of my list now! The smoked meats are delicious. And the donuts are decadent… we ordered ours to go before eating our appetizer to make sure we got the flavors we wanted before they could sell out!

Sugar Factory American Brasserie Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (1736)

$30 and under

American

Dover

About the restaurant

Sugar Factory American Brasserie brings its high-energy atmosphere to Dover, DE. The family-friendly, celebration destination known for its over-the-top sweets & treats, the world-famous restaurant promises a memorable experience. Offering brunch, lunch and dinner, our menu features colorful dishes, as well as its signature 64 oz. goblets & larger-than-life Milkshakes.

All reservations with individuals under 21 yrs of age, must be accompanied by a legal guardian that is 21 yrs of age or older at all time during.
* Please note, all members of your party must be present to be seated. Reservations are held for 15 minutes.*

Top review

Jania

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful time with great food and good Ambiance. I would definitely go back again

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