Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Delaware

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Bahama Breeze - Newark - Christiana Mall

4.8

4.8 (534)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Newark

About the restaurant

When you're at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, life's one big party. It's an escape from the ordinary and a much-needed excuse for you to let loose. Famous since 1996 for tropical cocktails, live music, and more, the vibe here is always as amazing as that Caribbean-inspired food we're known for. Bahama Breeze offers your favorites: seafood, salads, chicken--all with island flair. From Jerk Chicken Pasta to Seafood Paella, you can enjoy the islands one taste at a time, discovering new flavors along the way. Naturally, we're the perfect spot for all the sunniest moments in life: happy hours with friends, anniversaries, birthdays, date nights and unique culinary experiences. So, when you're ready to raise your glass and move your feet, the party's in full swing and the islands are waiting for you or if you'd rather bring the Island party home, online ordering is a Breeze too!

Top review

GeorgeVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Awesome service, food, pace, and selection. Enjoyed the whole visit.

Crow Bar - Trolley Square

4.8

4.8 (62)

$30 and under

Global, International

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Global menu of chef inspired small plates, entrees and pizza. Inspired and creative cocktails, 12 beers on draught and a lively dining room in the Trolley Square neighborhood!

Top review

CarynVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Drinks great! Broccoli rabe on pizza was tough. Salad good. Desserts had good flavor but texture was unusual.

Back Burner Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1688)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hockessin

About the restaurant

Over 40 years of Operation & Voted Best of Delaware several years in a row, our kitchen offers seasonal selections of contemporary American cuisine, interlaced with Italian and French influences that will please all who visit! Being located in historic Hockessin, DE, our cozy restaurant will make you feel right at home.; Whether you sit at the bar, in our fireplace room, or with a view of the kitchen!

• Our Signature dishes include:
- Pumpkin Mushroom Soup
- Shrimp Léjon
- Kennett Square Stuffed Mushrooms
- House-made Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
- Fresh Fish
- Featured Game
- Featured Steaks

• The Back Burner is the perfect choice for celebrating all occasions. We offer passion, perfection, and unsurpassed quality in everything we do.
Our private Fire Place Room can accommodate groups from 15-28 people.

• Featuring Nightly Specials & Daily Happy Hour!
Call For Larger Groups

• For additional info, please contact our Dining Room Manager at 302-239-2314 or email: event@backburner.com

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Diana continues to be an excellent server. She is a big reason we continue dining here. No complaints with her service. My main concern was the time to get ur meals. We waited over an hour for our meals. Appears to be a short staffing problem…. Hopefully an isolated situation.

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Popular dish

Center Cut Filet Mignon - 10oz

Popular dish

Crab Cake Sandwich

Popular dish

Pumpkin Mushroom - Bowl

Valle Cucina Italiana

4.7

4.7 (895)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Valle Cucina, Delaware's best kept secret for over forty years! Our name suggests Italian, and it is the best around, but we are also known for our seven time "Best of Delaware" award winning 100% jumbo lump crab cakes, seafood dishes and the area's most amazing dry aged steaks. Valle also showcases a 100+ bottle wine list.

Come as your are or formal, everyone feels at home. We take pride in our friendly service.

Located in the Pike Creek Shopping Center, off Limestone Rd. Valle, opened in 1981 as a pizzeria and has become a must try. We are inviting you to experience what many have called their best dining experience.

For special requests we suggest you call us 302-998-9999 so we can best serve you

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The service is always excellent and the good is always amazing.

The Bellefonte Cafe

4.7

4.7 (276)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Bellefonte Cafe: Great Food, Great Atmosphere, Great Music, since 2002!

Top review

CelesteVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Would like to see more items in the menu. Food and music were good.

Piccolina Toscana

4.6

4.6 (1456)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Piccolina Toscana is open Monday-Saturday for dinner at 5:00. We have ample socially distanced tables as well and a heated patio. The Lounge opens at 4 each day with Happy Hour from 4-6. Open late on the weekends. Toscana to Go is open from 10am-8pm every day. Online Ordering is available as is Home Delivery, Curbside Pickup. Toscana Catering is planning Covid compliant events as well as "post-Covid" 2021 events at all of our beautiful and unique Catering Venues.

Top review

TimothyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent specials and great service from Rachel.Wine selection has improved as well.

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Popular dish

TORTELLINI

Lore

4.6

4.6 (131)

$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 Modern American 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

John

Dined 7 days ago

Second time at Lore. Innovative dishes perfectly prepared. Our server did a great job. Wine list has some nice reds and whites, including one we particularly like, but is a bit limited. We strongly recommend Lore for an excellent casual dining experience.

Merchant Bar

4.5

4.5 (135)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Merchant Bar is an elevated gastrobar that infuses a chef-driven menu with an original hand-crafted cocktail menu focused on high-quality ingredients, aiming to bring you a unique bar and dining experience. Both for intimate dining or for a large group, Merchant Bar's dynamic space is perfect for any occasion.

For parties of 7 or more, please call the restaurant at 302-502-3385.

Top review

RVIP

Dined on May 30, 2025

Amazing cocktails in a lovely space. Looks like a perfect date night spot or after work drinks. Already planning my next visit.

Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Bar - Newark

4.3

4.3 (212)

$30 and under

Mexican

Newark

About the restaurant

Discover an authentic taste of Mexico at Santa Fe Mexican Grill, nestled in the heart of Newark, Delaware. Whether you're craving traditional tacos, sizzling fajitas, or innovative fusion dishes, our menu brings a flavorful journey to your plate. We pride ourselves on using fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and offering a warm, vibrant atmosphere perfect for any occasion – from casual family dinners to celebratory events. With handcrafted margaritas and a variety of tequilas to choose from, Santa Fe provides the perfect escape for dining with friends, family, or colleagues. Experience Newark's premier Fun Mexican destination today!

Top review

Cher

Dined on May 22, 2025

Very good food and excellent service. We enjoyed the happy hour food and drinks!

Ciro Food And Drink

4.3

4.3 (389)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Ciro Food & Drink, located on the picturesque Wilmington Riverfront, is a culinary gem for food lovers. Led by Chef Michael DiBianca, a James Beard Award semifinalist, the restaurant showcases innovative New American cuisine. With an intimate 30-seat dining room illuminated by candlelight, guests can enjoy the inviting aromas and watch the open kitchen where each dish is crafted with care. The tasting menu features Chef DiBianca's finest creations, including melt-in-your-mouth duck confit and delicate crab cakes, highlighting his expertise in flavor and texture. Ciro also boasts an extensive wine list, offering a variety of vintages from around the globe. The knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find the perfect wine pairing, whether you prefer a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a robust Cabernet Sauvignon. The ambiance at Ciro Food & Drink is both sophisticated and welcoming, making it the perfect destination for an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

David

Dined 7 days ago

Our first visit to Ciro. The experience was terrific from start to finish. Reservation was @ 5PM on a Thursday, and we were treated to 'exclusive' service. Chose the tasting menus -- a 'Traditional' and a 'Pescatarian' with wine pairings. Our server was Venu Gaddamidi--a very lucky opportunity for us. Mr Gaddamidi is co-owner/GM of Ciro & owner of Veritas Wine & Craft Beer located next to Ciro. The first two of our 4-course- tasting menus- were the same for both dinners. Started with delicious Burratas paired with a white blend from Spain. Second course was a zesty curry presentation of shrimp, fingerling potatoes & artichoke paired with a fruity Italian wine. The main courses featured thick-cut slices of pork belly for the 'Traditional' and beautifully pan-seared tuna with a perfect-pink middle for the 'Pescatarian.' The wine pairing was a fine Portuguese red that worked equally well with both main courses. Deserts were a tasty flan and a 'molten lava' chocolate cake accompanied by a sweet German red wine. Courses were well described by Mr. Gaddamidi. He also shared the fun true stories on how he came to know the amazing wines served. Wines available at 'Veritas' for purchase.

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