Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Delaware

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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

5.0

5 (2360)

$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

Elaine

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Our server Madi was outstanding. The food was amazing! We had the seared octopus and it melted in your mouth with a delicious sauce to complement.

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.8

4.8 (648)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Newark

About the restaurant

VITA NOVA IS CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING OUR GUESTS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER! Vita Nova is the signature student-operated restaurant which is part of the Hospitality Business Management program at the University of Delaware.

Vita Nova features a "Best of Delaware" award-winning lunch buffet Tues-Fri and elegant fine dining Wed-Fri during the fall and spring semesters. For lunch, the students offer fresh, local dishes including gourmet salads, soups, pastas, entrees, fire-roasted flatbreads, cheese board and mini sweets. The five-course dinner begins with a fusion-inspired appetizer trio and choice of salad, followed by intermezzo and your choice of entrée. The evening ends on a sweet note with a decadent dessert.

Thank you for your support and being an important part of our unique student learning experience!

Top review

JOSEPH

Dined on May 15, 2025

As always, this was fine dining at its best. The Filet Mignon was excellent and the scallops were delicious. Being served by individual servers is so nice and we get a chance to talk to University students as an added bonus. We look forward to dining here anytime we can get a reservation

La Fia

4.9

4.9 (2185)

$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

River

Dined 7 days ago

Absolutely stellar experience. Amy is my favorite bar tender. Very attentive and great attitude!

Home Grown Café

4.7

4.7 (517)

$30 and under

American

Newark

About the restaurant

Home Grown Cafe is an independently owned, award-winning, downtown Newark, DE staple, residing centrally on Main St. for over 23 years under founding owner, Sasha Aber. Matt McConnell leads an incredible staff and day to day operations. Award winning Executive Chef Andrew Thorne is the chef de cuisine who constantly pushes the envelope with locally made from scratch dishes of his own creations, as well as mentoring and showcasing our staff's talent. Home Grown has been named Best of Delaware Upstate for over two decades by Delaware Today readers including awarding the honor of Best Chef Upstate to Andrew Thorne (2022) Guests enjoy incredible service and made from scratch food for all dietary lifestyles, including carnivorous, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-sensitive in a welcoming environment for all patrons. Colorful walls are adorned with local pop art. The bar features a large array of upscale spirits including house-crafted cocktails and mocktails, over 65 beers, and great wines.

Top review

jana

Dined on May 24, 2025

Fabulous food Ben for our vegan and fabulous service

Eclipse Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1187)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Enjoy cozy but energetic dining at Eclipse Bistro. It offers a chic, small and intimate dining room with brick walls, soft lighting and wood furnishings, creating a warm and sophisticated ambiance, making it a great place for a first date or business luncheon. Its diverse menu offers something for most diners. Eclipse Bistro is open for both lunch and dinner during the week, and for dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-658-1588, if desired reservation time is unavailable or a party size is larger than 6.

Top review

Sue

Dined 2 days ago

Salmon salad and papardelle were excellent. Tuna poke was good, but tuna pieces were a bit mushy. This was my third visit and the food and service are always very good.

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Popular dish

Seared Scallops

Columbus Inn

4.8

4.8 (2544)

$30 and under

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Columbus Inn has been reborn as a contemporary bar/restaurant that combines the best of both the old and new. Featuring seasonal Modern American menus with an extensive selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails.

Online Ordering and Delivery Options available through our website: www.ColumbusInn.net

Top review

Frank

Dined 7 days ago

This was for a birthday celebration and the food and the service exceptional! Drinks and appetizers were delivered in a timely manner. Food was hot and delicious when delivered. Overall, a great experience.

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Popular dish

Crispy Calamari

Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark

4.7

4.7 (894)

$30 and under

Italian

Newark

About the restaurant

With the opening of Taverna, Platinum Dining Group brings to life its highly anticipated version of the “neighborhood gathering place.” Rustic and simple in conception but well crafted and high minded in execution, Taverna brings to Newark a casual sophistication that sees reclaimed wood and exposed brick on the wall. Polished marble rest atop the overstretched bar which boasts eighteen draft beers and the state’s first ever “tapped wine” system. A seemingly humble menu is carefully considered with homemade pastas, coal-fired pizzas, and daily “features” that will bring a smile to the most discerning grandmother’s face.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-444-4334 , if desired reservation time is unavailable or the party size is larger than 6.

Top review

Christina

Dined 4 days ago

Food was amazing. Super loud though. Service was ok- waiter rushed us - which I didn’t appreciate but overall was excellent as always.

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Popular dish

Grilled Chicken

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 5 days ago

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

Taverna - Wilmington

4.5

4.5 (720)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Taverna - Wilmington is a “neighborhood gathering place.” Inspired by both the casual watering holes and belly warming kitchens found within homes all throughout Italy, Taverna suggests a rural approach to refined Italian cooking.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-384-8552, if desired reservation time is unavailable or a party size is larger than 6.

Top review

Joe

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Last minute choice for turned out to be fantastic meal. First time at Taverna and everything was outstanding. Food was fantastic and great value.

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Popular dish

Chicken

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 4 days ago

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

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