Best Restaurants in Wilmington, Delaware & the Brandywine Valley

Come hungry. A single day in Wilmington, Delaware, can include a Bobbie sub for lunch, oysters by the river, and a nightcap at a speakeasy. Generations-old taverns share the spotlight with buzzy, chef-driven kitchens, and the Brandywine Valley, which spans Delaware and Pennsylvania, adds even more great tables to the mix.

Start with the best restaurants in Wilmington below, including local favorites, signature dishes to try, and where to eat based on your plans. Still deciding? Browse more places to eat and drink, or filter every listing by cuisine, neighborhood, outdoor seating, or free parking.

Popular Cuisines & Dining Experiences

From Italian trattorias and lively Mexican kitchens to brunch favorites and classic steakhouses, the dining scene here is as diverse as its visitors. These seven local picks give you a taste of everything.

• Market Kitchen & Bar: This gastropub in Newark, Delaware, cooks with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from area farms, and herbs from its courtyard garden go into the handcrafted cocktails. Go for Sunday brunch.

• Le Cavalier at the Green Room: Le Cav, as the locals call it, is a French brasserie inside HOTEL DU PONT, which has welcomed guests in downtown Wilmington since 1913. Seasonal plates take their cues from Provence and North Africa. Order the steak frites.

• Roost Pub & Kitchen: This contemporary American restaurant and bar on Market Street puts a modern twist on seasonal comfort food, with craft beers, wines, and cocktails to match.

• Jessop's Tavern and Colonial Restaurant: Settle into a 1724 building in Historic New Castle for hearty American, English, and Swedish fare. Pair the iconic Shepherd’s Pie with a pour from what Jessop’s call’s Delaware’s largest Belgian beer selection.

• Kid Shelleen's: A longtime Trolley Square favorite for lunch and dinner, with a relaxed feel, an open grill, and award-winning burgers. Weekend brunch brings homemade sticky buns.

• Santa Fe: Enjoy Latin fusion Mexican food and music at locations in Wilmington and Newark.

• Bardea Steak: This boutique steakhouse from the James Beard-recognized Bardea Restaurant Group grills rare beef breeds and unique cuts over a custom open hearth. Reservations are recommended.

Prefer browsing by cuisine? The Find Your Flavor picks below cover steakhouses, international cuisine, seafood, breweries, and brunch.

Which Local Dishes Should You Try in Wilmington?

Every great food town has its signature bites, and Wilmington has three. Here’s what to order and where to find each one.

• Tomato pie at Serpe & Sons Bakery: A Roman-style crust topped with tomato sauce and oregano. The Elsmere, Delaware bakery has been a local staple since 1952.

• Scrapple at The Peach Blossom Eatery: Pork scraps and trimmings cooked with cornmeal and spices, a true Delaware breakfast tradition. This Newark spot makes its own in-house, so it's the perfect place to give it a try.

• The Bobbie at Capriotti's: Pulled turkey, cranberry sauce, homemade stuffing, and a dab of mayo on a sub roll. Think Thanksgiving dinner you can hold in one hand, served at the original Union Street shop.

Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Signature Dish List. It sends standout  menu items straight to you by text and email, with no app to download.

Restaurants in Wilmington by Neighborhood & Occasion

Let your plans pick the restaurant. Here’s where to eat in Wilmington before a show, with a ballgame, on a pub night, for Italian, or during a garden day.

Before a Show Downtown

Got tickets at The Grand Opera House? Wilma's is right next door, serving Southern and New Orleans dishes alongside duckpin bowling and vintage arcade games in a historic bank building. For a sit-down dinner, stay on Market Street, home to much of downtown's fine dining. At Bardea Food & Drink, try the Nonna's Meatballs with scamorza, a mild cheese similar to mozzarella.

Dinner and a Ballgame on the Riverfront

On the Wilmington Riverfront, a Wilmington Blue Rocks game pairs perfectly with dinner, since the ballpark sits along the Christina River. Before or after the game, Banks Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar serves fresh seafood and raw bar oysters with waterfront views, and Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant pours house-brewed beer by the river. Find more picks on the seafood restaurants page.

Pub Night in Trolley Square

Ask the bartender at Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub how to find Hummingbird to Mars, the speakeasy tucked behind the building. Then head to Trolley Square Oyster House for seafood and live music.

Italian on Union Street

Craving Italian? Wilmington's Little Italy runs along Union Street, where Ristorante Attilio and the family-owned Mrs. Robino's Restaurant draw fans from all over the region. In the mood for steak instead? Head to Walter's Steakhouse on North Union Street.

Garden Day in the Brandywine Valley

Spending the day at the region’s six grand gardens? 1906 at Longwood Gardens lets you dine without leaving Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, so you can spend more time among the blooms. On Sundays, Buckley's Tavern in Centreville, Delaware, serves brunch in a Colonial dining room, a pub room, or out on a large patio.

Want to see every restaurant in one area? Use the Location filter in the listings.
 

Planning a Foodie Weekend in Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley

Book a downtown hotel, and you can walk from dinner back to your room. Wilmington’s walkable size makes it easy to turn one great meal into a full day out. Coming by train? Wilmington Station sits on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, so a car-free food weekend is easy to plan. See the Amtrak page for arrival details, browse downtown hotels, and book dinner near where you'll stay.

Before you go, sign up for the free Wilmington Discount Pass. It sends deals from participating restaurants and attractions to your phone by text, with nothing to install. Beer lover? Follow the Good Brews itinerary and plan your meals around it.
 

Get the Free Visitors Guide

Ready to plan your next meal? Request your free Visitors Guide for restaurants, hotels, and events across Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley, all in one place. Pair it with our trip itineraries to fill the hours between meals. Then all that's left is to come hungry.

Find Restaurants and Dining in Greater Wilmington, Delaware

Frequently Asked Questions About Dining on Greater Wilmington, Delaware

Which restaurants in Wilmington are good for families?

Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront is a great family pick, with a casual feel right by the water. Local favs, Kid Shelleen's and Roost Pub & Kitchen both offer kids' menus.

Do I need a reservation for dinner in Wilmington?

Yes, for popular spots it's a good idea. Le Cavalier and Jessop's Tavern both recommend reservations. Prefer to drop in? The Mercury Café and Teahouse in Historic New Castle seats guests first-come, first-served.

Where do I park for dinner in Wilmington?

Downtown Wilmington has metered street parking and garages. According to the parking guide, meters are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, but check the posted rates when you park. You can add time from your phone with Parkmobile, and Riverfront restaurant lots are free.

Can I find vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free food in Wilmington?

Yes, you'll find plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in and around Wilmington. The Whip Tavern, minutes from Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, serves brunch with gluten-free and vegan choices. Kid Shelleen's also has vegan and gluten-free dishes, and The Mercury Café and Teahouse offers an entirely vegetarian menu.

Does Wilmington have a restaurant week?

Yes. Wilmington takes part in Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week, held each fall and organized by Out & About Magazine. Participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus, meaning multi-course meals at a set price, so make reservations early.

Where can a large group eat in Wilmington?

Start with the group-friendly restaurants list, made for big parties on a schedule. Jessop's Tavern hosts group dinners in its private rooms, and Roost Pub & Kitchen also offers private space for larger groups.