These new restaurants are perfectly suited to a fall foodie exploration 

In Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, spring is no longer the only season that brings a sense of renewal. Crisp leaves and cooler days may prove that autumn has officially arrived, but fortunately, the fall forecast also includes a bumper crop of new restaurants. And, even more pleasantly, this lineup of newcomers promises some especially offbeat fun. Diners will find sweat-inducing Thai food, guilt-inducing barbecue, and quite possibly the most coveted donuts to roll their way into Delaware. 

More are on the way: The coming year looks to be a big one for foodies who find themselves in Delaware – an offshoot of the beloved Bardea restaurant is in the works, and several other well-regarded dining destinations are planning to expand their footprints. We’ll have more on that in the months ahead. For now, there’s surely enough to keep everyone busy (and happily overstuffed). 

Rim Nahm Thai, 3 Orange St., Wilmington, 302-696-6995, rimnahmriverfront.com. The Riverfront Market has always been one of the city’s under-appreciated gems, and Rim Nahm Thai offers more of that free-ranging food-stall fun. Look for lots of curries, wok-fresh pad thai, and pad kapao, a dish that is most certainly the best thing ever served beneath a fried egg. 

Hummingbird Island Cuisine, 723 N. King St., Wilmington; 302-300-2475; hbicuisine.com. Travelers will love the location across from the Doubletree Hotel Downtown, but we are all a little smitten with the idea of more Jamaican food in the city, thanks to this brick-and-mortar location of a popular food truck. If the oxtail stew or goat dishes seem intimidating, summon your courage to try the “jerk” dishes, or the crowd-pleasing brown stew chicken. And don’t forget to grab a bottle of Jamaican soda (pineapple, please). 

The Post, 1715 Delaware Ave. Wilmington; www.thepost1715.com. It’s not quite a full-on BBQ joint like its predecessor, Locale BBQ Post, but this new spot in trendy Trolley Square has what it takes to scratch that itch. Elements of classic American barbecue are woven through the menu in a way that makes all that finger-licking fun seem a little more …. civilized? 

Sleeping Bird Doughnuts, 4001 Concord Pike, Wilmington; www.sleepingbirddoughnuts.com. In my food-besotted brain, it somehow makes complete sense that so many people get up at the crack of dawn and wait in line for these artful cupcake concoctions, which usually sell out faster than you can say “blueberry cheesecake-filled brioche.” 

Burgers by Wildwich, 2616 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont; (302) 898-5335; wildwich.com. Tears flowed when news came that this beloved food truck had caught fire, but salvation is here: Head to the new brick-and-mortar location for extraordinary smashed burger creations. (I’m partial to the “Bluegrass,” made with “drunken bacon jam,” picked onions and honey mustard.)  

Yummy Bowl, 3226 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner Shopping Center, Wilmington; eatyummybowl.com. The buzz is growing about the customizable, made-to-order stir fries here, but there’s also lots of sushi, brothy bowls of ramen, and uber-crunchy Korean-style fried chicken. 

The Opulent, 3421 Kirkwood Highway Unit A-D, Wilmington; 302-384-7344; www.theopulent.us. Mediterranean accents co-exist happily with bold flavors of South Asia at this fusion-minded upstart, where you will find plenty of familiar, comforting favorites (jalapeno poppers, fettuccine pasta), but also more than a few chances to embrace sassier tastes (spicy Szechuan lamb, chicken vindaloo). 

Blade Kebab & Steakhouse, 7288 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin; 302-239-3999; www.bladekebabsteak.com. There are just enough big-beef options on the menu to make this a compelling option for steak lovers, but there’s also plenty of alluring Middle Eastern goodness (doner kebabs, fafalfel/hummus). 

Baba’s Hot Chicken & Brews, 174 E. Main St., Newark; 302-380-2150 www.babshotchicken.com. So many new places seem to specialize in spicy fried chicken sandwiches these days, but this one comes with legit backstory: The three brothers who own this college-town spot conceived it as a way to celebrate the fiery chicken made by their grandfather (“Baba”) back in Kosovo. Welcome to Newark, Baba!