Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Delaware

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Crow Bar - Trolley Square

4.9

4.9 (47)

$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

Wendy

Dined 6 days ago

My husband and I went to the Crow Bar for a date night! It was wonderful- I would recommend the octopus and anything on the bao buns!! Kinda noisy but you can sit close together- so it was perfect for us!

Home Grown Café

5.0

5 (502)

$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

Angela

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Our server was very kind and helpful. Food was delicious and very large portions. Great evening!

The House of William & Merry

4.9

4.9 (2292)

$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

JessicaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fabulous food, service & experience with friends for the holidays. The scallops were delicious & our friends thoroughly enjoyed their beef entree.

Eclipse Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1112)

$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

Kathy

Dined 3 days ago

FABulous great night excellent overall We will be back

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Popular dish

Seared Scallops

La Fia

4.9

4.9 (2088)

$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

EmilyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Another fabulous meal at La Fia; it's always fun to go with someone who hasn't been before, or only once or twice and get to see them experience all of the amazing food for the first time! As always, everything was absolutely outstanding: the focaccia with the honey butter is so addicting, I feel like I can't not order it now--same for the duck leg confit. I wasn't going to get it this time, and then someone else in our party was ordering it, and I knew I would wish I had ordered it when it arrived at the table for him! The pappardelle was incredible; all of us ordered it! And then we got the maple ice cream and the passion fruit sorbet for dessert, and both were excellent. Terrific cocktails as always, and the best service! The most wonderful place to have a meal that somehow manages to feel both informal and homey and special and chic at the same time (and love the holiday decor)! The best start to vacation!

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Popular dish

Grilled Spanish Octopus

Popular dish

Crispy Duck Leg Confit

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.8

4.8 (642)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Newark

About the restaurant

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 Mon-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

Jaclyn

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

I try to score a reservation each semester that Vita Nova is open, it is a wonderful evening out! I am always impressed with the staff, they do a fantastic job. The food is consistently delicious each time I visit, and plated appealingly. I can't wait until next semester!

Ole Tapas Lounge & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (901)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Newark

About the restaurant

Ole Tapas Lounge & Restaurant is an authentic tapas restaurant specializing in seasonal tapas, Spanish wine & family style entrees. With a warm atmosphere & upbeat Spanish music, this vibrant restaurant will transport you to Seville, the capital of tapas.

Top review

williamVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We visit every time we get in the area. Always great!

Columbus Inn

4.8

4.8 (2449)

$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

Cathy

Dined 3 days ago

First time sitting in the tavern, usually eat in the main diningroom. Tavern very noisy. Not sure if this is the norm as there was a Christmas party at the next table. The food was delicious. Will difinitely be back

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Popular dish

Crispy Calamari

La Casa Pasta

4.8

4.8 (1308)

$31 to $50

Italian

Newark

About the restaurant

For parties of 10 or more please contact the restaurant directly. We only allow a max of two separate checks per table
As you open the doors to La Casa Pasta, your senses will be stimulated with the aromas of freshly-pressed pasta, delicately made sauces and warm, baked breads fill the air. Critics will agree that the tastes are even more satisfying. Newly renovated elegant decor, along with our stunning bar & lounge will surely impress you and your guests.
Chef and Owner Giuseppe Martuscelli's roots and knowledge of fine foods and wines originated in the town of Santa Maria Di Castellabate near Salerno, Italy. Giuseppe came to America with the Italian Navy in 1967 and returned to stay in 1973, settling in Newark, Delaware to open La Casa Pasta in 1978.
Since then, he has made it his goal to serve only the most authentic Northern and Southern Italian foods. Each year, he travels back to his homeland and beyond to learn new recipes and import ingredients not to be found in the states.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined 2 days ago

Thank you from all of us at the Elkton Dexsta Branch. We had a great company dinner and enjoyed the evening. Job well done.

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Valle Cucina Italiana

4.8

4.8 (851)

$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

AnnVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Best steaks in area, food arrives hot, good wine pours!

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