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The neighboring towns of Bethany and Fenwick are home to some of the best restaurants on Delaware’s coastline.
From gourmet markets to fine-dining establishments, here are some recommendations on where to eat at the beach, straight from the folks at WTOP.
97 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, Delaware In Bethany Beach, right where the boardwalk meets Garfield Avenue, Heideaway has just opened up. They have steaks and burgers, but there’s also vegan, and gluten and dairy-free options too. Everything is locally sourced in this modern dining room that features a great picture of a surfer gliding through a giant wave behind the bar. “We are a pretty progressive restaurant, in that we’re going with as local as we possibly can,” said general manager Sheena Vanderhook, who said most of what they get comes from within a 10-mile radius. Only the bakery they use for desserts come from west of the Bay (Hyattsville). “We’re going for healthy, fresh, simple.” – John Domen (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
1500 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island Local seafood and produce are the stars at this Fenwick Island restaurant. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
26 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach WTOP’s Shawn Anderson names this beach eatery one for the “foodie set.” Bob Yesbeck, of Rehobothfoodie.com, said Sedona borders on being one of the best restaurants in the state. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
1111 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach Bluecoast is one of the most popular restaurants in Bethany Beach. The menu is heavy on fresh seafood, and the view is a local salt pond. (Courtesy Sodel Concepts)
Courtesy Sodel Concepts
27099 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach, Delaware Just before the bridge to the Delaware Seashore State Park is Big Chill Beach Club, which has beach views and food options ranging from tuna poke to pork carnitas. (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
39415 Inlet Rd., Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Hammerheads Dockside boasts beautiful bay views and classic coastal fare. While technically in Rehoboth Beach, Lauren Weaver, executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, said it’s a popular place for Bethany visitors as well. (WTOP/John Domen)
39817 Hickman Plaza Rd., Bethany Beach, Delaware Another favorite of Weaver’s is Bethany Boathouse, which features live entertainment and a kids’ play area. (WTOP/John Domen)
33544 Market Place Bethany Beach, Delaware “Their food is phenomenal; they have outdoor seating,” said Lauren Weaver, executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. (WTOP/John Domen)
789 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach Another go-to spot of afternoon anchor Shawn Anderson’s is DiFebo’s for Italian. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
210 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach “They have all-you-can-eat crabs and the best fried chicken — A Bethany local secret!” — WTOP’s Sandy Wexler (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
28635 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach Matt’s mimics a roadside fish shack in Bethany Beach. Fish and chips and lobster rolls populate the menu. (Courtesy Sodel Concepts)
Courtesy Sodel Concepts
1300 Coastal Hwy #6, Fenwick Island “You’ll love the sunny decor at Jimmy’s. It’s a place where you consistently get a good, affordable breakfast. Plus, you get to see Jimmy behind the grill. Hint: Get there early because it’s the kind of place where you end up waiting for a table.” — WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher (Courtesy Sodel Concepts)
601 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island “If you are looking for a fine-dining restaurant, head to Nantucket’s Restaurant on Fenwick Island. The restaurant serves seafood, steaks, lamb and duck, and it has a tap room. Don’t let the prices scare you, the meal at this cozy restaurant is worth it.” — WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher (Getty Images)
Getty Images
1106 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island Our Harvest celebrates the area’s agricultural industry. The recommendation for this farm-to-table restaurant comes from WTOP’s Jack Taylor. (Getty Images)
121 Campbell Place, Bethany Beach Patsy’s serves surf and turf staples with a Southern twist, such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits and a bone-in New York strip steak. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
29 Atlantic Ave, Ocean View
A great spot for New England clam chowder, fried oysters and lobster mac-and-cheese. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
34444 Coastal Hwy., Bethany Beach “McCabe’s Gourmet market in South Bethany is a cool place to shop for food if you feel like cooking in, but want something nice.” — WTOP’s Shawn Anderson. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
105 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach “The Penguin Diner, about a block and a half from Bethany’s beach on Garfield Parkway, serves locally sourced foods whenever possible and is a fun place to take the kids. Yes, there is a penguin theme — from ‘penguin pancakes’ to ‘penguin parfaits’ — at this family-owned restaurant. Be forewarned, it’s not the cheapest meal at the beach.” — WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
33034 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach This lunch, dinner and late-night spot serves a little bit of everything — from the typical bar appetizers to soups, salads, sandwiches and hearty entrees. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
769 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach Great drinks and food can be had at Off the Hook in Bethany Beach. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
120 Central Blvd., Bethany Beach Pie is all about grilled pizzas and craft beer. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
907 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, Delaware WTOP’s Art Rose said this Italian restaurant and pizza spot is a must in Fenwick. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
38931, Madison Ave, Selbyville
Another restaurant from the Bluecoast team, Catch 54 specializes in waterfront views and fresh seafood on Fenwick Island. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
205 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island
For pizza, subs and salads, this family-owned eatery is a must. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
792 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach “You won’t break the budget and you will leave full when you eat at the Bethany Diner at 792 Garfield Parkway. This small restaurant boosts bright red booths and a retro feel. Don’t be surprised if you can’t find a parking spot. This is an affordable place locals love.” — WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher. Chicken noodle soup often makes the daily specials. (AP/Matthew Mead)
AP/Matthew Mead
101 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island It’s all about farm-to-fork at this Fenwick Island restaurant. Menu items include crab cakes, local steak and made-from-scratch bread. (AP/Matthew Mead)
305 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island
“Matteo’s Salsa Loco in Fenwick Island offers Mexican food and seafood — and yes, specials on adult beverages. And if you really want to eat nachos on the beach, it’s possible. Matteo’s offers beach service between noon and 4 p.m.” — WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
