Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Ocean City / Delaware Shore

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Ocean City / Delaware Shore? 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!

Rigby's

4.9

4.9 (466)

$30 and under

American

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

Simple home cooking at its best… served in a casual, bistro-style dining room or on our outdoor, garden patio. A year-round local favorite, since 2009, offering home-made food, that’s always fresh. A lively mix of locals and tourists, gathering for dinner in the dining room, or drinks at the bar. Just a 10 minute walk from the ocean, on Rehoboth Avenue. We also have some free parking behind our restaurant and free parking (after 5pm) on the street behind our building. Late night bar entertainment includes: live music or Karaoke with a late night menu available after 9pm. Owners John & John are regularly on the premise, making sure you have a pleasant experience. “We strive to make Rigby’s a comfortable place, for all to feel welcome!” “We encourage you to have some good food and relax… after all, you’re at the beach!”

Top review

Dan

Dined 5 days ago

A good variety of food choices. Generous portions and good food. The server was excellent.

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Popular dish

Rigby Burger

Heirloom

4.9

4.9 (2262)

$31 to $50

American

Lewes

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS:
Heirloom is open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday starting at 5pm; closed Sunday & Monday.
We accept dining reservations 30 days out, simply meaning today's date plus 30 days.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you cancel or no show within 12 hours of your reservation, your credit card will be charged $25/per person.
All proceeds go towards the Heirloom kitchen squad’s continued culinary education, research & development.

We do not offer child seating (high chairs/booster seats) of any kind, nor a children’s menu, and we are unable to accommodate strollers in the dining room.

PATIO:
Our patio is located outside, in full sun, with umbrellas provided.
Please take note if you are uncomfortable with sun exposure and outdoor elements.
Patio tables are entirely weather dependent, and therefore released the day of.
However, if the weather is looking magical for a few days at a time, tables will be released for booking.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 7 days ago

An evening out for a birthday celebration! We live locally and our first time to this fabulous restaurant! Everything perfect from food to environment to the owner, staff, and kitchen! We will definitely be back!

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Char-Grilled Atlantic Octopus

Cafe Azafran

4.9

4.9 (975)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

Cafe Azafran serves up an award-winning blend of Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine. Recently taking home the 2019 Top Chef of the Culinary Coast for the second year in a row was Café Azafran, their quality of food and freshness speaks for itself. Each dish from tapas to our large plates will leave you satisfied and looking forward to your next visit. Menu is subject to change at Chefs request! We have live entertainment every Thursday!!!!
Located on the ocean block of Baltimore Avenue, in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Cafe Azafran has a cozy dining area, with a spacious covered screened in back porch, in order to enjoy the ocean air while you eat fresh, delicious menu items.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 2 days ago

One of our favorite places to dine out. Never disappoints

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Popular dish

Vegan Paella

One Coastal

4.8

4.8 (2050)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Fenwick Island

About the restaurant

Indulge in an extraordinary dining experience, where we wholeheartedly champion responsible agriculture, local watermen, and the art of serving really good food. Led by James Beard Nominated chef and owner, Matthew Kern, our restaurant is a testament to his culinary expertise and unwavering dedication to showcase the best of Delaware.

Beyond the kitchen, Chef Kern's commitment extends to our exceptional staff, making every visit a memorable exploration of the heart and soul that sets our gem apart. Join us to enjoy a drink, savor a meal, and see for yourself what makes this place so special.

Top review

Taryn

Dined 1 day ago

As an individual who really pursues and enjoys fine dining, this place was incredible. Unpretentious but the food rivals Michelin rated restaurants, engaging and attentive staff but they managed to do it with just a few folks. I come down to this area about once a month and this place is definitely one of, if not the best spot for dinner.

The Pines

4.8

4.8 (1189)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

The Pines American Bistro offers a winning combination of sensational interior design, a lively atmosphere, creative American cuisine, craft cocktails and first-class customer service. The restaurant features a full farm-to-table menu in the dining room and a thoughtfully crafted lite fare menu upstairs in the lounge.

Be sure to put us on your MUST DO list for this beach season.

Please note that all reservation through OpenTable are for dine in only. Not for any shows or events. Tickets to events can be purchased at www.thepinesrb.com/shows

Top review

MarkyT

Dined on Mar 4, 2025

The pines is a great date spot, amazing drinks and high quality food!

Theo's Steak, Sides & Spirits - Rehoboth Beach

4.8

4.8 (1188)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

Established in 2011, Theo's began in St. Michaels, Maryland as a traditional steakhouse. Being in a resort town, Theo's quickly became a casual hot spot offering elevated, high-quality dining for visitors as well as a beloved favorite among locals. Heavily influenced by New Orleans, our flagship property in St. Michaels features eclectic art, moody colors, and comfortable seating in the once-historic home it resides in. Our second location in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is a well-lit vibrant space with a cozy outdoor patio nestled right downtown on Baltimore Avenue. No matter the location, you're sure to meet local town celebrities and unforgettable characters. We believe that great atmospheres are created by the people who enjoy them.

Top review

SheilaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Service snd food are always great here. A Rehoboth gem.

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Popular dish

FILET MIGNON 8 OZ GF

The Federal Rehoboth

4.8

4.8 (482)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

What started as a food truck concept in 2019 then became a beachside bistro in 2021. The Federal, located just a short block from the famed Rehoboth Beach boardwalk has become a full-service, beach casual, fine-dining bistro. The demure restaurant now hosts the two concepts in one space - you can enjoy fritters before dinner, for a happy hour snack, or go for a boardwalk stroll. Federal Fritter menu features a variety of crisp, poppable & snackable fritters, while The Federal menu expands on a way of eating that best defines Todd & Ellen's culinary style, the menu reads like a postcard from the Mid-Atlantic. Chef Gray pays careful attention to the seasons, honoring what the Delmarva region harvests.

Top review

SherrieG

Dined 1 day ago

Great Chef and quality of food is outstanding. If you want a true unique and quality meal. This is the place.

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The Parkway Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (240)

$31 to $50

American

Bethany Beach

About the restaurant

The Parkway Restaurant is family owned and operated.
We are located at 114 Garfield Parkway, in downtown Bethany Beach, Delaware.
We are open 5 days a week, at 5 pm. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
Memorial Day till Labor day - open 6 days a week. Closed Tuesdays.

Reservations are HIGHLY recommended!! We take reservations for the dining room and the bar!
If you would like to make a reservation at the bar, please make a note when making a reservation. We will call you back if the is a problem with your reservation.

Top review

MarieVIP

Dined on Feb 14, 2025

The lobster special was amazing. The tail was at least 10 ounces. Beautiful preparation. The asparagus were delicious! Best Valentine’s dinner in years.

Lewes Oyster House

4.7

4.7 (1438)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Lewes

About the restaurant

Located in the historic district, Lewes Oyster House honors the rich heritage of ubiquitous and democratic oyster consumption in 18th and 19th century Middle Atlantic taverns and oyster houses. We serve inspired tavern fare, expertly prepared with fresh, regionally-sourced ingredients along with crisp lagers, interesting wines, and artisanal cocktails. All that, and a whole lot of love.

Please join us for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Tap Room, Oyster Bar or Main Bar. We do not accept reservations for lunch.

Walk-ins for dinner are always welcome first-come first-served at the Oyster and Main bar areas, all evening long beginning at 5 p.m.

Online reservations for dinner are VERY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for the Walsh Room and Tap Room.

Top review

Bill

Dined 3 days ago

Great service. Was seated promptly and orders taken. Tried the Honey BBQ Lime wings. Great tasty, great sticky sauce. Also tried the Nola Oysters, these were cooked perfectly. They were not dry. Also like when server commends your choices. It was Burger night, so we had the burger special with the fries. Totally pleased with everything.

Agave Mexican Restaurant - Lewes

4.5

4.5 (164)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Lewes

About the restaurant

Agave Lewes is our original location, we opened in 2008. We offer a mix between authentic and modern Mexican cuisine.

Top review

WENCED

Dined 7 days ago

We had a high quality experience at Agave Lewes. Greeter welcomed us warmly. We proceeded to the bar for a drink prior to being seated. That segment of the night was my favorite. Bartender was warm and kind and knowledgeable about the different margaritas and ingredients. Atmosphere at the bar is second to none! Dinner was also a positive experience- apps and food were spaced out appropriately- food was hot and fresh. What really struck me was the excellent attentiveness shown by Kira, our server. We sat at a table that was nicely tucked away, but it could have been ignored- but that didn’t happen as Kira checked in with us at ideal intervals . I appreciated that!! We will be back very soon!!

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