Good Eats in the Off-Season at Rehoboth Beach

By Candyce H. Stapen

A bounty of good food awaits at the Delaware shore, a popular year-round escape for Washingtonians and other Mid-Atlantic residents, and the off-season proved to be one of the best times for a seaside culinary journey to the Rehoboth Beach region. The lack of crowds made getting table reservations easy, and the reduced price of lodging enabled my husband and me to fatten our food budget. As we ate our way through delectable plates, "beach food" took on a whole new meaning.

Lobster French toast, anyone? That's just one of the indulgent items at Drift Seafood & Raw Bar, which debuted in August 2022. Chef Tom Wiswell elevates his fare with unusual pairings of ingredients and artful presentations. Clams arrived as a stacked arch over bread, and my coconut shrimp, prepared with spicy red nam prik pao and arranged in a circle, reminded me of a holiday wreath. My swordfish schnitzel (who knew that was even a thing?), crusty on the outside and moist inside, made me a fan. But not all is seafood. My husband smiled through his pappardelle with duck ragu. Another plus for us -- the non-fussy, casual atmosphere. The narrow indoor dining room felt tight, so we were glad we chose the roomier outdoor patio.

While Drift is relatively new, the Rehoboth area has long offered flavorsome fare.

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Henlopen City Oyster House has been serving beachgoers since June 2010. We skipped this restaurant on previous Rehoboth trips because we don't like oysters. But Henlopen offers much more than an ample selection of bivalves. Among the cooked seafood options are bouillabaisse, tilefish, flounder and king crab legs. Don't miss the spicy seafood chowder, thick with shrimp, fish and scallops, or the excellent jerk grouper. Henlopen City Oyster House bans reservations -- only walk-ins are seated. That's another plus for visiting in the off-season when wait times lessen.

Salt Air Kitchen + Bar, another Rehoboth fixture, is an especially good spot for more than just seafood. Along with salmon, tuna and scallops, non-fish-eaters can opt for chicken, steak, pork chops, coconut-crusted tofu or mac and cheese. We especially liked the Greek salad, which was big enough for two, the halibut and the large slice of delicious peach pie. We commend Salt Air for its kids' menu that, along with the usual pasta and chicken nuggets, recognizes that children might like a crab cake or a grilled flank steak.

Every time we visit the Delaware shore, we look forward to dinner at DiFebo's, located in both Rehoboth and nearby Bethany Beach. In 1989, chef-owner Lisa DiFebo opened DiFebo's Cafe & Deli in Bethany Beach. Some of her sauces and dishes have roots in her Italian family's recipes. We always order the flavorful and generous Pop Pop's Cioppino. My big-appetite husband has yet to finish the entr e.

I scarfed down my tasty spaghettini with clams, and that was after sharing the crispy flash-fried calamari. Other popular plates include braised short ribs, lasagna bolognese and chicken parmesan. Both locations offer outdoor seating. Want more? At DiFebo's Market, Bethany Beach, take home cheeses, salmon salad, Italian wedding soup, pizza plus hearty Cubano, meatballs parmesan, chicken and brie, and other sandwiches.

For this trip, we based ourselves at two hotels. At the oceanfront Atlantic Sands, a Rehoboth icon known for its expansive boardwalk frontage, we opted for a balcony with direct ocean views. That made it easy to listen to the waves and catch the salty breezes over morning coffee. These prime rooms will be refreshed in time for the 2025 season. The west wing suites come with big balconies and side views of the sea. Slated to be available in November, the new menu at the Atlantic Sands' main restaurant focuses on handhelds and entrees with elevated ingredients.

We're a dog family, so checking out the pet-friendly Breakers Hotel & Suites, two blocks from the beach, was a must. The hotel welcomes up to two pets per room, an increasing rarity, especially so close to the boardwalk. Each room has a balcony and a separate living area with a pull-out couch and television, perfect for kids. Rates include a Continental breakfast of cereals, yogurt and surprisingly addictive sweet, toasted waffles. But don't worry: You can walk off the sugar high by taking the kids and the dog to Lake Gerar Park across the street when you are finished.

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WHEN YOU GO

Visit Southern Delaware: www.visitsoutherndelaware.com

City of Rehoboth Beach: www.cityofrehoboth.com

Drift Seafood & Raw Bar: www.driftrb.com

Henlopen City Oyster House: www.hcoysterhouse.com

Salt Air Kitchen + Bar: www.saltairrestaurant.com

DiFebo's: www.difebos.com

Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center: www.atlanticsandshotel.com

The Breakers Hotel & Suites: www.the breakershotel.com

Candyce H. Stapen is a writer at www.greatfamilyvacations.com.