Dover Restaurants and Dining

(Dover, Delaware - DE, USA)

Even though Dover is such a small state capital, it certainly manages to deliver when it comes to dining out. Restaurants and small eateries are to be found dotted around the downtown district, as well as lining the busiest thoroughfares, such as the North Dupont Highway and South Bay Road.

Being located so close to Delaware Bay and the North Atlantic Ocean, Dover's local eateries often include seafood on their dining menus.

If you are a particular fan of seafood, then you might like to consider a meal at the Doc Magrogan's Oyster House restaurant, which is to be found within the Dover Downs Casino on the North Dupont Highway. Specialties here include cashew-encrusted tilapia, fried oysters served with a Hoagie Roll, Maryland combo (crab cake, oysters, scallops and shrimps), New England lobster bake and Thai-chili glazed tuna fish with seaweed salad.

Where to Eat

When planning to eat outside of your hotel for breakfast, there are a few dining options that stand out in Dover. On the North Dupont Highway, the Kirby and Holloway Family Restaurant is known for its hearty home-cooked breakfasts and brunches, which include traditional bacon and eggs, and tasty sausage patties. If you are here at lunchtime, then the crab cakes certainly come recommended.

Head northwards along the highway and you will soon reach the Hollywood Diner, which is another notable spot for filling breakfasts and cheap lunches. Omelets, grits, green eggs and ham are always accompanied by a busy atmosphere, which can be a little on the noisy side at times. However, this merely reflects the diner's popularity.

For memorable dining in Dover, for all the right reasons, make time for a meal at the family owned Restaurant 55 on South State Street. Using locally sourced ingredients where possible, the gourmet burgers are a particular highlight and come topped with relish, Gorgonzola cheese, bacon, fried eggs and sliced avocado. There are also roughly 20 craft-brewed ales on tap if you are thirsty for beer.

Those paying a visit to the Dover International Speedway and the Delaware State University, just across the road, will find a number of decent restaurants and similar dining options in close proximity. These include the plentiful oriental dishes at the Chinatown Buffet, New England clam chowder at the Shucker's Pier 13 Restaurant, and spicy burritos and tacos at the Chipotle Mexican Grill. For fast-food, a McDonald's is just down the road, along with a branch of Pizza Hut.

Close by, the Dover Mall features its own food court, with Chick-Fil-A, Philly Cheese Steaks, the Ming Tree Chinese Restaurant, Saladworks and Sbarro. There is also a small Subway eatery, for those looking for a simple sandwich snack or a freshly ground coffee.