Well the weather has finally turned, with cool days and cooler nights ushering in festive winter holidays and the deep stillness of winter. One of the best ways to relish the season is over lunch or dinner at restaurants that are especially cozy and comforting. Thanks to input from folks all over the state, I’ve compiled a list of favorites.
IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY
The Quoin is a lovely restaurant in serving Italian cuisine, including wood-fired offerings, adjacent to the Historical Society of Wilmington. The handsome, warmly-lit dining room is upscale but cozy, and a great place for upscale comfort food following your visit to the Simmer Down cocktail lounge, fashioned like a very fancy speakeasy with a brick ceiling and vivid murals. Get the details at make reservations at https://thequoinhotel.com/restaurant-bars.
The House of William and Merry on Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin serves gorgeously prepared upscale cuisine in a colonial home, with an extensive wine list and craft cocktails. Learn more at https://www.williamandmerry.com/Home.html.
Krazy Kats restaurant in Montchanin is located in what was once the village blacksmith shop and offers fresh farm-to-table cuisine with a whimsical décor with feline themes. Learn all about it at https://krazykatsde.com/#.
Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville offers fireside dining in a gorgeous wood-paneled dining room and a lovely bar and dates back to 1817, when the lovely colonial home that houses it was constructed. This is a wonderful place for moderately-priced comfort food with an upscale flair. Learn about its fascinating history and check out is menu at https://buckleystavern.com/centreville-centerville-buckley-s-tavern-about#:~:text=HISTORY,was%20just%20a%20dirt%20road.
Jessop’s Tavern in historic Old New Castle is another longtime favorite for folks who love vintage colonial architecture, with fireside dining and servers dressed in period garb. It’s a wonderful place for lunch or dinner after you’ve walked streets lined with lovely restored homes and visited the town’s remarkable house museums. The restaurant is renowned for its comforting cuisine, including numerous seafood dishes and the most amazing Shepherd’s Pie and oven-baked Pot Pies with beef, crab, lobster and chicken. Check it out at https://jessops-tavern.com/.
IN KENT COUNTY
The Grey Fox Grille and Public House is located in a federal style home in historic and charming downtown Dover, our state capital. It’s especially cozy in the cool months, with its fireplace, wide plank wood floors and soft lighting. All of its meat is from the renowned Camden Wyoming Butcher Shop and many of its other ingredients are locally sourced as well. While its menu offers a wide selection of popular comfort food with an upscale flair, the prices are moderate. Learn more at https://greyfoxgrille.com/.
SUSSEX COUNTY
With its comfy upholstered booths, wood floors and soft lighting, Benvenuto is a lovely spot in historic downtown Milford that offers rustic Italian dishes and lots of seafood. Learn more at https://benvenuto-restaurant.com/.
Like its Lewes location, Irish Eyes in Milton has a warm atmosphere alongside the Broadkill River. It often features live entertainment and can always be counted on for fun pub style cuisine and beverages. Learn more at https://www.irisheyespub.com/milton-location.html.
Downtown Lewes is also the prime spot for several cozy restaurants beloved by locals, including the Lewes Oyster House https://lewesoyster.com/ with gorgeous historic woodwork, Bramble and Brine https://bramble-brine.com/, offering upscale dining in a Victorian home, Kindle, https://www.kindlerestaurant.com/, with pub fare that’s always a cut above the ordinary, Touch of Italy, with generous portions featuring authentically-flavored sauces, Striper Bites https://striperbites.com/, where you can have a lovely dinner in a whimsically decorated dining room or dinner and drinks at its fabulous bar, and the amazing Heirloom, which has been lauded again and again https://www.heirloomdelaware.com/new-page for its epicurean cuisine and Victorian farmhouse setting. Another longtime favorite with a rich history is the Rose & Crown, https://roseandcrownlewes.com/,serving moderately priced comfort food in the historic Rodney Hotel and, if you’re looking for wonderful Hispanic cuisine and legendary margaritas, you can’t go wrong at Agave https://www.agaverestaurants.com/mexican-restaurant-lewes.
While it’s located in the Midway strip mall just outside downtown Lewes, you’ll know you’re in a special place when you step into the 1776 Steakhouse https://1776steakhouse.com/, which feels both dressy and cozy thanks to its warm décor. It’s another local favorite for fabulous cuts of beef and traditional seafood favorites.
If you’re feeling fancy and craving French bistro cuisine, you’ll love LaFable https://www.bonjourfable.com/ in downtown Rehoboth. This is the kind of place you might indulge in on special occasions, knowing you’re at another renowned local favorite.