Above: Rocking The Docks returns to Lewes this summer with an impressive lineup, including Low Cut Connie on June 12. Photo by Bryan Kremkau.
By Pam George
The influx of new residents and year-round visitors has extended coastal Delaware’s tourist season. But since Memorial Day is still the official kickoff to summer, here is a rundown of new doings at the beach.
Bagel Bites and Ice Cream Sensations
In South Bethany, 19Dough1 opened last year. (The town of Bethany was officially formed on July 12, 1901.) Bagels are the star. However, there are also breakfast and acai bowls. The same owners have Sandy Pony Donuts in Bethany Beach. 19Dough1.com.
Since beachgoers can’t get enough breakfast bread, Surf Bagel opened a fifth location in Fenwick Island earlier this year. You’ll find it in Dairy Queen’s old site. SurfBagel.com.
The Quiet Resorts of Bethany and Fenwick lost one ice cream shop but gained two more. The owners of 19Dough1 also opened Soft Swirl, a frozen custard shop. (They also have Hapa Surf Co., a Hawaiian-inspired kids’ clothing store, for three shops in a row.)
Farther inland, Hometown Creamery took over The Blue Scoop location in Selbyville. The ice cream is from Hockessin-based Woodside Farm Creamery. Instagram.com/Hometownde.
Two New Breweries
If you prefer Belgian ales to bagels and cones, here’s some good news: First State Brewing Company’s second location is in the former Pond on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach. It might seem like a big jump for the Middletown-based brewery. However, founder Paul Hester went to Cape Henlopen High School.
Workers, including Hester, renovated the space, which was also home to a TGI Fridays. “It took us the good part of seven months,” Hester says of the renovations. “I’m happy with it.”
The bulk of the beer is still produced in Middletown, which dedicated 7,000 of the 11,000 square feet to brewing.
“It seemed silly to replicate it in a smaller footprint,” Hester explains. In Rehoboth, he plans to experiment with barrels and casks, forming a wall in the revamped dining room. FirstStateBrewing.com.
Lewes Brewing Company is finally open after a series of delays. The small brewery is along the biking/walking trail, which is a boon for thirsty exercisers. Parking is a tad more challenging off Savannah Road. The attractive space has plenty of outdoor seating, and food trucks are often on site. LewesBrewing.com.
Changing Hands
Michael Murphy and Nick Burke are the new owners of Crabby Dick’s, which is famous — or infamous — for its provocative signs. The couple are longtime patrons of the seafood restaurant, located in the old Lamp Post. The new proprietors don’t plan on making changes, so they will be busy coming up with double meanings that are either amusing or shocking, depending on your sense of humor. Crabby-Dicks.com.
In December 2024, Tyler Townsend and Drew Mitchell purchased the Purple Parrot Grill from Hugh Fuller and Troy Roberts, who had the flamboyant eatery for 25 years. Townsend is also part of Second Block Hospitality, which operates The Pines, Bodhi Kitchen and Drift, all in Rehoboth, and he co-owns Aqua Bar & Grill. The Purple Parrot is Mitchell’s first restaurant. PPGrill.com.
This past January, Caroline Wetzelberger purchased Warren’s Station in Fenwick Island from Scott and Elise Mumford. Turkey farmer Warren Johnson founded the restaurant in 1960, and longtime employees Jeff and Paula Mumford (Scott’s parents) bought it in 1971.
Wetzelberger began working for Warren’s Station at age 15 and was a manager through high school and college. She graduated from the University of Delaware and the Culinary Institute of America’s Napa Valley campus. Given her training, it’s unsurprising that she’s elevating the menu — think lattes and eggs Benedict — and added a full bar. She’s also rebranded it as The Station. Facebook.com/TheStationfi.
Highwater Management now runs Grain on the Rocks in the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal through a licensing agreement. The management and consulting group is part of SoDel Concepts. GrainOnTheRocks.com.
Last year, Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group purchased a stake in Big Fish Restaurant Group, which has multiple coastal eateries, including Striper Bites, Sazio, Stingray and Salt Air. AtlasRestaurantGroup.com.
Slices, Sea Views, Cubans and Sushi
Route 1, also known as Coastal Highway, is seeing a lot of culinary activity. For instance, SoHo Slice has replaced Atlantic Social. It’s the same owners, but the concept is Italian, and pizza is cooked in a wood-fired brick oven. Judging by the Saturday afternoon crowd, the revamp is a resounding success. SoHoSlice.com.
Owner Derek Fink is also opening Ocean 99 in the Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn. It’s at 99 Hollywood St. — hence the name. The hotel restaurant was previously 99 Sea Level and short-lived Via Sophia. Marriott.com.
Near Lewes, Palm Beach Bar & Grill in the Midway Shopping Center replaced Shrimpy’s Bar & Grill, which was closed by the health department. The menu is described as fusion with a heavy emphasis on Floridian fare, such as the Cuban sandwich and Miami griot, a Haitian dish with marinated pork. PalmBeachBarAndGrill.com.
Venture a few miles inland into downtown Milton to try Lago Asian Cuisine & Sushi. It’s owned by Preston Russell, who also owns Zava Café in Milton and Rehoboth Beach. The small eatery was under construction at press time, so call before visiting. Lagosushi.com.
Listen to the Music
If you want dinner and a show, visit The Room at Cedar Grove, located a mile or two inland off Route 1. The intimate venue, which seats about 60, features live entertainment and a three-course meal. There is a full bar and plenty of parking. (Stanley Jordan played here for two nights before going to the Grand Opera House.) Upcoming acts include Elliott Lurie, who wrote “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” on May 3 and blues artist Chris Duarte on May 21. Proceeds benefit the Paul Kares nonprofit, which supports young culinary and performing artists. PaulKaresDE.org.
Nearby is The Listening Booth, which features performers and live mic and jam sessions. Acts this month include Melody Trucks and the Fitzkee Brothers on May 4 and Lower Case Blues on May 16. ListeningBooth.com.
Over at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, Rocking the Docks returns for a series of Wednesday evening concerts. Performers this year include The Breakers — a Tom Petty tribute band — on June 11, Low Cut Connie on June 12, and Ivan Neville on July 23. RockingTheDocksLewes.com.
Of course, there’s always the iconic Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, which will bring back The Legwarmers on June 20 and The Bacon Brothers on June 29. BottleAndCork.com.
In Selbyville, Freeman Arts Pavillion — formerly the Freeman Stage — will present a roster of tribute bands again along with well-known artists, including Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on June 1, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ on June 7, The Beach Boys on July 2 and John Fogerty on Aug. 2. FreemanArts.org.
Putt or Pickleball
If sitting on the beach sounds boring, you’ll be happy to hear that Bay Venture Outfitters is now open in Bethany Beach. The company rents kayaks and offers tours. BethanyBeach. BayVentureOutfitters.com.
For indoor fun, Factory Sports unveiled a 22,500-square-foot facility in Frankford last year. There are two indoor basketball courts, six indoor pickleball courts, two indoor volleyball courts and an artificial turf field. FactorySportsDE.com/frankford.
Miniature golf never gets old, and there’s a striking newcomer in the landscape. While driving on Route 1, you may have glimpsed a dinosaur or two at the intersection of Old Landing Road. (Fun fact: There was indeed once an airport here.) The menacing creatures are part of Nick’s Mini Golf’s Jurassic-themed course. Interestingly, it’s a former bank — and it still looks like one. NicksMiniGolf.com.
Lefty’s Alley & Eats has augmented its offerings in the Lewes area. There’s now a Top Golf swing suite, axe throwing, private karaoke suite, mini duckpin lanes, and the existing bowling alley and arcade. The full-service restaurant has a happening bar that frequently features entertainment. ILoveLeftys.com.
You’ll also find swing suites at the new Big Oyster Brewery at the Southern Delaware Golf Club in Milford. Increasingly, the former shipbuilding hub is considered part of the coastal scene. Credit restaurants like Benvenuto, Fondu and My Sister’s Fault. BigOysterBrewery.com.
Outlet Additions
In the past year, the Tanger Outlets welcomed a Pottery Barn Outlet, which joins the interiors brand Serena & Lily, which specializes in a coastal vibe.
Regarding clothing, Wacoal, an intimate apparel brand, opened this spring, and Hey Dude footwear opened last fall.
Federal Beverage Company opened in January to serve nonalcoholic beverages, including its proprietary kombucha, a fermented black tea. If you’re not going off your diet, head to Rocket Fizz, a soda and candy shop, which opened in February. There are new Five Below and Barnes & Noble locations in the outlets.
Pause shops and try Playa Maya Café, which serves coffee, ice cream, boba bubble tea, acai bowls and poke bowls. Tanger.com/Rehoboth.
On Deck
Hopefully, Nossa Casa will open in Millsboro in July. The traditional Brazilian steakhouse is owned by sisters Maria and Thaina Bittencourt from Brazil. On Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth, now the city’s unofficial restaurant row, Chef David Kneller and his partners plan to open a market and restaurant, Fifty-Nine, in the old Mark Showell Interiors retail space. Kneller and his team prepare some of the best food at the beach — and that’s saying something. Instagram.com/FiftyNineRehoboth.
