Taste Wilmington: Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week Returns This September

Food lovers, mark your calendars—Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week is back in Wilmington this September 2025, bringing together the region’s top culinary talent for a weeklong celebration of flavor. From September 15–21, diners can enjoy specially curated prix-fixe menus at some of the city’s most beloved restaurants, offering the perfect opportunity to explore Wilmington’s vibrant and ever-growing dining scene.

This year’s lineup showcases a mix of longtime local favorites and exciting newcomers, each presenting their own spin on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re craving refined fine dining, creative small plates, or casual comfort food, Restaurant Week invites you to experience it all—at a value that makes trying multiple spots a must.

Featured Dining Experiences:
The 2025 roster includes standout restaurants that highlight Wilmington’s culinary creativity. Casa Nonna, located inside DECO, brings authentic Italian dishes to life, while Bardea Steak elevates the classic steakhouse experience with bold modern flair. Cozy and inviting, and Cafe Mezzanotte provides an intimate setting perfect for romantic evenings. Dorcea is an inviting American bistro with flavorful menu items. At La Fia, diners can enjoy inventive small plates in a chic atmosphere, while Merchant Bar offers a cool vibe with an elevated gastrobar. The Quoin Restaurant offers a stylish, open-kitchen design that turns dining into a performance. For a playful twist, Wilma’s combines great food with duckpin bowling, and Tonic Seafood & Steak—a downtown favorite—serves up expertly prepared seafood and prime cuts in a contemporary, lively setting. Downtown’s newest concept, Roost, is a fresh take on elevated pub food.

Beyond the meals themselves, Restaurant Week also highlights the role dining plays in building community and supporting Wilmington’s thriving downtown. Many participating restaurants are within walking distance of Market Street, making it easy to pair your meal with a night out at The Queen, a stroll along the Riverfront, or dessert from a local café. For visitors, it’s a perfect excuse to discover Wilmington’s walkable charm; for locals, it’s a chance to support neighborhood businesses and taste something new. Download the Downtown Wilm DE app for a full listing of Downtown restaurants, parking information and more!

👉 Ready to plan your dining adventure? Visit Out and About and VisitWilmingtonDE.com for the full list of participating restaurants, menus, and reservation details. Don’t miss your chance to savor the very best of Wilmington during Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week!

18 Places to Dine Outdoors in Downtown Wilmington DE

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The sun is shining. The temperatures are rising. What better way to enjoy springtime in Downtown Wilmington DE than by dining outdoors at your favorite restaurant? Check out our list of all Downtown restaurants that offer outdoor seating so you know exactly where you can enjoy your meal with a side of sunshine!

1. Cafe Mezzanote - 1007 N Orange St

   Tucked away within Nemours Plaza, the patio at Cafe Mezzanote is the perfect place to dine al fresco if you’re looking for a quiet and intimate dining experience.

2. Tonic Seafood & Steak - 111 W 11th St

   The covered patio at Tonic is perfect for enjoying the warm weather without the risk of getting a sunburn.

3. Torbert Street Social - 305 Torbert St

   Off the beaten path, this speakeasy has a spacious patio with fire pits and large outdoor games ready for happy hour. Torbert Street Social reopens to the public on April 14th.

4. Le Cavalier at the Green Room - 42 W 11th Street

   Enjoy a delicious meal from Le Cavalier with an unobstructed view of Rodney Square.

5. I.M. Coffee - 1105 N Market St

   First, stop in the I.M. Pei building for freshly brewed beverages, delicious pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches. Then, head outdoors to enjoy them in the plaza space.

6. DECO Food Hall - 111 W 10th St

   This food hall offers traditional outdoor seating as well as a cool breeze indoors with retractable windows that are opened when the weather is nice.

7. Stitch House Brewery - 829 N Market St

   Experience all that Market Street has to offer while enjoying your favorite brews from the patio at Stitch House. This brewery even has retractable windows for fresh air dining even while inside.

8. Tasties 302 - 825 N Market St

   Downtown’s soul food destination has cafe tables on Market Street for outdoor dining. Tasties is temporarily closed for renovations.

9. Jimmy Johns - 824 N Market St

   Jimmy Johns is one of the only fast-casual places on Market that provides tables outdoors for people to enjoy their grab-and-go sandwiches.

10. Chelsea Tavern - 821 N Market St

    Chelsea Tavern has long been a go-to place for those wanting to dine outside on Market Street, but the recently renovated Chelsea Plaza now offers even more shaded outdoor seating for restaurant-goers.

11. Makers Alley - 804 Orange Street

    Snack on bar bites under the stars at this outdoor beer garden tucked away off Shipley St.

12. Cavanaugh’s - 703 N Market St

    You know it’s springtime on Market once Cavanaugh’s starts to set up their lunchtime outdoor seating in front of the restaurant.

13. Bardea - 620 N Market St

    The outdoor cafe tables, enclosed by beautiful planters, provide the same upscale dining experience you’d expect at Bardea simply with a side of fresh air.

14. Knight’s Bar at The Queen - 500 N Market St

    Try out the new royally-inspired menu at the Knight’s Bar accompanied by flavorful cocktails and FREE live music.

15. La Fia - 421 N Market St

    Surrounded by gorgeous overflowing flower pots, the outdoor dining at La Fia provides a mini-retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Downtown Wilmington.

16. Farmer & The Cow - 413 N Market Street

    Bask in the sun while dining on extravagant burgers and boozy milkshakes at Farmer & The Cow.

17. Green Box Kitchen - 400 N Market Street

    Feed your soul what’s been craving from Green Box Kitchen: vitamin D and plant-based goodness.

18. Milk & Honey - 239 N Market Street

    Milk & Honey has just what you need to start your day: flavorful coffee, balanced breakfast options, and comfy patio furniture.

Open for Business in Downtown Wilmington DE

Downtown Wilmington DE is home to hundreds of small businesses ready to serve you! Use this directory to search what businesses are currently open for business.

As Delaware continues to safely ease restrictions and establishments return to more normal operations, please be sure to follow all City, State, and CDC guidelines, and check with businesses for additional safety precautions during your visit.

For help traveling to Downtown Wilmington DE during the ongoing I-95 construction, please visit www.restorethecorridor.com for up-to-date traffic information, an interactive map, and alternate routes. For information on parking in Downtown Wilmington DE, please click here.

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We rely on our small business community to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. During this time of uncertainty, we need to do all we can to support these businesses, and their staff, by: dining in, ordering takeout, purchasing gift cards, following them on social media, spreading the word about their offers, or posting a positive review.

Please consider helping our small business owners and #ShopSmall during this crisis and always!

If you are looking for additional ways to support these businesses and help them bounce back from COVID-19, please consider donating to the Wilmington Strong Fund, which offers grants to small businesses within the City of Wilmington to ensure they remain open for business for years to come.

Stitch House Brewery & Mascots for a Cure Team Up for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The official knighting ceremony set to launch Gold Ribbon Ale in support of Mascots For A Cure at Stitch House Brewery will take place Thursday, September 5, at 4PM!

Mascots For A Cure provides HOPE, JOY and LOVE to kids and families battling cancer and other serious illnesses by arming them with the COURAGE and STRENGTH they need to take on their FIGHT. By teaming up with Stitch House Brewery, MFAC will be giving patrons an opportunity to help the cause throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September leading up to the Mascots For A Cure 5K, happening on October 12th in Downtown Wilmington.

“We are honored to find such a great partner in Stitch House Brewery to help spread our message and host our 1st annual 5K event on October 12th. The Gold Ribbon Ale represents the Gold Ribbon many of our families wear in honor of their loved ones fighting cancer. We encourage everyone to come to Stitch House to try it in support, donate what they can and sign up for the 5K.” says Mascots For A Cure’s Chief Impact Officer, Christopher Bruce. 

WHEN: Thursday, September 5th, at 4:00 PM - MFAC’s Own Sir BraveHeart, a Knighted Teddy Bear, will join Stitch House Brew Master Andrew Rutherford and Wilmington’s Mayor Mike Purzycki to Officially Knight the first batch of “Gold Ribbon Ale” and kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

WHERE: STITCH HOUSE BREWERY - 829 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801 

WHY: To celebrate the launch of the “Gold Ribbon Ale” honoring the kids and families battling cancer and raise awareness about the good work Mascots For A Cure is doing to help. 

WHO: All are welcome to attend, raise a glass to help fight childhood cancer and learn more about Mascots For A Cure. 

For more information on Mascots For A Cure, follow them on Facebook @mascotsforacure or visit their website at www.mascotsforacure.org.

Beat the Winter Blues with 1/2 Priced Appetizers and Happy Hours Galore!

It is beyond cold outside and you are quickly developing cabin fever. Time to get out of the house and get happy at a local happy hour!

Nothing beats those winter blues quicker than some delicious food and good company! Gather up your friends...here are some of our favorites in Downtown Wilmington, DE!

Ernest and Scott Taproom

Every single Thursday, all day long enjoy half-priced appetizers including calamari, parmesan truffle fries and crab quesadillas! Click here to see their full menu. 

Cocina Lolo

Looking for some heat during this chilly winter? Dive into some of Cocina Lolo's delicious Mexican food with half off tuna dice, guacamole, crab guacamole and tacos. Pretend you are an exotic vacation with $5 classic margaritas and $3 cervezas Tuesday through Friday from 5-6 PM at the bar only.

Merchant Bar

Merchant Bar is sure to warm your heart with their spirits. Wednesday-Friday from 5-7 PM, enjoy $5 house red and white wine, $5 vodka rails, $2 off cocktails and half off tuna poke, burgers, mussels and calamari!