Restaurants

Signs of Progress in Downtown Wilmington DE

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for small business owners across the nation. Between the pandemic shutdown and civil unrest, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. While some have sadly been forced to close their doors for good, many have overcome these obstacles by adjusting their business models to provide even more online options for customers.

In Downtown Wilmington DE, not only have our favorite small businesses reopened, but we are pleased to welcome several new businesses to the neighborhood as well!

Grand Openings

Milk & Honey | 239 N Market St

Milk & Honey Wilmington DE Market St

Milk & Honey will open its 2nd cafe & gallery in Wilmington on Market Street in the space formerly occupied by LOMA Coffee. The doors are set to open sometime in October!

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli | 1204 N Washington St

RosenFeld's Wilmington DE

Rosenfeld's, a traditional, kosher-style deli, is set to open its 4th location on September 30th in Downtown Wilmington next to Washington Street Ale House!

Dorcea | 1314 N Washington St

Dorcea Wilmington DE

Dorcea, an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap, opened in the former Domain Hudson space in April in the middle of the pandemic. They use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere for dining on Washington Street!

101 dupont place | 101 W 10th St

101 dupont place wilmington DE

Live in an icon! 101 dupont place apartments draws from the elegance of yesterday paired with the conveniences of today to create the first luxury living experience within the iconic Dupont Building in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Le Cavalier at the Green Room | 42 W 11th St

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Influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provençe, Le Cavalier is a neo-brasserie inside the Hotel Du Pont offering thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive riffs on French staples paired with natural wines designed to complement the fare.

Rodney Square Renovation | 1000 N Market St

Rodney Square Wilmington DE

It's been one year since shovels were put to dirt and the start of the Rodney Square's renovation truly began. Not only is the fountain operational, but there's also new grass, new lighting in place, and new, replanted flower beds around the Square. There's still more to come, but we're excited about the changes we've seen.


Grand Re-Openings

DECO Food Hall | 111 W 10th St

DECO Food Hall Wilmington DE

After being closed since March, DECO food hall finally reopened for indoor/outdoor dining on September 14th. In response to the pandemic, the food hall also introduced new “DECO On The Go” offerings, including all-in-one take-out and delivery.

Academy for Peace | 203 N Market St

Academy for Peace - Wilmington DE

On August 22, Dr. Jay celebrated the reopening of the Academy for Peace and the residency of local artist 7God. His art is dedicated to mental health awareness and on display for all to see at 203 N. Market Street!

Convenient Store | 201 W 9th St

Convenient Store - Wilmington DE

After being closed for months, owner Sam Patel reopened the Convenient Store on August 21 with a number of renovations. The Convenient Store keeps the neighborhood happy, selling snack foods, candy, beverages and other goods. It’s also a Delaware State Lottery Retailer, Sports Lottery retailer, and Keno Lottery.

Al’s Sporting Goods | 200 N Market St

Al's Sporting Goods - Wilmington De

Al’s Sporting Goods has been a part of the Downtown Wilmington community for 85 years. Despite heavy looting during the protests, Al’s remained committed to the community and reopened on July 20th with unwavering support from customers. See Al’s first for all your athletic and fashion needs in Downtown Wilmington.

The Queen | 500 N Market St

The Queen Wilmington DE

The Queen Theater reopened on June 24th with enhancements and a renewed focus on local entertainment. The brand new Knight’s Bar and terrace, located just off the main entrance, offers live, local music every Wednesday through Saturday night.


We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. Now more than ever before, we need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Please help our support these businesses, and their staff, by:

Best of Delaware 2020: Downtown Wilmington Winners!

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It’s that time of year again! Delaware Today has announced its annual Best of Delaware winners. Readers and editors throughout the state have nominated and voted for their favorite Delaware Businesses, and over 18 establishments in our very own Downtown Wilmington community have won!

So please join us in congratulating these well-deserving businesses! It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for the small business owners here in Downtown Wilmington, but with support from their loyal customers, they can and will survive this storm. The magazine said it best: “As the world opens back up and we ease into new habits, your support for the work of our Best of Delaware winners and their peers will be more important than ever.”

Celebrate these winners during the 2020 Best of Delaware Week, July 23–Aug. 1, and support their hard work by visiting their in-store location, ordering take out, or purchasing a gift card!

Reader’s Choice

Editor’s Picks

Riverfront Winners

Introducing Curbside Wilmington & Free Valet Parking

Downtown Visions together with Mayor Purzycki, the City of Wilmington, and The Committee of 100 is happy to announce that “Curbside Wilmington” will begin this Friday, June 12th in Downtown Wilmington DE. It is a new initiative designed to support local businesses and encourage patrons to return to the rejuvenated Downtown District this summer. “Curbside Wilmington” will enable Downtown restaurants to expand their outdoor dining into former parking spaces directly in front of their businesses, thereby allowing more seating at safely spaced distances in accordance with Governor Carney’s guidelines. Also, curbside pull-in spots have been designated throughout the Downtown area for all businesses, both retail and restaurants, to use for pick-up and curbside delivery. 

In addition, the 800 block of Market Street will be closed every Friday starting this week, June 12th for a block party with entertainment. The event will take place from 5pm-9pm but the block will be closed to traffic from 8am-10pm.

“Downtown Visions is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office and The Committee of 100 to help restart our dynamic Downtown restaurant scene,” said Martin Hageman, Executive Director of Downtown Visions. “The diverse eateries that run the length of Market Street and surrounding streets are critical to the economic health of our City.”

The Mayor said he hopes to see this new business re-opening model applied to other restaurant districts in the City in the weeks ahead. “We are bringing back the vibrant, exciting heart of the Downtown Restaurant District, which the COVID-19 pandemic virtually shut down overnight a few months ago,” said Mayor Purzycki.  “While businesses small and large across Wilmington are struggling to adapt to the new environment, we are happy to partner with our friends at Downtown Visions and The Committee of 100 to lend support to businesses trying to meet new challenges.”
 
Jennifer Kmiec said The Committee of 100 is also pleased to support “Curbside Wilmington” to provide enhanced outdoor dining experiences and convenient pick-up/delivery zones to help downtown restaurants and retailers.
 
Downtown Visions will provide additional tables and chairs to restaurants as needed, and custom-made railings created by the Challenge Program will be used for both safety and esthetical purposes.

FREE valet service through Gala Valet will be available starting this week to allow customers to safely park Downtown to dine and/or shop. The service will be available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at three locations: the intersections of 5th and Market, 7th and Market, and 9th and Market streets.

Meanwhile, Downtown residents will be allowed to park in Colonial Parking lots for FREE by calling Colonial directly at 302.651.3600. The City and its partners today also thanked JP Morgan Chase for its support of the new “Curbside Wilmington” efforts and The Grand for providing outdoor space at its theater for music and entertainment.

For a list of restaurants that are open & ready to serve you, please click here!

Dine in Downtown Wilmington - Restaurants are ready to serve you!

Behind the bar at Makers Alley  - Moonloop Photography

Behind the bar at Makers Alley - Moonloop Photography

As Delaware eases restrictions and begins to reopen restaurants across the state, we’ve compiled a list of Downtown Wilmington eateries that are ready to serve you. Whether you’re dining inside or out in the fresh air, reservations are required at most restaurants so be sure to call ahead. Also, masks should be worn when entering the restaurant but may be removed when you are seated so you can enjoy your meal.

  • Stitch House Brewery | 302-250-4280 | Open Mon-Sat 11am to 8pm

  • Tonic Steak & Seafood | 302-777-2040 | Open Mon-Wed 11:30am to 10pm, Thurs-Fri 11:30am to 11pm, Sat 3:00pm to 11pm

  • Chelsea Tavern | 302-482-3333 | Open Mon-Fri 11:30am to 1am, Sat-Sun 10am to 1am

  • Cafe Mezzanotte | 302-658-7050 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat 1pm to 10pm

  • Makers Alley | 302-482-1299 | Open Tues-Sat 3pm to close *

  • IM Coffee | 302-300-4935 | Open Mon-Fri 7am to 4pm

  • Mikimoto’s | 302-656-8638 | Open Weds-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 2-9pm

  • Washington St Ale House | 302-658-2537 | Open Tues-Sat 4-10pm

  • Torbert St Social | 302-407-6627 | Open Fri-Sat 4 to 11pm

  • Dorcea | 302-691-7447 | Open Tues & Sat 4-8pm, Weds-Fri 11:30am to 8pm

  • Jimmy Johns | 302-777-1300 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm *

  • Bardea | 302-426-2069 | Open Mon-Weds 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5 to 9pm, Thurs-Sat 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5 to 10pm

  • La Fia | 302-543-5574 | Open Mon-Thurs 11am- 2pm & 5-9pm, Fri 11am- 2pm & 5-9:30pm, Sat 5-9:30pm

  • Farmer & The Cow | 302-407-5957 | Open Tues-Sat 12 to 7pm

  • Eat Clean | 302-476-8928 | Open Mon-Fri 7am to 2pm *

  • Tasties 302 | 302-482-2584 | Open Mon-Thurs 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 11pm, Sun 11am to 9pm *

  • Brew HaHa (Del. Ave. Location) | 302-777-5137 | Open Mon-Fri 8am to 1pm *

  • Cavanaugh’s | 302-656-4067 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 7:30pm

  • Green Box Kitchen | 302-274-2195 | Open Weds-Fri from 12 to 5pm *

*No reservation required.

If you are looking for additional ways to support these restaurants and help them bounce back from COVID-19 and other recent events, 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.

Support Local Businesses Now More Than Ever

Image Credit: Common Deer

Image Credit: Common Deer

We rely on our local businesses 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:

  • ordering takeout

  • purchasing gift cards

  • following them on social media

  • spreading the word about their offers

  • posting a positive review

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