Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Delaware

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Delaware? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Garden at Bardea

4.8

4.8 (28)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Located in downtown Wilmington, The Garden at Bardea is the fifth restaurant concept from the James Beard-nominated Bardea Restaurant group. This outdoor space promises to become the city's go-to destination for alfresco dining and a good time. Guests can expect a dynamic outdoor dining room, with a mix of lounge and traditional seating surrounded by lush planters and fountains. Retractable awnings provide shade during the day, while fire pits and heaters keep guests cozy after dark. It will be the perfect spot to relax and unwind after a long day at work or groove into the evening over cocktails with friends

Top review

SCOTTVIP

Dined on Nov 7, 2024

We started with the Small plates of Avocado and then the Salmon. The Avocado dish was divine...perfectly warm with tantalizing flavors beneath it. The salmon was really good but we weren't fans of the "crisp" that comes with it which is made from the skin...too fishy for our taste. That's a personal preference. I had the burger and my wife the Cacio e Pepe. Both were also excellent.

Eclipse Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1112)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Enjoy cozy but energetic dining at Eclipse Bistro. It offers a chic, small and intimate dining room with brick walls, soft lighting and wood furnishings, creating a warm and sophisticated ambiance, making it a great place for a first date or business luncheon. Its diverse menu offers something for most diners. Eclipse Bistro is open for both lunch and dinner during the week, and for dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-658-1588, if desired reservation time is unavailable or a party size is larger than 6.

Top review

Kathleen

Dined 5 days ago

My friends and I visited Winterthur today and stopped by Eclipse Bistro on our way back home to New Jersey. We were greeting by a friendly host and shown to a nice table by the window. Our meal was perfect--one ordered a burger, one ordered the shrimp salad, one ordered the chop salad. The meals were perfect. Our server, Patrick, was so kind and helpful. Overall, the atmosphere was charming and comfortable, and this was a perfect fit for 3 BFFs. Would definitely return to this restaurant if in the area.

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Popular dish

Seared Scallops

Crow Bar - Trolley Square

4.9

4.9 (47)

$30 and under

Global, International

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Global menu of chef inspired small plates, entrees and pizza. Inspired and creative cocktails, 12 beers on draught and a lively dining room in the Trolley Square neighborhood!

Top review

Wendy

Dined 6 days ago

My husband and I went to the Crow Bar for a date night! It was wonderful- I would recommend the octopus and anything on the bao buns!! Kinda noisy but you can sit close together- so it was perfect for us!

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.8

4.8 (642)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Newark

About the restaurant

Vita Nova is the signature student-operated restaurant which is part of the Hospitality Business Management program at the University of Delaware.

Vita Nova features a "Best of Delaware" award-winning lunch buffet Mon-Fri and elegant fine dining Wed-Fri during the fall and spring semesters. For lunch, the students offer fresh, local dishes including gourmet salads, soups, pastas, entrees, fire-roasted flatbreads, cheese board and mini sweets. The five-course dinner begins with a fusion-inspired appetizer trio and choice of salad, followed by intermezzo and your choice of entrée. The evening ends on a sweet note with a decadent dessert.

Thank you for your support and being an important part of our unique student learning experience!

Top review

George

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

As a regular customer, it's hard to beat the quality of the food, the service and the overall experience.

The House of William & Merry

4.9

4.9 (2292)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hockessin

About the restaurant

The House of William and Merry serves contemporary American cuisine prepared from the freshest seasonal ingredients procured from local farms, providing casual fine dining at a reasonable price. Chef-owned by the husband and wife team, Merry Catanuto and William Hoffman, who live on the property, the restaurant is a remodeled farmhouse on the edge of central Hockessin. Dine in a comfortable home atmosphere in one of the two dining rooms, the porch, or the bar. When you arrive, you can see right into the all new, modern kitchen. Full bar service is available including wines by the glass, microbrews on tap, and specialty drinks. Or, take a walk around back to see the herb and vegetable gardens.

Tuesday through Saturday we serve lunch and dinner. On Sunday, we serve brunch followed by a prix fix supper in the evening.

Top review

JessicaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fabulous food, service & experience with friends for the holidays. The scallops were delicious & our friends thoroughly enjoyed their beef entree.

Ole Tapas Lounge & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (901)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Newark

About the restaurant

Ole Tapas Lounge & Restaurant is an authentic tapas restaurant specializing in seasonal tapas, Spanish wine & family style entrees. With a warm atmosphere & upbeat Spanish music, this vibrant restaurant will transport you to Seville, the capital of tapas.

Top review

williamVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We visit every time we get in the area. Always great!

The Bellefonte Cafe

4.8

4.8 (250)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Bellefonte Cafe: Great Food, Great Atmosphere, Great Music, since 2002!

Top review

Joyce

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Such a cute little restaurant. Lots of character. Food was great, very fresh and the presentation was spot on. If you can't make up your mind, go for the Salmon or Grilled Cheese and Coleslaw. Very unusual menu items, especially the large number of natural teas. We were upstairs with a group, and the ambience was very eclectic. First place I've been to in awhile where I could hear the people across the table from me, and not just the person sitting next to me. We will definitely be going again.

La Fia

4.9

4.9 (2088)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Travel down historic Market Street towards the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware and you will find La Fia Bistro. La Fia is an intimate dinner destination in a historic building located on the corner of 5th and Market. Chef Dwain Kalup's menu utlizes carefully sourced ingredients reflecting the seasons, local region and local farms. The menu at La Fia features small plates, pastas and creative entrees. Our cheese and charcuterie is one of a kind and not to be missed!

Due to the small size of our restaurant we allow 2 hours for guests to enjoy their dining experience. If you feel you need more time please reach out to us directly.

Top review

DenaLVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We love the vibe and the food at La Fia. Very grownup and stylish. Natasha is a superb server too. It’s always lovely at La Fia. We’ll be back!

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Popular dish

Grilled Spanish Octopus

Popular dish

Crispy Duck Leg Confit

Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark

4.7

4.7 (836)

$30 and under

Italian

Newark

About the restaurant

With the opening of Taverna, Platinum Dining Group brings to life its highly anticipated version of the “neighborhood gathering place.” Rustic and simple in conception but well crafted and high minded in execution, Taverna brings to Newark a casual sophistication that sees reclaimed wood and exposed brick on the wall. Polished marble rest atop the overstretched bar which boasts eighteen draft beers and the state’s first ever “tapped wine” system. A seemingly humble menu is carefully considered with homemade pastas, coal-fired pizzas, and daily “features” that will bring a smile to the most discerning grandmother’s face.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-444-4334 , if desired reservation time is unavailable or the party size is larger than 6.

Top review

Richard

Dined 1 day ago

Good food, service and atmosphere. We will go back again

Pithari

4.6

4.6 (38)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Middletown

About the restaurant

Providing fresh Mediterranean food, from our kitchen to you!

Top review

Kate

Dined 5 days ago

A beautiful decor. Our second time there and again had the 3 course lunch. Food was great but more than I could eat. Everything beautifully prepared and presented. Service was also excellent. One in our party had the vegetarian sandwich which he enjoyed and since it was a smaller meal he had a luscious chocolate dessert as well. Highly recommend.

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