Wilmington Restaurants: More choices than ever!

 

For starters Wilmington is home to one of the most elegant restaurants on the east coast. Picture yourself in a palace with thirty-foot ceilings and lush carpets, enjoying escargot and champagne with classical music cascading from the balcony. That’s the Green Room in the historic Hotel Dupont on Rodney Square at the center city terminus of the Wilmington Trolley line.

 

If opulence isn’t your bag, how about waterfront dinning? Wilmington has six waterfront restaurants on the new Christina Riverwalk, but Harry’s Seafood Grill is the flagship. The raw bar is always fresh, the steaks tender, a great wine list and the view is incredible. Like the Hotel Dupont, Harry’s is on the Wilmington Trolley line and within easy walking distance of Amtrak Station and Tubman-Garrett Park, where the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel often docks for public tours. 

 

And if you really want to get close to the water, you’ll need to wait for Spring to enjoy an all-you-eat crab feast as your drift down the Christina River on the Riverboat Queen. It’s a great way to see Wilmington, and to savor fresh crabs and cocktails. 

 

The best prime rib in town – in fact in America! – is roasted at Walter’s Steakhouse on Union Street. I’m not kidding. I’ve gorged myself at Peter Lugers, Smith & Wollensky, Lawry’s and the Chicago Chop House, not to mention Morton’s and Ruth’s Christ and their prime rib doesn’t hold a candle to Walter’s. In addition, Walter’s wine list is both impressive and modestly priced.

 

For a restaurant in a great “historic” setting, you’ll need to drive fifteen minutes out of Wilmington to historic New Castle – a National Historic Landmark District that rivals Williamsburg in its colonial provenance. That’s where you’ll discover The Arsenal restaurant and tavern built in 1801. It’s on “The Green” in easy walking distance to New Castle’s major historic sites, including: the New Castle Court House, the Amstel and Dutch houses, and the Read House & Gardens, overlooking the majestic Delaware River.

 

For my money (which isn’t what it used to be!) the best Italian food in Wilmington comes from Ristorante Attilio in Little Italy. It’s an unassuming little family restaurant, but the prices are great and the food is delicious. Try the large chopped Antipasto – it’s is a dinner by itself.

 

Finally, if you want an ethnic experience, you’ve got to dine at Casablanca on Dupont Highway just ten minutes from Rodney Square. You’ll be treated to an enormous tray of Turkish delicacies served in the traditional Turkish style (on the floor), as you marvel at belly dancers undulating to the infatuating pulse of tiny finger symbols. 

 

TravelTip: There are so many more unique restaurants in Wilmington that I didn’t have the space to mention here. Check out the website of the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau for a complete list.