Lewes Oyster House, Michy’s and La Fable are three restaurants that won’t disappoint beach diners.
Memorial Day weekend may be the traditional start of the summer at the beach. but anyone who lives in coastal Sussex County knows the highways are crowded most of the year.
Nevertheless, beach restaurants are gearing up for an onslaught.
According to the tourism group Visit Southern Delaware, dining is the leading visitor activity along the coast, surpassing the allure of the surf and tax-free shopping.
I can attest that it’s true. I bought a condo so that I could frequently savor the local restaurants—and write about them.
Here are some tried-and-true restaurants that I recently revisited.
Lewes Oyster House
Since opening in 2022, Lewes Oyster House in downtown Lewes has been consistently crowded, and now there are a few seats outside on the Second Street sidewalk—first come, first served. However, my favorite spot is at the oyster bar, which boasts a street view.
The oysters are certainly a draw, and on my recent visit, we tried the meaty Double D oysters from Delaware Delicious.
However, mixologist Sean Norris’s creative cocktails and the inclusion of sandwiches and entrees on the dinner menu are equally appealing.
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If Sean’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was previously at Fork & Flask (the old Nage) with Chef Sean Corea and Tom Little, co-owners of the oyster house.
Corea’s menu includes raw and prepared oysters, such as the Buffalo Soldier appetizer ($14), fried oysters crowned with a handful of Gorgonzola and a splash of Crystal Hot Sauce.
Corea’s specials are worth a look. Consider rockfish with ramp and ricotta ravioli ($34). The ravioli with mushrooms—sans the fish—was an appetizer ($16).
Burgers, pasta and roast chicken will delight diners who don’t eat seafood.
Michy’s at the beach
Located in a strip mall on Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach, Michy’s has quietly become the locals’ gathering spot.
You’ll surely see Richard Davis and Michel “Michy” McFarland-Davis working the line in the open kitchen and chatting with guests who’ve become friends. Most of the staff have been working here for some time and have cultivated a following.
Davis doesn’t mess with success; dishes such as the iceberg wedge ($10), horseradish-crusted salmon, rigatoni Bolognese ($28) and braised short ribs ($28) have been staples for 10 years. However, the chef features a lengthy list of specials, such as beef tenderloin and halibut. Also, try the poke served in a coconut.
La Fable
Surprisingly, Delaware has few French-inspired restaurants that capture the feeling of Paris. So, La Fable in downtown Rehoboth Beach stands out, from its ornate ceiling to the bistro chairs.
You’ll find the classics at La Fable, including trout almondine with green beans ($44) and tender duck breast ($44). But then there are the twists, such as lush lobster and pink shrimp atop a bed of gnocchi ($44).
The restaurant is part of Megan Kee’s coastal culinary empire, which includes nearby Dalmata Italiano, a pizza parlor with a fun La Dolce Vita décor, and Houston-White Co., a steakhouse. In Lewes, she owns Bramble & Brine at The Buttery, which serves brunch and dinner.
All are worth putting on your to-do list.
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