August is peak tourist season, and for proof, walk into a restaurant at 7 p.m. expecting to find a seat. That’s what we did on a Monday at three different establishments. Bluecoast Seafood Grill in Rehoboth was jammed with families waiting outside, and our second choice was closed due to an equipment failure. We finally found a bar seat on the third outing, although our backs were to a sizeable multigenerational group. We learned our lesson, so here are some ways to survive August and still eat well.
Make a reservation
This seems like a no-brainer, but only a few local restaurants offered reservations in the past. Guests might eat five courses or two, which was challenging to schedule. Apps like Open Table and Resy, and point-of-sale systems have made it easier to organize service, and employees aren’t burdened by off-hours phone calls and the need to confirm. Moreover, people are now accustomed to using third-party apps to arrange their lives.
To see what’s available, check several apps and the restaurant website. For instance, Touch of Italy and Chesapeake & Maine are on Resy. Eden, Bodhi Kitchen, Sedona and The Parkway are on Open Table. Meanwhile, several SoDel Concepts’ restaurants take reservations, including Catch 54, Northeast Seafood Kitchen, Lupo Italian Kitchen, Fish On and The Clubhouse at Baywood. However, you must make them on the restaurant website.
Note that restaurants pay a fee for these applications; many still prefer a call. If you dine often at the restaurant and know the owners, picking up the phone can save them money. If the app indicates that time slots are booked, the restaurant may have removed itself from the loop and filled seats independently. On busy nights, be prepared to vacate the table for the next party; the restaurant allows only so much time per guest. Don’t linger over coffee if you’ve been chatting for two or more hours.
Go early or go late
Avoid the 6 to 7:30 p.m. rush. Admittedly, going early is risky if the restaurant offers happy hour in the entire dining room. Happy hour is a ritual at the beach.
Eat outside or at the bar
These areas are typically first-come-first-served, although that isn’t necessarily the case. Heirloom, for instance, started taking bar reservations in 2020, and owner Meghan Lee says she will never go back.
Hit the road
Examples include Ocean View Brewing Company, Café on 26 and Good Earth Market & Restaurant on Route 26. In Long Neck, try Yellowfin Bar & Grill, Two Meatballs Restaurant and Brick Works Brewing & Eats. Other options include Milton—home to Abbott’s Grill, Po’ Boys Creole and The Backyard—and Milford, which boasts Benvenuto, Easy Speak Spirits, Fondue and The Cured Plate.
Be prepared to wait
Families can create a diversion pack with games, snacks and other amusements for children. Bring your coloring books and crayons, as during COVID-19 some restaurants stopped offering them. Thanks to digital systems leveraging guest smartphones, adults dining in town can put their names on the waiting list at one restaurant and grab a drink elsewhere. The restaurant will notify them when a table is ready.
Be patient and kind
Restaurants are often understaffed, especially now that college is back in session. A moment of grace will earn the staff’s appreciation and, likely, better service.
