Dining out at the beach can be expensive, but the bill is easier to swallow when you rethink when, where and how you eat.
Start with happy hour, which includes more than discounted drinks. For instance, Lewes Oyster House, which offers its happy-hour menu daily from 3 to 5 p.m. at the oyster and main bars, offers chef’s choice oysters. The price is $12 for six and $24 for 12. Pair them with a glass of $8 wine.
Fish On Seafood Grill & Bar in the Villages of Five Points has long been a favorite among locals. Its current menu lists happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. in the bar area. Fish tacos, Caesar salad and crab bisque are $10 each. Other selections include tuna poke and shrimp cocktail, and there are discounts on drinks.
Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes offers happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from opening until 6 p.m. Sunday. Many items are seafood-centric, including raw bar selections and steamed shellfish.
Big Fish Grill near the entrance to Rehoboth Beach is also a longtime destination for happy hour, which runs from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, with Sunday hours from noon to 9:30 p.m. Smoked salmon nachos, a perpetual favorite, are $9. A fish taco is $6, and the chef’s choice sushi roll is $9.
Early dining can deliver smart savings at 1776 Steakhouse in Midway. The daily three-course menu, available from 2 to 5 p.m., costs $35. Choices include oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail or salad; a 6-ounce filet, salmon, chicken Milanese or surf and turf; a side; and dessert. During the same hours, appetizers and raw-bar items are 25% off. The deal is available throughout the restaurant, and reservations are accepted.
If you don’t feel like eating early, take advantage of weekly specials. For instance, Harvest Tide Steakhouse in Lewes runs Chop House Monday, Steak Night Tuesday, $85 for two, and lobster nights on Wednesdays with a variety of lobster dishes. The promotions include drink deals.
On Mondays, The Pines Coastal Tavern features a filet with mashed potatoes, green beans and a glass of house Cabernet for $29. The Purple Parrot has an impressive list of specials even in summer. For instance, on Wednesdays, a crab sandwich or platter with a side is $19.75, and crushes are $8. On Sundays, Chesapeake & Maine offers $15 whole Maine lobsters. The limit is one per person.
Another cost-saving strategy is to order food designed for sharing. Birdhouse Rotisserie Kitchen & Market in Milton spotlights rotisserie chicken and seasonal sides, making it easy to assemble a meal for more than one person. A whole bird comes with three sides.
Food trucks often offer generous portions without the extras that inflate a sit-down tab. BrandyLynn’s BBQ, which travels around southern Delaware, serves brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smash burgers and sides. Check the truck’s social media before leaving home; mobile kitchens can change locations or sell out.
Finally, consider splitting small plates instead of ordering two full entrées. Somewhere on Baltimore Avenue is a favorite for tacos, cocktails and shareable dishes. One appetizer, a few tacos and a shared dessert may satisfy more than two oversized dinners.
Check weekly specials before making plans and follow restaurants online. At the beach, timing can be worth as much as a coupon.
