Wilmington’s culinary rite of spring, City Restaurant Week, returns for its 19th year this month. This annual promotion provides great incentive to visit one of Wilmington’s destination restaurants and that roster has expanded significantly over the past few years.
The 2024 lineup features 21 of Wilmington’s finest, each owner-operated. That’s one of the beauties of the city’s fine dining scene. Chain restaurants are not an option.
“I have participated in City Restaurant Week since it started because the event promotes the fine dining scene in Wilmington and introduces Café Mezzanotte to potential new patrons,” says Sergio Pelligrino, owner of Café Mezzanotte.
Once again, diners will be treated to an array of menus, offering everything from Asian to French to Italian. Prix-fixe, two-course lunches are $15. Three-course dinners are $35 or $50
For an overview of this year’s participating restaurants, read on.
CAFÉ MEZZANOTTE
1007 North Orange St.
658-7050
Café Mezzanotte has built a reputation as Delaware’s premier spot to enjoy classic Pan-Mediterranean cuisine. We offer an intimate atmosphere with servers who attend to each diner with exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you.
CATHERINE ROONEY’S
1616 Delaware Ave.
654-9700
Enjoy the Irish atmosphere, great food & drinks at Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant! Opening in Wilmington 21 years ago, the McCoy Family named Catherine Rooney’s after their mothers and grandmothers and you will feel as though you are part of the family when dining in this lively Irish pub. Along with traditional fare, Catherine Rooney’s offers a wide selection of great food items in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Open seven days a week for dinner with brunch available every Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
CHELSEA TAVERN
821 North Market St.
482-3333
Chelsea Tavern is a popular local gastropub located in downtown Wilmington directly across from the Grand Opera House. The kitchen prepares made-from-scratch comfort food with local ingredients, complemented by an ever-changing craft beer selection. Chelsea’s 33 taps, large format bottles, cans, and single-serving bottles spotlight seasonal and local brews, in addition to wine and cocktails. Chelsea is a neighborhood favorite for a quick lunch, weekend brunch with friends, pre-show dinner, group outings, and vibrant outdoor patio dining. The energetic bar scene is a gathering place always playing the game of the week on its large TVs.
CIRO FOOD & DRINK
321 Justison St.
543-6071
Michael DiBianca the 15-year veteran of the Wilmington dining scene and semifinalist for multiple James Beard Awards have teamed up with Venu Gaddamidi of Veritas Wines to take guests down an exciting, unique culinary experience. Two chefs preparing worldly cuisine featuring share plates and tasting menus. Ciro features an intimate dining experience with 30 seats, an open kitchen, plenty of wines by the glass and can accommodate dietary restrictions.
COLUMBUS INN
2216 Pensylvania Ave.
571-1492
Columbus Inn has been a historic staple of the Wilmington dining scene. Reborn in 2010 as a contemporary bar & restaurant that combines the best of the classics with a new-age twist. Featuring seasonal Modern American menus with an extensive selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails.
CROW BAR
1711 Delaware Ave.
482-1241
Crow Bar has an eclectic menu, designed by chef Bryan Sikora, that will include “lots of small plates, pizza and an emphasis on cheese and charcuterie.” They will also be offering a selection of “great value” wine and beer along with brews and wine on tap.
C.R. HUMMINGBIRD TO MARS
1616 Delaware Ave.
407-5971
Step Back in Time to Celebrate Life’s Simplest Pleasures in Style! In 1919, the Volstead Act brought an end to the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Liquor consumption dropped, the price for illegal alcohol rose, but that did not stop those who wanted to drink. Experience the speakeasy at C.R. Hummingbird to Mars located in Trolley Square above Catherine Rooney’s. Find the black door with the gold hummingbird & ring the bell for entrance.
DORCEA
1314 North Washington St.
691-7447
Dorcea is an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap.
We use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere.
ECLIPSE BISTRO
1020 North Union St.
658-1588
Eclipse Bistro opened in the Fall of 1996 with the intent to offer simple, honest, and skillfully executed food and drink in a comfortably modern setting. Unfussy service provided by individuals who share a love and respect for the art of hospitality. 28 years on and Eclipse continues to shine.
LA FIA BISTRO
421 North Market St.
543-5574
La Fia Bistro has something for everyone. From handmade pasta, gnocchi and ravioli to the eclectic menu of small plates, each dish is carefully crafted by Chef Bryan Sikora. Chef Sikora finds inspiration in all types of European cuisine. The kitchen at La Fia prides itself in making everything in house from the freshly baked bread to the desserts, La Fia is true artisan cooking. In 2014, Chef Sikora was nominated for Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic and he continues to deliver his outstanding food to Wilmington.
MERCHANT BAR
426 North Market St.
502-3385
Merchant Bar is an elevated gastrobar that infuses a chef-driven menu with an original hand-crafted cocktail menu focused on high-quality ingredients, aiming to bring you a unique bar and dining experience. Both for intimate dining or for a large group, Merchant Bar’s dynamic space is perfect for any occasion.
MIKIMOTOS
1212 North Washington St.
656-8638
Located on Washington Street in center city Wilmington, Mikimotos Asian Grill + Sushi Bar offers an upbeat atmosphere with modern Asian fare. The ideal location to enjoy the best + freshest sushi in town, along with an extensive chef-inspired hot menu to appease any palate. Mikimotos offers a variety of Asian inspired dished like our famous Dim Sum varieties, hand crafted Rice + Noodles, and many more.
PICCOLINA TOSCANA
1412 N. DuPont St.
654-8001
Piccolina Toscana, one of the area’s most popular and creative Italian restaurants is the beating heart of Trolley Square, the vibrant hub of Wilmington’s nightlife. For over 30 years, Piccolina Toscana has been one of Wilmington’s favorite restaurants serving unfailingly fresh “Really Good Food”. If we didn’t make it, we don’t serve it.
RIVER ROCK KITCHEN
818 Shipyard Dr.
397-5518
River Rock Kitchen Inspired by local ingredients, and providing the freshest flavors of the season, River Rock Kitchen is a multi-occasion gathering place for a power breakfast, a great weekend brunch, or socializing over drinks and dinner. Located at the Westin Hotel in the heart of Wilmington’s Riverfront. River Rock is steps away from Frawley Stadium and JAM river walk and trail!
THE BRANDYWINE
2000 Pennsylvania Ave.
240-4700
The kitchen is center stage in our 155-seat restaurant and bar, and our chefs are the masters at work. They’re bringing the borders of Southern France and Northern Italy together in our modern wood-fired fare. The menu puts a contemporary spin on the Riviera to Riviera style. Indulge in thoughtfully prepared seasonal specialties built to pair perfectly with our extensive list of old-world wines and craft cocktails.
THE QUOIN HOTEL RESTAURANT
519 N. Market St.
446-5600
The kitchen is center stage in our 155-seat restaurant and bar, and our chefs are the masters at work. They’re bringing the borders of Southern France and Northern Italy together in our modern wood-fired fare. The menu puts a contemporary spin on the Riviera to Riviera style. Indulge in thoughtfully prepared seasonal specialties built to pair perfectly with our extensive list of old-world wines and craft cocktails.
TONIC SEAFOOD & STEAK
111 West 11th St.
777-2040
At Tonic Seafood & Steak, each plate is prepared with the highest-quality products and the freshest ingredients. The collaboration between our Director of Culinary Operations, Patrick Bradley, and our Executive Chef, Ivan Torres, has produced a unique interpretation of classic American dishes. To enhance your experience, our extensive wine collection and specialty drink menu offer limitless pairing opportunities. So, whether you are here to sample our lighter fare menu, our land and sea creations, or our wine and spirits…your dining experience will be one that is sure to please!
TORBERT STREET SOCIAL
305 Torbert St.
407-6627
Torbert Street Social is nestled in the heart of downtown Wilmington’s financial district. Hidden behind the well known restaurants of Washington Street, located in what was once one of Delaware’s historic stables originally built in 1887. Offering a nostalgic sense of class and history, with the right clue you can step through the threshold into our sophisticated cocktail lounge, and patio. Torbert St. Social brings together a fusion of elusiveness and complexity, serving only the finest spirits and cocktails. If you’re looking to disappear for a delicious bite to eat and a uniquely crafted cocktail, come in and see for yourself.
TROLLEY TAP HOUSE
1616 Delaware Ave.
652-2255
Trolley Tap House inside you’ll find craft beer options from around the world poured from one of our thirty available draft lines or off of our extensive can or bottled beer selection paired with tasty food selections. Located in the heart of Trolley Square, we are about bringing those “intimidating” or “strange” brews into an approachable relaxed atmosphere that is fun for all and child and dog friendly!
WASHINGTON STREET ALE HOUSE
1206 North Washington St.
658-2537
Washington Street Ale House opened in 1997, located in the heart of Wilmington’s business district, specializing in great food and handcrafted beers. With an extensive selection of local microbrews and over 24 on tap, the Washington Street Ale House is THE neighborhood bar & restaurant in the city of Wilmington.
WILMA’S
900 N. Market St.
400-7766
A full-service dining room. Enjoy a feel-good menu of New Orleans-style staples and favorites.