
Henlopen City Oyster House
A renowned seafood restaurant in Delaware, celebrated for its fresh oysters, decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese, and an impressive wine list.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Henlopen City Oyster House

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned seafood restaurant in Delaware, celebrated for its fresh oysters, decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese, and an impressive wine list.
"This place is amazing. So good that we came back a second time during our stay!"
Parking Strategy
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces can be tight, especially during peak hours.
Seating Options
Opt for the quieter section away from the bar for a more relaxed dining experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fresh Seafood & Raw Bar
Indulge in exceptionally fresh oysters and a variety of seafood dishes, a true testament to their raw bar.

Lobster Mac and Cheese
Rich and indulgent, this creamy lobster mac and cheese is a standout dish that guests rave about.

Expansive Wine List
Explore a carefully curated and extensive wine list, perfect for complementing your seafood selections.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Parking Strategy
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces can be tight, especially during peak hours.
Seating Options
Opt for the quieter section away from the bar for a more relaxed dining experience.
Dietary Variety
Even if not a seafood enthusiast, enjoy great salad and meat choices.
Cocktail Pairings
Consider trying unique cocktail options to enhance your meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Parking Strategy
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces can be tight, especially during peak hours.
Seating Options
Opt for the quieter section away from the bar for a more relaxed dining experience.
Dietary Variety
Even if not a seafood enthusiast, enjoy great salad and meat choices.
Cocktail Pairings
Consider trying unique cocktail options to enhance your meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Henlopen City Oyster House for its exceptionally fresh seafood, particularly the oysters and signature Lobster Mac and Cheese. The extensive wine list and attentive service are also highlights, creating a delightful dining experience. However, some guests have found certain dishes to be bland, and the atmosphere can feel cramped at times, with occasional concerns about value for money.
"This place serves delicious food. The seafood is fresh and tasty. Previous online reviews state they offer happy hour from 3-5pm, but the hostess stated they do not offer happy hour. We came in fright before dinner and were offered to order from the lunch or dinner menu. There are two sides to the restaurant - one with a bar and a more quiet area. I enjoyed the quieter section personally. The service was great. Highly recommend. Everything was excellent."
Katie Miller
"This place is amazing. So good that we came back a second time during our stay. I would highly recommend the lobster roll and oyster poboy! Every appetizer we got was delicious too. You can't go wrong here. The key lime by was the best ive ever had. I can't say enough about this place!"
David Plum
"Food here is outstanding. We’ve tried a lot of places that claim they have the best crab cakes (almost as many that claim they have the best Key Lime Pie)… I believe this place does! The raw oyster sampler was also up there with the best we’ve ever had. The beer selection was okay. A little pricey. And the space was cramped, they get a lot of people in a small space. Still recommend highly, if for nothing else, their crab cakes."
Miyo Lopez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature dishes include fresh oysters from the raw bar, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and often seafood stews like Bouillabaisse.
Online reviews mention a happy hour from 3-5 PM, but current policy may vary. It's best to confirm directly with the restaurant.
Parking can be tight. Arriving early is recommended to secure a spot.
Yes, the menu includes great salad and meat choices for those who prefer not to have seafood.
The atmosphere is described as having a nice seashore vibe, though some find it can be cramped.
Yes, the restaurant boasts a very extensive and carefully curated wine list.
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Featured in these publications
Top Restaurants In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Named after Rehoboth Beach’s former moniker, Henlopen City Oyster House was established by seasoned local restaurateurs Chris Bisaha and Joe Baker in the summer of 2010 and, as its name would suggest, offers an extensive range of oysters from across the Eastern seaboard and beyond. Try sweet and salty Pemaquid oysters from Maine or a briny, buttery variety from Rhode Island at the restaurant’s raw bar, or alternatively, choose a heartier dish such as the Pacific halibut with celery root and parsnip mash, gravy and a grilled fennel and orange salad. Henlopen City also offers an extensive range of wines, micro-brews and unique mixed drinks.
Blue Hen | Restaurants
From the same team behind the lauded Henlopen City Oyster House, the Blue Hen earned a Best New Restaurant semi-finalist nomination from the James Beard Foundation shortly after it opened in 2017. Inside the eatery's farmhouse-chic digs, chef Julia Robinson whips up gourmet comfort fare, including deviled eggs with chicken cracklins and lobster pot pie.
The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach
Set in a charming little dining room tucked behind the Atlantis Hotel, the Henlopen City Oyster House has a great location and an even better reputation. Diners can expect a first-class level of service, a superb wine list, and some of the best seafood you’ll likely find in the whole of Delaware. All ingredients are fresh, locally sourced and used to their best advantage in standout dishes like Pan Seared Scallops served with pancetta roasted Brussel sprouts, maple-glazed acorn squash, and sage sabayon, Herb Grilled New York Steelhead Trout brushed with fresh herbs, and a New England Lobster Roll guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.
Rehoboth DE Restaurant Reviews The Rehoboth Foodie
Experienced Rehoboth restaurateurs Chris Bisaha and Joe Baker have created Henlopen City Oyster House with a bright, friendly atmosphere. They say that 75% of their ingredients are procured from local farmers and purveyors. (I've been asked not to elaborate on their previous culinary escapades here in Rehoboth, but suffice it to say that you've probably been to at least one of their former eateries.) I also want to add that the rumor that Chef Bill Clifton vacated the premises is entirely false.
LGBTQIA+ Travel Guide to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Other notable mentions include Henlopen City Oyster House, which serves champagne oyster shooters and cognac-spiked lobster mac and cheese that are to die for. For a snack along the boardwalk, grab Thrashers’ famous boardwalk fries, fresh-cut and made in peanut oil since 1929. As you're leaving town, stop by Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, a Delaware rite of passage, and order their famous Bobbie sandwich loaded with traditional Thanksgiving flavors.
The Best Restaurants in Rehoboth, Delaware: A Gastronomic Guide
Henlopen Oyster House, a shining star in Rehoboth's dining scene, entices patrons with a focus on what it does best: serving fresh, local oysters. True to its name, this specialty restaurant pays homage to this beloved delicacy of the sea, providing a culinary showcase that makes oyster lovers rejoice. However, their prowess extends beyond oysters, casting a wider net encompassing Atlantic seafood's best.
What to Eat in Rehoboth Beach
If it's seafood you're after, consider grabbing a table at Henlopen City Oyster House or FINS Fish House & Raw Bar. Those traveling with children (or anyone with a picky appetite) should head to Louie's for pizza, Frank & Louie's Italian Specialties or Grandpa Mac for, you guessed it, macaroni and cheese. After a long day in the sun, cool off with some homemade creations from The Ice Cream Store.
14 Great Places to Eat at Rehoboth Beach
What Hank’s Oyster Bar is to DC, Henlopen City is to Rehoboth—a nightly party, a spot to slurp oysters or indulge in a full meal. The menu is small and focused, which is to its credit: Don’t come if you’re not in a mood for fish or shellfish, or lots of fry. Beyond the eight to ten varieties of oysters, most of them from the East Coast, there’s a good oyster stew and a rewarding po’ boy.
The New P-Town: 10 Reasons Why Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,…
Nearby Henlopen City Oyster House serves champagne oyster shooters and a cognac-spiked lobster mac and cheese that are to die for. (Just make sure you arrive early; they don’t take reservations.) And here’s an insider secret: At The Cultured Pearl, a sushi restaurant with a roof deck and koi pond, the best thing on the menu is a local specialty—the cream of crab soup.
The Best Rehoboth Beach Restaurants + Places to Eat: Guide
Good thing this popular Rehoboth Beach restaurant is open seven days a week. Henlopen City Oyster House packs in customers for a reason. The seafood haven (the vibe: Hamptons meats tavern) offers an extensive, often changing menu of super fresh raw bar items, chowders, caviar, seafood pastas, po’boys, grilled snapper, thick cuts of tuna, and plenty more.
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Eventually, the small community grew until in 1891, when it was officially incorporated as Cape Henlopen City. Shortly thereafter in 1893, its name was changed to Rehoboth Beach, and it remains so to this day. While it has always been a popular area for its coastal beauty, this area is also known for all that it offers residents and visitors alike.
Rehoboth Beach
Known for its cozy, welcoming atmosphere, Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware serves up mouthwatering seafood dishes that keep visitors—and even President Biden—coming back for more!. From classic clam chowder to innovative dishes like yellowfin tuna tartar with bee pollen and pistachio, each plate is a culinary masterpiece.
Restaurants and Bars in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Expect all fresh and all locally-sourced ingredients when dining at this reservation-free eatery that's right on Wilmington Ave. Savor changing menus that often feature Fried Oyster, Herb-Grilled Swordfish, Lobster Mac n Cheese, plus an array of apps like soups, salads, and cheeses. Pair your meals with an oyster shooter or draft beer.
Try These Lobster Rolls Around Delaware Before Summer Ends
This oyster bar restaurant down in Rehoboth Beach offers many seafood dishes with a raw bar serving a variety of specialty beers. It dishes up soups, caviar, salads and many options mixed with shrimp, crab, scallops, clams and more. The New England lobster roll is served toasted with mayo and scallions with a side of your choice.
25 of the Best Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
For a slightly more upscale dining experience, check out Henlopen City Oyster House next door to Salt Air. Unsurprisingly, seafood is the star here, with an emphasis on all things fresh and local. It’s a menu that feels classic, rather than funky or experimental like many other seafood joints in the area.
Rehoboth: The Beach Town with Something for Everyone
The perfect location appeared to him in his sleep, and that vision eventually led Rev. Todd to a spot he dubbed “Henlopen City.” The resort that went up there consisted of a bunch of one-room wooden buildings called “tents” set up around a central tabernacle. Henlopen City lasted less than a decade.
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Henlopen City Oyster House is a seafood restaurant that features seafood dishes and a raw bar while also serving a variety of specialty beers and cocktails. This seafood place includes many happy hours and deals that you should not miss out on. You can also order online through their website.
Culinary Gems in Bethany Beach & Rehoboth Beach: Best Places to Eat
Henlopen City Oyster House is a must-visit for seafood lovers. With an extensive raw bar and a menu full of fresh seafood options, this restaurant has earned a stellar reputation. Signature dishes include the oyster stew, crab cakes, and a rotating selection of fresh oysters.
rehoboth restaurants open for lunch
Best Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 - BlueCoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar, Shorebreak Lodge, Salt Air, Henlopen City Oyster House, La Fable, Matt's Fish Camp Lewes, The Surfing Crab, Crust & Craft, Sunny Bay Cafe, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats Order Online.
Where to Eat in Rehoboth Beach
If you love fresh, raw oysters and excellent service, add Henlopen City Oyster House to your list. Henlopen City hails as one of the top seafood restaurants in Rehoboth Beach. Their oysters are a must-try, and their other seafood dishes are just as delightful.
14 Great Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach (and Nearby!)
Fresh, local seafood is the star at Henlopen City Oyster House. Busy year-round, it’s one of the top restaurants in Rehoboth Beach. Henlopen City Oyster House has an impressive selection of fresh oysters and shooters plus oyster stew, fried oysters, and more.
A Guide to the Best Seafood in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Henlopen City Oyster House: Located on Wilmington Avenue, Henlopen City Oyster House is a local favorite known for its fresh oysters and seafood dishes. Enjoy a variety of oysters from the raw bar, or try their famous lobster roll for a true taste of the sea.
10 Best Delaware Oyster Bars
Henlopen City Oyster House serves up fresh seafood at their award-winning raw bar. Try an oyster sampler featuring 9 different oysters, or order a whole bunch of your favorite type!. You'll love the beachy vibe here.Address: 50 Wilmington Ave, Rehoboth Beach
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The Crab Cake: While renowned for its incredible selection of fresh oysters, Henlopen City Oyster House also serves a top-tier crab cake. As a premier seafood restaurant, they use high-quality lump crab meat, resulting in a delicious and satisfying cake.
Best Seafood Buffet in Rehoboth Beach: 2025 Ultimate Guide
Let me start by saying that my visit to Henlopen City Oyster House was exceptional. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was in for a treat. The first thing that caught my attention was the delightful variety of seafood dishes they offered.
11 Best Seafood Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, DE (2024)
Henlopen City Oyster House is a gem tucked away in Rehoboth Beach, where you can kick back and indulge in some mouthwatering seafood. One bite of their seafood, and you’ll be hooked!. The lobster mac and cheese are highly recommended.
The 20 Best Rehoboth Beach Restaurants: Local's Guide
If you’ve made it this far in the list of the best Rehoboth Beach restaurants, you know that I love raw oysters. Henlopen City has the best in Delaware. The fare aside from this is also outstanding and is why it is in the top 3.
Good Eats in the Off-Season at Rehoboth Beach, by Travel Writers
Henlopen City Oyster House has been serving beachgoers since June 2010. We skipped this restaurant on previous Rehoboth trips because we don't like oysters. But Henlopen offers much more than an ample selection of bivalves.
Good Eats in the Off-Season at Rehoboth Beach
Henlopen City Oyster House has been serving beachgoers since June 2010. We skipped this restaurant on previous Rehoboth trips because we don’t like oysters. But Henlopen offers much more than an ample selection of bivalves.
Around The Area
Oysters and steamed shrimp and a daily draft beer are highlights. Arrive at 2:45 to make sure you get a place in the bar for happy hour. 50 Wilmington Avenue Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 ph. 302-260-9193 www.hcoysterhouse.com
The 13 Best Seafood Restaurants in Rehoboth Beach 2024
Tucked away in downtown Rehoboth, Henlopen City Oyster House is a hidden gem for seafood lovers. This cozy restaurant offers a relaxed and intimate dining experience, with a focus on showcasing the freshest local seafood.
Culinary Coast | Visit Delaware
Enjoy fresh cuisine in the heart of Rehoboth Beach at restaurants like Salt Air or Henlopen City Oyster House. Savor the flavor of authentic Italian featuring seafood delights at DiFebo’s restaurant.
Where to Eat
Henlopen City Oyster House (50 Wilmington Ave): From the same people who own Blue Hen, Henlopen has some of the best seafood in town. What it doesn’t have is reservations – so be prepared to wait.
Seedbol Kitchen the best restaurant in rehoboth beach
Located on Wilmington Avenue, this popular restaurant offers fresh oysters, clams, and a variety of seafood dishes like lobster rolls and crab cakes, all served in a laid-back, coastal setting.
Yelp's Top Seafood List has Delaware restaurant visited by the Bidens
Henlopen City Oyster House on Wilmington Avenue is No. 33 on the list of seafood restaurants that Yelp reviewers are passionate about.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit