As a whole, Delaware cuisine is pretty unique. The First State has developed interesting taste buds thanks to all the influences. Foods from Delaware are influenced by Philadelphia, the beaches, and the country life that’s so prevalent in the southern part of the state. If you grew up here, this list is sure to get your stomach rumbling. If you moved here a little later in life, you might still be afraid of scrapple, and you may not understand what our big deal is regarding Wawa. But don’t worry! Soon enough, you’ll be eating foods from Delaware like a champ, ordering scrapple with breakfast, and weeping if someone asks “Isn’t it just like a 7/11?” Here’s a list of some of our top drinks and food of Delaware – see how many you love to eat!

1. Scrapple!
Kate Hopkins/Flickr
It's impossible to talk about Delaware cuisine without mentioning Scrapple. Did you know that the world's largest scrapple manufacturer, RAPA, is based in Delaware? Have you ever attended the annual Apple Scrapple Festival? Believe it or not, it's one of the biggest annual food festivals in Delaware!
2. The Nic-o-Boli
Nicola Pizza, 8 N 1st St, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Nicola Pizza On the Avenue, 71 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Flickr / Steve Snodgrass
Nicola Pizza is a Rehoboth Beach legend. We feel pretty confident saying that everybody who's ever tried the famous Nic-o-Boli stromboli has loved it. This has been one of the most beloved restaurants in Delaware ever since it opened back in 1971.
3. Cheesesteak - the real kind.
Flickr / wEnDy
It can be hard to get an authentic cheesesteak if you wander too far from Philadelphia, but several places in Northern Delaware have gotten the memo and make them just as well as Philly does.
4. Blue Crabs
Flickr / bigbirdz
Blue crabs are a big part of Delaware cuisine. Pick them up straight from the Delaware Bay, take them home, and have a crab bake!
5. Grotto's Pizza
Grotto Pizza, 1819 Pennsylvania Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806, USA
Grotto Pizza, 22925 Sussex Hwy, Seaford, DE 19973, USA
Grotto Pizza, 1159 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, USA
Flickr / fauxto_digit
Grotto Pizza is a legendary Delaware chain. There are certainly other places in the state that make a delicious pizza pie, but when it comes to iconic Delaware foods? Grotto is often near the top.
6. ANYTHING from Wawa.
Flickr / Lauren Siegert
Iced tea, hoagies (some people call them subs), any of their deli bowls ... anything from Wawa is a must! Out-of-state visitors may not see the appeal, but if you've lived here long, you know that Wawa isn't just a gas station, it's a destination all on its own.
7. Crab Dip - with Ritz crackers
Flickr / jeffreyww
Here we go again with one of the most iconic Delaware foods. Made fresh with fresh blue crab meat, a big bowl of this is something to bring to any Delaware party.
8. Sno-Cones
Flickr / pyrografica
Crushed ice with food coloring that seeps to the bottom and doesn't really add all that much flavor? Sign me up! Sno-cones are another thing that is best experienced on a Delaware boardwalk to cool off on a hot summer's day. It's also a popular treat to enjoy at the state fair.
9. Dogfish Head Beer
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 6 Cannery Village Center, 6 Village Center Blvd, Milton, DE 19968, USA
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Flickr / Bernt Rostad
Even if you're not a big beer drinker, you'll almost certainly find a variety of Dogfish Head Beer that you love. Tour the Brewery in Milton and try several to help make up your mind. It pairs well with any Delaware cuisine.
10. Soft Pretzels
Crooked Hammock Brewery, 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Flickr / anokarina
And no, we don't mean SuperPretzels or Auntie Anne's. This is another Philadelphia food that has made its way into Delaware, and for that we are thankful. You can find great places that serve these soft delights all over the state, but one of my favorite places is Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes.
11. Fried Oreos
Flickr / Tricia J
Fried Oreos are as much a food Delaware is known for as barbecue is in Kansas City. Indulging in these decadent treats is another favorite eating excursion at the annual state fair (Heck, you can probably find them at just about any fair in Delaware!).
12. Frozen Custard
North Boardwalk, N Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Flickr / Jeffrey
It's like ice cream, but it's not. This is another favorite treat of Delaware boardwalk visitors. Custard is made with milk, cream, and sweetener, just like ice cream, but it also includes egg yolks. This changes the texture and makes it much richer and creamier than most ice creams.
13. Disco Fries
wEnDy/Flickr
A staple of any late-night diner trip, and another one that's hard to explain until you've tried it. They're like poutine but typically don't have squeaky cheese curds on them. Instead, this is fries, brown gravy, and cheese. Heaven.
14. Peach Pie
Flickr / Chelsea Nesvig
Delaware is a huge peach-producing state, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who learned about it in grade school here. Peach Pie is the official state dessert, but we can lump peach cobbler into this one as well. Add a scoop of frozen custard, and you're set to enjoy one of the most delicious Delaware desserts.

Um, now I’m hungry! Which of these foods of Delaware is your favorite? Any you haven’t grown to love yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you’re interested in sampling other great state favorites, check out the gastronomic fare at these historic Delaware restaurants that have stood the test of time.

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Delaware Foods

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 18, 2022

Where can I find a quirky restaurant in Delaware?

“Quirky” just could be one of the state’s nicknames, as there are so many unusual but no less fun places to visit here, including restaurants. One of the most popular of these in the state is the Blue Moon Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. At first, you’ll think you’re in for an amazing fine dining experience – and you are. But once the sun goes down, the quirk comes out with drag queen, psychic, and other unusual performances. If you’re looking for a quirky restaurant, the Blue Moon is the place.

I’m looking for a kid-friendly museum in Delaware.

Take the little ones over to the Wilmington and Western Railroad. Located in the Brandywine Valley, the railroad is really a moving museum regaling riders — big and small — with the history of the area and the state as it chugs along. It really is one of the most kid-friendly things to do in the state.

Are there any haunted places in Delaware?

There are quite a few haunted places in Delaware, and you can even make an exciting (albeit scary) road trip adventure out of visiting them. Among these spooky places are the following:

  • Smyrna Museum in Smyrna
  • the Catmans’ Grave in Frankford
  • Governor's House in Woodburn

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