17 Best Italian Restaurants near Dewey Beach

“? New Year's Adventure at Mama Maria's ?✨Ring in the New Year with a surprise at every turn! On a spontaneous drive to Baltimore, took a deviation and we stopped by Dewey Beach and stumbled upon the unassuming Mama Maria's. What seemed like a simple order-at-the-counter spot turned into so much more!Swipe left to step through the doors with us into a world of high ceilings, bright lights, and a cozy dining haven. Our waitress Teresa greeted us with warmth and a smile, guiding us veggie lovers through a menu bursting with options.We indulged in a veggie pizza loaded with onions, mushrooms, olives, peppers, and more – each bite better than the last! Pair that with classic mozzarella sticks and a glass of exquisite red wine, and you've got a meal to remember.But wait, there's more! Teresa's tip about the local ball drop meant we just had to extend our stay. Returning on the 31st, the closed restaurant led us to a hidden bar where Nico, the bartender with tales of India and Mother Teresa, served up life and laughter with our wine and snacks.Mama Maria's in Dewey Beach isn't just a restaurant; it's a heartwarming experience that turns visitors into storytellers. Highly recommended for its superb food, extreme hospitality, and absolute friendliness. A must-visit that's earned our five stars! ?????#DeweyBeachEats #MamaMarias #NewYearsEve #FoodieAdventure #VegetarianDelights #HiddenGems #RestaurantReviewVegetarian options: There is one pizza vegetarian (veggie) option, few sandwich options, lots of vegetarian appetizers.“

“We had Franco’s cater our wedding this last weekend for our late night food and they were absolutely amazing to work with from start to finish. They were communicative and personable and gave us a fair deal and extra food! They also delivered and set up and sent us a lovely text after wishing us well. I was absolutely thrilled and so were our guests!“

“Been to a lot of Italian restaurants since I have been in Delaware, this is a little place tucked in the side of a group of businesses. I can tell you it was the best meal and some of the best service I have had in a while. Will definitely be going back soon!“

“If you're in the mood for pizza and some Italian food, Ava's is the spot to go. Located one street off the boardwalk, it's easy to get out and back in to the beach. We ordered: * Pappardelle Bolognese - Getting bolognese at other restaurants can often be bland and uninspiring. Here at Ava's, we got the opposite! The meat sauce was extremely flavorful and the pasta was cooked great. Great portion size! * Detroit Pepperoni with Sausage - Great Detroit style pizza with a perfectly crunch crust and just the right amount of depth. The cheese, pepperoni and sausage blend in perfectly to create a cohesive bite. Maybe because we went during the off-season, service was extremely quick and the waitress was extremely attentive. They were quick to get us a high chair (modern high chair for all the parents - win!). A unique feature of Ava's that stuck out to me was they gave each table room to breath. It did not feel claustrophobic, and was actually able to break bread and converse! If you want pizza, but not boardwalk pizza, walk the 5 minutes to Ava's!“

“Absolutely underrated gem at the beach!It's incredibly rare to find fresh made dry pasta anywhere. Grandpa Mac serves up fresh batches every day, and everything they make is perfectly cooked and delicious. The dishes are simple, but they don't need to be complex when every ingredient is high quality and fresh.We always stop here at least once every time we are in the area, and get something with their fresh pasta.“

“Love this restaurant. Went last night and enjoyed a delicious Chicken Parmesan dish, it was Chicken Parmesan special night. Kids had the Marguerita pizza, loved it. Generous portions too, had leftovers next day. Service is friendly, ask for Ligia if working, she's amazing. Will recommend and visit again soon.“

“We've walked by a million times over the years, and finally decided to check it out on a recent Saturday night - definitely glad we did! There was a brief wait for a table as we didn't have a reservation, but we sat at the bar and had a cocktail, and were seated right quicker than the time they had quoted us. Our server was lovely, and the meal was fantastic. The garlic bread, meatballs, and pasta fagioli were awesome, to start off with. Both our pasta dishes were beautiful, and we enjoyed dessert as well. It was a great time, and we are excited to go back.“

“Many delicious options for both food and drink. Vegan pizza! Yay! Also, a large variety of brews. Friendly staffVegetarian options: Vegan options alsoDietary restrictions: Vegan options, yay!Kid-friendliness: Superman and Batman were there. (Kids in costume)“

“Their cheesesteaks are one of the best I've had. ? My wife and I split one and have plenty to eat. Great quality ingredients. This is the place to go when we're in the mood for a cheesesteak down in the Bethany area.I hear their pizza is good also. We will be trying that soon.“

“This is my first time at this restaurant and I am hooked. Everything from the moment walking in was excellent. The staff the cocktails and the food. Rating this place at 10 it blows it off the chart if you’re in the area for a vacation or your local stop in, you will not be disappointed“

“Yo let me tell you what!! Hands down the best mom and pop shop in Delaware that I know of? The cheesesteak I had yesterday was better than Philly, by far!! I know my food and this place right here is it!! It’s down by the beach and this is my second time here!! I’ll be coming back for sure!!“

“We love their food and the service is great as well the only drawback is that the dining room is an open area with sort of an echo so it gets very loud when they're busy. We found it hard to hold a conversation without trying to talk over everyone else.“

“Been wanting to stop here for a while. While on a bike ride from Rehoboth my wife and myself stopped for lunch. Great little place with a great beer selection. Now to the pizza! One of the if not the best pizza I have ever had. I am a sucker for wood fired pizza and this pizza is amazing. Their sauce is light and delicious mixed with the cheese and fresh mushrooms and wood fired!!! Bravo! Thank you for the experience. We will definitely be back!“

“A great place to spend an evening! What great idea to meld a wonderful culinary experience with live music. I've been to the venue two times and both experiences were fantastic. It's kind of like going to a joyous family gathering or to your best friend's home (who just so happens to be a master chef!) Paul Cullen is a geneous and welcoming host. His staff are also fantastic. We're so lucky to have a venue like this in Sussex County and out of the hub-bub of Rehoboth Beach!“

“Our server Nicholas, was amazing!!We got there late, and we didn't feel rushed at all. We didn't realize it till we got there.Food was amazing, and fresh!!Atmosphere fabulous ?Just found our "Go to" place at the beach for a truly authentic meal.Excellently priced.“

“Nice staffFood came fastLasagna didn't taste very freshUnpleasant tuff spots in bites of foodThe duct tape on the benches left sticky stuff on my pants.I noticed all of the other benches covered in duct tape as well.Dinner for two with tip $55Not going backLots of other Italian restaurants in the areaKid-friendliness: Nice staff“

“The Foods, the Service, and the limited menu and choice of wine, is exactly what you would expect from a place that puts out five star food in such a small space.For an owner at 82 still waiting tables and serving food. God bless him. you will love his attitude.“