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Newark is one of Delaware’s most bustling counties, packed with history and charm. Founded by Scots-Irish and Welsh settlers in 1694, the city now has both college-town charm and commercial innovation, which spills over into an innovative foodie scene. Here are must-try dining spots in Newark.
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Klondike Kate’s

Situated on Main Street and with a patio for the warmer months, this restaurant boasts a central location and a rich history. Klondike Kate’s stands on the site of one of Newark’s oldest pubs, the Three Hearts Tavern, established by early colonial settlers in 1737. The original log structure was replaced by the current three-storey building in 1880, and since then it has taken on many forms, from pool hall to skating rink, flower shop, and finally Klondike Kate’s in 1979. A fire in 1992 destroyed the upper storeys, leading to the construction of a new upstairs bar using materials mostly sourced from the old Wilmington Railroad Station. The menus feature a huge selection of dishes, including numerous hamburgers and salads, all at reasonable prices, whilst DJs, salsa, and brunch specials throughout the week provide added interest.

Caffé Gelato

Caffé Gelato features an extensive wine cellar containing over 100 varieties and around 1,500 bottles, private dining areas and a ten-seat granite bar. It’s an atmospheric and cozy spot and the menus are equally inviting, including different ‘featured’ entrees each week. There is also a good variety of seafood, plenty of pasta dishes, and, of course, the signature homemade gelato.

Home Grown Café

Located on Main Street in Downtown Newark, Home Grown Café is an award-winning venue whose aim is to support local flavours and talent in a high-quality yet casual environment. Voted the ‘Best of Delaware’ by Delaware Today, and praised for the high quality of its vegetarian dishes on multiple occasions, Home Grown Café certainly has a strong cultural personality. Local artists exhibit here each month, and bands or solo artists put on musical performances almost every night. Salads and sandwiches are the menu priority here, though with ingredients like pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette, candied walnuts, roasted garlic spread and agave mustard, neither flavor nor variety will be lacking.

Olé Tapas Lounge and Restaurant

The Olé Tapas Lounge and Restaurant is a relaxed venue in the Creekside Gallery Shopping Centre. Championing the modern tastes of Spain, the restaurant strives to be authentic with warm décor and a large menu, though prices are reasonably high. Larger speciality mains and paella options are available, however the focus is on a wide variety of smaller dishes, such as basil and salmon croquettes, maple leaf duck confit, and gazpacho soup. Sangria, the traditional accompaniment, is available at the bar, along with Spanish wines, beers, and cocktails. The ‘happy hour specials’, including selected tapas and drinks, make this a great location for a casual group meal.

Potstickers Asian Grill & Sushi Bar

Dining at Potstickers Asian Grill & Sushi Bar gives an insight into the owner Li Shih’s knowledge of multicultural cuisine and is worth visiting for the huge breadth of its menus, which feature soups, curries, salads, and wok dishes in addition to the sushi and potstickers. Much-praised dishes include pork and Napa cabbage, spinach and shrimp dumplings, and honey-glazed prawns with walnuts. Colorful décor, and a friendly atmosphere complement the food.

Border Café

The Newark branch of the Border Café opened in 2001, by which time the quickly-growing company was already well-known for its fusion of Tex-Mex, Jalisco and Cajun dishes, and its commitment to creating the components of each dish from scratch. With a passion for experimentation and fresh ingredients, the restaurant aims to appeal to people of all ages and tastes, and is consistently ranked amongst the best restaurants in Newark. Portions are generous and prices affordable, with a range of quesadillas, fajitas, burgers, and salads on the menu, highlights being the shrimp and crawfish quesadilla (which uses the chef’s secret sauce), eggplant ‘St. Charles’, and the speciality frozen margaritas.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Iron Hill Brewery in Newark

Taking its name from an historic Revolutionary War landmark in Delaware, the Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Newark is the flagship restaurant for the privately owned company which began in 1996. Its handcrafted beers are widely recognized for their quality, and have won over 60 awards. The restaurant as a whole is also highly acclaimed, with prize-winning appetizers, soups, and outdoor dining. Art finds a home here through the Schaller collaboration, where internationally acclaimed artist Jeff Schaller paints murals and designs labels for the restaurant. Despite its success, the restaurant remains unpretentious; the atmosphere is comfortable and the New American cuisine is fresh and interesting, as can be seen in dishes such as the restaurant’s signature egg rolls, blackened catfish, and roasted white mushroom and sherry soup.

The Deer Park Tavern

Since 1851 The Deer Park Tavern has been a landmark in Newark, still attracting visitors from all over the world thanks to its status on the National Register of Historic Places. The site was previously occupied, from 1747, by the St. Patrick’s Inn, in which George Washington and Edgar Allen Poe are reputed to have stayed. The original log cabin structure burned down and was replaced by the current brick building, which went on to become one of the finest hotels on the East Coast. Like the atmosphere, the menus are lively, with classic burgers and a range of salads, alongside truffle fries, Eastern Shore pretzels, and crab cake sandwiches. Of an evening the Tavern is home to university students and locals, all enjoying some of the best music, nachos, and drinks offers in Newark.
Deer Park Tavern, West Main Street, Newark, DE, United States, +1 302-369-9414

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