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    Lewes Oyster House

    4.4 (272 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Lewes Oyster House Photos

    Business Info

    LEWES OYSTER HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Lewes Oyster House

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    Strawberry pretzel salad cheesecake
    Tammy R.

    The drinks were delicious and fun! Loved the burger! The oysters were so fresh and flavorful! Loved the seafood tower! And the milkshake pie and the cheesecake were fantastic!

    Chesapeake Blue Catfish sandwich
    Tom S.

    The place has a cool vibe, the building is classic and charming with renovations that have a modern feel. The Service was impeccable, attentive but not too much. The food and drinks were amazing. My son had the Bee Sting along with a House Oyster Shooter. (both great) My wife had an Autumn Harvest Sangria (delicious). I had a Kőstritzer- Schwarzbier draft (great German beer, so glad they had this on tap) Me and my son split an order of Tavern Wings with Alabama sauce. For the entree's my wife a Salmon BLT. I ate a Chesapeake Blue Catfish sandwich. (This is an invasive species, so I felt good about ordering it.) My son had a Oyster Po Boy. For sides, my wife and son had the Boardwalk Fries - Old Bay & Malt Vinegar Powder version. All of the dishes and sides were Delicious. I can't wait to go back to Lewes so I can go here again.

    Mussels and boardwalk fries (with truffle Parmesean)
    Caitlin D.

    Lewes Oyster House feels traditional and intentional, from the worn leather menus to the live shucking and classy decor. Their happy hour menu is terrific and makes it hard to choose. Too much looks good. I got the mussels and boardwalk fries and upgraded the fries to truffle Parmesean (various options for fries flavors: others include old bay & vinegar powder and caviar & chive). Delicious food, can't express how good. Great service, eat at the bar!

    Burger with gluten free bun
    Aly W.

    Great spot for seafood lovers and gluten free eaters alike! Listen, I'm an oyster gal, but currently I can't eat them (pregnant) but that's no reason to not come here. Wings, burgers and sandwiches, amazing desserts! Always gluten free options and they are VERY careful. I don't know what else you need. This is definitely a solid lunch spot and I'm sure the same can be said for dinner. The setup is great, the decor is lovely, and even when it's wildly busy you don't feel neglected. They've got it down to a science. Parking can be rough during the tourist season but remember they are open for most of the locals only season too. Parking is normally within walking distance if you don't get a coveted spot outside.

    Blew my expectations away. Big restaurant and each room/area felt unique and personal. A few great bar options. Food was good ambiance was great. Looking forward to coming back

    Matt G.

    Really great spot right in the small shops area of Lewes. A wide selection of raw oysters from various regions and a little bit of everything for all taste buds. Definitely try and get a reservation in advance if you're going during the Summer months. We've been here several times and it's very consistent. The only letdown was the scallops... $38 for 4 scallops and a few scoops of a mushroom veggie hash. Would not get again for the price tag.

    Lori D.

    Love Lewes Oyster House! Consistently great food and a great vibe. We ate at the bar this visit. Good service. Great town. Everything tasted very fresh. And as much as we loved the seafood, we couldn't stop talking about how good the fries were! Can't wait to go back.

    Front
    Paul A.

    Prominently placed on 2nd street this is probably one of the best places to go for food in Lewes. The atmosphere is casual and pleasant. The food is great. It is busy. Even on a Monday it is often packed with locals which is always a good thing. So make a reservation. It will help. The staff is really good about trying to fit you in but why wait when just a little planning will get you right in? The food whether getting the raw bar or cooked is great and the dessert known as 'boardwalk empire' is worth a visit all on its own. I will have one balk at the food. one particular dish "Buffalo soldiers" is oysters fried up and served with a sauce. Effectively boneless buffalo wings with oyster in place of chicken and it is very good. So why am I complaining here? because on the menu it's listed as NOLA- New Orleans style. It's BUFFALO oysters. Buffalo NEW YORK! not new orleans. More seriously the downside that stops this from being 5 stars are twofold. 1) the service is a bit slow. The staff are busy but there does seem to be a wait. I made a note of this last year and when I went back this year, it was still slow, so, not really fixed. 2) and far more seriously, the number of toilets, for this there are TWO. That's TWO toilets for EVERYONE. Men, women, staff and there seems to be invariably a line. So great food, fair pricing and if you make a reservation no needless wait but just be prepared for some waits once you're in.

    Sara B.

    Wow! I was here last month with two friends for dinner. We enjoyed our meals so much we came back the very next day for lunch. Both days I got the tomato salad and the group got whipped ricotta toast to share. I also tried their wings which were just ok. And their burger was also good. But that tomato salad and ricotta toast are both something real special! The restaurant was cute. My friend got a real fun drink. A great place to eat. I'll be sure to visit each trip to the area.

    Wings, oysters, and fries
    Jean G.

    Excellent charbroiled oysters, wings, and things. They have a decent variation of options. They also do a happy hour that includes drinks and food! Ambiance is such a vibe with natural light and dimmed lighting. Service was top notch.

    Maryanne G.

    Outstanding dinner! The staff was great -- unexpectedly accommodating a unique seating request -- we REALLY appreciated that! Food was stellar! Among the favorites at the table -- Halibut was superb! Caesar salad with Shrimp -- perfectly done shrimp! Pasta with clams -- DELISH! Calamari rocked!

    Shrimp po-boy and truffle fries
    Alina N.

    Charming location and delicious food! We sat outside with our newborn. Ordered the oysters, halibut ceviche, lobster roll and shrimp po-boy - all were very good. If you're in the mood for a mocktails try the peach Bellini. We'll be going back before leaving Lewes.

    Chefs special oysters from Maine
    Carole S.

    Delicious mussels & fries dusted with Old Bay & vinegar powder. We dined late afternoon for their walk in only Happy Hour service in the well appointed bar area. We got the last 2 seats at the oyster bar at 4 pm. Upper level bar seating was full. Limited Happy Hour menu was perfect. The mussels & boardwalk fries are a must here, seasoned to perfection. If you like margaritas, you'll enjoy a Mune Margarita, tasty subtle blackberry on the taste buds. The chefs choice oyster special of the day were ok. Steamed clams were ok. White clam pizza ok. Parked using Park Mobile app. Recommend for relaxing happy hour experience only.

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    9 days ago

    I just love it there. They make you feel like you're all friends. I would feel comfortable going there alone.

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    4 months ago

    Love it here! Always fresh and creative menu, excellent service, and fun times with friends and family!

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    3 months ago

    Clara was perfect! Informative, pleasant and great service! We will ask for her next time.

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    Tom L.

    Thank you for the review!!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Lewes Oyster House

    Is there a dress code?

    Casual - but no swimwear.

    Open for lunch?

    Yes

    View All 3 Questions

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    The Local Bootlegging

    4.4
    (69 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Overall had a great experience here and would suggest people stop in for themselves…read more We walked in a few nights before Christmas and it appeared to be just finishing a huge rush. Sat relatively fast and our server (forget his name) gave us a heads up that the kitchen was behind. We ordered then expecting to wait but the food came out very fast. Everyones meals were excellent, from the pork belly appetizer, burgers, seared fish sandwich, huuge hot dog, and nachos. Our server was very attentive and got us everything we needed quickly. Overall a very good experience and would go again when in town.

    **in response to the owners comment, we never met you. We didn't send food back nor did we request…read morenew food, and you, nor anyone else EVER brought me any additional drink on the house. I only had the one I paid for. There's no need to lie, bad days happen. This is not a speakeasy, this is a restaurant cosplaying as a speakeasy. That may be a bit harsh, it's a speakeasy in training. Sure, it's got all of the speakeasy decor, blackout curtains over the windows and doors, and a big selection of pedestrian liquor but it's not quite there. We went in on an early evening on Wed and there were maybe 5 other patrons in there. Our waitress was nice and brought us water to the high top. She brought us two food menus, and a specials menu. I asked for a bourbon list and she brought it; no prices on the list. Annoying. On the specials menu there was a small section of manager recommended drinks and one was a Willet. The way it was written was confusing because it said it was both a 4 year and 14 year for $52, so I asked for clarification on the age statement. She took the menu to the barkeep, who confirmed it was a 14 year so I said yes I'll have that. A drink was brought to me, but I could tell from the taste that it was not what I ordered. I asked the waitress for the bottle, she asked the guy behind the bar for the bottle and he pulled down a willet pot still bottle (pot still is the entry level Willet and at best a 5 dollar pour, no where near what I asked for). I told her that I was given the wrong drink, then she approached the bar and between her, and the male and female bartenders they had a weird back and forth conversation. Then, finally they pulled down the bottle that I asked for, that was advertised, and gave me a pour of it. I asked to see the bottle and the waitress brought it over but held it instead of putting it on the table (it was a 13 year Willet, Paper Trail). As we were about to order we were told that they reset the menu the very day before, with the focus of putting more love and care into the food. Feeling good about that, we ordered the French quarter catfish and the bourbon braised short ribs. The corn that came with the short ribs tasted straight out of a store bought steamable pouch, and the "ribs" weren't ribs at all, just sliced meat. The only redeemable thing about the catfish dish was the aioli; the rice had no flavor, the corn was cold and hard, and the catfish was mostly breading. We both took a few bites and resigned. I have been to many speakeasies around the US, and there are common themes: a much better selection of liquor; 95% of the bourbon were low tier bottles you can find in any liquor store for around $50. Also, when customers ask for the bottle, it isn't because we plan to steal it or drink from it, its because we're genuinely interested in the information on the labels. The quickest way to get people to stop spending money is to make them feel as if they can't be trusted touching a bottle. Perhaps it was an off day for the staff and this wasn't a typical experience, but I won't go back.

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    Harbour

    Harbour

    4.2
    (77 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Steak and Cake Special with a Canal View…read more Tried Harbor in Lewes, Delaware, located right along the canal in the downtown district, and it definitely leans toward the upscale side of dining in town. As soon as you walk in, you can feel that polished, higher end atmosphere, and the canal views make for a really nice setting. I went during the off season in early March and caught their Wednesday night Steak and Cake special. For $36 you get a six ounce filet mignon, a crab cake, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a Caesar salad. For a restaurant of this caliber, that's a pretty solid deal. The Caesar salad came out fresh and crisp, and for the first time ever I noticed something you rarely see anymore -- two small sardine strips on top, which is actually the traditional way to serve a true Caesar. The entree was nicely plated. The filet was ordered medium. Parts of it were cooked perfectly and very tender, though a couple bites were a little chewy. The crab cake was the highlight. Very meaty with minimal filler, which is exactly what you want this close to the Delaware coast. Mashed potatoes had that homemade style with a few lumps. Some people love that rustic feel, though I personally prefer them a little smoother. The green beans were simply steamed but had great flavor. Service was excellent. My waitress Kim was friendly, attentive, and very accommodating. The restaurant itself was clean and well kept, including the restrooms. Overall, a very enjoyable meal with great flavor across the board. I'd definitely come back and would be curious to see what the atmosphere is like here during the busy summer season.

    I love the ambiance at Harbour. It sits on the waterfront, and if you come for happy hour you can…read moresit at a bar facing the water and watch the boats go by. For dinner, we had a wonderful seat in the corner with a waterfront view. This is a lovely restaurant. Service was excellent as well. The mussel appetizer was delicious - white sauce with the crusty bread was so good. Crab dip was ok. The lamb shank special was also delicious - meat was braised fork-tender. The mahi mahi special was good, maybe a little dry, but I really enjoyed the bed of wild rice that it was served with, a little chew and lots of rich flavor. The disappointment of the night was the brisket - I suppose after having brisket from Texas, you're forever spoiled and can't help but judge everything to that standard. It was dry and a little tough, not a lot of flavor. Overall highly recommend, this remind one of my favorite Lewes restaurants.

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    Harbour
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    Striper Bites

    Striper Bites

    4.0
    (359 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Cute seafood restaurant right on the water. I found the experience very much like one I could…read moreexpect in New England. The food backs it up as well. Once I saw shrimp and grits on the menu, I immediately zeroed in on that. I love shrimp and grits going back to my Winchester days. Succulent shrimp, cheesy grits, and a nice porky meat to give it extra character. Here they use chorizo. But ham or bacon are good options as well. I also like that they give you eight big pieces of shrimp. Not like other restaurants that only give you two or four prawns and call it a day. The crab bisque is good too. A tasty soup that works well this time of year. Even though it was cold the first go around, the second one tasted hot and fresh. Of course it would taste good. The Delmarva region is abundant in crabs. Just as I would expect a clam chowder to taste great in New England or Manhattan. One thing to nitpick, it should come with oyster crackers, not saltines. They work better when it comes to a bisque or a chowder. Besides that, I have little to complain about.

    The common theme in many of the reviews for Striper Bites is "...it's a favorite of the locals..."…read more Lewes, DE is one of my favorite places for quick weekend trips, and after visiting Striper Bites quite often, not only is this place a favorite of the locals, but for us "tourists" also. Located in the quaint downtown, Striper Bites pays homage to Lewes' history as a former Dutch whaling and port city with nautical themed decor. Large wooden barrels, ship steering wheels, mounted fish and nets adorn the walls and accent the dark wooden furniture and color palette. There is a diverse menu, but when I'm in town with friends and family...I keep it simple. I'll usually start with one of the many beers on draft; check the chalkboard for what's on tap from the ever changing selection. The crab dip is an AMAZING appetizer. Chunks of crab meat are mixed in with cheese, given a quick bake, and served with buttered toast points. Great for sharing. You can also ask for additional pieces of bread (which I usually do) to sop up any residual dip. The bistro burger is nothing fancy...but everything a good pub style burger should be. A well seasoned angus beef patty is grilled is topped with aged white cheddar, bacon jam, house sauce, arugula, and nestled in a briche bun. The side of fries are also nice and crispy. Honestly, I've had the fish and chips, the fried shrimp, and other seafood dishes, and no suprise, it's all good. Service is always friendly, but not always as "prompt" when it gets busy - which in the summer during the high tourist season - but that's to be understood. Every town needs a neighborhood gathering spot like Striper Bites.

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    Grain On The Rocks

    Grain On The Rocks

    2.9
    (153 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I really wanted to like this place but it just didn't do it! Beautiful day to sit outside with…read morewaterfront view for Happy Hour. Convenient to the ferry port. Location is awesome! First disappointment(s) 1 hour into HH and they did not have a few of the HH menu items - boneless wings and cheese steak egg rolls. I hope the wings were really out because the daily special was offering wings for $1 each and these were pushed. The diet soda that was served was pretty flat and had a strange flavor and was definitely an off brand. The chowder was creamy but had a very sweet flavor to it not much of other flavors. Could be canned or frozen? Double Burger was cooked well and served with a bag of Cape Cod chips. Had to ask for pickles as did several other diners. It was bland as well, was not seasoned. We also had tater tots that were served on a pool of ? ?? The French fries that my dining companion opted for with her burger were grease soaked and were an undisclosed up charge of $2! Had to try them but definitely will not be back. Had Irish Eyes down the road not been so packed that is where to go- always!

    Grain On The Rocks is at the Lewes Ferry Port. I was looking for a place for happy hour and the…read moreplace we wanted to go to (Irish Eyes) was packed. It was a beautiful day out and we wanted something on the water as well with outdoor dining. This was our first time here and the atmosphere and outdoor dining was wonderful. The food was such a disappointment. The Happy Hour menu for food included: Loaded Tater Tots ($7), Traditional or Boneless Wings ($11), Cheesesteak Eggrolls ($9), Smash Burger ($10), New England Clam Chowder ($8) and Oyster of the Day (1/2 dz $10; dz $18). Happy hour beverages included $2 off draft beer, Rail Mixed Drinks ($6), Crushes ($9), House Wines ($6), and Canned Domestic ($4) - Miller Lite, Coors Lite, Natty BOH, and Michelob Ultra. They also had Weekly Specials (Sunday) which included Traditional Wings ($1 each) and $10 Grain Burger along with some others, you can see in the attached photo. We arrived at 5 pm and the Happy Hour Menu is from 4-6pm so we were only an hour into the Happy Hour. They were out of the "Traditional or Boneless wings ($11) but said we could order the Sunday weekly specials of traditional wings at $1 each. They were out of the Cheesesteak Eggrolls as well. I elected to have the Loaded Tater Tots from the Happy Hour menu and the Smash Burger which came with chips and the server asked if I would like to substitute the chips with fries which I agreed. The Loaded Tater Tots were cheese sauce, bacon, scallions and sour cream. They were greasy and the cheese sauce, I don't know. I couldn't even tell you what type of cheese it was. Maybe cheddar, but I'm really not sure. There were just a few pieces of bacon on it and loaded with sour cream. Not very good. The smash burger was 2 4oz beef patties with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion on a potato roll. No pickles. Who serves a burger with no pickles on it or on the side? We did request pickles and they were given. There was no offer of any ketchup or it being on the table. I asked for BBQ sauce and received that when I had a bite left of the burger. However, the BBQ sauce was very tasty. The "cheddar cheese" was a mix of cheddar and mozzarella or something and it was shredded cheese not a slice or anything. Guess they were running out of cheese and had to improvise. There was a huge chunk end piece of lettuce that should not have been on the burger, and the tomatoes were chopped not sliced. Who puts chopped tomatoes on a burger? After having this AMAZING burger in Virginia Beach a week ago at The Atlantic on Pacific for $6 on their Happy Hour menu, this was "ok". I accepted the substitute of fries with the Smash Burger over the chips. I was truly sorry I did that. They were partly raw, greasy, and I don't know how else to explain them. Just horrible. Some looked like they were overcooked but yet they were not crispy or anything. Just limp fries. Majority undercooked. To my surprise, I received the check and my burger was $12 where my sisters was $10. The only reason for the upcharge would be the substitution of the fries for the chips. Say what? There was no mention of the upcharge when offered, which is just horrible when servers don't mention any additional charge for things and the way he offered it was like it could be substituted free of charge. Needless to say, that $2 came out of his tip since he didn't have the knowledge to notify a guest of this. Not to mention the disgrace to be charging $2 additional for those undercooked and overcooked greasy piles of disgusting things they call French Fries. I also ordered a Diet Coke which I like to have with lime and what do you know, they were out of limes. This also tasted funny. It was either really cheap Cola however, it tasted more like pretty flat soda. Sitting on the dock of the Bay (hee hee get it?) was the best part of this meal. The service was ok. Things were delayed when requested, such as the pickles and BBQ sauce (which was requested at time of order). The food was horrible. The fact that they were out of so many things just an hour into happy hour and the cheapness of the cheese sauce on the tater tots that you couldn't even notice the flavor and the greasiness of it and then those fries. No, I can't get over those fries. No reputable place would ever serve fries like that. It was just horrible. I wanted to like this place, and it was a pure let down. Definitely a pass for me. Irish Eyes is right down the road; on a bad day they are better. Awesome Happy Hour menu, just make sure you get their early enough so you can get a spot at the bar (inside, porch or outside) or a high top in the bar areas.

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    Grain On The Rocks
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    Lewes Oyster House - seafood - Updated June 2026

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