Best Restaurants in Downtown Delaware (2026)

The hamburger and cheeseburger have anchored this diner through generations of Delaware lunch crowds, plain patties on a flattop with fries on the side. A small front patio catches the overflow after the Delaware Farmer's Market lets out. Service moves fast and the room keeps its old-school counter energy without dressing it up for anybody.

The burger here comes thick, closer to a steakhouse patty than a smash, and the kitchen backs it with an Italian sub and hand cut fries topped with onion strings that outshine the sandwich some nights. Wings arrive genuinely large. It runs as a sports bar room, built for group orders and repeat visits, not polish.

Saganaki and souvlaki carry the Greek menu here, with moussaka rounding out the heavier plates in a room built for a table of friends rather than a quiet dinner for two. Customer service reports run strong on the floor overall, though the bar side has drawn some complaints about the reception at the counter.

Crab enchiladas and a cheese dip that regulars single out by name make this the Mexican room Delaware keeps coming back to, margaritas included. It runs as a family-friendly, casual operation with reliable execution most nights, though the seafood dishes are worth double-checking on arrival given the occasional shell complaint.

Margherita and pepperoni come out of a wood-fired oven that only has one deck to work with, which means the patio that draws weekend crowds for cold drinks also means real waits once Saturday night hits. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour at peak times, and treat the wait as part of the deal.

The hamburgers here get built with care rather than slapped together, and the onion rings paired with chimney sauce give the menu its signature move. The Angus coney draws a following too, though it can arrive more heavily sauced than the menu describes. Drivers from Columbus treat the trip up Route 23 as routine.

Sesame chicken and the Delaware roll pull double duty as the kitchen's calling cards, straddling a Chinese menu with a sushi fusion side that regulars rank among the strongest in Central Ohio. The dining room stays small, but portions run generous and the presentation holds up against pricier competition.

Steak tacos and burritos keep a weekly following coming back, and the eight dollar chips with guacamole and cheese have their own reputation among regulars. It runs as a straightforward, casual counter operation, family friendly and consistent enough that most complaints trace back to a single off order rather than a pattern.

Wonton soup, hot and sour soup and egg drop soup make this a destination for comfort over ambition, and the kitchen has earned a reputation for handling dietary restrictions, including dairy and egg allergies, without fuss. Some diners trace the operation back to the former China Dynasty on Lane Avenue, carried north to a strip plaza in Delaware.

BBQ pork nachos and a solid burger anchor the menu at this brewery set in an older building, with an IPA list built for a long table. Gluten free, vegan and kids' menus make it workable for mixed groups, and the patio handles overflow well, though service consistency has drawn occasional complaints.