Even if the sky is cloudy or there is a strong wind, Parisians will still eat outside at their favorite café. Now, people in Delaware have the same ideas about how to live. Since the outbreak, people have been seen in restaurants wrapped up warmly and huddling around heaters with their friends and family.

Every night, people can be seen sitting outside. But they still like doing it, even though it can sometimes get pretty cold.

As the weather gets colder, these customers are being served by restaurants in the area. A few restaurants in the area will let people eat outside in the winter, as long as the weather isn't too bad and there is enough staff. 

So, if you want to know them all, here are nine Delaware restaurants that offer al fresco or outdoor dining this winter. 

Buckley's Tavern

Image Source: Buckley’s Tavern

Located at 5812 Kennett Pike in Centreville, Buckley’s Tavern said they would keep the back patio open and use the heaters if the weather’s nice. There are heaters on the front porch, which can be closed off with plastic panels with holes to let fresh air in.

Snuff Mill Butchery & Wine Bar

Image Source: Snuff Mill Butchery

Another great wine bar is Snuff Mill Butchery and Wine Bar, which is at 1601 Concord Pike in Wilmington. People who go to this restaurant often eat outside because it's hard to get a table in the dining room. If you look at the clock closely and use the heaters and red-and-black checkered blankets on the Independence Mall, you might think you're in Philadelphia.

Chelsea Tavern

Image Source: Downtown Wilmington DE

The Chelsea Tavern is in Wilmington at 821 North Market Street and has been serving the area for a long time. This restaurant in downtown Wilmington grew last year by taking over what used to be an alley. The new outdoor seating area has been trendy, especially for brunch. The heaters will keep you from getting cold.

Caffe Gelato

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Image Source: Caffe Gelato

The restaurant's owner, Ryan German, was one of the first to push people to eat outside. He used the sidewalks, parking lots, front and back of the restaurant, and both sides of the building. Even when they are outside, he lets people eat inside the restaurant. In 2020, he built shelters that look like greenhouses so that people could eat privately while looking out at the garden. You can get a good coffee at Caffe Gelato at 90 East Main Street in Newark.

Grain H20

Image Source: Grain H20

This remarkable place, on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, has firepits built into the outdoor tables, making it a great place to stay warm while enjoying an appetizer or apéritif. At Grain H20, 3006 Summit Harbour Place in Bear, you will indeed have a good time eating outside.

Crooked Hammock Brewery

Image Source: Crooked Hammock Brewery

Another Delaware institution that has stood the test of time is Crooked Hammock Brewery. The best thing about this brewpub is its backyard, so the staff will try to keep the party outside for as long as possible. Use the ample outdoor space with games, chairs, and a fire pit that looks like it belongs at the beach. They have two places where they do business. One is at 316 Auto Park Drive in Middletown, and the other is at 36707 Crooked Hammock Way in Lewes.

Grain on the Rocks

Image Source: Rehoboth Foodie

Like its brother location on the canal, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal site offers firepits resembling tables and a water view. Grain on the Rocks, which can be found in Lewes at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, offers a delicious menu and a breathtaking panorama.

Dough Bar

Image Source: Delmarvanow

At Dough Bar in Milton, which can be found at 109 Union Street, you can indulge in homey, rustic comfort cuisine and hand-tossed pizzas. The outside bubble seating is quite convenient for hosting intimate gatherings.

The Blue Hen

Image Source: The Blue Hen

And to end our list, we'll talk about the diner named after the state bird of Delaware. The Blue Hen, at 33 Wilmington Avenue, is one of the most exciting things in Rehoboth Beach this winter. This restaurant in the middle of downtown Rehoboth had a firepit years before it became common for restaurants to have them. It will undoubtedly make you feel better and keep your feet (and feathers) warm. 

Final Thoughts

Do not let the cold weather stop you from enjoying some delicious food. Eat dinner outside at one of these restaurants to make the most of the Delaware winter weather.

If you want to know more activities you can do in the winter, check out these five fun activities in Delaware. And if you live by the beach, you should know what to do in a beach state during winter.