Leisurely lunching is lovely in Lewes

No matter what time it is in the First Town in the First State, let a single cloud drift over the beach and all of a sudden it’s lunchtime (or happy hour). And there’s no shortage of afternoon destinations for a bite in the shade.

Touch of Italy at the corner of Second & Savannah can be counted on for authentic Italian sandwiches, entrees and baked goods. Many of the meats and cheeses are brought to Delaware from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and you can definitely tell the difference. TOI’s chicken parm is a Lewes don’t-miss — especially if you kick it off with garlic bread.

Just across Savannah, Striper Bites has a long history of good lunches. Two of my pick hits are the Striper Bites Club (blackened mahi and applewood-smoked bacon) and the Lobster Roll, a longtime favorite that’s still on the menu after the restaurant changed hands several years ago. It’s served regulation-style on a buttered, toasted split-top bun.

The reincarnation of Lewes’ Rose & Crown restaurant in the Hotel Rodney checks all the boxes for a tasty lunch. You can always tell, when the local businesspeople make it their go-to spot. I love the ambiance of the hotel lobby paired with the chicken salad & fried oysters combo (a Southern favorite — if ya know, ya know). Another longtime treat is their signature chili.

Carnivores with cars will love Patty’s carryout in the Hazzard Auto Repair/gas station complex. Talk about multitasking! Top off your tank and get your ride repaired while stocking up on Patty’s fresh-daily salads and sandwiches. My happy place is her egg salad wrap with lettuce, tomato and hot pepper rings. Snag a couple oatmeal-raisin cookies on your way out.

Remember the now long-gone Blue Plate Diner a few blocks up Savannah? It’s now (and has been for a while) Honey’s Farm Fresh. The challah french toast is delightful, as is the lunchtime Brie Craft Melt sporting walnut and mango chutney on grilled sourdough. Take a quick tour of owner Hank’s little garden out back! Many of the herbs and goodies in their recipes are grown right there.

Continue up Savannah toward Five Points and you’ll find one of the best Thai eateries I’ve experienced. The adorable Sawanya Conway is the boss and chief cook at the tiny in stature but big on taste Sticky Rice. She shares the little strip center with Capriotti’s well-known, made-to-order subs. Sawanya does not skimp on taste or authenticity! We love the dumplings and that brightly spiced green curry.

While you’re exploring Five Points, drop into Thierry Langer’s Kaisey’s Delights for a wake-you-up cold brew along with one of their many tasty sandwiches and panini. Across the street is Arena’s in the Villages of Five Points, and a short ride down Clay Road takes you to La Vida Hospitality’s Crooked Hammock Brewery. The addition of Lancaster native Chef Ted Deptula (aka Teddy Fresh) has kicked their food up many notches!

Several years ago, longtime Lewes restaurant guru Lisa McDonald took over the tucked-away Nectar Café in Neils Alley. The place immediately rose to new heights, not only in food but also in service. I do love the chicken salad (grapes, Granny Smiths, toasted pecans, Gouda and red onion on multigrain), but veggie-heads and vegans are drawn to the wide selection of items just for them. In fact, I will admit to digging into both the Vedge and Powerhouse sandwiches (on different visits, of course). I could have added chicken, but I didn’t. See? I’m an equal-opportunity eater. A few steps down Second Street takes you to Agave, home of huge margaritas and reliable Tex-Mex. If you don’t like long lines, then lunchtime is the time to go. They open at noon.

Across the drawbridge, The Wheelhouse and the iconic Irish Eyes serve up beachy bar fare along with panoramic views of the canal and the town. And speaking of views, have you tried Grain on the Rocks at the Lewes ferry terminal? It’s a real restaurant with a huge bar, outdoor seating and entertainment. You can sit there and sip while watchin’ the ships roll in, then watch ‘em roll away again.

Raas Indian/Asian Fusion Restaurant gets consistently good reviews. Chef GG is a hands-on co-owner, and takes your lunches, dinners and cocktail adventures personally. I cannot go there without getting the garlic-cheese naan, the fried water chestnuts, the Chana Masala and the Lamb Rogan Josh. They open most days at noon. 

A few years ago, Cheryl and Gerry Tilton’s Gilligan’s gave way to Gary and Lorraine Papp’s Harbour surrounded by the Inn at Canal Square. Both Gary and Lorraine are excellent chefs in their own right. Harbour is open for lunch and brunch Fridays through Sundays. No matter what you get, don’t miss Lorraine’s fantastic desserts.

Ink is in short supply here at the Cape Gazette, but this will get you started. The next time a cloud chases you off the sand, do some exploring. Lewes’ eats will not disappoint.