The Local Bootlegging Co. (Formerly 302 The Local) — Restaurant in Delaware

Don't miss this spot when you are in Rehoboth! Title: A Hidden Gem! Exceptional Food and Impeccable Service

Nestled just outside the heart of Rehoboth, this speakeasy offers an amazing dining experience with awesome mixed drinks.

Ambiance: The atmosphere is intimate and sophisticated, with dim lighting and vintage decor that evoke the charm of a bygone era. The soft jazz music in the background adds to the allure, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date or a special night out.

Food: The menu is a culinary masterpiece, offering a fusion of classic and contemporary dishes that cater to all palates. Each dish is crafted with the finest ingredients and presented with artistic flair. The flavors are rich and harmonious, showcasing the chef's expertise and creativity. Highlights include the truffle-infused risotto and the perfectly seared scallops, both of which are must-tries.

Drinks: The cocktail menu is equally impressive, featuring a range of innovative concoctions alongside timeless classics. The mixologists here are true artists, and their passion for their craft is evident in every sip. The signature cocktails, like the smoky old-fashioned, are a testament to their skill and creativity.

Service: What truly sets this speakeasy apart is the exceptional customer service. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about ensuring a memorable dining experience. From personalized recommendations to prompt service, they go above and beyond to make you feel valued and pampered.

Overall: This speakeasy is a hidden gem that seamlessly combines an enchanting ambiance with extraordinary food and top-notch service. It's a place where every visit feels like a special occasion, leaving you eager to return for another...

Four of us went for dinner on 5/16. Zahara was our waitress and she was delightful! We were given several paper menus - dinner, dinner specials, cocktails, beer. We noticed that the dinner menu did not list any appetizers, sides, salads or desserts.. Zahara brought us the lunch menu that listed those items. It was a lot of paper to deal with. Zahara said the owner wanted people to order dinner, not lunch so that's why she didn't give us that menu when we first sat down. She said they were still working on getting the menus organized.

Cocktails: I ordered a Cosmopolitan. I do not think it was shaken in a cocktail shaker as it wasn't icy cold. It was tepid. While the flavor was good, the temperature of the drink diminished my enjoyment. My friend had a grapefruit crush that she enjoyed. Note that the specialty cocktails are very expensive!

Food: Two of us ordered shrimp and grits, one ordered jambalaya, and one ordered crab balls with street cord. My friend and I agreed that the shrimp and grits were the best we ever had! It would have been nice to have a green salad or vegetable on the plate to round it out. My other friend had the jambalaya - he said it was excellent. My husband had the crab balls with street corn. He said the the crab balls were way too salty. Perhaps the recipe can be adjusted to fix this? The street corn was very good. The peanut butter explosion pie for dessert was truly decadent and delicious! Prices were what you'd expect for a nice sit-down restaurant.

If it wasn't for the warm Cosmo and salty crab balls, we would have given the food 5 stars.

The ambiance and decor of this restaurant is great!! It has an old-time, speakeasy feel that enhanced our experience. We will definitely return. Next time we will try lunch - the menu looked...

We visited 302 Local on a Sunday afternoon, intrigued by the speakeasy theme. The entrance is styled like a small room with a host stand and an armoire that doubles as the door to the restaurant. It’s a creative idea, but the effect was undercut by the fact that the armoire door was propped open and no host was present—so the “hidden” element felt more like a missed opportunity than an immersive detail.

Inside, the space is attractive with plenty of seating—standard tables and a few low tables with couches—but no booths. It’s a comfortable setup, though not especially cozy.

During our visit, the restaurant was clearly understaffed. There was only one server and one bartender working during lunch, which meant service was stretched thin. Separately, they were also out of several food items, including the tuna and the pot roast, which was a bit disappointing.

My wife ordered a mocktail version of a strawberry lemonade drink that normally includes strawberry purée. They were out of the purée, and without checking, brought her a glass of Minute Maid instead. That felt like a misstep, especially without a heads-up or offer of an alternative.

On the bright side, the food came out quickly and the burgers were excellent—big, juicy, and full of flavor. I had mine with the house-made chips, which were fine. My wife ordered the prohibition fries, which are thick-cut curly fries. She liked them, though I found them a bit too heavy for my taste.

302 Local has a fun concept and serves solid food, but there are execution issues. A little more attention to service, communication, and consistency would go a long way toward making the experience match...