Lewes Oyster House — Restaurant in Lewes

Lewes Oyster House — A Dining Experience You’ll Talk About for Weeks

Last week, my friend and I did a simple Google search looking for a restaurant with a good burger. That search led us to Lewes Oyster House, and the food was so good we came back just days later—this time bringing three more friends.

On our second visit, we had a small hiccup with our reservation. We’d booked for five over the phone, but when we arrived, it was marked down as four. No problem for this incredible team—they handled it with such grace and speed, it actually made our night. They seated us in an intimate internal bar that felt like the sexiest, most moody speakeasy you’ve ever been in. Low lighting, gorgeous ambiance, and its own special menu.

From that menu, I cannot recommend the Pound Cake Old Fashioned enough—you’ll thank me later. We also spotted a cocktail called Peaches and Dreams, made with buttermilk. Curiosity won, and within one sip, it became the table’s favorite drink of the evening. For small bites, we shared warm rolls with crab butter, sardines, and seared tuna—each dish more delicious than the last.

Midway through, a table opened up in the main dining room, and we happily migrated. From there, the feast began: a burger (still amazing), mussels, chicken wings, wedge salad with salmon… and then an unexpected treat—the kitchen sent over deviled eggs, compliments of the chef. My friend, who swears her 91-year-old aunt makes the best deviled eggs on earth, took one bite and declared these had officially surpassed them. Divine doesn’t even begin to describe them.

The décor is just as impressive as the food—stained glass, modern lighting, period fixtures, and intricate ceiling panels. Everywhere you look, there’s something beautiful to take in.

The people here are what truly make the experience. Chef Sean, who was instrumental in smoothing over the reservation, came out to chat with us and even took a few of us on a tour of the restaurant. Maitre d’ Nancy was warm and welcoming, Chef Jake stopped by to explain some dishes, and our server Candice was attentive, charming, and completely on point. My friend leaned over halfway through the meal and asked, “Is this a Michelin-star restaurant?” My answer: “Not yet—but they’re on their way.”

Make a reservation—yes, you’ll need one—but if you happen to walk in without one, you just might get lucky enough to land a seat at the bar. If you do, you’ll be delighted with the view: beautiful street traffic on this charming block and the mesmerizing work of the oyster shuckers right inside the restaurant.

I’ve never been so grateful for a miscommunication. Without it, we would have had a beautiful meal in a gorgeous restaurant. But because of it, we had a full-blown dining experience—the kind you can’t stop talking about.

Lewes Oyster House isn’t just a meal—it’s an evening you’ll treasure....

Finally got a reservation for here and it was well worth it. All of the food was delicious.

Appetizer : We ordered the calamari and chicken dumplings for the appetizers. Unfortunately, the server forgot to place the chicken dumplings order. However, this server took complete responsibility for the mistake. I really appreciate the fact that the server did not blame someone else or make up by BS reason. The chef was extremely apologetic and offered to give us the appetizer for free. Although we did not take him up on the offer, he made us a sampler plate of the dumplings. It was something that he didn’t need to do but made a really big impression.

Dinner: my wife ordered the lobster roll. It was filled with lobster and was extremely tasty. Some lobster rolls skimp on the lobster, not this one.

I ordered the smash burger with lobster fries. Very good portion for both. Again, the lobster on the lobster fries was not light in any way. Well, worth the extra money that you’re paying.

Dessert: we both ordered a dessert for each of us to try. They had a French toast, apple crème brûlée. It was to die for. My wife ordered a chocolate dessert that came with caramel and fluff. This was also great. We both agreed that this was one of the better desserts we’ve ever had in our entire lives.

Spent approximately $150 for the two of us, including tip. Felt well worth it for the food, atmosphere and service. Keep up the good work. We will...

Lewes Oyster House has become our all-time favorite go-to spot this summer! The cuisine and drinks are delicious and creative. Menu caters to all budgets. Can be beach casual or dressed up for a special occasion. Fun to sit at the bar with friends or reserve a table for when guests come to town. We’ve come for lunch, Happy Hour, and dinner. Always delighted with the experience. The restaurant is creatively classy, yet casual. Well thought out design and execution. Has a masculine vibe with all the beautiful rich wood, brass, and brick. Definite Five Star Rating star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Why? The entire staff, of course! This crew works so harmoniously together. Several bartenders are working together to get their magnificent cocktails out (which is an art form to watch). Wait staff, cooks, runners, bus staff work in sync to make sure everything is perfectly timed and guests are happy. Friendly, hardworking, professional. You’ll ALWAYS see one of the owners running around, sleeves rolled up chipping in doing the work right along side everyone else. They go out of their way to say hi and check in on you to make sure your dining experience is what you were hoping for. I highly recommend Lewes Oyster House and will be popping in several more times with guests before the season’s over and throughout the year as a regular since I live in the area. Kudos to the entire crew for your dedication...