11 Hidden Italian Restaurants In Delaware That Locals Quietly Swear By
Finding truly authentic Italian food in Delaware can be a quest. While many places claim authenticity, I’ve learned from personal experience that the real gems often hide in plain sight, far from the tourist brochures. Like many locals, I cherish a good culinary secret, especially when it involves pasta perfection and rich, simmering sauces.
Over the years, through countless meals and whispered recommendations, I’ve curated a list of unassuming trattorias and family-run eateries. These are the spots where the flavors transport you straight to Italy, and the locals quietly, fiercely, swear by every dish.
It’s time to discover Delaware’s best-kept Italian secrets.
1. Scalessa’s “My Way” Old School Italian Kitchen
Old-school charm drips from every corner of this Wilmington gem, where the meatballs are roughly the size of baseballs and twice as satisfying. Scalessa’s has built its reputation on unapologetically traditional Italian-American comfort food that refuses to bow to modern trends.
Locals have been filling these seats for years, drawn by portions generous enough to share and flavors bold enough to remember. The menu reads like a greatest hits album from your Italian grandmother’s kitchen. Nobody leaves hungry, and most leave planning their next visit before they’ve even paid the check.
2. Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant
Family recipes dating back to the 1940s still guide the kitchen at this Wilmington institution, where handmade pasta isn’t a marketing gimmick but a daily ritual. Mrs. Robino’s has survived decades by doing one thing exceptionally well: serving honest Italian-American food that tastes like someone actually cares.
The dining room carries the comfortable wear of a well-loved home, with photos and memories layered into the walls. Every plate arrives with the kind of attention that only comes from generational pride. This isn’t fusion or farm-to-table; it’s the real deal, served with zero pretension and maximum heart.
3. Ristorante Attilio
Nestled in Wilmington’s Little Italy, Attilio has been feeding the neighborhood for so long that some regulars have brought three generations through the door. The menu sticks to traditional Italian-American classics without apology or unnecessary flourishes.
I once watched a regular walk in without saying a word, and his usual order appeared ten minutes later like magic. That’s the kind of loyalty this place inspires. The atmosphere feels like stepping into a time capsule where good food and familiar faces matter more than Instagram-worthy plating. Locals keep coming back because Attilio never tries to be anything other than itself.
4. Casa Nonna
Walking into Casa Nonna feels like raiding your grandmother’s recipe box and finding every comfort food treasure you’d forgotten existed. The menu could double as a love letter to simple, soul-warming Italian cooking that prioritizes flavor over fanciness.
Plates arrive steaming and generous, piled high with the kind of food that makes you loosen your belt and order dessert anyway. Nothing here tries too hard or costs too much. The vibe stays casual and welcoming, perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something delicious without the dress code or the wait time that comes with trendier spots across town.
5. Café Mezzanotte
Reliability might sound boring, but at Café Mezzanotte it’s actually the secret weapon that keeps locals returning week after week. This pan-Mediterranean spot with strong Italian roots delivers consistently solid pastas without the drama or the inflated prices.
You won’t find molecular gastronomy or deconstructed anything here, just well-executed dishes that taste like someone who knows their way around Italian cooking made them. The atmosphere invites lingering conversations over drinks without making you feel rushed.
6. Little Vinnie’s Pizza & Pasta
Tiny storefronts often hide the biggest flavors, and Little Vinnie’s proves that theory every single day. This Wilmington hole-in-the-wall cranks out terrific pizza and classic pasta dishes that regulars guard like state secrets.
My cousin stumbled onto this place by accident three years ago and now refuses to order pizza from anywhere else, which tells you everything. The crust strikes that perfect balance between crispy and chewy, while the pasta arrives with sauces that taste slow-simmered and loved.
7. Taverna Rustic Italian
Rustic doesn’t mean rough around the edges at this Newark favorite, where approachable Italian plates and stellar pizza have earned a steady stream of devoted regulars. Taverna nails the balance between casual and quality, creating a space where you can bring a date or your entire loud family.
Pizza emerges from the kitchen with perfectly charred crusts and toppings that actually taste like something. Pasta dishes stick to the classics while adding just enough personality to keep things interesting. The crowd skews local, with faces that clearly know the staff and the menu by heart.
8. Roma Italian Restaurant
Dover’s Roma has mastered the art of dependable family meals without breaking anyone’s budget. Comforting Italian mains arrive in portions that could feed a small army, and the neighborhood reputation for consistency keeps tables full most nights.
Families celebrate birthdays here, couples grab weeknight dinners here, and solo diners settle into booths with books and bowls of pasta here. The menu covers all the Italian-American staples you’d expect, executed well enough that nobody complains and everyone returns.
9. Lupo Italian Kitchen
Fresh-made pastas take center stage at this Rehoboth Beach spot that locals visit year-round, not just during tourist season. Lupo combines coastal-Italian sensibilities with the kind of craftsmanship that turns simple ingredients into memorable meals.
The menu changes with the seasons, keeping regulars interested and giving the kitchen room to play with what’s fresh. Pasta comes perfectly al dente, sauces taste bright and purposeful, and the vibe stays welcoming without tipping into stuffy.
10. Touch Of Italy
Wood-oven pizzas, handmade pastas, and an attached bakery-deli make Touch of Italy a triple threat in the Lewes and Rehoboth area. Locals swing by for morning pastries, lunch sandwiches, and dinner pizzas with equal enthusiasm.
The bakery side churns out Italian cookies and breads that disappear fast, while the restaurant serves up solid Italian plates without unnecessary fuss. I’ve watched people load up shopping bags with fresh bread, cold cuts, and prepared foods like they’re stocking up for the week.
11. Capers & Lemons Italian Restaurant & Market
Modern-Italian plates meet neighborhood market vibes at this Wilmington spot that locals use for both date nights and Tuesday takeout runs. Capers & Lemons combines a restaurant with a market component, letting you grab pantry staples alongside your dinner reservation.
The market shelves stock imported pastas, olive oils, and specialty ingredients that make home cooking more exciting. Meanwhile, the restaurant side serves dishes that feel both familiar and fresh, prepared with obvious care.