I Hit The Backroads Of Delaware To Try 11 Hidden Seafood Shacks (And 6 Were Shockingly Tasty)
Delaware might be small, but its seafood scene packs a serious punch.
I spent weeks cruising the backroads, hunting down the most tucked-away crab shacks and fish joints that locals guard like treasure maps.
Here’s the honest truth about all eleven hidden gems I discovered along Delaware’s coastal highways and forgotten country roads.
1. JR’s Seafood Shack – Fenwick Island, DE
Tucked right off Coastal Highway, this unassuming spot serves up some of the freshest steamed crabs I’ve ever cracked open.
The Old Bay seasoning hits just right—not too heavy, not too light—and the corn on the cob comes swimming in butter that’ll make your cardiologist weep.
What really won me over was their crab cake sandwich, packed with jumbo lump meat and zero filler nonsense.
Staff treats you like family, even if it’s your first visit.
Address: 1500 Coastal Hwy #1, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
2. The Lobster Shanty – Fenwick Island, DE
Right near the lighthouse, this place looks like it might blow away in a strong breeze, but don’t let appearances fool you.
Their lobster roll comes overflowing with sweet, tender meat that tastes like the ocean kissed it goodbye this morning.
I ordered the clam chowder as a test, and honestly, it rivals anything I’ve had in New England.
The creamy broth coats your spoon thick enough to stand up, loaded with potato chunks and clam bits.
Address: 37310 Lighthouse Rd, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
3. Catch 54 – Selbyville, DE
Selbyville isn’t exactly on most tourist maps, which makes finding this gem feel like winning the lottery.
Their fish tacos deserve a standing ovation—crispy fried fish, tangy slaw, and a sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean.
Everything tastes impossibly fresh, probably because they source locally and change the menu based on daily catches.
The shrimp basket comes piled high with golden beauties that crunch perfectly on the outside while staying juicy inside.
Address: 38931 Madison Ave, Selbyville, DE 19975
4. Rusty Jimmie’s Crab House – Fenwick Island, DE
Walking into Rusty Jimmie’s feels like stepping into your uncle’s fishing cabin, if your uncle had impeccable taste in seafood.
The all-you-can-eat crab special on weeknights will test your stamina and your ability to wield a mallet.
Their secret seasoning blend makes each crab taste slightly different from everywhere else—a little sweeter, a touch spicier.
Don’t skip the hush puppies, which come out hot enough to burn your tongue but too delicious to wait.
Address: 300 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
5. Captain Mac’s Fish House & Seafood Market – Selbyville, DE
Half restaurant, half fish market, this place lets you buy fresh catch to cook at home or have them prepare it on the spot.
I watched them fillet a rockfish so fresh it was practically still arguing about it.
The blackened mahi-mahi melts on your tongue, seasoned so perfectly you’ll wonder why anyone bothers with steak.
Captain Mac himself sometimes works the counter, sharing fishing stories that are probably seventy percent true and one hundred percent entertaining.
Address: 37320 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE 19975
6. Mickey’s Family Crab House – Bethany Beach, DE
Slightly off the beaten path on Jefferson Bridge Road, Mickey’s serves seafood that makes you forget about every diet you’ve ever attempted.
Their crab imperial gets baked in a shell with enough cheese to make Wisconsin jealous, yet somehow doesn’t overpower the delicate crab flavor.
Kids actually eat here without complaining, which tells you the chicken tenders pass muster even for picky eaters.
The coleslaw comes creamy and sweet, cutting through the richness of butter-drenched seafood perfectly.
Address: 39610 Jefferson Bridge Rd, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
7. Bahama’s Crabshack – Fenwick Island, DE
Despite the island vibes and tropical decor, this spot unfortunately missed the mark on flavor execution.
The crabs arrived lukewarm, which is basically a cardinal sin in the seafood world, and the seasoning tasted like someone heard about Old Bay but never actually tried it.
Service was friendly enough, and the atmosphere definitely wins points for fun beach energy.
Maybe they were having an off day, but my wallet felt heavier than my stomach when I left.
Address: 37085 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
8. Northeast Seafood Kitchen – Ocean View, DE
Ocean View hides this little kitchen that looks like someone’s converted garage, and honestly, the food matches that aesthetic.
The shrimp tasted like they’d been frozen since the previous administration, rubbery and bland despite aggressive seasoning attempts.
Their tartar sauce came straight from a jar—I recognized the brand from my own pantry.
Points for trying, and the prices were reasonable, but reasonable doesn’t make up for seafood that tastes like it took the scenic route from ocean to plate.
Address: 29 Atlantic Ave, Ocean View, DE 19970
9. Lestardo’s Crab House – New Castle, DE
Venturing inland to New Castle, I had high hopes for this strip mall spot that locals kept mentioning.
Unfortunately, the crabs were smaller than my enthusiasm, and picking them felt like archaeological excavation for disappointing rewards.
The corn was definitely from a can, which shouldn’t bother me as much as it does, but here we are.
Staff seemed overwhelmed despite a half-empty dining room, and my order took longer than a beach traffic jam.
Address: 135 Christiana Rd #7, New Castle, DE 19720
10. Capt Zeak’s Crab House and Seafood – New Castle, DE
Right off Dupont Highway, Capt Zeak’s tries hard with the nautical theme, but the food needs to walk the plank.
My crab cake fell apart like a sand castle at high tide, held together more by hope than actual crab meat.
The cocktail sauce had zero horseradish kick, tasting more like ketchup with identity issues.
Maybe stick to the view and skip the food, or better yet, drive another twenty minutes to the coast for the real deal.
Address: 192 N Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720
11. Gus’s Crab Shack – Port Penn, DE
Way down in tiny Port Penn, Gus’s sits like a time capsule from when seafood shacks actually cared about quality.
The steamed shrimp comes piled in newspaper, old-school style, seasoned with a proprietary blend that tastes like summer vacation.
Their cream of crab soup is so thick and loaded with meat, you might need a fork instead of a spoon.
Gus himself still runs the place, greeting regulars by name and treating newcomers like they’ve been coming for years.
Address: 29 W Market St, Port Penn, DE 19731