Delaware’s dining scene sparkles with under-the-radar spots like Cobblestone Cafe, a Dover favorite serving fluffy pancakes and spiced Turkish coffee alongside warm hospitality.
In Wilmington, Scalessa’s Italian charms with homemade rigatoni, lemon buttercake, and a retro vibe that feels like Sunday dinner at Nonna’s.
These local legends prove big flavors thrive in small spaces.
Cobblestone Cafe
Tucked away on South State Street, Cobblestone Cafe is Dover’s unassuming answer to “where should we eat?”
This tiny spot packs big flavor with its no-frills breakfast and lunch offerings, drawing lawyers, locals, and curious travelers alike.
With a menu that blends American comfort food and Middle Eastern flair, it’s the kind of place where egg salad oozes joy and Turkish coffee feels like a hug in a cup.
Food Highlights
- Egg Salad Sandwich: A messy masterpiece praised for its creamy texture and “creature of habit”-worthy appeal. Regulars swear by its simplicity. 🥪
- Turkish Coffee & Baklava: A dynamic duo that transports taste buds to Istanbul. The coffee’s bold, cardamom-kissed brew pairs perfectly with honey-drenched baklava layers. ☕
- Breakfast Burrito: Fuel for courthouse regulars, stuffed with fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and just enough cheese to make mornings brighter. 🌯
- Club Sandwich: A no-nonsense stack of fresh turkey, bacon, and veggies—basic but reliable, like your favorite denim jacket.
Atmosphere
The cafe’s charm lies in its cozy chaos. With just a handful of seats, it feels like eating in a friend’s quirky kitchen—if your friend had 19th-century brick walls and a knack for Arabic pop music.
Books line the shelves, lawyers gossip at the counter, and the owner’s smile could power a small town.
Pro tip: Grab your meal to-go and picnic at The Green, a historic park half a block away. 🌳
Bottom Line
Visit Cobblestone Cafe for honest food, heartwarming service, and a side of local history.
It’s where $11 buys a grilled cheese, life advice, and the certainty that you’ve found Dover’s best-kept secret.
Address: 408 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901
Scalessa’s
Where Old-School Italian Meets Big Flavors (and Even Bigger Portions)
Forget the red sauce stereotypes—Scalessa’s in Wilmington, Delaware, serves old-school Italian comfort food that feels like a hug from Nonna. 🍝
This family-run spot dazzles with homemade dishes, generous portions, and a vibe that’s equal parts cozy and cinematic.
Think Frank Sinatra on the speakers and servers who treat you like famiglia.
Food Highlights
- Porkette with broccoli rabe and long hots: Juicy roast pork piled high on a crusty roll, topped with sharp provolone, bitter greens, and spicy peppers. Reviewers call it “the best sandwich in Delaware” for a reason. 🥪
- Homemade Gnocchi Verdi: Pillowy spinach-infused dumplings drenched in Sunday gravy—so tender they “melt in your mouth.” 🥟
- Grandma’s Sunday Gravy and Rigatoni: A hearty, slow-simmered tomato sauce with sausage and meatballs that’s earned cult status. 🍅
- Meatball Appetizer with ricotta: Fork-tender meatballs smothered in ricotta and gravy, described as “melt-in-your-mouth delicious.” 🧀
- Cannoli: Crisp shells filled with sweet ricotta—a mandatory finale. 🍯
Atmosphere
Step into a cozy, no-frills dining room where red sauce rules and Sinatra croons in the background. 🎶
TVs play The Godfather on loop, and the outdoor patio (with string lights!) adds charm on warmer nights.
Servers like Rich and Rosa greet regulars by name, and owner Donnie often checks in to ensure your meatballs are perfetto.
Bottom Line
Scalessa’s is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Italian-American eats with soul.
Come for the gravy, stay for the garlicky warmth of a neighborhood gem that’s earned its stripes. 🏆
Address: 1836 N Lincoln St, Wilmington, DE 19806