Review disclosure: the owners of Vino Del Mar are two of my husband and I's closest friends, so we have had a front row seat (so to speak) from them transforming the space from the former Lewes Diner to Vino Del Mar and we were lucky that we had the opportunity to visit DE for their opening weekend where we sat at the bar. Food: Overall, the food was excellent, with a great selection. I started with the stuffed dates, and my husband started with the fried brussels. He really liked them, and I enjoyed my dates. The bacon jam that accompanied the dates could stand to be slightly more salty than sweet, just to counterbalance the rest of the dish. We then shared the kale Caesar salad, which I must admit I when it came out that it was enormous, so I was glad we were splitting it! I absolutely loved the flavors, and the croutons added a great texture. Lastly, I had the Peruvian Chicken thighs and pimento rice and my husband had the fish of the day (salmon) and vegetable risotto. My dish was phenomenal. The chicken was juicy and the rice had just a touch of heat and the pesto sauce that accompanied really lifted both items. My husband's salmon was cooked to perfection with a gorgeous crispy skin. Drinks: Vino Del Mar, although it has vino in the name, has an extensive drink list, both wine and cocktails (alcoholic and N/A) and beer, so really, something for everyone. I really appreciate the 3oz/6oz/9oz options for some of the wines so you are able to try more without getting tanked. Extensive wine list, with some more obscure regions and varietals represented, which this wine geek really appreciates. I did not have any of the cocktails, although (disclosure #2) I attended a cocktail competition the next day (not at the restaurant) and was able to try bartender Gary's signature thyme cocktail, which I really enjoyed. A great balance of sweet and savory. Service: Gary (bar manager) is very personable, and his passion really shines through his wine recommendations as well as the attention to detail he pays to the cocktails he is creating. Lori always ensured that our water glasses were full. No issues with service at all. Vibe: I never went to the Lewes Diner, so I have no idea what the place looked like before the owners gutted it and re-built it into Vino Del Mar, but they did a wonderful job. Clean lines, great cool tones, lots of grays and blue-gray walls. It's an older building, so no high ceilings or anything like that, but the restaurant is big and bright. I also think the upright barrels behind the bar is a great idea if you can't get into the bar; there's a space to have a drink while you wait without your needing to hover and encroach on other guests. We got there right at 1pm when they opened this past Saturday, and by 1:30pm, the bar was packed. Happy hour between 1-5 on Saturdays definitely draws a crowd (and happy hour is available throughout the entire restaurant when offered, not just at the bar, which is really appreciated). Other: The menu clearly spells out allergens and other specifics (GF, VEG, etc.) so there's little guesswork if you have dietary restrictions or allergies. If you're looking for a place in Lewes that has a great wine and cocktail list with excellent food, Vino Del Mar is the place to be. We look forward to visiting again soon, and if we lived in the area, we'd be regulars. read more

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Don't expect much if you're whole food, plant based. Don't expect much if you're gluten free. Service was outstanding. Ambiance was loud, very loud. read more

A hidden gem in a really ugly strip mall next to the best ice cream. ( Hopkins ) on earth A very clean open environment. Wonderful bar and a very nice menu We had the flat bread and crab bruschetta and a California Pinot. They were all very good ! The price was reasonable and best of all no traffic to get there ...... but beware as this hidden gem is discovered it's gonna be busy! You won't be disappointed and our waitress was awesome Some music would make it a more full experience read more

Celiac Friendly! Almost the entire menu is Gluten Free. Have been here twice, once for the soft opening and recently for drinks. Our table tried several items, the beet salad, potato Bravas and charcuterie board were some of the stars along with the Brussel sprouts. I had a mocktail and have some allergy concerns and the bartenders made sure to double check everything for me. Friends had an espresso martini which they said was one of the best around. Looking forward to trying some new things next visit. read more

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A wonderful new addition to the Lewes dining scene, and one that fills a real gap -- until Vino Del Mar, there wasn't a place in town truly built around wine, where the list is the centerpiece and the food is designed to go with it. Our bartender Gary set the tone immediately -- warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaged with the wine list. The Bordeaux Blanc was a beautiful pour, the Hake was cooked perfectly, and the charcuterie board more than held its own alongside both. The gluten-free options are handled with real care, not as an afterthought. The location is a quiet win, too -- tucked just off the Second Street bustle on Savannah Road, it feels like a discovery rather than a busy scene, which is exactly the point. Five stars, and we'll be back often. read more

Almost completely gluten-free and vegan. You cannot go wrong with this restaurant off season specials much variety so many wonderful flavors in each meal read more

Really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant wine by the glass is great Gary & Bronson the bartenders are great forgive the misspelling but both provide great service food is good and serving outstanding when they get busy we will return read more

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Great wine selections and flatbreads. - Hopkins Ice Cream next door after Happy Hour with friends read more

i recently had a delightful dinner at Vino Del Mar. We started with a Kendall Jackson sparkling wine, which was fresh and cool on a hpot summer evening. This was accompanied with the Crab Bruschetta, which was heaped with delicate crab and herb seasonings. We had the stacked beets with whipped goat cheese, which was bursting with flavor, and finished with flatbreads. The service was excellent, the seating and dinnerware were of good quality, and we had a very enjoyable experience. I will certainly be telling my friends about this new food find in Lewes Delaware read more

Was very much hoping to provide a good review, but unfortunately that's not going to occur. The strange odor upon entering the restaurant was offputting at best A vote for Pedro was mediocre, which is their take on a Manhattan. The short ribs had good flavor, but unfortunately, were not very hot. As a matter of fact, the green beans they came with were hotter than the beef. Not to mention that the small plate appetizer of sweet potato balls were served at the exact same time as the main course with no attempt to correct the mistake. Before we placed any order, we made the waitress aware that we would be ordering a chicken salad to go when we completed our meal Once we completed our meal the order for the chicken salad was placed, which literally took 27 minutes to put together a salad with some slices of Peruvian chicken. For a price of $27 the volume of salad in the to go container was less than your average three dollar bag of grocery store-bought prepared salad. Reservations were made for 530 and unfortunately did not get to leave the restaurant until 6:45 because the salad took so long to prepare Overall, quite a disappointment. By the way, if you're going to use a credit card for payment, be prepared for a service charge with no notification given read more

Great staff, knowledgeable bartenders, great food. Very comfortable ambiance and free parking.

We just had a great Happy Hour with music and great food and service Highly recommend the caramel goat cheese flat bread and the dates. Outstanding venue and wines were exceptional Worth a try We will return read more

First visit was for happy hour and second for larger group for dinner. Happy hour gave us a chance to snack, visit and sample wines--- Bartenders were entertaining and helpful making for a great first impression. Apparently there are options of 3,6,9 oz pours and some variation of wines featured on diff weeks. Second visit for Dinner with larger group was very enjoyable-- wines were very good. Recommend any flatbread, Crab item, charcuterie board. The short rib large plate was very tender. Making a meal of sharing drinks and a variety of small plates is way to go. Owners/staff are clearly making an effort with customers. Wish them well in busy season read more

The $10 up charge for using a charge card is a deal breaker! Won't be back Wine is good- food is fair read more

Fabulous experience on Friday afternoon love the happy hour they open at 1pm party of two at the bar with Gary bartending, they have a wide variety of by the glass wine with different ounces and the food is another experience in itself we will be back read more

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We waited an inordinate amount for our wait staff and the ordering of appetizers that took over 20 minutes for the charcuterie board to arrive and had to ask several wait staff to find out what was going on.... My flat bread was undercooked and sub par, with soft pita, minimal chicken pieces. Wine list was good though. The bench seat for being new was showing foam and there was a hand print on the wall! The Peruvian chicken dinner was a very small portion of 1 thigh piece and certainly not a large plate. read more

Had a great night at Vino Del Mar--definitely one of the better wine and charcuterie spots around. The short rib and pork loin were both cooked perfectly, and the "Changing in Thyme" cocktail was a standout. The vibe is really cool too--modern with a speakeasy feel that's cozy without being stuffy. Service was excellent all around--friendly, attentive, and welcoming, with even a personal welcome from the owner. I highly recommend! read more

Vino Del Mar is my new favorite to go spot. Everything I've tried so far is amazing. I love the goat cheese and onion flatbed! The sweet potato Arancini is so good. They have a very good wine selection. I love the original cocktails as well. I highly recommend. read more

Good wine selection, food looks good, but didn't try it. Too big, too bright. The bench I was sitting on had torn upholstery and foam was showing. Keep in mind this was a soft opening, hopefully they will learn as they go along, but they better hurry summer is coming fast. read more

It was our first visit to Vino Del Mar and my wife and I greatly enjoyed it. The welcoming staff were very personable and welcoming and greeted everyone with a smile. The atmosphere was nice, especially the bar. The food was delicious and the service was great. Our server was very accommodating. My wife wasn't sure about one of the wines so the server brought her a sample to try. When she still wasn't sure he suggested something else and brought her a sample of that. We both really enjoyed all aspects of the evening and look forward to returning with some friends who are going to be visiting us. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a relaxing evening of small plates and drinks. read more

I cannot believe how amazing everyone is here. The servers, bartenders, hostesses, and owner have been attentive and supportive. The food is amazing. We shared some flatbreads and the tuna special. It was all fantastic. The old fashioned was top shelf. I highly recommend this restaurant for its food and atmosphere. read more

Went there for their soft opening. The place is decorated with wine barrels and is very nice. Wife and I had the classic flatbread, Brussels sprouts, veggie skewers and the board salad. Everything was delicious but the star was the salad. It is big enough for 2 or 3 people. The service was a bit slow but they are getting their feet wet. Staff was very helpful though. We will definitely be back. Wines are priced by either 3 6 or 9oz pours or you can get a bottle. Good luck to everyone there read more

I came to Vino Del Mar on its opening weekend and was so impressed! First off, it's a gorgeous space with an elegant but casual feel to it. Next, the drink menu was full of awesome unique drinks (including mocktails). The food menu was just as appealing. I was with a large group and we tasted each other's drinks and meals - I don't think anything we ordered was less than stellar! Service was also warm and personal; it being the first weekend open, not everything was like clockwork yet, but the staff, bar, and owners were available, inviting, and accommodating. It was so clear they put a lot of thoughtfulness and love into the recipes, the service - all of it. I wish I were local so I could come back! read more

Food is superb. chef came out to check on us. drinks are awesome. Serrvixe better each time we visit. so proud of this self funded experience. Will be back!! read more

I've been here now several times. The food and drinks are great! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

We were excited to try this new spot in Lewes, especially with its convenient location off the bike trail and the potential to become a regular place for us as locals. Unfortunately, our first impression wasn't great. There was an unpleasant odor when we walked in, and the hostess interaction felt unwelcoming. I asked if there was room for two at the bar, and although several tables appeared to be open, we were simply told "no" without any alternative offered. The overall experience made us feel unwelcome, so we decided not to stay. It's a nice concept with a lot of potential, but the execution and hospitality missed the mark for us. read more