Hi Beauties! If your kids leave the beach absolutely starving, this guide is for you. Nothing takes the fun out of a sunny family day faster than wandering around with tired, hungry little ones while every restaurant has a line. Luckily, Rehoboth Beach has plenty of breakfast spots, pizza shops, seafood restaurants and ice cream counters close to the boardwalk.
I pulled together the places that make the most sense for a family beach day, from an early pancake breakfast to pizza and ice cream after the rides. Before you go, browse the full directory of restaurants in Rehoboth Beach to compare cuisines, locations and current details. Menus and hours can change with the season, so it is always worth checking before promising the kids a particular stop!
Breakfast Before the Beach
Egg is a cheerful breakfast and lunch spot on Rehoboth Avenue. Adults can order everything from eggs Benedict and shrimp and grits to lemon curd crepes, while the Little Chicks menu keeps breakfast simple for younger diners with eggs, pancakes and French toast. It is a nice place to fill everyone up before the kids are sandy and covered in sunscreen.
Robin Hood Restaurant is another easy family breakfast choice near the boardwalk. Pancakes, eggs, omelets and home fries cover the classics without making breakfast complicated. Go early during the busy summer season, then walk straight toward the ocean with plenty of beach time still ahead.
Pizza That Keeps Everyone Happy
After a long beach day, pizza is usually the one answer that makes everyone happy. Grotto Pizza has locations on Rehoboth Avenue and the boardwalk, so it is easy to work a pie into your plans. The Rehoboth Avenue restaurant also offers takeout and delivery, which is a lifesaver when the kids are too tired for a sit down meal.
Louie's Pizza is another classic stop when everyone wants a quick slice, fries or a cheeseburger grinder. It is close enough to the boardwalk that you do not have to load the kids back into the car just to eat. That alone feels like a little vacation win!
Seafood for the Whole Family
Big Fish Grill is a great pick when the grownups are craving seafood but the kids still need something familiar. The Little Fish menu is for children under 12 and includes pasta, chicken tenders, fish fingers, grilled salmon and fried shrimp. Each meal comes with a side and a scoop of ice cream, which is always a win with little ones!
This is the dinner I would save for a night when the family wants to slow down and enjoy a real coastal meal. Going a little earlier gives you a better chance of sitting down before everyone reaches the tired and hungry stage.
Easy Boardwalk Stops and Sweet Treats
Some days, sitting through a long meal is simply not happening. That is when the boardwalk classics save the day. Gus & Gus Place is an easy stop for burgers, fried chicken and quick comfort food. Cafe Papillon has croissants and crepes, while The Ice Cream Store has the kind of giant flavor selection that turns dessert into an event of its own.
The easiest way to plan lunch around rides, games and beach time is to look through the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk restaurants before you go. Pick a first choice and a backup. If the first has a long line or the kids suddenly change their minds, you already know where to walk next.
My Best Tips for Dining in Rehoboth Beach with Kids
- Eat a little earlier. An early lunch or dinner usually means a shorter wait and happier kids.
- Choose your parking spot with the whole day in mind. Walking between the beach, boardwalk and restaurant is much easier than moving the car for every stop.
- Keep one small snack in your beach bag. Even the best plan can fall apart when a restaurant has an unexpected wait.
- Check the menu before leaving the beach. Make sure there is at least one familiar choice for each child before everyone is tired and hungry.
- Save dessert for the boardwalk. Ice cream or a sweet treat gives the family one more reason to enjoy an evening walk by the ocean.
Rehoboth Beach is one of those places where the food can become part of the family fun instead of a break from it. Start with breakfast, choose an easy lunch near the sand and leave room for something sweet before heading home. A little planning goes a long way when you are traveling with kids!
Happy beach dining!
Wendy