Whether you’re buried in textbooks for an all-nighter or your stomach is grumbling after a night at the bar, the University of Delaware-area eateries have your back. From tapas, to pub food, to the always-delicious ramen, here are the 10 best late-night food spots near the University of Delaware!
Featuring more than 100 different tequila options, including home-infused tequilas with fresh fruit and Mexican spices, Santa Fe celebrates the old Mexican traditions with a new food culture. Expect beautiful, simple food, perfectly executed, as well as outstanding service, and menu knowledge. And, as far as it being a late-night college hang-out, did someone say tequila?
Promoting an award-winning wine cellar, hand-crafted gelato, and hand-made pasta, Caffe Gelato has been getting its Italian on for 17 years. Try pressed paninis, herb roasted rack of lamb, pecan crusted salmon, cider roasted pork tenderloin, and more. And don’t leave without trying the delectable gelato flavors of Bacio (chocolate hazelnut), crème brûlée, toffee, dark chocolate, and more.
With roots that go back to 1747 and the establishment of the Mason-Dixon Line, Deer Tavern has also seen the likes of the famous poet, Edgar Allen Poe. What better place, then, to take in the big game than one with such a history of good fellowship and cheer? You will find all the usual pub fare, including a generous burger list, but we’d go for the Tavern Sandwich and the crab corn chowder.
Now, if you are in the mood for seafood, there is only one place in town to go, and it is a little under two miles from campus. The Blue Crab Grill offers a gigantic menu that is packed with seafood options. We are talking about grilled beef tenderloin, jumbo lump crab cakes, jambalaya, soft shell crab, shrimp, crab deviled eggs, lobster, mussels, and more.
Sometimes you just need a bite or two to quell that hunger. Well, not far from campus, Olé has been serving authentic tapas (small dishes meant to be shared) with accompanying Spanish wine and music since 2008. You’ll find short ribs, meatballs, serrano ham, ceviche, gazpacho, paella, whole roasted suckling pig, and more.
Of course, there are nights where nothing fills the hunger like a steaming bowl of pasta. Well, a couple of mile off campus is La Casa Pasta, and, as you enter, smells of freshly-pressed pasta and freshly baked bread permeate the air. The food is Italian, the ambiance is Italian, and you can get pasta dishes like Manicotti, homemade cheese-filled ravioli, bolognese, chicken alfredo, and more.
When you are feeling a little Irish late at night, McGlynns is just a short drive from campus. A brick fireplace, cozy booths, and that famous Irish hospitality will welcome you with open arms, and the award-winning beer selection won’t hurt either. Grab a quick bite and a pint at the large, wrap-around bar, and enjoy over 18 large-screen TVs on game night.
True, Ramen is like a food group when you are in college, but skip that stuff in a package and head over to Ramen Kumamoto. Chef Sam Ho studied under Morimoto, and he will whip you up some of the best authentic ramen you have ever had. Order from over two pages of ramen selections, curry, donburi, appetizers, and more.
Sometimes fine dining is the only thing to hit the spot. At Nova, get an elegant three-course prix fixe meal prepared by college students for only $32. As part of the Hospitality Business Management program at the University of Delaware, Vita dishes up an award-winning lunch buffet Monday-Friday and elegant fine dining Wednesday-Friday during the fall and spring semesters. They also offer over 20 wines by the glass, local beer, and espresso drinks.
Home Grown has been dishing up the good stuff for over 16 years. Enjoy made-from-scratch food with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-sensitive offerings. The bar has over 65 beers, and an eclectic collection of wines. Colorful walls, local art, and local music round out the groovy, laid-back scene here. All of the good stuff is here, like fried chicken & fried oysters, house-made corn beef, burgers, and flatbread pizza, but there are some unique dishes as well. Don’t miss the oyster toast, the tuna martini, or the summer risotto.