Chesapeake & Maine

Chesapeake & Maine is a wood-fired seafood restaurant at 9 Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, occupying one of the most visible locations at the top of the main boardwalk avenue. The restaurant takes its name from the two great American seafood traditions it combines on a single menu: the Chesapeake Bay's crab and shellfish culture and New England's lobster and cold-water fish heritage. The wood-fired preparation method distinguishes the kitchen's approach — a live-fire hearth imparts smoke and char to seafood that would be merely good cooked conventionally and becomes memorable with fire. The 1.5 lb Maine lobster is roasted whole over the fire, yielding a caramelized shell exterior and intensely flavored meat. The Chesapeake crab boil brings blue crabs to the table in the regional tradition — Old Bay-seasoned, served with corn, potatoes, and drawn butter. Wood-roasted fish of the day changes with what the boats deliver, and the kitchen's restraint — good fish, good fire, minimal interference — lets the seafood speak for itself. The dining room is spacious and feels like a proper destination restaurant rather than a tourist-traffic option. Weathered wood, nautical references, and warm industrial lighting create a comfortable backdrop that suits everything from family dinners to date nights. A long bar serves the same menu with good cocktails and a wine list built around light, mineral-forward whites suited to the seafood focus. The beverage program includes Dogfish Head draft beers from the neighboring brewery. Reservations are recommended, especially in summer, and can be made by calling (302) 260-9417 or through OpenTable.