If you're looking for activities or restaurants in Smyrna, Delaware, you're in luck! We have locations that offer fine wine and dining, beer on tap and comfort food from locally sourced farms. Explore what Smyrna has to offer with the help of Delaware's Quaint Villages.
Smyrna Delaware Restaurants — A Foodie Delight
The small village of Smyrna is a great place to find restaurants, diners, breweries and distilleries. Some of Smyrna's popular eating and drinking spots include the following:
- Smyrna Diner: The diner has comforting, American home-cooked food, from chicken and dumplings to their famous grilled sticky buns. Visit on the weekends for their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet!
- Our Thyme & Table: This new restaurant uses local ingredients for their dishes, served in a casual but classy atmosphere.
- Believe It. . . It's Vegan: Located downtown, Smyrna's first vegan restaurant serves dishes that are so good, you might doubt it's vegan.
- Sweets & Treats Restaurant and Bar: Situated on the other corner of Main Street, Sweets & Treats serves up scrumptious desserts and signature sweet drinks in addition to burgers and brews.
As you explore Smyrna's wonderful restaurants and breweries, you'll come across some of the most popular spots that Delaware has to offer — Painted Stave Distilling, Blue Earl Brewing and Brick Works. From locally-sourced ingredients to comfort food, cocktails and taco trucks, these three are some of the best places to eat in Smyrna.
1. Painted Stave Distilling
Painted Stave Distilling is a stand-alone distillery that also offers tours, tasting and cocktails featuring their homemade brews. The founders started the distillery with craft spirits in mind, longing to bring together the best of local agriculture and fine spirits. Today they partner with local farmers and small businesses throughout Delaware and Smyrna.
One of the Painted Stave's main draws is its location. They occupy an old building that used to house the Old Smyrna Theater, a first-run movie theater that served the town for 27 years, and their spirits and cocktails echo the unique feel of the space. The distillery aims to blend tradition with modernity, mixing traditional brewing with today's creative styles and modern, state-of-the-art technology.
If you're wondering about the kinds of drinks Painted Stave offers, look no further than their unique menu. They make their premium-quality spirits in small batches with ingredients from local farms and businesses. You can try their drinks in-house or shop their spirits online, from vodka to gin to whiskey.
The building also has a craft distillery in-house and a tasting room for guests to enjoy and sample different cocktails and brews. Try the samples neat, or consider checking out their seasonal menu for cocktails that might not be available year-round. You can also find the Taco Jardin taco truck parked on-site, allowing guests to enjoy authentic tacos while sampling cocktails almost any time the distillery is open.
If you want to enjoy an activity while you taste, consider attending one of Painted Stave's events, such as cocktail classes, pairings or tastings. Learn to make and mix your drink or pair interesting brews with cheese and pastries. Whether you want to make a day of it or simply take some time to sample unique flavors and try new drinks, you're sure to remember your visit.
2. Blue Earl Brewing
Blue Earl Brewing is one of Delaware's most popular microbreweries. Located on Artisan Drive, the place is known for its unique beer offerings year-round and delicious food from its Juke Box taproom.
The founder of Blue Earl Brewing, Ronnie "Blue" Earl Price, found simplicity, earthiness and soulfulness in blues music. He sought to emulate that style and feeling in his new restaurant. Walking into Blue Earl, you'll find live music, delicious food they make on-site and an exclusive selection of beers on tap.
Price wanted to eliminate the feeling of beer mass production and marketing, so Blue Earl offers authentic brews worthy of a second or third visit during your trip. They have several unique brewing items on their menu, from Belgian selections to German lagers to American and German ales. You can also check out their seasonal offerings, unique beers on tap and selection of cocktails available throughout the year.
If you want a bite to eat, you're in luck — Blue Earl's Juke Box menu features perfect pairings for their beers and brews to create a homey and earthy tone. Choose your favorites and fill up on their delicious barbecue sandwiches, tasty burgers, wings, nachos and pretzels.
3. Brick Works
Brick Works Brewing & Eats is a popular Smyrna brewpub dedicated to fusing local products and ingredients with comfort foods and modern technology. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, it pairs local beers with delicious food to create an integrated dining experience.
Brick Works produces high-quality beverages and beers and unique menu items. From beer to food, they offer some of Delaware's best selections. They use ingredients from local farms and small businesses to create a delicious and diverse menu focused on the fusion of local and popular products.
With a world-class dining experience, it's no wonder that many tourists love to visit the restaurant during their stay in Smyrna. The laid-back feeling and environment make for an enjoyable eating experience with a menu built for all kinds of eaters, from the explorer to the comfort-food enthusiast.
Ryan Maloney and Kevin Reading, the owners of Brick Works, named the restaurant after the building's original use as a brick-making factory. The restaurant's current art and style emulate the craft's aesthetic and feel. Though they only founded it in 2016, Brick Works has become one of Smyrna's most popular spots. A mix of comfort foods with new, creative flavors, this farm-to-table brewpub is one to remember.
Uncover Hidden Gems in Central Delaware
Smyrna is a great place to travel for those who want to visit a village with good food, entertainment and a thriving arts scene. From farmers markets and breweries to art galleries and live music, you're sure to find exciting places to relax or explore.
If you're looking for a leisurely vacation in an area with fascinating outdoor destinations, consider staying in Smyrna. You can take your time enjoying Smyrna's many cultural activities, tasting local food and exploring its most popular breweries, distilleries and eateries.
Would you like some assistance and recommendations for visiting the best destinations in Delaware's Quaint Villages? Consider downloading our planning guide to learn more. It can walk you through the planning process and help you find the best destinations, restaurants and activities for your trip.
