DINING

New restaurants coming to the Delaware beaches this year

Taylor Goebel
The Daily Times

Sussex County saw a heap of shuttered restaurants this winter, from El Dorado in Rehoboth to Abbott's Grille in Milford.

But the laws of culinary physics state that for every restaurant closed, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Basically, that means get excited for an abundance of new dining options over the next few months. 

Only one restaurant on this list isn't an expansion, highlighting an increased desire for restaurant owners in Sussex to expand their businesses, reach a wider culinary audience and provide more options for locals. 

If you'd like to add to this list, please email tgoebel@delmarvanow.com. It will be updated regularly. 

Rehoboth Beach

Rise Up Coffee

The first Rise Up Coffee in Delaware, located at the old 7-Eleven on the roundabout, won't just be serving coffee drinks.

The shop's Mad Eggs menu, a mostly breakfast-filled staple, will expand into a full menu throughout the day, including dinner. 

Rise Up Rehoboth will also have a bar, a first for the Maryland-based company. Look out for some fun collaborations with local breweries.

Background:Rise Up Coffee to expand in Rehoboth Beach with bar, dinner menu

New Maryland eateries: Salisbury, Ocean City make room for new restaurants this spring

Rise Up Coffee has two locations in Salisbury, the East College Avenue location shown above and its drive-thru location on Riverside Drive. A third is coming to Rehoboth Beach.

Nalu 

It may only be one beach town over, but Nalu owner Regan Derrickson says his upcoming Rehoboth Beach restaurant will have "its own identity" from the original, Hawaiian-themed location in Dewey Beach. 

As of October, Derrickson said he was anticipating an April opening, and construction is well underway for the restaurant, located at 41 Rehoboth Ave., where the old Wilmington University location used to be.

Background:Popular Dewey restaurant Nalu expanding to Rehoboth Beach

Dos Locos

Yes, Dos Locos has a spot on the avenue, but Tex-Mex lovers will have a second location on Route 24 come spring, after Mit Patel secured the location of recently shuttered El Dorado. 

Expect margaritas (they are planning to build a bar), oozy queso blanco, lobster-stuffed potato skins and a myriad of fajitas at the Plaza Route 24 shopping center by mid-March. 

Background:Recently closed Rehoboth taco shop El Dorado to become Dos Locos dos

Restaurant news:Iron Hill's Rehoboth landlord rejects restaurant's lawsuit claims

Chaps Pit Beef

The fall 2018 opening date for this Baltimore barbecue mainstay may have been delayed, but meat lovers can rejoice, because Chaps Pit Beef, located on Coastal Highway near Iron Hill Brewery, is looking to open in early March. 

For more than three decades, Chaps has fed the carnivorous masses with Herculean portions of beef, turkey, chicken, sausage and ham.

Background:Baltimore mainstay, Chaps Pit Beef, coming to Rehoboth Beach

Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar located in downtown Lewes, Del. will be expanding to downtown Rehoboth, Del.

Agave

The infamous two-hour wait at Agave may be over — or at least assuaged — thanks to founder Chris McKeown's plans to build a sister restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.

City commissioners voted unanimously in late December to grant McKeown and co-owner Mike Firetti a permit of compliance for the yet-to-be-built, two-story Mexican restaurant.

While the menu will be the same at the new location, McKeown said he has a few tricks up his sleeve and wants to "spruce a few things up."

He is shooting for an October opening.

Background:Get excited: Here's the scoop for Agave's Rehoboth location

Restaurant news:SoDel Concepts in talks to acquire Rehoboth Beach's Crust & Craft pizzeria

Lewes

Indian cuisine is coming to Lewes

Lewes will get its first Indian restaurant this spring. Details on the menu are slim, and a name hasn't yet been released, but the owners have given their Victorian restaurant-to-be on Savannah Road a fresh coat of blue, restoring its 1899 charm. 

Expect Indian fusion dishes that will include Thai, Chinese, Anglo Indian, Caribbean and Italian influences. 

Background:Farm-to-table Indian restaurant coming to Lewes

Georgetown

Revelation

Rehoboth-area Revelation Craft Brewing Company is expanding into Georgetown after it purchased the site of the former 16 Mile Brewing Co. late last year.

A kitchen space for a restaurant and an outdoor seating area will be added, so it won't just be a brewery. Revelation President and Brewmaster Patrick Staggs said the company is looking to open its upcoming location in the spring. 

Background:Revelation Craft Brewing plans to purchase 16 Mile site, add restaurant, more brews

Trying out Delaware's newest brewery, Revelation Craft Brewing Company.

Long Neck

Brick Works

The Smyrna-based brewpub is expanding south, and could be open as early as March in Long Neck, behind the Wawa on Route 24. Expect classic pub grub like fish & chips and brisket pot roast alongside exciting, just-as-meaty sandwiches like bacon-topped pork schnitzel. 

The brewpub has plenty of IPAs and playful, nostalgic beers like its Soda Jerk Sundae Stout and S'mores Brown Ale.

Reach reporter Taylor Goebel at tgoebel@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @TaylorGoebel.