Overall Food Service Noise Bathrooms Value

Matt’s Fish Camp Bethany

/ Updated on July 4, 2016
Overall
Food
Service
Noise
Bathrooms
Value

First of all, the place isn't really in Bethany Beach, but I don't have a “somewhere between Bethany and Rehoboth near the Indian River Inlet suspension bridge” category. In fact, it's about 30 seconds south of the Indian River Bridge, on the east side at Tower Shores. The late Matt Haley called it “North Bethany,” so we'll just go with that.

I love the big hi-tops near the window on the kitchen side. Look to the left and enjoy the sparking bay and the sunset. Look to the right and enjoy the sparkling kitchen with all its hustle and bustle. Ahhh… two of my favorite things. The menu seems to change a lot at Matt's Fish Camp, though there are some standards. So govern yourself accordingly.

Start with the Lobster Deviled Eggs, studded with spices and bits of lobster in a silky egg puree.We also had the Oven Roasted Parker House Rolls. (Now, them's fightin' words, because The Foodie is famous for his homemade Parker House Rolls. He was further annoyed when he discovered that Matt's were better than his. Is nothing sacred?)

Special mention goes to the Blue Crab Claws. Served with a lemon wedge and a mild mustard cream dip, these were firm and cold with a bright spice mixture including a mercifully not-overpowering hint of Old Bay. If you don't order the Fried Ipswich Clams as part of your main course, get the appetizer version. These are not those frozen, rubbery strips you get pretty much everywhere. These are the real thing, belly and all. It's hard to get these little gems anywhere other than Massachusetts, but Matt Haley has a source. The crunchy coating is firm, yet mild enough to not stand in the way of the taste of these little delicacies.

Matt's Fish Camp has two soups on the menu. The Conch Chowder is served in a chunky tomato and onion base reminiscent of Maryland Crab Soup. Toothsome chunks of conch are everywhere. The New England Bacon Clam Chowder has a creamy consistency with body, but is not at all starchy. There's so much clam and bits of bacon that each spoonful was filled with the goodies. Order it. I am not exaggerating.

I already mentioned the Fried Ipswich Clams. In addition to the appetizer version, you can get them on a platter with a side of mild, crispy slaw, or as a “clam roll” on a toasted (grilled, actually) roll. On one visit, my favorite Foodie-at-Large ordered the Fish & Chips. Chunks of haddock are presented with a light crust that, again, politely stands aside to allow the flaky white fish to shine through. The fries are fresh and good, but I suggest you order the dish with their delightful Kettle Chips (they come with the lobster and clam rolls and the crab dip). These are homemade, and are cut a tiny bit thicker than your average chip. They arrive warm and make a great noise when you munch.

What's dinner without Steamed Peel ‘n' Eat Shrimp? On another visit I had the Fried Chicken with Bacon Corn Gravy. Two butterflied and split breast pieces perched atop a mound of creamy mashers. In between was a layer of thin-as-air slices of yellow squash, zucchini and crispy snow peas. The dish wore a crown of hot cream gravy filled with yellow corn and ham. In spite of the gravy, the breading remained crisp and firm.

Another tasty dish was the pan-roasted Pier Fresh Skate. When served properly, it resembles a big scallop shell. It was served over top of the same veggie mix enjoyed by the fried chicken. With an almost swordfish-like texture, it was described as “very flavorful, moist, not fishy, with just enough butter to still be firm when cut.”

There are several clever cocktails available at Matt's Fish Camp, none the least of which the Cucumber Fresca. I hope they still have it when you go: Cucumbers are marinated in Svedka Vodka and the resulting potion is mixed with soda and lime. Be sure to be looking toward the bay and the sunset when you sip this one. Another tasty libation is the F.I.T. Margarita where pineapples and mangoes infuse a citrusy flavor into a vat of tequila. It's hard to have just one.

One particularly tasty dessert is the Whoopie Pie. Two discs of dark chocolate cake sandwich a creamy, marshmallowy icing. The mouth feel of the cake is particularly firm and grainy and works nicely with the marshmallow cream.

Matt's is open seven days. In spite of the upscale nature of some of the menu items, the restaurant is informal, with long wooden tables, benches, simple chairs and cream-colored walls. Seagoing art pieces and maritime tchotchkes abound, and beachy green beadboard frames the bar.

See the current dinner menu here. (L., D., Bar) Price range: Moderate +.

RehobothFoodie.com notes the sad passing of chef, award-winning restaurateur and SoDelConcepts founder Matt Haley, who passed away on August 19th, 2014 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash while on a humanitarian trip in the mountains of India. Matt will be sorely missed by many, many people.

Off-season Specials & Hours

Specials & Moods change quickly. Always call a restaurant first.

pp = per person.
BOGO = buy one, get one.
Bloody = bloody mary.
domestics = American-made beers (e.g., Bud).
imports = foreign beers (e.g., Heineken).
Rails = non call-brand alcohol.
Prix Fixe = one set price.
Mains = entrees.
Margs = margaritas.
Chix = chicken.
AYCE = all you can eat.
Lite = Miller Lite
drafts = draught beer.
Early Birds = arrive before a certain time.
Apps = Appetizers.
bottles = beer in a bottle.
à la carte = order off the menu (no prix fixe).
crafts = micro/artisanal brews (e.g., Old Leghumper Lager)

28635 Coastal Hwy, Bethany

Just south of the
IR Bridge

(302) 539-CAMP

Sunday
Open 11:30 - 9
Monday
Open 11:30 - 9
Tuesday
Open 11:30 - 9

Wednesday
Open 11:30 - 9


Thursday
Open 11:30 - 9
Friday
Open 11:30 - 10

Saturday
Open 11:30 - 10


The Rehoboth Foodie

About the Author

"My goal is to promote Rehoboth Beach dining while remaining honest and impartial. I don’t gush unless a place deserves it, and I don’t pull punches, either. With so many good places to eat around here, it just doesn’t make sense to waste the calories — or the money — on anything less." View all articles written by The Rehoboth Foodie

Add Your Comment
  1. Avatar MonroviaDukes says:

    Have you updated your review- say in the last 5 years? We have tried 4 times and had awful experiences from unripe crab stuffed tomatoes, to bland salad and covering our food to fend off flies!
    SoDel restaurants used to be our go to’s
    Now we run from the corporate chain restaurants, that have the if you tried 1, you’ve tried them all. So sad

  2. Avatar Joey says:

    Ate here for the first time recently. Love the Ipswich clams. So good.

    • Avatar demattman says:

      I picked up a carry out dinner from Matt’s this evening and was disappointed with the clams. The platter contained 14 clam strips and 4 small pieces of clams. The 2 ‘bellies’ I found were the size of a dime. Needless to say that last summer’s clams are now just a fond memory for this clam lover!

      • Avatar demattman says:

        I’m happy to report that I had the clams again yesterday and found my long-lost friends! With 2 sides and a cold one I was truly happy with my meal and the big fat clams were to die for.

  3. Avatar Dave says:

    Lobster roll was on the board out front, stopped for lunch and was NOT IMPRESSED it was served on an old hot dog roll (hard on the ends) with 1 level ice cream scoop of salad – some lobster more filler @ $21 dollars

  4. Avatar Lisa Evans says:

    Have been there SEVERAL times now and couldn’t say enough good things about it! While the prices are a little hefty, you DO get what you pay for! The Lobster roll is out of this world, and the Ribeye and grilled lobster over mashers was better than I’ve had at Ruth’s Kris in OC. The combination of flavors is creative and delicious! The service is outstanding as well! Way to go Matt! We’ll be back!:)

  5. Avatar carol West says:

    Had a very good fish dinner there but would hesitate to go back. I was interested in ordering the lobster sandwich, drooling in fact from the description, but $22 for any sandwich and chips is way too much.
    [Ed. note: Carol, the lobster roll at Ed’s Lobster Bar in NYC is $27. Several of the restaurants in Faneuil Hall in Boston charge $30 for their lobster rolls. The typical lobster roll contains the meat from 1 very large, or one and-a-half medium lobsters. I’ve had lobster rolls at all these places, and the one at Matt’s is comparable in size–and priced better than most.]

  6. Avatar cm says:

    While the food was good, the prices were ridiculous for what you get. We are happy eating at a v wide variety of places, from diners to fine dining.The mis-leading “Fish Camp” name implies casual dining, & while the atmosphere was casual, the prices were not; it would have been more justified if a salad & rolls were included; otherwise it needed to be $4-5 cheaper. We will not be back.

  7. Avatar Lucky mom says:

    Wouldn’t expect anything less than fabulous from a
    Matt Haley restaurant and Fish Camp is no exception. The stuffed 1/2 lobster with crabmeat, fried chicken and those amazing fried clams were enjoyed by my whole family! Can’t wait to return! Hey Matt, open a Fish Camp II in Rehoboth.

  8. Avatar Lily says:

    We had terribly overcooked grilled bluefish here, just two weeks after having overcooked grilled fish at one of Haley’s other restaurants. Maybe they should keep fish away from the grill!

    But the clams are to die for – and I do not even like clams!

  9. Avatar Bill McManus says:

    I could not agree with the Foodie more. Being from New England, I miss the fried clams and lobster rolls. Well, now I don’t have to spend the time and money to travel there to get authentic New England food! The fried clams are as good as any I have had back home!

    Bravo, Matt.

  10. Avatar Randy & Terry M says:

    We went last week because the foodie said they had fried clam rolls and lobster rolls. WOW. They are good. Can’t believe they have the fresh Ipswich clams. We’re going back this weekend. We no longer have to drive to Faneuil Hall for good lobster and fried clam rolls!

  11. Avatar Beach Eater says:

    This is an outstanding seafood restaurant, as expected. But I have to say that if I wasn’t tempted by the excellent seafood, I’d order nothing but the fried chicken and the Parker House rolls, which are out of this world. I have not seen fried chicken this good at the beach outside of Georgia House, which is really Millsboro and not the beach. Matt Haley has a winner with this place. I REALLY hope it stays that way.

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