Shorebreak Lodge is under NEW ownership. We will re-post a new review. In the meantime I will leave the old food review posted FYI. Note info re the new owners below.
First, a bit of Rehoboth history: How many of you remember Mimi’s Fruit Bowl? The little health-food stand opened almost 35 years ago on the ocean block of Rehoboth Avenue near Louie’s. The owners’ son, Rob Stitt (now sadly passed away), commuted from Pennsylvania to help his mom and dad on the weekends. They eventually moved across the street where Cilantro restaurant now stands, naming the modest snack bar Eden Garden Café. Around that same time, Betsy LeRoy’s Pizza by Elizabeths was churning out Wilmington-style pies next door to the Middle-Eastern-flavored Camel’s Hump (now home to JAM Bistro) over on Baltimore Avenue. After the Rehoboth location morphed into the upscale and jazzy Ocean Club, the now full-fledged restaurateur Rob moved into that space – the home of today’s Eden. By year three, Rob had had it. It sold in two weeks. Washington, D.C. entrepreneurs Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker not only kept Eden successful, but also spawned JAM Bistro.
After a rather long hiatus, Rob took over the instantly failed Cosmopolitan Restaurant on Wilmington Avenue and turned it into Shorebreak Lodge. In spite of the fact that he never advertised, the restaurant's consistently good food and service quickly had it filled virtually every night. Yet again, Rob got tired of the daily grind, and Shorebreak Lodge was purchased in mid-2017 by Kate Wall.
As of very early 2024, Kate has sold the restaurant to Ben Winiarczyk (one of Rehoboth's best-known bartenders) and his wife Diane. As of this writing, they will re-open in early February 2024. In the meantime, I'll keep the old review and photos posted, as I believe Ben isn't going to rattle any chains by replacing some of Stitt's “core” items.
Shorebreak Lodge1/19 
crab cakes2/19 
Yup. 10 Wilmington.3/19 
creme brulee4/19 
grilled octopus5/19 
pork belly w/jicama slaw and an egg for good measure.6/19 
pork belly & scallops. It will return (I hope)7/19 
Szechuan string beans8/19 
Shorebreak Lodge9/19 
The surf & surf (gotta LOVE those scallops)10/19 
Shortrib/scallop surf & turf11/19 
The Thai chili wings12/19 
Smoked chili watermelon gazpacho13/19 
Pork Shank entree14/19 
Shorebreak Lodge15/19 
Shorebreak Lodge16/19 
Shorebreak Lodge17/19 
Shorebreak Lodge18/19 
Shorebreak Lodge19/19
The menu is still divided into “Gather,” “Hunt,” “Fish,” and “Eat.” Some of the stars in Gather include the hummus dip, the wild mushroom bruschetta and the brie & naan. Hunt contains the popular Thai Chili Chicken Wings.
The Seared Duck Breast and the LaFrieda Burger (assembled with 3 types of beef by LaFrieda Butcher Shop in the Bronx and sold fresh nationally) are still quite good.
Shorebreak was home to some of the best charred octopus here at the beach. Hopefully that will continue. On our last visit, we had the shrimp & grits and of course the dayboat scallops. Scroll through the gallery to see the latest incarnations of some of these great dishes.
Shorebreak Lodge is at 10 Wilmington Avenue, next door to Mariachi Mexican Restaurant and across from Penny Lane. Call for reservations at 302-227-1007.
Off-season Specials & Hours
Specials & Moods change quickly. Always call a restaurant first.10 Wilmington Ave.
(302) 227-1007
Happy Hour 4 - 5:30 at the bar and on the patio!
Happy Hour 4 - 5:30 at the bar and on the patio!
Dinner for Two Buy One Entree Get Second Entree 50% OFF!
(Open Thanksgiving 1 - 8)
Happy Hour 4 - 5:30 at the bar and on the patio!
Happy Hour 4 - 5:30 at the bar and on the patio!
We’ve been coming here since they opened, but Shorebreak has gone seriously downhill over the last few years. They haven’t changed the menu in years and the quality and flavor is nowhere near where it used to be. Service is profoundly lacking.
I had the Surf&Turf last night and it was delicious. 2 nice sized scallops with 2 generous cuts of Short Rib. I could cut the Short Rib with a fork. Great taste and great value. Friday Night buy one entree get second half off. I will definitely go back.
Had a great table for two in the corner at the window. The bar was packed at 530. Grapefruit Martinis, octopus, scallops, and shrimp appetizers and we were in heaven. Service was exceptional. We love this place.
By far my favorite place at the beach these days! The pork belly and egg ? Breakfast for dinner! The scallops are plump and perfectly cooked every time (my hubby us a fan of their surf and turf). I had an amazing piece of amberjack on Valentine’s Day. And the last time we were in we nibbled off the happy hour menu: nothing disappointed!
My husband, friend, and I just ate at Shorebreak tonight for the first time. How have we missed this fantastic gem of a restaurant? Before I mention the food, I must give praise to the capable waitstaff – as professional as any in a high end restaurant, but with a casual and friendly (but not in a TGIFriday’s way) attitude. This is a restaurant for adults for sure, which makes it quite a lovely oasis. Even parents need a break! Now, on to the food – the shrimp and grits, yes! The mashed potatoes with kim chi, of course! The octopus – more please! The dayboat scallops appetizer – seconds! Beets and chèvre – meh, they can’t all be winners. Pumpkin pie cheesecake could have used a sprinkle more sugar, but the chocolate pie with pecans was spot on. Our drinks were strong, the prices relatively reasonable, and a good time was had by all. Will we return? Like waves to a beach.
Have always loved Shorebreak Lodge, since they opened. The menu is different from anything else you can get in Rehoboth, and for me, the cocktails are the best in town. For some reason, the eastern shore seems to have been swept by a mania for sweet cocktails that taste like dessert. At Shorebreak I can the perfect Manhattan, or ask the bartender to make me something special. I love that. The octopus is to die for, I get it every time. The re-decoration is an amazing change, it’s gorgeous. I love eating at the bar, it’s so cozy.
Foodie… we’ve been following you since you started this site. We love your writing. We just wanted to tell you that your article about shorbreak lodge is one of the best you have ever written. We know the restaurant is good, but we’re talking about the quality of your writing in this one.
Despite all the other writing you are doing for other papers and things, you haven’t lost it.
THanks for doing this. We really needed it around here.
I simply LOVE the new menu, look, and staff. 5 stars, One of the BEST resturants in Rehoboth.
I am in love with Shorebreak Lodge. The very best food I’ve had in Rehoboth since the early days of Salt Air. Rob is a very talented Chef. The Watermelon Gazpacho and Crab and Lentil soups were probably the best bowls of soup I’ve ever had. Mussels with avocado were delicious and so unique. Skate in brown butter with dried cherries was wonderful and such a large portion for an appetizer. Also sampled some sides- the savory tomato bread pudding and cheesy risotto both stood out. On our second visit we had the Monkfish over Panzanella Salad and the Artic Char with cauliflower almond puree, mushrooms and asparagus- both fantastic. Looking forward to many quiet relaxing meals here this fall because I guarantee there will be a line out the door next summer.
6 of us had a great dinner last night at Shorebreak. Food was tasty and interesting. Service was knowledgeable, fun, and efficient. Standouts amongst the 6 of us included short ribs and scallops with risotto (“surf and turf”),watermelon salad, kale and leeks, and watermelon gazpacho. Mussels might have been a tad overcooked but were flavorful and the broth was yummy!! We think Shorebreak is a winner and look for a long and successful stint on the RB restaurant scene!!!
My wife, KeKe, and I went there [last week].
We like food out of the ordinary and ordered a very good skate in brown butter sauce and a new twist on Surf and Turf.
Braised short ribs and huge grilled scallops. The ribs were seasoned just so and the scallops quickly seared like tuna. Grilled outside, cool center.