Chelsea Tavern
821 North Market St, Wilmington, DE, 19801
Chelsea Tavern Menu
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Address :
821 North Market St
Wilmington, DE, 19801 - Phone (302) 300-1634
- Website https://www.chelseatavern.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kate F.
Chelsea Tavern is definitely my favorite brunch in Wilmington, and it's surprisingly easy to get in and get a table even at prime brunch hours. The highlights: Monkey Bread - Cinnamon-sugary doughy goodness in its own little personal cast-iron skillet. Tried it on my first visit and haven't been able to NOT order it since. The Chelsea Bagel Sandwich: This breakfast sandwich is everything you want a breakfast sandwich to be. The everything bagel is perfectly crisp without being burnt. The sausage-egg-cheddar combo plays well with the maple mayo for a sweet-yet-savory sandwich that solves the inevitable savory vs sweet brunch dilemma. Philly Cheesesteak Benedict - This special menu item was a little much for me, but BF loved it. It was exactly how it sounds: Eggs Benedict meets cheesesteak --- all on a pretzel roll. Bonus points for $5 Mimosas and a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar. I'll pass on: The pancake-battered bacon --- this was essentially a piece of bacon encased in thick funnel-cake like dough. Not as fabulous as it sounded.
(4)Amanda R.
I hate to give this place a 3 but the food was terrible and way over priced! Our server was fantastic but not enough to make up for the food. We had the crab panini which was just ok since it really had no flavor. The crab dip was way too fishy. The honey chipotle wings were mainly honey and the chicken was really salty for some reason. Also, I went to victory brewing company in Kennett Square 2 days prior and bought 2 bottles of Helios and 2 other items for $11... At Chelsea, I paid $11 for one Helios. Outrageous!
(2)Caitlin M.
This is a little late, but still worth a post. We went here before the Hannibal Buress show with the naive idea that it wouldn't be packed. Well that was dumb. This place was wall to wall people and there was a line at the hostess. Thinking we were out of luck, but wanting to hear it from the hostess herself, we waited a minute and asked if there was any hope of being seated. The hostess said sure, with one catch, would we mind being seated downstairs? Having no idea what was in store, we said yes. We were lead downstairs into their beer/wine cellar where there are a few tables and light candlelight everything is away from the noise. Somehow we lucked into the best seats in the house. We had a really enjoyable dinner with a nice beer selection and amazing ambiance. I would recommend this place, but I would recommend this table most of all. Ask for it if you can, it is just really nice and you feel special. Would be really good for a date.
(4)Haley G.
Bloody Mary make-your-own bar!! AWESOME PLACE. Was so happy we stopped in for Saturday brunch. Had the breakfast nachos... large portion and super tasty. In Wilmington where not much is open is open on the weekend it seems, this was an awesome place to go.
(5)Jessie H.
UPDATE: Okay I came back again and the farmhouse burger is their best thing. I got the pastrami rueban, the meat was dry. It came with coleslaw but still felt dry. I had to give this 4 stars instead of 5. They have "flight club" on Tuesdays, 5 sample mini drafts and food for 10 bucks- good deal! I think's between 5-7pm- check though.
(4)Edward V.
"Wilmington is closed on Sunday"...until we arrived at the Chelsea...curbside sitting suck us in, beside we were starving and the marketplace, our first choice was closed on Sunday, no regrets...Not the most favor greeting upon arrival but it was easy to move forward...the Sunday Bruch menu was available and loaded with several specials so we dove in and selected the Lox Benedict and the Veggie Frittata...Our starter was a standard Mimosa and a Manmosa (Wheat Beer, KettleOne and OJ) Anthony our server was an exMusician type who was very personable and super nice...he had no problem with our request and keep us hydrated throughout our visit... The drinks and food were presented in a timely manner but I noticed that my LB was missing home fries and upon request the manager brought them out within 60 sec. Both the LB and HF were excellent and the eggs were runny like a nose! The VF was huge and loaded with a ton of veggies and appeared to outline an iron skillet complimented with a sizable amount of HF. (Home Fries seem to be their specialty) Total experience was enjoyable even though it was in the high 80's. The tables are shade by umbrellas, a Yelp Checkin got us 20% Off one entree... Inside they have a decent size bar with Flat Screen and a large dining room...they are convenient located in the nexus...Grand Opera is directly across the street, World Cafe Live is two blocks down and the DuPont Hotel is two blocks up...prices are more than fair! I now have my Rewards Card and this will now be my Team Building location. Bring you pup and CIO!
(5)Mike N.
The wings were so incredible that I went back a second night and had more. Great service and great food. Who can ask for anything more when visiting Wilmington?!
(5)Amy L.
Delicious!!!!! This is a great spot in downtown Wilmington! Burgers are fantastic! Tried the pork nachos and WOOOOOWW!!! FRESHLY MADE BRIOCHE BUNS EVERY DAY!!!
(5)Ana C.
Wow, accidental win while traveling through a new town for the first time! Driving through Wilmington & started getting hangry, this place was open on a Monday night in downtown when other places had been closed for hours, so ate there. Super we good food, a nice pint of brew, & great service to boot!
(4)Doug D.
I really enjoyed my pre-concert meal at the Chelsea tavern. First of all their beer selection has to be one of the best I've ever seen. The menu is laid out beautifully for any beer enthusiast. We split the calamari which had to be one of the best flavored fried calamari ever. The peppers were hot without being overpowering. We can split the Chelsea pizza. Very very good pizza great flavor, Great blend of cheese. Prices were reasonable and the service was extremely good. Very attentive. They also honored the yelp 20% off coupon without issue. we will definitely be back.
(5)Carmen B.
Another excellent restaurant here in Wilmington. A lot of fun and very friendly staff to accommodate your needs. Another one f our favorites
(5)Michael N.
Great overall experience. I had the white chicken chili soup and asian tuna salad, both were very delicious! Bartender was great and very knowledgeable on the food and beer menu. Solid beer selection plus a 20% off 1st time Yelp user! Will definately go back.
(5)Vincent K.
It took about an hour for the food to show up and it's all brunch food. Watched some of it sit under the heat lamp for at least 15 minutes. Food was only okay, I will not be back.
(1)Justin G.
Mixed drinks are weak. Order either straight liquor or beer. And definitely don't ask for music. The bartender will tell you it's on even though it's not. Don't be fooled it's not a Jedi mind trick
(1)Alex P.
This place is right across the street from the Grand opera house il Wilmington. So it is s go to spot for the pre concert/event gathering The menu is small but there seems to be something there for everyone. The food is good the burgers fine, the pastrami outstanding, the pizza average, the salads small for the price. IMHO there are way too many beer choices and where there are that many choices I often question how fresh it can be. Prices are high for the quality but the atmosphere is great and it is very convenient
(3)Jennifer T.
The decor here is pretty with strong red and black undertones and it's right across the street from the Grand Opera House. However, my server neglected to ask me how everything was or if my food was alright. They have a huge hype about the breakfast nachos that were honestly unpalatable. The menu also says there are home fries included--be warned that I had to ask for them which were delivered once I was done with my meal and in the shape of cubes, not fries. My friend got the breakfast mac and cheese which was topped with a fried egg, this was tasty but we had to dig for the bacon in the bottom. If it wasn't for the extravagant Bloody Mary bar and location, I wouldn't return.
(3)Matthew E.
I had the chicken Caesar which was average, nothing special. The menu looked good though, I am just trying to eat healthier today. The reason for 3 stars is SLOW SERVICE. Greeting was even slow! This was during lunch so you would think they could turn the tables quicker. Server was nice though. Maybe I will try it for dinner or when I am not on a schedule.
(3)Kevin D.
Lunch today was just what the doctor ordered. A damp dreary spring day was made tolerable thanks to the warmth of the butternut squash bisque. This was combined with the grilled cheese and pear sandwich and a small but appropriate spinach salad. The comfort factor of a soup and grilled cheese done with a gourmet touch. The server Crystal was spot on and very nice. Just enough spice in the soup, and amazing combination of cheeses and pear. A meatless Friday never had it so good.
(4)Veronica S.
I probably eat at Chelsea Tavern way more than I should. Not because I think the food is so great but more out of convenience really. I've had some decent food there but I'd have to say much like their big (or little) Ernest & Scott the taste level doesn't match the price level. The food at Chelsea is good and sometimes merely good enough, but not great. It's rather pricey and there are some hits and misses. Their pizza looks good though I've never had it. The cheese plate lacked variety. The meatloaf didn't live up to expectations. I went once on a date and my companion had roast chicken which looked amazing. It came with brussel sprouts which I tried and loved. I loved them so much I went back again to order them. Sadly they weren't the same. Their soft pretzels are nothing more than glorified salted bread sticks. Don't get me wrong I love bread sticks and these good, though sometimes too salty. They are warm and tasty but don't taste or feel anything like a pretzel. $7 is a bit much for a bread basket. Wilmington has launched a stay in town campaign with participating restaurants all of which offer a $4.95 special due to the closing of the 495. So I went recently to try Chelsea's. Which is their happy hour burger. The burger is typically $5 at happy hour. A good price though I'd never tried it. I ordered the burger and it arrived with absolutely nothing on it except cheese. I found that a bit shocking. Not even a pickle. Lucky for me I sometimes enjoy a plain burger. I added ketchup and mayo. The burger of course was mediocre. I mean how good could it be really? A frozen patty though it had smokey char to it that was nice. Halfway through the waitress came to check on me. I asked her why the burger had nothing on it. She said that's how they serve it but she could bring me some lettuce and tomato if I like. Halfway done I think not. I told her I might have taken her up on that offer had she told me in advance. I've tried several of their desserts, none of which I'd be tempted to try again. They were good, or once again sometimes merely good enough. But not good enough to make me order again. They do have Cheesecake Factory cheesecake though I've never had it there i'm sure its fantastic.
(3)Jesse G.
Don't bother. I wanted to like this place so much. For NYC prices, I expect NYC service and food. Pear salad overdressed. Fries over breaded. Cheese on a pulled pork sandwich? Really? Yuck. Rude service on all fronts. The bartender's comment on my recent engagement was that it would either be the best or worst decision of my life. As I am very much in love with my fiancé, a simple "Congratulations" would have sufficed. And yes, a shot of Cafe Patron for $9 IS a little rich for my blood. As it should be for everyone's, as I get the same shot in Brooklyn for $5. The food is not terrible, but I would never go back. Honestly, it soured my whole experience with Wilmington in general. They get 2 stars for promptness, because even if the food wasn't great, we didn't have to linger.
(2)Mark K.
enjoyable spot right across from the grand Opera House. Lots of wine and beer choices. Food is very good, but I wish they would vary the menu
(4)Richard K.
It's ok if you don't mind waiting an hour to get your food.
(2)Michael B.
Very impressive for my first time there. We got the Chelsea pizza and bourbon chicken. Both were amazing! Very flavorful and rich. Beer selection is amazing too! We sat downstairs which highly recommend.
(4)Tommy G.
A bunch of us ate here the other night. The $26 highly touted (by the waiter) scallops with risotto all agreed were awful. Ditto the (similarly recommended) meatloaf. Even the not picky eaters were complaining about the food. It was by far the worst food I've had yet in Wilmington. Most of us did not feel well after eating there for most of the night. So there's that. The service was pretty good. If I was drinking beer I'd probably have been happy with the selection.
(2)Craig J.
Nice beer selection and off the beat and path.. Wait staff great as is the food... Will go back next time I'm in town..
(5)Patrick G.
I have been to this restaurant a couple of times. I have yet to have a bad meal. The wait staff was excellent. The bar scene is very nice and drinks are well made.
(5)Courtney T.
I am not a picky eater, but I have to say the food here was not good. I ordered the beef short rib and my boyfriend got the steak frites. The steak was okay because it's kind of hard to screw that up, but the short rib was so salty I could barely eat it. The kids got the cheese pizza and when I tried it (it looked good and I was hungry) it was soggy!! The service was also lacking. We sat down and weren't greeted for at least 10 minutes before the waiter got us waters. It took forever to order and the food took about 45 mins to come out. The restaurant wasn't even that busy! Not to mention everything on the menu is overpriced.
(2)Tom E.
I love this place. Great spot to head to when you are seeing a show at the Grand. If you go there ask for waitperson Meg. She rocked! My buddy got the fried pickle and a Titos martini made perfectly. My friend got the Trout special and a nice glass of wine. I had the to-die-for short rib mac and cheese and two different beers from their wonderful list of tapped beers. They even held it in the fridge so I could go in after the show to take the leftovers home with me. I love this place.
(5)Matt B.
Great pub food and great beer selection! Flight Club is every Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. $10 gets you a flight of five brews plus food.
(5)Angela R.
This is one of my favorite go to places. The flavor profiles are spot on, and are AMAZING!. We have gone on some of the special menu nights, and the best thing I've ever eaten was from Chelsea Tavern......the bacon wrapped scallops with the noodles and smoked tomato cream sauce was outstanding!. The waiters and waitresses are knowledgeable and often genius with pairings, and I LOVE the breakfast nachos. It is one of the best kept secrets in Wilmington.
(5)Moses S.
I came here last night for a meal as I'm in town for work. Downtown Wilmington isn't exactly a bastion of restaurants and nightlife it seems. Walked in around 6pm to an empty restaurant with a full bar, which was pretty funny. I sat down at a high top table and the bartender served me. Nice guy, good service, nothing to complain about there. I ordered a dirty martini, which was on the strong side, but I'm not complaining. I ordered the pork belly tacos and bacon wrapped meatloaf. (I love me some bacon) The pork belly tacos were pretty sad. The pork belly was deep fried, but I feel as though it was fried for way too long, or perhaps the pork belly was old, but when I think pork belly, i think crispy, fatty goodness, which this was not. it was also room temp, which i thought was weird. The black bean slaw was ok, but I thought it could have used some zing, like tart or spicy, so I added sriracha, which helped. The bacon wrapped meatloaf was interesting, it had char marks, which made me believe it was a meatloaf that was cut, then heated up on the grill. That would have been nice, but the meatloaf was hot in some places and rather luke warm in other. Reminded me of a microwave plate (or maybe they just have cold spots on the grill). The bacon was pretty laughable, like the 99 cent bacon you get. it was thin, wirely, and did not look appetizing. perhaps since it wrapped the meatloaf, it was also soggy (which i don't particularly like). Service was 5 stars, but the food was lacking.
(2)Liz P.
I went here with friends before a show at the Grand. It was convenient but I was very disappointed after hearing good things about it. The decor was blah, the host rude, the service slow and the food was just decent. I had grilled cheese with tomato soup and a salad and it was about what I would make at home if I were in a rush (and I hate to cook and am not a foodie). The cheese in the sandwich was good but the bread wasn't buttered so it didn't taste like much. The soup tasted about like canned soup and the salad was just craisins on spinach leaves with some dressing on top. My friends enjoyed their meal more than I did but no one thought it was great. I didn't order dessert like the rest of my group did because I was afraid that the sweats would be as blah as the dinner. It's like the cool kid who tries to be aloof and hip but in reality there isn't much past the surface.
(2)Carissa L.
I wanted to come here for NYE, and when we arrived they said they were totally booked. The problem was that neither open table nor Chelsea Tavern's website said they were booked. So, we went somewhere else. Not cool... But when we came back a few nights ago, we got to taste the food. It was pretty good and the staff was just the right amount of attentive and accommodating. I had the grilled cheese with tomato soup and salad. I really enjoyed how surprisingly hearty the soup was (not hearty as in chunky; hearty as in comforting/filling). The salad didn't really go with the meal but it was nice to have some greens on the plate. My dining companion had the vegetarian option, which had quinoa pilaf and fried zucchini. The pilaf was great and so full of veggies, and the fried zucchini was good, but I thought it could have used something - maybe more salt. Overall, pretty good. I would come back here, but if it's a night that promises to be pretty busy, it's a good idea to call ahead instead of relying on the internet...
(3)Leigh M.
My bf and I came here for pre-drinks/apps before going to a show at the Grand. It was a Tuesday night and the place was hopping! (We arrived at 6:15, left by 7:40). Restaurant tables were full and bar seating was at capacity (bar area is not that big). We were looking for a seat at the bar and eyed a couple paying their tab so only had to wait a few minutes to grab their seats. Bartenders were happy, helpful and attentive. Got our drinks (dirty martini and scotch neat) and ordered two apps - he got the trio of fries and I got the loaded brussels. Trio was regular fries, sweet potato fries and onion strings with a spicy aioli. Very good! The loaded brussels...holy moly...were delicious. Think loaded baked potato except replace the potato with crispy brussels sprout. This was our first visit and it is definitely worth a return trip!
(4)Alexa R.
My husband and I made an early reservation last night. When we arrived the bar area was full and there were a handful of open tables outside on Market Street. It was really nice to see. We decided to sit outside and had a really great server. We started with the pulled pork nachos, which were awesome. I had the ahi tuna salad, which came with a HUGE piece of tuna. I could only eat half of it. The salad was perfectly dressed. Tuna was served on top of arugula, cashews, carrots and edamame. My husband had the duck confit pizza - also delicious. We both had two drinks (hey, someone was babysitting our son!) and used a 20% off coupon we received from checking in on Yelp. All in all, it was 70 dollars. I still think the prices are a little high for downtown Wilmington, but we had a great time, great food and great service.
(4)Megan M.
Easy to get a last minute reservation for brunch on a Saturday. Sat us at a large booth, perfect since we had our two young children with us. We ordered the monkey bread appetizer to start our brunch and it arrived with a scoop of ice cream - very unexpected. Daughter had the chocolate chip pancakes, I had the burger and husband had the scrapple hash. Nothing was terrible, my burger was good and the trio of fries was nice and salty. Husband complained that his meal was overly salt and missing most of the onions and peppers. Did not have a bad experience but not really going to rush back either.
(3)Kristie S.
We were here on an out of state work trip and boy was I beyond satisfied. The food was delicious and the staff was beyond kind and welcoming!!
(5)Alexander B.
Didnt go for the dinner menu this evening, happy hour deal was excellent and a very good standard too. May have to have the pork belly tacos to go later.... Lol Bar tender is really nice and attentive. I like this place a lot, will always visit when in Wilmington.
(5)John H.
Stopped in for dinner before a show across the street at the Opera House. It could not have been more convenient. The service was good and my wife's fish and chip was good but my rare steak frittes was a solid medium-well. Our waiter offered desert on the manager. I would have rather had a rare steak. I would go back and give them another try but not order anything temperature-sensitive.
(3)Matt D.
I wasn't expecting much, but I found beer heaven within walking distance of my hotel. Chelsea Tavern has a fantastic beer selection with tons of variety, they allow you to sample, and there's a beer at every price level on tap. I was completely miffed that there are no draft beers on happy hour, but it is what it is. I ordered a pepperoni pizza off the happy hour menu and was pleasantly surprised. The pork belly tacos looked excellent and the fish and chips next to me had me wishing for a bigger stomach. I'll definitely visit when I come back to Wilmington.
(4)Claire B.
We were given a gift certificate for this restaurant and used it for dinner without the kids. :) Our waitress, Hilary, was very nice, attentive, and patient (we can be a bit indecisive). Overall very enjoyable. My husband was particularly impressed with the beer selection.
(4)Kendra H.
I came for brunch on Sunday and sat at the bar. Luckily, yelp offered a 20% off the check, so that came in handy. Overall, good service, quick food...although almost took quick for me. I had the turkey benedict, which I think probably doesn't take too much effort other than poaching some eggs and putting deli turkey meat on top. It was nothing to write home about, but good enough to fill me up. The portions were large too.
(3)Lorenzo A.
I have only been there for brunch but I thought the menu was good with a nice variety. We had a group of 8 and everyone liked there food,we definitely want to try it again for dinner
(4)Jay Q.
Interesting menu when I was there. I visited this spot twice and almost had a heart attach coming out of there after ordering and eating the deep friend burger with eggs and bacon on it! It wasn't as good as it sounds but it wasn't bad either. Full bar and good beers. Atmosphere is nice and this place has a lot of potential!
(3)GoBlue G.
I am so disappointed in Downtown Wilmington after 5. Such a Debbie downer. Walked in at 8:30ish and a ghost town. Bar tender ( never got her name ) was easy on the eyes and polite but she was not an ambassador for the establishment. Beer list is awesome, craft beer galore! We shared a Ommegang Hennepin. Big fans of the farm house ale! My wife and I shared a crab dip. It was okay but nothing over the top! Skimpy on crab and no visual appeal. Water front seems to have a bit more personality. Try for yourself maybe you'll have better luck. Not bad but nothing to bring us back!
(2)Sara H.
I honestly don't know why this place doesn't have a better rating. They always have a great selection of craft beers on tap. The bartender, Tim, is knowledgable and personable. I've never had a bad meal there. Definitely a place worth checking out.
(5)Jay W.
Went before going to a new years eve party. We were super late for our reservation, and they held our table. Staff was friendly and quick. I ordered a catfish po boy. The catfish and contents of the sandwich were really good, though the bread was way too hard. The fries were pretty good, served with a mustard sauce. I tried a fried pickle, which typically isn't my bag (baby), it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Nice beer selection, and from what I saw they make some interesting cocktails. To be honest, I didn't really look too much at the beer selection, they had Abita Turbodog on tap, so I ordered that. I'd like to go back to sample some more of their beer selection. They have a check in deal (I believe it was 20% off the bill), I was a little disapointed that they would not apply the deal to our whole party, but only to 4 of us. On the plus side, they applied to discount to the four most expensive entrees.
(3)Larry D.
Good food and good staff. Their pizza is the best oven fired pizza in Wilmington. Really great flavor! Owners care about their place. I'll be back!
(4)Valerie M.
The business emailed me that they had made the change to the website, so I'm upgrading their review.
(3)Ash R.
Chelsea Tavern is a regular place I go to. They have a wonderful beer selection that is updated often. The food is pretty good (I'd recommend the Chelsea burger, grilled peach and feta salad, calamari, or margherita pizza). Atmosphere is comfortable and nice. Overall, it's a great spot to get some beers and a bite to eat. Their brunch and Bloody Mary bar on Sundays is great as well.
(4)Kim H.
To sum it up: Overpriced food but great beer selection. They have 30+ beers on tap and 60+ beers by the bottle. Awesome! I love to try all kinds of different beer so on this particular night I tried the beer flight. For 13 dollars, they give you five 5oz beers. I'm not sure what method they use to pick the five beers, but on this night I got to try the Dogfish Head 60, Dogfish Head 90, Harpoon Docesna "100 Barrel Series #38", Ommegang Three Philosophers and the 16 Mile Brewing Harvest Ale. A good deal if you are adventurous and like to try different brews. The food honestly wasn't that great. I had the sautéed crab cake with pickled red onion and chipotle bacon aioli on brioche. It was OK, the bacon aioli was a disappointment, not that much flavor.....and the fries came out cold! Not good. Bottom line....I'd suggest skipping the food an just coming here for the beer.
(3)Robert Z.
Always enjoy this place. Great draft selection, fair priced wines by the glass, and a " different" menu that will inspire you to think a little before ordering. Good food, great location for theatres.
(5)Drew S.
I wandered in out of the cold on an impromptu day trip. I found friendly and attentive bartenders in Anita and Summer. I was THOROUGHLY intrigued when asked if I wanted to see the "beer list". Moi, want to see a beer list? Well yes please, I would. I supported my hoppy desires with a pale ale out of Pennsylvania (a PA PA perhaps?), and followed with another from NY. I combined them wish some beer battered and fried pickle wedges and just enjoyed the bar with some sports on TV as regulars rolled in. The bartenders were appropriately attentive to the regulars, but never forget me either. They even went out of their way to talk to me and try to get to know about me too. I'll tell you, if I ever pass through again, I'll spend more time at the Chelsea Tavern.
(4)Shawn S.
I enjoy the salads for lunch. I would come more often but it is pricier than most lunch spots in the area.
(5)Marty C.
Another great little spot in Wilmington Delaware. I had the Ahi tuna sandwich with a side salad. I like Ahi rare and they cooked it perfectly. Very cool little place to hang out ...great vibe !!!
(4)Marjorie V.
Yummy bacon Mac and cheese on the happy hour menu. So good with the tap snifter of Southern Tier Chocklat Imperial Stout and pint of Widmer Old Embalmer. Worth every penny (cost $20 for two people!) nice waitress.
(4)Aaliyah P.
My perfect dining equation is one part food /2 parts booze. Chelsea fit the bill! Celebratory brunch started with the sweet plate (apple fritters, blueberry and cranberry scones, chocolate chip muffins) the fitters had legit apple chunks along with a sweet maple glaze. They were flaky and fried to perfection for my consumption !!! Scones muffins were of the ordinary standard. We were a group of 7 so dishes varied the run down included - chipped beef with Kennett mushroom gravy, crab cake benedict, turkey benedict , vanilla waffles and omelets. The group agreed that the food was great as well as our server Lauren who kept waters full and me with a full mimosa whenever it ran low. My entrée was the crab cake benny- this benny different from any other ive had placed on two buttermilk biscuit halves with poached eggs and remoulade on the side. The crake cakes had a good flavor and the eggs were perfecto. The boy and I split a side of cheese grits (oh my, just like grandma makes) creamy buttery cheesy goodness. $5.00 mimosas and bloody mary bar makes this place worth a trip when in the area and ive already told at least 3 friends we have to come back and sit on the patio for brunch one Sunday.
(4)Greg F.
I really enjoy this place. It's too bad it doesn't get more foot traffic. If your in trolley and looking to explore (albeit 2 miles) I suggest chelsea. Their pizza is awesome, but I recommend the farmhouse burger. Maybe a bit pricey, but it's worth it in my opinion.
(5)Pete A.
Stayed at a nearby hotel. Not the greatest of neighborhoods but I walked over since it sounded interesting on Yelp. I got there and started with a pilsner. Great beer selection. Then I perused the menu and was disappointed. The menu was way too pretentious, overpriced, and trying way too hard. I had full intentions of having dinner here, but honestly found nothing that kept me there. I was not willing to shell out $14 at this place for a burger. At some places yes, but not here. I paid for my bill and went a few doors down to a great pizza place and thoroughly enjoyed myself there.
(2)Nick B.
Chelsea Tavern was solidly mediocre. The menu was vast, which is nice for an indecisive group of patrons, but nothing stood out particularly. The beer list was vast and exceptional - definitely the highlight of the evening. Overall, this was a fine place to grab a casual bite on a Monday evening.
(3)Leah H.
I wish there was a half star option because I'd give a 4.5 and not a 4. Hubby and I had a great late night snack after a show at the Grand Opera House. We started with the AMAZING handmade pretzels with pepper jack cheese. I was practically licking the cheese bowl at the end. We also had their brick oven pizza. I can't remember which one we picked, but I don't think it would matter because I'm sure they are all as equally awesome with their thin hand made garlicky crust drenched in olive oil. oh boy. So good. The wait staff was great once we got seated. I can't give a five star because of one thing. The restaraunt is immediately across the street from The Grand and the staff must have known what time the show would let out, but it seemed that they weren't prepared to seat the crowd that was coming through their door. Maybe it was an off night for them and it didn't ruin our nibbles - so no biggie. Happy carbing to you. Oh, and I'll definitely be back for the beer selection next time we're in town.
(4)Jessica B.
I really want to love Chelsea. It's convenient to my work. The beer list is excellent. I've had some tasty items (nachos, pretzels) and some subpar items (burger, fries, pizza). There's just something about the place that leaves me wishing we'd gone elsewhere. If anything, if go for nachos and beer before or after a queen event.
(3)Jess D.
nice beer selections, food is good nothing great
(3)Shana H.
I ordered the Pineapple Thyme Sea Scallops which came with an English Pea and Exotic Mushroom Risotto with Cured Lemon Sauce and it was delicious. I ordered take out on my way home from work so I can't comment on the service, however, my meal deserves the 4/5. A little less lemon cured sauce and it would've earned a 5/5.
(4)Donna E.
Since the weather was so nice on Sunday, we wanted to take the kids out for dinner and thanks to Yelp, we ended up at the Chelsea Tavern in Wilmington, Delaware. Walking in,the place wasn't very crowded but the atmosphere was nice...clean and modern. We sat down and my husband tried the craft beer of the month which he enjoyed. We started with the beer battered pickle wedges and the crispy fresh fried calamari. The pickles were different than we were used to; they were spears instead of chips and they were sweeter instead of tart. My kids didn't love them, but my husband and I enjoyed them with the chili horseradish aioli sauce that accompanied them. The fried calamari on the other hand was delicious! It was light and crispy with slices of cherry peppers and a nice creamy smoked tomato aioli sauce drizzled on top. My daughter got the short rib Mac & cheese and it was impressive! It was slow cooked beef short rib shredded & mixed in with a delicious Chelsea lager & pepper jack cheese thick elbow macaroni with oven roasted cherry tomatoes that burst in your mouth when bit into them. At $20, it's on the pricey side, but they gave you so much that it was enough for 2 to 4 people; we took more home than we ate and we all sampled it because it looked & tasted so good. I had a special that was out of this world too. It was a piece of salmon grilled to perfection with fried ricotta gnocchis, broccoli rabe all on top of a mushroom cream sauce that was excellent. Again, with appetizers, I brought about half home and had it for lunch today. My other daughter had the Caesar salad with grilled steak, my husband had the burger on a brioche bun and my son had chicken wings with a side of fries; all delicious and all brought home because it was too much to eat. Although we were stuffed, there's always room for dessert so we shared the classic brownie sundae which yummy and another out of this world creation, the house made chocolate chip & banana bread pudding...DEELISH! It was this wonderful, warm bread pudding topped with strawberry (yes strawberry!) ice cream, caramel sauce & walnuts. Now we finished the desserts so there were no to go bags needed for that! This place was unexpected and really great! I think they are known for their craft beers, but the food is something that every foodie should experience because you won't be disappointed!
(5)Gregg B.
I am a quasi regular at Chesea. Full disclosure, I have a thousand dollars in gift cards for the place. I am a fan needless to say, (my wife and I are at the Grand monthly). Great beer selection, well cooked (and properly cooked) food. I am good with that. It's a nice place to catch a brew, the game and a meal. But, and here it is, the service isn't really service sometimes. I just left there not an hour ago , (Sat. 10/3)and the waitress could not have been less attentive....and actually not good and heres the kicker, there were SEVEN people in the place, of which she had responsibility for six. My buddy and I were two of the six. Point being, she didn't have much to do....but be attentive, helpful etc. The food should have been hotter, the beer should have been delivered sooner, (I went to the bar myself to get the last beer). Simply put, she should find another occupation or get into what she is doing now and try and do it well, even if your heart is not into it. Gregg.
(4)Jason N.
Used the lower level private dining room for a dinner meeting with a prix fixe menu. However, the dishes were great and I was very impressed. Service and staff were friendly and efficient. Dinner started with a baby spinach salad that were crisp leaves with soft stems. The goat cheese squares were soft and crumbly with layers of flavor. The vinaigrette had a smooth yet crisp taste that highlighted the pecans, spinach, and cheese without overpowering it. The herb marinated fillet with a gorgonzola butter was rich with a juicy core. The fillet had an excellent crust with deep flavor. Broccolini was garlicky and had a good bite to it. The stalks were crisp yet soft with soft tops. The British style strawberry cheesecake was excellent. The british style cake was heavy with a tight crumb that was still moist. The rum macerated strawberries were juicy with a moderate sweetness that was not too syrupy. It was excellent dessert and dinner. I would return to the restaurant for meals. The other nice plus for the restaurant is that there is a parking agreement with the nearby Doubletree hotel. If you park there they will knock the parking fee off your dinner bill.
(4)Kent H.
The steak frites were good. Would have preferred the steak whole, rather than them cutting it, making it cold fast and losing all of the juices. I might have given 3 stars because it was not bad at all. The salad, while it's a bit oily, the pickled onion and other items were a good touch. I came here a second round and had the fried mac n cheese, which turned out a bit dry on the inside. To top it off, the double cheese burger pizza was a let down. The sweet potato fries were burnt to black and the pizza was dry. It was not moist at all.
(2)Redro 9.
We're regulars at Chelsea, and we're never disappointed! We generally sit in the bar area, and the bartenders are friendly and attentive. The food is all delicious! We recommend the pizza (any of them) and the farmhouse burger (Yummmm)! Whether you're heading to a show across the street or just out for a casual evening, you can't go wrong with Chelsea!
(5)Kevin M.
This place has a great beer selection, friendly staff and some great food. If you are out and about on Market St, def check this place out.
(4)Joel B.
I'm reluctant to give 3 stars but need to based on my first visit. My first visit I sat at a high top table in the bar area and had very good food and service. As this place is very close to the hotel I am staying at I decided to go back tonight. When I walked in the bar area was full with no seat to be had so I decided to sit in the dinning room. I was promptly seated........ And that was it! The dinning room was about 20% full and there were servers in the area. From my seat I could see several employees back by the kitchen talking to each other. There was a table next to mine that was seated after I was and before I knew it they had water..... Then they had beer and wine. I still sat there with nothing and was not even acknowledged as servers walked right past my table. After 15 minutes of this I got up and walked out. I'm back at my hotel restaurant with mediocre food but at least it's very pleasant, prompt service. Chelsea Tavern I really want to give you 5 stars but right now I'm struggling to give you 3.
(3)Lexi B.
K, Chelsea is the SHIT! They catered my wedding @ The Grand Opera House and omg it was perfect. Stephanie, their Special Events Director is so amazing and a JOY to work with. I can't say enough good about her. She really stepped it up and went above and beyond for my big day. Had to update my previous rating, because they're officially the best thing thats happening on Market Street.
(5)Steve H.
The food here is always top notch. The beer selection is probably the best in Wilmington, and the service is good. I recommend the Mac and Cheese. It varies on the whim of the chef, but it is always delicious.
(5)Jon S.
Like the place but there's never been a more "hit or miss" spot in Wilmington. Food is good overall, the servers are attentive, the bartenders... well it depends who's working. Some are great, others couldn't care less and will ignore you until it's time to pay. Overall a good place, but if you're gonna eat at the bar go when a Bartender you know and like is there or be prepared to play with your phone through your whole meal.
(3)Katherine K.
I had the Purple Haze beer which was awesome. Had the mahi mahi which melted in your mouth and was grilled to perfection. I really enjoyed everything and thought everything was reasonably priced. Service was great and they were friendly. I would recommend it.
(5)Rachel Danielle S.
Ladies can be dressy, gentleman can do jeans. Casual seems fine, too :-) The menu is creative & decadent! The white buffalo chili is an original - an instant comfort-food favorite with a grown-up twist of satisfying back heat from the chiles; the creaminess of sophisticated mac & cheese due to the pork belly and poblano cheese. It doesn't come with a side of bread, chips or tortilla strips, nor does it need one! I suggest getting some to go to eat late*night or for tv*watching the next day! (And, on a healthier note, chili with beans IS healthier than pasta ;-) The pumpkin waffles w/vanilla ice cream and brown sugar-bacon crumbles is NOT to be missed! Fab enough to break fast over! p.s. not the best lighting with which to take food pics; however, the lighting IS very flattering, ladies ;-)
(4)D. N.
Came to town for a wedding and found myself pleasantly surprised by this cool bar. Pretty good buffalo chicken sandwich and good beer selection, though they were out of a Dogfish 61-minute that I had never heard of - would have been cool to try, but they had plenty of other solid options.
(4)Jacob S.
Caprese salad was daring and delicious. Plus, Justin was hospitable and welcoming. I'll be back (but not in the Arnold schwerzanager way).
(5)Bob B.
Yelp reviews on this place were pretty much spot on. Hit the happy hour, excellent $5 food specials. Nice drink specials. Pleasant atmosphere. Diverse crowd. Service so-so: not bad, just non-inspiring. For what it is, where it is, I'd go back if staying in downtown Wilmington.
(3)Perry H.
Stopped in for a late lunch at the recommendation of someone we were visiting and I must say I was not impressed. The waiter was a bit on the awkward side making the entire experience nerve-racking. I just wanted him to stay away even if my water glass was empty...the silverware was dirty also, luckily I didn't have to use them for my meal... My wife and I had the lollipop chipotle chicken wings with stilton dressing which were the highlight of the meal. They were a bit over-sauced but some would be into that. The trio fries were pretty good as well, but nothing outstanding and from my count its a duo of fries (regular & sweet potato w/ fried leeks). The pizza, on the other hand, had a very bland crust, and was overall very tasteless (shrimp, pesto, & sun-dried tomato). For their prices the food should knock me out, but sadly it didn't. I think our final tab with two beers (and tip) was around $50. There was a total of 4 diners in the restaurant when we were there and I think I counted 14 staff members from kitchen to front-of-house. There must have been quite a crew coming in for Happy Hour... The beer list was okay, although they were out of what I wanted. Overall I guess the place is okay, it seems like more of a meet-up have a drink place rather than a restaurant (even though there are a lot of seats). The menu seems appealing but its all over the place and I feel instead of focusing on perfecting one style of food they have settled for doing a little of everything just okay. The menu is quite pretentious for the overall outcome - lollipop chicken wings...really?
(2)Loren C.
More of a 3.5. Service is a little slow and the food is good even if it is rather pricey. Beer selection is fantastic and very varied. Food was good fries are very tasty, the buffalo chicken was a little soggy with too much sauce etc and salad was attempting too much with too little. It's a good little place.
(4)Kirk W.
Service good. Salmon BLT ok. Regular fries had a few sweet potato fries mixed in. Not sure if that was intended or not. Fries greasy.
(3)Ray F.
Great food. An exciting menu and an atmosphere to match. I was here not long ago before a show at the Grand across the street. It's the perfect place for dinner before a show. I had the pork belly tacos for an appetizer which were excellent. Then the fish and chips for the main course. They used two huge pieces of catfish and had a Cajun sauce on the plate for dipping. It was great. This is not a place for a quiet meal. It was busy, as it was right before a show and another show had just ended. We did wait awhile for our food but considering the circumstance it was understandable. We were done with plenty of time to get to our seats across the street. The only other negative was that our waitress either did not have a working knowledge of the extensive beer menu or she was too busy to share it with us. As a result I did not get to try anything exotic, as I would have liked.
(4)Todd G.
Beer was fantabulous and I sandwich was a little piece that I'd like to call Heaven in my mouth. LOL
(5)David C.
They have outstanding food at reasonable prices, conscientious staffers, and a fantastic beer list. In the barren wasteland of Wilmington, it's nice to have such a well-appointed, intelligently run establishment.
(5)Anita M.
Great Beer Selection. Great Food. Friendly Staff.
(5)Nate M.
Great beer selection and yummy looking menu. Too bad we never got to try either since we sat for 15 minutes with ZERO contact from the staff. Oh well, their loss, we were going to eat dinner and lunch the next day.
(1)Julekha D.
I can't believe how good the food is here! We went here last night before the David Gray concert as it's across the street from the Grand Opera House. I got the jerk mahi mahi and chopped salad and husband got the blackened catfish po' boy and beet salad. The mahi was perfectly cooked and seasoned and it came with rice and a corn and pepper side. I'm not even a fan of rice, but this rice had a distinct curry flavor that made it so toasty. Corn was nicely charred. The catfish was spicy and savory. It came with piping hot sweet-potato fries with a great horseradish dipping sauce. The ambiance is nice too - casual upscale you could say. Host and server were really good as well. If I ever have to go to Wilmington again, I'll be back.
(5)Josh P.
I wasn't expecting much after reading the reviews but I really enjoyed the peppercorn ahi tuna. Definitely cooked rare and the sauce was really good too.
(4)Kerry S.
My husband is staying in DE for a few months for work, so when I make my way out on the weekends from Chicago, we're always looking for new great places to eat. Chelsea Tavern was a great find. We're always lured by a great beer list, and this did not disappoint. A large, local and varied tap list, with a cask conditioned option to boot. My husband had the Chelsea martini, Hendrick's Gin with a cucumber slice. It was basically the size of a football and cheap. Gotta love that. We had the chicken wing lollipops with the anchor sauce. They were really delicious and meaty, and we couldn't help but think what a nightmare they must be for whoever preps them. So thanks chef. Then we had the shrimp salad and the green eggs and ham pizza. Both were enormous and fresh and filling. We could not finish everything. (The chicken wings probably did us in.) The salad was bright and so savory. I really enjoyed the grilled romaine and the roasted tomatoes. The pizza crust was fantastic. Flavorful with a great chew. I thought the whole staff, from our host to our server, Lauren, was so friendly and informative. I also really enjoyed that it's the type of place where, if you're inclined, you can course it out and drop a lot of cash. But on this particular night, we just felt like nibbling, having a drink, and heading home. Our service and the attitude of the establishment were not affected by that in the slightest. I really felt like it was a fun, warm, casual place with great food and drinks. And rumor has it, brunch is starting soon...even better!
(4)Brie K.
Jeremy and I are still enjoying our food coma after having our first of many, many meals at Chelsea Tavern! To start we ordered two of their numerous beers on draft, and I had my first taste of DFH Ale. This beer was quite fruity and hoppy, and paired well with the pretzel crullers. And oh my gosh, the pretzel crullers! Warm, soft, the right amount of salt, and the cheese sauce, out of this world! I will have these again, oh yes. For entrees we each ordered burgers, him the "Grass Fed" and me the Bison Burger. I was little annoyed with needing to pay $3 extra for the side of fries, but I was excited to try them. They turned out to be a little too salty, next time I'll try the greens. Another small complaint was the doneness of each of our burgers; although we both ordered medium, he got well-done and I got rare. We didn't let our waiter know because it wasn't that big of a deal, and I'm sure if we had they would have been gracious about it. Otherwise our burgers were delicious, mine had just the right amount of goat cheese and his bacon was nice and crispy. Overall it was a great atmosphere, friendly service, extensive beer list, and tasty food. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Amy C.
Good for late night eats -- decent sized late night menu with a wide variety of options. Good beer selection too -- but a bit pricey in that dept. I tried the fried mac & chz app -- it was different, in a good way. Crunchier (prob. deep fried) compared to Cheesecake Factory's, which is softer/a bit creamier. But definitely tasty and not something you see all that often. I was told to try the deep fried pickles -- maybe next time! I've tried a range of things here, including the burger: very good. Had the special mac 'n' cheese, which changes each night, and once it was good, another time it was terrible. The meatloaf is fantastic--not something I'd typically order, really ever, and it was very, very good. Tasted like mom's by spicier. My friend got the butternut squash soup and was pleased. Service was friendly & prompt though I've had slow service as well. Nice decor. Also, one of the few places in dtown Wilm., open past 9pm on weeknights so that alone gives it an extra star! And it's open on Sundays unlike Ernest and Scott down the street.
(4)Andy L.
We were here a few nights ago for the first time and I thoroughly believe we will be back many more times. The beer selection looked excellent, I don't drink so I didn't do any sampling. I have a number of beer snob friends and I could tell that this would be a place I'd want to take them so they could order some 39 min IPA made with pumpkin and rutabaga. Anyway, I had the chicken wings, and was a bit surprised. I was expecting the normal hot wings but the sweet and spicy combo was awesome. The pizzas looked good, and the deep fried pickles were interesting. I'm pretty much a fan of deep frying anything so I had to try them. It was really busy the night I went, and while the service was a little slow we didn't feel rushed or like they were just running by dropping off the food and getting on to the next. The servers seemed to know the menu well and were helpful so I would feel confident that next time when I try something they suggest it will be a big hit. All in all I think it's a great addition to the Wilmington downtown, and I hope to see it around for a while.
(4)Guy B.
Sharp tavern in a perfect location serving cold Stella, among loads if other beers on tap or bottled. The umbrella covered sidewalk tables right across from the Grand Opera House make a great spot to enjoy your beverage or meal. Staff is attentive and professional. I think some of the remarks about the prices haven't taken the location into consideration. They're aligned with their closest competitor, the Public House which is practically next door. I predict success for Chelsea Tavern.
(4)Jennifer S.
My colleagues and I dined here for lunch. The food was good, but a little over-priced for the quality.
(3)Craig F.
Wilmington needs to get some better restaurants...even the ones that are supposed to be the "great" ones are many times, mediocre. This one joins that club. Nothing that I ate was particularly good or inspiring. And the prices are at a notch where you expect everything to taste better than it does. We started with the pretzels and queso dip. The pretzels were hard and tasted slightly stale...but reheated. The queso had a film over it which all but said "I have been sitting under a heat lamp for the past hour"...I got a pizza with tomato, mozzarella and pepperoni, cooked well...Nothing offensive about it but again, for $15.00 I expect it to be DELICIOUS. The service was scattershot the whole night...She took 10 minutes to return to our table after her first visit to deliver our waters...The design is okay, but could be more interesting...seemed a bit jumbled/disorganized when I visited. I am returning back to WIlmington after being away for 7 years and sadly, many of the issues I had with it (one of them being how subpar that the restaurants are) have not changed.
(2)Christine G.
I was a bit confused by this place. Is it a fancy restaurant or a bar or is it an upscale bar with just expensive food? The menu is all over the place. The steak frites were pretty delicious but the frites are mixed in with various other salty things (onions strips?) that make the whole meal overly salty. I found myself eating more steak and water just to quench my thirst. The grilled portabello sandwich was good but very greasy for a "healthier option." Maybe it was the squishy bread, but the mushroom kept slipping out of the sandwich with each bite. The duck and goat cheese pizza is strangely delicious and the French Onion soup is a staple appetizer to any meal. From local brewers to my favor Belgiums (Delerium Tremens on tap!), the beer selection is pretty awesome. Plus they have a great collection of wines. There's one large TV by the bar to watch a game but this place isn't really where you wanna go to watch a game unless you are a very quiet fan.
(4)Michelle F.
My boyfriend and I have been here a few different times. Whether we come late at night or during the morning for Sunday brunch we always receive amazing service and hot delicious food. I must say the dirty burger is a mans dream burger and even made me say whoa with scrapple and an egg with bacon cheese on top of a burger that's a darn clogged artery! The food isn't exactly quick it always seems to take forever but its worth the wait!
(4)Timothy D.
Here's the thing you need to know about this place, It's run by a guy, Scott Morrison, who I would rate right up there with the all-time greedy d-bag restaurant owners in the metro Philly/Wilmington area. He owned Nectar with a group of other guys, Henry Chu included, who charge you $51 for a $11 bottle of Pinot Noir. Not that I bought it but it was so offensive. That's taking d-bag-itis to new levels. Christine T gets it right on the food. In no uncertain terms, she nails it. The beer is great. Wanna come in for a beer before going to a show? Not a bad move. Skip the food. I had lunch here during Non-Comm in May. For $12.95 I got a 2-3 ounce piece of overcooked salmon, a small amount of utterly tasteless Caesar salad (literally a handful), and a cup of tart tomato soup. This was the lunch special. On top of that, I had a bartender that had more attitude than skill. Glad I didn't buy. I also had dinner here during Restaurant Week (I know, I know!), which was soon after they had opened. At that time, I did not know Morrison owned the restaurant. Best way to describe the $135 I spent? Entirely mediocre & egregiously underwhelming. My watercress salad was stems. I sent it back. You'd have thought I asked for a major favor like a free meal. The management here sucks (that includes you, Joe), they do not do the right thing, and this has been Morrison's attitude toward his diners for as long as I can remember. When Maia went under in Villanove, I hope you all lost your shirts. It's a shame you probably lost the shirts of a bunch of stupid investors. Sometimes, it's really personal, and that's simply because some restaurant owners truly do not give a rat's ass about you in any way. They want your money, and that's it. There's no give & take, no appreciation for you as a customer. This place, and this guy, epitomizes that & doesn't deserve your business. Spend your money somewhere else.
(1)Katsushika H.
over priced, unmemorable and delicious.
(3)Mike M.
Methinks Jay C. is just being a "hateful b***h" below. I enjoyed a very pleasant night out with some friends playing Quizzo in the lower-level of Chelsea Tavern last Tuesday. Even though the ambiance wasn't the best (Quizzo was in a closed basement room with a very basic table-and-chairs setup), we found the food to be quite good. We stuck with heavy apps and split a sandwich. There were seven of us, but only a few of us really ate. We started with the fried pickles and homemade soft pretzels. Knocked us out! The two dipping sauces (I believe one was a fondue and the other an aioli) were excellent, as was the clearly-homemade (or close to it) whole-grain mustard. I followed up with the chicken liver crostini with fig jam. The chicken liver had a strong wine taste, which I enjoyed, but I found the fig jam to be a little too thin and cloyingly sweet, although it did contrast nicely with the chicken livers. We then ordered the shrimp lejon pizza. Oddly, this is a popular dish at another local institution, Iron Hill Brewery. Same name...same toppings...hmmm. Only, this one wasn't nearly as good as Iron Hill's. I'm thinking Chelsea Tavern should just get rid of its meager pizza offerings because, judging from this mini-pie, pizza won't be one of the eatery's strong suits. Crust was too chewy (a sign of -- perhaps -- the dough being overworked?) without an appropriately crunchy exterior. It was almost to the point of gummy. Toppings were indistinguishable because the layer of cheese on top was so thick and dense. Definitely. Not. Good. Would have liked to have tasted the promised horseradish a little better. Things got back on track, though, with the next dish: Maple-chipotle chicken wing lollipops with a stilton dressing. One word: Awesome! Get these wings and get a few orders! This dish was passed around by everyone and was likely the biggest hit of the evening. A perfect combination of sweet and savory, these wings were nice and meaty with the appropriate amount of char on the outside. We should have ordered more! Finally, my partner and I split the portobella mushroom sandwich. It was topped with roasted sweet peppers and some mozzarella cheese and served on a brioche roll (if memory serves right) with a healthy slathering of tasty pesto. It's a fairly pedestrian dish and doesn't truly exemplify what Chelsea Tavern can accomplish in the kitchen, but it was tasty and nicely done. Even better, though, were the trio of fries. Thinly sliced white and sweet potatoes and leeks (yes, LEEKS!) fried to a crunchy golden doneness. All agreed these fries were superb. The leeks, though, were a bit too salty and could have used more restraint with the seasoning. One complaint, though, was the service. It surely wasn't the waiter/waitress' fault.; there were only two of them waiting on about 60 people! Perhaps Chelsea Tavern wasn't expecting such a crowd for Quizzo? Because service was so slow, we didn't feel like waiting around to check the dessert menu; it was a school night and it was pushing 10pm, so we decided to head out. We'll be back Tuesday night for Quizzo, though. I am looking forward to trying a complete meal, as well as dessert. And perhaps an order or two of those wings!
(4)Amy C.
Let me preface by saying that if I had to pay for this meal myself, I'd probably rate it 3 stars, but since I didn't have to pay and I'm rating it purely on the food and service, I'd have to give it a full 4. I think the amazing dessert special pushed the rating over the top. It was clearly homemade, and the bartender said her sister was the pastry chef there and she's amazing. It was a simple mint chocolate chip ice cream and you could taste the fresh mint with the nice dark chocolate chips. It's probably the best scoop of ice cream I've ever had that doesn't have coconut in it (my personal favourite flavour!). I came here due to a recommendation from a co-worker saying they had a variety of mussels dishes. I ordered the chorizo mussels which was perfectly prepared (not overdone as mussels often are!), the portion was slightly on the small side. The side of fries it comes with were a nice mix of regular and sweet potato fries which was a welcome variety. The amazing part was the horseradish chili aioli dip for the fries which was super tasty. The disappointment was the spinach with truffle vinaigrette that I ordered to get my vegetable serving for the the day. I was somewhat troubled that I didn't taste any truffle in my vinaigrette, especially considering the price on the menu was $15 for a relatively small salad. When I got my bill, I realized they must have put in an order for the wrong item as this salad was significantly less but also not what I ordered... which is unfortunate because I had clearly pointed out the dish I wanted and asked a question about its size prior to actually ordering. Overall, a friendly establishment with good service and good food.
(4)Kevin B.
They have a pretty good bar and the food prices were reasonable, but the menu is all over the place. The diversity of the menu might actually work here if you are not sure what you want, or are with a group and not sure what everyone likes. Lets talk about the food. The highlight of the meal was the pork belly perogies for an appetizer. My wife had the Duck Breast an an entree, it was super, cooked to perfection. Not bad considering all of the unsatisfactory duck we have had over the years (My wife is sort of an expert). Honorable mention to the jelly doughnut desert, served warm with Peanut Butter dipping sauce. I appreciate any restaurant that makes their own desert, instead of pulling something pre-made out of a box. The service was pretty much average. I think they forgot about us after we were seated. we had brought our drinks from the bar, and we were with friends. It wasn't too big of a deal, but it really irks me all the same. The Bar had a wide range of beer everything from overpriced micro-brews and imports to PBR in a can. This would be a great place to meet friends, have some drinks and sample the food at the bar. Not bad food, but I did deduct a point for service(being forgotten is my pet peeve).
(3)Tracey L.
I was in town for a concert and this appeared to be the only place open on a Sunday night. Personally, I think we lucked out. The food was superb despite our calamari being slightly over cooked. My husband and I both had the ABLT which we would both agree was phenomenal. The avocado salsa was so good. Service was good and fairly prompt but they were pretty busy so I'm not complaining. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)Jim K.
not bad. not great
(3)Jessica E.
I am being generous with a four star rating because Chelsea is new and I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are still working a few things out. Also, their beer selection brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. I was starting to lose hope that I could have positive beer experiences in Wilmington, but Chelsea makes me feel like it is possible. I have only been to the bar and to quizzo. The dining area does have an air of "only sit here if you are planning to have an expensive dining experience." That is all fine and good, but I just have not found myself at Chelsea for a fine dining night. I have mostly gone to the bar. Based on my experience there, I would definitely give this place 4 or 5 stars. Again, wonderful beer selection. Just keep it rotating and I could not be happier! The wine and cocktail list look quite enticing as well. There is something for everyone. Oh, and here is a plus...the bartenders are actually knowledgeable about beer. This is, unfortunately, a rare find in Wilmington. My only caveat about the bar is that the beer prices are a bit inconsistent with what I would expect based on other beer bars, but this is both good and bad. $4 for a Victory Golden Monkey. Woohoo! Sold. $9 for Chimay White. Umm... No thanks. But this is not really a problem because I can still get affordable craft brews here and skip the Chimay. So, to sum up, the bar is pretty darn good. Let's talk about quizzo... I have to admit, I feel like a bit of a second class citizen when I am downstairs at quizzo compared to the bar. I will say that I thought our server was quite good. She was extremely friendly, helpful, and efficient. But she clearly had too many tables to handle because service was pretty slow and from what I observed, this was not her fault. The only menu on the table when I got there was the late night/quizzo menu. (Which is just a condensed version of the regular menu with the same prices as upstairs.) I asked for a beer menu and was just told about the four beers on tap downstairs. Now, quizzo I could take or leave. I come to Chelsea because of the 20some beers on tap upstairs. If I can't have one of them at quizzo, I am out. Fortunately when I asked again, she was very accommodating, but I felt like I was putting her out by making her go up there. Again, not her fault...just the circumstances. Let's talk about food. I ordered a chicken sandwich. It was good. Not $12 good. I may not have minded paying $12 for a chicken sandwich sitting upstairs and getting a top quality dining experience and a better server to costumer ratio, but $12 considering the quizzo, we just want you to spend enough money to make it worth hiring a quizzo guy experience? Thanks, but I will eat at home next time. And probably order my beer at the bar and carry it downstairs. I will be returning to Chelsea. I do like to vibe there and, as I mentioned a few times, the beer selection. I have every intention of updating this review either confirming the 4 star rating or changing it as it seems appropriate based on future experiences.
(4)Brian N.
Great beer list (~20 local and micro) + 20 more in bottles. Solid wine and cocktail list. Went for happy hour - pork belly pierogies, sopressata pizza and fried pickles were all big hits. Went back for dinner and had a great local chicken (pan fried w/ super crispy skin) and date had crab cake that was also very good. The quality of the food is fantastic (local and seasonal) and prices are reasonable given the quality. Overall, two great experiences. Will definitely be back again soon. P.S. I have no idea what Jay C is talking about in his review. I don't think he visited the same restaurant.
(5)Chris C.
Today was only my second time going here, the first was just for drinks as it was fairly close to closing time when we got there. Wilmington is certainly not the first city that comes to mind when you think of a great beer selection but Chelsea is a step in the right direction. Yes, I put a lot of weight in whether I like a place or not based on what kind of craft brews they have. Today was the first meal I had there and it was great! I had the Duck Confit Salad, the specific ingredients escape me, but the duck was cooked just right and all the flavors seemed to balance perfectly. I will say that it would've been a plus if the meat was already carved up over the salad instead of me having to play butcher for 5 minutes but this isn't uncommon with certain dishes and I understand it was probably an intentional part of the presentation design. I just personally prefer not to have to perform maintenance on my meal before I eat it. We shared a Calamari appetizer which was also very good. It came with a tangy mustard like dipping sauce and the portion was generous. I've had Calamari appetizers at many other places and it's not uncommon for me to feel the urge to lift up the plate to check under it and make sure my missing portion isn't hiding under it (Yes, I'm saying they're small) but that was not the case here. For my beverage I had a Victory Wild Devil that was CASK CONDITIONED & man it was good! It is a rare treat for me to have a beer served in this fashion, let alone one of my favorites. I was sad to learn that the Dogfish Head 75 minute cask was no longer available but I'm sure I'll be happy with the many other beers I will enjoy there in the future. Service was great and our server had a welcoming sincere demeanor. For as busy as it got soon after we arrived i was surprised how much she managed to come back to make sure everything was cool... nice! Even the water guy was topping off the glasses so often that to walk by you would think I hadn't touched it. It was no problem finding a parking spot close by but then again, I knew of a street that for some reason goes unnoticed by most Market Street patrons. I'm already looking forward to going here again to try more interesting beers and delicious food!
(5)Trauts N.
Overpriced, poorly prepared food, lousy service.
(1)David M.
Welcome addition to downtown. There's a real chef in this kitchen. Bravo! Business has me hoteling in the area and Chelsea sets itself apart in menu choice, ambiance and quality.
(4)Van O.
Imaginative, varied and flavorful menu! No, don't eat the menu but you can't miss with any selection taken from it! Chef Sean is a genius and to accompany all this wonderful food is an extensive collection of draft beer and ales.
(5)Jay C.
Lousy, overpriced food. With lunch prices like this, they won't get a second chance for lunch or dinner. Ridiculous. This place probably won't be in business very long.
(1)Tom C.
Great beer selection, one of the best around. Also, a very good menu for this area, not too pricey.
(4)Robert D.
Not recommend. Could not get a drink with no one in the place. Just a strung out barmaid
(1)Todd D.
We reserved a table at Chelsea Tavern prior to a concert across the street at the Grand, so the location gets some credit here. Chelsea Tavern is a pretty straightforward bar/beer place that does have an amazing beer selection, but that's all the makes it stand out. The menu was good enough - we had the poached pear salad, potato onion fries, and split the Mediterranean pizza. The food was good, nothing special, and I'd certainly recommend Chelsea Tavern to people heading to Wilmington. Good price, good beer, good location.
(3)Holly C.
Came with a friend kinda late for a weeknight, so the only downfall is we felt a little rushed to leave by the end of the meal. Farmhouse burger was pretty good and filling! Great beer selection, but I just made the wrong decision on a creme brulee porter. Had a crispin cider to start and that was on the money as far as cider goes. Seems like a cool spot with a "flight club" you can get involved in which sounds like a good deal on beer tastings and food if you think you might be a regular here!
(4)John M.
Excellent beer menu! Go here every time we are at the Grand for a show or shopping/hanging out in Wilmington. Great location with good food and service. A nice standard in Wilmington. Great place for a noisy dinner. Need to lose the Televisions in the bar or make the dining room more separated from the bar area. The downstairs has a cool wine room that you can reserve for intimate/quiet meals. Great concept that I rarely see being used.
(3)Dixon M.
I really enjoyed Chelsea Tavern. The tavern was packed with a pre-theatre crowd when I went there with a friend, but the hostess accommodated us in the bar. The bartender did a very good job of serving us. I've been exercising, and trying to eat well, but after hearing about Chelsea Tavern's "DIRTier Burger," I had to try it! Everything is ala carte, so I skipped the fries to assuage my guilt. The DIRTier Burger is a wonder. It starts with a well-seasoned beef patty, cooked to perfection. Then, the patty is dipped into hot sauce, breaded and fried. It is then placed onto a freshly baked brioche roll, with blue cheese, crispy potatoes, bacon-chipotle aioli, and crispy scrapple! Together, this is a transcendent combination. Wow.
(4)Nono L.
My husband surprised me when he said we were heading to the Chelsea Tavern because it was the old location of the restaurant 821 that I worked for years ago. We got there at 4:05pm as the outside was being set up and asked if they were open. The doors were locked. We later found out they open at 4pm on Saturdays. The place had a familiar feel and look to it as it did when I worked there. We decided to sit at the bar but couldn't decide where to sit because the bar had remnants left on it from the night before. As we sat we were given 3 menus. They have a happy hour Monday- Saturday 4pm-7pm. Clearly this was a bar that focused on beer. The food menu clearly indicated a professionally trained chef. I consider myself a bit of a foodie. I have worked for famous chefs in the past and I love a good diverse menu. Now vegetarians, my husband and I found a decent selection of vegetarian items to choose from. Would I have liked to see more? Yes. I would have liked to have seen a sandwich listed but you can't please everyone. I was still happy though. My husband ordered a beer. I originally ordered a margarita. I asked for a regular margarita and not the special one listed on the menu called the 4th Street Golden Margarita which is Cabo Wabo Tequila, Grand Marnier and fresh squeezed lime juice, served up or on the rocks in sugar and salt rimmed glass for $12.00. Thankfully the bartender told me that the drinks were not in fact made with fresh lime juice and showed me the bottle of Roses lime juice, which makes me gag just thinking about. If I was given a margarita with Roses lime juice I would have sent it right back. I was surprised and turned off. The nerve of any bar that would charge $12.00 for a drink and not bother to use fresh lime juice! That's a crime. Seriously. Please consider using fresh products or take them off the menu. The bartender suggested a Christina Mist which is House-made Limoncello, Citron Vodka and Stoli Raz shaken with cranberry juice, garnished with lemon and lime wheels for $9.50. The drink was fine, but just fine and there was only one garnish of lime on the rim of my glass and wasn't fresh because when I went to squeeze it into my drink (again... I love fresh juices in my drinks, it's a thing for me) no juice came out which indicated left over from the night before or even earlier. Enough with the drinks. We just wanted to snack so we ordered two $5.00 happy hour items, the Margherita Pizzetta and Buttermilk Soaked Ale Battered Vidalia Onion Rings with house BBQ sauce. The pizza was awesome and the onion rings were probably the best I've ever had. The onion rings were oily but still amazing. The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the BBQ sauce; it tasted too much like ketchup. About an hour into our stay another bartender showed up and started cutting fruit. Overall, I liked the Chelsea Tavern. If we go back, I don't think I'll be ordering a cocktail again.
(3)Lisa M.
A little pricey but the food is really good !!! Hubby had the fish and chips and the fish was nice a thick and flakey he loved it !!!! I have crispy buffalo chicken sandwich 2 thumbs up !!!!
(4)Frank B.
Went here before seeing a show across the street. The reviews look good but beware because this place is way under staffed. Unless you have an hour to wait before asking if you want a drink, avoid. It's axing how all the bartenders run around in a hurried fashion and how skilled they are, at not making eye contact and avoiding interaction with potential paying customers. After the couple next to us made a pact to order each other's drinks should one of us get lucky enough to be recognized as existing, it was sad to see they gave up in their quest to spend their money after waiting 25 minutes. We followed their lead and walked to the Doubletree around the corner. We were seated promptly and had drinks in less than two minutes. Oh, and the bartender actually made eye contact and said hello. Call Bar Rescue because The Chelsea Tavern lets paying customers leave and they don't even care! Shame on them and the owner for allowing this to happen.
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