Del Mar Bar & Bistro

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#2 of 41 Restaurants in Chatham$$ - $$$, American, Vegetarian friendly

+1 508-945-9988+ Add website

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Hours

Tue

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wed

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thu

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Fri

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sat

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

958 reviews

#2 of 41 Restaurants in Chatham

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

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CUISINES

American

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Dinner, Late Night

features

Location and contact

907 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633-1821

+1 508-945-9988

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Does this restaurant have live music

Yes

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About

Del Mar Bar & Bistro is a popular Chatham nightspot for eating, drinking and socializing, featuring creative bistro entrees, wood fired thin crust pizzas, specialty drinks, an extensive wine list and a great selection of draft beer. Warm, contemporary atmosphere with a large bar. Dinner only. Live Jazz Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday in summer.

CUISINES

American

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Dinner, Late Night

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Jazz Bar

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4.5

958 reviews

Excellent

650

Very good

235

Average

Poor

Terrible

Steve C

Harwich328 contributions

you definitely will not be disappointed when you visit Del Mar Bar & Bistro .

Mar 2020 • none

It has been awhile since I last visited Del Mar Bar & Bistro, and all previous visits were with family and seated in one of the upper level semi-circle booths, but this was a solo visit after a movie at the Orpheum Theater. So, I sat at the bar, which is my custom on solo dining experiences, and this was a first for Del Mar, and this worked out very nicely for a number of reasons. First of all, the bartender was very friendly and expeditiously brought Talbott Kali Hart ’16 Chardonnay from Monterey, Central Coast, California I ordered. As usual, I lingered with the wine as I read Time magazine and people-watched others at the bar. After a bit, a couple came and sat to my right, and they, especially the woman, knew the bartender. After a bit, another couple came in and chatted with the couple to my right, until the two seats to my left opened up. I had the women to my immediate right and left, and the one on the left commented that it might get awkward as she and the other woman carried on a conversation over me. No bother. In a short time, I decided on the Crispy Calamari with Citrus & herb, cherry peppers, spicy marinara & garlic aioli appetizer. This is not too different from other calamari dishes on the Lower Cape, but they were very crispy, and the garlic aioli added a very nice zing to the dish. I am known to usually end up with a half plate take home, but this dish did not afford me that luxury; I ate it all. With the calamari out of the way and another glass of Chardonnay before me, I got into conversations with the two woman, and as it turns out, the woman on my right, Paula, works at Del Mar, and the woman on my left, Beth, and her husband, Jack, are the parents of the bartender. A little bit of humor at my expense – when Paula and her husband got up to leave, she introduced him, “This is my husband. He’s deaf.” My hearing can be challenged at times, so I say, “Hello Jeff, nice to meet to you.” You had to be there. When I call the bartender for my check, he says, “It’s been taken care of.” “What? Who? When?” I inquire, and he nods to his parents on my left. I am taken aback, and Bev tries to explain that it was for being in the middle and putting up with her and Paula on each side of me. Very nice people with very nice friends and a very nice son, the bartender, to go with a very nice casual atmosphere, a good size menu complimented by the everchanging blackboard specials, and the delicious food. I doubt if somebody will pick up your check when you visit Del Mar Bar & Bistro, but you definitely will not be disappointed.

Written March 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eleanor M

Berkeley Heights131 contributions

Great cocktails and food!

Jul 2020 • couples

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Del Mar. Our entrees were excellent. We had the Tuna done perfectly medium rare on a bed of rice noodles with peanuts in a spicy soy sauce. Also the filet mignon was perfectly done medium rare as well in an excellent Demi glacé sauce with fresh crunchy French green beans. The heirloom tomato caprese appetizer was good mainly because of the fresh mozzarella. The tomatoes themselves lacked the rich tomato flavor one usually gets with heirlooms.

Written July 9, 2020

debbieNorthKingstown

New England8 contributions

Great dinner

Apr 2021 • none

My husband and I had a great dining experience here. We both had seafood entrees and they were absolutely delicious! The halibut was cooked perfectly and served over puréed celeriac which I never had before but will definitely order again. It was a real treat to find a new food that was perfect accompaniment to the seafood. Dessert was also delicious and the atmosphere was relaxed enough that we struck up a conversation with a couple at the next table who were enjoying their meal as much as we were. I will definitely look forward to a return visit.

Written May 18, 2021

nboughton

22 contributions

Farewell Dinner

Jan 2021 • none

My daughter is on her way to NYC for work, and when I asked where do you want to eat she said DelMar (thank god because its the best restaurant on the Cape by far). John and his staff have created the most safe indoor dining experience! We arrived for our 7 pm seating with a fixed price menu. The food is off the charts!! The pork belly’s are flavor and unique, the salads and oyster Rockefeller are absolutely outstanding. My wife had duck and raving about it this morning. My steak was tender and perfectly cooked and the blue cheese bread pudding melted in my mouth and everyone wanted me to share it. Desserts were ridiculously delicious. as I said best restaurant on the Cape, and we regularly do takeout because we just love it!!

Written January 29, 2021

Northern_Traveler00

California77955 contributions

Outside means OUTSIDE

Nov 2020 • none

Dined here a few nights ago, we were looking for outdoor dining in the mid-Cape and Del Mar's reviews and menu were appealing to us. Called them up to confirm they still had outside dining in late November and they do, but "if it's too cold we will call you and offer you inside dining, but out patio is heated". Sounded great! Day came and temps were in the 40s, but outside dining was ON. Wore warm coats and brought lap blankets and were led into their patio. Which was very warm due to thick clear plastic sheets surrounding three sides of the patio, with the building making up the 4th side. Tables were well separated, but this REALLY felt like indoor dining to us, and that made us uncomfortable. Was likely 60-65 degrees in there, while it was 42 in the real outdoors. Food and service were excellent, I had the pork belly and the steak, she had the beet salad and the cod. All were properly cooked and appealingly served. Would have been 5 stars except for the misleading, IMHO, claim that this was outside dining.

Written November 27, 2020

tgentry2018

Hingham22 contributions

Waiting at the Door on a Chilly Evening - Worth Every Second

Feb 2020 • none

Our first trip to Del Mar Bar & Bistro although recommended a number of times. We were just on a casual trip to the Cape on a sunny, chilly Saturday to visit Gallery Antonia; Del Mar was recommended by the owner , Domonic Boreffi who warned us there would be a line at the door at 5:00 PM. We were there at 4:50 and there was a gatherng! We sat at the bar and started with the duck liver mousse pate which was a true treat. We moved onto the pasta alla bolognese and stir fried seasonal vegetables. OMG all was so good; we will go back next time we are on the Cape. We sat at the bar and met some wonderful couples and coincidentally met friends from home in HIngham standing in line. There were people waiting all night to sit because it is so good and wonderfully friendly. Highly recommend this place to all.

Written February 11, 2020

Trent D

20 contributions

Del Mar restaurant, Chatham, Ma

Jul 2022 • none

Just left Del Mar and was terribly disappointed, not so much with the food, but rather with their lack of interest in accommodating special requests for meal preparation I have medical concerns that prevent me from eating anything seasoned so I can only eat unseasoned chicken or shrimp. When I asked fora shrimp cocktail I was informed that shrimp cocktail was not on the menu- imagine that in a restaurant on Cape Cod.so I then requested a plain grilled chicken breast sliced so that I could be sure it would be cooked through. The waiter said they couldn’t do that but assured me it would be cooked through. Several minutes later he returned to inform me that the chicken breasts were all marinated so I ended up ordering a PLAIN side pasta, no sauces of any kind. That arrived as ordered, with the only issue being that I was charged$15.00 for that tiny dish of plain pasta! Needless to say, we won’t be rushing back, nor will any of those we tell about our one and only time there

Written July 7, 2022

MOMINCO

Vail56 contributions

Del Mar has been my favorite for years! It’s still my favorite!

Sep 2020 • friends

Del Mar has been my favorite for years and now with COVID I have not ventured out as often but I must say that the few times I have gone to DelMar they have impressed me each time and I now I have sat in their booths, in their patio and their garden area! They have perfected each area - the food is so delicious and I realized how much I miss good dining each time and their attention to safety is all around - we had friends tonight that had not been to a restaurant in over 6 months and they thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience - the oyster Rockefeller , roasted cauliflower, raviolis with pumpkin, figs and pate and then the ribeye, the halibut the clams and pasta ....every dish was just delicious! And Janine the server and everyone else like Odin and Keily at the front and Nancy at the bar.... and John greeting every guest.... its just so awesome because they care and you can tell! If you have one meal out during COVID make your night special at DelMar.

Written September 22, 2020

Mark N

Garmisch-Partenkirchen370 contributions

Excellent Dinner, a bit noisy

Jun 2021 • none

My wife and I dined at Del Mar during a week's stay in Chatham. The drinks and food were excellent. I was really impressed with our pumpkin ravioli appetizer, as well as our main courses of Cod and Tuna. Our flour cake desert was superb as well. Will definitely eat here again. I recommend having a reservation. We had one, arrived about 15 minutes early and were immediately seated. The service is a bit impersonal, which I attribute to recently reopening post-COVID and the restaurant possibly being short-staffed / very busy. That said, our drinks and food came out without a hitch so there was zero impact to the quality of our food and drink. The restaurant still has some dividers up to separate close tables as a COVID precaution, and masks were required in the restaurant unless seated. It is a bit noisy, so if you are noise sensitive or hard of hearing you may want to consider eating earlier or later to avoid the main dinner rush.

Written June 12, 2021

Burtescapades

Saint Louis12 contributions

Highly recommend

Sep 2022 • none

We dined at Del Mar on a friday night. We arrived at 7:45pm and had no reservation but after about 30 minutes we were able to sit at the bar and eat dinner. FYI the bar has a separate waiting list so if you want to sit there just tell the bartender to put your name on the bar list. The food was delicious. The drinks were fantastic. The staff was great. Loved everything about it. Highly recommend it. Will go back if ever back in Chatham.

Written September 19, 2022

Steven A

Peabody621 contributions

Outstanding Meal

Jun 2021 • couples

Outstanding meal -- superb service, delicious food, large portions and wonderful ambiance. My wife and shared the amazing fried artichokes. I had the moist and tasty duck; my spouse thoroughly enjoyed the special tuna. We love this restaurant and always enjoy dining here when we come to the Cape.

Written June 29, 2021

Storyteller190755

Chatham2 contributions

One of the Best Restaurants on Cape Cod!

May 2020 • none

Their food is wonderful! Always offering a unique variety of appetizers and entrees. Great wine list, friendly staff. During the pandemic we have been getting their carryout on a regular basis and it something we look forward to each time!

Written May 18, 2020

fcarr

Boston288 contributions

Declining but still popular

Jul 2023 • family

Getting quite expensive; good menu choices and average to very good food Getting a reservation here is difficult even though there were many vacant tables on our arrival and departure; tough to understand what logic is used here. Apps were just average; calamari was skimpy in size and average while cauliflower was poor, again skimpy but also not flavorful. I like restaurants accommodating children but $16 for a very small bowl of buttered pasta is almost saying “children not welcome” Entrees were well prepared and of good variety; halibut special was just ok but at $45 very overpriced. Overall being selectively here on choices is the best strategy.

Written July 21, 2023

n e

1 contribution

Incredible Staff & Food

Aug 2022 • none

My husband, two children & I dined here on a busy Monday night in August. Our meals were exceptional! Mine, the halibut, hubby, the tuna, and the kids shared a crispy thin crust cheese pizza and bolognese pasta. Shared a key lime & blueberry pie for dessert. Best meal we had in Chatham on our two week vacation! So nice to find a quality restaurant that adults and kids can all enjoy. Many families dining together! Busy family restaurants tend to get a bit loud and unruly. Hats off to the staff for doing their best to keep it peaceful and enjoyable for all its patrons while serving delicious meals to everyone!

Written August 22, 2022

Racwoh

Boston219 contributions

Terrible service

Aug 2023 • family

I haven't written a bad review since Covid, as I haven't felt it would be fair to an industry so strongly impacted (if I don't like a place, I simply don't review it at all). But our experience tonight at Del Mar was so off-putting, I'm making an exception. I will say, the food was good - much better than the last time I visited, a few years ago. The service, however, was terrible. It seemed as if there was only one waiter for the entire patio section, and he picked tables to serve, and ones to ignore. Our neighboring table was on their third drink, but we never had a chance to order a second. (Or in my son's case, a first, as he had wanted to wait till after the appetizers to order one.) The waiter never looked in our direction, even when he was at the very next table. Didn't say, "I'll be right with you, I'll be right back..." Nothing. Just kept attending to them, and ignoring us, to the point it seemed he was actually passive aggressively doing so, avoiding making eye contact, and ignoring my son trying to wave him over. We never got a second drink, we never had anyone check to make sure we were enjoying our meals. It's too expensive a place to not get to enjoy the time there at all, because you're constantly trying to get someone's attention to wait on you.

Written September 1, 2023

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