Sunday brunch was exceptionally impressive. The French Toast my daughter ordered was decadent in the very best sense of the word while my Chicken and Waffles surpassed all expectations. Finally, my Bloody Mary had a nice kick to it. Definitely worth a return visit.
Overview
If you're looking for a delightful dining experience that combines Southern comfort with an exceptional selection of bourbons, look no further than 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar. Located at 423 N Broad St, Middletown, DE 19709, this inviting restaurant offers a perfect blend of classic Southern dishes and a curated list of fine bourbons, making it a standout destination for food and drink enthusiasts.
Upon entering the cozy yet refined atmosphere of 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar, you’re immediately greeted with a warm and welcoming environment. The rustic charm of the space, with its wooden beams and vintage decor, creates a relaxed setting where guests can unwind while enjoying delicious food and drinks. The bar area features an extensive bourbon selection, which is ideal for connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
The menu at 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar showcases a variety of Southern favorites, each dish prepared with a modern twist. Whether you're in the mood for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or a perfectly cooked steak, the restaurant offers an impressive array of choices to satisfy all tastes. The ingredients are fresh, the flavors bold, and the portions generous, ensuring that every meal is a satisfying experience.
One standout feature of this restaurant is its commitment to pairing food with the perfect drink. The bourbon list is carefully curated, offering a mix of local and international options, from well-known names to unique craft varieties. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to recommend a bourbon that pairs beautifully with your meal, whether you're having a rich ribeye or a lighter seafood dish.
For those with a love for craft cocktails, 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar delivers on that front as well. Their cocktail menu includes expertly crafted drinks made with the finest spirits, many of which feature their signature bourbons. The Southern Mule and Old Fashioned are customer favorites, blending traditional flavors with a touch of creativity.
What truly sets 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar apart is the attention to detail in everything they do. The restaurant doesn’t just offer good food and drink; it creates an experience. From the warm hospitality to the carefully selected ingredients and drinks, the staff ensures that every guest leaves satisfied. The ambiance is lively but never overwhelming, making it a perfect spot for a casual dinner or a special night out with friends.
In terms of service, 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar excels. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ready to assist with any questions about the menu or bourbon selection. They make the dining experience feel personalized, whether you're a regular visitor or it's your first time at the restaurant.
This Middletown gem has garnered positive reviews from locals and visitors alike, with many praising the consistent quality of the food and the exceptional drink offerings. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar is a must-visit spot for those seeking a memorable dining experience that combines Southern hospitality with expert bourbon knowledge.
The restaurant also offers a great venue for private events and gatherings. Its cozy yet spacious setup is perfect for hosting parties, corporate events, or family celebrations. The combination of great food, excellent service, and an expansive drink menu makes it an ideal choice for any occasion.
If you're ever in the area, a visit to 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar will surely leave a lasting impression. Whether you come for the food, the drinks, or the ambiance, this restaurant provides an experience that you'll want to revisit again and again.
Good to know
From the business
✓ Identifies as Black-owned ✓ Identifies as women-ownedService options
✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Fireplace ✓ Great beer selection ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine list ✓ Live music ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Late-night food ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Quiet ✓ Romantic ✓ Trendy ✓ UpmarketCrowd
✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Reservations required ✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lotPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 794 reviews
Our waitress was wonderful. Service was good. Food was delicious with a great range to choose from. We drove up from baltimore and it was worth the trip even though we arrived an hour before closing. The Atmosphere felt like home.
My cousin and I tried this place after having it saved for a year as Places to Go in my list. The music playing as you entered set a cool vibe. Our waitress, Sydney, gave us some great food recommendations. I had the sausage gravy and my cousin had the shrimp and grits over mashed potatoes. Scrumptious. One final note, try the Brunch Punch.... one warning: it will sneak up on ya. We will be back.
This place is the real deal. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. The vibes are so chill. The drink menu is as well thought out and tasty as the food menus. I have been here a few times and it's one of my most recommended eateries in an hour radius. This particular visit we had the 1861 Manhattan, smooth with the right amount of vermouth and bitters. We also ordered the WuTang, creamy and sweet, perfect for brunch and the Killer Bees Attack, you can taste the ginger honey and the attention to detail in the drink. For our meal we had Lucille's Chicken and Waffles and the Peach Cobbler Waffles. The waffles taste fresh made and the chicken was seasoned perfectly. The service here is impeccable.
The food atmosphere and service were excellent I'll definitely go back again BRUCH: Lamb chops and grits with Brioche French Toast and scrambled eggs
I absolutely love this restaurant. The service, food, and vibe are amazing. I will say the food was better when dining on a Saturday as opposed to a weekday, but the food was still really good. Murphy has been my server each time and she's amazing. Very kind, patient, and gives great recommendations. She's one of the best servers I've ever encountered, and we travel everywhere for food lol! We brought my son for his 4th grade promotion and she made him feel so special, he couldn't stop talking about his experience. We will be back, and hopefully Murphy will be our server again! Back to the food: we had the Brussels sprouts, garlic sticky wings, all the cornbread options except sweet potato, oysters, soul bowl, French toast and chicken, the short rib bowl (unsure of the official name), the bowl with the grits and crab, and all of the sides. I wasn't a fan of the grits, they were undercooked. Our favorites were the Brussels sprouts, the plain and blueberry cornbread, wings, the soul bowl and rib bowl. And the drinks were also phenomenal! They were strong and tasty!!
This was our second visit coming down from Philly area and it was as delicious as our first. Definitely worth the trip. We will be back again. Marissa our server was awesome. Entrance is in the back of the building.
My husband and I had the absolute best experience at 1861 in Middletown, Delaware. From the moment we walked in, we were treated like family. Our server, Olivia, went above and beyond constantly checking in on us, having genuine conversations, and making sure we were enjoying every part of our meal. She made us feel right at home. The food was nothing short of excellent. My husband, who is Italian and very particular about food, said this was his number one choice even over a well-known steakhouse we visited a few days before where we spent over $500. That alone speaks volumes! To make things even more special, the owner, Ashley, came to our table to chat with us. Her warmth and hospitality instantly made us feel like part of the family. Overall, the atmosphere, service, and food at 1861 were all incredible. We left not only full but truly happy. This is without a doubt a must-try restaurant if you are ever in Delaware specifically Middletown. Add this spot to your bucket list because you will not be disappointed. We will definitely be back again and again for dinner.