So we ordered the escargot paired with bone marrow, short rib bolognese, Burrata meze plate and the trumpet mushrooms.
The food presentation was great, flavor was good but not knock your socks off.
Now the ambiance and decor was stunning! Beautiful environment, with a friendly and professional staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Yolenny Dominguez
Absolutely disgusting. What a complete embarrassment for a restaurant attached to such a prestigious hotel. Le Cavalier is part of a luxury property with rooms costing up to $2,000 a night, yet the restaurant itself is shockingly neglected. The historic 1913 floors are filthy. I spilled a small amount of water and wiped it with a white napkin, after barely touching the floor, the napkin turned black. That alone says enough.
The couches are visibly stained, the ceiling is dusty, and the entire space feels unkept and careless. This is not wear and tear; this is a lack of basic cleanliness. A restaurant of this caliber should be investing in frequent professional cleaning, not letting the space deteriorate like this. Our table was broken and uneven, with a crack running through it. When I placed my red wine glass near the center, it nearly tipped over because the surface was so unstable. These details are unacceptable in what is supposed to be a refined dining room.
And the ambiance, completely ruined. Not only by the condition of the space, but by the music. Why am I hearing Billie Eilish, Steve Lacy, and “Boo’d Up” Naija like I’m in a club? Whoever curated this playlist should genuinely be embarrassed. This is a French brasserie, not a late-night lounge. Classical French music or anything that actually matches the elegance of the room would have been appropriate. The music alone destroyed any sense of sophistication.
The uniforms were equally disappointing. Servers wearing blue jeans and Black running shoes made the experience feel cheap and casual, more diner than upscale restaurant. Even diners manage to look more put-together. For a place that claims to be formal, this was baffling. The food was good, which makes everything else even more frustrating. Le Cavalier *could* be stunning, but instead it feels neglected, careless, and completely out of sync with the image it tries to project. I came expecting elegance and left feeling appalled.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Piner
The Christmas dinner was not great I had duck, the duck was tough and no flavor the have soft served with turnip. Terrible choice. I will not be eating there again a waste of money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Ramakrishna Doradla
Had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Le Cavalier! The service from Brittany was excellent—very attentive and welcoming. We both loved our main courses: the Roasted Chicken was perfectly savory with a delicious Marsala brown butter jus, and the Swordfish was fantastic. We also appreciated the baby-friendly touches like the soft Warm Madeleines. The historic setting of the Hotel Du Pont makes it a truly special atmosphere. Highly recommend for a celebratory night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bilal Motley
Great food. Excellent service. Incredible brunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke Kelly
Slow, unfriendly service and “meh” food. Because of its location and interior decoration, this should be a great quality restaurant, but the façade is just a façade. We will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Ashley Carswell
Classy art nouveau atmosphere with delicious large portion brunch options. Would recommend: carrot salad, lox on toast, pancakes, and omelette.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
anon anon
I arrived at the restaurant on December 1st in the evening, seeking a quick bite after my flight. I settled at the bar and was warmly greeted by Nick, the bartender. Nick was incredibly accommodating and helpful, providing me with a comprehensive menu. He also made me feel like I was right at home. I ordered the chicken entree, which was absolutely delicious! Nick crafted one of the best Old Fashioneds I’ve ever had. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of traveling.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Veronica Bradley
Thanksgiving dinner 75.00 pp, ceaser salad warm it one bit of crispy romaine on the plate, ordered prime rib dinner spinach was cold not even luke warm. I had asked for creamed horseradish or horseradish,I was told Chef would not allow it , he only goes by the menu….. prime rib I ordered medium , it was medium but not even luke warm . I was most disappointed when receiving cold food and being told I could not have horseradish for my prime rib. The apple cake was dry . Most disappointed …. In the Hotel DuPont and their resources for chefs
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Vena Prince
⭐ 1 out of 5 — A Beautiful Space With the Worst Meal I’ve Ever Had
I want to start by shouting out Frank F., our server. Frank was truly exceptional — warm, attentive, and the absolute highlight of the evening. If this review were based on service alone, it would be five stars.
Unfortunately, everything else about Le Cavalier (Wilmington, DE) fell painfully short. My husband and I were excited to dine here for a special celebration and intentionally chose this restaurant for its reputation and ambiance. In hindsight… we should have listened to the 4.2 Google reviews.
The experience began with the shrimp appetizer. One of the shrimp tails was brown — an immediate red flag — and the overall dish was unappetizing and underwhelming.
Then came my entrée: the short rib. And I say this with complete sincerity as someone who has eaten at many restaurants and absolutely loves food: this was the worst short rib I have ever had in my entire life. It tasted as if it had been boiled in plain water, completely untouched by seasoning, depth, or care. No flavor. No richness. No technique. Nothing. I genuinely could not believe a French restaurant would send this out of the kitchen.
I found myself smiling through the meal out of sheer disbelief — mostly because we were already looking at a $200 bill for what became the most disappointing dining experience I’ve ever had.
The final blow? I woke up at 4 a.m. with food poisoning. Hours after leaving the restaurant, the only thing I could think about was what I had eaten there. That alone speaks volumes.
Le Cavalier is a gorgeous restaurant with stunning interiors, but great décor cannot hide poor execution. For the price point and the reputation, the food should not be this careless.
I’m deeply disappointed and honestly hope the restaurant reevaluates its kitchen operations. The only redeeming part of the evening was our wonderful server, Frank. Beyond that… I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone.
The atmosphere was excellent, the decore, the old architecturel hotel, beautiful. The food, not much. The devil eggs were bland, the onion soup was extra salty and dark. I must of gotten what was left in the pot. The beef needed seasoning, the chops were good. I skipped dessert, i wasn't risking it. The waitress, T, was good. Won't be returning.....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Brian McAllister
Breakfast was amazing! I highly recommend. Service from David was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Boaz Parker
My partner bought me here for my birthday. From the moment we walked in everything about the place was simple amazing service, food and atmosphere. Definitely 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bernard Torre
Excellent service and food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian Suman
Great food and wine. Location is perfect. Right off the freeway with great views! Staff is friendly and helpful! Highly recommend
So we ordered the escargot paired with bone marrow, short rib bolognese, Burrata meze plate and the trumpet mushrooms.
The food presentation was great, flavor was good but not knock your socks off.
Now the ambiance and decor was stunning! Beautiful environment, with a friendly and professional staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Absolutely disgusting. What a complete embarrassment for a restaurant attached to such a prestigious hotel. Le Cavalier is part of a luxury property with rooms costing up to $2,000 a night, yet the restaurant itself is shockingly neglected. The historic 1913 floors are filthy. I spilled a small amount of water and wiped it with a white napkin, after barely touching the floor, the napkin turned black. That alone says enough.
The couches are visibly stained, the ceiling is dusty, and the entire space feels unkept and careless. This is not wear and tear; this is a lack of basic cleanliness. A restaurant of this caliber should be investing in frequent professional cleaning, not letting the space deteriorate like this. Our table was broken and uneven, with a crack running through it. When I placed my red wine glass near the center, it nearly tipped over because the surface was so unstable. These details are unacceptable in what is supposed to be a refined dining room.
And the ambiance, completely ruined. Not only by the condition of the space, but by the music. Why am I hearing Billie Eilish, Steve Lacy, and “Boo’d Up” Naija like I’m in a club? Whoever curated this playlist should genuinely be embarrassed. This is a French brasserie, not a late-night lounge. Classical French music or anything that actually matches the elegance of the room would have been appropriate. The music alone destroyed any sense of sophistication.
The uniforms were equally disappointing. Servers wearing blue jeans and Black running shoes made the experience feel cheap and casual, more diner than upscale restaurant. Even diners manage to look more put-together. For a place that claims to be formal, this was baffling. The food was good, which makes everything else even more frustrating. Le Cavalier *could* be stunning, but instead it feels neglected, careless, and completely out of sync with the image it tries to project. I came expecting elegance and left feeling appalled.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Christmas dinner was not great I had duck, the duck was tough and no flavor the have soft served with turnip. Terrible choice. I will not be eating there again a waste of money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Le Cavalier! The service from Brittany was excellent—very attentive and welcoming. We both loved our main courses: the Roasted Chicken was perfectly savory with a delicious Marsala brown butter jus, and the Swordfish was fantastic. We also appreciated the baby-friendly touches like the soft Warm Madeleines. The historic setting of the Hotel Du Pont makes it a truly special atmosphere. Highly recommend for a celebratory night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food. Excellent service. Incredible brunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Slow, unfriendly service and “meh” food. Because of its location and interior decoration, this should be a great quality restaurant, but the façade is just a façade. We will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Classy art nouveau atmosphere with delicious large portion brunch options. Would recommend: carrot salad, lox on toast, pancakes, and omelette.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I arrived at the restaurant on December 1st in the evening, seeking a quick bite after my flight. I settled at the bar and was warmly greeted by Nick, the bartender. Nick was incredibly accommodating and helpful, providing me with a comprehensive menu. He also made me feel like I was right at home. I ordered the chicken entree, which was absolutely delicious! Nick crafted one of the best Old Fashioneds I’ve ever had. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of traveling.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thanksgiving dinner 75.00 pp, ceaser salad warm it one bit of crispy romaine on the plate, ordered prime rib dinner spinach was cold not even luke warm. I had asked for creamed horseradish or horseradish,I was told Chef would not allow it , he only goes by the menu….. prime rib I ordered medium , it was medium but not even luke warm .
I was most disappointed when receiving cold food and being told I could not have horseradish for my prime rib. The apple cake was dry . Most disappointed …. In the Hotel DuPont and their resources for chefs
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
⭐ 1 out of 5 — A Beautiful Space With the Worst Meal I’ve Ever Had
I want to start by shouting out Frank F., our server. Frank was truly exceptional — warm, attentive, and the absolute highlight of the evening. If this review were based on service alone, it would be five stars.
Unfortunately, everything else about Le Cavalier (Wilmington, DE) fell painfully short. My husband and I were excited to dine here for a special celebration and intentionally chose this restaurant for its reputation and ambiance. In hindsight… we should have listened to the 4.2 Google reviews.
The experience began with the shrimp appetizer.
One of the shrimp tails was brown — an immediate red flag — and the overall dish was unappetizing and underwhelming.
Then came my entrée: the short rib.
And I say this with complete sincerity as someone who has eaten at many restaurants and absolutely loves food: this was the worst short rib I have ever had in my entire life. It tasted as if it had been boiled in plain water, completely untouched by seasoning, depth, or care. No flavor. No richness. No technique. Nothing. I genuinely could not believe a French restaurant would send this out of the kitchen.
I found myself smiling through the meal out of sheer disbelief — mostly because we were already looking at a $200 bill for what became the most disappointing dining experience I’ve ever had.
The final blow?
I woke up at 4 a.m. with food poisoning.
Hours after leaving the restaurant, the only thing I could think about was what I had eaten there. That alone speaks volumes.
Le Cavalier is a gorgeous restaurant with stunning interiors, but great décor cannot hide poor execution. For the price point and the reputation, the food should not be this careless.
I’m deeply disappointed and honestly hope the restaurant reevaluates its kitchen operations. The only redeeming part of the evening was our wonderful server, Frank. Beyond that… I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The atmosphere was excellent, the decore, the old architecturel hotel, beautiful. The food, not much. The devil eggs were bland, the onion soup was extra salty and dark. I must of gotten what was left in the pot. The beef needed seasoning, the chops were good. I skipped dessert, i wasn't risking it. The waitress, T, was good. Won't be returning.....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Breakfast was amazing! I highly recommend. Service from David was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My partner bought me here for my birthday. From the moment we walked in everything about the place was simple amazing service, food and atmosphere. Definitely 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service and food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and wine. Location is perfect. Right off the freeway with great views! Staff is friendly and helpful! Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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