I am going to Delray for the week with my boyfiend...we are young, late 20's and would like recommendations on restaurants and things to do. We are from the New York area so we are used to good food and lots of action. We'll have a car to get around.

I haven't been to Delray in quite awhile [my parents retired there from NY], but I sure hope it has changed for your sake. It was filled with retired folks and night life wasn't something it was noted for back then. The beaches are nice and there were good restaurants, but "lots of action" would have been watching the lines form for early bird specials.

Have to agree with the above poster, you will not find any action in Delray, especially coming from NY!!

The closest action you will find will be in Ft. Lauderdale, about 20 minutes south or Miami, about an hour south.

If you have not booked the hotel yet, I would recommend changing it to FTL or Miami if you need action! Delray everything will be closed relatively early as it is more of a retirement area.

My brother (age about 50) lives in next town. He is boring and not into "lots of action" and he finds it incredibly slow and the residents ancient.

I haven't been to Delray in a year or so, but the main drag there, Atlantic Ave., has one restaurant after another along with bars and in high season, there are loads of people of all ages walking around. While it's true it's not the scene of Ft. Lauderdale or South Beach, to say it's nothing but retired folks is misleading.

32 East was considered the best restaurant. Whether it still is, I don't know. Splendid Blended was always good. Yama and Kyoto for Japanese/sushi. Sundy House (not right in downtown) is very nice for brunch. There are also some restaurants along South Ocean Ave. facing the beach.

Since you'll have a car, you can easily check out West Palm Beach too. The big shopping center City Place has several restaurants and the downtown area of West Palm on Clematis has some bars and restaurants. There are also some VERY upscale restaurants and bars in Palm Beach proper. Taboo is a popular bar/restaurant in Palm Beach.

I may be wrong, but I think by "lots of action" the OP was looking for more than " one restaurant after another along with bars and in high season, there are loads of people of all ages walking around.

I am thinking dancing and a more party atmosphere than one would find in a bar in Delray which are more on the subdued side. I think the same goes for Palm Beach proper.

South Beach most likely has what you are looking for, along with Ft. L.

When are you going?? That will have a lot to do with it too.

All of above is IMHO, of course.

Hope this helps..
Debi

The Delray scene is not Miami South Beach, but it is lively with lots of restaurants/bars all along Atlantic Ave and Ocean Bl. just south of Atlantic, most with both indoor and outdoor seating, all ages present. The Mizner Park shopping area in Boca Raton has very upscale restaurant nitelife also. In Delray try Kyoto for Japanese; Old Calypso overlooks the intracoastal waterway with the best brunch/lunch menu I have ever seen; on Ocean Bl., there are 3 restaurants in a row---an Italian, the Shore, and for great New England seafood in a funky atmosphere, Boston's on the Beach (but beware all the Red Sox paraphenalia if you are (UGH!) Yankee fans. Where are you staying? If you want to be ON the ocean, Wright by the Sea www.wbtsea.com is a rare apartment style hotel on the ocean side of A1A. Reasonable prices, nice grounds, quiet.

I agree with the last poster. On Atlantic Avenue there is also Tramonti (from NY) and an upscale Cuban restaurant. It is a rather lively scene there though it is not a big nightclub scene.

Yikes to the posters who claimed Delray is boring and full of retired people... you need to get out more..

Altlantic Ave is alot of fun, there is a new place called DaDa's. Lots of bars, music, and young people along the Ave.

There is a Marriott on the beach at Altantic Ave as well.