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Numerous elegant establishments offer upscale American, Continental, and international cuisine, but the area also is chock-full of casual waterfront spots serving affordable burgers and fresh seafood feasts. Snapper and grouper are especially popular here, along with the ubiquitous shrimp. Happy hours and early-bird menus, Florida hallmarks, typically entice the budget-minded with several dinner entrées at reduced prices offered during certain hours, usually before 5 or 6.
This cavernous spot at Cityplace brings NYC pizza to South Florida. At Adrienne’s you can choose from 12- or 16-inch round or square and 14-inch thin-crust pan pizzas. Preparations range from the basic, but never really basic, Margherita to toppings like ricotta, mushrooms, speck, and pork sausage. And if you’re not craving pizza, there are plenty of other options like carpaccio, wings, meatballs, lasagna, and ravioli.
Celebrity-chef Akira Back (whose restaurant in Seoul earned a Michelin star) brings his signature fusion showmanship to this buzzy eatery located in the trendy The Ray hotel. His modern Japanese fare incorporates Korean and global influences for a menu that offers everything from sushi tacos to robata-grilled lamb chops. Japanese A5 Wagyu is available, as are pricey cuts of sashimi like toro tuna, while the AB Tuna Pizza, laced with umami aioli, micro shiso, and white truffle oil is a must-order. Cocktails incorporate Asian ingredients like shiso and togarashi syrup. The chef’s private-label sake, a junmai ginjo from Iwate, Japan, is also available on an extensive list of wines and sake.
Perched on the Lake Worth Pier, Benny's has a walk-up bar, a takeout window, and a full-service beach-themed restaurant serving casual fare at bargain prices. "Beach Bread" is a take on a waffle sandwich; the fresh seafood is from Florida waters. Eat-in diners come here for long afternoons of beer and cocktails, enjoying prolific alfresco seating and a spectacular view of the sun glistening on the water and the waves crashing directly below. There's no free parking here, just meters.
An antidote to the sometimes stuffy and "jackets-encouraged" atmosphere of most restaurants on the island, chef--owner Clay Conley's ode to eclectic American cuisine neatly straddles the line between fine dining and exciting gastropub. The restaurant attracts both old money and the younger set, with a buzzing bar-and-lounge scene and an open kitchen showcasing the culinary acrobatics on display. The cooking here is flavorful and sophisticated with globe-trotting influences apparent (confit Rohan duck pancake) and upscale renditions of comfort food (sweet corn agnolotti with ricotta, bacon, and Espelette butter) along with straightforward classics (Prime NY strip with chanterelle mushrooms). Success has bred more delicious gems: The chef's sandwich shop, also on the premises just next door, draws beachgoers who want to pack a picnic lunch. An Asian spot next door called Imoto churns out izakaya-style dishes to rave reviews.
Located in the PGA National Resort & Spa, this eatery draws guests, locals, and tourists alike eager for a taste of its upscale cuts of steak and Macallan cocktails. Opened in 2022 as part of a resort-wide renovation, the swanky 1950's style chophouse is headed up by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford. Black-and-white-striped floors and wood-paneled walls signal a return to a bygone era, while creatively composed dishes capture Ford’s whimsical approach to food. Crudos are a favorite here, with compositions like local tuna with green chili buttermilk yogurt and sugar snaps. The black truffle jalapeño poppers are a decadent treat. The selection of "Royal Cuts" includes a smoked rib eye and a Wagyu filet mignon, all of which pair nicely with Ford's sauces, like beef fat Hollandaise, and luxurious sides of creamy, herbaceous spinach and a blue crab mac and cheese.
Palm Beach socialites just can't get enough of this prized restaurant by celebrated chef Daniel Boulud. This posh, French--American venue in the Brazilian Court hotel is casual yet elegant with a large and inviting bar that hosts a daily happy hour and a plush dining room that features a seashell-clad ceiling. A prix-fixe lunch menu features homemade charcuterie and entrées of mushroom risotto and smoked brisket sandwich, while dinner is a more formal affair with classic French, seasonal, and vegetarian offerings, plus a rotating roster of international dishes. Sunday brunch in the lush, tropical courtyard is a must in season.
The lines are deservedly long at this upscale Tuscan restaurant in Boca Raton. The outpost of the renowned Casa D'Angelo in Broward impresses with an outstanding selection of antipasti, carpaccios, pastas, and specialties from the wood-burning oven. From staples like the antipasto angelo (grilled vegetables and buffalo mozzarella), osso buco, and linguine with white-water clams and garlic, to the ever-changing gnocchi, risotto, veal scaloppine, and fish specials of the day, Angelo's dishes deliver pure perfection in every bite. The wine list is also exceptional, with hundreds of Italian and American wines to choose from. Servers are experienced and top-notch.
There are rooms with a view, and then there's this view: uninterrupted sea from a wraparound veranda at the southern end of Humiston Park. Even better, the food here is a straightforward, delicious celebration of fresh and fabulous. The emphasis is on Florida seafood (don't miss the fresh snapper), with organic and gluten-free touches. Sunset lovers (and bargain hunters) rejoice over the two-course prix-fixe menu Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6 pm. A kids' menu is available.
It's tucked away in a strip mall and has only 50 seats inside (counting the bar) and a handful out on the sidewalk, but everything down to the condiments is made in-house here. Rabbit sausage and noodles or lamb meatball risotto are examples on the seasonal one-page menus the chef puts together daily. When there's fish on the menu from local waters, go for it. At the open kitchen in the warm, modern space, you can banter with the chefs if you sit at the bar.
Led by decorated chef Mauro Colagreco of France’s famed Mirazur, Florie’s offers Mediterranean cuisine along with a wine program focused on sustainable wine-growing practices. The seasonally changing menu emphasizes dishes baked in the wood-fired oven along with lighter dishes like locally made burrata served with citrus salad, basil, coriander, raisins, and Sicilian pistachio, followed by desserts like white-chocolate mousse with Florida passion-fruit sorbet and coulis. Larger mains include the seared snapper served with bok choy, cilantro, yogurt, and cucumber and tandoor-cooked cauliflower with preserved Florida lemon and buckwheat. The dining room is tastefully outfitted without being stuffy (as befits this oceanfront resort), and the outdoor patio offers pool and beach views.
This laid-back food hall and community-centric market complete with colorful murals is a crowd pleaser. There's plenty to taste, with 10 vendors selling everything from tacos to fried chicken to rolled ice cream. There's also a unique event space and weekly curated programming for all ages. Check out the small farmers' market on the weekend and live jazz that accompanies brunch, along with community yoga and kids activities. Standouts include shrimp po' boys from Roux Cajun Cuisine, bowls of ramen from Ramen Lab Eatery, and cold brew from Pumphouse Coffee. A full bar serving wine, beer, and cocktails is also available.
A sprawling cavern of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and cocktails, this sibling to popular bûccan is a hit. Soaring ceilings, concrete floors, dark wood, and an open kitchen provide a buzzy backdrop to dishes of nicely charred pies (made with organic flour) and homemade pastas. Like chef--owner Clay Conley's other spots, the food here is hearty, unfussy yet sophisticated, and wonderfully balanced, from the curry cauliflower hummus to the hand-rolled macaroni with Florida rock shrimp and fennel. The popular weekend brunch (with a show-stopping breakfast pizza) fills up during the season, so make a reservation.
Named after Florida visionary and resort founder Henry M. Flagler, this swanky spot is part of the culinary collection of The Breakers Palm Beach and features elevated comfort food like lobster rolls, chicken potpie, and a daily homemade pasta, along with sophisticated cocktails. Located just a few minutes from the resort on Royal Poinciana Way, it is situated at Via Flagler by The Breakers and features a handsome bar with a colored mosaic limestone base and plum and gold leather bar stools. Shaded bronze chandeliers and a series of arched, floor-to-ceiling windows along with banquette seating give the space a vintage-but-luxe feel. Brunch is served weekends, and reservations are recommended.
The Palm Beach outpost of the famed New York City French restaurant, this shiny brasserie gets busy (and loud) on the weekends, when locals in blazers dine on bistro classics like onion soup gratiné and steak tartare. The dining room looks and feels like its Gallic sibling, with Majorelle chandeliers, a pewter bar, oak paneling, and brown banquettes. Dinner dishes include a lobster linguine with cherry tomatoes and garlic butter and petite as well as "grande" seafood towers with all the essentials (lobster, oysters, and shrimp). The branzino cooked in a salt-pastry crust is presented with a flourish, and the truffle Parmesan fries are worth every calorie. Save room for profiteroles with hot fudge sauce for dessert.
Sustainable seafood is the focus at this airy "sea-to-table" spot that dabbles in sushi rolls, grilled fish, and creative American cuisine. The namesake lionfish (an invasive species that wreaks havoc on the local marine ecosystem) shows up in a ceviche bathed in avocado, key lime, and coconut or can be ordered whole and grilled with lemons, capers, and charred greens. A full sushi menu along with larger mains of lamb chops, roasted chicken, and a grass-fed beef burger round out the eclectic menu. The craft cocktails are best enjoyed at the daily weekday happy hour from 4 to 6 pm and from 5 to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
This hole-in-the-wall Middle Eastern bakery, deli, and market is packed at lunchtime with regulars who are on a first-name basis with the staff behind the counter. From the nondescript parking lot the place doesn't look like much, but inside, delicious hot and cold Mediterranean treats await the takeout crowd. Choose from traditional gyro sandwiches and lamb salads with sides of grape leaves, tabbouleh, and couscous.
This handsome chophouse situated on the ground floor of the buzzy Ben hotel serves Florida-inspired seafood and steaks with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. The indoor dining room is decked out in dark woods and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to outside seats offering views of the city’s marina. Dishes of Florida sweet-corn fritters, prime dry-aged NY strip, and sides of truffle-butter mushrooms are hearty, yet sophisticated.
Housed inside the Norton Museum, this bright and spacious restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and light, modern American fare with nods to coastal influence complemented by scenic garden views and a laid-back setting. “Snacks” like the salmon crudo and "ahi tuna bomb" pair nicely with more casual dishes like a classic chicken club and a quiche of the day. There's a full bar with wine and cocktails available as well. Dinner is offered only on Fridays.
Atop the glossy Restoration Hardware store adjacent to The Square is this regal, glass-enclosed atrium outfitted with white couches, crystal chandeliers, lush greenery, and a tinkling fountain. It's proven a hit with all walks of life; everyone basks in the sun-filled room and tucks into seasonal comfort food (prime rib French dip, truffle grilled cheese) and lingers on exceptionally comfortable couches. The food and drink services extend to the Barista Bar off the atrium on level four, which serves craft espresso, homemade pastries, and glasses of wine. You can even take the wine with you while exploring the rest of the showroom as you wait for your table; during the season the waits allow for plenty of perusal time.
An outpost of the famed New York Italian spot, this chic café churns out crispy pizzas, delicate pasta dishes, and to-swoon-for desserts with polished service. The vibe is '60s-era glam meets dreamy Milanese café, making it a hit with both socialites and shoppers, who stop in for an espresso break in between jaunts to the boutiques at Royal Poinciana Plaza. House pastas include a heavenly cacio e pepe, while salads and simply grilled fish are light and flavorful. The gelato is made fresh daily, so make sure to save room for a scoop.
French and American influences are clear in the Swiss chef's dishes, from rack of lamb with Dijon mustard to grilled filet mignon stuffed with Roquefort and fresh spinach. The formal dining room has subtle, elegant touches, such as votive candlelight and white tablecloths. A more casual menu is available at the bar.
The historic Sundy House, a 1902-built Victorian home with meandering gardens, ponds, and charming gazebo seating, is home to chef James Strine's “New Florida cuisine,” which essentially comprises Caribbean-, Cuban-, and Latin-inspired dishes. The cocktails are refreshing, the lush outdoor setting is downright magical, and the gourmet comfort food has a creative streak. Dishes include fish tacos, poutine, popcorn shrimp, and baked cannelloni stuffed with spinach and Brie. The legendary Sunday brunch, served from 10 am to 5 pm, is a seated buffet of brunch classics that pair with bottomless mimosas or sangria.
A charming cottage restaurant west of Ocean Drive prepares some of the best food around—not just in Vero Beach, but all of South Florida. The chefs, classically trained, give a nod to international fare with disparate dishes such as tuna tataki, Asian-inspired carpaccio with satay, penne quattro formaggi, and classic lobster bisque. The setting is effortlessly elegant (think pale-blue, coral-printed fabrics and a brick fireplace) and the service top-notch. An appetizer's two jumbo crab cakes have scarcely anything but sweet, fresh flesh; a Southern-inspired corn-and-pepper sauce naps them. Floridian fish are a focus, testament to the chef's commitment to local sourcing. Adventurous eaters may want to book the chef's table, where the chef's choice menu is paired with wines from an impressive list.
This cozy spot is as good as it gets on the Treasure Coast. Soft music and a friendly staff set the mood in the antiques-filled dining room of this old house, which holds only 21 tables. An extensive list of small plates can be ordered as starters or mains and includes tasty treats like Arbol chili-roasted chicken thighs and Wagyu hanger steak with onion rings and salsa verde. Many of the vegetables are grown by the chef. The limited but superb selection of entrées includes wood-grilled elk with roasted faro and Wagyu rib eye with port wine. All desserts are made from scratch and are also seductive, including white-chocolate custard with blackberry sauce.
Upstairs from the legendary Boston's on the Beach, you'll find its fancier annex, 50 Ocean. In contrast to the no-frills sports bar on the ground floor, 50 Ocean is a more refined restaurant featuring dishes with a large percentage of locally sourced ingredients. The views from above are spectacular, and the setting is casually elegant, with an outdoor veranda and notable quartz bar. If it feels too fancy upstairs, just head back downstairs for some decent bar fare that includes New England clam chowder, several lobster dishes, and fresh fish.
A family-owned spot offering authentic Lebanese cuisine, this restaurant packs in the crowds who love the meze-style dining, along with Middle Eastern wines and cocktails. Mains of grilled meats, kabobs, fish, and seafood are generously portioned and come with sides of charred tomatoes and rice.
In downtown West Palm Beach's waterfront district, this hot spot is an alternative to the bar food, tacos, and burgers more common in the area. "Green" cuisine—seasonal salads, vegetarian dishes, and sustainably produced meats and seafood—is making waves at the avocado-theme restaurant. Small plates of stuffed zucchini blossoms, octopus with chorizo and fingerling potatoes, or a mushroom fricassee with grits and truffle oil are examples of plates designed for sharing. A raw bar, specialty sushi, a vegetarian list, and inspired sandwiches are included among the pastas, salads, meats, and fish also listed. A brunch here with an extensive menu is popular. Craft cocktails, a nice wine selection, and beers are served at the long bar in the bistrolike eatery with casual-chic decor. Dine inside or out.
A mainstay for local boaters who cruise up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, Banana Boat is easily recognizable by the lighthouse on its roof. On weekends casual crowds clad in tank tops, flip-flops, and bikinis dance to live island music while downing frozen drinks (try the Dirty Banana or Hurricane Wilma) and nibbling on bar foods like burgers and ribs. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm; it's just lunch and dinner—or should we say liquid lunch and liquid dinner—otherwise.
Palm Beach ladies who lunch leave the island for an afternoon at Belle and Maxwell's, while young professionals loosen up after work at the wine bar, part of the bistro's expanded dining area. Tucked along Antique Row, it looks like a storybook tea party at lunch, with eclectic furnishings and decor and a charming garden. Expect colorful luncheonette dresses and great soups, salads, and sandwiches at affordable prices midday; at night, it becomes a fun, twinkling bistro, offering creative comfort fare such as homemade orecchiette with squid and sausage and classic chicken marsala, along with fillets and a risotto of the day. Dessert lovers know the sweets are all made in-house; call ahead to get whole cakes, pies, and tarts to take to grateful hosts.
The bougainvillea-laden trellises set the scene at the main entrance on Peruvian Way, off posh Worth Avenue. Even though it's a chain, this is a favorite of Palm Beach society, and both the restaurant and the bar become packed and noisy during high season. Weather permitting, many patrons prefer to dine on the outdoor terrace on the narrow pedestrian walkway, where "walking models" showcase jewelry and apparel from nearby boutiques. The aroma of basil, chives, and oregano fills the air as waiters carry out home-baked pizzaccia (a pizzalike bread) to accompany delectable dishes such as seafood risotto and veal Marsala.
