The Top List of Great Restaurants - Palm Beach, FL
Enjoy a culinary trip to palatable Palm Beach. by Barbara Kasser
Some of the best restaurants in Florida are found in the Palm Beaches, the area stretching from Boca Raton to Jupiter. From small intimate bistros and cafes to big, opulent seaside dining rooms, the region is home to a vast variety of places to eat. Couple this grand variety with warm, sunny weather and it's easy to see why dining out is a favorite pastime in the area. We've provided a list of ten great restaurants in the Palm Beaches. Have a blast trying each one.
The Grille On Congress 5101 Congress Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33487 (561) 912-9800
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
The Grille is a thrill! During working hours, the business crowd packs the dining room and spills outside to the comfy seating area near the bar. By night, soft lighting and linens give the main dining a more romantic feel. Anytime, the food and service are standouts. Partake of a few complimentary biscuits as you scan the menu. The delicious flaky biscuits have just a hint of sweetness and have been The Grille's trademark since it opened in 1999. For lunch, huge salads, sandwiches and a few entrees dominate the menu. The dinner menu features American-themed entrees like steak, chicken and fish. Reservations are suggested.
Estimated cost per person: $30-$40
Henry's 16850 Jog Road (Addison Place Center), Delray Beach, FL 33446 (561) 638-1949
Holiday Schedule: Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day
Step into Henry's and leave the cares of the day behind. The soft colors of the dining room and bar are comfortable and soothing. The rooms look more like an elegant home than a restaurant. The handsomely framed portrait of Henry is an inside joke; the happy dog in the picture is the owner's pet and the restaurant's namesake. Henry's food sticks to your ribs. Gourmet Pot Roast, Home Style Meat Loaf and T-Bone Pork Chop are just a few of the tasty offerings featured on the menu. Each dish is prepared just right, and special spices elevate the food to perfection. Chicken casseroles are the house specialty. Slow cooked in individual pots, the casseroles are meant to be savored, bite by delicious bite. Desserts are heavenly. Reservations are suggested
Estimated cost per person: $30-$40
32 East 32 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (561) 276-7868 Hours: (Sun – Thurs) 5:30 pm – 10 pm; (Fri – Sat) 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Cusine: American
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Years Day, Christmas
Back in 1996, 32 East opened in the site of an old auction house in Delray Beach. Since then, fresh ingredients and original cuisine have made the restaurant a hit. The restaurant is designed like a neighborhood bistro, with tiled floors and lots of gleaming wood. Outside seating is available. Servers are attentive and friendly, and quick to explain the innovative (and sometimes challenging) menu to first-timers. The menu changes seasonally, depending on what's fresh and available. Most menu items are available ala carte, so the total cost can ramp up quickly if you're not careful. Order by the bottle or by the glass from the extensive, carefully planned wine list. Try a sampler of three wines, poured in small quantities, for an opportunity to taste the best from the cellar.
Estimated cost per person: $40-$50
Spoto's Oyster Bar 125 Datura St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 835-1828
Holiday Schedule: Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day
Spoto's does everything right! The front doors are left open most days, providing a clear look at the sparkling waves of the nearby ocean. The sunlit skies provide a perfect backdrop to the brick floors, mirrored walls and colorful ceiling. Of course, Spoto's appearance is secondary to its great food. The complimentary fresh bread and garlic spread starts the feast. The huge raw bar serves up a wide variety of fresh oysters and clams on half shell. Shrimp and crab appetizers, both hot and cold, are sure to please. Fish and seafood are the house entree specialties and can be prepared to your specifications. Need a suggestion? Signature Oyster stew is always a good choice. After dinner, relax with an after dinner libation in Spoto's Bluepoint Lounge.
Estimated cost per person: $25-$35
Rhythm Cafe 3800 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (561) 833-3406
The Rhythm Café moves to its own special beat. The ever-changing décor reflects the whim of the owners; antiques, old photographs, books and charming collectables are relocated regularly around the restaurant. Twinkling holiday lights add a festive air throughout the year. The menu changes as frequently as the décor. One night the café might feature a sumptuous beef dish while another night rich fried green tomatoes take center stage. If you're looking for lighter fare, the appetizers (known here as "appeteezers") are the way to go. Prepared tableside, Saganaki, Greek kasseri cheese flamed with brandy stands out. Looking for something sweet? The Café's freshly churned ice cream is available by itself or scooped onto any of the other divine concoctions. Reservations, especially on weekends and in season, are advisable. Reservations, especially on weekends and in season, are advisable.
Estimated cost per person: $25-$35
Il Bellagio 600 S. Rosemary Avenue, City Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 659-6160
Hours: (Mon - Sun) 11:30 am -11 pm Cuisine Type: Italian, Pizza Place
Holidays: Closed: Open All Holidays
The clear view of the City Place fountain and plaza and comfortable décor make Il Bellagio a natural stop for weary shoppers. If you're visiting City Place and want a dynamite pizza, delicious salad or a drink, this convenient Italian gem is the obvious choice. Prices are reasonable and portions are ample. Don't stop there however, as Il Bellagio is a "serious" Italian restaurant. Pasta dishes are uniformly delicious and a wide variety of well-prepared meat, poultry and fish entrees are available. Enjoy some bread or an appetizer from the exposed brick wood-burning oven as you choose from Salmon or Tuna Carpaccio, Veal Scaloppini Limone, Tagliata di Manzo grilled butterflied sirloin steak and much more. Tables on the patio are especially romantic.
Estimated cost per person: $20-$30
The Player's Club 13410 Southshore Boulevard, Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 795-0080
Wellington is known worldwide for ponies and polo and this polo-themed restaurant capitalizes on that reputation. Designed to look like an expensive private club, The Player's Club successfully carries off an old-money feeling, with plenty of leather, wood and horse decorations scattered throughout. The menu reads like a Who's Who of American favorites: chicken, Long Island duck, shrimp, Caesar salad and the like. There's a special menu for steak. The Half and Half side dish, made up of crispy fried potato chips and onion rings, is delicious and manages to go well with every entrée. Attentive service helps to take the sting out of The Player's Club's somewhat hefty prices. After dinner, the Piano Bar is a hoot.
Holiday Schedule: Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
Riggins has been around for such a long time that folks who ate there as children now bring their own kids to dine. The place has the same look and feel that it did way back when. Crowds still queue up on weekends and for the "early bird" specials. How has this rustic crab house managed to remain unchanged through the years? Simple. The crab was king when Riggins opened its doors, and the crab still reigns today. All-you-can-eat garlic crabs have diners licking their fingers. Steamed blue crabs and the crab soups and chowders are equally delicious. Other seafood items are sensational too, including spicy Bahamian conch chowder, lobster and shrimp. After your meal, stroll over to the adjoining Riggins Seafood Market for takeout items and fresh crabs and seafood.
Estimated cost per person: $20-$30
Bizarre Ave Cafe 921 Lake Ave, Lake Worth, Fl. 33460 561 588 4488
Hours: (Mon-Sat) Tapas: 11:30 am - 11 pm, Lunch: 11:30 am - 4:30 pm, Before the Crowd and Happy Hour: 5 pm - 7 pm, (Thurs - Sat) Late Night Happy Hour: 10 pm - close
Cusine: American, Bars, Spanish
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
The folks at Bizarre Café have created the perfect grown-up hangout. The atmosphere is fresh and festive, with an anything goes attitude and acceptance. Want a quick gourmet bite? No problem. Want to get dressed up, eat and drink to your heart's content and stay for the evening? Come on over! The casual, welcoming attitude makes for a steady stream of patrons from opening to close. The food here is sensational, with virtually something for almost every taste and budget. Tapas, served all day, are the house specialty. Individual gourmet pizzas, called "pizzares", please the crowds. Daily specials change often, but typically offer a complete dinner at reduced prices. Live music is available some nights and the café provides gourmet food and wine events during the year. The Bizarre Café is a treasure!
Estimated cost per person: $25-$35
Little Moirs Food Shack 103 U.S. 1 (E. Indiantown Rd.), Jupiter, FL 33479 (561) 765-1950
Hours: (Mon - Sat) 11 pm - 9 pm Cusine: Seafood
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
The name and strip mall location of this sensational Jupiter restaurant could make it easy to overlook. However, since opening in 2002, the Food Shack has been wowing locals and tourists with its innovative recipes and dramatic presentation. Mike Moir, the owner, knows just how to create the wow factor. Prior to opening the Food Shack, he was the chef at Juno Beach's popular Reef Grill. Exciting and different is the order of the day here, for example, fish with sweet potato crust and coconut rice might be offered on the small verbal menu. Unfortunately, innovative recipes can create long preparation times. The resulting lines that stretch outside the small restaurant can get lengthy during dinner hours and season. Don't give up. Your wait time will be justified when you taste your meal.
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Palm Beach, FL