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Updated March, ’24: Best Palm Beach Restaurants

 

Epicure restaurant at the Oetker’s collection Le Bristol Hotel in Paris; soon to reopen Chesterfield Hotel under Oetker management

 

Updated March, 2024

Best Palm Beach Restaurants — With each trip to Palm Beach I make new dining discoveries, though always returning to a few favorites. It’s not surprising about the new finds, as PB is continuing to evolve as a dining destination, with new entrants boasting beautiful people watching and fine dining credentials, “modern coastal cuisine”, of the moment cuisines and the ubiquitous Mexican tacos. But PB also likes the retro thing, which I admit I really enjoy when it’s done right. So here are my picks of the best Palm Beach restaurants for your day trip or Staycation. Note that “in season” (November through April) restaurants can book up early, so best to reserve two weeks in advance or think about going for lunch to the most coveted spots. Since I go to PB regularly, check back for new additions.  And in case you missed the earlier post, click here on an updated list of New Things to Do in Palm Beach.

best restaurants in Palm Beach, miamicurated
Patio dining at Le Bilboquet

 

One of my favorites for the best Palm Beach Restaurants is French restaurant Le Bilboquet on Worth Avenue which comes from New York City. I felt as if I was in a tony restaurant in one of the European Rivieras, in their outdoor courtyard with the well starched, crisp white table cloths, handsome umbrellas and attractive people. Whatever we had was exceptional — delicious, perfectly executed French (and some American) classics, and well presented (loved one of the signature dishes in particular, the Cajun chicken, and don’t miss the vacherin for dessert). Service was very professional and everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

best palm beach restaurants, Le Bilboquet, Miamicurated

We went for lunch which they serve late, so it was a late lunch/early dinner Mediterranean style. In my book, that’s the time to go there, especially in the winter when the weather is glorious. Combine it with shopping (or window shopping), and it’s a perfect afternoon. Note though that they only take reservations for parties of 4 or more (another reason to go for a late lunch) and there’s a dress code. What you can do is check online when there are openings so you get an idea of when you can snag a table without much trouble.

 

Note March ’24:  Another one of my favorite dining spots is the Leopard Lounge in The Chesterfield Hotel, still closed while the hotel undergoes a renovation. I read that the Oetker Group that has the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes, The Lanesborough in London and Le Bristol Hotel in Paris has taken it over. Let’s see if they revive the Leopard Lounge or whatever is sure to be the next hot spot.

 

At the other end of the price spectrum  off of Worth Avenue is Pizza al Fresco. At 14 Via Mizner its specialty is pizza cooked in a wood burning brick oven (most priced in the twenties) but it also has delicious salads, sandwiches and entrees. The food is respectable; the appeal is the location and courtyard setting.

Tuna tartar at The Honor Bar

Solid choices are The Honor Bar and sister restaurant Palm Beach Grill. They have been on my “to go” list for awhile, highly recommended by friends and finally went, for lunch. In Royal Poinciana Plaza, they’re favorites with locals. The menus feature American classics, the kind of food you find at other restaurants operated by Hillstone. The Honor Bar in particular is a good place to go if you’re eating alone — a friendly atmosphere and service, and comfortable bar seating along with solid quality and good value.

More Best Palm Beach Restaurants

 

Over the bridge is one of the best West Palm Beach restaurants. There’s Okeechobee Steak House in West Palm Beach, Florida’s oldest steakhouse, 71 years old.  Interestingly enough we heard raves about it from a foodie friend from Italy, home of the Bistecca Fiorentina, who works in the world of luxury in Palm Beach.  It’s for serious carnivores and serious eaters in general including loyal regulars. Unusual for me, after a first rate classic martini,  I ate everything it was so good — prime bone-in ribeye which came with a house salad and  choice of potato (in our case, baked potato).

best west palm beach restaurants, Okeechobee steak house, Miamicurated

The steak was perfectly charred, tender,  and beefy. It was grass fed, surprising to me who usually opts for corn fed beef. And for those for whom more is more, they can team the steak up with several variations of surf and turf as well as toppings. Choose to have it crusted with horseradish and butter or gorgonzola with mushrooms and onions, sauced with bearnaise, or topped with bone marrow butter.

best west palm beach restaurants, Okeechobee steak house, Miamicurated

I also did damage to the uber chocolately seven layer cake, one of several rich all American desserts.  Everything was more than WTC (worth the calories The decor is likely not very different from when it opened — dark wood banquettes and leather upholstery, and a happening bar with local regulars. Service is very professional and friendly, and it offers very good value and prices considering the quality.  Note: exclusively indoor seating.  There’s also a store where you can buy their meats ..

 

 

The Colony Hotel  is a place where locals have always gone, more so now, thanks to its happening indoor and outdoor poolside restaurant and bar that’s the home of  Swifty’s from New York. Known as “the club without dues”, Swifty’s attracted celebrities and society darlings ranging from Michael Kors and Martha Stewart to Gwyneth Paltrow. Expect to find attractive people at breakfast, lunch and dinner, some having business meals and others just enjoying the very good food and people watching.

Swifty’s Restaurant

 

We stuck with our tried and true as they make a mean martini and Manhattan. Everything we had was wonderful – the double Colorado lamb chops (had to find “Colorado” ones),

 

British Chef Tom’s fish and chips, the potatoes fried three times for extra crispiness with mushy peas, a best dish of the year brussels sprouts with espelette and agave, and decadent desserts. Desserts were delicious too, and service professional and friendly.

 


Another spot for people watching and fine dining,  the Italian restaurant Sant Ambroeus in the Royal Poinciana Plaza . It
hails from Manhattan and is a local favorite for its elegant ambiance, always delicious food, and lovely outdoor dining. I favor the pastas and veal dishes and foodie friends swear by the branzino, blue pasta special and the signature Princess cake for dessert. Open for lunch and dinner.  Another good pick for lunch in an attractive outdoor courtyard is Cafe Boulud in the Brazilian Court Hotel. They often have a lunch special which offers good value.

best palm beach restaurants, MiamiCurated
Cafe Boulud

 

There’s buzz about La Goulue, which made its mark in Manhattan in the 80’s as one of the places for the ladies who lunch, celebs and celeb watchers. It offers a classic French menu with dishes ranging from cheese souffle and rack of lamb to duck confit and crepe suzettes. If you decide to go, go very early and sit outside. We went at 8 p.m. and the place was packed, noise level inside was very “energetic” and service wasn’t what we had expected.

 

 

In the retro department is the Green’s Pharmacy Luncheonette which dates from 1938 and still has a soda fountain.  The extensive menu includes breakfast items (get this, pigs in a blanket for breakfast), and diner fare along with deli selections .Mr. W opted for a reuben sandwich and I chose the philly cheesesteak, both quite good. And, included in the price, the waitress calls you Honeybun. and while you’re in the neighborhood, check out Michelle Farmer Collaborate boutique which features her own lovely fashion creations, perfect for South Florida.

Green’s Pharmacy Luncheonette

 

For a breakfast of coffee and house baked pastries and breads or lunch of soup and salad or light dishes including those made in a wood fired rotisserie, check out new entry,  Hive Bakery & Cafe in  West Palm Beach .  The pastry chef has Michelin star credentials and the pastries are top notch In particular do not miss the cinnamon morning buns. They’re worth the trip to Palm beach in themselves! The ambiance is classic American and appealing, not surprising since the owner has an interior design and decor shop adjacent. Everything is high quality, and there’s both indoor seating and two separate outdoor spaces including one that has lovely purple orchids hanging from the ceiling and gracing the walls. 1603 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach 33901. Missing your Cuban coffee and pasteles? Check out Cortadito at 444. W. Railroad Avenue, West Palm Beach.

Cinnamon morning buns at The Hive, worth the trip to Palm Beach

 

Another good spot, though for a full breakfast in lovely surroundings and very good service is LoLa41 which hails from Nantucket and now has several outposts. I had a five vegetable omelet that was the best ever, thick green smoothie, along with Zak the Baker’s chewy sourdough bread and perfect, strong black coffee with generous refills. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner when it’s the “hot spot” for the younger crowd, and a jumping bar scene. It’s adjacent to the equally attractive White Elephant boutique hotel.

LoLa 41

I finally made it recently to the atrium cafe on the fourth floor of Restoration Hardware. The casually elegant contemporary classic decor in black and white with white marble tabletops, crystal chandeliers, trees, and a central fountain, is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s a good choice for breakfast,  a light lunch or dinner (but don’t think cheap) with tasty salads, sandwiches, “for the table” for sharing, and sides. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 pm. 560 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach. Valet parking.

Restoration Hardware cafe

 

Other additions to the list of the Best Palm Beach restaurants are Clay Conley’s  Buccan which I plan to try next time (he’s scheduled to open Chateau Miami on Brickell), and The Breakers hotel has a restaurant that opened during the pandemic — Henry’s, an American inspired bistro. I also heard that Cucina Palm Beach is a new “hot spot” with a disco ball and bottle service and another referred by a reliable palate, this for casual dining, Avocado Grill.

Buccan

And if you frequenters of Palm Beach want something still newer, a good friend who lives there and is in the know made these recommendations. I quote her:

“Harry’s, we love sitting at the bar before going to Kravis Center.
Tropical Smokehouse is excellent….Pitmaster Rick Mace selected as a 2023 James Beard Restaurant & Chef Awards semifinalist. Chef Rick is nominated in the Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)”category.
Pink Steak is whimsically sophisticated, noisy festive vibe inside but has an outside area….food is delicious, especially grilled Caesar salad.
Felice, soon to open in Miami,  has indoor & outdoor seating…..lots of New Yorkers.”

 

Need ideas on where to stay? Here are my reviews of The Eau Palm Beach, The Colony, and the Breakers:

Staycation: Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa

Staycation: The Breakers

Staycation: The Colony

 

 

Karen Escalera

Karen Escalera

14 Responses

  1. Hiosw could you miss Cafe Flora on Worth??? Totally oustside and filled up each evening and also at lunch.

    1. Thank you for your input. I’ve been there and it’s a lovely place and very popular as you say. The places I wrote up are the ones I really like. There are others in the Worth Avenue area that are popular like Ta-boo, Bice and Renatos that I didn’t mention either as they’re not my favorites though some friends really like them.

  2. The most Kid friendly is Pizza al Fresco on Via Mizner. The salads are delicious as are the gourmet pizzas.There are also yummy appetizers like the Frito Misto that even kids will love. There are also entrees. The outdoor setting is lovely and the people watching is excellent. Be warned..this is not a grungy shorts and t shirt place. Everyone, including the kids, was very nicely dressed.

  3. Thanks Karen, I’m trying Lola 41 for lunch tomorrow. Sadly, one of my faves – Cucina – is not opened for lunch now.

  4. What a largess of riches! I remember when Palm Beach had just a few great restaurants to choose from! Thanks for the update!

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