22 Must-Try Restaurants In West Palm Beach

Top picks for barbecue, Southern fare, Cuban food, and more

"Where do you want to have dinner?” Normally, I can answer that question in seconds. I love eating out, especially when I’m traveling. But there I was, on vacation in West Palm Beach, Florida, completely dumbfounded. We could have sourdough pizza, barbecue (Floribbean style or Tex-Mex inspired), fried chicken, Jamaican fish, and the list went on. This smorgasbord of options wasn’t the cause of my confusion. See, I grew up in West Palm Beach, and at some point an actual dining scene had taken root while I wasn’t looking. When it comes to food, the city has historically been overshadowed by Palm Beach, its tony neighbor across Lake Worth Lagoon, and by glittering Miami, about two hours south.

During my childhood in the 1980s, there were plenty of places for my family to dine out but not the type that would attract tourists or national awards. Proctor’s, famous for its all-you-couldeat fried grouper, was one of the few seafood restaurants my dad, an avid fisherman, approved of. For breakfast, we went to John G.’s, a nautical diner across from Lake Worth Beach, where customers waited down the block for Cinnamon Nut French Toast. The Ark had a Biblical-themed buffet shaped like—you guessed it—Noah’s ark, with an endless salad “deck.” A real treat was a box of crispy, craggy fried chicken and hush puppies from Bud’s Chicken & Seafood.

Some of those are still local favorites, but much has changed. During the pandemic, Florida had an influx of new residents who wanted a sunny place to work remotely or start anew. Between 2021 and 2022, it was the fastest-growing state, with a 1.9% increase in population, according to the United States Census Bureau. By 2022, Palm Beach County was Florida’s third most populous. As more people headed south, so did restaurants. New York City establishments like Harry’s and Felice opened locations in The Square, an outdoor shopping and entertainment district in the heart of West Palm Beach.

However, the real catalysts for this culinary boom were the homegrown spots showcasing native talent, says Liz Balmaseda, who has covered food and dining for The Palm Beach Post since 2009. “There’s a community of indie, local, chef-led restaurants on the rise, and it has come together organically. There’s tremendous collaboration with joint popups, street parties, and other events.”

The rest of the country is starting to take notice too. Last year, five chefs in Palm Beach County earned James Beard Award nominations, a new record for the area. Clearly, I had a lot of eating to do. So I set out to get reacquainted with my hometown. Here are my favorite new finds mixed in with some old favorites.

Related: The Best Things To Do in West Palm Beach, Florida

Barbecue

Tropical Smokehouse

Florida has never been known for its ’cue culture, but a few chef-run spots, also on Dixie Highway, are changing that. My favorite one is Tropical Smokehouse, which opened in 2021 and earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nod in 2023, as well as recognition as Florida’s best locally owned restaurant in our own South’s Best awards. Chef Rick Mace combines expertly smoked meats and seafood with Floribbean sides like crispy yuca, plantains, and Caribbean Slaw, as well as traditional ones like white Cheddar mac and cheese. Don’t miss the gooey Cowboy Cookies, which arrive warm and are big enough to share. Mace’s newest offering, Tropical BBQ Market, is located downtown and has many of the same menu items plus special sandwiches and more takeaway options such as a smoked-chicken dinner with sides.

eattropical.com, 3815 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach FL; 561-323-2573

Austin Republic

At Austin Republic, chef Jimmy Strine adds a Tex-Mex twist to barbecue standbys like brisket and pulled pork, which can be ordered by the pound with sides like German potato salad and rancho beans or as tacos with a variety of toppings. The restaurant, which formerly operated out of a repurposed shipping container on Dixie Highway, is moving into a brick-and-mortar space, and is slated to reopen in summer 2024.

theaustinrepublic.com

Pig Beach BBQ

Pig Beach was founded in 2015 by restaurateur Rob Shawger and pit-masters Shane McBride and Matt Abdoo, who met on the barbecue circuit. After successful pop-ups, they opened restaurants in New York and a West Palm Beach location in 2022. Housed in a former garage, it has a sports bar vibe and a far-reaching menu that includes Smoked Cheddar & Jalapeño Sausage, a barbecue jackfruit sandwich, and pulled pork with a vinegar-based sauce.

pigbeachnyc.com, 2400 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach FL 33401; (561) 803-0444

Park Avenue BBQ & Grille

This local chain has six locations, including one in West Palm Beach, and you'll find all the usual barbecue favorites on the menu here. Baby back ribs are the thing to order—they have been declared the best in town.

pabbqgrille.com, 2215 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach FL 33407; 561-689-7427

Italian

Grato

For more than a decade, Clay Conley has been one of Palm Beach’s most celebrated chefs, known first for his upscale restaurants Buccan and Imoto and then later for Buccan Sandwich Shop. In 2016, he opened Grato, a popular Italian eatery on South Dixie Highway, and it's still a popular destination today. Tables fill up quickly for Conley’s wood-wired pizzas and handmade pastas. Although it bills itself as a “neighborhood joint,” Grato’s inviting space and menu make it perfect for date night, or any special meal out. Just be sure to make a reservation.

gratowpb.com, 1901 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach FL; 561-404-1334  

Elisabetta's

With a breezy patio that overlooks Lake Worth Lagoon and an appealing menu of pizzas, pastas, salads, and other Italian-American favorites, it's no wonder this lively place is always hopping for brunch, lunch, and dinner. From aperitivo hour to bottomless Bellinis at brunch, drink specials are always on tap here, too.

elisabettas.com; 185 Banyan Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; (561) 342-6699

Pizzaioli

If you plan ahead—which I encourage—you can pre-order a pizza or two from Pizzaioli, an offshoot of
Aioli, a cafe and bakery run by husband-and-wife team Michael and Melanie Hackman. Sourdough-crust pies are the thing here, and toppings like roasted-garlic fondue and herbed whipped ricotta make each one memorable. My family (including a picky child) devoured ours, which had crispy pepperoni, crushed tomatoes, roasted garlic, and aged mozzarella. A limited number of pizzas are made each night, and the restaurant is takeout only. Phone orders are accepted Thursday through Saturday.

pizzaioli.com, 7402 S Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33405; 561-508-6958

Southern

Honeybelle

You don’t even need to know how to hold a club to dine at Honeybelle, which opened at the PGA
National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens in 2021. With cane furniture; pastel florals reminiscent of The Golden Girls; and a spacious, plant-filled patio, it has already made its mark on Instagram. The menu is appealing, too, with vibrant cocktails and crowd-pleasing dishes from chef Lindsay Autry, like the Mediterranean Bowl (black-eyed pea hummus, lemon chicken, tomato-and-cucumber salad, stuffed grape leaves, and fresh pita) that nods to her Greek and Southern heritage. Also on the menu is the sweet tea-brined, impeccably breaded fried chicken that put her on the map at The Regional, her elegant flagship restaurant, which opened in The Square in 2016 and closed last year.

honeybellepbg.com, 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418; (561) 627-7015

Georgia Mae's

Chef Boris Seymore opened this restaurant last year, bringing West Palm a taste of soul food inspired by his grandmother, Georgia Mae. Soul Bowls, Seymore's signature dish, let customers mix and match proteins (like oxtails and baked turkey wings) and sides (like greens, lima beans, and mac and cheese) to create their own custom meal.

facebook.com/GMCaldwellFoundation, 5029 A Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL, United States, Florida; 561-847-4078

Bud's Chicken and Seafood

Since the 1950s, this local chain has been serving up cardboard boxes and paper-lined plates filled with all things golden, crisp, and fried. Chicken is the star here, although the restaurant offers several types of fried seafood, including scallops and clams. Don’t miss the hushpuppy-like “legendary corn fritters” which are satisfyingly crunchy on the outside and fluffy and studded with corn on the inside.

budschicken.com, 7912 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL; 561-588-8595

Cuban & Latin American

Havana Restaurant

For Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, and coffee with a real kick, head to Havana, a West Palm Beach institution. The restaurant has undergone many renovations over the years—the current building has a 24-hour walk-up window for late-night eats—but the quality of the food at this family-run business remains the same.

havanacubanfood.com, 6801 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL; (561) 547-9799

Barrio

Located in The Square, Barrio's dishes and drinks are inspired by Latin neighborhood street food. It's a fun place to gather with friends over chorizo flatbread, chicharrones, tostones with chimichurri, and colorful drinks like the Pineapple-Guava Daiquiri and the Passionfruit Caipirinha. Open for lunch and dinner, it also offers drink specials for happy hour.

barriowpb.com, 700 S Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; (561) 366-0071

Don Ramone Restaurante Cubano

Open since 1990, and under the same family ownership since 1998, Don Ramon prides itself on its authentic Cuban dishes. The menu includes a long list of sandwiches including pan con lechon and the traditional Cubano sandwich, as well as entrees like vaca frita, ropa vieja, and arroz con pollo. Don't leave without a slice of tres leches cake.

donramonrestaurant.com, 7101 South Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL; 561-547-8704

Cholo Soy Cocina

Cholo Soy Cocina is a small but fun spot on Dixie Highway with a creative menu of Latin American-inspired dishes that includes a little bit of everything—octopus-and-chorizo tacos, shrimp ceviche with plantain chips, and empanadas—and it all tastes great. Enjoy your meal outside in the small back patio.

cholosoycocina.com, 3715 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405; (561) 619-7018

Globally-Inspired

Stage Kitchen & Bar

Situated in an unassuming shopping center in Palm Beach Gardens, the James Beard Award-semifinalist Stage (pronounced “STAH-zh”) merges chef Pushkar Marathe’s Indian heritage with Florida, the Caribbean, and beyond. “My partner, Andy Dugard, and I saw there was nothing like it in Palm Beach County, and it didn’t take long for us to find the ideal location,” says Marathe. The original concept for the place was globally inspired small plates, but the pandemic changed that plan. “Survival meant takeout, so we adapted our menu to include curries. They became so popular that we recognized this was an opportunity,” he says, referring to his second restaurant, Ela Curry & Cocktails, which he started in 2022. “When Stage reopened, the community we had nurtured during the lockdown became a loyal and supportive following that has grown year after year.” Today, the dining room at Stage is as Marathe originally dreamed it would be—loud, lively, and full of people sharing plates of vibrant, aromatic food, like Plantain Chaat. His spin on this Indian snack blankets the starchy fruit with yogurt, pomegranate arils, tamarind, mint, and crispy potatoes. It’s a bold dish that hits all of the senses, especially when paired with a Go Man-Go cocktail (gin with local mangoes, lemon-grass, ginger, and turmeric).

stagepga.com, 2000 PGA Boulevard Suite 5502, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408; (561) 408-3685

Coolinary

Ask a food-industry veteran in Palm Beach County where they like to eat, and you’ll probably hear about Coolinary. Since this cafe opened 12 years ago, Tim Lipman’s eclectic food has earned a devoted following, especially among other chefs. Where else can you find options like crispy eggplant flavored with chile and ginger, grilled swordfish with carrot romesco, and a brisket-and-chuck burger–all on the same menu? David Sabin, the force behind the annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, says Lipman’s fried chicken with a jalapeño-Cheddar waffle is his favorite dish in town. “It’s so good I ordered it twice in one day,” he admits, “and my wife [Lindsay Autry] is famous for her fried chicken.” In 2021, Lipman and his wife and general manager, Jenny, expanded Coolinary by moving it into a larger space that’s shared with their bar, The Parched Pig. Thankfully, their chicken and waffles still remain.

thcoolpig.com, 4580 Donald Ross Rd #105, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418; (561) 249-6760

Queen of Sheeba

Through her restaurant Queen of Sheeba, chef Lojo Washington has made a name for herself and introduced many South Floridians to Ethiopian cuisine. The cozy and inviting space feels like dining in Washington's home, and the menu, with dishes like doro wat (chicken stew with Berbere spices) and injera (a spongey flatbread) is richly spiced and delightful to eat.

queenofsheebawpb.com, 716 N Sapodilla Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; (561) 514-0615

Lunch Spots

Hive Bakery & Cafe

Step into this stylish cafe and it’s no surprise that it was conceived by an interior designer. Hive Bakery & Cafe is part of a group of businesses by Sara McCann of McCann Design Group that also includes shops for home goods (Hive Home, Gift & Garden) and clothing (Hive for Her & Him), among others. But this place isn’t just about aesthetics—in addition to an appealing menu of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salads, and soups, the bakery is stocked with an impressive array of rustic loaves, flaky croissants, elegant tarts and cakes, and cookies of all kinds.

hivebakeryandcafe.com, 1603 South Dixie, West Palm Beach, FL; 561-360-2196

Buccan Sandwich Shop

In 2023, chef Clay Conley opened a second location of Buccan Sandwich Shop, which operates from a take-out window that’s on the side of Grato. Now, West Palm Beachers don’t even have to cross the bridge for beef carpaccio on a baguette with arugula, both balsamic and crispy onions, mayonnaise, and lemon vinaigrette, or a tuna salad sandwich made with smoked yellowfin. Don't miss the refreshing ginger lemonade.

buccansandwichshop.com; 1901 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; (561) 469-1917

The Restaurant At The Norton

It’s worth spending a whole afternoon at the Norton Museum of Art, which is home to works by significant artists including Georgia O’Keefe, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso, among others. The museum’s inner courtyard and exterior sculpture garden are some of the best places in the city to commune with art and nature. (Don’t miss the nearby Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, which is also a beautiful experience.) The Restaurant at the Norton is a sleek indoor-outdoor eatery
that opens onto the museum’s sculpture garden, an area surrounded by tropical foliage. Plates are artfully composed here too. The fresh salmon crudo pairs citrus-cured fish with a passion fruit and yuzu vinaigrette, pistachios, crème fraîche, and basil oil.

norton.org, 1450 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL; 561-832-5196

Food Halls & Markets

Grandview Public Market

Grandview Public Market, a popular food hall with colorful murals and a breezy patio, put West Palm's Warehouse District on the radar in 2018. It’s still great for getting lunch—Caribbean Fire Side Bistro serves up Jamaican beef patties and escovitch, a whole fried fish topped with sautéed onions and peppers. Ramen Lab Eatery offers hot bowls of the Japanese soup as well as dumplings and steamed buns, Clare Ave. Grille makes smashburgers and sandwiches, and The District Bar mixes spirited cocktails. The neighborhood is also where to find Steam Horse Brewing Co., Steel Tie Spirits Co. (a family-owned rum-and-vodka distillery and tasting room), and Isla & Co. (an all-day cafe that has an Australian-influenced menu with distinctive dishes like kangaroo kebabs served over herbed tahini).

grandviewpublic.com, 1401 Clare Ave., West Palm Beach, FL; 561-660-5629

West Palm Beach Greenmarket

Every Saturday from October to April, Centennial Square in downtown West Palm is filled with vendors selling fresh produce, Cuban coffee, local honey, potted orchids and plants, baked goods, and all sorts of prepared foods. It’s a busy scene, but you can find peaceful moments too. Hang out on the large green lawn and enjoy the breeze from the Intracoastal Waterway, which is right across the street.

clematisstreet.org/west-palm-beach-green-market,101 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL

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