The best of Palm Beach Dining and MORE!
I moved down to South Florida begrudgingly. South Florida was a place we went to visit my Grandparents, had early bird specials, shopped in discount stores and burned my skin to the point of blistering. My husband, Gael, grew up in Palm Beach. The antithesis of my spring break vacations visit Grandma and Grandpa. PB was chic and sophisticated. Gorgeous homes and gorgeous people. This was a place I could be happy.
We quickly met some friends whom invited us to their “favorite” thai restaurant. That is when I learned, even the best restaurants in Florida were located in strip malls. I must admit I was cynical that it was not located on some side street, down a hidden stair case like in NYC, but the food was GOOD! This was a while ago and since then, I have discovered a number of great restaurants. They may not be in some obscure location, but there is a plethora of options with ambiance, style, great food, fun people watching and if you’re in the market great meeting spots.
Favorite Restaurant
Love eating at the bar at The CoolinaryCafe. The food is always great, but the staff is amazing. Always ready to make a great wine recommendation or help you decide between one of their gourmet and every changing items. While I love to try something new and different, their mushrooms are my favorite!
Favorite Bar
Down the street (yes, strip mall) from Coolinary Café (and owned by the same peeps) is Parched Pig. I am not an investor, but we stop by for a glass of wine or two or three weekly. Again, their staff makes us feel like we are special. I imagine it is what it was like to walk into Cheers with Ted Danson, but hipper and a lot more craft cocktails. I have heard it turns really fun after 10pm, but that doesn’t happen too often for my sleepy head.
Poppichulos
This is one of those places that makes you feel like you live in a “hip” area. Doors are left open so no matter where you sit, inside at the bar or on at the outside tables you feel like you are at the beach. Yummy, and well priced tacos, The guac is also very good and so are the magaritas. Perfect spot after an afternoon on the beach.
Utiki, Guanabanas, Love Street, and Square Grouper…..oh my.
I put these all in one category as they all have the most beautiful settings. The food may not be what brings you back, but the vibe will. Where the wait is always worth it, because you can enjoy a drink while watching the sun set over the landmark lighthouse or listen to music surrounded by lush tropical plants. If your visiting the Jupiter area, you have to stop by one or all of these spots for a drink, or some fish dip, or both
The Cooper
I love the cooper. The food is ALWAYS delicious! When my brother came to visit one weekend he refused to eat anywhere else. The menu has something for everyone, and I personally love their grapefruit martini. I’m a fan of grapefruit martinis, but they have to be done right and I can count on that at The Cooper.
The River House
(AKA Bricktops AKA The River House has been around forever)
This is one of my favorite spots for a special dinner with the family. The patio proved to be a great spot during covid, and their huge u shaped bar sitting on the intracoastal is a great spot no matter what is going on in the world. Watching the boats sail by is a treat as is the food, and their chocolate chip cookie with melted ice cream!
Bonus: Shopping!
What is great drinking and dining without great shopping???? And there is no shortage of great shopping in the Palm Beach/Jupiter area. There are great little boutiques like Lola Chic, and your traditional mall type of shops at The Gardens Mall, which elevated to stress free shopping complete with a Nordstrom’s, Sephora, LuluLemon, Apple and yes a Peloton retail location. Nothing better than a quick spin around The Gardens Mall, except a nice stroll down Worth Avenue. Even if you don’t buy a thing, it is retail therapy at its finest.
Then there is Rosemary Square, which is undeniably the biggest sign that Palm Beach has something for everything. The nicest Restoration Hardware Store you might ever see, with a restaurant overlooking Palm Beach and WPB in all directions.
Rosemary Square is at the Heart of it all with new high rises for urban living, entertaining and commercial space for an ideal live/work lifestyle.