According to the article, The Palm Beaches in Florida has become an unexpected culinary hotspot, drawing top chefs and restaurateurs to its 47-mile coastal stretch of 39 distinct communities, from Boca Raton to Jupiter. The area, known as America's first resort destination, gets its name from an 1878 shipwreck that saw 20,000 coconuts rescued and planted, eventually growing into the iconic trees that line the streets.
Why The Palm Beaches Became a Dining Destination
The article notes that wealthy Northerners, primarily from New York, travel to The Palm Beaches for 'the season' from Christmas until Easter, bringing a taste for sophisticated dining that feels more Manhattan than Florida. These seasonal visitors, affectionately known as snowbirds, have helped attract a new generation of chefs and entrepreneurs reshaping the area's culinary identity. As one source told the author, 'there are not a lot of rules when it comes to food' in The Palm Beaches, allowing chefs to be more creative and experimental.
This freedom translates into accessible wagyu menus and Cuban restaurants using ingredients they wouldn't dare elsewhere. Stage Kitchen in Palm Beach Gardens features a menu with Indian, Spanish, Latin American and contemporary US dishes, described as an exploration of chef Pushkar Marathe's own experiences of global cooking traditions. The tandoori churrasco was a standout dish, according to the article.
Key Restaurants and Their Signature Dishes
Local restaurateurs often own several restaurant concepts to cater to diverse tastes, especially in downtown Delray Beach, where the owners of Mexican spot El Camino also run a steakhouse and tavern. Chefs no longer regard The Palm Beaches as just a seasonal output but as a serious dining destination. While Café Boulud from renowned French chef Daniel Boulud has been a Palm Beach staple for over two decades, newer additions include Akira Back in Delray Beach and Seahawk by David Burke in Palm Beach Gardens.
Specific restaurant highlights from the article include: El Camino Mexican Soul Food in Delray Beach, a cult-favourite high-energy eatery known for bold flavours, an extensive margarita and tequila menu, and signature hot sauces, with a favourite item being the Pineapple-Coconut Margarita. Akira Back at The Ray Hotel in Delray Beach offers Japanese dining with a Korean twist, with fresh fish delivered from Japan within 48 hours; its favourite item is the AB Tuna Tataki. Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach serves modern French cuisine in an elegant courtyard, with a pro tip not to skip dessert; its favourite item is the Café Cobb.
The Butcher's Club at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens is a Michelin-recommended modern steakhouse from Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, offering old-school atmosphere with incredible quality; favourite items are a tie between the Tuna-Coconut Ceviche and the Porter House steak. Stage Kitchen in Palm Beach Gardens features a global menu with US, Latin American and Spanish influences linked to chef Pushkar Marathe's Indian roots; its favourite item is the Plantain Chaat. Seahawk Prime by David Burke in Lake Park overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and features signature Himalayan salt-aged steaks and seafood, including hanging bacon snipped with scissors; its favourite item is DB's OG clothesline bacon.
Travel Information and Accommodation
Virgin Atlantic flies direct from London Heathrow to Miami, with return fares from £483 per person including complimentary food, drink, inflight entertainment and taxes. The Ray Hotel Delray Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a mid-range four-star located in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach, two blocks from Atlantic Avenue. For shoulder season, rates range from £220 to £293 per night.
