Located on the East Coast of Florida, Palm Beach Gardens is famous for its gorgeous golf courses and beaches. But this seaside town also boasts a thriving food and drink scene.
Below, we have curated a list of the 12 best restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Each of these eateries was selected based on its five-star reviews, culinary creativity, and ambiance. We also selected a wide range of cuisines so that you’ll find a delicious meal no matter what you’re craving.
1. Avocado Cantina
$$ | 561-766-2430 | WEBSITE
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If you’re plant-based and looking for a new favorite, check out Avocado Cantina.
This Palm Beach Gardens mainstay dishes up tons of vegan offerings. Start your meal with an order of blistered shishito peppers doused in cilantro lime vinaigrette.
Or, if you prefer a bit of crunch, opt for the housemade chips and guac. From there, dive into a falafel taco with white bean hummus and tomatillo salsa. Savory and filling, you definitely won’t miss the meat.
2. Carmine’s La Trattoria Restaurant
$$ | 561-775-0186 | WEBSITE
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Carmine’s La Trattoria serves very authentic Italian food. And that’s no accident.
The eatery’s owner, Carmine Giardini, was born in the small town of Vittorio, Italy. As a young man, he immigrated to America and worked as a butcher, eventually opening a series of Italian grocery stores. He also opened Carmine’s: a five-star, white tablecloth eatery positioned in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens.
Next time you stop by the restaurant, order the house-made gnocchi with basil pesto sauce. Buttery and decadent, the potato dumplings transport you straight to Sicily.
3. FireFin Grill
$$$ | 561-472-7900 | WEBSITE
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An invasive species, the lionfish is threatening the careful balance of sea creatures off the coast of Florida. Luckily, FireFin Grill has devised a tasty solution.
At this upscale seafood eatery, you can order everything from hand-breaded lionfish fingers to blackened lionfish with Asian vegetables and rice.
Buttery, tender, and moist, many say this deadly fish tastes like a cross between lobster and shrimp. It also pairs well with the eatery’s Texas fire mule: vodka, lime juice, mango puree, and fresh jalapeno topped with ginger beer.
4. The Cooper
$$ | 561-622-0032 | WEBSITE
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At The Cooper, restaurateur Richard Rosenthal lets fresh, farm-to-table ingredients take the lead.
The red and golden beet salad, for instance, showcases locally-harvested root veggies alongside tangy goat cheese, sweet dried cranberries, baby greens, and pomegranate citronette.
To follow, you can order the East Coast cioppino. This stick-to-your-ribs dinner features jumbo shrimp, calamari, littleneck clams, local fish, mussels, and scallops in a fennel saffron tomato broth.
If you’re still hungry after polishing off your entree, hop on over to the dessert menu. According to Palm Beach Garden locals, the key lime pie is to die for.
5. Cool’A Fishbar
$$ | 561-622-2227 | WEBSITE
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If you’re looking for a laid-back restaurant with a tiki vibe, look no further than Cool’A Fishbar.
For more than a decade, the eatery has prided itself on serving the freshest seafood possible. Thanks to this focus on quality, every dish is equally delicious. From the pan-roasted andouille dijon mussels to the maple mustard-glazed salmon with coconut basmati rice, you can’t go wrong at Cool’A Fishbar.
6. Paddy Mac’s Restaurant
$$ | 561-691-4366 | WEBSITE
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A cornerstone of Palm Beach Gardens, Paddy Mac’s has been dishing up authentic Irish cuisine for the past 25 years.
Regulars at this neighborhood eatery suggest sipping a Guinness while head chef Ann Gibbons—an Ireland native—prepares your corned beef and swiss sandwich on grilled rye bread.
Another classic is the bangers and mash: a hearty plate of homemade sausage with creamy mashed potatoes, veggies and gravy, and hot mustard on the side.
7. Cafe Chardonnay
$$$$ | 561-627-2662 | WEBSITE
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For a truly lavish night out, make a reservation at Cafe Chardonnay.
Nestled in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, Cafe Chardonnay serves up a scrumptious menu fit for any special occasion.
Start your dinner with a toothsome appetizer like the pan-seared foie gras: an uber-decadent blend of duck confit, roasted butternut squash, and house-made blackberry compote. To accompany your amuse-bouche, order a glass of sangria.
For your main course, locals suggest the yellowtail snapper. Should you prefer less surf and more turf, order the rack of lamb with mashed potatoes and jus.
8. Salute Market
$$ | 561-425-5651 | WEBSITE
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If you want to relax and unwind this weekend, grab brunch at Salute Market.
Served every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., brunch at Salute Market features all your early morning favorites with a modern twist.
Rather than dish up a plate of run-of-the-mill waffles, for instance, the executive chef amps up the flavor with crispy pork belly, pickled veggies, and bourbon aioli on a cornbread waffle.
The executive chef also takes avocado toast to a whole new level. Topped with pico de gallo, cotija cheese, pepitas, pickled red onions, and cilantro, this tostada leaves quite the impression. When paired with bottomless bloody Marys, it’s a true hit.
9. Waterway Cafe
$$ | 561-694-1700 | WEBSITE
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Located on the site of the former Waterway Marina, the Waterway Cafe offers a true Florida dining experience.
Watch the waves crash and listen to the seagulls trill as your waiter loads the table up with savory starters. According to Waterway Cafe regulars, you can’t go wrong with the spicy tuna stack with wonton crisps.
Crispy, decadent, and topped with key lime mustard, the crab cake is also a crowd-pleaser. Just save room for the main event: a big, heaping bowl of seafood gumbo.
10. Spoto’s Oyster Bar
$$$ | 561-776-9448 | WEBSITE
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Complete with a covered outdoor area, Spoto’s Oyster Bar is the perfect spot to sip an adult beverage with friends.
One of the restaurant’s most popular drinks is The Sprig. Bright and refreshing, this house-made cocktail features Bowling and Burch gin, cucumber, basil, and a dash of citrus. If you’re more of a vodka lover, opt for the Florida Mule—a heady blend of orange vodka, lime, and ginger beer.
To soak up your spirits, Spoto’s boasts a menu of light and healthy fare. The cold gazpacho, for instance, really hits the spot on a steamy Florida day.
11. Christopher’s Kitchen
$$ | 561-318-6191 | WEBSITE
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Another veggie-based spot in Palm Beach Gardens is Christopher’s Kitchen.
Using fresh, organic ingredients, the executive chef whips up meat-free delicacies like “crab cakes” made from hearts of palm, chickpeas, red peppers, onions, and a dash of Old Bay seasoning. At Christopher’s Kitchen, you can even order fettuccine alfredo made from creamy cashew-based cheese.
If you still have room after polishing off an entree (or two), check out the eatery’s menu of homemade raw chocolates. The billionaire bar, for instance, is a salty-sweet mashup of dates, pecans, goji berries, cacao nibs, and cinnamon sauce.
12. Angry Moon Cafe
$$ | 561-694-7945 | WEBSITE
Few experiences are more romantic than a strong coffee in a European bistro. Thanks to Angry Moon Cafe, you need not travel far for a starry-eyed breakfast date.
With sparkling chandeliers and shiny wood paneling, this eatery transports you to a different time and place. The food is also reminiscent of another world. Regulars suggest pairing an espresso with the caviar trio: a french baguette with dill cream cheese and keta salmon red caviar.
Summary
There’s more to Palm Beach Gardens than golf courses and white sand. In this coastal town, you’ll find a smattering of five-star eateries dishing up everything from plant-based crab cakes to deadly lionfish.
Just be sure to consult our list of the 12 best restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, to make sure you order the most delicious meal next time you’re in town.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
