Casual Dining in Palm Beach
(cc: Flickr photo credit: Michelle Lyles)
Recently I was asked where my favorite place to eat was and my answer was Florida. Every year I make the exodus to the Palm Beach area for my annual snowbird vacation and there are just so many good restaurants around that the entire area rates as my favorite place to eat. And some of the more casual restaurants rate as some of the best as the fish is fresh, the vegetables are local, the prices are decent (especially during early bird hours) and the staff is almost always hospitable.
Absolutely the best breakfast restaurant by far is John G’s. This mom and pop restaurant has been in the same location across the street from Lake Worth’s public beach since it opened in 1973. Open every day for breakfast and lunch this is a taste treat that just can’t be missed. Come early for breakfast as it’s not uncommon for the line to stretch around the corner and down the sidewalk, but one taste of the almond crusted French bread and you’ll totally understand why people are willing to wait so long for such good food. For a sure fire lunch treat, get the fish and chips basket to go and have a picnic on the beach.
Another great place to pop in for breakfast or lunch is Green’s Pharmacy. Just blocks from the beach, this pharmacy offers a surprising treat to patrons as they’re invited to enjoy a good old fashioned meal in a setting that hasn’t been popular for ages. Those old enough to remember when drug stores were more than convenience stops will appreciate the Formica counter or the black and white checkerboard tables where homemade delicacies are served. As a added bonus, the prices also seem to be a throwback to a long forgotten time when a meal was served for a reasonable rate.
If you’re looking for something a little nicer than on the go beach cuisine, give Charley’s Crab a try. Yes, it’s a chain restaurant, but the food is incredibly fresh, the prices are good and the Palm Beach Florida location offers one of the best views and atmospheres in the area. In fact, the Palm Beach Post voted Charley’s Crab as the Best Dockside Dining. If the weather is nice enough, take advantage of the ocean view seating and really enjoy the best parts of Florida, the weather and the seafood.
Sick of fish and the ocean (I’m not sure if that’s possible) but a visit to Leila’s is a great escape as the restaurant seems to pluck you out of Florida and transport you to an authentic cosmopolitan Middle Eastern Grille. You can try traditional regional dishes that you’ve never even experienced before or you can settle in with familiar fare like hummus, falafel and tabouleh. Leila’s is a great example of all that Florida has to offer its guests and residents in delightful delectables.
If its not Mediterranean food that you’re missing but New York style deli food, the Toojay’s is a must, in fact, it’s probably a must anyway is you want a great simple meal with little fuss. The best part about Toojay’s is they’re everywhere. Starting as just one restaurant in Palm Beach in 1981, there are not 25 different locations and all serve delicious meals that you can count on being excellent at each and every location. Great food in a casual atmosphere for a reasonable price is what Toojay’s is all about.
For a little more excitement, give ER Bradley’s a shot. This tavern is a favorite of locals and has been called a pick up spot more than once. But ER Bradley’s is so much more. The setting is on the intercoastal waterway, giving you a beautiful view of Palm Beach and the boats as they cruise by. The food is bar fare with a lot of wow factor built in. and the entertainment and happy hour are the real reasons to stop by. Several nights a week you will be entertained by a live band and in this setting it doesn’t get much better. The one thing that’s possibly better, the happy hour deal. With a two drink purchase you get a free tour of the buffet which is stocked with delicious treats, enough to leave you too full for dinner.
Claiming to be a casual dining place, The Beach Club at the Breakers is going to be the most casual fare you can find at this famous landmark. Even though their website says its casual there is still an enforced dress code and you probably won’t see anyone in a bathing cover-up, but you’ll get to have an experience at the breakers and who knows who you’ll see. Palm Beach is a place to see and be seen, and The Breakers weeds out the riff raff pretty effectively. Expect to pay a bit for your meal but you’ll thoroughly enjoy the fresh food and pleasing presentation. Remember to keep your eyes glued to the poolside views for a glimpse of a noted someone.
And no trip to Palm Beach is complete without a day of shopping on Worth Avenue, at least in my opinion it isn’t. So why not stop in at Ta-Boo for a relaxing lunch that will leave you feeling like you’ve just lived the good life. The ambience of Ta-Boo is exactly what you’d suspect for Worth Avenue, its historical American elegance is drenched in tropical comfort. As a side note, Ta-Boo has served many of the wealthy and famous, including Frank Sinatra, John F. Kennedy and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. You’ll quickly recognize why the food draws well heeled patrons from around the world.
When dining in Florida, remember that Palm Beach casual is a little different than many other areas in the country. There is sort of a Palm Beach dress code and if you’re wearing jeans or jean shorts you’ll instantly feel out of place. If you want to fit in men should come wearing khaki dress slacks and a golf shirt, preferably in a pastel color. Women will want to wear tailored shorts or a khaki skirt and a pastel sweater set with the sweater tied around your shoulders. Flip flops are a no, no and low heeled sandals are preferred. If you’ve come for the beach, stick to John G’s or Green’s Pharmacy and you’ll fit right in.
Check out Hotels Cheap for great hotel deals in Palm Beach. Use the extra money in your pocket on dining around town.
Categories: Restaurants and Dining
