Wednesday, March 27, 2024

From the Magazine: Dining Discoveries Worth the Drive

As downtown West Palm Beach continues to develop, its neighborhoods to the south are also flourishing. Dixie Highway from Okeechobee Boulevard to Forest Hill Boulevard, which is home to the famous Antique Row district, has welcomed an impressive influx of restaurants and shops in recent years. These days you can find a wide selection of international cuisines to satisfy any craving, including Latin, Caribbean and Mediterranean. We’ve compiled a short list of stellar restaurants in hopes of inspiring you to take a drive north and discover your new favorite restaurant.

NOMAD @ SEAN RUSH

nomad @ sean rush
Photo from Nomad @ Sean Rush Facebook

Is it a restaurant? Is it a store? It’s both! Designer Sean Rush has blended his ultra-stylish shop with Nomad, a quaint restaurant that serves boutique wines and a globally inspired menu. He also hosts weekly wine tastings and live music on the weekends. You’ll feel right at home here as you sip on bubbles among stunning furniture and art.

3700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561/621-3700; nomad.seanrush.com

KITCHEN

kitchen restaurant
A savory treat from Kitchen

Chef Matthew Byrne and his wife Aliza created this intimate restaurant to share their take on international cuisine and to host old and new friends in a relaxed ambiance. Look forward to dishes that are packed with flavor like the asparagus, prosciutto, chevre and poached egg appetizer.

319 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach; 561/249-2281; kitchenpb.com

PALM BEACH MEATS

palm beach meats
Photo courtesy of Visual Honey

The butcher shop focuses on Wagyu beef from Japan, Australia and domestic providers while also selling quality pork, organic beef and lamb. It also houses a deli market with a variety of cheeses, pastas and spices. But its hidden gems are the pop-up lunches and decadent wine pairing and tasting dinners.

4812 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561/623-7471; palmbeachmeats.com

CHOLO SOY COCINA

cholo soy cocina
Photo from cholosoycocina.com

This is the spot for Latin street food with a focus on local quality ingredients. At the helm is chef Clay Carnes, a Food Network “Cutthroat Kitchen” winner. Tacos take center stage here with choices like brisket, octopus, chorizo and pork belly. There are also bowls, sandwiches, ceviche and don’t forget the churros.

3715 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561/619-7018; cholosoycocina.com

HAVANA RESTAURANT

havana restaurant
Photo courtesy of Havana Restaurant

This is an icon in this neighborhood, with a vibe that is historic hacienda, and traditional Cuban food, including the ventanita, or outdoor takeout window, that’s never closed and always has a line of eager patrons waiting for their caffeine fix. Enjoy arroz con pollo, tostones, croquetas, guava pastries and a slew of other satisfying dishes.

6801 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561/547-9799; havanacubanfood.com

HONORABLE MENTIONS TO ALSO CONSIDER

The Restaurant at The Norton (for an art-filled lunch), Table 26 (for elegant, fine dining), Howley’s Restaurant (for a nostalgic diner experience), La Casa Del Mofongo (for savory Caribbean cuisine), Lynora’s (for an Italian family meal), Grato (for when you’re indecisive and it’s a Clay Conley restaurant, so there’s that major perk), Darbster Bistro (for truly great vegan) and Tropical Smokehouse (for Florida barbecue that went to college).

This story is from the May/June 2022 issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.

Christie Galeano-DeMott
Christie Galeano-DeMott
Christie is a food lover, travel fanatic, bookworm, Francophile, and she believes art in all its forms is good for the soul. When she’s not writing about the incredible dishes, people and places that capture South Florida's culture and vibe, Christie is irresistibly happy in the company of her husband and a glass of red wine.

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