Heading to the Palm Beach International Boat Show? Best restaurants in downtown West Palm
Featuring more than $1 billion worth of watercraft from eight-foot kayaks to James Bond villain-worthy super yachts, the Palm Beach International Boat Show is back and bigger than ever.
Once again gracing the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront, the 2025 event is one day longer than last year and runs Wednesday, March 19 to Sunday, March 23.
Whether you're in the market, unsure or, like many, enjoy just looking and dreaming, you'll need to fuel up to properly peruse all those beautiful boats.
Though the event itself offers plenty of good options, many new restaurants have opened in the downtown area since last year's event. Our list also features a few iconic, tried and true hot spots and some great grab-and-go grub worth checking out.
All restaurants are located in West Palm Beach and listed alphabetically.
Bar Capri
Waterfront? Check. Rooftop dining with vast views of that yacht you're coveting? Indeed. Twinkling lights of the world-famous Breakers Hotel in the distance? That too. Think of Bar Capri as a sexy sky-high pizza party where cocktails and caviar are mere introductions to a bar menu featuring a generous selection of artisanal, significantly sized shareable pies made downstairs at the renowned Elisabetta's, then delivered to your table in a pizza box.
Details: 185 Banyan Blvd., 561-342-6699, BarCapriWPB.com
Blind Monk
Ok, so maybe, technically they're not newbies, but they did move from their original 700-square-foot spot on Evernia Street to their new 2,200-square-foot location on S. Dixie Highway in 2024. This beloved wine and tapas bar has gained valuable space that has enabled them to expand their menu and offer even more. "When we were on Evernia, it was a small space… with a very small, limited kitchen," said owner Ben Lubin. Blind Monk's menu includes appetizers like mussels escabeche and Lolo's Caesar and entrées ranging from the fish skewer of grilled cobia to yuca gnocchi to lemon anchovy spaghetti and more. With a full (and very impressive) bar, don't miss out on a cocktail or an excellent glass of wine.
Details: 655 S. Olive Ave., 561-833-3605, theblindmonk.com
Lamarina
The old adage 'timing is everything' applies here. This lovely and ultra-convenient new waterfront restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday during the Show. Menu items will include lamb sliders ($20), a crispy swordfish sandwich ($28) and a falafel wrap ($18), all served with a side of hand-cut fries.
Details: 4050 N. Flagler Drive, 561-371-8380, lamarinawestpalm.com
Malka
Helmed by celebrity chef Eyal Shani, this authentic Israeli restaurant adheres to kosher dietary laws. Malka features Shani's signature cuisine and décor designed to take guests on a cultural journey. Started in Tel Aviv in 2018, this is the fourth Malka after Tel Aviv, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Shani says the menu is "full of freedom and freshness and creativity," adding "I put happiness inside Malka… it comes from the joy of food." The menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes focusing on fresh vegetables and prime quality proteins.
Details: 209 Sixth St., 561-559-0901; malka-usa.com
Maman
Meaning "mother" in French, Maman opened at CityPlace in August 2024. The French-inspired all-day café boasts a warm setting with imported French antique furniture and decor that draws inspiration from the provincial South of France. The menu features coffees, teas, juices, pastries baked in-house daily, sandwiches, tartines, salads, soups and classics like the daily quiche, omelettes, Belgian waffles, overnight oats and more. Recommended options include Raquel's kale Caesar salad with roasted chicken, shaved parmesan, country bread croutons and pickled onions with house-made Caesar dressing and an everything croissant salmon sandwich with smoked salmon, fresh herbs and everything bagel seasoning.
Details: 473 S. Rosemary Ave., mamannyc.com
Milos
If The Row opened a Greek restaurant , it might look something like the newest estiatorio Milos , arguably Montreal's most famous restaurant-related export, which launched in 1979. The family-owned concept's 13th location opened Feb. 7 at the new Related Ross complex One Flagler in West Palm Beach . Milos is famous for next-leveling its sophisticated presentations, especially with its seafood markets, where a patron can pick the specific fish they want to eat from the 14-foot-wide display and tell the kitchen exactly how they want their it prepared. Salt-baked preparation is a house signature. If you need to close the deal, this is the spot.
Details: 170 Lakeview Ave., 561-437-8889; estiatoriomilos.com
Moody Tongue Sushi
In a recent New York Times review of Thomas Keller's Per Se and The French Laundry, interim restaurant critic Melissa Clark said, "You don't have to take a plane or a mortgage to experience Mr. Keller's legacy in its full artistic glory. There's probably a Keller alum near you, making diners laugh out loud with delight." One such Keller alum might be Jared Rouben, a former expediter at New York City's Per Se. With his co-founder and cousin Jeremy Cohn, Rouben recently opened Moody Tongue Sushi, a 15-course $145 prix-fixe omakase. What's different here? Premium beer pairings (an additional $75) served in high-end stemware usually reserved for fine wine. Champagne flutes too. Seating is limited; reservations required via OpenTable .
Details: 600 Okeechobee Blvd. at the Hilton, 561-494-9650; moodytongue.com
These West Palm Beach restaurants are tried and true crowdpleasers
Avocado Grill
This dining destination is steps away from the boat show. Helmed by executive chef and owner Julien Gremaud, the restaurant recently celebrated its 10th anniversary . Known for a farm-to-table ethos and a menu that changes to feature the freshest ingredients, Gremaud said there are two dishes that have survived 10 years: grilled octopus with chorizo, fingerling potatoes, Marcona almonds and smoked paprika aioli, and the grilled prime hanger steak with chimichurri. The wildly festive Sunday brunches are famous.
Details: 125 Datura St., 561-623-0822; avocadogrillwpb.com
E.R. Bradley's Saloon
Recently celebrating their 40th anniversary , this downtown West Palm Beach staple is a mecca for food, live music, sports and more. Founded in 1984 by Frank and Gail Coniglio, the restaurant was originally located in Palm Beach until they moved to West Palm Beach in 1999. An excellent menu runs the gamut from tacos and burgers to citrus, panko-crusted snapper and moules frites. With fantastic indoor and outdoor seating, E.R. Bradley's is also only steps away from the boat show action. Need to cool off? Check out their outdoor shave ice stand, Aloha & Stoke .
Details: 104 S. Clematis St., 561-833-3520, erbradleys.com
Grease Burger Bar
Going strong for well over a decade, this is another downtown West Palm Beach standout that has stood the test of time. Specializing in thick, juicy 10-ounce burgers, brats and some great salads, this restaurant has become a go-to spot on Clematis. You're at the boat show and doing plenty of walking, so don't be afraid to add on one of their spiked milkshakes like The Go Go featuring Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Bailey's, Kahlua and vanilla ice cream.
Details: 213 Clematis St., 561-651-1075; instagram.com/greasewpb
Rocco's Tacos
Fantastic Mexican food with guacamole that's made right at your table, Rocco's is tough to beat. Whether you're dining outside and enjoying the downtown scene, or inside the beautifully decorated dining room, it's always a good time. Speaking of good times, there's always the chance Rocco himself (or other celebrities) will pop in and start pouring free tequila shots... directly into your mouth.
Details: 224 Clematis St., 561-650-1001; roccostacos.com/west-palm-beach
Sassafras
This hip Southern restaurant helmed by chef John Thomas stays true to its Southern identity with dishes ranging from classics like shrimp and grits and fried chicken with waffles to black truffle and mushroom omelettes, kimchi fried dirty rice and root beer-braised baby back ribs.
Details: 105 S. Narcissus Ave., 561-323-7007, sub-culture.org
Grab and go grub restaurants
Field of Greens
Ok, maybe you've had a little too much fun at the show and need to bring in a healthy option. That's cool, Field of Greens features plenty nutritious ingredients and delicious salads, wraps, soups, and sandwiches as well as fresh-pressed juices, high-quality protein shakes, and smoothies to get you back in action and ready to party on.
Details: 412 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. 561-820-2465; ilovefog.com
Paneterie
This French-inspired bakery is another outlet that is only a few steps from the boat show. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche, desserts, pastries and more.
Details: 205 Clematis St., 561-223-2992; paneterie.com
Tropical BBQ Market
This is the one-stop shop for all your barbecue needs. Though the menu at Tropical BBQ Market does feature many delicious platters, there are plenty of handhelds (both breakfast and lunch) to get you out the door and on your way to the boat show or to get you refueled afterwards. These include mojo pulled pork, jerk turkey breast and 'The #7' with brisket, peppers and chimichurri. There are also breakfast options like the brisket, egg and cheese sando and the chorizo, egg and cheese roti.
Details: 206 S. Olive Ave., 561-513-5221, eattropical.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com . Help support our journalism. Subscribe today .
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best West Palm Beach restaurants to try near International Boat Show
