What A Spread: Dining for the Holidays in Broward, Boca and Palm Beach
- There’s a plethora of restaurants and dishes to taste this season, and our crave-worthy winter weather is perfect for getting out there and discovering new spots—or rediscovering classic ones.
NEW TO THE SCENE
This is what’s hip and hot right now
Famed chef Akira Back brings his masterful cuisine that garnered his Seoul restaurant a Michelin star to his newly opened namesake restaurant at the dapper The Ray Hotel. Look forward to an elevated Japanese-inspired menu curated by the erudite chef. 233 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach; 561.739.1700; therayhotel.com
Corvina Seafood Grill, one of Downtown Boca Raton’s newest restaurants, celebrates coastal fare with everything from oysters and locally caught fish to sushi rolls and impressive seafood towers. 99 SE Mizner Blvd., Ste. 110, Boca Raton; corvinabocaraton.com
The distinguished chef who’s worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants has arrived at Fort Lauderdale’s Auberge Residences with the opening of Dune by Laurent Tourondel, his fully redesigned waterfront restaurant. 2200 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 754.900.4059; dunefl.com
Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap will soon become a Flagler Village staple with its first location in Broward. It has taken over the former Mellow Mushroom location, and it’s serving up Southern fare from its scratch kitchen. 525 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; batchsouthernkitchen.com
The team behind Sushi Garage has opened Sunny Poke inside its Las Olas location. You’ll find sashimi-grade fish at the fast-casual poke counter alongside plenty of healthy toppings and savory sauces. 500 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.320.6114; sunnypoke.com
HAPPY HOUR HOT SPOTS
Cheers to after-work drinks
Delray Beach’s Las Catrina’s Modern Mexican is home to the signature $5 margarita, which comes in a variety of flavors including strawberry, mango and passion fruit—and you can’t beat the two-for-one pricing. 3035 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach; 561.894.8716; lascatrinasmx.com
Rivertail’s Shaken Not Stirred happy hour invites you in for martinis every Thursday from 7 p.m. to close. The 007-inspired cocktails are customizable and delivered to you with three briny oysters from the raw bar. 4 W. Las Olas Blvd., Ste. 120, Fort Lauderdale; 954.306.2665; rivertailftl.com
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (AND GENTS)
These are the places to mingle if you’re single.
With two spacious bars and outdoor terraces, Union Kitchen & Bar is the place to meet new and old friends. The husband-and-wife team have notable hospitality backgrounds—she’s the chef and he’s the sommelier—and together they’ve created a charming neighborhood bistro that’s serving up equally delicious food, cocktails and wine. 2309 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors; 754.216.0143; unionkb.com
Ladies Night at Agave Bandido is a singles watering hole where ladies drink free every Thursday. Plus, the Mexican fare pairs perfectly with tequila—or whatever you’re sipping on. 14531 SW Fifth St., Pembroke Pines; 954.367.6141; agavebandido.com
DINING WITH A VIEW
Perfectly paired scenery with your meal.
Located just steps away from the beach, Viva La Playa is the spot for everything from afternoon drinks to special weekly deals like Taco Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays and Lobster Pot Sundays.
10 S. Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth; 561.247.7245; vivalaplaya.com
For tranquil views of the river, head to Boathouse at The Riverside where you can dock and dine, or simply enjoy the yachts sailing by as you sip on a cool beer or dig into the seafood-centric menu.
620 SE Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale; 954.377.5494; boathouseriverside.com
Overlooking Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Rooftop @1WLO is a swanky bar with plenty of light bites like the pork belly flatbread, short rib gyozas and buffalo chicken empanadas. The hot spot also hosts a Sunday brunch with even more menu items for you to pair with your cocktails. 1 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.523.1956; rooftop1wlo.com
COFFEE BREAK
A shot of caffeine will put a pep in your step.
Former NFL star Stephen Tulloch has opened his second Circle House Coffee location in Fort Lauderdale. The Wilton Manors drive-thru coffee shop will join the flagship Flagler Village location, both brewing its own blends alongside CBD-infused drinks, teas and sweet treats.
119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors; circlehousecoffee.com
Mama Bella Gourmet Market & Café, a European-inspired concept, is both a market that sells artisanal deli products and imported goods and a café that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Choose from a variety of drip coffee and espresso drinks to complement your meal. 518 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561.599.5500; mamabellacafe.com
SUNDAY BRUNCHES
Sunday Funday, it’s better than a Monday
At The Butcher & The Bar you can have a relaxed afternoon brunch complete with a rotating list of specials like a homemade biscuit egg sandwich or andouille hash with a poached egg. After your meal, pick up your straight-from-the-farm meats and eggs to enjoy throughout the week at home.
510 E. Ocean Ave., Ste. 101, Boynton Beach; 561.903.7630; butcherandbar.com
You’ll find an all-day breakfast menu at Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar, where you can dive into a Greek omelet, croissant breakfast sandwich or avocado toast. Crema also offers plenty of coffee, smoothie and fresh-pressed juice options. 2256 S. University Drive, Davie; 954.514.7394; cremagourmet.com
DATE NIGHT
For a romantic night out
Inside Le Méridien you’ll find Toro Latin Kitchen & Tequila Library. Tequila lovers: stop by the Library for a pre-dinner cocktail or tequila tasting flight. Steps away you’ll then find the restaurant that features memorable Pan-Latin dishes like sweet corn empanadas, classic ceviche, and mains from the wood-burning grill including steak and shrimp. 1825 Griffin Road, Dania Beach; 954.686.1200; torodaniabeach.com
The tropical THRōW Social has opened in the former Il Bacio location and it’s bringing plenty of flamingo vibes to the Ave. The expansive indoor/outdoor concept features three bars and a stage for an entertainment venue that’s filled with cocktails, cabanas and live music.
29 SE Second Ave., Delray Beach; 800.561.0755; throwsocial.com
This story is from our Winter 2021-2022 issue. Read more here.
