A Caribbean family-run bakery whipping up award-winning treats. An Italian restaurant helmed by a second-generation chef and using age-old techniques. A ritzy bistro where icons like John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra once wined and dined. Every restaurant in The Palm Beaches has a story that will undoubtedly add a teaspoon (or more) of fun to any family outing.
Across the 39 cities and towns that collectively make up Palm Beach County (better known as “The Palm Beaches”), you can nibble your way through the storied past, cultural melting pot, and ever-evolving dining scene of “America’s First Resort Destination.”
If you’re planning a family vacation or staycation to the largest county east of the Mississippi River, you could easily create an itinerary just for dining. To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down 12 experiences foodie families can’t miss.
Staying in August? The Palm Beaches Restaurant Week offers the chance to indulge in a variety of dining options for a fraction of the cost—including some of the destination’s most high-end establishments. (Brunch at The Four Seasons, anyone?) The first annual event runs from August 16 to 31, 2021.
Ganache Bakery
Who says you can’t have dessert before dinner? Ganache Bakery has the cure for any sweet tooth, and owners Jamal and Joan know just what visitors crave. Their sought-after cupcakes range from key lime and carrot to more unique options you’ll occasionally find on the shelves, like pink colada (named after the owners’ then-toddler son’s attempts to say “pina colada”).
Reserved for parents is an authentic Caribbean rum cake, a nod to the owners’ Caribbean roots. Jamal also enjoys leading family baking classes, and if you think he looks familiar, it might be because you recognize him from the Food Network’s 2018 Halloween Baking Championship.
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Taylor Farmhouse Cafe
Families who like to venture off the beaten path can’t miss a meal at Taylor Farmhouse Cafe, a hidden gem tucked away in a Jupiter Farms equestrian community. The popular husband-and-wife-owned restaurant serves up innovative American cuisine using homemade and locally sourced ingredients from its neighborhood farms. (Fun fact: Palm Beach is one of the 10 largest agricultural industry counties in the United States.)
What truly makes this restaurant a draw for families, though, is its warm, communal setting. You’ll feel like a local as soon as you enter, and be beckoned to stay and grab a seat on the porch or around the outdoor fire pit.
Rose’s Daughter
Growing up in her family’s New York Italian trattoria, Chef Suzanne Perrotto was in the kitchen putting her mother’s epicurean style and classic techniques to work. She now runs Rose’s Daughter, her own trattoria in Delray Beach, where her story and cuisine fit in harmoniously with the city’s eclectic, culturally diverse landscape.
An intimate, indoor dining room is complemented by cheerfully decorated outdoor spaces, including a large area in the back that’s ideal for families and a favorite with diners. Share a pizza paired with ocean breezes, and enjoy the convenience of famed Atlantic Avenue less than two blocks away.
Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar
Lime is the key ingredient at Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar, a Peruvian, medical institution-themed restaurant in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Chef Carlos Brescia’s—er, Dr. Limon’s—thinking is simple: a little lime makes everyone feel good, the same way they should after visiting a doctor.
Working with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the team cooks up authentic Peruvian fare from a theater-style kitchen that keeps guests engaged. From Peruvian delicacies like the fan-favorite ceviche to the doctor’s own spin on sushi and other fun bites, kids can enjoy exploring new flavors—all with a pinch of “feel good” lime.
Havana Restaurant
A powerful story of bravery, grit, hard work and dedication laid the foundation for Havana Restaurant, now an award-winning cantina that’s been serving some of Florida’s best Cuban cuisine for more than two decades. Alongside its menu of authentic dishes, Havana Restaurant offers a beloved space for love, sharing, and family traditions.
The restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor seating, but for a true Cuban experience, families can order at its 24-hour window. A separate kids’ menu is available for picky eaters.
Oceano Kitchen
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any seafood along Florida’s east coast fresher than what’s served in The Palm Beaches, including at Oceano Kitchen. The destination is the closest point in Florida to the Gulf Stream, meaning a wider array of fish that’s sourced sustainably and served ultra fresh.
Run by a locally renowned husband-and-wife team from a small kitchen, the highly rated restaurant affords a true, family-style dining experience—sans traditional starters and main courses. From its seafood and pizza to its vegetables, Oceano Kitchen works with ingredients sourced from more than a dozen local fish markets and farms. (Still trying to decide on accommodations? One of the nine best hotels for grandparent-grandkid vacations is less than one mile down the road.)
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Henry’s Palm Beach
For families celebrating a special occasion, Henry’s delivers an upscale ambiance with comfort foods kids will love. Menu items run the gamut from casual classics like burgers and hot dogs to festive-but-still-kid-friendly options like dover sole, filet mignon, and beef Wellington. Weekend brunch is also available.
Plan appropriately, because your experience won’t stop at Henry’s. The restaurant is operated by The Breakers (though it’s a few blocks away). Before or after you dine at Henry’s, set aside some time to visit the historic landmark hotel (founded in 1896) for a taste of timeless hospitality—and a photo op in its breathtaking lobby.
Delray Beach Market
One kid is in the mood for pasta and French fries while the other has a hankering for tacos. Your solution: Delray Beach Market. With more than 25 vendors to choose from, the largest food hall in Florida —a whopping 150,000 square feet spread out among four levels—satisfies everyone’s cravings under one roof.
A candy-colored interior and funky art add an element of whimsy to this fun and popular spot, which also hosts games and events such as its own spin on Family Feud, plus painting classes, craft food tours, and live music.
Serenity Garden Tea House and Cafe
Step inside Serenity Garden Tea House and Cafe, and you’ll be immediately transported to an English cottage. Whimsically appointed Victorian decor intertwines with the charm of this restored 1919 bungalow in West Palm Beach’s historic district, while the scent of fresh scones rolls through the dining room.
The experience is unlike any other—and stands out as a favorite for both locals and visitors—in The Palm Beaches, making it a must for families who want to sprinkle a little something different into their itineraries. Don’t forget to snap a pic donning one of the many costume hats available for dress up.
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Sundy House
Like something out of a fairytale, the Sundy House sets the stage for family dinners and weekend brunch with its Queen Anne-style grandeur and postcard-perfect tropical gardens. The boutique inn and restaurant stands as the oldest house in Delray Beach, built in 1902. Along the way, it served as the city’s first church as well as a bank and schoolhouse—all of which has earned it a National Register of Historic Places designation.
While its history alone makes Sundy House worth a visit, kids will love wandering through the one-acre gardens, where a living pond, sculptures, and “hidden” gazebos and benches ignite the imagination.
West Palm Beach Food Tours
Looking for a fun way to expand your palates? West Palm Beach Food Tours goes above and beyond a restaurant-hopping experience. With different tours to choose from, families can relish staple dishes that tell stories of the destination’s rich, multicultural history and the people behind them—all with dollops of humor along the way.
There are different food tours to choose among, but the downtown tour stands out because it was named one of the U.S.’s top tour experiences by TripAdvisor. Whichever route you choose, you can count on everyone in your group finding something they love. (Hint: If cocktails are included, simply ask for a nonalcoholic version to be made for your kiddos.)
Little Moir’s Food Shack
Handwritten menus, coloring placemats with crayons (cue the nostalgia), and playful decor are only a few of the simple treasures that showcase Little Moir’s Food Shack‘s attention to detail and superb service. What has made this seafood joint a favorite among Jupiter locals for nearly 20 years, however, are its sumptuous dishes with a twist.
Yellowfin tuna ceviche with blueberry, a BLT sandwich with pineapple, and cheeseburger egg rolls? The menu items might make your kids chuckle, but the ingredients work, as evidenced by the restaurant’s devout following. Just make sure you leave room for dessert. (Any guesses what’s in the “Chocolate Whosiwhatzit?!?”)
