Palm Beach Gardens restaurants guide: Best eats, drinks on PGA Boulevard

Liz Balmaseda, Palm Beach Post
·10 min read
The Plant-Based Mafia's "Long G'Islander" sandwich stacks a fried vegan chicken cutlet with fixings on a toasted garlic hoagie bun. The vegan restaurant is in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Plant-Based Mafia's "Long G'Islander" sandwich stacks a fried vegan chicken cutlet with fixings on a toasted garlic hoagie bun. The vegan restaurant is in Palm Beach Gardens.

What’s to eat and drink along Palm Beach Gardens’ dining corridor?

Here’s a glance at the restaurant offerings on the PGA Boulevard strip and close surroundings, traveling west to east, from PGA National’s greens to U.S. 1.

Plant-Based Mafia

The Cosa Nostra references are as over-the-top as the menu at this friendly, lively eatery. “We don’t whack animals, we whack plants,” goes the motto at Plant-Based Mafia, the vegan joint that proves meatless doesn’t have to mean demure. Take “The Italian Coronary”. It stacks two vegan burger patties with peppers, vegan sausage, three vegan cheeses (including house-made ricotta), wraps it all in sweet dough and deep-fries it. “A coronary never tasted so good,” promises the menu that also includes plenty of battered and fried vegan “chicken” cutlets served in a variety of ways, plus pasta, flatbreads and heaps of crispy, loaded tots.

  • Plant-Based Mafia: 7100 Fairway Dr., Suite 52, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-223-2432, PlantBasedMafia.com

Cucina Palm Beach Gardens serves pizza as well as an extensive range of main plates near the PGA National Resort.
Cucina Palm Beach Gardens serves pizza as well as an extensive range of main plates near the PGA National Resort.

Cucina Palm Beach Gardens

This pizzeria offers an extensive menu that goes well beyond its specialty pies and endless possibilities of pizza. There are classic Italian appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, risottos, large-plate entrees and more. Cucina Palm Beach Gardens is part of a local family of pizzerias that include popular locations in West Palm Beach (at the Palm Beach Outlets) and Jupiter. Must try: the customizable pizza. With 31 toppings to choose from, you can dream up a masterpiece.

  • Cucina Palm Beach Gardens: 7100 Fairway Dr., Suite 61A, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-557-9510, CucinaPBG.com

Salmon succotash, on the menu at Salute Market, features seared salmon, garlicky white bean puree, sautéed asparagus, bacon, roasted corn, onions and jalapeños.
Salmon succotash, on the menu at Salute Market, features seared salmon, garlicky white bean puree, sautéed asparagus, bacon, roasted corn, onions and jalapeños.

Salute Market

This popular bar/restaurant/market is a terrific stop for a cocktail or wine by the bottle or glass. But it’s also a terrific place to dine. Salute offers a nice, seasonally focused menu of well-presented dishes. The place also offers regular live-music nights.

  • Salute Market: 5530 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-425-5651, Salute2U.com

La Masseria

A fancy, regional Italian restaurant, La Masseria is an outpost of a popular New York theater-district spot and its Midtown sibling. Expect homemade pastas, a fine wine selection and what may be the best cheesecake on the strip.

Rocco's Tacos' signature guacamole is made table-side at the chain's Mexican-inspired restaurants.
Rocco's Tacos' signature guacamole is made table-side at the chain's Mexican-inspired restaurants.

Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar

There’s always a fiesta in this lively Mexican eatery, where the décor seems plucked from Merida and the tableside guac is addictive. And if it’s Tuesday, it’s Taco and Tequila Tuesday all day at Rocco’s, which means $19.99 endless tacos, $4 Mexican beers, $6 Margaritas and shots and $16 Margarita pitchers.

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Kabuki's Brazilian Roll combines shrimp tempura, krab, cream cheese, avocado and eel sauce.
Kabuki's Brazilian Roll combines shrimp tempura, krab, cream cheese, avocado and eel sauce.

Kabuki Sushi Thai Tapas

A charming spot to grab a sushi roll or a favorite Thai curry dish. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for enjoying Kabuki’s great happy hour deals, which include 33 hot and cold small plates and a range of nicely priced specialty cocktails, beer, wine and sake, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. daily.

The Cooper serves a juicy burger in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Cooper serves a juicy burger in Palm Beach Gardens.

The Cooper

Since opening in spring 2014, The Cooper has been a bustling spot. The American brasserie draws lively cocktail, dinner and Sunday brunch crowds. The menu offers everything from charcuterie and cheese boards to yummy bar snacks to veggie-rich dishes featuring local produce to meatier selections. At Sunday brunch, the Bloody Mary bar is impressive.

Prosecco Café

This homey café, which features a bakery onsite, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus coffee, homemade pastries and gelato. If you’re a breakfast sandwich fan, try the Egg, Meat and Cheese Croissant – a layering of Asiago-sprinkled omelet and prosciutto di Parma on a freshly baked croissant. (Swap out the prosciutto for crispy bacon for the win.)

Blue Point oysters are served at Spoto's Oyster Bar in Palm Beach Gardens. Palm Beach Post file photo
Blue Point oysters are served at Spoto's Oyster Bar in Palm Beach Gardens. Palm Beach Post file photo

Spoto’s Oyster Bar

Sit at the bar for a dozen oysters and drinks at this Gardens mainstay, then segue to dinner for seafood classics. The New England clam chowder is delectable, as is the lobster risotto or any of the pasta dishes. Plus, there’s key lime pie for dessert.

  • Spoto’s Oyster Bar: 4560 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-776-9448, Spotos.com

Saito’s Japanese Steakhouse

This local chain offers a family-friendly spot for sushi and hibachi.

Panera Bread

This chain café remains a popular spot for a quick lunch on PGA Boulevard.

  • Panera Bread: 4540 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-775-3705

Asian Noodle Salad at Christopher's Kitchen.
Asian Noodle Salad at Christopher's Kitchen.

Christopher’s Kitchen

Palm Beach County’s premier plant-based eatery, upscale Christopher’s Kitchen has built a regional vegan following, thanks to its creative dishes that will win over even carnivores. You come here to fall in love with cashew cream and macadamia ricotta, fresh juices and nut “mylks,” abundant salads, soups, pizza, bowls and decadent desserts. A small, but nicely curated selection of wines and craft beer is served. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chipotle

Yes, the national chain that popularized taco bowls has a location on the PGA strip.

  • Chipotle: 4655 PGA Blvd., (at Midtown), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-246-3874, Chipotle.com

Blaze Pizza

Part of a national chain of pizzerias partly owned by LeBron James, Blaze shines amid the DIY-meal trend in fast-casual dining. Build your own personal pizza with abandon here.

  • Blaze Pizza: 4665 PGA Blvd., (at Midtown), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-246-6692, BlazePizza.com

Frutti di mare is served at the new Prezzo in Palm Beach Gardens.
Frutti di mare is served at the new Prezzo in Palm Beach Gardens.

Prezzo

An outpost of a Boca Italian restaurant with iconic roots, Prezzo opened at the PGA Commons in November in the former Scusi space. With a menu rooted in New York and Northeast-style Italian and a red-tiled, wood-fired pizza oven, Prezzo welcomes you with complimentary roasted garlic and focaccia.

  • Prezzo: 4520 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-429-6938, EatPrezzo.com

J. Alexander’s

This popular upmarket chain serves a variety of American classics. The nicely priced, garlicky Steak N’ Fries platter is hard to beat.

  • J. Alexander’s: 4625 PGA Blvd., (at Midtown), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-694-2711, JAlexanders.com

Bonefish Grill

Expect a seafood-centric menu and an upscale setting at this national-chain restaurant. Pro tip: Grab a table in the bar area for a more intimate dining experience.

  • Bonefish Grill: 4635 PGA Blvd., (at Midtown), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-799-2965, BonefishGrill.com

Café Chardonnay

Expect a nice menu of American-meets-global classics presented with a twist at Chef Frank Eucalitto’s Café Chardonnay. Open and beloved since 1986, this Gardens classic is a favorite spot for a romantic dinner or wine-bar interlude.

A server delivers bangers and mash and shepherd's pie orders to a table at Paddy Mac's on St. Patrick's Day in 2018.
A server delivers bangers and mash and shepherd's pie orders to a table at Paddy Mac's on St. Patrick's Day in 2018.

Paddy Mac’s

Here’s a welcoming Irish spot with tasty comfort dishes and regular live music. In addition to classic Irish fare, there’s a full menu of starters, burgers and entrees, plus a range of beers, wines and cocktails.

  • Paddy Mac’s: 10971 N. Military Tr. (plaza located on PGA Blvd.), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-691-4366, on Facebook @PaddyMacsIrishPub

Outback Steakhouse

Beef and Bloomin’ Onions are served at this national chain.

  • Outback: 10933 N. Military Tr. (plaza on PGA Blvd.), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-625-0793, Outback.com

Nice slice: Pizza Girls' Manhattan Meat pie.
Nice slice: Pizza Girls' Manhattan Meat pie.

Pizza Girls

This sunny, family-owned pizzeria opened in the spring of 2016, expanding its original West Palm Beach location’s menu to include pastas and other Italian classics, plus a wine and beer bar.

  • Pizza Girls: 10965 N. Military Tr. (in Publix plaza at PGA Boulevard), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-812-2400, PizzaGirls.com

Lili’s Café

This breakfast-and-lunch spot opened in 2019 but it has that vintage feel of a trusty, go-to diner, complete with servers who know their stuff. Looking for an old-school tuna salad sandwich or maybe a simply grilled ham-and-cheese on toasty challah? You’ve come to the right place. It’s open every day for breakfast and lunch.

  • Lili’s Café: 10961 N. Military Tr. (in Publix plaza at PGA Boulevard), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-508-2914

Hungry for more restaurant news?

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DOWNTOWN PALM BEACH GARDENS

Voodoo Bayou has an indoor/outdoor bar at the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens plaza. The New Orleans-themed restaurant is a popular spot for Southern/Cajun dishes and crafty drinks.
Voodoo Bayou has an indoor/outdoor bar at the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens plaza. The New Orleans-themed restaurant is a popular spot for Southern/Cajun dishes and crafty drinks.

This shopping and entertainment complex houses movie theaters, a Whole Foods Market (with an extensive prepared-foods section), interesting boutiques and a range of dining and drinking options that include The Cheesecake Factory, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Voodoo Bayou, Yard House, Avocado Cantina and Fro-Yotopia.

Our picks: Voodoo Bayou for scrumptious New Orleans-style dishes and the best warm biscuits (with pear-jalapeño spread and honey butter) in town. Avocado Cantina for Yucatan-inspired bites and live music and salsa dancing on Friday nights.

  • Downtown Palm Beach Gardens: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens (just off PGA Blvd., east of I-95), Palm Beach Gardens, DowntownPBG.com

THE GARDENS MALL

Shake Shack's Shackburger is on the menu at the national chain.
Shake Shack's Shackburger is on the menu at the national chain.

Yes, there’s a food court and a Starbucks at this upscale mall, but the food-and-drink options don’t end there. Eateries include the wine-centric Cooper’s Hawk restaurant, Park Avenue BBQ Grille, The Bistro at Nordstrom and PF Chang’s China Bistro.

Our picks: The Shake Shack at the Garden Cafés food court for addictive smash-style burgers. Try Brio Tuscan Grille for Italian bites and good happy-hour deals, Cooper’s Hawk for a wine bar experience and PA BBQ for pulled pork sandwiches and their signature sweet-spicy pickles.

LEGACY PLACE

The bone-in Kona-crusted dry-aged sirloin at the Capital Grille is topped with shallot butter.
The bone-in Kona-crusted dry-aged sirloin at the Capital Grille is topped with shallot butter.

Amid the big-box offerings (Best Buy, Total Wine), you’ll find a handful of dining options, including Chili’s, Sal’s Italian Ristorante, Cool’a Fishbar, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Newk’s Eatery, Five Guys, The Great Greek and Gelato Grotto.

Our picks: The Capital Grille for a civilized drink and steak. The Great Greek for fresh, delicious gyros and bowls. Sal’s for terrific pizza and Parm.

  • Legacy Place: 11290 Legacy Ave., (on PGA Blvd., east of I-95), Palm Beach Gardens, ShopLegacyPlace.com

The cauliflower pizza at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza.
The cauliflower pizza at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza

There’s excellent pizza -- and some of the best house salad on the boulevard -- at this popular spot. Try the coal-fired chicken wings that are roasted with onions and served with focaccia. And for a truly memorable pie, don’t miss the square, roasted cauliflower pizza that’s sprinkled with pecorino, breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper flakes.

  • Anthony’s: 2680 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-804-7777, ACFP.com

Olive U Mediterranean Grill

This indie, fast-casual spot serves an array of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes in a build-your-own fashion. Try the chicken shawarma over cinnamon-spiced rice with your choice of veggies and sauce.

  • Olive U: 2632 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-500-0103, OliveUGrill.com

Flamingo Café

Got a hankering for an old-school egg salad sandwich or a classic diner breakfast? Find them at this daylight eatery, where service is quick and friendly.

  • Flamingo Café: 2588 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-622-9781

C.R. Chicks

This local chain serves marinated and roasted chicken, plus fixings. Popular for takeout.

  • C.R. Chicks: 2582 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-626-9868, CRChicks.com

Kao Gang

Find delicious Thai dishes, noodles and sushi here, where they are served in a relaxed setting.

  • Kao Gang: 2626 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-660-6994, KaoGangPGA.com

Just Salad

A new casual, build-your-bowl salad spot that’s part of a national chain.

  • Just Salad: 2660 PGA Blvd., (at the PGA Plaza, near Trader Joe’s), Palm Beach Gardens, JustSalad.com

The outdoor patio behind FireFin Grill overlooks the Soverel Harbour Marina in Palm Beach Gardens.
The outdoor patio behind FireFin Grill overlooks the Soverel Harbour Marina in Palm Beach Gardens.

FireFin Grill

This waterfront restaurant's name is a tribute to the lionfish. It opened in November 2019 next to Carmine’s market and trattoria. Expect a full surf-turf menu, sushi, happy hour specials and live music nights. The restaurant’s back terrace looks out on the Soverel Harbour Marina.

  • FireFin Grill: 2401 PGA Blvd., Suite 160, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-472-7900, FireFinGrill.com

Carmine’s La Trattoria

Find deliciously prepared Italian favorites served in a waterfront setting at this PGA Boulevard classic. (The restaurant’s terrace offers a view of the Soverel Harbour Marina.) There’s live music on Thursdays through Saturday nights.

  • Carmine’s La Trattoria: 2401 PGA Blvd. (next to Carmine’s market), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-775-0186, CarminesLaTrattoria.com

Angry Moon Café

This wine bar and café offers a European-style menu daily. The café’s back terrace offers a view of the marina.

  • Angry Moon: 2401 PGA Blvd. (near Carmine’s market), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-694-7945, AngryMoonCafe.com

River House restaurant on PGA Boulevard offers a nice waterway view in Palm Beach Gardens.
River House restaurant on PGA Boulevard offers a nice waterway view in Palm Beach Gardens.

The River House

This stylish restaurant offers fine waterfront dining, a breezy tiki bar and a lovely brunch. The restaurant’s name pays tribute to the Gardens’ original River House, the iconic spot that anchored the PGA Boulevard waterfront from 1984 to 2016. It became BrickTop’s when it was bought by the national chain, but the new owners changed the name back to the River House in 2019. Reservations are a must.

Golf fans looking for outdoor seating will find plenty along PGA Boulevard. One spot is the Waterway Café, which offers sparkling views in addition to open-air tables.
Golf fans looking for outdoor seating will find plenty along PGA Boulevard. One spot is the Waterway Café, which offers sparkling views in addition to open-air tables.

Waterway Café

Take the always-packed parking lot as a sign that this spot has one of the best views in Palm Beach Gardens. Expect waterfront cocktails, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a large, approachable menu.

Seasons 52

This upmarket national chain serves judiciously portioned, nicely prepared dishes in a swanky setting. Outdoor terrace, which overlooks the waterway, sits across the Intracoastal from the River House.

  • Seasons 52: 11611 Ellison Wilson Rd. (at PGA Blvd.), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-625-5852, Seasons52.com

Indian-spiced chicken liver pate is served with sourdough toast at Stage Kitchen, a global plates restaurant by acclaimed chef Pushkar Marathe. The Palm Beach Gardens spot opened Feb. 14, 2020.
Indian-spiced chicken liver pate is served with sourdough toast at Stage Kitchen, a global plates restaurant by acclaimed chef Pushkar Marathe. The Palm Beach Gardens spot opened Feb. 14, 2020.

Stage Kitchen

This newish restaurant offers a captivating, vegetarian-friendly menu by acclaimed South Florida chef Pushkar Marathe. Here, he presents Indian-inspired global plates designed to be shared. Some highlights: the chicken liver pâté, the tender pork shank with Kashmiri chili and apple cider, the whole local snapper, the roasted local beet salad and smoky roasted carrots. Actually, try whatever your palate craves -- and expect to be wowed by the flavors. There’s a full bar and small lounge area, plus an outdoor dining patio. (The dinner-only restaurant is closed Sundays.)

  • Stage: 2000 PGA Blvd. (Suite 5506, facing PGA at City Centre complex), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-408-3685, StagePGA.com

Twisted Trunk Brewing

First, the bad news: They don’t make food here. The good news: They make beer. How often do you find yourself on a boulevard with a brewery? Named for the city’s stately banyan trees, the brewery offers a good range of craft beers on tap, from saisons to double IPAs and stouts. As for the food, the brewery offers a batch of local menus of restaurants that will deliver. Pro tip: Order something nice and spicy from Stage, located a few doors down.

  • Twisted Trunk: 2000 PGA Blvd. (Suite 5506, facing PGA at City Centre complex), Palm Beach Gardens, 561-671-2337, TwistedTrunkBrewing.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best Palm Beach Gardens restaurants for eats, drinks on PGA Boulevard