3 Best Restaurants in Palm Beach, Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast

An antidote to the sometimes stuffy and "jackets-encouraged" atmosphere of most restaurants on the island, chef-owner Clay Conley's ode to eclectic American cuisine neatly straddles the line between fine dining and exciting gastropub. The restaurant attracts both old money and the younger set, with a buzzing bar-and-lounge scene and an open kitchen showcasing the culinary acrobatics on display. The cooking here is flavorful and sophisticated with globe-trotting influences apparent (confit Rohan duck pancake) and upscale renditions of comfort food (sweet corn agnolotti with ricotta, bacon, and Espelette butter) along with straightforward classics (Prime NY strip with chanterelle mushrooms). Success has bred more delicious gems: The chef's sandwich shop, also on the premises just next door, draws beachgoers who want to pack a picnic lunch. An Asian spot next door called Imoto churns out izakaya-style dishes to rave reviews.

The bougainvillea-laden trellises set the scene at the main entrance on Peruvian Way, off posh Worth Avenue. Even though it's a chain, this is a favorite of Palm Beach society, and both the restaurant and the bar become packed and noisy during high season. Weather permitting, many patrons prefer to dine on the outdoor terrace on the narrow pedestrian walkway, where "walking models" showcase jewelry and apparel from nearby boutiques. The aroma of basil, chives, and oregano fills the air as waiters carry out home-baked pizzaccia (a pizzalike bread) to accompany delectable dishes such as seafood risotto and veal Marsala. 

As the name implies, it's all about fins and shells here, including the live ones that entertain diners in their tanks in the modern dining room. The menu includes a raw bar with a good selection of raw (or grilled) oysters and clams and the chef's "seacuterie" platter, a build-your-own sampler of such choices as salmon pastrami, citrus-cured fluke, cured sea bass, or octopus torchon. Local fish—grouper, snapper, and yellowfin tuna—are best bets as entrées. Hipsters talk up the craft cocktails, and the happy-hour discounts include certain foods. That's a good thing, since Palm Beach prices apply.