43 Best Restaurants in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, Florida

Opened in 1941, this family-owned Old Florida–style restaurant combines its ocean view with Tiffany-style lamps, wrought-iron chandeliers, and paintings of pirates. Count on at least three kinds of seafood any day on the menu, along with steaks, pork chops, soups, and salads. The house drink is "Pusser's Painkiller"—a curious blend first mixed by British sailors in the Virgin Islands and rationed in a tin cup. It commemorates the 1894 wreck of the Breconshire, which occurred offshore and from which 34 British sailors escaped.

Scenesters line the massive indoor-outdoor bar from noon until the wee hours at this cooler-than-thou retro library restaurant, but it's worth your time to stop here for the best burger in town. There's a whole selection, but the Prime CEO steals the show: Maytag blue cheese and Gruyère with tomato-onion confit, arugula, and bacon. Other upscale renditions of comforting classics like nachos (a delicate puff of whipped crab per chip served with jicama slaw), fried green tomatoes (panko-and-cornmeal–crusted with crisped bits of Serrano ham), and "naughty" alcoholic shakes are worth every indulgent calorie.

An informal seafood spot—serving crab cakes, fish sandwiches, and fillets—and a favorite of locals and tourists, is perched on the Intracoastal Waterway with spectacular views. Observation decks with separate bars wrap around the back where boats can dock; indoors is more family-oriented. Of course, order the namesake Key lime pie—the house specialty has been featured in Bon Appétit.

Arguably downtown Lake Worth's fanciest restaurant, with sophisticated modern Northern Italian cuisine, this is a go-to place for a romantic evening. Waiters are on point and anticipate needs. Whole branzino baked in a salt crust, grilled octopus, tuna carpaccio, and smoked mozzarella ravioli are all excellent choices. A separate lounge menu features lighter bites such as stuffed squash blossoms; pair these with one of the wines off an extensive list put together by the chef. Don't miss the chocolate Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert. As the name implies, the food is heavenly.

Ask for the wine room table, which seats eight, for a more private experience.

Although "the island" is no doubt a bastion of French cuisine, this cozy bistro across the bridge on the Clematis Street waterfront entices a lively crowd looking for an unpretentious good meal. The outdoor terrace can't be beat, and the fabulous modern French menu with twists such as roasted sliced duck with truffled polenta is a delight. Save room for dessert: the homemade pudding Breton, a fluffy, raisin-accented brioche bread pudding paired with crème Anglaise, could be straight out of a Parisian café.

The hidden-garden setting is the secret to the success of this European-style pizzeria, where you can dine under a canopy of century-old banyans in an intimate courtyard. Specialties are 12-inch hand-tossed brick-oven pizzas with toppings such as prosciutto, arugula, and caviar. There's even a carbonara breakfast pizza (part of a small morning menu) and a Nutella dessert pizza. Piping-hot calzones, salads, and baked pastas round out the choices. Next to the patio, look for the grave markers of Addison Mizner's beloved pet monkey, Johnnie Brown, and Rose Sachs's dog, Laddie (she and husband Morton bought Mizner's villa and lived there for 47 years). Delivery is available at night.

Here, at one of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Beach, guests can dine Italiano. Sit in the beautiful courtyard, with stars above and twinkling lights on the bougainvillea, or in the intimate, low-lighted dining room flickering with candles and enhanced with fresh flowers and quiet classical music. Be sure to try the split-pea soup with small cubes of ham (a meal in itself) and the dreamy tagliatelle with white truffles in season. All are served on pretty, flowered porcelain plates atop crisp white-linen tablecloths. Although pricey, dinner here is worth every penny. Jackets are encouraged.

This lively waterfront restaurant overlooking Peanut Island is a great place to chill out after a long day of mansion gawking, boating, or beach lounging. Choose a table in the dining room or under an umbrella on the terrace and enjoy mainstays like conch chowder and coconut shrimp. More upscale entrées—this, after all, is still Palm Beach County—include Florida lobster tail and sautéed yellowtail snapper. Breakfast is a winner here, too. Kids like to spot the lobsters and starfish that hang out around the docks, and it's a local favorite for happy-hour drinks. A weekly art-and-crafts show sets up on the dock Thursday night. Sportfishing charters are available at the Sailfish store, and the Water Taxi stops here. There are also motel rooms for rent.

This upscale restaurant at the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa has a slick, contemporary look and is a favorite of locals in the know. The menu has a daily selection of fresh fish, such as Atlantic black grouper over lemon crab salad, sesame-seared tuna, and mahimahi with fruit salsa. There are also thick, juicy cuts of meat, including New York strip steak and beef tenderloin, as well as mouthwatering chicken and lamb dishes. The new Sinclair's Lounge is idyllic for a predinner aperitif. For something more casual, dine outside on the terrace to hear the waves lapping and take in the beachscape.

If you love oysters and other raw bar nibbles, head here, where black-and-white photographs of oyster fisherman adorn the walls. The polished tables give the eatery a clubby look. Spoto's serves up a delightful bowl of New England clam chowder and a truly impressive variety of oysters and clams. The Caesar salad with crispy croutons and anchovies never disappoints. Sit outside on the patio to take advantage of the area's perfect weather or in the Blue Point Lounge off the main room, where live music is often booked.

The tropical incarnation of the fabled Upper East Side boîte frequented by New York’s chicest set, this pop-up takes residency at The Colony hotel during the fall and winter season. Known as “a club without dues,” the restaurant attracts a devoted clientele of socialites and aristocratic types (names like Lauder and Kennedy are on the guest list), who come for straightforward American and European cuisine ("designer" meat loaf, crab cakes, curried chicken salad) with friendly and impeccable service in a sophisticated yet relaxed environment. Al fresco dining is available at Swifty’s POOL, bringing the classic spirit of Swifty’s outdoors, serving lunch and dinner daily.

This Old Florida landmark, which has been in business since 1941, attracts Worth Avenue shoppers looking for a two-hour lunch or weekend brunch and a dinner crowd ranging from tuxed and sequined theatergoers to polo-shirted trust funders on school break. Fillet of sea bass with ginger-soy glaze, snow peas, and jasmine rice and a char-broiled pork chop with crispy artichoke hearts are popular entrées from a changing menu. Don't miss the signature Ta-boo Lust, a coconut-cream pie with a walnut-cookie crust. The Palm Beach martini is the drink to order—with passion fruit and peach nectar and, of course, champagne. Drop in late at night in season when the music is playing, and you'll probably spot a celebrity or two.

Located in the center of historic Hobe Sound, this cozy dining spot with a pleasant, screened-in patio offers piano dinner music on Friday. Locals like to hang out at the old, English-style wine bar; however, the food itself is the biggest draw here. Try a lobster roll and the signature Gorgonzola salad for lunch, and any fish dish for dinner. On weekend nights, order the excellent, slow-cooked prime rib, another specialty.