Dining: Restaurant openings in Palm Beach County during 2022

Liz Balmaseda, Palm Beach Post
·12 min read

A broader dining landscape is taking shape across Palm Beach County this year, thanks to waves of new restaurant openings. Here’s a look at restaurants that have debuted in 2022, listed from north to south.

(Check back for updates: New restaurants will be added to this list as they open this year.)

NORTH

TEQUESTA

Casa Caña

Loaded tostones are on the menu at Casa Caña in Tequesta.
Loaded tostones are on the menu at Casa Caña in Tequesta.

Opened in February as a daylight café serving wood-fired bagels and breakfast sandwiches, the Miami-inspired Casa Caña added dinner service three weeks later – and stopped its breakfast service.

The casual restaurant’s dinner menu offers a variety of Latino-leaning dishes that include vegan options. There’s a full bar serving cocktails, wine and beer.

  • Casa Caña: 377 Tequesta Dr., in the Gallery Square North Plaza, Tequesta, 561-250-6350, CasaCana.co

JUPITER

Lewis Steakhouse

In Jupiter, Lewis Steakhouse opened to the public on May 13. It was founded by the team behind West Palm Beach's iconic Okeechobee Steakhouse.
In Jupiter, Lewis Steakhouse opened to the public on May 13. It was founded by the team behind West Palm Beach's iconic Okeechobee Steakhouse.

A sister restaurant to Okeechobee Steakhouse, Lewis Steakhouse made its debut in May in suburban Jupiter.

It serves dinner and happy hour nightly and its menu offers classic steakhouse fare with a few creative and elevated touches (like the Japanese A5 Wagyu striploin appetizer that’s seasoned with togarashi spice and served with pickled mustard “caviar,” black garlic and baby greens).

Taco Shack

An array of menu items at Taco Shack in Stuart. The local favorite opened an outpost in Abacoa on July 1.
An array of menu items at Taco Shack in Stuart. The local favorite opened an outpost in Abacoa on July 1.

Stuart’s go-to spot for creative tacos for the past 10 years, opened in July in the former Duke’s Tacos and Margs space on Main Street in Abacoa.

The menu roams the world in a taco shell with offerings that include a Thai basil chicken taco with peanut sauce, a curried cauliflower taco and a “Bangin’ Buffalo Chicken” taco.

Of course, there are plenty of Mexican-inspired tacos here as well as appetizers, soups, stuffed avocados, nachos and sweets, plus a full cocktail bar.

  • Taco Shack: 1155 Main Street, Suite 120, in Abacoa, Jupiter, Taco-Shack.com

Rembar

A cozy, wine bar serving customizable cheese and charcuterie boards, flatbreads and other light bites, Rembar opened at The Bluffs Square (Publix) shopping plaza in Jupiter in May.

The wine bar offers weekly specials like Wine Down Wednesday (select half-price bottles) and other weekday specials.

  • Rembar: 4050 U.S. Hwy 1, Suite 310, Jupiter, 561-250-6224, Rembar.wine 

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JUNO BEACH

AquaGrille

Well accessorized oysters on the half shell are served at the new AquaGrille in Juno Beach.
Well accessorized oysters on the half shell are served at the new AquaGrille in Juno Beach.

A stylish spot by restaurant developer and “Top Chef” alum Stephen Asprinio, made its debut in Juno Beach in March, transforming the space formerly occupied by The Malted Barley.

The menu ranges from refined classics, like slow-roasted prime rib French dip au jus with sweet onion jam and horseradish-Granny Smith crema to creative coastal dishes like Caribbean mussels in tom kha broth with vadouvan curry and lacquered shiitakes.

As for cocktails, expect an impressive selection of 90s-era cocktails made with a twist.

Mystic Lobster Roll Company

This national brand opened a casual eatery in Juno Beach in April. On the menu: a good variety of Maine lobster rolls, sliders, tacos and specialty mac and cheese.

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PALM BEACH GARDENS

HoneyBelle

Chef Lindsay Autry's Honeybelle is at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.
Chef Lindsay Autry's Honeybelle is at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.

Set in a vintage, Palm Beach-pastel style, Chef Lindsay Autry’s new restaurant, Honeybelle, embraces its tropical surroundings at the PGA National Resort, pastel-hued umbrellas and all. Its location at the resort offers the greenest of settings.

The all-day restaurant opened during the PGA Honda Classic in February.

As for the menu, Autry describes it as “fresh Mediterranean with a little of that Southern touch.” Fans of Autry’s famous fried chicken will be happy to know it’s on HoneyBelle’s well-varied menu. The restaurant offers the lemon-rosemary-brined and fried chicken with hot honey, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, collard green slaw and buttermilk biscuits.

  • Honeybelle: at the PGA National Resort, 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-627-7015, PGAResort.com

Cactus Grille and Tequila Bar

Cactus Grille took over the former Burger Bar space at the Donald Ross Village plaza.
Cactus Grille took over the former Burger Bar space at the Donald Ross Village plaza.

This independent restaurant pays homage to a family’s shared love of Tex-Mex food. It opened in January in the former Burger Bar space at Donald Ross Village plaza in northern Palm Beach Gardens. The restaurant offers an eclectic menu that ranges from fine-dining plates to more casual Tex-Mex pub grub.

With an outdoor patio sprawled around a fountain, Cactus Grille offers an al fresco dining and bar area as well as a spacious indoor dining area.

  • Cactus Grille: 4650 Donald Ross Road, Suite 100 at the Donald Ross Village plaza, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-249-3090, TheCactusGrille.com

Legends Tavern and Grille

A batch of chicken wings at Legends Tavern and Grille.
A batch of chicken wings at Legends Tavern and Grille.

Open since May, this restaurant is part of a South Florida pub chain. The menu boasts a variety of burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, wings and larger entrees. Legends shares the Donald Ross Village plaza with newcomer Cactus Grille, the revamped and expanded Coolinary and the upcoming Indian restaurant Ela.

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CENTRAL

WEST PALM BEACH

El Camino

A batch of margaritas is served at El Camino, which opened July 1 at The Square in West Palm Beach. The drink menu boasts a large collection of tequila and mezcal brands.
A batch of margaritas is served at El Camino, which opened July 1 at The Square in West Palm Beach. The drink menu boasts a large collection of tequila and mezcal brands.

Delray Beach’s popular El Camino taquería opened its long-awaited downtown West Palm Beach location during July 4th weekend at The Square plaza. The spacious restaurant, which transformed the former Brother Jimmy’s second-floor space, serves lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and daily happy hours.

  • El Camino: 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 232 on the second floor of The Square plaza, West Palm Beach, 561-668-2929, ElCaminoWestPalmBeach.com

Zona Blu

A new Italian restaurant that pays homage to Sardinia’s eclectic cuisine, Zona Blu opened in suburban West Palm Beach in early April.

The restaurant takes inspiration from the Italian island that’s one of five places in the world designated as “blue zone” places, areas where residents are known to live long, healthy lives.

  • Zona Blu: 8170 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561-323-4799,  ZonaBluWPB.com

Pig Beach BBQ

An array of smoky meats and treats at the new Pig Beach BBQ in West Palm Beach.
An array of smoky meats and treats at the new Pig Beach BBQ in West Palm Beach.

This Brooklyn-born barbecue concept made its big debut in late June on South Dixie Highway. The new casual restaurant and bar has breathed new life into a former garage structure and CrossFit gym. Pig Beach was known to locals before its opening day, thanks to a series of roadside pop-ups over the past two years.

On the menu: cherry and hickory-smoked brisket, smoked pork shoulder with hatch vinegar sauce, barbecue sandwiches (including a smoky jackfruit sandwich), blackened fish sandwich, fried chicken and burgers (including the Double Smash Burger that won the Burger Bash championship at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival last year). Plus there’s smoked fish dip, plenty of cookout side dishes, salads and sweets.

  • Pig Beach BBQ: 2400 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, 561-803-0333, PigBeachNYC.com

Common Grounds Brew and Roastery

A locally based, community-minded coffee roaster with two other locations, Common Grounds opened its largest coffee shop to date in February at the new Plaza at CaraMara. The 40-seat shop will feature an onsite roastery, specialty coffees and select bites.

Bodega Taquería y Tequila

Bodega's birria quesadilla stuffs guajillo-braised beef short rib and fixings into a flour tortilla shell.
Bodega's birria quesadilla stuffs guajillo-braised beef short rib and fixings into a flour tortilla shell.

This South Beach hot spot opened in February in downtown West Palm Beach, taking over the prime two-story corner space most recently occupied by Tapeo tapas bar.

On the menu: classic and specialty tacos (like Bodega’s short rib tacos de birria), burritos and bowls.

With a mezcal lounge upstairs and taquería and bar downstairs, Bodega’s hybrid concept caters to Clematis Street’s day-to-night scene.

Mockingbird at The Regional

Mockingbird bar is at The Regional restaurant in West Palm Beach.
Mockingbird bar is at The Regional restaurant in West Palm Beach.

Chef Lindsay Autry’s Regional restaurant welcomed a sophisticated new bar called Mockingbird in February. The bar is located in a separate space near the main dining room.

Autry and partner Thierry Beaud aim to give the new spot the feel of a private club that’s focused on service.

In addition to traditional cocktails and spirits, Mockingbird serves a menu of small plates.

  • Mockingbird at The Regional: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561-557-6460, EatRegional.com 

The SoSo

Hot dish: the Charred Cauli is a top-seller at The SoSo restaurant in West Palm Beach.
Hot dish: the Charred Cauli is a top-seller at The SoSo restaurant in West Palm Beach.

A “fast-fine” eatery dreamed up by a couple of childhood buddies, The SoSo opened in April on South Dixie Highway in West Palm’s South of Southern neighborhood.

Owners Kye Akavia and Alex DiSchino structured the airy and surprisingly spacious spot as a quick-serve restaurant. But the menu is far from fast-food fare. There are plenty of tasty, chef-driven options that are made to order but served in the time it takes to savor a few sips of wine.

  • The SoSo:  4802 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, 561-486-7676, TheSosoWPB.com

Hive Bakery Café

Freshly baked bread at Hive Bakery and Café in West Palm Beach.
Freshly baked bread at Hive Bakery and Café in West Palm Beach.

This sunny new bakery café sprouted up in West Palm Beach in March. The long-awaited Hive Bakery and Café is part of the Hive Collective family of coastal chic home-and-design trade and retail shops across from the Norton Museum.

The full-service Hive café, which is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday, serves an all-day breakfast and lunch menu and offers takeout dinner options, grab-and-go items and a walk-up bakery counter.

Sweetgreen

Leafy vibe: A view of Sweetgreen at The Square in West Palm Beach.
Leafy vibe: A view of Sweetgreen at The Square in West Palm Beach.

A national salad chain with a cult following and celeb backing (tennis star Naomi Osaka), Sweetgreen opened a West Palm Beach location in January.

The fast-casual spot founded in Washington D.C. serves a variety of salads and seasonal bowls.

  • Sweetgreen: 700 S. Rosemary Ave. (at The Square), West Palm Beach, Sweetgreen.com

Kosher Chobee

Open since June in West Palm Beach, this kosher eatery describes itself as “a modern kosher cuisine restaurant with traditional touches.”

On the menu: homemade pastrami, corned beef sandwiches, plus not-so-expected Korean short ribs. Chef/owner Aviad Ballaish also owns a South Florida kosher catering company.

CENTRAL WEST (West of Jog Road)

WELLINGTON

Sicilian Oven

A South Florida wood-fired pizza (and more) chain with eight restaurants, Sicilian Oven opened a Wellington location in June by the Mall at Wellington Green. The debut follows the suburban Delray Beach location’s opening last year. The chain also has an eatery in Boca Raton.

On the menu: “fire-cracker” calamari in spicy pomodoro sauce, Tuscan fries with shaved Parmesan and truffle oil, pasta-free Sicilian lasagna, over-stuffed panetta sandwiches, wood-fired wings, pasta and salads.

In addition to a spacious indoor dining room, Sicilian Oven offers covered patio seating and an indoor-outdoor bar serving wine, beer and spirits.

SOUTH

DELRAY BEACH

Bar 25

Bar 25, a restaurant serving American pub classics, has revamped the former Mellow Mushroom space in downtown West Palm Beach.
Bar 25, a restaurant serving American pub classics, has revamped the former Mellow Mushroom space in downtown West Palm Beach.

This new restaurant and bar, which took over the former Mellow Mushroom space in Delray Beach, is the creation of Anthony Giovanniello, who also owns Nick’s New Haven Style Pizzeria in Boca Raton. The menu is in the hands of veteran chef Walter Pytel, formerly of Fort Lauderdale’s popular Café Martorano.

The pub-meets-diner menu features an ample range of sharing and large plates, served in generous portions, craft cocktails and weekend brunch specials.

  • Bar 25: 25 SE 6th Ave. (Federal Highway), Delray Beach, 561-359-2643, Bar25.com

The Falcon

The cocktails at Delray's new Falcon restaurant and bar were dreamed up by the creative team at Sweetwater bar in Boynton.
The cocktails at Delray's new Falcon restaurant and bar were dreamed up by the creative team at Sweetwater bar in Boynton.

This new bar and restaurant serves globally inspired, shareable dishes and creative, cheekily named cocktails (dreamed up by the team behind Boynton’s hip Sweetwater whiskey bar).

In the space where Death or Glory most recently operated, The Falcon revives the ghosts of the old Falcon House bar, one of the former inhabitants of the historic 1925-era house. The bar opened in May.

The Gringo

In Delray Beach, The Gringo empanada spot offers a large selection of funky hand pies.
In Delray Beach, The Gringo empanada spot offers a large selection of funky hand pies.

This Argentinian-owned “empanadas and more” spot in downtown Delray Beach opened in March and is already stirring kudos from empanada fans. That’s probably because hand pie lovers have plenty of funky fillings to savor here, all baked to order in flaky dough in the Argentinian style.

The menu lists at least nine empanada varieties: birria beef, ground beef, Cuban sandwich-inspired, ground beef, lobster mac and cheese, Buffalo chicken, veggie fajita, and egg-cheese-stuffed breakfast empanada and a sweet empanada with banana, brown sugar and dulce de leche.

Akira Back

Akira Back's Crispy Rice dish combines sushi rice "tater tots" and seared tuna.
Akira Back's Crispy Rice dish combines sushi rice "tater tots" and seared tuna.

Michelin-starred chef Akira Back opened his eponymous restaurant in March at The Ray boutique hotel in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove district. Part of the Korean-born chef’s global brands – he has more than 16 restaurants across the planet – the Delray restaurant and menu are inspired by his travels as a professional snowboarder.

The menu leans modern Japanese though it reflects a mix of inspirations. That translates to creative sushi rolls like the Pop Rockin’ roll (spicy crab, asparagus, cucumber, watermelon pop rocks), Korean-accented tacos and sashimi bites.

Also on the menu: hot small plates like the sea urchin and sweet shrimp “Truffle Bomb” with smoked potato foam and caviar, robata-grilled meats, seafood and corn and heftier plates for sharing wagyu tomahawk steak, short ribs, miso black cod and lemongrass-scented snapper. Those seeking a bit of drama may find that in the chef’s “Signature Mystery Box” (Nazo) for two, which is revealed tableside.

BOCA RATON

The Blue Dog Cookhouse and Bar

Eggs Benedict is on the brunch menu at The Blue Dog Cookhouse in Boca Raton.
Eggs Benedict is on the brunch menu at The Blue Dog Cookhouse in Boca Raton.

Riding the wave of New York restaurants opening outposts in Palm Beach County, Midtown Manhattan’s Blue Dog Cookhouse and Bar opened a Boca Raton location in April.

The Blue Dog, which took over the former Zinburger space at the Town Center mall, is known for its polished approach to American comfort dishes.

At the new Boca Raton location, more spacious than the Manhattan restaurant, brunch is served daily as well as lunch and dinner.

The daily brunch menu offers various types of egg sandwiches, eggs Benedict dishes, customized omelets and specials that include fried chicken and waffles, huevos rancheros and pumpkin-stuffed French toast.

At dinner, the menu takes an upscale-tavern turn with starter and shareable bites, hefty steak plates meant for sharing, plus pasta and other entrée dishes.

  • The Blue Dog Cookhouse and Bar: at Town Center mall, 6000 Glades Rd., Suite 1008C, Boca Raton, 561-961-3330, BlueDogBoca.com

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

Mister O1's signature pies are star-shaped.
Mister O1's signature pies are star-shaped.

With a name inspired by the special visa earned by its founding Italian pizza chef, a franchise location of Miami’s extraordinarily popular Mister O1 pizzeria opened in Boca Raton in early March.

Renato Viola, the southern Italian chef who founded Mister O1 Pizza, named the place for the O-1 category of U.S. visa he was granted for his “extraordinary ability” and distinction in the art of making pizza.

What’s extraordinary is Mister O1’s thin and delicate pizza crust. It’s made with dough that begins with finely ground, double-zero Italian flour and is rested for at least 72 hours.

Aside from standard pie toppings, Mister O1 offers its trademark star-shaped pizza, which boast pockets of ricotta within each star point. The result is pizza that not only earned a “Best Pizza” in Florida distinction from Food and Wine magazine but just might be the most Instagrammable in the state.

  • Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza: 555 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 5, Boca Raton, 786-677-2903, Mistero1.com

SOUTH WEST (West of Jog Road)

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Ah-Beetz

This new spot serves New Haven-style, brick-oven pizza. Open since May, Ah-Beetz aims to achieve the proper amount of “char” on its Neapolitan crust. “There’s no character without char,” the restaurant’s website proclaims.

And by the way, suburban Delray may be 1,400 miles from New Haven, but they still call pies “apizza” at Ah-Beetz.

  • Ah-Beetz: 15200 Jog Rd., suburban Delray Beach, 561-908-2466, ahbeetz.com

Spadella

This new suburban Delray pizzeria takes pride in its hand-made pies and use of Italian products of certified origin, particularly from Naples. The dough is pre-fermented for 48 hours before it undergoes an active fermentation process for 24 hours. Expect a classic and well-varied pizza menu offering 10-inch and 14-inch pies at Spadella, which opened last fall.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New restaurants opened in Palm Beach County in 2022