The COVID pandemic fueled ahistoric migrationof wealth to Palm Beach County. That influx of moneyis transforming the style, landscape, and fortunes of our area, with some communities more and more resemblingthe tony town of Palm Beach. The migration will bring changes and challenges. This is one part of a Palm Beach Post multi-part series titledThe Palm Beaching Project. Go here for more stories in the series.
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Whether they were seeking an area with fewer COVID restrictions, looking to save some scratch on their taxes or just curious about living in the land of sunshine (literally, Florida is the Sunshine State), the fact is that thousands of people from the Northeast have migrated to Palm Beach County in the past few years.
Besides bringing their cars, clothes, furniture, toys, pets and kids, they also brought something that required no packing and tends to be selective ... their taste buds.
Following this great migration to the Sunshine State and looking to please and appease those aforementioned buds, many restaurants based in the Northeast have opened outlets throughout Palm Beach County.
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If you're a newbie to the area and seeking a taste of home, or just have an appreciation for certain culinary transplants, here are 18 restaurants, listed state by state, that have either relocated to Palm Beach County or opened new locations within:
CONNECTICUT
Pepe's Neapolitan Pizza
Founder Frank Pepe opened his eponymous pizza shop in New Haven in 1925, and the original Connecticut location continues to rank among the Northeast's most lauded pizzerias for its pizza, which is a thin-crust pizza traditionally baked in a coal-fired brick oven. In recent years, the family-owned and operated restaurant has expanded, operating 17 locations across the country, including two South Florida outposts, in Delray Beach and Plantation. The restaurant is a casual affair, offering a list of signature and specialty pies alongside salads, desserts, beer, and wine.
Information: 1701 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach. 561-431-5601; pepespizzeria.com
Ah-Beetz
Another Connecticut-born pizzeria, Ah-Beetz, has made its mark in South Florida. Originally conceived as a build-your-own, fast-casual concept specializing in its brand of New Haven-style apizza, the restaurant officially relocated to Palm Beach County, where co-owner and founder Nick Laudano has since opened two locations, with more on the way. Everything on the menu is prepared fresh in-house, and the coal-fueled oven — designed by Laudano himself — is the restaurant's only source of heat. Try the "Mootz," a simple and traditional pie topped with oregano, the house tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella and grated Pecorino Romano cheeses.
Information: 15200 Jog Road, Delray Beach. 561-908-2466; ah-beetz.com
Maggie McFly's
Boasting a massive menu that features more than 200 items, Maggie McFly's opened in November 2023 at Town Center at Boca Raton. Still owned and operated by founder Ray Harper, Maggie McFly's first opened in Middlebury, Connecticut in 1993. Since then, eight more have opened, including four more in Connecticut, two in Virginia, one in New York and now one in Florida. Striving to use mostly locally sourced ingredients in their menu, they offer salads, soups, appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, pizza, seafood, steak, ribs and much more.
Information: 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton. maggiemcflys.com/boca-raton
Polpo
In 2022, Connecticut restaurateur Ron Rosa — a native New Yorker who made his name with Italian restaurants Campagnola on the Upper East Side and Ecco in Tribeca — opened a second location of his popular Greenwich Italian eatery, Polpo. Located at the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner in a sleek indoor/outdoor space. The menu focuses on upscale Italian and seafood-focused dishes, including favorites like the ravioli tartufati (homemade ricotta-stuffed ravioli in a truffle cream sauce) and swordfish oreganata (a seasoned, breadcrumb-crusted swordfish steak served over sautéed spinach).
Information: 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, 561-540-4923, polpopalmbeach.com/restaurant
More:Flavor South Florida 2024 restaurant list revealed, dining discounts to follow
NEW JERSEY
Gabriella's Modern Italian
Currently under construction, this restaurant is slated to open in fall 2024 and will be just off uber-hip Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. A slightly different name and concept than predecessor Gabriella's Italian Steakhouse on the New Jersey coast in Monmouth County, Gabriella's Modern Italian will be a little bit "more Italian, less steakhouse," according to owner Frankie Brusco. They will have a beautifully designed interior as well as a covered patio with seating for 60 guests. Popular dishes will include truffle ricotta, spicy rigatoni, firecracker shrimp and bistecca alla fiorentina (a 40-ounce, 45-day dry aged, porterhouse, served with steak fries, garlic confit, preserved lemon, bone marrow and parsley salad) for two.
Information: 40 NE Seventh Ave., Delray Beach. gabriellasfl.com
Lefkes Estiatorio
Opened on Aug. 2 on Third Avenue just off Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, this restaurant specializes in modern Greek cuisine inspired by traditional classics and is bringing the Mykonos vibe to South Florida. Managing partner Georgia Dumas said people from around the world flock to the Greek island of Mykonos for its festive, party atmosphere. Started in Athens in 2004, Lefkes Estiatorio made the jump across the pond to New Jersey in 2019. Guests to the new restaurant can enjoy Lefkes' classics like paidakia which is Lefkes' herb marinated, wood fire-grilled lamb chops; the lavraki "bronzino," a mild, flaky sea bass; the tuna tartare and the zucchini and eggplant chips appetizers.
Information: 33 SE Third Ave., Delray Beach. instagram.com/lefkes_delraybeach
NEW YORK
Bounce Delray Beach
Opened in April 2024, this downtown Delray Beach hot spot offers an "elevated sports bar experience." Located on Third Avenue just off Atlantic Avenue, Bounce features over 20 televisions including one that is truly massive. Offering larger-than-life images, it is 60 feet wide, with a picture "beyond crystal clear" and definitely brings the "wow" factor. Sister restaurant to Bounce Beach Montauk, Bounce Delray Beach offers sharables like tuna poke nachos, kale artichoke dip and blackened fish tacos along with their wildly popular bang bang shrimp and the fried mac & cheese bars. They also offer their healthy green bowls, sandwiches, burgers and more.
Information: 33 Third Ave., Delray Beach. bouncesportingclub.com/delray
Gallaghers Steakhouse
Last year, restaurateur Dean Poll delivered an outpost of his famed New York City restaurant, Gallaghers Steakhouse, to Boca Raton, marking the first expansion outside the brand's historic Manhattan location that originally opened as a speakeasy in 1927. The menu is centered on Gallaghers' famous steaks, displayed in a glass-enclosed meat locker. Steaks are aged in-house for 21-plus days before being cooked over the kitchen's signature hickory coal grills. Longtime NYC favorites also include family-style starters like the seafood tower, shrimp and lobster dumplings, beef carpaccio, and side dishes such as creamed spinach and mashed potatoes.
Information: 2006 NW Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton. 561-559-5800; gallaghersnysteakhouse.com
Harry's and Adrienne's Pizzabar
A favorite of lower Manhattan's Wall Street lunch crowd, Harry's officially opened its first and only outpost in West Palm Beach last year at the base of the 360 Rosemary office building. Founded by New York restaurateur Harry Poulakakos in 1972, today his son Peter aims to capture the essence of the original location alongside a second outpost of the family's casual Italian restaurant specializing in square pies, Adrienne’s Pizzabar.
Information: Harry's: 384 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-834-5010; harrysbarrestaurant.com. Adrienne's Pizzabar: 378 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-834-0300; adriennespizzabar.com
Il Mulino New York
After hosting a pop-up in early 2019, Il Mulino New York — an upscale Italian restaurant known for its celebrity clientele, Abruzzo-inspired cuisine, and white-glove service — decided to plant permanent roots here later that year. The very definition of old-school Italian supper club, diners flock here for a generous doling of complimentary antipasti, the multitude of familiar red-sauce pasta dishes, and indulgent cuts of meat. The restaurant has locations across New York City, as well as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Orlando, Sunny Isles Beach, and Puerto Rico.
Information: 451 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. 561-338-8606; ilmulino.com/boca-raton
Isla & Co.
In early 2022, New York-based Parched Hospitality Group — the creators behind New York City's wildly popular Hole in The Wall restaurants, The Sentry, Daintree, and Ghost Burger — opened a South Florida outpost of their Australian-influenced restaurant, Isla & Co., to West Palm Beach. The Warehouse District restaurant, accessible by way of Grandview Public Market, is a chic and modern space with indoor and outdoor patio seating, and a full bar. Like its sister establishments in New York City, the menu offers a unique day-to-night experience. Brunch is served daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting a menu of specialty coffees and dishes inspired by Australia's coastal towns. Come evening, the restaurant becomes a co*cktail-driven dinner destination, a sultry space to enjoy dishes that draw from Australia, Europe, and Asia, while their espresso martini menu makes for the ideal nightcap.
1401 Clare Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-508-4992; isla-co.com
La Goulue Palm Beach
In 2020, the long-awaited Palm Beach outpost of a classic French restaurant on New York's Upper East Side opened its doors to South Florida diners. The original La Goulue made its mark when it opened in 1973 on 70th Street in Manhattan, although it has since moved. Created by restaurateur Jean Denoyer, the chic bistro serves meticulously prepared French fare, including its award-winning favorite, Le Soufflé au Fromage, a simple but decadent alchemy of Gruyère and parmesan cheeses, whisked egg whites, butter, milk, and flour that bakes into a light and airy puff.
Information: 288 S. County Road, Palm Beach. 561-284-6292; lagouluepalmbeach.com
Le Bilboquet Palm Beach
A popular French bistro with a flagship restaurant in Manhattan’s Upper East Side opened off Palm Beach's Worth Avenue in February 2021. The New York-born restaurant is known for attracting an A-list following and goes by the name of "Bilbo" by its regular clientele. The Palm Beach outpost features courtyard seating hemmed by an ivy-laced wall, where the well-heeled gather for lunch and dinner to savor signature dishes like the tuna tartare and le poulet Cajun.
Information: 245a Worth Ave., Palm Beach. 561-812-2363; lebilboquetpb.com/menu-d
Pig Beach BBQ
Pig Beach BBQ opened its first Brooklyn restaurant in 2015, founded by New York restaurateur Rob Shawger alongside his fellow competition barbecue comrades — and New York City chefs — Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride. After relocating to a larger space in Queens, the trio — two of whom have since permanently relocated to Palm Beach County — opened a Florida outpost of their smoked meat eatery in 2022. Located inside a converted El Cid mechanics shop on the edge of West Palm Beach's up-and-coming Nora district, the restaurant offers a taste of the chefs' critically-acclaimed cherry- and hickory-smoked brisket, peach- and honey-glazed ribs, and their South Beach Wine & Food Festival "Burger Bash" championship double smash burger. Menu highlights also include tender smoked pork shoulder smothered in a spicy vinegar sauce and sides like homemade cornbread and jalapeno-pineapple coleslaw.
2400 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach; 561-803-0333; pigbeachnyc.com
Sant Ambroeus
The Milan-inspired New York City café, Sant Ambroeus, was among the first New York-based establishments to expand to South Florida when it debuted its Palm Beach outpost in 2018. The stylish ristorante and pasticceria quickly became one of the island's favorites for its trifecta of excellent food, service, and ambiance. It's the place to go for house-made pastas and indulgent imported Italian ingredients, including the 18-month-aged San Daniele prosciutto, or the mozzarella di bufala Campana from Naples that arrives each week via FedEx.
Information: 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite 304, Palm Beach. 561-285-7990; santambroeus.com
Avalon Steak & Seafood
Avalon Steak & Seafood, a steakhouse with a seafood twist, arrived in downtown Delray Beach in 2021, taking up residence in a prime space on East Atlantic Avenue. The restaurant is the only Florida restaurant by Host Restaurants, the veteran New York hospitality operators behind award-winning NYC dining darlings Scarpetta, Campagnola, American Cut, and Bill’s Townhouse, among others. For their Florida establishment, Avalon offers area diners a modern steakhouse serving sustainably sourced seafood specialties with a beachy vibe inspired by coastal hotspots like Montauk and Nantucket.
Information: 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-593-2500, avalondelray.com
The Blue Dog
In 2022, Manhattan restaurant Blue Dog opened a Boca Raton location at the Town Center mall, breathing new life into the former Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar space. In New York, the theater district location is also known as a popular brunch spot, but has charmed an all-day crowd in South Florida. Like its NYC counterpart, the menu offers a healthy approach to classic American comfort fare in the form of sandwiches, salads, and breakfast classics.
Information: 6000 Glades Road, suite 1008C, Boca Raton. 561-961-3330; bluedogboca.com
Felice
In 2007, SA Hospitality partner Jacopo Giustiniani opened Felice — pronounced "fe-lee-che" — in Manhattan's Upper East Side with Tuscan-inspired fare and an extensive Italian-driven wine list, many sourced from Giustiniani's own vineyard. In 2023, the group — which also owns fellow NYC hotspots Sant Ambroeus and Casa Lever — expanded Felice to South Florida. The first restaurant opened last year in West Palm Beach, followed by Felice's new flagship restaurant that opened in July in Miami's Brickell neighborhood.
Information: 366 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-421-6036; felicerestaurants.com
Maman
Started in 2014 in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City, Maman opened its 37th location on Aug. 12 in downtown West Palm Beach. Located within CityPlace, this eatery was founded, and is still owned by, Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte. Meaning "mother" in French, Maman is the melding of the founding partners' memories of their childhood in the kitchen and the recipes their mothers created. Looking to grab a coffee, enjoy an espresso while working, socialize with friends for lunch or have co*cktails with brunch on the weekend? Maman is all these places in one. They offer coffees, teas, juices, pastries (baked fresh, in-house daily), sandwiches, tartines, salads, soups and classics like the daily quiche, omelettes, Belgian waffles, overnight oats, and more.
Information: 473 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. mamannyc.com/locations/west-palm-beach
RHODE ISLAND
Tavolo Italian Kitchen & Bar
Opened on Dec. 2 in Boynton Beach, owners Leonard and Sherri Mello said they are dedicated to bringing the same high-quality, fine-dining caliber cuisine they serve at their two other locations in Rhode Island. Splitting their time between homes in Rhode Island and South Florida, Leonard said they have "regular customers from up north that have popped into the new restaurant." Describing the menu as "upscale casual," Tavolo makes nearly everything from scratch. This includes sauces, salad dressings, pastas and more. Some of their dishes include eggplant rollatini, osso bucco, linguini & clams, stuffed Atlantic cod and zuppa de Portuguese. They also offer pizzas and favorites like the braised beef short rib and wagon wheel rigatoni Bolognese.
Information: 8260 Jog Road, Boynton Beach. tavolowinebar.com/Tavolo-Italian
Nicole Danna, freelance reporter to the Palm Beach Post, contributed to this report.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network.You can reach him ateritz@pbpost.com.
Nicole Danna is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at nicoleadanna@gmail.com. Help support our journalism.Subscribe today.
