Tastebuds tired of Miami? Need an excuse to get on the road? If you’re looking for an adventure fit for a foodie, look no further than this list. All of these restaurants are less than a two-hour drive up the East Coast of Florida.
Chillbar – Hollywood
Located inside the Yellow Green Farmers Market, this little bistro is the best spot for brunch, blood orange mimosas, and raspberry cheesecake. For a salty bite, try the Chill eggs with truffle polenta, blackened salmon, and a multi-grain croissant. If you’re craving something sweet, order the Fabulous French Toast Supreme: its caramelized bananas and cinnamon syrup are just as fabulous and supreme as the name suggests. Best of all, the place is tucked away from the market in a shady, Snap story worthy garden.
Market 17 – Fort Lauderdale
For an upscale farm-to-table experience, look no further than Market 17. Tucked away from the water in a less-populated part of town, Market 17 is Fort Lauderdale’s hidden culinary powerhouse. One can never expect what the menu–which rotates on a weekly basis–will offer, but you can rest assured that it will be sourced locally from Florida farms. Everything from octopus to oxtail has graced their menu pages and with the option to get an entree as a small plate, there’s plenty of opportunity to try it all.
The Office – Boca Raton
This casual burger bar sits right in the middle of Atlantic Avenue, Boca’s best hangout. You’ll be greeted with office supplies-inspired menus, a laid-back atmosphere, and free truffle popcorn to snack on while you wait. Though The Office serves everything from seafood to small plates, you can’t go wrong with one of their signature burgers and super-crispy fries. Don’t forget to order drinks and dessert; they’ve got an eclectic mix of cocktails, tap beer, and chocolate cake.
Christopher’s Kitchen – Palm Beach Gardens
Meat eaters need not apply. This mod restaurant located in Midtown at the Gardens has the most culinarily creative vegan cuisine you’ll ever eat. Pizza that tastes like the real deal? Pumpkin pie, ice cream, and mac and cheese creamier than cream? They boast it all and a bottle of organic wine. Stop by on a Sunday for raw vegan french toast; or if you’re in a pinch for time, stop by their market and pick up a juice, salad, or snack box to go.
11 Maple Street – Jensen Beach
Nothing is better than home-cooked food; that’s why 11 Maple Street is located inside a quaint little house in downtown Jensen, white picket fence and all. Even Emeril Lagasse boasted about this restaurant’s wine list and fine-dining on his show, “Emeril’s Florida”. Inside, you’ll sit at on couch or a deck chair tucked inside a private nook of the living space. While the menu tempts with fried green tomatoes, salmon ceviche, and an elk entree, you’d be crazy to order anything but the Hanger Steak small plate, coveted by regulars and Yelp reviewers alike. With fried sweet potato, onion rings, and a salsa verde pesto, there is a reason why this hanger steak is last on the list — with all the East coast considered, it’s the perfect plate.
Haley Walker is a junior majoring in Creative Writing from Stuart, FL. She hopes to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing and teach at the University level. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll find Haley lifting at the gym or training to be the next Pokémaster.
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