PBI Awards: Best Weekend Destination

Best Weekend Destinations

Delray Beach’s main drag, Atlantic Avenue has evolved into Palm Beach County’s hottest strip of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and cultural experiences.

 

Yaxche TeaRoom | 14 S. Swinton Ave.

Yaxche TeaRoom - Delray Beach

Named after the yaxche (meaning “tree of life” in Mayan) tree in the front yard, the Yaxche Tearoom (561-865-7618) is where Delray’s haute yogis go to get their om on. With more than 100 healing teas, owner Alexandra Wayne customizes each cup to a guest’s wellness needs, like calmness, energy, or alertness. The shop also serves kombucha on tap, locally prepared bites, and GoodWater—a plasma so pure, it’s even poured at the White House.


 

Salt 7 | 32 S.E. 2nd Ave.

Salt 7 - Delray Beach

Delray’s late-night crowd flocks to Salt 7 (561-274-7258) for haute cuisine, designer cocktails, and the after-party atmosphere. Steak is the top dish on the menu (and don’t miss the truffle mac and cheese as a side), but this modern steak house also offers sashimi, specialty sushi rolls, and a raw bar. Dinner reservations are an absolute must, but the see-and-be-seen crowd comes here to mingle at the bar.


 

Murder on the Beach | 273 N.E. 2nd Ave.

Murder on the Beach - Book Store - PBI Awards - Best Weekend Destination - Delray Beach

As its name suggests, this small, independent bookstore specializes in novels of the mysterious and criminal kind. A 13-year-old gem in Pineapple Grove, Murder on the Beach (561-279-7790) has remained a relevant local favorite thanks to author visits, writing workshops, and warm customer service. It’s a must visit, even to browse.


 

Roxy Lulu | 119 N.E. 2nd Ave

 

Roxy Lulu - PBI Awards - Best Weekend Destination - Downtown Delray Beach

Jule Guaglardi’s bright, girly boutique in Pineapple Grove embodies the luxury Caribbean fashions that are essentially the dress code for Palm Beachers’ go-to destinations like St. Barths. Named after her two dogs, Roxy Lulu (561-779-5485) is both the name of her store and her own line of sophisticated, boho-chic apparel. Guaglardi’s dresses, tassel necklaces, and other designs dominate the store alongside collections from designers like Melissa Odabash and Sabrina Crippa.


 

Sundook Fine Art | 524 E. Atlantic Ave.

Sundook Fine Art - PBI Awards - Best Weekend Destination - Downtown Delray Beach

Technicolor is king at Sundook Fine Art (561-852-0017). This sunny space brims with Crayola-colored, limited-edition paintings by Peter Max, Tom Wesselmann, Mel Ramos, LeRoy Neiman, and Andy Warhol’s former protégé, Steve Kaufman. The gallery also houses one of the finest installations of Romero Britto art and 3-D sculpture, second only to the artist’s Miami Beach gallery collection.


 

Waggs to Riches | 505 E. Atlantic Ave

Waggs to Riches - PBI Awards - Best Weekend Destination - Downtown Delray Beach

It’s a dog’s life at Waggs to Riches (561-272-8100). Posh pups head to this over-the-top boutique for canine couture (i.e., Hip Doggie and Puppia Coup), crystal-embellished collars, and designer bedding. Spa-inspired grooming packages are available, and Fido can bring home a furry friend—the shop sells pint-sized, purebred puppies, too.


 

Max’s Social House | 116 N.E. 6th Ave.

Max's Social House - SoHo Delray - Pineapple Grove - Downtown Delray Beach - PBI Awards - Best Weekend Destination

If Delray foodies aren’t at Max’s Harvest, then they’re at Dennis Max’s latest concept in Pineapple Grove, Max’s Social House (561-501-4332). Opened in January, the New American resto is all about sharable plates, like short-rib empanadas with mango crema and brussels sprouts with bacon, washed down with innovative craft cocktails. Dishes arrive as soon as they’re ready, rather than all at once, so you’ll be dining throughout the evening. Brunch is served, too, but we recommend coming for dinner—with a reservation for the patio.


 

Dining Hot Spots

With an endless array of restaurants on the avenue, where to dine is a tough decision. These five picks are the talk of the town.

El Camino: An always-crowded party, this hip outpost serves modern Mexican soul food, like brisket quesadillas and carne asado tacos; 200 premium tequila varieties; and margaritas with fresh, contrasting flavors. 15 N.E. 2nd Ave. (561-865-5350)

El Camino - Delrya Beach Dining Hot Spot

El Camino

Cut432: This classic steak house is the choice for an evening of fine dining, while the “social hour” menu is packed with comfort food classics—think meatball sliders and pancetta brussels sprouts. 432 E. Atlantic Ave. (561-272-9898)  
32 East: Nearly 20 years after the restaurant opened, chef Nick Morfogen’s locavore cuisine still draws applause, especially for its trademark-worthy desserts and pint-sized plates of mozzarella di bufala, prosciutto-wrapped peaches, and wood-fired pizzas. 32 E. Atlantic Ave. (561-276-7868)

Brule Bistro - Delray Beach Dining Hotspots
Brulé Bistro

Brulé Bistro: A French-American gastropub, this Pineapple Grove outpost draws regulars for its creative cocktails and cuisine like ginger chicken meatballs and “peanut butter and jelly” foie gras with almond butter and port geleé. 200 N.E. 2nd Ave. (561-274-2046)
Tryst: At Delray’s version of West Palm’s hipster Hullabaloo, grab a table under the stringed lights on the patio and enjoy craft beer and cocktails with dishes like like vegan pad Thai and brisket sliders. 4 E. Atlantic Ave. (561-921-0201)

PBI Awards - Palm Beach Illustrated

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