Palm Beach County may not have its own Chinatown or Little Italy, but there are plenty of places to get your fill of global-inspired cuisine—from spongy Ethiopian injera to steaming bowls of Vietnamese beef pho. We found five spots that will transport your taste buds to destinations far, far away.
Johan’s Jöe | West Palm Beach
Nicklas and Bernt Thuden came out of retirement to open this sun-soaked coffee house and café last October. Crystal chandeliers, faux fur–laden sofas, and a crisp Bauhaus aesthetic lend a striking backdrop for—what else?—Johan’s Jöe‘s traditional Scandinavian staples like toast skagen, Swedish meatballs, and melt-in-your-mouth pancakes topped with homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberry jam. (561-808-5090)
Queen of Sheeba | West Palm Beach
When Bill Washington wanted to open a restaurant, his wife, Lojo, a registered nurse, jumped at the chance to serve her native cuisine. Opened in September, Queen of Sheeba presents Ethiopian dishes like doro wot (a chicken stew) and shiro wot, a chickpea-powder sauce served with injera, a sourdough pancake. First-timer? Self-taught chef Lojo will teach you how to dine the traditional way: without utensils. (561-514-0615)
Ceviche Arigato | Lake Park
It’s been a little more than a year since Rosemary and Franco Batzel opened the Palm Beach County outpost of their Weston restaurant, Ceviche Arigato (561-863-8877), which honors the cuisine of Rosemary’s heritage: Peruvian and Japanese. The couple presents an intriguing mix of both cultures through dishes like sushi rolls and ceviche varieties; a must-try is the arrizotado de lomo saltado, a traditional Peruvian dish modernized with a creamy risotto.
Pho VN | Boynton Beach
Of course, pho varieties reign at this unassuming eatery (pho with meatballs, anyone?), but don’t overlook Pho VN‘s other Vietnamese and Thai specialties, such as pan-seared tenderloin steak with fried rice and vermicelli rice noodle with chargrilled pork, shrimp, and an egg roll. If you’re not afraid of a little heat, let the chef know—just have a big glass of water ready. (561-509-0831)
Pelican Restaurant | Lake Worth
At their charming breakfast and lunch joint on Lake Avenue, Pelican Restaurant (561-582-4992), Pakistani-born Tahira and Mohammad Sami draw a daily crowd with Indian dishes like beef shank nihari, chicken korma, and curry omelets. The couple serves an American menu as well, but the local favorite is an Indian breakfast item called Eggs Nissa—a scrambled egg and curry dish named in honor of Mohammad’s mother, who taught Tahira how to cook.
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