We’re back from Palm Beach, FL — our first semi-major travel experience in the last year-and-a-half. Although we took a few (socially-distanced) local getaways last summer, Raj and I realized we hadn’t been on a plane since November 2019. WHATTT. Our March spring break trip last year to The Bahamas was cancelled and you know the rest.
We were excited to head down to our favorite Florida spot this spring — Palm Beach! Most of you know how much I love this area, it’s actually my third time traveling there in the last 5 years! I could seriously go every single year and not get sick of it! Maybe because the dreamy streets and architecture remind me of Europe? Or the delicious food? Or the beautiful beaches?! Or the romantic and dreamy outdoor restaurants?! Or the fact that you can easily bike around town?! Or the bougainvillea around every single corner?!?! It’s literally my DREAM spot and you don’t have to as much as utter the words and I’m sold. You all begged for a roundup of hot spots we loved so I’m gathering up info from all 3 of our trips and putting it in one handy-dandy little spot so you can refer back to it!
The Breakers
ONE S. COUNTRY ROAD,
PALM BEACH, FL
This was our first time staying at The Breakers and it won’t be our last! It’s worth the splurge! With so much history — it was built by Henry Flagler who built the East Coast Florida Railway and who they call “The Founder of Florida.” It’s one of the few Palm Beach hotels with its own private beach. Beautiful Italian-inspired, perfectly manicured grounds, 4 swimming pools, 9 restaurants, a world-class spa — it truly feels like a resort and was honestly one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed! We will be back!
The Brazilian Court
301 AUSTRALIAN AVE,
PALM BEACH, FL
Located on Australian Avenue, about 3 blocks away from famous Worth Avenue. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Loads of celebrities have stayed here & Sofia Vergara had her rehearsal dinner at the famed Café Boulud. I love when a property is easy to navigate — the rooms surround two peaceful white courtyards and the hotel’s only restaurant, with the pool and spa off to the side of the property. The hallways are filled with art — you feel as though you are walking through an art gallery throughout the entire property. The pool is tucked away, surrounded by palm trees and plush chaise chairs, with a gorgeous fountain as the centerpiece. The hotel rooms are cozy, yet very luxurious — mahogany moldings, thick plantation shutters (my favorite for sleeping), and a huge bathroom. It’s a beauty and if you want to be in the center of the action, this is your spot!
Eau Palm Beach
100 SOUTH OCEAN BLVD.
MANALAPAN, FL
This is where Raja and I stayed on our first trip to Palm Beach back in 2016 — it’s another beach front retreat and was the former Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. With rooms redesigned by Jonathan Adler, the hotel has a VIBE– it’s mostly blue and yellow and very Instagram-friendly! There’s a few restaurants on-site — their breakfast is out of this world, I still dream about the shakshuka to this day! They also have a beautiful spa which is worth every penny! While you wait for your treatment, hang out in beyond stunning spa courtyard and swing on one of the chairs above the water with a glass of champange!
Sant Ambroeus. With a bunch of NYC restaurants and one in The Hamptons, we were excited to try this location out! If you’re looking for great Milanese-Italian food, a fun bar scene and delicious drinks and an out-of-this-world ambiance, look no further. It’s located near some of the highest end shopping in Palm Beach, too! So, just look the other way after those drinks
Café Boulud. The restaurant for The Brazilian Court hotel with a French-inspired menu, it’s a gorgeous, intimate spot located in the courtyard — I could totally see why Sofia Vergara decided to have her wedding there! Café Boulud has another location in NYC!
Renato’s Palm Beach. Probably my personal favorite restaurant of the bunch, this beyond gorgeous setting is located inside one of the alleyways off famous Worth Ave. You’ll walk down a hydrangea and bougainvillea loaded walkway and find a restaurant that looks like it belongs in Italy! I highly recommend the Rigatoni alla Vodka (my go-to) and the Pappardelle Vitello e Funghi was out of this world. They also have an amazing wine list. Make sure to book early and request outdoor dining to be able to eat in the twinkly-light filled courtyard! It’s so romantic!
Pizza Al Fresco. This is Renato’s pizza restaurant right across the alleyway! There’s another beautiful courtyard filled with lush landscaping and twinkle lights for you to enjoy while you scarf down some of the best brick oven pizza, open for both lunch and dinner! Definitely try their namesake pizza and salad combo — they are both a fave!
Palm Beach Grill. So highly recommended, although, I’m not going to lie, the menu didn’t look totally like my vibe. I was wrong! This place gets slammed every night of the week and the menu is definitely eclectic and unique — try their famous deviled eggs and French-dip au jus sandwich!
Cafe Via Flora. A great spot for lunch or dinner — it’s tucked away in the beautiful garden courtyard in back and it is delicious! The Lily Pulitzer print tablecloths are the perfect touch!
Buccan Palm Beach. Always a toughie to get into — so make sure to book early if you have this place on your PB wishlist! Try the delicious brussel sprout warm cesear salad and the mushroom flatbread. The atmosphere is just as good as the food, too — I absolutely LOVE the rustic-chic decor and tile throughout.
Imoto Palm Beach. The Japanese sister restaurant to Buccan (above), it’s located right next door (and you can actually sneak in between the two places in the back by the bathrooms). The sushi is so fresh and delicious and they have a really fun cocktail menu!
Seafood Bar. Actually a great place for drinks and/or dinner! We’ll keep it under dinner because the view is gorgeous and you won’t want to leave! We personally love sitting at the bar for dinner (I like keeping the feel causal some of the time) and this bar is an actual fish tank! Try some of their apps, absolutely order their famous Parker House Rolls (yum), and go with whatever fresh fish is on special!
& for a tasty treat!
Piccolo Gelato. Also located in that same alleyway as Renato’s above, this is a great little spot to grab a quick gelato and walk around! They actually have vegan gelato — I love to blend the watermelon and coconut flavors, so yummy!
HMF. Located inside The Breakers and named after the initials of Henry Morrison Flagler (the founder of The Breakers), you will be transported to the 1920’s and feel like you’ll want to order champagne in a goblet while you take in the view. This place is a SCENE. Get dressed up, get there early to get your name on the list, and order the warm brussel sprout ceasar salad, the famous short ribs, and grab a blue cheese stuffed olive martini. You’ll thank me later!
Lola 41. The second location, there’s also a location in Nantucket, this little hot spot is located inside The White Elephant Hotel. YOU ALL RECOMMENDED IT and you were right! Try the Con-Cu-Bine martini and absolutely start with the crab stuffed avocado! This is a great happy hour spot but you could also eat dinner out on the courtyard!
Le Bar a Vin. Brand new in 2021, this little wine bar was a find we stumbled on when waiting for our dinner table down the road. Request sitting outside under the twinkle lights — their wine menu is extensive and the sommelier was so friendly, he spent so much time with us going through all of the selections!
*GLAM Travel Tip: All of these restaurants were on Open Table, making it super quick and easy to book a reservation. Most places in Palm Beach on are on the smaller side, so if you’re going at a peak time, make sure to book prior to traveling!
Palm Beach is quite the glamorous place. It isn’t like a normal beach town — denim cutoffs are not going to cut it. If you’re heading to Palm Beach, pack those breezy floral dresses, long flowing caftans, and a sensible (yet chic) walking shoe, so you can take in the scenery. Don’t be afraid of patterns and prints — it’s the birth place of Lily Pulitzer after all, so that should tell you a lot. It’s definitely more of a dress up location for sure — everyone seemed very put together, accessorized to the nines, and very timeless (not trendy). I’m including some other pieces below that I think would have fit right in, and including the shoe I think could work if it was the only shoe you packed!
*GLAM Travel Tip: Although not chic AF, pack bug spray! If you’re known for getting bites (like I am), you won’t regret it. I always forget that hot, humid locations require bug spray even during the day (as opposed to just nighttime here in New England). The mosquitos are out all day long and are attracted to colorful ensembles — like I just told you to pack! HA!
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