The Boca Raton foodie scene has exploded over the past few years with new restaurants popping up all over the city. Here’s a spotlight on some of the city’s top dining destinations that promise an unforgettable gastronomic journey.

1. Lynora’s Boca Raton

Address: Lynora’s Boca, 9560 Glades Rd Ste 190 Boca Raton, FL 33428, (561) 235-5096.

Located in the recently developed Uptown Boca, Lynora’s brings top notch Italian cuisine with a spectacular atmosphere and modern aesthetic. You have the option to sit inside or outside to enjoy the weather.

Outside they have beautiful marble tables with black and white bistro chairs and large umbrellas to provide sun coverage. On one side of the building there is a street art wall declaring ‘pizza love’ in red on white background painted by artist Renda Writer.

Lynora’s legacy in South Florida dates back to 1974. The renowned Italian restaurant maintains its classic charm serving house made gnocchi with tomato sauce baked with mozzarella, along with other Italian favorites like pollo Parmeasan and rigatoni alla vodka. The menu has some updated classics for patrons with specialized diets, like the gluten free penne escarole with white beans, garlic and oil, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Start your culinary adventure with the arancini di riso, Sicilian fried rice balls with mozzarella and bolognese sauce. The melted cheese encased in the fried rice ball served in a cast iron is such a treat and is a reason to return to Lynora’s again and again.

Try the aperol spritz for a refreshing classic that always enchants. For something unique to Lynora’s, give the Limonata a try. It is made with Tito’s handmade vodka, muddled lemon & basil, Thatcher’s elderflower liqueur, and south beach agave nectar.

For the main course, try one of Lynora’s wood fired pizzas. You can choose traditional crust or gluten free cauliflower crust and also substitute cheese for vegan cheese. The hot honey e soppressata is an outstanding choice for a sweet and spicy combination, made with soppressata salami, mozzarella and fontina cheese, and drizzled with hot honey. 

Finish off your meal with the delectable zeppole doughnuts, powdered in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with nutella.

2. Louie Bossi Ristorante Bar Pizzeria

Address: Louie Bossi Ristorante Bar Pizzeria, 100 E Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 336-6699.

This iconic Italian restaurant pairs a vibrant atmosphere with outstanding food. There is seating both inside and outside. The outdoor area is entirely covered so you can still eat even if it is sprinkling.

Since it is a local favorite, Louie Bossi can be rather busy at times so it might be a good idea to make a reservation or be prepared to wait about 15 minutes. While you wait, they have a wall of magazines to read and few spots to grab a photo. Take a snapshot in front of their Louie Bossi wall art and in their sidecar motorcycle out front. Street parking cannot always be found in the area, but you can easily valet for $5. It’s worth it!

Everything on the menu is made to perfection making any choice a good one. Here are some ideas to get you started. You can begin your meal with a wood grilled bruschetta with Calabro ricotta and a light crisp white wine like Grillo from Sicily. Also, they have a skinny prosecco from Italy with reduced sugar called Prosecco Zero.

The charcuterie boards are also a great choice to start your meal. Chef Louie Bossi is certified in the ancient art and technique of charcuterie and it really shows in the beauty of the presentation of the boards. They are always divine.

For the main course, choose one of their incredible pastas made in-house daily. The menu is broken up into long pasta and short pasta so you can find your preferences with ease. Choose the Spaghetti alla Sorrentino with burrata mozzarella, fresh basil and San Marzano sauce.

The pizzas are also a great choice since they are made in a wood fired oven by Master Pizza Maker, Louie Bossi. The New Jersey Spinach Pie is a great choice that is unique to Louie Bossi. This pizza bianca is made without tomato sauce, but it has lots of cheese and toppings including: fior di latte mozzarella, ricotta cheese, pecorino cheese, spinach, and garlic.

Finish off your meal with homemade gelato. If you can’t decide on just one dessert, there is a Grande Dolce with the chef’s assortment of 5 desserts for the table to share. You can even get a gelato flight to try 4 different flavors of gelato or sorbet.

3. Drift at Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center

Address: Drift, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486, (561) 392-4600.

You can try all kinds of cuisines at Drift with their small plates menu. Located behind the Boca Center attached to the Marriott, you can relax inside or outside with an amazing cocktail and live music. The Boca Mule is a must try, made with Chopin vodka, Pama liqueur, ginger beer, and fresh lime. The ginger and pomegranate flavors pair together perfectly.

The bar also makes exquisite mocktails like the strawberry oj mojito. It is a refreshing drink made with muddled strawberries, mint, oranges, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and topped with club soda.

You can drift along and try an array of different food styles from around the world. Since the plates are small you should grab a few and share with your party. Order the tuna wontons with jalapenos, wasabi guacamole, peppers, cucumber, and creme. The crispiness of the wonton with the tuna makes it feel like you’re eating the most delicious Asian nachos. 

Both the blackened swordfish bites with lemon aioli and tropical chutney, and the Key West wings made with buffalo soldier spices are local favorites you do not want to skip.

When the temperature drops, you can also enjoy one of the fire pits along with a wine, charcuterie and cheese tasting, local tap beer and wings tasting, or desserts and espresso martinis. The Key West wings are crispy and go wonderfully with the Hop Gun Beer by Funky Buddha.

4. Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar Boca Raton

Address: Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar Boca Raton, 5250 Town Center Cir Ste 147 Boca Raton, FL 33486, (561) 416-2131.

Located in Boca Center, Rocco’s Tacos is a tremendous choice for a lively atmosphere and authentic Mexican food. Start your night with a classic margarita made with sour mix made in-house. You can sample from the 200 varieties of tequila. Rocco’s Tacos is famous for its guacamole prepared table side so you cannot go without experiencing it!

Try the de calle tacos made with handmade corn tortillas. You can go traditional with carnita style pork, spicy ground beef, or adventurous with macha shrimp with peanut salsa macha. Also, if you are looking for gluten free options, lettuce cups are available in lieu of the flour or corn tortillas.

Finish off the night with a tres leche cake with meringue, fresh bananas and strawberries. 

5. SeaSpray Inlet Grill

Address: SeaSpray Inlet Grill, 999 E Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 226-3022.

You can eat on the water in Boca Raton at the SeaSpray Inlet Grill located inside the Waterstone Resort. The outdoor restaurant gives you an unparalleled ocean view with a green floral backdrop by illustrator Gabriela Benetar inspired by Boca Raton.

You can enter Sea Spray through the Waterstone or hotel or pull up with your boat on the marina side. It is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start your experience with a refreshing tropical sangria with malibu coconut rum, white wine, fresh squeezed oj, mint, and pineapple.

To share, try the Mediterranean chicken wings made with harissa, asiago cheese, and yogurt honey sauce. As a main course, try the crispy chicken sandwich made with sriracha ranch slaw, bibb lettuce, tomato, onion, topped with chipotle aioli.

6. Serena Pastificio

Address: Serena Pastificio, 301 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 922-6699.

Located inside the IPIC theater building in Mizner Park, Serena Pastificio is an unforgettable take on Italian cuisine. All of their pastas are handmade in-house in their Pastificio!

The hand-crafted cocktails are unique with flavors that mingle together expertly. They also have some handcrafted non-alcoholic choices that they call “zero proof”. Try their “When Life Gives You Lemons” made with lemonade, hibiscus and soda, and the “Mulo Primavera” with rhubarb, fennel, and ginger beer.

As a starter, the antipasto platter, the Formaggio e Salame which is a chef’s assortment of artisan meats, cheeses and accompaniments. You cannot beat the flavors in the Mezzelune di Aragosta (Lobster Ravioli) featuring lobster, ricotta and mozzarella filling, and topped with fresh lobster meat, lobster tomato jus, confit heirloom tomato, charred cippolini & chives.

7. Red Pine Restaurant and Bar

Address: Red Pine, 1 Town Center Rd Boca Raton, FL 33486.

Located in One Town Center building on the first floor, Red Pine brings authentic upscale Chinese food to the Boca Raton area.

Start your meal with chicken soup dumplings along with other small plates of dim sum for the table. The menu is filled with your Chinese take-out favorites elevated by the quality and attention to detail in their preparation.  Most dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared. They serve antibiotic, hormone and steroid-free chicken; grass-fed beef, chemical-free shrimp, and sustainable seafood.

Finish off your meal with a few desserts like the black sesame ice cream and the lychee sorbet. Also, try the milk tea sponge cake. It is a vanilla cake soaked with jasmine tea infused milk served with brown sugar milk tea ice cream.

8. Meat Market Boca Raton

Address: Meat Market Boca Raton, 2000 NW 19th St Boca Raton, FL 33431, (561) 245-6777.

One of the newest restaurants in Boca Raton, Meat Market is an unbelievable addition to what is being called “Restaurants Row” in Midtown Boca. The restaurant is located at the newly renovated Renaissance Hotel. You can self-park, but they also have valet available. Meat Market Boca serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week and serves brunch on weekends in lieu of lunch.

The Palm Beach favorite has come to Boca with its iconic decor and marvelous steaks. Meat Market Boca is much more than just a steakhouse, the house creations fired on their wood burning grill and market sushi provides options for your party’s palette.

The meat market ceviche and the tuna tartare are great choices for starters. The filet mignon with marrow butter is a great choice for a main course with the gouda tater tots on the side.

9. Farmhouse Kitchen – Boca Raton

Address: Farmhouse Kitchen Boca, 399 SE Mizner Blvd Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 826-2625.

Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen is always a great choice for a healthier meal. The parking is extremely limited in Royal Palm Place, so take advantage of the valet if you do not immediately find a parking spot.

Farmhouse Kicthen’s buffalo cauliflower will have you coming back again and again. The flavors and texture are balanced to perfection making this ideal for all buffalo wing lovers. You will never look at a head of cauliflower the same way again.

The zucchini chips are also always a winning appetizer choice. Instead of ordering fries, go for the zucchini chips that are crispy and pair perfectly with the shaved parmesan and dipped in the lemon caper yogurt sauce.

As a main course, you cannot go wrong with the margarita flatbread with pomodoro sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Also, the nutty chicken is a local favorite with nut and seed crusted chicken breast over roasted brussels, mushrooms, cauliflower, with mustard vinaigrette.

10. True Food Kitchen

Address: True Food Kitchen Boca, 6000 Glades Rd Unit 1015A Boca Raton, FL 33431, (561) 419-8105.

Town Center at Boca Raton mall is not only a place with stellar shopping, but you can also get a healthy and delicious meal at True Food Kitchen. It is located right at the front of the mall where you can valet your car.

The restaurant focuses on food science that is good for the planet and the people. Each ingredient is selected and sourced intentionally making the menu an array of healthy choices. The OG grass fed burger is a local favorite. It’s 100% grass fed beef served with mushroom, caramelized onions, organic arugula, parmesan, and umami sauce. You can really taste the difference in the quality of the meat and the focus on the flavors is clear in every bite.

The menu has a key highlighting seasonal foods, gluten friendly, vegan, vegetarian, and even anti-inflammatory choices with a little heart. Each item on the menu also has their calorie count next to it so you can choose your meals responsibly. Did you know even unsweetened tea has calories? It has five calories according to the menu.

You can get sandwiches, bowls, salads, wraps, pizza, and even fresh lemonade. It is an exceptional choice for a shopping pitstop or a destination for dining with a little browsing added on after.

11. Abe & Louie’s

Address: Abe & Louie’s, 2200 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, (561) 447-0024.

If you are a steak lover, you have to eat at Abe & Louie’s. It has been around for years and is a staple of Boca Raton dining. You can valet during busy hours or park yourself.

When you sit down, you are promptly brought a bread basket filled with a plethora of breads and crackers. The service is always phenomenal and the servers know the menu well and are very accommodating.

Since the first Abe & Louie’s is in Boston, you have to start your meal with a soup – either the New England clam chowder or the french onion. The french onion soup is sheer perfection with the melted cheese on top and the giant crouton soaking up the soup juices underneath.

All of the steaks are out of this world, but if you have to pick, the filet mignon and the porterhouse are fan favorites, locally. The meats are of the highest quality and spiced flawlessly.

A medium rare filet feels like it is melting in your mouth.

As a side dish, you should try the creamed spinach.

12. Kapow Noodle Bar

Address: Kapow Noodle Bar, 402 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33433, (561) 567-8828.

The Kapow Noodle Bar is in a new location in Mizner Park and better than ever. They are focused on a fusion of Asian comfort food and street food. The restaurant has a fun vibe with brick walls and street art murals everywhere.

Kapow has a great menu with so many delicious small bites. General Tso’s Cauliflower is a must order. It is a vegan take on the traditional General Tso’s chicken that you normally get at a Chinese restaurant. You should order it even if you are not vegan, it will give you a new perspective on cauliflower.

The char sui pork belly bao bun is a umami mix of flavors with tender pork belly topped with pickled veggies pineapple sweet and sour sauce all atop a soft floaty bao bun. 

The lobster rangoon is a local favorite made with north atlantic lobster, mascarpone, apricot sweet and sour sauce, and aji amarillo aioli.

13. Sixty Vines

Address: Sixty Vines, 5050 Town Center Cir #239, Boca Raton, FL 33486, (561) 961-3131.

The focus of Sixty Vines is sustainable wine. Their wines come from steel kegs so that they are not creating waste by taking wine out of bottles or opening bottles for “by the glass” wine and pouring the remaining wine down the drain at the end of the night.

You can taste any wine and then order it in these amounts: 2.5oz, 5oz, 8oz or 750ml. The placemat has all the wine available and a QR code to look at the menu on your phone. You can also get a physical copy of the menu upon request if your phone is dead or you just want to step away from your devices during a meal.

The Santa Maria tri tip is the place to start!  It might be worth ordering two, depending on the size of your party. The plate comes with the chimichurri sauce drizzled on top, but you should try it on the side since the slow cooked and wood grilled tri tip needs no extra flavor. The tri tip is extremely tender and full of flavor on its own. It comes with flakes of salt on top that enhances it even further. Feel free to drizzle the chimichurri onto your own pieces because it is delicious too, but definitely try it without the sauce first.

14. Embarcadero 41 – Peruvian Fusion & Nikkei

Address: Embarcadero 41 – Peruvian Fusion & Nikkei, 8188 Glades Rd Boca Raton, FL 33434, (561) 405-6014.

Embarcadero 41, or E41, is a restaurant chain in Florida with a concept of peruvian fusion and nikkei cuisine (which is the combination of creatitvity and explosive flavors of peruvian cuisine and japanese techniques).

The restaurant offers a wide and delicious menu that includes: Ceviches and Tiraditos, hot and cold appetizers like their delicious “Pulpo (octopus) anticuchero” which is the favorite of many, and the “Conchitas a la Parmesana,” rice and risottos, pastas, makis, and the “Specials” menu in which the chef presents innovation full of Peruvian and Nikkei flavors. Their dessert menu is a true delight to conclude your gastronomic tour in the best possible way!

At the bar, you will find a menu of E41 signature drinks made with pisco and Peruvian ingredients, as well as traditional and trendy cocktails, and a wide and exclusive wine list. Be sure to try their Social Hours from Monday to Friday from 12 to 6 pm at the bar and from 4 to 6 pm in dine in and terrace with delicious appetizers from $8, makis $14 and special prices at the bar.

For all the people who work in the area, they will also find great lunchtime options in their “*Lunch Special*,” Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 4:00pm!

15. Alley Cat

Address: Alley Cat, 297 E Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 353-5888.

The Alley Cat is an Izakaya – a type of Japanese bar which serves shareable dishes and snacks along with alcoholic beverages. It is similar to a tapas bar in Spanish culture. The dishes are small and you are meant to order a few to make a meal.

The Japanese bar has so many amazing dishes that you will not have a hard time finding a ton that you will love. The king crab tacos are served atop guacamole in nori seaweed “taco” shells with actual king crab rather than the faux crab traditionally served at sushi restaurants. Another must try dish is the pastrami sando. It is the Alley Cat’s take on the pastrami sandwich with added sweetness using red onion marmalade and hot mustard served on crispy milk bread.

The vegetable tempura should not be skipped. The dish comes with non-traditional tempura veggies like trumpet mushrooms, sweet potato, and a tempura stape – broccoli, served with garlic chili miso dipping sauce.

16. Lemongrass Hot Pot

Address: Lemongrass Hot Pot, 21073 Powerline Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33433, (561) 609-2200.

Get an authentic hot pot experience by going to Lemongrass Hot Pot for dinner. You pay per person and it is all you can eat. They have pots of soup in the tables so that you cook your own foods that are available to you through the fun conveyor belt looping around the tables or from the buffet.

While you are in the plaza, you should also check out Tea Plus that has yummy Boba tea and adorable anime decor with “Wanted” posters from the manga and anime “One Piece”. Going to both places feels like a slice of Asian culture inside of Boca.

17. Calaveras Cantina

Address: Calaveras Cantina,409 Plaza Real Mizner Park Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 576-2132.

Calaveras Cantina has authentic Mexican food, but takes the experience up a notch by catering to alternative eating like gluten free. The table side guacamole is served with gluten free corn chips and can also be served with slices of cucumber if you are following a low carb diet. The menu is clearly marked for those with dietary concerns like vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free.

The tacos de birria are a local favorite. They are grilled tacos made with Chihuahua cheese and shredded beef topped with Guajillo consomme’.

Calaveras Cantina also has brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm with bottomless mimosas and traditional Mexican breakfast foods like breakfast burritos, tacos, and huevos rancheros. The chilaquiles are a great choice for brunch as well. They are made with corn tortillas, green verde salsa, and topped with two sunny side up eggs along with more cheese, pico de gallo and cilantro.

18. Luff’s Fish House

Address: Luff’s Fish House, 390 E Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 609-2660.

A great choice for seafood, Luff’s Fish House brings a Key West vibe to Boca Raton. The restaurant is an historial 1920s bungalow turned restaurant.  It has a relaxed vibe that focus on giving you the freshest possible seafood. They call it “boat to plate”. In traditional, Florida keys style, they will cook up your fresh catch for you.

Some of the menu changes daily depending on what the fresh catch is that day, but there are some staples you have to try. The crab guacamole is a great way to start the meal with some tortilla chips dipped in fresh crab guacamole. It is a great combination that works really well together. The crab cakes are known for being the best in town. It is shaped like an Italian rice ball with lump crab inside, breaded, and deep fried.

For a main course, the coconut curry grouper is a blast of thai flavors along with an excellently prepared fresh caught grouper. The Key West vibe goes beyond the decor and into the kitchen where they really know how to make seafood dishes taste amazing.

19. Houston’s Restaurant

Address: Houston’s Restaurant, 1900 NW Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 998-0550.

Hoston’s Restaurant has been in Boca Raton for over 30 years and is fantastic. The booths are so fun and make you feel so special. Also, hot towels are available upon request.

To start, choose the grilled artichokes appetizer. It is like no other and will have you dreaming of artichokes for years.  They only make it when the artichokes are in season, so if you see it on the menu, you must get it!

The local Houston’s menu is pretty small, but they do everything exceptionally well so you really cannot go wrong with any choice. The French dip sandwich makes an excellent main course with thinly sliced prime rib atop a french roll made in house. The au jus sauce is consistently flavorful and nostalgic of Boca throughout the years.

20. Just Baked

Address: Just Baked Boca, 80 N Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 409-8247.

For the best cookies in town, you have to try Just Baked. The cookies are so fresh and soft that they fall apart as you eat them. They use the cookies to make ice cream cookie sandwiches and the coldness of the ice cream adds more structure to cookies so that they hold up well in the ice cream sandwich. You can add toppings to the ice cream sandwiches to add even more sweets to your treat. They are open late everyday so if you get a late night craving, they are there for you.

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