Small Businesses Spotlight: The Art of aioli in West Palm Beach

Each morning in West Palm Beach, a line forms outside aioli, and by midmorning, most of the pastries are already gone. It’s a ritual locals know well, and one that speaks to the heart of what makes this hometown café special.

At the center of it all is Chef Hackman, whose years in fine dining kitchens throughout Palm Beach County shaped the foundation of aioli. When he and his family opened the café, his daughters were still young. Focusing on breakfast and lunch allowed him to be home for dinner, but the standards of fine dining never left the kitchen.

“Everything at aioli is rooted in my background in kitchens that didn’t cut corners,” says Chef Hackman. “We make everything from scratch, the long, hard way.”

That dedication shows in every detail. The sourdough ferments for 72 hours. Croissants take three days to complete. Nearly every syrup and spread is crafted in-house. It’s a disciplined, thoughtful approach that has earned a devoted following, locals and visitors alike lining the doorway each morning.

If one item captures Chef Hackman’s philosophy, it’s the classic loaf of sourdough. Made with just four ingredients, it’s deceptively simple yet endlessly complex.

“I love it because it’s honest, challenging and endlessly versatile,” he shares. “It pushes you to get better every single day.”

Local sourcing is equally central to the story. Milk from Sutton Dairy in nearby Okeechobee is used in brioche dough, sourdough cinnamon buns and throughout the coffee program. Supporting regional producers while working with high-quality ingredients isn’t just a trend at aioli, it’s a point of pride.

Above all, Chef Hackman hopes aioli feels like a true neighborhood spot, a place rooted in comfort, community and connection. The kind of café guests return to again and again, whether for a perfect croissant, a warm loaf of bread or a moment to slow down in the middle of a bustling West Palm Beach morning.

Explore more Small Businesses Spotlight features across The Palm Beaches and discover the local stories shaping our community.

Jessica Pierce

Palm Beach, FL

Jessica Pierce is a writer and content creator for The Palm Beaches, inspired by the coastal culture, natural beauty, and vibrant lifestyle of Palm Beach County. A local for 25 years, she brings an insider’s perspective to the region’s beaches, waterways, and signature Palm Beach style. Guided by her love of photography, nature, the water, and the community she knows by heart, Jessica crafts elevated stories that capture the true spirit of the place she calls home.

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