When visiting The Palm Beaches, one can be over-inundated with the amount of restaurant options to choose from. Coupon books will direct you to the same tired, cliché places and hotel concierges to the joints they have affiliations with. If you are the type that really likes to immerse yourself in local culture, especially when it comes to eating, you need to buck the trend and get out there and explore. The restaurants on this list don’t conform to a specific genre or food type. What they do have in common is that they all offer unique experiences and delicious meals prepared fresh.

Whether you are craving local seafood, Mexican or just a cheeseburger, there will be some hole-in-the-wall type of place that sources local ingredients to craft up something amazing. Exploring the local food scene is always easier when you have a little guidance. Look into visiting the following establishments when in search of satisfying the palette:

1.) Nick’s 50’s Diner – Nick’s has that vintage “burgers & shakes” vibe, a place where you feel like you could drop a quarter on the counter and get a cherry coke with real cherries at the bottom. Nick’s really shines at breakfast, with excellent omelets, French toast and country-style plates.

2.) The Sandwich Shop at Buccan – The Sandwich Shop operates as a daily pop-up lunch counter at Buccan on Palm Beach. Reasonably priced monster sandwiches on buttered baguettes are the specialty here. The short rib and lobster roll sandwiches are some of the best options. 

3.) Captain Charlie’s – A small “greasy spoon” type of establishment that is a favorite with locals due to fresh seafood offerings at great prices. The blackened dolphin reuben is amazing and needs to be ordered by at least one guest in your party. Note: Addiction probable.

4.) The Chickpea Grill & Hummus Bar – Chickpea has some of the best Mediterranean food in all of Palm Beach County; a create-your-own style pita/salad style joint where the home brewed hummus compliments the steak/lamb/chicken and vegetables perfectly. Special trick is to combine the house and spicy sauces on your pita.

5.) Toreros – An off-the-beaten-path Mexican restaurant with authentic burritos, enchiladas, tacos and more. Load up on free chips and salsa and two for one domestic beers until your entrée comes out. 

6.) The Alchemist Gastropub – A vintage haunt with incredibly innovative food and drink offerings. Start off by picking at the basket of bacon at the bar while you peruse the great steaks, burgers, pizzas and world fares on the menu.

7.) Avocado Grille – A farm-to-table joint that specializes in small plates and raw bar items. Avocado-centric dishes are prevalent here, so prepare for lots of green. Sunday brunch is great here.

8.) Dada – An eclectic Delray restaurant where diners have the option to eat inside an art-filled historic home or al fresco in an intimate courtyard-type setting. The full menu is available until 2 a.m., which makes it great for attending after a fun-filled night on Atlantic Avenue.

9.) Old Key Lime House – So this place may show up in a coupon book or two, but it truly offers an unmatchable dining experience. Eat on one of the many outdoor patios or docks overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Great fried seafood baskets are served here that beg to be finished off with a slice of, you guessed it, key lime pie. 

10.) Guanabanas – A sprawling open-air restaurant situated in and around the Jupiter Inlet. You can’t really ever tell if you are inside or outside. Great live music compliments amazing fresh seafood dishes. This place must be visited whenever staying in The Palm Beaches.