Palm beach Favorites! Soflo Locals guide
September marks the final stretch of summer & the start of Palm Beach social season! This past weekend I joined my mom for a staycation at The Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach Island - she was attending a business gala & I was along for the ride. I figured it was the perfect time to delve into all my PB favs as a west palm resident & casual island-frequenter. Whether you’re looking for world-class eateries, lux boutiques, or a gorg place to walk, Palm Beach has a spot. Let’s get into it!
If you’re unfamiliar, Palm Beach is a barrier island in southeast Florida - the island is long and slender (about 16 miles long and at it’s widest, only 0.75 miles across). An intercoastal waterway separates it from the city of West Palm Beach, and the two cities are connected by 3 drawbridges that rise on the :15 and :45 hour. If you don’t live in soflo, the easiest way to travel to Palm Beach would be to fly into PBI (Palm Beach International) Airport. From there, you’ll want to rent a car as public transportation to/around the island is not readily available. It’s around 15 minutes from the airport to the island.
Accommodations
MANY lux hotels are on-island, so where you want to stay will really depend on your budget. Top favorites/Palm Beach classics:
The Breakers Hotel - the historical, renaissance-revival inspired iconic hotel of PB. It was one of the first hotels to be built on the island in 1896, although the hotel has been rebuilt twice because of fires along the years. The original hotel (named “Palm Beach Inn” was built in 1896. Then following a fire in June 1903, the hotel was rebuilt in a colonial-style fashion under the Breakers Hotel name. Another fire in 1925 demolished the building once again, and what was built to replace it still stands today. High quality service, lots of amenities, dining options, and stunning architecture!
The Colony Hotel - smaller scale luxury, this hotel is iconic in it’s own right! The Pink Paradise first made it’s debut in 1947 after a post-WWII construction boom. It has a more playful & unique atmosphere, with lots of whimsical, colorful touches throughout the property, and a very fun/youthful feel. Still every elegant and classy, the hotel sits just off of Worth Avenue, making it within walking distance to many shops and restaurants!
The Palm House Hotel - noting this under the Colony Hotel as I feel the two have a very similar vibe - kitchy, glizty, fun, PINK everywhere! The Palm House is a new addition to Palm Beach, opening up late last year (Dec 2024).
The White Elephant - this historic, boutique hotel is great if you’re looking for somewhere cozy and romantic! Nestled off Royal Poinciana Way, this 1920s property boasts 13 guest rooms & 19 suites, making for a very intimate yet elevated feel. Great if you want to be on the island but not at the hotel all day. Connected to Lola 41 which has a fabulous happy hour and really fresh sushi.
Airbnb is my favorite place to check for more affordable/unique/family friendly stays!
Dining Recommendations
Best All Around:
Sant Ambroeus (Royal Poinciana Plaza) - they have great grab & go coffee, pastries, sweets. They also have a fabulous sit-down breakfast, lunch, and dinner - this is my family’s top spot for birthdays/girls dinners - it’s super reliable & presentation + vibes are top tier! The bread basket & butter are divine.
Best Coffee:
Drift (S County Rd) - Their espresso is really high quality & they use Organic Valley grassmilk which I love as a picky milk person
Best Casual Eateries/Grab & Go:
Best sandwiches: Buccan (S County Rd) - Order ahead! Love to pickup and take to the beach
Best salads: Field of Greens (Royal Poinciana Way) - Their smoothies & acai bowls hit the spot on a hot day too! Order ahead!
Best market: Amici Market (N County Rd) - gourmet Italian grocer with family feel. Takeout pizzas and sandwiches are some of my favs.
Best Dinner:
Best pizza: Pizza Al Fresco (Worth Avenue) - great thin crust pizza (my favorite is the Margaritta) plus the outdoor garden seating makes you feel tucked away/secluded
Best burger: The Honor Bar (Royal Poinciana Plaza) - great date night spot IMO - low lighting & vibey ambiance. The macho salad is super good too!
Best family friendly: Henry’s (Royal Poinciana Way) - casual but refined atmosphere with American food. This year they’re participating in the 2025 Flavor of the Palm Beaches - during the month of September, they’re offering a prefix lunch menu for $35 & dinner for $70 per person! (owned by The Breakers)
Best view: The Seafood Bar (The Breakers) - incredible view of the ocean & the bar itself is an aquarium which is always a standout! Perfect pre/post-dinner spot when you’re all dressed up! Especially gorgeous at sunset.
Best formal sitdown: HMF (The Breakers) - excellent food & service, very fancy feel with moody/dim lighting & late-night music. They also have a really lux buffet breakfast with alllll the fixings
From top left: Sant Ambroeus, Drift, Buccan, Field of Greens, Pizza al Fresco, Henry’s, HMF (breakfast & drinks)
Activities
Stroll Worth Avenue - the iconic fashion & dining district of Palm Beach, comprised of around 250 designer stores & luxury boutiques. Coupled with Mediterranean architecture, courtyards (vias) and beach access, you can spend lots of time strolling here!
Go to the beach! Public access off Worth Avenue (south) and Dunbar Avenue (north) - both use pay to park
Visit The Breakers Hotel - an iconic landmark of Palm Beach, The Breakers offers several eateries, built in shops, stunning architecture + artwork, a few pools & beach access (with hotel guest access or membership)
Walk Lake Trail - a 5.5 mile trail that runs along the intercoastal (the western side of Palm Beach). Great for walking/running, biking, bringing your dog and lots of friends! Stunning views of the water, the city of West Palm, and intercoastal homes
Visit the Society of the Four Arts - art installations + botanical & sculpture gardens with free entry just off Royal Palm Way. Closed for renovations currently but set to reopen fall 2025
Buy admission to the Henry Flagler Museum - $28 ticket gets you access to Flagler’s Gilded Age mansion displaying intricate design details, artwork, and waterfront views. Check out pictures from the museum here
Shop at the Royal Poinciana Plaza - a large center off Royal Poiniciana Way hosting an array of shopping, dining, waterfront views, and access to the Lake Trail
From top left: Worth Avenue, The Breakers Hotel, Lake Trail, Society of the Four Arts, Henry Flagler Museum, Royal Poinciana Plaza