“Miami is the best city for foodies, leading the country when it comes to the availability of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5. It also has an extremely high number of restaurants per capita,” researchers stated in an NBC Miami article. With Miami recently named the top food city in America, beating all odds and even puzzling some South Floridians, one can only wonder if that amazing food can extend north towards Boca Raton. Though Boca may not get the same praise from critics as Miami does, great restaurant options definitely exist in and around our city that deserve recognition. It is important to note that this list is in no particular order and features various cuisines, price points, and formality. 

Stage Kitchen and Bar: 5377 Town Center Rd Suite 200, Boca Raton

Pronounced staahj, this restaurant is best for special occasions. Stage serves no one specific cuisine but instead ties in the chef’s Indian heritage to a plethora of dishes. Head chef and James Beard finalist Pushkar Marathe describes his dishes as “a big tree. The branches are [his] travels all over the world, but the roots are deep in India.” Stage is perhaps the most upscale and expensive restaurant on this list, but for good reason: each dish is masterfully executed, and the ambiance inside the restaurant is on point. A few dish recommendations are the wood grilled chicken peri peri, Ela’s butter chicken masala (paired with any of their naan!), wood grilled spanish octopus, and the fan favorite grilled oysters. This place is definitely worth a visit, especially if you find yourself hungry after a long day of shopping at Town Center. For pictures of their exquisite cuisine, follow them on Instagram @stagekitchenandbar.

Tin Muffin Cafe: 364 E Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton

At the Tin Muffin Cafe, every single aspect of this quaint joint is enjoyable: The food, staff, and ambiance all make guests feel as though they are at their Southern grandmother’s house for brunch in the absolute best way possible. Fun fact: They don’t accept credit cards, so make sure you bring cash to pay your bill. The food is refreshingly simple and delicious, a stark contrast to many other popular places in Boca. A couple must-tries from Tin Muffin’s menu are the minted lemonade (which come with free refills), blueberry muffins, and the staple chicken salad sandwich. Their dessert is also a must; however, the dessert menu rotates every day, so you never know what they might have in store for you (but just know it’s all amazing). The majority of patrons agree: check out all the glowing reviews on Yelp. 

Tucci’s Pizza: 341 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton

With so many former New Yorkers in Florida, it’s only fair to recommend a pizzeria. Tucci’s Pizza is the perfect, thin crusted, coal-fired pie to satisfy any pizza cravings. While you can’t go wrong with a plain cheese pizza, if you can handle a little kick and enjoy buffalo flavor, the Spicy Bird is a great option. The inside is casual and has a laid back atmosphere with no frills, perfect for a Friday night dinner with family or friends.

CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice: 1951 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton

Nestled away in an unassuming plaza off Federal Highway, with a myriad of bubble tea establishments in and around Boca, CoCo Tea is at the top of the list. They offer an extensive drink menu with many flavors you cannot find at any other shop. Some fan go-tos are the black tea cloud (a semi-sweet black tea drink with sea-salt foam), the honeydew jasmine, the berry smoothie, and any of the yakult drinks (a probiotic yogurt). With its natural design of warm woods and comforting orange color, the interior is inviting and great for sitting down with a drink to fuel your studying.

The Namu: 10317 Royal Palm Blvd, Coral Springs

A little bit of a drive down south, The Namu Korean Japanese Kitchen & Izakaya is definitely worth the trip. This Korean restaurant in Coral Springs has a huge menu filled with both classic and non-traditional Korean dishes with something available for everyone. The inside is cute, with a fun feature being buttons on the wall that call over your waiter. The star of the show is definitely the food. Highly recommended are the Korean fried chicken (you can’t go wrong with sweet soy, but none of the flavors will disappoint), donburi, and KBBQ mushrooms; however, almost everything on the menu is great, so if something piques your interest, go for it!

Paneterie: 16950 N Jog Road, Delray Beach

With locations in both Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, this cute French cafe is truly a hidden gem. Located directly across from Morikami Japanese Gardens, this quaint spot serves up the best cream puffs, fresh baguettes, and delectable chocolate pastries. When head pastry chef Hélène Cazemajou was asked what her “secret” ingredient is, she replied “love,” which is likely why everything is so delicious and why this French bakery stands out among all the others in the Boca area. 

While Boca Raton may not yet receive the national recognition that Miami has earned as a top food city, it is clear that exceptional restaurants are worth talking about. From upscale, globally inspired restaurants to casual pizza spots and hidden bakeries, the Boca area offers a surprisingly diverse and impressive food scene than many give it credit for.