The village of Wellington, located in western Palm Beach County, offers a unique blend of nature, luxury, and sophistication. Wellington is primarily known for its equestrian community and its world-class horse shows. It is often referred to as the "Winter Equestrian Capital of the World," and attracts top equestrian athletes, riders, and people from around the globe.
Although Wellington is renowned for its equestrian lifestyle, it also has a diverse culinary scene that is worth exploring. In fact, I recently attended the 20th anniversary of Flavors of Wellington, where we loaded on a limo bus and made stops at several Wellington establishments to “savor the flavors.”
With this in mind, I came up with a list of some of the top restaurants and flavors of Wellington that you should try in 2023!
Latin Cuisine
From Cuban to Puerto Rican to Peruvian, there are many Latin restaurants that offer a variety of dishes, including ceviche, empanadas, homemade tortilla chips, and arroz con pollo. Some of the most popular Latin restaurants in Wellington include Casa Tequila, Don Ramon Cuban Cuisine, La Fogata Mexican Cuisine, Mole Cantina Mexicana, and Tijuana Flats where you can sample some of their custom hot sauces. Beware of “The Slap Heard Around the World,” it’s their hottest sauce!
Seafood
Wellington is only about 15 miles from the Atlantic coast, which means that seafood is a must-try! You can find many restaurants that serve fresh seafood, including ahi tuna, sushi, oysters, and shrimp. One of the top seafood restaurants in Wellington is Oli's Fashion Cuisine, which offers both ahi tuna and lobster tacos and some of the best crispy calamari. Other great seafood restaurants include Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille, Kaluz, Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill, and Stonewood Grill and Tavern.
American Cuisine
There is no shortage of American-style restaurants that offer classic dishes like burgers, steaks, and barbecue. These restaurants offer the “Florida” relaxed atmosphere and a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, even the little ones. Some of the top American restaurants in Wellington include the winner of Flavors 2023 Best Taste and Best Cocktail, Kickback Neighborhood Tavern, Flanagan’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Hurricane Grill & Wings, I Heart Mac & Cheese, Kaluz (the flatbreads are amazing!), KeKe’s Breakfast Café, Maxwell’s Plum, Smokey Bones, and Tree's Wings and Ribs (you must try their house dressing the “Green Sauce.”)
Italian Cuisine
Italian cuisine is another popular flavor in Wellington. There are several Italian restaurants that offer a variety of dishes, including pasta, pizza, and seafood. Some of the top Italian restaurants in Wellington include Agliolio Fresh Pasta & Wine Bar who make all their pasta homemade, Basilico’s Hand Tossed Pizza, Jimmy Brooklyn’s Pizza Parlor, and for those chain-restaurant fanatics, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. You can’t go wrong with never-ending breadsticks and salad!
Asian Cuisine
Asian cuisine is also prevalent in Wellington, with many restaurants offering dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and India. Some of the top Asian restaurants in Wellington include China Hut; India Grill & Bar; Lemongrass Asian Bistro; Kabuki Sushi, Thai and Tapas; Kontiki Sushi; Sushi Moto; and The Poke Company.
And if you’re craving Mediterranean food, you must check out The Fresh Pita Club, where they make all their food fresh, including baba ganoush, garlic chips, gyros, hummus, and pitas.
As you can see, Wellington has a diverse culinary scene that offers something for everyone. From Latin to American to Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean, there are many flavors to explore if you live in Wellington, are a seasonal guest, or are just passing through. Make sure to try some of the top restaurants in the city to experience the best flavors that Wellington has to offer. Bon appétit!