The Local Spots in WPB

The Local Spots series is a highlight reel of favorite local businesses and landmarks that have made an impact on the community, source Fresh from Florida or play an incremental role in the town’s history. If your stay in a Florida destination is brief, this series will serve your needs as you live local. For the first post of this series, I started with my hometown.

Coffee– Havana

The iconic cafécito at Havana Restaurant on the corner of Forest Hill & Belvedere has been serving high-test caffeine to WPB for 25 years. The window is open 24 hours, to get you fueled no matter the time, even in the case of natural disaster. I was already a patron but when Havana was the first spot to open post Hurricane Irma (literally within 8 hours of storm passing) they won my loyalty for life. My drink is a Café con Leche, ordered “fuerte con un poqito azucar.”

Dinner– Hullabaloo

There are a lot of wonderful local dining spots, but this spot gets bonus points for ambiance that is the epitome of the 500 Block quirk of Clematis. They offer unique Italian-gastro fusion fare, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch. Cool out below the hanging flowers adjacent to the airstream converted into private dining room in the courtyard. Whenever I have company in town, this is a place I bring them to feel the subculture of West Palm Beach.

Healthy Bite– Anzo

I had been a longtime fan of its predecessor Chickpea. It’s a Chipotle concept with a Mediterranean mission, where you can fill up your bowl with hummus, babaghanoush and olives.  This is a popular lunch spot in West Palm, the pink ambiance brings a perk up for downtown coworkers to gather.

Scenic Sweat– Run on South Flagler Drive

I once lived on South Flagler, which is the most active I was in my life. It’s hard to not be motivated, when a street lined with palm trees along the Intracoastal Waterway is calling your name to run or rollerblade. My favorite part is underneath the Royal Palm Bridge, where a hidden painting by @the_hula is waiting for you.

Bar– Outside Bar at ER Bradley’s Saloon

Bradley’s in the landing spot of most WPB Waterfront events. If you snag a seat during a concert series, you can catch some free tunes. In all honesty, there is nothing special about this bar aside from its location, but sometimes that’s all you need.

Dessert– La Michoacana Natural

If you a dessert purist, as in you are not seeking aesthetic or ambiance, but just calories that are worth it, then make your way to this amazing Mexican ice cream shop. They are loaded with paletas y helado, but you can read more about it in my previous post. 

Boutique– Norcross Patio

This boutique has been a stronghold on Dixie for a long time, and when you enter you may be greeted by a shop pup. It’s the ultimate place to grab a gift for your girlfriend or reward yourself with a bikini.

Just Passing Through– Stroll the WPB Waterfront

If you have 15 minutes or less in WPB you can catch the vibe of our little city at the WPB Downtown Waterfront Park, where Clematis Street meets Lake Worth Lagoon. This is the heart of WPB and where the Saturday Morning Market takes place during season. The holidays are my favorite time of year for Holiday in Paradise where Sandi, our giant sand Christmas tree will take over the waterfront with light displays, family fun and tunes. There’s always something going on at this area whether it’s a food truck invasion, live music or festival.