Since 2017, Driftwood Boynton Beach has been partnering with local farmers and purveyors to bring the community an extra-special dining experience.
The restaurant is owned by husband-and-wife duo, Jimmy Everett and Ilia Gonzalez, alongside acclaimed mixologist Freddy Schwenk. Jimmy and Ilia come from impressive culinary backgrounds and ultimately came together to create a restaurant that allowed them to continue honing their craft and show off Florida’s vibrant flavors and influence.
The team is dedicated to sourcing ingredients locally while creating lasting relationships with local artisans and farmers who share their vision of quality and sustainability. If the ingredients used aren’t coming from one of their local partners, they’re coming from the on-site garden. Here you’ll find a bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs grown throughout the year. It’s one of the most unique Boynton Beach restaurants and definitely a hidden gem.
I visited Driftwood Boynton Beach for the first time in 2018. This was a little after it opened as one of the new restaurants in Boynton Beach. At first glance, I was really intrigued by the Driftwood restaurant menu, and couldn’t wait to check it out. You can read my old blog post to get a feel for my initial impression and first experience at Driftwood. Spoiler alert: I loved it.
Fast forward to 2024, and here I am. Once again, I’m giving the highest of praises to Chef Jimmy and his team. One team member who particularly stood out during this visit was Chef de Cuisine, Tommy Coombs.
Chef Tommy’s passion for his craft was evident as he presented each dish. He had so much enthusiasm that I couldn’t help but get just as excited as he was about the food. Chef Tommy is so knowledgeable about flavors and techniques and the stories behind the ingredients. He is the perfect complement to Jimmy and Ilia. I can only see things getting bigger and better for this gem of a restaurant as time goes on.
What to Order at Driftwood Boynton Beach
The best place to start at Driftwood Boynton Beach is the cocktail menu. The beverage program is overseen by Boynton Beach native and experienced mixologist, Freddy Schwenk. The drinks are as innovative as the food, so don’t skip out.
I tried the Honey Dew List made with house-infused sweet pepper tequila, honeydew, and lime. It was every bit as refreshing as it sounds. You’ll also find classic and tiki-inspired cocktails, and a great list of wines to pair with your meal.
Driftwood Boynton Beach is very accommodating, with gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options that are clearly labeled on the menu. There is bound to be something special going on at any given time. When I went for dinner, that “something special” was the Treasure Coast Shellfish oysters from the Sebastian Inlet in Florida. I love the story behind this sustainable seafood company. It was created by a local marine biologist who lost her job during the pandemic. She turned a negative into a positive and started her small-production oyster farm.
If you’re weirded out by Florida oysters, don’t knock these ‘til you try ‘em. The flavor was out of this world. Driftwood’s preparation includes a local sweet pepper and Nước chấm mignonette with homegrown green garlic and hot chilis. Side note: Nước chấm is a Vietnamese-style sauce.
I also recommend getting the local fish aguachile. This is similar to ceviche in its presentation, but the preparation is different. Ceviche uses a long marinating process before serving and is all about citrus. Aguachile is served immediately and is more about chilies and a zesty kick of flavor.
Driftwood uses local fish for the dish. It changes depending on what’s on hand. When I went, it was amberjack. The fish is combined with sweet peppers, radish, cucumbers, garden herbs, and my favorite part: crispy plantains.
I also got to try an off-menu dish. This was something that the team was making for a dinner at Kai Kai Farm the following day in Indiantown. It was a unique take on spicy tuna, with Calabrian chili aioli, Kai Kai Farm fennel, and housemade crispy garlic. That garlic did it for me — that was the star of the dish!
As you can see, seafood has a strong presence at Driftwood Boynton Beach. Aside from Treasure Coast Shellfish, ingredients for the seafood dishes are sourced locally from Goin Off Seafood in Fort Lauderdale and Simple Seafood in New Smyrna.
The local golden tilefish is a must-try. The fish was beautifully cooked and served with Bare Roots Farm bok choy, local mushrooms, mojo dashi, and roasted radishes. This was the first time I’ve ever had a radish prepared this way, and it will not be the last. It was so good!
At first glance, I thought they were purple carrots. I do love roasted carrots, but I think these were better! That touch of spice that radishes are known for added a unique depth of flavor and balanced out the dish.
The entire dinner was amazing from start to finish. The stand-out dish of the night for me, though, was a Caesar salad. And yes, a totally Shaina-friendly version! It had manchego cheese, roasted calabaza, and smoked housemade bottarga. Bottargo is made from mullet roe that has been salted and dried. Talk about something truly unique! This dish has just the right balance of salty and sweet. I could not stop going back for bite after bite.
You absolutely cannot leave Driftwood Boynton Beach without dessert. A customer favorite is the affogato. It features 51/50 Chocolate, local to Delray Beach, with mascarpone ice cream and an espresso shot. There’s also a cheesecake pavlova and warm cornbread with buttermilk ice cream and blueberries. So, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, Driftwood has you covered.
Dessert is not usually in the cards for me. When a restaurant actually has something gluten and dairy free, it makes me so happy. I was giddy with excitement just hearing the description of the sweet treat that was being sent out for me.
It’s a vegan take on flan! It starts with a base made with coconut and avocado. Then, a generous portion of caramel sauce made from aji amarillo, followed by a scoop of soursop (guanabana) sorbet. Finally, crispy puffed rice is sprinkled on top. Words cannot even describe how good this dessert was. The textures, the flavors, the creativity behind the concept… 10/10!
The team truly goes above and beyond to make their guests feel special. When you dine at Driftwood Boynton Beach, it’s not just dinner — it is a whole experience.
Driftwood is located at 2005 S Federal Hwy Boynton Beach. There is indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a small bar inside. The restaurant is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 3-9 pm (closed Monday and Tuesday). Visit their website for menus and reservations.
Looking for other restaurants near Boynton Beach? Check out these spots in Delray Beach.
FAQs
Yes! Happy Hour is Wednesday through Sunday from 3-6 pm, featuring 30% off house cocktails, beers, and glasses of wine.
No. The restaurant opens at 3 pm with its dinner menu.
Yes! You can easily order for pick-up through Driftwood’s website.
