You know I’m always here to give you the scoop on the hottest new restaurants in Delray Beach, and these two definitely deserve to be on your must-try list!
Downtown Delray Beach has truly become a dining destination in South Florida, with restaurants lining Atlantic Avenue and filling the Pineapple Grove neighborhood just off 2nd Avenue. Over the past few years, the local food scene has boomed, with exciting new concepts bringing plenty of buzz to our Village by the Sea.
No matter what you’re craving, you can find it in Delray Beach. Sushi, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, steakhouses, pizza, BBQ, seafood, burgers and wings, breakfast, fresh-pressed juices and smoothies, bar scene vibes, vegan… This town has it all.
While the list of new trendy restaurants in Delray Beach keeps growing, two hotspots have been on everyone’s radar since the moment they opened their doors, which happened to be right around the same time. These are the two new restaurants that Delray Beach diners can’t stop talking about right now.
Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill
Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill brings bold flavors and high energy to Atlantic Avenue, marking Geronimo Hospitality Co.’s first expansion outside of New England. They operate two Geronimo locations in Connecticut (New Haven and Fairfield), along with Camacho Garage, a Mexican street food concept, and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in New Haven. Their portfolio also includes Bar Yoshi and O Bar on Nantucket, making the Delray restaurant opening an exciting expansion for the group.
The restaurant celebrates the vibrant culture and cuisine of Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside a legendary tequila program. It has the largest selection of tequila on the East Coast! Not only do you have world-class tequila to choose from, but the cocktail menu is also fresh and creative. Every margarita is made with fresh squeezed limes and organic agave, and their skinny marg is the best I’ve tasted. Made simply with Suerte blanco tequila, fresh lime, and agave. Nothing more needed!
The food is just as impressive as that tequila list. Guacamole prepared tableside, fully loaded nachos, quesadillas, masa-crusted calamari, ceviches and crudos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, and more. The tacos come on housemade gluten-free corn tortillas, but lettuce wraps are also available. And unlike many of the lettuce wrap tacos I’ve tried, the lettuce they use actually holds in the ingredients.
The short rib is a must-order. Juicy, tender meat braised in a guajillo broth comes with saffron mashed potatoes and broccolini. Guajillo chiles are a staple in Mexican cuisine, bringing mild to medium heat. I didn’t detect too much of a kick in the dish, and I’m pretty sensitive to spice. So don’t let the guajillo scare you away from trying this.
The lobster-birria machete is massive and could easily feed four. It’s basically an extra-large fried quesadilla. The filling includes ancho-braised short rib and Maine lobster with Oaxaca cheese, avocado green-chile salsa, and crispy chicharrón. There is so much flavor and texture going on, and every bite is better than the last.
Geronimo is one spot you don’t want to dine solo! There are so many things you’ll want to try, and the portions are large and definitely meant for sharing. Don’t forget a side of the perfectly crisp and crunchy yuca fries!
But tequila and food aren’t the only reasons to visit this new restaurant in Delray Beach. Geronimo is quickly becoming a go-spot for music and dancing. There are live band performances on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons that will make you want to get up out of your seat to dance. If you want late-night vibes, there’s DJ entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 pm until 2 am. There’s also a new late night happy hour, so if you stay for those late night drinks, the kitchen is open too!
Out of all the restaurants in Delray Beach on Atlantic Avenue, Geronimo is seriously making a name for itself.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Barcelona Wine Bar is the first restaurant to open in the highly anticipated Sundy Village, located on the corner of Swinton and Atlantic Avenues. The restaurant offers a tapas experience centered around vibrant flavors, shareable plates, and an impressive wine program with a heavy focus on Spanish varietals. The cocktail menu is just as thoughtfully curated, including zero proof options, gin & tonics inspired by three of Spain’s more iconic regions, and the most delicious not-so-traditional sangria made with elderflower, citrus-infused dark rum, and guava nectar.
Barcelona Wine Bar has locations across 12 different states, including major cities like Denver, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Washington D.C. Fellow Florida locations are in Tampa and the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami. I went to the one in Philly years ago and absolutely loved it. You can imagine my excitement when I heard it would be added to the list of Downtown Delray Beach restaurants!
Tapas-style dining is my favorite. It allows you to try a lot of different things without going overboard, on both your waist and your wallet. Many of the tapas on Barcelona’s menu are under $10, which is a really nice reprieve from most of the places to eat in Delray.
Every memorable Spanish tapas dining experience needs these staples: sangria, jamón, and manchego cheese, patatas bravas, and paella. But don’t stop there! The housemade focaccia is heavenly. The texture is spot on, and the combination of rosemary and sea salt is a dance party for your taste buds.
Spanish octopus is always at the top of my list of favorite dishes, and this one did not disappoint. The red chimchurri and Aji amarillo sauce added a balance of bright flavors, and the grilled tentacle was cooked beautifully.
Even if you don’t typically order dessert, I highly recommend you do when dining at Barcelona. And don’t just choose one. The olive oil cake and the Basque burnt cheesecake are both too good to miss. The cake is more savory than sweet with a hint of sea salt, and the cheesecake is rich and creamy with a hint of citrusy sweetness from a dollop of orange marmalade on the side.
Whether you grab a seat in the lively bar area or sit down for a full dining experience, Barcelona Wine Bar definitely delivers a very memorable Delray food and drink experience.
Reservations Are a Must for These Two New Restaurants in Delray Beach
Want a seat at two of the newest and best Delray Beach restaurants? You’re definitely going to want to plan ahead. These are two restaurants Delray locals are going crazy over!
Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill is located at 105 East Atlantic Ave. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 2 am. Happy hour is Monday through Friday f
rom 3-6 pm, featuring $5 Miller High Life, $8 margaritas and wines by-the-glass, and $10 sangria, and specials on select small bites. For reservations, click here.
Barcelona Wine Bar is located in Sundy Village at 22 West Atlantic Avenue, Suite 140, in Delray Beach. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 3 pm to midnight, Friday from 3 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am, and Sunday from 1 pm to midnight. For reservations, click here.
Need more Delray restaurant recommendations? Check out these 3 spots for lunch in Delray Beach and my favorite places to go for Happy Hour in Delray Beach.
FAQs
Geronimo notes several gluten-free and vegetarian options on the menu, but cheese is a main ingredient in many of the dishes. Consult with your server about which dishes can be made without dairy. Barcelona has several vegetable-focused tapas and selections that are gluten free. If you tell your server your dietary restrictions, they will personally make notes on your menu to show you what you can have.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends or during peak dining hours. Both restaurants have been incredibly busy, so finding a seat at the bar might be difficult during popular times. Making a reservation ahead of time ensures you get the full experience.
While both restaurants welcome families, neither would be the right atmosphere for babies or toddlers, in my opinion. Keep in mind there is no children’s menu, so older children or young children with adventurous appetites are better suited. The social atmosphere of both places leans more adult-friendly, and of course, no one under 21 is allowed at the bar.
