When the Cognizant Classic returns to PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens fills with golfers, sponsors and visitors looking for somewhere good to eat once the last putt drops.
As someone who lives in town, I tend to steer folks toward places I actually go, not just during tournament week, but year-round.
This list sticks close to the resort (mostly) and focuses on favorite restaurants I recommend to colleagues, friends, out-of-towners and readers who want a reliable meal without a long drive (pun intended.)
From polished dining rooms at the PGA Resort to relaxed neighborhood spots, these picks deliver consistency, comfort and a sense of place. All restaurants are in Palm Beach Gardens unless otherwise noted.
The Butcher’s Club
The Butcher’s Club at PGA National Resort adds celebrity swagger with Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford behind the modern Michelin-recommended steakhouse. During Cognizant week, it draws everyone from serious players to duffers and bluffers, all in the mood to indulge. The clubby room, meat‑forward menu and close‑to‑the‑course setting make it an easy post‑round splurge.
Details: 400 Ave. of the Champions, 561-627-4852, pgaresort.com
Honeybelle
Honeybelle is a natural first stop for golfers and guests at the resort. Chef Lindsay Autry’s sunny, all‑day restaurant offers a relaxed place to refuel between rounds or events. Southern specialties shine, especially her fried chicken, but the real closer is the sweet‑salty Honeybelle pie that feels tailor‑made for lingering after the course.
Details: 400 Avenue of the Champions, 561-627-7015, PGAResort.com
J. Alexander’s
This recommendation may be a chain, but it’s a proven crowd‑pleaser with pals. I haven’t visited the Palm Beach Gardens location yet, but the Naples restaurant was terrific and among the area’s most popular, with a perpetually full parking lot to prove it. One standout touch: Martinis arrive with an icy sidecar, letting you top off the glass and keep the drink properly cold.
Details: 4625 PGA Blvd., 561-694-2711, jalexanders.com
Capital Grille
After a long day at PGA National, Capital Grille at Legacy Place feels like a proper reward. This is where golfers linger over steaks, seafood towers and well-made martinis, settling into a dining room that knows how to handle a celebratory crowd. The new “Capital Hours” happy hour only adds to its appeal during tournament week, when polished comfort is part of the ritual.
Details: 11365 Legacy Ave., 561-630-4994, thecapitalgrille.com
The River House
The River House is one of those restaurants that does exactly what it promises, no surprises and no apologies. It’s a go‑to for a reason, especially during tournament week. Out-of-towners will know the experience as BrickTop’s. Pricey, yes, and even better when someone else is treating. It’s consistently polished, built for the Cognizant crowd, and marina construction next door isn’t an issue in the evening. Reservations strongly suggested if you want to eat at a decent hour.
Details: 2373 PGA Blvd., 561-530-4313, theriverhouse.com
Alaina’s Café
Alaina’s isn’t new, but its dinner service is still fresh enough to feel like a discovery. It’s perpetually jammed for good reasons: The food is terrific, prices are refreshingly reasonable and service is genuinely welcoming. It’s the kind of place patrons settle into and immediately start planning a return visit.
Details: 4377 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-318-6945, alainasbakeshop.com
Waterway Cafe
Waterway Cafe is back, and during Cognizant Classic week it’s exactly where golfers gravitate. Reopened along the Intracoastal, the Palm Beach Gardens fixture once again delivers waterfront views, a lively bar scene and crowd‑pleasing fare. This is post‑round dining with a view and a pulse.
Details: 2300 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-694-1700, waterwaycafe.com
Matteo’s of North Palm Beach
Our sole pick outside Palm Beach Gardens but close enough, Matteo’s delivers a polished dining room, a well‑heeled crowd and generous helpings of Italian classics the brand is known for. Portions can be decided by size, perfect for twosomes and small groups. It’s the kind of spot where you want to linger over an after‑dinner amaretto. This location opened in November and while it’s farther from the PGA Resort than the always jammed La Masseria, I prefer Matteo’s.
Details: 1201 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561-216-7727, palmbeach.matteosristorante.com
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to dbiederman@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best Palm Beach Gardens restaurants near PGA National Resort
Reporting by Diana Biederman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
