A New Season in Palm Beach: Where to Go & What to Know

Indagare ambassador and longtime Palm Beach resident (26 years!) Brewer Schoeller shares the latest updates in town ahead of the fall-winter season.

New arrivals to the hotel scene are Palm House and The Vineta. Both offer fantastic locations, just a stone's throw from Worth Avenue and the beach. The Vineta is operated by Oetker Collection and serves as the company's first foray into the U.S. (inside what was formerly the Chesterfield Hotel). The complete renovation and rebranding (which lasted nearly three years) created fewer but larger guest rooms, a fresh space for the hotel's Coco's restaurant and a lovely outdoor oasis for poolside dining exclusively for hotel guests. My favorite spot there is the bar—it's small, cozy and intimate with great handcrafted cocktails and bites.

Palm Beach icon The Breakers has just opened The Lobby Bar, combining a new glass conservatory with the fully restored Mediterranean courtyard. It's an absolutely beautiful addition to the property, turning a formerly underused courtyard into a delightful retreat with multiple seating arrangements, palm trees and tropical plantings that add to the old-world glamour. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., it is quickly becoming a known destination for tea, coffee or cocktails (the only food item served is their house coconut cake). In the evening, the frosted lamps give the courtyard a fabulously romantic glow.

Perennial restaurant favorite Buccan (which also has a new Miami outpost) is also home to a takeout sandwich shop right around the corner, serving hugely popular baguette sandwiches, house-made chips and cookies (you can't go wrong).

Le Bilboquet Market has opened as a wonderful addition for ready-to-go prepared foods, from pea soup to coq au vin, along with pastries, sandwiches and coffees; it's also a great stop for the perfect gourmet hostess gift.

At the Brazilian Court hotel, the bar counter at Cafe Boulud is a great place to dine if you don't have a reservation. One of my favorite after-dinner drink spots is the courtyard garden, where comfortable seating nooks are hidden among the palm fronds.

The former Sandwiches by the Sea spot has been given new life and a fresh look as Drift. It is overwhelmingly popular—it has become the hottest spot for matcha, coffee, vegan delights and delicious salads and sandwiches (with a charming common courtyard in which to enjoy them).

The hottest table in town belongs to polo icon Nacho Figueras and restaurateur Thierry Beaud. The Polo Room opened last winter and was extremely well received, offering Argentine flair, delicious steaks and excellent service, with a dark and clubby feel. Don't miss the empanadas and corn pot pie!

Another top restaurant entering its second season is Tutto Mare, an Italian concept offering the rare opportunity for waterside dining along the Lake Worth lagoon—plus, light and bright interiors. It is very conveniently located within the Royal Poinciana Playhouse.

Also within the Royal Poinciana Playhouse and starting its second season sits Glazer Hall, a very welcome addition to the area with its first-run movies, musicians, lectures and full schedule of year-round entertainment.

On the island, SurfSide Diner is your best spot for a casual breakfast or lunch.

And not to be overlooked or forgotten among these newcomers are my consistent favorites, which include BrickTop's, Bice, La Goulue, Trevini, the family-owned Cafe L'Europe (now offering brunch), Pizza Al Fresco and Renato's.

Palm Beach's iconic Flagler Museum is entering a renaissance with new programming, a lecture series, an "Oyster Roast" for members and multiple music events, including a Bluegrass concert and performances by both the New York Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble and the Cleveland Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble—along with the upcoming spring exhibit "Gilded Age Jewelry: The Making of Modern Luxury."

Heading off-island, West Palm Beach has never been busier. A truly overwhelming amount of development is impacting this small city and its infrastructure (and in turn, Palm Beach, making traffic prohibitive). This has prompted the founding of Save West Palm, a community-driven advocacy group dedicated to preserving local character, which has received widespread support. For a taste of such character, head to Dixie Highway, a thoroughfare that is home to a myriad of antiques and design shops. A standout for interiors is Hive, Sara McCann's flagship for everything you could possibly need—from hostess gifts, clothing and toys to home décor. Hive Bakery offers breakfast, lunch and dinner to revive your energy after shopping. Hive will soon host Santa visits throughout December, multiple in-house floral events, book signings and other high-profile appearances.

Also tucked away on this stretch of Dixie Highway is the discreet, classic and consistent Maison Carlos for a well-priced and delicious dinner with personal service in an intimate atmosphere. It's an under-the-radar spot beloved by its regulars. Kitchen is another favorite dinner spot right off of Dixie offering gourmet seasonal American food; consistently fresh and delicious, it is a strong local favorite. And for a greasy spoon breakfast or lunch, look no further than Dixie Highway's Howley's or City Diner.

Nearby Georgia Avenue used to be made up exclusively of stone cutters, welders and other construction businesses, so it's only natural to find that designers have been drawn to the area. Since opening a West Palm Beach showroom and retail store on this strip, Meg Braff has brought chic to Georgia Avenue, hosting mahjong evenings and curated pop-ups in the courtyard of her shop. Also drawing much fanfare is the newly opened Georgia Avenue Design District, home to Kravet, Stark Carpet and Schumacher, among others.

Mr. B's Tavern along Georgia Avenue is a great spot for lunch or dinner, serving elevated bar food, smash burgers and salads—and be sure to save room for the coconut cake, which is the absolute best in the area.

Design lovers should also make time for the Warehouse District, made up of six adjacent industrial warehouses that are home to retailers like Gypsy Life Surf Shop and Show Pony Gallery, an Aladdin's Cave of previously enjoyed furniture and artifacts—the perfect spot for a treasure hunt.

Insider Tip: Plan your visit around Design Days, Kips Bay Showhouse, the Garden Club of Palm Beach's annual House and Garden Day and the vast array of offerings on the calendar at the Society of the Four Arts (lectures and events will be housed in various off-site locations this season, as the Society is currently undergoing a renovation and expansion).