Buccan

A sprawling cavern of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and cocktails, this sibling to popular bûccan is a hit. Soaring ceilings, concrete floors, dark wood, and an open kitchen provide a buzzy backdrop to dishes of nicely charred pies (made with organic flour) and homemade pastas. Like chef-owner Clay Conley's other spots, the food here is hearty, unfussy yet sophisticated, and wonderfully balanced, from the curry cauliflower hummus to the hand-rolled macaroni with Florida rock shrimp and fennel.

Buccan proves that even an island full of millionaires can’t resist a martini and a hot dog. During the winter months, it’s the toughest reservation in Palm Beach—but, refreshingly, not the fanciest. The restaurant has a come-as-you-are attitude that belies the luxury cars at the valet stand and a menu that can appease a table full of disparate tastes.

Helmed by chef Clay Conley, a James Beard Award semifinalist three times over, Buccan serves upscale global cuisine in a hip, airy space.Why go?. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation at Buccan, Conley’s first restaurant in the city, go for the octopus “tabbouleh” and the hot dog panini.

You can’t go wrong at one of celebrity Chef Clay Conley’s hotspots — Grato, Imoto, or Buccan, hands down some of the best restaurants in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach for big, bright flavors with tasty hints of the chef’s world travels. Or join the locals as they celebrate the culinary stylings of local Chef Julien Gremaud at his always-packed downtown West Palm Beach restaurant Avocado Grill for small plates and the ultra-fresh raw bar. Nearby on Clematis Street, you’ll find other places to eat in West Palm Beach, including Chef Mike Burgio’s Pistache French Bistro, Sassafras, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, and many more.

You’ll want to secure a reservation for Buccan early as possible, as it’s notoriously one of the hardest to get in Palm Beach. Dinner at the James Beard Award-nominated restaurant should always begin with their famed watermelon martini, but then it’s on to chef Clay Conley’s innovative small plates (most of which are served tapas style) and signature pasta. The tuna crisps and short rib empanadas are a must, as is the sweet corn agnolotti, but the most surprising dish on the menu might be the Hot Dog Panini—unless you’re familiar with the area—and then you’re well aware of this regional delicacy.

Listed by Forbes as one of the top 100 restaurants in America, Buccan is a sophisticated yet casual establishment that features American progressive cuisine options such as pumpkin swordfish, spicy pork tacos, prime sirloin, beef short ribs, seasonal sides, tasty appetizers, and other delectable entrees. Chef Clay Conley, a James Beard nominee, created the bistro style locale, which is located in the heart of Palm Beach. Characterized by its changing small plate menu, fresh ingredients, and creative libations, Buccan is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Clay Conley’s famous Buccan is one of the best-known fine dining restaurants in Palm Beach for good reason—the fresh, delicious menu has something for everyone. This James Beard award-winning restaurant is known for its American cuisine; the chef started out at Azul in the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, and is now at the helm of this Palm Beach favorite. Try the short ribs or tuna crisps, but if you’re looking for a more low-key dining experience, check out the Buccan Sandwich Shop for take-out instead—you can even bring a sandwich to the beach.

At first, Buccan branded itself as a “progressive American grill,” but as busy months turned into years, the restaurant’s culinary approach defied any such categorization. It has reflected Conley’s culinary moods, memories and fascinations, meandering from his New England childhood to his travels to far-flung cities like Lima, Bahia, Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Tokyo, where in 2003 he spent months while opening a restaurant for celebrity chef Todd English, his mentor.

Laid-back yet sophisticated, Buccan is most noted for its progressive American fare; here, small plates burst with big flavor. On Buccan’s vibrant menu, lighter plant-based dishes, including Crispy Squash Blossoms “Relleno” with charred tomato salsa, co-exist with heartier ones like Maine Lobster Fat-tuccine bathed in creme fraiche and meyer lemon. And as its offerings are ever-changing, every meal at Buccan feels brand new — even to its multitudes of repeat customers.

A lot has changed since chef Clay Conley left Mandarin Oriental Miami’s Azul restaurant a decade ago to turn Palm Beach’s staid dining scene on its head with restaurants like Buccan, Imoto and Grato. In the meanwhile, Conley earned five James Beard nominations and started a family with his wife and college sweetheart, Averill. Now, Ember Group’s Palm Beach original, Buccan, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of showcasing inventive American classics in a casual setting.

James Beard Award Nominee Clay Conley has been serving some of the tastiest food in Palm Beach since his restaurant Buccan opened in 2010. Named after the wooden grill used to cook food over an open fire in the Caribbean, the restaurant has had fashionable crowds clamoring for tables for more than a decade. In 2020, restaurant's owners launched Buccan Provisions, a 501(c)(3) focused on supporting food-insecure South Floridians in the wake of the pandemic.

Other additions to the list of the Best Palm Beach restaurants are Clay Conley’s Buccan which I plan to try next time (he’s scheduled to open Chateau Miami on Brickell), and The Breakers hotel has a restaurant that opened during the pandemic — Henry’s, an American inspired bistro. I also heard that Cucina Palm Beach is a new “hot spot” with a disco ball and bottle service and another referred by a reliable palate, this for casual dining, Avocado Grill.

You can call Buccan New American, world-inspired or just a work of genius. Clay Conley (formerly of Miami’s Azul) was named a semifinalist for his fifth James Beard award for his preternatural ability to pair flavors — Italian, French, Peruvian, Mexican — in dishes that change all the time. Currently, think Florida snapper moqueca with basmati rice, snapper ceviche “al pastor,” short rib empanadas with aji amarillo....

In 2003, Palm Beach chef Clay Conley moved across the world to Tokyo to help open a restaurant for celebrity chef Todd English. “I was completely blown away by the layered, bright, fresh cuisine of Asia,” Conley says. “At Buccan, many of our small plates utilized these flavor components, however, when the space became available next door, I knew immediately I want to focus primarily on that profile.

Buccan has become a local favorite, best known for its small plate sharing concept. And there is a reason that concept works so well—everyone at your table will undoubtedly want to try almost everything on the menu. Chef Clay Conley has created a fun and delicious selection of dishes arranged in categories of Raw, Veggie, Crispy, From the hearth, Flour & water (aka pasta), Simple, and Large plates.

The hotspot restaurant helmed by chef Clay Conley is one of the hardest reservations to get in Palm Beach—and well worth the wait, just for this pasta dish alone. After that, it’s all about the Florida grouper ceviche, short-rib empanadas, tuna crisps and hot dog panini with sauerkraut, gruyere, mustard and chili. Gourmet hot dogs are a big deal around here and Buccan’s is the best, bar none.

Twenty establishments benefited: Cucina, Coyo Taco, Sant Ambroeus, LoLa 41, Green’s Pharmacy, Meat Market, Buccan, Bice, Surfside Diner, Henry’s, Ta-boo, Palm Beach Grill/Honor Bar, TooJay’s, Bricktop’s, Club Collette, PB Catch, La Goulue, La Bar a Vin. Main Street by The Breakers and Cafe L’Europe, where outdoor seating became permanent in the fall after Town Council approved it.

I love Buccan for dinner; I think that’s a given for all Palm Beachers,” says Hope Smith. Sarah Wetenhall claims the restaurant “really revolutionized dining in Palm Beach” and that “besides being delicious with an innovative and constantly changing menu, Buccan was the first destination on Palm Beach island to offer a more modern, sophisticated, and energized dining environment.

Look no further than Imoto, located at 350 South County Road. The restaurant's theme is inspired by the Japanese word for little sister, "Imoto." It features a menu full of small plates, and big flavors with Japanese and Asian influences. The menu at Imoto at Buccan offers items ranging from creative sushi as well as sashimi and other Asian favorites like dumplings and tempura.

This Clay Conley restaurant is known for taking seasonal ingredients and making a masterpiece with them. This spot puts care into crafting everything on the plate. From a King Salmon with curried lentils, lacinato kale, and a cucumber salad to the best dry-aged NY strip you can find, you will be shocked by how well the meals go together and how delicious every component is.

We picked up sandwiches beforehand from Buccan, a popular local sandwich shop. Their prosciutto sandwich was incredible, and it was the perfect picnic meal to enjoy by one of the garden’s ponds. As we ate, we watched fish swim in the water and spotted birds like the Red-shouldered Hawk and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker—it felt like the perfect blend of relaxation and nature.

I was extremely impressed with how this restaurant handled my allergy. We told them about the allergy when we made the reservation, and when we got there the waiter was already aware and understood that we needed to avoid cross-contamination with dairy as well. He told us that the owner’s children have food allergies, so all of the staff are rigorously trained.

Buccan: If you ask anyone where to eat in Palm Beach, Buccan is always at the top of the list, and there’s a reason for it!. Chef Clay Conley serves up an innovative but still approachable menu of small plates that’s hard to beat. The atmosphere is buzzy and hip and it’s hard to choose what you want to order because it all sounds so good.

Buccan is a top Palm Beach restaurant located on South Country Road, just a 5 minute walk from the beach. The joint's them is "small plates with big flavors" with prime examples being the short rib empanadas and the grilled octopus. The menu is constantly changing to reflect supply of seafood and the whimsical nature of Chef Clay Conely.

Led by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Clay Conley, Buccan is a Palm Beach restaurant that’s upheld its reputation as one of the best dining spots near West Palm Beach. With a menu that specializes in innovative American cuisine, this small plate sanctuary is a haven for foodies looking for flavorful dishes in South Florida.

350 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480Phone: 561-833-3450 Visit Website. A post shared by Buccan (@buccanpalmbeach). This next place is called Buccan and this wonderful restaurant actually takes its influence from all over the world, serving up small plates of simply delectable cuisine.

With its open concept and kitchen, you can peek behind the scenes as your meal comes together, adding a fun twist to your dining adventure. The ambiance is classy and sophisticated, making it the perfect spot to hang out with friends or relax in the lounge on one of their comfy seats.

Technically, this restaurant is in Palm Beach, not West Palm, but it is so good, I had to include it on my list. In fact, Buccan is, hands down, one of my favorite restaurants in any city!. Its upscale and stylish dining experience always leaves me wishing I had a bigger stomach.

Rooted in the idea of "small plates with big flavor," Buccan is an outstanding date night choice given the communal nature of its dining experience. From potato gnocchi to char siu-style pork chops, its menu includes something for every taste preference. Recommended by Gina Sisti

It’s also the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Chef Clay Carnes is a 5x James Beard nominee, and if you’re not familiar with the James Beard award, it’s like the Oscars of the restaurant industry. Buccan is always very buzzy, and reservations are a must!

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (897 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Contemporary- Price: $$$$- Address: 350 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480-4481- Read more on Tripadvisor

Buccan Palm Beach is one of the places to eat in Palm Beach, and the sister restaurant of Imoto Sushi. They feature an American cuisine paired with the freshest ingredients from local purveyors. Order from the sandwich shop from 11:30 am-3:30 pm.

We also really enjoy the restaurants of the Miami chef Clay Conley: At Buccan, the focus is on American cuisine. All the food is very innovative and the menu changes often. The roasted quail on polenta is delicious.

350 S County RdPalm Beach, FL 33480(561) 833-3450 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Opened in 2011, Buccan is a tapas-style restaurant that highlights global flavors in Palm Beach.

During my New Year’s visit to Palm Beach, we went to several establishments, including Clay Conley’s Buccan, Sant Ambroeus Palm Beach, Bice, The Butcher Shop, and Cafe L’Europe.

Located on South County Road, walking distance from the beach, acclaimed Palm Beach chef Clay Conley’s Buccan modern bistro serves up small plates with big flavors.

If you only have time for one dinner in Palm Beach, this is the place to go. The food is great and it’s a fun scene.Stalk them on Instagram: @buccanpalmbeach

Cuisine: Global Cuisine, Small PlatesAddress + Neighborhood:350 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480 – Downtown Palm BeachGood For: Happy Hour with Friends

Not a Cuban spot, but I hear Buccan on Palm Beach Island has a ridiculous Cuban. The sandwich shop isn't super expensive either.