Tropical Smokehouse

Tropical Smokehouse is pioneering a style unique to the area, with a menu big on smoked fish dips, lemon pepper cobia, and Cajun gator sausage. The spice rubs work in Caribbean influences, too, like the mojo pulled pork and jerk turkey breast. South Beach Wine and Food Fest Burger Bash champs Pig Beach BBQ finally opened a permanent location in West Palm Beach, too.

Once the chef at Café Boulud, Rick Mace created an ode to smoked meats with this spot on Antiques Row. There's a distinct Florida slant to the upscale barbecue, including gator sausage and recipes Mace says were influenced by the state's indiginous populations, who used palm fronds to help smoke meats.

Florida barbecue doesn't have as strong an identity as some of our southern neighbors. Tropical Smokehouse is changing that. South Florida-specific dishes like spicy wahoo dip, gator sausage, and smoked mahi are sprinkled throughout the menu.

Florida has never been known for its ’cue culture, but a few chef-run spots, also on Dixie Highway, are changing that. My favorite one is Tropical Smokehouse, which opened in 2021 and earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nod in 2023, as well as recognition as Florida’s best locally owned restaurant in our own South’s Best awards. Chef Rick Mace combines expertly smoked meats and seafood with Floribbean sides like crispy yuca, plantains, and Caribbean Slaw, as well as traditional ones like white Cheddar mac and cheese.

Best known for its smoky meats, crispy-top smoked chicken and seasonings accented by Florida’s global cultures, Tropical Smokehouse also offers a batch of fish options, including spicy wahoo dip, barbecued salmon and fried cobia sandwiches. As a seasonal special, executive chef/partner Rick Mace is serving up a “Fish Fry-day” fish-and-chips deal: battered cod with tartar sauce, coleslaw and crinkle fries for $18. The special is offered Fridays from 5 p.m.

Tropical Smokehouse brings a bit of the South to South Florida with a barbecue menu that's anything but ordinary. Run by Chef Rick Mace, who spent years at some of the finest restaurants in the country, this casual eatery offers smoked meats that are as tender as they are flavorful. Whether it’s the brisket, the pulled pork, or the ribs, each bite is a reminder that good barbecue doesn’t have to be messy, but it does have to be delicious.

Well regarded as one of the best barbecue spots in South Florida, Tropical Smokehouse is a West Palm Beach restaurant that you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of delicious smoked meats. Led by James Beard Award-nominated pitmaster, Chef Rick Mace, Tropical Smokehouse is a staple in the community and both locals and tourists are constantly flocking to the spot for delicious barbecue.

For a truly unique take on BBQ, head to Tropical Smokehouse. Located in the Antique Row district of West Palm Beach, the restaurant and it’s owner and Pitmaster Rick Mace, takes advantage of South Florida’s unique flavors and produce to create Southern fare with Latin and Caribbean influences. Chef Mace’s delicious BBQ has earned him a recent James Beard Award nomination.

Visit Tropical Smokehouse, a restaurant offering juicy and succulent West Palm Beach barbecue offerings at a reasonable price point. Our West Palm Beach barbecue restaurant has been offering one of the best brisket and baby back ribs in town. What makes our West Palm Beach barbecue offerings some of the best is due to the underlying cooking method employed.

South Florida-specific dishes like spicy wahoo dip, gator sausage, and smoked mahi are sprinkled throughout the menu. But Tropical Smokehouse is truly a destination because everything on their big menu tastes pretty close to perfection—from the handheld cheeseburger to the brisket and spare ribs, which are pulled from the smoker at the precise millisecond.

Former Café Boulud executive chef Rick Mace opened a new barbecue restaurant with a Florida focus. Opening date for Tropical Smokehouse was Jan. 26. Mace partnered with former Boulud general manager Jason Lakow to open the casual restaurant in the South Dixie Highway space formerly occupied by Mazie’s, of which Lakow was a co-owner.

Another night, we had some great local BBQ at Tropical Smokehouse near the hotel (the gator sausage is something else). Then there are the great seafood options (amongst others) at Lucky Shuck in Jupiter. Really, there's so much good food you'll have to spend a week straight working all that off at the gym.

Tropical Smoke House gets the vote for best gluten-free BBQ!. They feature the most delicious gluten-free fall-off-the-bone mouth-watering ribs we have ever had. Be sure to stay away from the french fries (they have a shared fryer) but the gourmet cole slaw and potato salad are safe & tasty side dishes.

Tropical Smokehouse is excellent….Pitmaster Rick Mace selected as a 2023 James Beard Restaurant & Chef Awards semifinalist. Chef Rick is nominated in the Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)”category.

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (12 reviews)- Detailed ratings: - Type of cuisine: Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3815 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405-2231- Read more on Tripadvisor