Florida barbecue doesn't have as strong an identity as some of our southern neighbors. But Tropical Smokehouse is changing that. 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.

Here's where you’ll find the best (and only) Ethiopian restaurant in the city. The owners make you feel so at home, you’ll be tempted to stay the night on the couch by the entrance. Please don’t. The husband scuttles about the dining room dropping off platters flanked with rolls of spongy injera next to kitfo and shiro piled high. His wife might stop by the table to ask how spicy you really want your gomen before she starts cooking it. She’s not wrong to inquire.

In a city full of stiff restaurants, Mr. B’s is a refreshingly unserious place that takes its food and drinks seriously. This is tavern food, so we’re talking burgers, salads, wings, and steaks. But when the disco ball starts spinning along with the DJ on weekends, this place turns into a party. And it’s probably the only reason you might see a Palm Beacher leave the island. Don’t mind them. They’re just here to eat fish dip and see what a Pabst Blue Ribbon tastes like.

We really like Buccan. But we love Buccan Sandwich Shop, the restaurant's casual takeout sibling (which also has a location on the island). It's takeout only. But that's alright. Strangers shouldn't be subjected to the noises you'll make after Pac-Man-ing your way through this perfect Italian sub, or the tuna sandwich that uses smoked yellowfin. We could keep naming sandwiches: beef carpaccio with parmesan and crispy onions, buffalo chicken with blue cheese dressing, the steak bomb.

We’ve been coming to this small Thai spot on S Dixie since before they took credit cards—they do now, but only if you order at least $25 worth of pad thai and curries. That should be easy, because this is the best Thai food in West Palm Beach. It’s mostly a takeout operation, but you can eat here at a long dining room table next to a wall of coconut milk cans. If you only order one thing, make it the papaya salad with generous amounts of salty fish sauce.

Nachos and the word “refreshing” don’t normally exist on the same quantum plane. But it’s a fitting description for this casual Mexican spot’s brisket nachos, which are a testament to brightness and simplicity. A lot of the food here is like that, partly because these folks make almost everything from scratch. The pork belly and pescadito frito tacos are also great, and they have well-portioned bowls that won’t make you sheepishly beg for an extra scoop of chicken.

This little sibling to Tropical Smokehouse is a lot smaller, more casual, and oriented towards takeout. They serve the same outstanding brisket and ribs here, but we're more excited about the market-exclusive dishes. Namely, the smoked chicken curry served with roti, and their thick slabs of jerk turkey used to make the greatest turkey sandwich we’ve ever had. It’s simple: thick slices of turkey piled high and served on a potato bun with your choice of toppings.

Our favorite Jamaican spot in West Palm is in a small plaza between a laundromat and a barbershop. If you see folks walking out with styrofoam boxes full of jerk chicken, curry goat, and oxtail, you’re in the right place. They serve breakfast all day, so we never come here without ordering ackee and saltfish. It comes with fried dumplings, a boiled green banana, and sweet plantains. This should keep you full until dinner, but don't leave without buying the county’s flakiest beef patty too.

Howley’s is a diner that proves something as simple as homemade apple sauce served alongside ASMR-crunchy fried chicken can bring a tear to your eye. The principle foundation of a diner is that it’s reliable, simple, and dishes come with your choice of wheat or white toast—and Howley’s ticks all those boxes. It’s been around since the ’50s but luckily the interior has been given an update since the days when you used to be able to smoke and eat eggs at the same time.

The Brass Ring’s half-pound spicy burger is a beautiful monstrosity that drips blue cheese dressing with every bite. The company is also pretty great at this dark, old North Palm bar. The ladies pouring pitchers of Miller and scribbling hand-written checks have been working there through multiple presidential administrations. There’s not a window in sight, and you’ll never know what time it is. So set an alarm between 3pm and 6pm, when all domestic pitchers of beer are $7.