The Grove

“Should have a “⭐️” The Grove – A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Delray Tucked quietly along 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach is one of the most remarkable culinary finds I’ve encountered in recent memory — The Grove. Don’t let the understated exterior fool you. Behind its modest frontage lies a chef-owned treasure that delivers a truly elevated and unforgettable dining experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the beautiful and elegant General Manager, Dina, whose gracious charm set the tone for an exceptional evening. I had been referred to The Grove by another seasoned restaurant GM who described it as a “must-visit” while in town. They were absolutely right. Finding the restaurant is half the adventure, but navigating its unique reservation layout online can be a little confusing at first. There are four distinct spaces within the restaurant — each with its own vibe: • The main dining room: intimate, quiet, and ideal for conversation. • The outdoor terrace: a breezy, serene setting that radiates relaxation. • The bar room: energetic, social, and full of life with about 10 tables and bar seating for another 10. • And then there’s the bar itself: lively and first-come, first-serve — a perfect option for solo travelers like myself. I began the night with the Beef Carpaccio — delicately balanced with chili oil and a ginger-scallion relish. One bite, and I swear I heard heaven. A dish this refined sets a tone — and The Grove delivers at every course. For my entrée, I took a leap of faith and ordered the California Muscovy Duck with brussel-dijonnaise slaw and cherry gastrique. Normally, duck is a dish I reserve for only the most trusted kitchens, but something told me this was the right place — and I was right. Catalina, the friendly mixologist behind the bar, described the dish as light, flavorful, and elegantly crafted. She was spot on. As I enjoyed my meal, I met Mike, a regular and fellow diner seated nearby. He graciously offered to split his mushroom soup with me so I could experience what he described as “perfection in a bowl.” He wasn’t exaggerating. (Thank you again, Mike — safe travels to LA.) Dining at The Grove isn’t about oversized plates or volume — it’s about artistry. Each dish is thoughtfully composed, plated with care, and presented as a multisensory experience. Every bite tastes like a celebration of innovation and precision. To close the evening, Jeremy, the energetic and passionate server in the bar room, insisted I try the signature dessert: Monkey Bread. He gave such a compelling (and entertaining) preview that I couldn’t resist. I won’t spoil the surprise here — you’ll have to experience it yourself. Just know: it’s worth it. Final Thoughts The Grove is more than a restaurant — it’s a well-choreographed production where food, service, and ambiance align to create something truly special. To Dina, Catalina, Jeremy, and the entire staff — thank you for an exceptional evening. I’ll absolutely be back the next time I’m in Delray. Do yourself a “flavor”: find The Grove. You’ll be glad you did. If you made it this far, tap a like, and take a moment to explore my other reviews from around the world.”

“Went here in August for dinner and it was fantastic! Our table started with the bread, which was absolutely delicious. We tried a variety of pastas, and each one was out of this world. For dessert, we had the warm chocolate chip cookies — they were excellent. The restaurant is very small, so I definitely recommend making a reservation.”

“When you drink and dine at the Grove, you feel happy. You want to tell your friends, but you don't want too many people to know about the place. The chef is creative, the bar is super attentive. The staff is knowledgeable.”

“One of the best restaurants Delray Beach has to offer! Definitely more classy and upscale than most of the restaurants on the Ave, which is refreshing and nice to have. Everything is fresh, well-made and uniquely tasting. They typically have specials and a seasonal menu. We love coming here and would definitely recommend to a newbie. If you’re a foodie- this place is a must!”

“The Grove came highly recommended as a top rated restaurant in Del Ray and my mom & I were so excited to come. There were many seating areas with different vibes. We sat near the bar and loved the ambiance - good music playing but not too loud, ambient mood lighting and tables weren’t too close to each other. We started with an espresso martini. $24, extremely expensive but it was tasty. Rich tasting and not overly sweet. They then served us free rosemary rolls. They were OK, they honestly tasted like Kings hawaiian rolls as they had a sweetness to them. For our appetizers, we got the beef carpaccio and scallops. The beef carpaccio was outstanding. It had a chili oil on top that added a hint of heat and green onions for an herby punch. Put that on top of the buttered sourdough, delicious bite. The scallop was unfortunately overcooked. It was a little tough. BUT… the sauce that was served with it was truly otherworldly. We dipped the bread that came it in it as well as other dishes throughout the night. One of the most flavorful and unique sauces I’ve had in a while. For our entree, we got the sweet corn agnolotti and a side of broccolini. The agnolotti was excellent and a huge portion. It was sweet from the corn mixed with creamy cheese and then crunch/salty from the bacon. I can’t think of a more perfect combination. The broccolini was cooked well, but it was lacking salt. For our dessert, we had monkey bread. I grew up on monkey bread, so maybe my expectations were high but it was good, not great. It could’ve been more gooey and warm. Overall, we had a great experience. There were some misses with the scallop itself and dishes lacking that extra oomph, but then the standout dishes were absolutely incredible. Our server, Andy, spaced out the food perfectly. This was an expensive outing, but we would definitely come back in the future for special occasions!”