Mmmm Coffee! … Here are Our Picks for Delray Beach Coffee Shops

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You want to meet up with a new client, a friend, or a colleague in Downtown Delray…  Or, you just want to get out of the office and work for an hour out in public. Coffee is the common denominator… So, where to go?  Well, when it comes to downtown Delray Beach coffee shops, there are several options. There is the option of a national chain of course. But, what makes our Village by the Sea extra special are the unique places. Depending on what my goal is, I have a few favorites that I’m partial to.

Coffee District

If meeting a client, I pick Coffee District, off The Ave in quaint Pineapple Grove.  This special place recently celebrated ten years and is a bit easier to get to, and offers plenty of parking. This is where one can enjoy a small bite, a cup of tea, or my personal fave –  a Mocha Frap extra crunchy. For those that aren’t coffee drinkers, they are also known locally for their selection of craft beer.

Noreen’s Tips: I like riding my bike to Coffee District with my laptop. When with a client, I also appreciate when the corner table is available – It’s a bit hidden, so I don’t get too distracted when someone we know walks in.

 

Subculture Coffee Roasters

On The Ave, look for SUBCULTURE Coffee Roasters, also a local favorite.  This is where the action is. You are bound to run into anyone and everyone here, so choose it when you want to be social. The shop’s mission is to foster a sense of community and culture. Stop in for a small batch of coffee to take home or enjoy there by the cup.

Noreen’s Tips: This place is open late, some nights until 2:00AM! Their calendar displays several events throughout each month. How fun! … Game night, trunk shows, tastings, music etc. Beer/wine specials accompany most events. On Sunday mornings, enjoy $5 Mimosas 11-2.

 

Capital One Café

Capital One Café is new to the scene in Delray Beach.  Is it a bank? Is it a co-working space? Or is it a coffee shop??  The answer is YES, all of the above.  An interesting concept, at this new gem of a spot you can do your banking, hang out for a cup of Peet’s Coffee, grab a quick snack, or bring your laptop and get some work done out of the office.

Noreen’s Tips: C1C (I just came up with that! 🙂 is quickly becoming a hub for Chamber of Commerce members, small business and community groups to gather and hear about various happenings in and around our community. So, come here to network!

 

The French Bakery

I’d be remiss if I didn’t brag on The French Bakery, off The Avenue on Federal Highway.  What makes this place very unique among Delray Beach coffee shops are their handcrafted breads and pastries. Get ready to drool, because they are prepared in view by French-trained artisans.  Oooo la la!  This is a fantastic spot to pop in for yum gourmet sandwiches and pastries, or just a quick meet up for a nice cup of tea or latte!

Noreen’s Tips: I’ve been known to bring my laptop. And if the weather is great, head here for sure. They have plenty of outside seating where you can find a quiet spot and get some work done.

 

So many great options for Delray Beach coffee shops!  Did I miss any? What are your favorites?

Downtown Delray Beach Happy Hours to Check Out – Plus Noreen’s Fave Pairings

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Looking for some Delray Beach Happy Hours? In America’s most fun small town, there are options a-plenty!

How early would you like to start? SALT 7 on the Ave offers happy hour from 3-7pm. They offer $5 Martinis in luscious flavors like Cucumber Watermelon or Blood Orange, plenty of beer and wine options, and a nice selection of small plates starting at only $3! Insider tip: The outside seating here is fantastic – it’s the place to be on a temperate South Florida evening.  

Noreen’s Picks: $5 Cucumber Watermelon Martini paired The Fillet Mignon bites

 

City Oyster is another local, favorite, offering happy hour 4-7pm daily at the bar. You’ll enjoy half-price drink specials and $1 raw bar offerings. For many of us, this is the ideal neighborhood place – the one where everyone knows your name!

Noreen’s Picks: See Wayne or Teddy at the bar and ask them to surprise you with a special cocktail made just for you!

 

Or how about “working late” at The Office? Happy hour here is 3-7pm. A lovely outside seating area at the bar is the perfect setting for drink specials starting at only $3 and food options $4+.

Noreen’s Picks: Blood Orange Martini with Fried Green Tomatoes

 

If you seek a laid back Key West-style option, Crane’s Beach House does a festive happy hour winding down the week on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 5-6pm at their tropical tiki bar along the pool. Live music adds to the island ambience. A variety of 50% off drink specials are on the menu, but the sangria is the way to go!

Noreen’s Picks: Try the red sangria! So refreshing!

 

Further east along the beach, look for Boston’s on the Beach!  This classic Delray Beach happy hour spot is offers specials daily from 4-7pm with half-off drink and food specials.

Noreen’s Picks: You can’t beat the value of the one dollar bud light drafts paired with a half- pound of peel and eat shrimp!

 

These are just a few of our personal favorite Downtown Delray Beach happy hours. There are many more options, some inside the local hotels, some stand-alone bars and restaurants. Check out our Dining and Nightlife page for an overview of the area’s hottest spots.

Let us know which are your happiest of happy hours around town. We’d love to feature your favorites in future posts!

Holidays in Delray Beach: Tree Lighting & More

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Holidays in Delray Beach

Holidays in Delray Beach are magical! The month of December brings a record number of visitors to the area each year. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy the season and participate in local festivities and traditions:

Christmas Tree Lighting

The month-long Holiday Celebration kicks off with the lighting of the marvelous 100-foot tree located at Old School Square Park (50 NE 2nd Ave) on the Thursday following Thanksgiving.

We like to get downtown early for Happy Hour or an early dinner, so we can get to scoping out the perfect location from which to watch the lighting.

A brand new 100-foot tree was unveiled this year and it is spectacular! Visitors here to enjoy the holidays in Delray are welcome to go inside the tree. There, you can admire the various Christmas scenes and displays that are set up there.

Post-lighting Marvels

After Santa lights the tree, we enjoy walking along Atlantic Avenue. It’s closed to cars fort he evening, allowing for entertainment and activities for all ages along The Ave. The entertainment on the main Old School Square stage starts at 5:00 with the actual lighting (by Santa himself!) is around 7:00 PM. Surrounding the tree are activities for kids of every age: Enjoy Santa’s House, an antique carousel, ice skating rink, mini golf area, a holiday gift shop, and so much more!

Vignettes showcase Santa’s elves in the workshop along with an elaborate model train display… and one or two other surprises.. The Tree is open daily during the day into the evening, however seeing the tree all lit up inside and out is a treat not to miss, so go at night! It’s truly one of the most joyful ways to experience the holidays in Delray.

Holiday Fun All Month Long

The Celebration of the Holidays in Delray continues throughout the month with The Holiday Boat Parade, Breakfast with Santa, The Parade, outdoor movies and concerts, and more. It all culminates with the finale of New Year’s Eve, another awesome outdoor event that we look forward to every year!

Share Your Experiences with the Holidays in Delray

If you get to enjoy any of these events we’d love to hear about your experience too!

Researching Schools in Palm Beach County? Attend the 10/17 Showcase of Schools!

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When it comes to picking the right school in Palm Beach County for your child, a good place is to start is The Showcase of Schools.

The South Florida Fairgrounds is host to this year’s event taking place on Tuesday, October 17th from 4:00-8:00 PM.  Admission is free!

The Showcase is a great opportunity to bring your child to meet educators and students representing public, private and charter schools.  You’ll learn about the various choice, lottery, and academy programs available.  You will also find details on deadlines along with qualifications needed to apply for the various options.

Visit https://www.palmbeachschools.org/choiceprograms/ to further research the choice programs online.

Selecting schools is a personal and important process, and varies based on the goals you and your child have for his or her education. We encourage you to involve your child on selecting the right school for them. Whether public, private or charter; include them in the process, and take them on the tours. With their input and your guidance you can arrive at the best solution (school) for your family!

Delray Beach Green Market

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Delray Green Market   
Hosted by the CRA, this fun and fresh event occurs each Saturday from 9am to 2pm. It generally starts the last weekend in October and runs through Spring.
Featuring over 65 vendors and live music, you’ll find the market at Old School Square Park (50 NE 2nd Ave). 

 

Delray Beach Open Tennis Tournament

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Tennis, Anyone?

South Florida is well-known for its hundreds of beautiful, well-manicured and affordable golf courses – from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Ocean.

But playing golf is far from the only recreation in the Palm Beaches. Did you know that Delray Beach boasts one the country’s premiere tennis facilities?

The Delray Beach Tennis Center is on world-famous Atlantic Avenue, just east of I-95, and mere blocks from dozens of chic restaurants and bars. It offers:

  • 14 clay courts
  • 6 hard courts
  • an 8,200-seat stadium for center court.
  • a full-service pro shop
  • well-appointed locker rooms

 

Delray Beach Open Tennis Tournament

Every February, The Delray Beach Tennis Center hosts the 10-day Delray Beach Open, featuring the ATP World Tour stars.

Touted as the world’s only ATP Champion tour, this takes place mid-month.  Here, you can mix and mingle with tennis legends at various private events, special clinics, kids day, and – of course – the matches.

(Each November, the Tennis Center is also home to the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic!)

 

Affordable Court Fees and Memberships at Two Centers

The Tennis Center’s sister property, the nearby Delray Beach Swim & Tennis Club, offers an additional 14 hard courts. Court fees and annual membership rates are very affordable here. Both tennis centers are located within many desirable neighborhoods in East Delray Beach, convenient to both the Palm Beach International and Fort Lauderdale International Airports.

 

We have helped many families who lob and volley as their favorite sport relocate to this area.
So in asking just one more question why not find a home — or a second home– in this area, we ask, “Tennis Anyone?”

Delray Fashion Week

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Held along Atlantic Ave during the last week in January, this stylish set of events is for the fashion mavens. It features in-store trunk shows, special runway shows with the latest trends, luncheons, cocktails parties, and the annual Stiletto High Heel Race to benefit the Achievement Center for Children and Families.