Trying new restaurants and cuisines keeps life exciting. So, if you’ve been craving a culinary adventure, here are three local restaurants to explore that celebrate their heritage through food and are eager to welcome you in.
Tbilisi Café
Named after Georgia’s (the country, not the state) capital city, this mom-and-pop concept serves traditional Georgian cuisine. The country, which sits at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has a diverse history, including being part of the Soviet Union before claiming its independence in the early ‘90s. As a result, its cuisine features unique, flavorful dishes like khachapuri (a cheesy bread with an egg yolk) and khinkali, similar to soup dumplings. Georgia is also one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, so be sure to pair your meal with a glass (or two). And if you’ve watched the newest season of The Drops of God, then you understand the hype.
15200 S. Jog Road, Delray Beach; 561/332-3894
Çitir Turkish Doner Kebab
This family-owned restaurant celebrates Turkish house-made fare, as reflected in its name: “Çitir” translates to crisp, fresh food. Be warned; it will be hard to choose, because all the comfort foods here are made to order, including the bread for its sandwiches, flatbreads, and wraps. Start with the hummus or Şakşuka eggplant dip before indulging in its famed halal-certified doner kebab meat, slowcooked on the rotisserie.
499 N.E. Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton; 561/717-4663
5 Boys Haitian Restaurant
Creole fare, influenced by Spanish, French, African, and Caribbean flavors, offers guests a true fusion experience. The specialty here is the fried fish, or pwason fri, served with bannann peze, or fried plantains, and pikliz, a spicy pickled relish that combines all the flavors into one crunchy yet tender, hot yet flavorful bite. Another option is the fried pork, or griot, which is slow-cooked, then fried, and served with similar sides. You really can’t go wrong.
2166 N. Dixie Highway, Boca Raton; 561/462-3696
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