Vegan restaurant with a bistro feel, located on the waterway. Serves an electric mix of innovative vegan dishes such as palm cakes along with favorites like enchiladas, mac n cheese, salads, and raw food. Brunch offered on Saturday and Sunday. Dog friendly. patio. Open Wed-Thu 5:00pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sun 10:30am-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm. Closed Mon-Tue.
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8020 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, 33405
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 10 Sep 2024 by Govegatdarbster
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172 Reviews
First Review by ellen and alan
MightyMouse
Points +48
vegan dud - Edit
Canal front dining isn't what it used to be. Quality and taste have deteriorated since Chef Evans departure. It has now become a place for high calorie junk food. My last straw was burnt French toast. Lots of menu items are defrosted gardein and not organic. Customer service has also gone down the tubes. Don't get me started on the parking lot.
Read moreGuest
veggievet
Points +34
Excellent Vegan Food - Edit
Outstanding restaurant. There is a wide selection of vegan food and I love that they have both raw options and traditional/cooked options.
Read moreI also love that their names and the presentations are a take-off on non-veggie foods. For example, I had the "Beet Tartare" appetizer (love the name). The flavor was fresh, and the mix of sweet from the beets and spicy/bitter from the arugula was a great combination.
My husband ordered the special which was some sort of oat-based breaded cake in an amazing mushroom sauce. The mushrooms sauteed in a sherry sauce were my favorite flavor on the plate, although the roasted asparagus came a very close second. I ordered the palm cakes which were really great. The mustard sauce was delicious, and it was served on a generous bed of rice. It was too much food but it tasted so good, and we so rarely find gourmet vegan food that we couldn't stop.
We couldn't pick one dessert so we went for the sampler. Our least favorite was the carrot cake but that's not surprising because I have never found a vegan carrot cake that comes close to the real thing for me. The very best dessert was the brownie a la mode (although they were out of vanilla soy-ice-cream (homemade) but the chocolate was great and I didn't feel a chocolate overload that I expected with chocolate brownie and chocolate ice-cream. The chocolate mousse, although good, paled besides the chocolate ice cream, and the chocolate ganache cake paled beside the brownie. I think we would have been most happy had we chosen just the brownie a la mode and had a full serving but since that wouldn't have been our first choice anyway, I'm glad that we chose the sampler.
The service was quick and prompt and our server had a great personality and was very helpful in the selection process.
Despite the fact that it was a generous portion of food, that the food was very fresh, and well prepared, and the presentation was lovely, this restaurant was much less expensive than comparable meals we have eaten in Ft. Lauderdale (Sublime) and San Francisco (Millenium).
The only small complaints - there is a single-stall restroom (and the handle was sticking), and there was not adequate parking in the lot so we had to park on the street, but these are just small issues. Overall we enjoyed this restaurant it was a great value, and a great way to spend valentines day.
Pros: Fresh, creative, and great-tasting, Generous portions, Wide selection
Guest
Veg4ever
Points +32
Vegan and Dog Friendly - Edit
My favorite item on the menu is the heart of palm cake appetizer. The remoulade sauce just makes the dish.I also like that they have an eclectic offering of hot and iced teas. They have several chocolate deserts and the ones that I have tried, I have enjoyed. If you have a dog, they are welcome here and the server will even give the dog a bowl of water. They also have another location in Boca, but I have not been there. I would recommend this place.
Read morePros: Covered outdoor patio, Friendly servers, Variety of foods on menu
Cons: Parking is a little complicated
Guest
KWdaddio
Points +1441
Vegan WOW!!! - Edit
Thanks Happy Cow for guiding us to Darbster. We were in town for a half marathon (yes, vegan runner) and thought we'd try out Darbster. Wow!!! Saturday night we had the flatbread with a peanut Asian topping, raw pesto lasagna, and scallops. Omg the flavors were amazing and perfect balanced. This was a huge boost for our vegan lifestyle as we learned several new bits we will be trying at home. It was so good Saturday, we came back for Sunday brunch. I was actually thinking about Darbster while I was running my 13.1 miles. Not kidding!!! Brunch was Benedict English muffin with bacon and home fries. Fabulous!!! We live 3.5 hours away but now will re-route any and all trips anywhere nearby for a stop at Darbster. I want to try everything on the menu!!!!
Read morePros: high vegan quality cuisine, great staff
Cons: small tight parking lot, a bit pricey, but worth every penny
Guest
tomahola
Points +195
Best - Edit
The best restaurant I visited twice during my vacation in Florida. Dishes were really good and beautifully made. Many gluten free options. Friendly staff. Reasonably priced.
Read morePros: good tasty dishes, gluten free options, good deserts
Cons: a bit of street noise
Guest
TamaraSSeely
Points +20
Darbster - Edit
I love this Place. I come there for special occasions with my boyfriend and our Dogs. My boyfriend is not vegan , but still loves the atmosphere and he knows it makes me Happy.
Read moreI'm glad they have this restaurant in west palm beach
Pros: great food, can bring your dog, outside lighting is beautiful
Guest
shirley1
Points +340
What a Great Surprise !!! - Edit
My husband and I had been in Miami for a few days and really struggled to find anything close to vegan and gluten free.What a surprise when we travelled up to West Palm Beach.Using our HappyCow app we found Darbster and what a great find.The setting is beautiful - you can eat inside or outside and the food is outstanding.Our friend had the Palm Cakes (not GF) and he raved.We had the Onion Soup and the Beet tartare as starters and they were just great.Our main course was theScallops Provencal (Marinated Tofu) and a Sweet Potato Pad Thai that was just heavenly.Two nights later we went back and we had the Caesar Salad and the Falafel Plate - we were just as satisfied.On both visits there was plenty left over to take home for breakfast.The staff were knowledgable,friendly and very attentive.The restaurant is also Certified Kosher.
Read morePros: Great Selection, Scrumptious Food, Attentive Staff
Guest
rmills12
Points +69
Great place - Edit
This is a fantastic, quaint, little spot. Love the fact that all of their profits go to animal shelters. We ordered fried mushrooms, the wellington and the quinoa loaf. Unfortunately, I think I got a bad mushroom and got sick rather quickly and couldn't eat either of the entrees or order dessert. That really bummed me out cuz we had a $80 tab and I couldn't enjoy it. What I did taste was great, oh yeh we shared a mac n cheese too. I would like to go back and try again without ordering mushrooms.
Read morePros: Menu/Food, Atmosphere, NonProfit
Cons: Price, Snobby rich people, Bad mushrooms
Guest
Vanchy4
Points +34
Best vegan restaurant in West Palm Beach - Edit
We go at least once a week, we love this place and it's kid friendly
Read morePros: awesome food, always have something special on the men, the staff are amazing
Cons: not open for lunch, not open for breakfast, not open on Monday's
Guest
cindylivingfoods
Points +24
A wonderful patio dining experience - Edit
I walked in to Darbster's the day the opened and have been going back ever since. There are always daily specials and a very good selection of both raw food (for myself) and vegan cooked food (for my husband). The live entertainment is always enjoyable and just the right level to allow intimate dinner conversation and dogs are welcome yet not intrusive. It is mostly patio dining which is perfect in south Florida. And if you get the chance I highly recommend their Thanksgiving day meal which again has a raw menu and cooked menu for this special holiday. The staff is very friendly.
Read morePros: good selection of food, both raw and cokked menu items, Lovely environment
Guest
Scarletleaf
Points +33
Food Good - Disappointing Service - Edit
We ate here for the first (and last) time yesterday.
Read moreMost of our food was good. The palm cakes and portabella "steak" hoagie were wonderful, the stuffed mushrooms not so much.
However, the service (or lack thereof) is what will keep us from returning. We started out with one server who took our drink and appetizer orders and left us to decide what we wanted for dinner. So, we waited, and waited, and WAITED for her to return. About 15-20 minutes after she left us, a new server came to our table and started over with us. We explained we already heard the specials, had given our drink orders, and just wanted to order our main meals. We asked questions about the dish ingredients and she didn't know the answers, but said she would ask - though she never did get back to us with the information.
The food took a VERY LONG TIME to come out. I mean, a REALLY long time. We had to ask for drink refills THREE times before receiving them. We weren't gulping down our drinks, but a whole meal having to ration your beverage throughout? That's ridiculous. Finally, after yet another drink request had been seemingly forgotten, I stood up to go find our server. She happened to be coming back our way again and must have heard me comment to my fellow diners that I was disappointed in the service because she took the dessert charge off the bill since she "wasn't as attentive as usual" with our group.
So, bottom line - if the service were better, I'd gladly go back. But "inattentive" service can ruin a meal - and in this case left us with no desire to return.
Pros: Good food, Great outdoor dining
Cons: Really slow, inattentive service, LOUD, Pretty expensive
Guest
dwdrummond
Points +111
The Darbster Rocks! - Edit
We are fortunate to have a real vegan/raw restaurant here in West Palm Beach, FL. We are also fortunate that it's a busy place at times, ensuring their presence in our community.
Read moreThe food itself is inventive and delicious, especially with the raw dishes. The price is a little steep, but not too outrageous considering the quality and the ambiance, which is nice since the place is situated near a canal and has a nice tropical feel to it. It is certainly a place to bring the family on a Sunday afternoon or a date for an evening dinner.
I highly recommend the Darbster to anyone in the area or traveling through the West Palm area in South Florida.
Updated from previous review on Monday September 30, 2013
Pros: Creative cuisine, Great outdoor ambiance, Professional wait staff
Cons: Slightly pricey, Food can be a touch bland
Guest
RobinCRemarkZarate
Points +51
Special!!! - Edit
My son and I had a wonderful meal here at the end of June 2013
Read moreOur appetizer, crab rangoon was lovely crisp.
I had the Wellington and my son the Ruben...MMMMMMMMMMMM!
Dessert we shared the sampler because we couldn't decide.
Every dish was delicious and pleasing to the eye. We enjoyed the lovely outdoor setting.
Pros: All vegan, Great staff, Good value
Guest
vegann
Points +50
Did I Die and Go to Heaven? - Edit
Vegan food, dogs, and fun! The world needs more Darbsters! I had the raw Tostadas, Kale Salad, and Flax Tomato Sandwich. My only regret is that I didn't get to try everything on the menu. I am going to Florida in a week and I am not dreaming about going to the beach, I'm dreaming about going to Darbster. I might just move to Florida because of this place :-)
Read morePros: Raw Food Options, Vegan, Dog Friendly
Guest
melodymarks517
Points +22
Great vegan food! - Edit
This a fun restaurant here in West Palm. They have outdoor and indoor seating. They also allow people to let their dogs hang out.
Read moreFor a vegan like me, the menu is great. They have a nice variety of appetizers, meals, salads and desserts. I will say to me this is a difficult place to bring a meat eater who is not used to vegan or vegetarian food. Most of the food here is a vegan version of something else (gardein, soy cheeze, etc) so the food may be a little strange to them.
One of my favorite things here is the caesar salad. I also love the chocolate ganache cake for dessert. I think the food is great.
Pros: Great dessert selections, Raw section on menu, Variety
Cons: Weather can mess up experience, Not open all day
Guest
Marypoodle
Points +29
Great Food, Nice Atmosphere - Edit
This is a very friendly place that serves wonderful vegan and raw dishes. It has a great atmosphere, including really nice live music on some nights and the option of outdoor seating. It's also really dog friendly; more than once I've shown up with two large Standard poodles in tow and have felt warmly welcomed. I like lots of the dishes, especially the burger, falafel salad and tomato bisque soup. The deserts are also amazing. If there was one thing I would love to see added to their menu, it would be fresh mixed vegetable/fruit juices. Overall, it is a great restaurant. It is a little expensive, but much more reasonable than some, and they have lunch specials if you sign up for their lunch club. I usually wind up spending about $30 for a meal, including tip, but it is possible to spend a lot less than that. It's a great place for people who appreciate healthy, fresh, vegan cuisine.
Read morePros: delicious food, variety of healthy choices, nice atmosphere
Cons: a little expensive
Guest
veganlane
Points +53
Truly Amazing! - Edit
My husband and I (both vegan) frequent Darbster. We try a new entree every time and have yet to be disappointed. The chicken parm is awesome!! The atmosphere is great and the staff is friendly and helpful. They have a great happy hour and specials every week. The cheddar ale soup is to die for!!! On top of it all, they're non-profit.
Read morePros: friendly staff, amazing food, great value
Guest
Richard Myers
Points +765
A Pleasant Time - Edit
After looking at some reviews of the restaurant, we had high expectations and we were not disappointed. This is a busy restaurant but has a nice relaxed feel to it. There was lots of choice - almost too much. Everything tasted good and the server even took a little time to speak with us. A pleasant and satisfying time indeed.
Read morePros: Relaxed atmosphere, Extensive menu, Engaging staff
Guest
Vegiforlife
Points +44
Darbster - Edit
This is my favorite vegan restaurant in South FL! They have done an incredible job with the landscaping so you really forget that you are right next to a road under a billboard. You feel like you are in a beautiful garden, very peaceful place that you can bring dogs. The food is amazing and they have specials everyday. You can join their lunch club and they will email you their specials before lunchtime so you can plan your day. The wings are very good as is the cheesesteak and chicken parm. We get the sliders every time we go...delicious! On Sundays they have brunch all day until dinner, the tofu scramble and potatoes is a great plate! They have quite the variety of salads and 3 or 4 raw dishes. The staff is great, very friendly. On weekends there is live music that lends to the laid back atmosphere. I have been there during the summer on very hot days and there is plenty of shade and breeze that it is not uncomfortable. There is a small 'indoor' area if it is raining.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Monday November 19, 2012
Pros: atmosphere, quality, variety
Guest
roblindsey
Points +184
LOVE it!! - Edit
My husband (vegetarian), son (4 years old carnivore) and I have eaten at Darbster 3 times. I have actually went there 2 other times but they were closed (Monday and Tuesday). We have loved everything we ate. Even my non-vegetarian mom liked her meal. My non-vegan son is in love with the restaurant too. He loved the mac and cheese and chicken strips and fries. Of course he likes the brownies because "they are vegan and vegan means healthy" LOL! HIGHLY suggest this restaurant to vegans and non-vegans.
Read morePros: great food, good atmosphere, great experience
Cons: closed 2 days/week
Guest
eric and michele
Points +25
Great Vegan Comfort Food - Edit
Darbster makes being vegan easy. Eat wonderful vegan renditions of all your favorite foods. Great prices as well.
Read morePros: Great Food, Great Value, Very Friendly Staff
Guest
MarciaM
Points +75
Love it - Edit
Great open air vegetarian restaurant. We frequent this spot in the winter when hanging out in Florida. Awesome menu. Great service. Make a reservation during prime time.
Read moreDog friendly too. Your pooch is welcome to sit under your table while you enjoy your dinner.
Pros: Choices, Service great, Atmosphere great
Guest
MakeUrInsidesSing
Points +20
Delectable! - Edit
I very much enjoyed the daily special, the portabello mushroom scramble with Bernaise sauce, the blueberry torte, and especially the smoked tempeh bacon. The atmosphere was very chill, the guitarist/singer was a great addition. The only downside was the it was especially HOT in West Palm Beach that day. The establishment was not air conditioned.
Read morePros: variety of choices, good service, nice vibe
Cons: no AC
Guest
ninafarr
Points +145
Out Of This World - Edit
Easily the best vegan restaurant in southern Florida offering mock meats as well as raw vegan food. I eat there all the time and I live in Boca, so it's a bit of a drive, but well worth it because the food is amazing and the owners, chef, and staff are very friendly. Also, the restaurant is dog-friendly and not for profit!
Read morePros: friendly, delicious, good value
Cons: too small!
Guest
catercow
Points +53
Yay for Vegan Food in South Florida! - Edit
My mother, her friend (both carnivores) and I (vegan) went to Darbster for lunch the other day before a play we were going to see in Lakeworth.
Read moreUnfortunately, it is summertime in South Florida (meaning: extremely hot, muggy, and rains every hour or so). THis is an outdoor/open restaraunt so it was quite hot. Although that itself has no reflection on the restaraunt itself.
I must say I was so happy to eat here. The only true vegan restaraunts I have been to were when I was visiting California. It was disheartening to not find any vegan places near where I lived (Coral Springs). However, I've disovered many great vegan places hiding about a half an hour away (no problem, great food is worth it).
Speaking about Darbster's food...AMAZING! It is such a wonderful feeling to realize I can order anything off the menu and I am "safe" (no substitutions, no worries about animal products, etc). For lunch, I ordered the house salad with apple cider vinagrette (perfectly sweet and light) and the mac n cheese. THe macaroni and cheese, I must say, was unbelievably delicious. I have tried making vegan mac n cheese so many times, with lots of different soy and rice cheeses, but it is always off. The mac n cheese here was exactly like the mac n cheese I used to enjoy as a kid. Creamy and soft with a crunchy baked top. Amazing.
My mother's friend ordered the Southwestern Burrito,which she seemed to enjoy a great deal. My mother got the BLT made with tempeh and onion rings. Unfortunately, she only ate half (but she loved the onion rings!). I think the texture of the tempeh that they use in place of bacon was the issue. I know there are meat substitutes that visually look like bacon, but Darbster uses thick slices of tempeh instead (which I think was the issue for my mom, as tempeh is kind of like nut-shaped crumbles shaped together, not very bacon like).
After that, we shared a carrot cake and brownie dessert. THe carrot cake was delicious and had this awesome 'spicy' kind of icing (which I usually hate icing on anything). The brownie was also amazing, and I loved that they topped it with fruit as I only usually eat fruit desserts (not a big chocolate fan).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and I really wished I lived closer!!
Pros: delicious food, all vegan, very nice staff
Cons: tempeh in BLT
Guest
Nicki
Points +78
Amazing vegan food on the water! - Edit
I loved everything about Darbster. We sat outside by the water, and the atmosphere was beautiful. They're dog-friendly, and not only let us bring our dog but brought him a bowl of water, treats, and a Darbster bandana. The food was fantastic - we split an appetizer of "wings," which came with hot sauce and vegan ranch dipping sauce. As meals I had the palm cakes, which were delicious, and my partner had the chik'n parmigiana, also good. For dessert we got a warm brownie with ice cream on top, which I wasn't sure about initially because the brownie was labeled "gluten-free," and sometimes gluten-free desserts aren't the best, but the brownie was delicious! The service was also prompt and very friendly. This is definitely one of my new favorite restaurants.
Read morePros: Dog-friendly, Outdoor seating on the water, Great food
Guest
cameraphonevegan
Points +87
My Fave Vegan Restaurant! - Edit
I absolutely love Darbster and am SO happy that it has secured a foothold in south florida. Chef Seth (of Sublime's heyday) is truly gifted, and has brought some of that NYC penchant for food over to Lake Worth. Yay! This is a place you can truly safely take the omnis to!! :)
Read moresee one of my many glowing reviews here: http://cameraphonevegan.com/2011/04/18/sunday-dinner-darbster-wpblw/
Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, cute restaurant
Cons: specials get a little pricey
Guest
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