Once Lantana’s Ocean Avenue Bridge closes in March, island dwellers will be looking to other businesses and restaurants for some of the same services and foods. Some favorite Lantana spots will be worth the drive (of course) and many favorite restaurants and essential services can be found in Plaza del Mar in Manalapan, but for some foods and services residents will need to venture across either the Ocean Avenue bridge between Ocean Ridge and Boynton Beach, or the Lake Worth bridge.
Here’s a guide to some of those across the Ocean Avenue bridge that may be a substitute while the Lantana bridge is out of commission.
Eats
If you like Sushi Bon, give the intimate Sushi Jo (640 E. Ocean Ave.) — a local chain — a try. Also worth noting is Sushi Simon (1614 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach). Their fresh hand rolls and sashimi also have a fan base.
There are no bakeries near Boynton’s bridge to replace Palm Beach Bakery and Café, but you can get espresso at Café Frankie’s (640 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach), and maybe a sweet bite. Frankie’s also might become your go-to spot for pizza, though their traditional pies aren’t quite the same as Lantana’s Pizzeria Oceano.
Another traditional-style pizza to try might be the one at Josie’s Restaurante and Pizzaria (1602 S. Federal Highway) a little farther away near the Woolbright Bridge.
For a waterfront dining experience starring seafood like the Old Key Lime House, give Prime Catch (700 E. Woolbright Road) a try. Every seat in the house has a water view, and it’s open for lunch and early dinners. You can also arrive by boat. Prime Catch has lobster dinners, too, so if you can’t get to the famed Station House, check out the crustaceans.
More casual fare, like that at the tiki hut on the deck at the Old Key Lime House can be found at Two Georges Waterfront Grille, or the Banana Boat — both are on the water at the northwest side of Boynton’s Ocean Avenue Bridge. Or tuck into the raw bar offerings at Hurricane Alley (529 E. Ocean Ave.).
Jamaican fare and some Caribbean flavors are found along with American favorites at the Secret Garden Café in the Boynton Greenmarket (410 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.). Open Thursday to Saturday for breakfast lunch and dinner, through Sunday (brunch only), it’s a hidden find — thus its name.
Sports
For fishing, diving and boat charters like those at the Old Key Lime House Marina, head to Two Georges Marina (728 Casa Loma Blvd.), where a number of boat captains and dive masters are available for hire.
You can drift on the Sea Mist III, or hire Geno IV Charters, Miller Time Fishing Charters and Florida Fishing Academy. Underwater Explorers, Splashdown Divers and Starfish Enterprise handle SCUBA trips. You’ll find a small marina store (Waypoint Marine) and boat ramps here, too.
For your rods and reels as well as bait, head to Boynton’s Fisherman’s Supply (618 N. Federal Highway).
Maybe you’re a spectator and just want to catch a game on the tube with your buds. Meet up at the Sweetwater Bar and Grill, a bit further down the road (1507 S. Federal Highway). Craft beer and cocktails are the specialty and the diverse menu will please the non-sports fan in your group.
Services
You’ll need to gas up, and maybe a tune up to do all that driving around the bridge; Boynton Chevron is at 217 N. Federal Highway. It has bait and tackle (free ice for bait) and quick foods.
For that tune-up, try Pioneer Auto Care (401 N. Railroad Ave.) or Boynton Auto Clinic (409 N. Railroad Ave.).
Get your car washed and waxed at Main Street Car Wash (201 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.) and Sunshine Car Wash (1310 N. Federal Highway).
If you don’t want to leave the island, just head farther south to Gulfstream Texaco near Briny Breezes at 5002 N. Ocean Blvd. They also do repairs.
Miss the Lantana Post Office? The Boynton Beach Post Office is at 217 N. Seacrest Blvd.
There also is the Boynton Beach Postal and Gift Center (562 E. Woolbright Road) where you can pick up coastal-inspired gifts and mail them out here.
For a pharmacy, there’s CVS (301 N. Federal Highway) and a little farther south, Gulfstream Pharmacy near Briny Breezes at 4998 N. Ocean Blvd.
Several florists in east Boynton provide bouquets or wired gifts of blooms. Blossom Shoppe Florist (402 E. Ocean Ave.), Maddie’s Flowers by the Sea (112 S. Federal Highway), Flowers by Biana (625 S. Federal Highway), Florist Design by Rele (312 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.), the Boynton Flower Pot (402 E. Ocean Ave.) and Boynton Beach Florist (640 E. Ocean Ave.) are all near the Ocean Avenue bridge.
Looking for a bottle of wine or your favorite vodka? A1A Discount Beverage (109 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.) would have the vodka, but try Crown Wine & Spirits (532 E. Woolbright Road) for the vino.
For dry cleaning and alterations, there’s Fran’s Sew and Sew (640 E. Ocean Ave.), or the Boynton Beach Laundry (417 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.). One Price Dry Cleaners (407 S. Federal Highway) is a chain of discount dry cleaners.
— Compiled by Jan Norris
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Comments
Thank you Mary Kate. Looking forward to it. Warm regards, Colleen
Colleen - Good point! Our plan is to feature businesses that provide services across the Lake Worth bridge in our February edition. Stay tuned.
Mary Kate
Let's not forget our neighbors to the north, beautiful downtown Lake Worth with Rustico Italiano, Safire Asian Fustion, Callero's Prime Steak and Seafood, Too Jays, La Bonne Bouche, Fiorentina's, Couco Pazzo, Bizzarre Avenue Cafe, etc. etc. There is also great shopping and galleries like Maryanne and Bruce Webber's Gallery and Art Shop.