The Polo Room

Palm Beach does dinner exceptionally well, so a new opening always comes with expectations. Stepping into The Polo Room, with a reservation I didn’t take for granted, I was curious, attentive, and fully prepared to stay longer than planned. 

The address — 251 Sunrise Avenue — is discreet, which I appreciate. Inside, the room feels instantly composed: warm, layered, quietly confident. The lighting flatters. The textures invite you in. You get the sense that this is a place designed for conversation, not content — a refreshing notion these days. Equestrian references are subtle, not theme-y, and the photography by Ricardo “Snoopy” Motran — iconic polo moments from the ’80s and ’90s — reads like a knowing wink rather than a history lesson. 

The energy is social but unhurried. Tables hum. The bar is busy without being chaotic. This is not a see-and-be-seen — it’s a linger, order another martini, and settle-in kind of place. 

The menu reads confidently, which usually means the kitchen knows exactly what it’s doing. We started with empanadas (non-negotiable), followed by crudos that felt clean and precise. Then came the heart of the menu: Asado-style steaks and seafood, grilled properly and served with classic sauces like chimichurri and au poivre. Nothing overwrought. Nothing apologetic. The Lobster Frite — with hand-cut fries — is exactly what you want it to be. 

And then came dessert — or rather, all of dessert. 

What began as a polite “maybe one” turned into a full-scale, joint-effort tasting of everything on the menu. Mima’s Chocolate Mousse — a family recipe from **Nacho Figueras’ childhood — disappeared first. Then the flan. Then the dulce de leche crêpes. Spoons were shared. Plates were passed. Opinions were voiced. Consensus was reached: restraint had no place at the table. It was the kind of moment that tells you everything you need to know about a restaurant — relaxed, indulgent, and very much in on the fun. 

The cocktails keep pace. The Twenty-Two Below Zero ºC Martini arrives properly frozen (olives included), and the Iceberg Skinny Cosmo is crisp enough to justify another round. A wine list of more than 300 selections quietly signals that this room intends to stay in rotation. 

What struck me most wasn’t just the food or the room — it was the ease. The Polo Room feels established without trying. It understands Palm Beach season — when dinners stretch, plans dissolve, and the best conversations happen after dessert… or three. 

The Polo Room is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 5pm (closed Mondays, wisely). And yes, I’ll be back — next time with a plan to start at dessert. 

The Polo Room Palm Beach : 251 Sunrise Avenue, Palm Beach | thepoloroompalmbeach.com