Driftwood: Fine-Dining Pedigree in a Boynton Beach Neighborhood Gastropub

Driftwood sits along Federal Highway in Boynton Beach with a menu shaped less by trend than by pedigree. Its kitchen traces back to some of New York's most demanding restaurants, translated here into a relaxed, patio-friendly gastropub built around craft cocktails and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

A Neighborhood Spot Built by Fine-Dining Veterans

Driftwood opened in 2017, founded by husband-and-wife team Jimmy Everett and Ilia Gonzalez alongside Freddy Schwenk. Everett, a Lake Worth native who got his first restaurant job at 15, trained at the Culinary Institute of America and worked in some of New York City's top kitchens before leading restaurants in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale. Gonzalez, a graduate of The French Culinary Institute with roots in Puerto Rico, brings experience as a private chef and menu consultant gained across multiple countries, and Schwenk, a Boynton Beach native with more than 15 years in hospitality, oversees the bar program. Together they set out to build a genuine neighborhood spot: polished technique without the formality of white-tablecloth dining.

Seasonal Seafood That Landed on National TV

The kitchen leans on New American cooking with globally inspired touches, working fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce into a menu that shifts with the seasons alongside handcrafted cocktails. That approach caught the attention of Food Network, which featured Driftwood on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, spotlighting dishes like its fried chicken oysters and shrimp and grits alongside the restaurant's farm-to-table sensibility.

Good to Know

Driftwood is located at 2005 S Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. It's a good option for anyone craving thoughtfully sourced seafood and small plates with a well-made cocktail in hand, whether it's a first visit or a regular neighborhood stop.