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The menu features classic Italian-American dishes like artichoke hearts Francese and short rib over gnocchi.The Boynton Beach location is the family’s second restaurant, with the original located in Manalapan, New Jersey.
If you’ve seen “Nonnas” on Netflix, you’ll get the vibe. Ruocco’s restaurant, now open in Boynton Beach, is all about soulful, generational cooking with family recipes passed down and scaled up.
But rather than have the grandmothers working in the kitchen as they do in the film, Stephen Ruocco is the chef-proprietor, bringing his grandparents’ dishes to life with finesse and heart.
Ruocco’s offers a cozy, home-style dining experience inspired by Italian-American tradition. The menu features iconic dishes like artichoke hearts Francese style, short rib over gnocchi and tartufo, all served in a casually elegant setting with indoor, bar and patio seating.
This Boynton Beach outpost marks Ruocco’s debut in Palm Beach County and is currently the only Florida location. Owners Angela, Stephen, and Stephen Jr. have created a space where the goal was “grandma’s house” vibes complete with warm hospitality and comforting flavors.
Mangia this fun fact on Ruocco’s Italian restaurant
The original Ruocco’s is in Manalapan, New Jersey, not to be confused with Manalapan, Florida.
That mix-up has already caused a hilarious hiccup. Before the Boynton Beach location even opened, a customer with a 561 area code placed an online order thinking the restaurant was local.
The food was prepped — guess where? In New Jersey.
“We weren’t even open yet,” Stephen laughed. “The guy showed up at our construction site asking for his food!”
Why Boynton Beach for Ruocco’s?
While weather played a role, the journey to Boynton Beach took three years and wasn’t straightforward. A deal in Boca Raton fell through just days before closing, but a twist of fate and a persistent landlord led the family to a more central location that could serve patrons from Delray Beach, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach with less worrying about off-season business spikes.
“It’s perfect for families,” Stephen said. He also mentioned his restaurant isn’t a “pizza-and-ribs place. This is upscale family home cooking — my grandparents’ recipes, scaled up.”
Ruocco’s seats 92 in the dining room, 14 at the bar and 28 outside. Reservations are available via OpenTable, and Stephen said his team is already off to a strong start.
And yes, the New Jersey location is still open, now run by Stephen’s daughter. He’s even planning one more restaurant for his youngest child.
“After that,” he said, “I’m done.”
Ruocco’s: What to know before you go
Address: 701 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach
Call: 561-877-4020
Web: ruoccoson9.com/boynton-beach-fl
Current hours: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m.; until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Prices: A house salad is $12 but most appetizers are $16 and up with family-style portions available; pasta from $25 to $36; main courses $27 to $44. Kids menu. Full bar. Reservations via OpenTable.
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s new-ish food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to dbiederman@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
Dining and Cooking