Video of Eataly at CityPlace in West Palm Beach
So many choices of EVERYTHING! Take a look inside Eataly, which opened Dec. 5 at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. It’s Florida’s second location.
A weekend visit to the new Eataly at CityPlace which officially opened Dec. 5 felt like stepping into a cinematic feast with violin trio playing pop hits that floated through the vast space as shoppers buzzed around each aisle. While surveying the goods somewhere between produce and olive oil, I serendipitously bumped into a pal who nailed it.
“This is choice fatigue in the very best way possible,” said Marisa Marcantonio, the interior design industry brand and marketing expert. “You don’t even know where to start when you walk in the door.”
She’s right. Eataly isn’t just a store — it’s Italy condensed into a zip code.
With dozens of locations spanning the globe and a “Eat, Shop, Learn” mission that elevates Italian food and wine, Eataly integrates production, retail, dining and education under one roof. It’s a brand that champions authenticity, from DOP (Denominazione d’Origine Protetta which translates to Protected Designation of Origin in English) olive oils to Lambrusco that tastes like Emilia-Romagna in a glass.
But with hundreds of options in many categories, shopping can feel overwhelming, so it’s smart to start by focusing on major categories: cured meats and cheeses, fresh pasta and sauces, pantry staples, produce and wine. Also included: sweets and grab-and-go, two things I cannot live without.
Here’s your guide, category by category on how best to shop at Eataly in West Palm BeachStart at the Salumeria
First, order prosciutto di Parma by weight and ask for thin slices. Next, trendy mortadella with pistachios and burrata. Ask staff for samples to help decide as they’re there to educate, not just sell.
If you’re hosting, add a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano and a jar of fig jam. These staples turn any charcuterie board into a showstopper. And don’t overlook speck — smoky and perfect.
Fresh pasta and sauces are on the menu
House-made pasta is Eataly’s soul. Skip the impulse to buy every shape. Choose two: perhaps tagliatelle for a slow Sunday and orecchiette for a quick weeknight. There are dozens of tomato options but grab a jar of Eataly’s own pomodoro or a truffle cream if you’re feeling indulgent.
Pro tips: Bronze-cut pasta holds sauce better. Pair egg-rich tagliatelle with a butter-and-sage sauce, and let simplicity shine. If you’re adventurous, pick up squid ink spaghetti for a dramatic plate.
Pizza priorities
Hungry now? A slice (or two, filling but on the small side) buys you time to browse without hunger clouding your judgment. The Roman-style pizza here is crisp, airy and worth the carb splurge.
Gelato, candy and pretty panettones
Treat yourself. Pistachio gelato is the benchmark: if it’s good here, everything else will be. Candy aisles brim with Italian classics, priced $14 by the quarter pound. My tiny-ish haul totaled $42 comprising wrapped house-branded chocolates.
Panettone is the quintessential Italian holiday sweet — a tall, dome-shaped bread enriched with butter and eggs, studded with candied fruit and raisins, and often perfumed with citrus zest. Traditionally served at Christmas and New Year, it symbolizes abundance and celebration.
At Eataly, the panettone display towards the front entrance is a showstopper where there are shelves stacked with boldly branded boxes. These make perfect gifts — elegant, festive and ready to impress — whether you’re hosting, visiting friends or looking for a centerpiece dessert.
Wine: From Lambrusco to Franciacorta and beyond
The wine section is organized by varietals, so start with what you know. For the holidays, I gravitate toward Franciacorta, Italy’s answer to Champagne and lovely for celebrations.
Alternatively when stocking my fridge with a few bottles for drop-in guests, I choose Lambrusco; it’s budget-friendly, fun, fizzy and food-friendly. Ask Alex or other staff for a bottle under $20, and they’ll steer you to gems without judgment.
Want to impress? Grab a Barolo for aging or a crisp Vermentino for seafood nights. Several selections are available chilled.
And yes, Eataly offers wine classes. Bookmark that for a future visit.
Pantry staples: olive oil and pasta
When choosing olive oil, first look for DOP seals and check the harvest date. Ignore gimmicky bottles and focus on authenticity. Pro tip: Buy one everyday oil and one finishing oil. The latter elevates everything from bruschetta to grilled fish.
For dried pasta, opt for bronze-cut. Stock up on versatile shapes like spaghetti and rigatoni, which please most crowds.
Produce: a small but mighty section
Don’t expect a sprawling farmers market — Eataly’s produce section is curated, not crowded.
Think romanesco, verdant fennel bulbs, jewel-toned radicchio. Tomatoes dominate: beefsteak at $4.99 per pound, organic vine at $3.99. Fennel is $1.99 each, endive and radicchio are around $7.99 per pound, and red gem lettuce is $1.99 each. Even staples like limes ($0.69 each) and bananas ($0.99 per pound) feel thoughtfully displayed.
Pricing? Surprisingly comparable to Publix and Fresh Market, which makes splurging on that fragrant head of fennel feel less like an indulgence and more like a smart choice.
Grab-and-go menu options
If you’re short on time, Eataly’s grab-and-go section delivers. Soups, salads and sandwiches are plentiful and priced competitively for the neighborhood — think hearty lentil, caprese and prosciutto panini that feel more trattoria than takeout.
At Eataly, it’s an experience beyond shopping
Eataly isn’t just retail; it’s a cultural immersion. Classical violinists playing pop hits (hello APT) set the tone, and tasting stations invite you to linger. Educational signage explains origins, production methods and pairing ideas. It’s a masterclass in Made in Italy without the airfare.
And yes, there’s a restaurant component. I sat at La Pizza & La Pasta’s freestanding bar for pizza and a Negroni to fuel up before tackling the aisles. The line at the host stand moved rather quickly on Dec. 7. Towards the back, Il Pastaio offers what seemed to be a quieter vibe and more availability.
La Pasticceria, Il Gelato, Lavazza and Pizza alla Pala food stalls let you skip full service but required a longer wait because the lines were bananas long.
Eataly in West Palm Beach: What to know
Now is the ideal time to shop; items are beautifully packaged, and with gift-giving season in full swing, Eataly makes holiday gifting effortless, though it’s hard to stay within budget because everything tempts.
Go slow. Taste. Ask questions. Let curiosity lead. Because here, one thing really is better than the next.
Address: 580 Hibiscus St. at CityPlace, West Palm Beach
Call: 728-728-8440
Web: eataly.com Note: West Palm Beach’s addition to the site was a work in progress when this story was written.
Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.
Parking: Street plus numerous garage options.
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s 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.
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