I honestly wanted to love this place but I left significantly underwhelmed. The service was phenomenal. I dined in on a Monday evening on a whim with a friend, after changing our original dinner reservation. We shared a table near the entrance and the host was so thoughtful to keep the door locked to reduce the draft inside the restaurant. It was freezing and they clearly had no heat on, with most guests dining with their coats on. The fried zucchini chips they serve as a complimentary appetizer tasted "off", and wasn't my favorite, but our table never received bread so we made do. I ordered the steak frites (medium well). My steak came burnt on the outside and pink on the inside. Flavor was non-existent. All I tasted was char and the amount of chewing necessary was ridiculous. The fries were just soaked and oily. The best thing on the menu was the Prosecco. I won't be returning. read more

Maison Carlos - Steak Frites - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

The short read of this review is: Excellent service; great food; comfortable ambiance. We had a wonderful experience here for dinner with friends on a Saturday evening. The restaurant itself in on the east side of Dixie Highway. From the outside in the middle of a strip it doesn't look like much. In fact, I questioned whether we were in the right location or not when we arrived. There's street parking out front of the restaurant as well as a lot on the south and back side of the restaurant. We came soon after they opened and had a window side seat. We were celebrating two birthdays a bit early. The restaurant is fairly small inside so reservations are highly recommended. By the time we were leaving, every table in the place was full. The music wasn't too loud, though, so we were able to have a comfortable conversation while dining. We were given hot rolls -- fresh out of the oven -- and butter to start. Plus, their addictive zucchini chips, complimentary. We couldn't stop eating these as they were so good. We were able to share/sample our friend's order of their baked goat cheese caprese. This was wonderful. Creamy and satisfying with small cherry tomato halves topped with basil strips and olive oil. There were crostini (toasts) on the side. This dish was perfect to share. For our mains, two of us got their crispy duck breast (we asked for well done duck) that had a reduction sauce on it. It came with very thin french fries and heirloom carrots in a brown butter. Just delicious. My husband got their pork tenderloin that was wrapped in bacon and served with mashed potatoes and rapini with a habanero butter. He said it was wonderful and only slightly spicy. Our friend had the Veal Piccatta. It was medallions of veal in a lemon, white wine, and capers sauce along with green beans and a wedge of sliced potatoes that had been layered and fried crisp. She made sure to tell us that it was oh so tender (no sharp knife needed) and quite good, as well. For dessert, we were treated to a vanilla creme brulee with a candle in it. The wait staff sang happy birthday. We all got to taste a bit of the creamy sweet with the cracking caramel top along with our coffees. We were able to leisurely enjoy our dinner, never felt rushed, and thoroughly enjoyed this fine dining experience. read more

See all

After a holiday soirée in Flamingo Park we needed dinner nearby---Maison Carlos was the answer. Lovely wine selection with excellent recommendations from our server. Specials included an amazing veal in brandy cream and a pasta bolognese---both delicious. My favorite starter is the asparagus Milanese topped with a perfectly fried egg. Cozy, but not too noisy, this spot is a winner! read more

Post COVID, Carlos has returned to its glory. The menu features a mix of traditional French and Italian standards, done very very well. The French onion soup, the steak frittes, chicken parm, etc are all top drawer. Wines and desserts. A nicely elegant spot that's a fave of Palm Beach's elites. Has excellent pizza too. Shhhhh. read more

Maison Carlos - Takeout late on Saturday: The lettuce leftovers - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

See all

Great little restaurant with nice ambiance....had the pasta with shrimp, oil and asparagus.......excellent! Excellent wine selection.... read more

Very classy small restaurant with great food ! Start with delicious zucchini chips , and that's not an oxymoron I had delicious French onion soup and an arugula salad (small eater ) but others had the entrees and raved . The veal dishes and the sea bass looked great . And it has a parking lot. read more

My husband and I went in for a Valentine's Day dinner and it did not disappoint! It's a cozy little romantic dining room that is so cute! They start you off with complementary fried zucchini which was lovely. For entrees, He had the duck, and I had the Branzino which were both delicious. All the while the service was incredible. My glass was never empty, and my table never got dirty. The host/ owner was terrific at anticipating the needs of the guests. He recommended crème brûlée for dessert and that was an awesome choice! We will be back! read more

Maison Carlos - Crème brûlée - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

Cozy neighborhood restaurant with a friendly staff! Love the complimentary zucchini chips...they are not greasy and it is difficult to stop eating them! We have always been satisfied with our meals and appreciate not being gouged. read more

Full disclosure, we have been coming to this restaurant for years. Carlos and team never lets us down! It's a small family owned restaurant consisting of 10-15 tables. The zucchini chips are like lays...you can't have just one! They have a great fall menu app, dinner desert for 46 bucks! Where can you go in 2022 and they use crumb cleaners on the white linen? We always have a great meal and the team always makes us feel special. read more

See all

After reading the reviews, i book a reservation for my husband's birthday. he's a foodie so i thought this would be the perfect place to go for his birthday. i want to find something positive to say about the restaurant. however, the food was horrible. the ambiance was dull and outdated and i want to repeat that the food had no flavor and was not good. also, the price point of each dish was 30-40$ per person for something you can probably get from any restaurant for less than $15. the waiters were very good and pleasant but you go to a restaurant mostly for the food and i will not be back. we tried to find positives and when asked how the food was we said it was okay but i don't want anyone to spend their hard earned money for food that had no taste and could be cooked by a amateur home cook. it was really HORRIBLE. read more

Cute little restaurant off of Dixie in El Cid. Cozy vibes for a nice leisurely dinner on a rainy Friday night. Attentive service, reasonably priced wine list. The Caesar Salad is great. We also had the Branzino special and Veal Piccata both were of which delicious, piping hot, and the perfect portion. Will be back! Nice to have as a neighborhood spot. read more

We are campaign workers in the office next door to this restaurant! We were curious about the food as we see the place beautifully lit up at night when we leave (9 Pm) every evening. Earlier today, one of our field organizers, in her campaign t-shirt, asked to see a menu, which we brought back to the office as we made volunteer recruitment calls! ... Two gentlemen from the restaurant just brought us 2 gourmet pizzas and some delicious eggplant chips! It was absolutely generous and kind, and totally delicious! I am so impressed with them and their food! We plan to celebrate the end of our hard work after midterm elections at their place!! We don't get days off, and our volunteers are always hungry. It was so thoughtful of these guys to think of us the food is delish and I reccomend!! read more

Maison Carlos - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

Been pretty disappointed after every meal we've gotten here. Ordered takeout because of COVID twice in the last week and both times we were disappointed. The burger was quite good and we enjoyed the fries pommes frites that came with it. However, the clams casino and the lobster mac and cheese were extremely disappointing. The clams were very oily, and the breading completely overwhelmed the clams themselves both in amount of filling and flavor. In fact, I didn't think the flavor of the stuffing was complementary to the clams at all. The lobster mac and cheese was incredibly rich, but not in a good way. Rich to the point of unappetizing, and not salty or cheesy enough. I heated up my leftovers the next day and was absolutely horrified. My pasta was swimming in a lake of clarified butter. I tried to stir it back in to reincorporate it but it didn't matter. In order to even attempt to eat it, I had to start soaking up the butter. Even after completely saturating three full-sheet paper towels, there as still quite a bit of butter left over. We ended up throwing the meal away and wasting $38. A total bummer. Our friends raved about the $10 Tuesday pasta special, so we decided to give Maison Carlos another try this evening. We ordered the pasta special and the bolognese. The special, a pesto linguini with chicken, had many of the same problems as the lobster mac and cheese. Although the amount of oil was nowhere near as egregious as the amount of butter in the lobster mac, it was still enough to be unappetizing. Also, there wasn't enough salt to flavor the dish at all and the chicken breast was burnt. I ended up throwing my portion out after eating half of my plate - not because I was full, but because it was that bad. However, the bolognese was wonderful. I really enjoyed how robust and fresh tasting the sauce was, and I thought the pasta was cooked well. I liked seeing full basil leaves in the sauce as well. Unfortunately, the inconsistency in the quality of the meals we've ordered from Maison Carlos will keep us from returning. read more

Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Very Comfortable Decor! Cheese Soufflewas a huge hit. OUr group had fish, seafood, pasta, entrees and all were prepared very well. We had a great experience! read more

What a little Gem of a restaurant. I had been wanting to go to this restaurant for several years but trying to get my friends to agree on the same thing is like herding cats. Anyway, I had a particularly demanding week and decided to go last minute. I called at 8 pm on a Saturday to see if they could accommodate me. The gentleman, Guylindo, was incredibly gracious & ensured a table would be ready at 8:30. The location is a small unassuming mini strip mall outside the El Cid neighborhood & across the street from the PB Post. They have a handful of outside tables lining the walkway adding to the cute Bistro like setting. The inside is lovely with soft lighting, white line table cloths & soft music in the background. I was greeted with a smile & quickly ushered over to a small 2 top in a corner by the window. The entire Dining Room was filled with a well heeled, well mannered genteel crowd which was a welcome relief. I ordered still water & a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. A busboy stopped by with fresh baked bread & a small dish of creamy butter. I was later give a medium sized dish of freshly zucchini chips. I skipped the bread but tried a few of the delicate chips. They were delicate, savory, & delicious. The menu has a lovely, varied & classic continental menu. I chose to start with the Vichyssoise. It arrived in a bowl. A much more generous portion than anticipated. It was very good with a lovely nuanced flavor of cream & Chix stock. I followed the soup with the Beet salad. Again a generous portion. The beets were perfectly cooked on a bed of red leaf lettuce and tomatoes & goat cheese crumbles accompanied by a light balsamic vinaigrette. Finally, I ordered the cheese soufflé. It was served in a small ramekin & was accompanied by a small bowl of silky cheese sauce. It was airy, light but with a gorgeous cheese punch. The Service was polite, gracious & attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening & look forward to going back! Definitely recommended! read more

Ate here this past weekend and had a decent experience. The zucchini chips and bread they bring over complimentary is definitely the highlight of the meal! They charge $5 for each additional zucchini chip plate but It's worth it. I had the french onion soup to start which was very hot and delicious. For my entree I had one of the salads and my husband had the veal which looked gross and tasted questionable - that was the main downside of restaurant but everything else was good. While service is slow, the staff is friendly and accommodating. read more

I had an amazing dinner. They had a chicken Parmesan special. It was cooked perfectly with a side of pasta and a side salad. They give you amazing crunchy rolls that were delicious and fried zucchini chips. I ended dinner with incredible chocolate mousse. Very nice place. Great staff. They were right on top of things. read more

Maison Carlos is a non-conspicuous spot that, unless you're familiar with the El Cid neighborhood, you've probably driven by several times without batting an eye. Do yourself a favor. Next time - stop and go in. Saturday night was surprisingly quiet - we were two of ten diners and the youngest in the place by at least 40 years- but don't let that discourage you. The wait staff is attentive, prompt and knowledgeable without being pushy and the ambiance was gorgeous. Soft, dim lighting and Sinatra playing softly in the background made for an almost cinematic backdrop. The meal starts with complimentary fried zucchini crisps. Does anyone out there work for R&D at Lay's or Herrs? Is there any way we could make these a national thing that I could purchase in Costco-sized amounts whenever I wished? I ordered the quatro formaggi soufflé - an airy dish that reminded me of eating a really big gougère In my world, eating a really big gougère is pretty much at the apex of my wishlist. I want to see the world, write a book, see the Stones live, marry Ron Livingston and eat a really big gougère. One down, four to go. The soufflé was served alongside a chive-studded cheese sauce that I want to incorporate into all elements of my life. A nice touch at the end of the meal - a complementary shot of homemade limoncello. This is not the artificial neon yellow sludge served at pretty much every other Italian restaurant I've ever been to. This is housemade limoncello that does not mess around. It is refreshing, delicious and likely to grow hair on one's chest as it's essentially straight lemon-infused vodka. Everybody eats when they come to Carlos' house so go soon and go hungry. And seriously - order the soufflé. It's equal parts cheese and magic. read more

A little hidden gem with French and Italian Fare! A must if you find yourself in #westpalmbeach - We had a large group and the grub was divine- you start off of zucchini chips to kick off your experience - the escargot in a bucket was spectacular! (No shells - wished they kept that!- but still amazing) the salmon seared with tomatoes and capers was a delight, the sausage and rabini penne, veal scallopini, burrata salad - all delish. Resto is in a little strip mall and only has a few tables - they display art from local artists and the vibe is quaint and romantic. The owner Carlos is accommodating and service is swift. Will definitely be back the next time I'm in town. I'm a fan - you'll be one too! read more

We went to Maison Carlos because it is participating in the Taste of Palm Beach promotion ($35 fixed price, 3 courses) and we thought it would be a good introduction for a first visit. First a note about the location. It's right on Dixie Highway, so traffic is very close. Maybe not a bother to some, but it bothered me. I sat on a banquette and the seat was uncomfortably short. Overall the ambience was very nice, with water/boat themed oil paintings on display. First to the table was a plate of zucchini chips - a little greasy but we liked the creative thinking and they tasted good. My husband's Caesar salad was excellent and my Vichyssoise was good if a little low on salt. Also we had an Australian Shiraz, which was delicious. For the entrees, my husband had penne rustica, which included hot Italian sausage. It was amazing. The sauce, everything was just perfect. My salmon came with a black olive tapenade, the strong flavor of which overwhelmed the delicate fish. I scraped off all but a little, and it was good but not great. Half the fillet was tough! For dessert, the chocolate mousse was literally the best I've ever had, while the "torta" (flourless chocolate cake) was a little too dry and therefore unexpectedly crumbly. The accompanying vanilla ice cream was good. Service was congenial and quick, even if we felt as though we were asked too often how everything was. Based on the best of what we ate, Maison Carlos would be a 4.5. But unfortunately the experience was too inconsistent to give it more than a 3. read more

Disappointed with my meal, Chicken Paillard, tough, cooked to an inch of its life. Difficult to cut and chew. The sauce was good though. They substituted spinach for the potatoes, and that was delicious. The zucchini chips were good. Service so so. They were not very busy as we ate early so I was surprised they were not more attentive. read more

Looking for a place to eat after visiting a car dealership, I stumbled upon the two previous reviews and remember seeing this place on Dixie Hwy while looking for a house in El Cid several years ago. We didn't have a reservation but the owner worked us in, but I highly recommend reservations because the place is small and quite popular with the local crowd. After noshing on the zucchini chips (which were wonderful), I enjoyed a sublime penne carbonara and my lady had veal piccata. Each dish was wonderful and the owner came by many times to make sure we were satisfied. My only regret is that we scampered off without trying what looked to be a great dessert selection. read more

Not familiar with the area, we searched for Italian food with pizza for the youngest in the group of 3. We were casually dressed (jeans and collared shirts) and felt underdressed; however, the maitre de warmly welcomed us. The staff's attention gets an AAA+++. There were 6 occupied tables and our total dining experience was about 1 1/2 hours. The food was better than good, but not excellent, and we were there far longer than expected. The crowd was older which reflects the demographics of the area. Our party had mushroom risotto w/chicken (nicely prepare, but that flavor profile is repetitious), mahi mahi (quite good, but we've had better), hamburger w/frites (good), appetizer of three little pigs (boar in a blanket) (my husband liked it), and water to drink. All totaled $75 plus tip. read more

4 of us decided to try this restaurant after a TGIF write up last week. What a pleasant surprise! A plate of zucchini chips to munch on while we looked the menu over and they were delicious! So much better than the old bruschetta with toast. Since 2 of us were risotto lovers we ordered that & without a doubt it was the best we have had in a long time. It was mixed with chicken but we asked Carlos if we could order it with lobster next time & we were told we could order anything. I have to say even the rolls were extraordinary. If you want an excellent meal with a nice quiet atmosphere you must visit Maison Carlos. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in West Palm. The food is exceptional and the owner and wait staff are excellent. I have NEVER had a bad meal there and have been going for many years. Small and atmosphere is fantastic. Love the the entire family! read more

Although we have never eaten inside MC, this place was recommended to me by a friend during CV closure. Absolutely fantastic food. They even helped me out by making an off the menu vegetarian pasta dish for my in-laws. We have now tried about 5 different dishes and all have been outstanding. read more

I meant to take my pictures at the beginning of the meal but I devoured this before remembering the goal of snapping a picture. Everything was delicious and it is excellent Italian food. They treat me and my family like we are visiting royalty. If you want excellent Italian in Palm Beach, make a reservation. Older and have difficulty with cutting your food, the owner will come over and cut it for you personally. read more

Maison Carlos - The remnants of amazing veal. - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

See all

Excited to try this place. Service was great, although a little slow, but nice, quiet atmosphere to relax. Zucchini chips were tasty, French onion soup and goat cheese caprese were very good. However, Penne with Sausage lacked flavor other than the sausage itself and spicy rapini. Burger was good but basic and greasy (bun soaked). Overall, I like the place. Dinner companion wouldn't go back based on Penne but I'd go and try something else or just have apps and wine. read more

Maison Carlos - Burger and potato strings - French Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

Food was good. Appetizer of prosciutto and melon was sweet and ripe. Varied entrees were good from linguine Al carbonara to yellowtail meunier. My criticism is that the waiter started taking our order, one of five when another customer came in. Our waiter rudely left our table without an explanation or excuse me. Seated the new customers and provided menus and special info before coming back to our table to complete the order. No apology offered. We will not be back as a result. Too many top notch Italian restaurants around to be served like this on a $500 check. read more

This place was great. Food was great....Service...Decor. Decided to do 4 apps rather than an app and dinner. All 4 were delicious. Had the Boar Sausage Pigs in a Blanket with mustard. Outside breading was cooked to perfection. Had the cheese souffle, which was delicious. Had the prosciutto sandwich app....meat was some what fatty but great overall. read more

We've now been to Carlos twice, and both times it was EXCELLENT. Regardless of price, it is definitely one of the very best restaurants in Palm Beach County. Waiters are helpful and friendly, and the owner is right there making sure you have a good time. Reasonable wine list, fresh fish and great cooking. read more

Very friendly staff. The food was above average and the atmosphere is intimate. The location is a bit odd but manageable as they have a parking lot. read more

Maybe the best dinner restaurant in west palm beach. The service is excellent, the food is terrific and the setting is intimate. A must!

We love Maison Carlos! The service is always great. It's perfect for date night, and I always take my parents there when they are in town. The french onion soup is amazing :) read more

Went for dinner. The atmosphere is charming. The menu offers a little of everything. I had the beet salad and the greens were very watery and I think the beets came from a can. I ordered fish in a meunière sauce and it lacked flavor. The service wasn't the greatest. Don't think We'll be going back. read more

Hidden in an unlikely location - we stumbled on this excellent restaurant while on vacation. It's small with terrific attention to both service and food. It was so good, we ate there twice in five days. I'd make a reservation as the place was full on both our visits. read more

This place is beautiful--serene and perfectly appointed. The food is outstanding -- we felt we ate better than at Cafe Boulud or the Omphoy, for instance. Service makes you feel among friends you really love hanging out with. We were stunned, and that's not usual for us cynics. I can see why it's packed unless you get there at 5:30, but I can't see why I hadn't heard of it until a Palm Beach matron recommended it. read more

We found this place by accident. It turned out to be a wonderful night. The food was excellent and the service was even better! Definitely with the price. Best restaurant in WPB. We will be back!! read more

This was SO disappointing. Had a gift certificate, did not spend all, but will not go back for balance. My saltimbocca, which I assumed was veal, turned out to be chicken (no warning on the menu), which was stiff and dried out. I can't remember the last time I left an entree on the plate without eating it! Service was hopeless; when asked about getting a risotto side dish, our waiter first said a flat no; when pressed, he said, "It will take too long." All four of us agreed our food was tasteless, in dire need of seasoning. Way, way too expensive for bad food and indifferent service. read more

What a delightful place: delicious food and fine service. So good that we've been back with other friends.