abrunettetravels Last updated on June 3rd, 2024 at 03:07 pm
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One of the best experiences of a beach vacation are the restaurants by the water. The relaxed vibe, fresh seafood and fun atmosphere create a vacation mood for dining. Fortunately, Vero Beach has several waterfront restaurants to choose from. With each one offering something a little different, you might have trouble picking one. Here is a guide to 5 of the best casual restaurants in Vero Beach for you to choose from.
“If you’re not barefoot, then you’re overdressed.”
-anonymous
While you may need to wear shoes, this sentiment perfectly reflects the following 5 casual restaurants in Vero Beach. You will find a laid-back feel, happy hour specials and often live music.
Best Live Music
Captain Hiriam’s
Captain Hiriam’s Resort & Marina sits on the Indian River Lagoon. It has two different areas for dining. Blackfin is the more “upscale” section of the restaurant, while the Sand Bar is the casual section. Your toes will be in the sand as you sit under the palm trees and strings of lights drinking your favorite beverage. Captain Hiriam’s has local fish selections as well as an extensive bar. Also, you will find local beer on draft. But the main attraction here is the live music. Often, they have an impressive lineup of area bands who play in the evenings. Solo artists and duos also perform in the afternoons on a smaller stage. Make sure to check out their website for a complete event list.
Best Ocean View
Waldo’s
Unlike the other restaurants listed, Waldo’s sits on the ocean. The restaurant is part of the historic Driftwood Resort in downtown Vero Beach. Though there is indoor seating as well as a bar, the place to be when the weather is nice is outside on the water. You can gaze out on the horizon while waiting for your food and drinks. Another unique feature to this restaurant is the swimming pool that sits in the middle of the outdoor seating. The hotel, made from driftwood is a throwback to days gone by. They have an eclectic menu to satisfy everyone in your party. Weekends during high season often have live music by the pool.
*Note-Take a light jacket. It is always a little cool after the sun sets.
Best Place to Watch a Game
Riverside Cafe
Want to watch the game while having a nice view? Riverside Cafe is your best bet. Upon entering, you will notice the restaurant is divided into three sections. The family section, the bar and outside. The bar consists of a large seating area with multiple tv’s. For this reason, we choose to sit there when watching a game. When not watching a game, sit outside for the view of the lagoon. This is a great spot to watch the sunset. My favorite fish sandwich is here–the Jake Owen blackened Mahi sandwich. Great draft beer options are available with rotating local selections.
Best Dive Beach Bar
Tiki Bar and Grill
I use the term “Dive” lovingly. This is one of my favorite places to go when I want a chill vibe, nachos and live music. It’s not pretentious, just good beach bar food, friendly service and a great view of the lagoon. As with others, they have an excellent beer selection with local breweries on tap. Chris likes that they have local beer on tap, including Walking Tree Brewery’s Treasure Kolsch. On top of this, The Tiki Bar also has two great amateur music nights. Monday is open jam and Thursday is karaoke. Both are incredibly fun and can bring in the crowds, so arrive early. Their website highlights all of the scheduled entertainment.
If you enjoy trying local craft beers and would like to check out the beer scene in Vero Beach, I have a list of some of the best brewpubs in Vero.
Best Fish n Chips
Squid Lips
A long wooden boardwalk brings you to this colorful overwater grill. On any given evening, you will find a mix of locals having fun at the bar and families on vacation. For me, when I want fish n chips, I come here. I prefer a light batter and Squid Lips does this perfectly. Not to worry, if fish n chips aren’t your thing, the menu is varied. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something they will enjoy. Like some of the other restaurants, Squid Lips sits on the Indian River Lagoon.
Conclusion
I hope this list of 5 casual restaurants to try in Vero Beach is helpful. There are many places to choose from, but these are 5 places you can’t go wrong with. If you are from the area or have time on your vacation, I suggest trying all of them. You can decide for yourself which one you like best. There are lots of things to do in Vero Beach for a great beach vacation. Read here for a list of 15 things to do in Vero. Enjoy!
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