Martin County Dining Guide
Fifteen restaurants, from dockside raw bars to a 1940s roadside institution.
Martin County’s restaurants follow the water. The classic local meal is fresh fish or shrimp eaten on a dock on the Manatee Pocket, the St. Lucie River or the Indian River, ideally with a boat tied up a few feet away. Port Salerno and Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach have the highest concentration of these places, many of them family-run for decades.
Downtown Stuart is where to go for a sit-down dinner in a historic setting, with Southern cooking, European-style bistros and a long-running oyster bar all within a few blocks. Palm City and Hobe Sound are quieter but have a few places locals drive across the county for.
Downtown Stuart
Restaurants in the historic blocks near the riverwalk.
A Flagler Avenue restaurant known for Southern-leaning steaks and seafood, frequently named among the best in town by local readers.
An oyster bar in one of downtown’s older buildings that has been serving Stuart since 2002.
A family-owned bar and restaurant on Osceola Street for more than 30 years, known for fresh catch and a lively bar.
A European-style city bistro on Osceola Street, good for small plates and a drink before a show at the Lyric.
Port Salerno and the Manatee Pocket
Dockside seafood in the county’s old fishing harbor.
A dockside grill on the Manatee Pocket with a raw bar, popular with boaters who tie up and come in for lunch.
The restaurant and bar at a small resort and marina on the Manatee Pocket, close to the St. Lucie Inlet.
Jensen Beach and Indian River Drive
Fish houses and steaks along the lagoon.
A long-running seafood house on the Indian River with Bahamian touches such as conch fritters, live music and its own dock.
A marina-side shrimp house on Indian River Drive where diners can arrive by boat.
A casual riverfront spot on Indian River Drive with fresh fish daily and lagoon views.
A chef-driven restaurant in a pair of historic cottages, one of the area’s best-known special-occasion dinners; reservations are essential.
A steakhouse serving Jensen Beach since 1999, with a loyal local following.
New Orleans-style cooking and a raw bar on Jensen Beach Boulevard in the old downtown.
Hobe Sound and Palm City
A roadside legend and two neighborhood favorites.
A quirky roadside restaurant on U.S. 1 serving breakfast and lunch since 1941, with live music and walls full of memorabilia.
A casual neighborhood restaurant from the team behind The Gafford, with a patio and shareable plates.
A full-service restaurant best known for prime rib and its Gorgonzola salad.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Martin County Dining — FAQ
What food is Martin County known for?
Fresh local seafood served dockside, especially in Port Salerno and Jensen Beach. Many restaurants will also cook fish you catch on a charter.
Can I arrive at restaurants by boat?
Several waterfront places, including Conchy Joe’s, the Dolphin Bar and the restaurants on the Manatee Pocket, have docks for diners. Call ahead about depth and space.
Do I need reservations?
For dinner in downtown Stuart and at 11 Maple Street, yes, especially from January through April. Dockside fish houses usually seat walk-ins.