Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno offers 17 dining establishments ranging from waterfront seafood restaurants with dockside access to coffee shops, delis, and international cuisine. Most locations cluster along SE Dixie Highway and SE Salerno Road in Stuart, with several providing direct boat access via the Intracoastal Waterway for boaters arriving through the Manatee Pocket channel.
Waterfront Dining & Dockside Access
Two Georges Dockside Grille
Location: 4290 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Waterfront seafood and sushi
Key Features: Dockside seating, live entertainment, two bar areas, sushi menu
Two Georges operates in the former Fysh and Twisted Tuna location with increased outdoor seating and waterfront sunset views. The restaurant serves seafood, including grouper, mahi, and sushi, alongside traditional American fare. Reviews mention royal red shrimp, lobster bisque, ninja rolls, and mahi Reuben as standout dishes. The venue features both upstairs bar seating and downstairs dockside areas. Live guitarists perform regularly. Hours run 11 AM to midnight Sunday through Thursday, extending to 1:30 AM Friday and Saturday.
Shrimper’s Grill & Raw Bar
Location: 4903 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Casual seafood and raw bar
Key Features: Waterfront deck, raw oysters, award-winning coconut shrimp, pet-friendly section
Operating since 1992, Shrimper’s sits on the Manatee Pocket waterway with views of boat traffic. The menu centers on fresh seafood found around Port Salerno Waterfront District, including the famous Bahamian conch chowder, crunchy grouper Reuben, and coconut shrimp. The raw bar serves fresh oysters, and the restaurant offers sunset shrimp specials during happy hour. A dedicated outdoor pet section includes a special pet menu. Hours are 11:30 AM to 9 PM daily. Reviews consistently praise the fresh catch options and waterfront atmosphere.
The Loft at Pirate’s Cove Resort
Location: 4307 SE Bayview St, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Casual waterfront dining
Key Features: Marina views, resort setting, outdoor tiki bar, live music
The Loft operates within Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina offering waterfront views of docked vessels. The menu includes fresh seafood, chicken, burgers, and Caribbean-influenced preparations. The venue features indoor dining, an outdoor deck, and a tropical tiki bar; it’s one of the top restaurants on the water in the region. Weekend live music accompanies drink specials. Breakfast service runs Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8 AM. Regular hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 11 PM.
Ellie’s Dockside Deli
Location: 3565 SE St Lucie Blvd, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Deli and breakfast spot
Key Features: Marina location, boat access, breakfast and lunch service
Ellie’s operates in a busy marina accessible by boat, car, bicycle, or golf cart. The deli serves breakfast and lunch with fast, friendly service. The Italian panini receives specific mention in reviews. Hours are 6 AM to 2 PM daily.
Seafood Markets & Prepared Foods
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Tausha’s Seafood
Location: 4533 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Seafood market and restaurant
Key Features: Fresh catch, market-to-table dining, grouper specialties
If you’re looking for amazing seafood in Stuart, Tausha’s combines retail seafood market operations with prepared food service. Customers select from market displays or order from the menu. Popular items include grouper sandwiches, conch fritters, and combination dinners pairing two seafood selections at the higher menu price. The market sells fresh and frozen seafood sourced locally and regionally. Reviews consistently mention generous portions, lightly fried preparations, and fair pricing. Hours are Sunday through Wednesday 11 AM to 6 PM, Thursday through Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM.
Basin Seafood Market & Kitchen
Location: 4150 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Seafood market and casual restaurant
Key Features: Blue crab, Maine lobster, New England specialties, outdoor seating
Basin Seafood operates as both a retail market and restaurant serving New England favorites including lobster rolls, New Bedford sea scallops, fried whole belly clams, clam cakes, and stuffed quahogs. The market receives daily fresh seafood deliveries. Outdoor seating accommodates casual dining. Reviews highlight fish and chips, coconut shrimp, grouper Reuben, and all-you-can-eat blue crab specials. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday through Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM. Closed Sundays.
Coffee & Lunch Spots
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Gilbert’s Coffee Bar
Location: 4969 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Coffee shop and cafe
Key Features: Specialty coffee, local craft beer and wine, charcuterie, waterfront views
Gilbert’s serves specialty coffee, tea, smoothies, and light breakfast and lunch items. The menu includes avocado toast, lox and cream cheese on sourdough, peanut butter toast, soft-boiled eggs, and homemade pastries including blueberry muffins and homemade pop tarts. The cafe offers indoor and covered outdoor patio seating overlooking the water. Friday and Saturday evenings feature live music with charcuterie boards and wine service. Hours are Monday through Saturday 7 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM.
King Neptune
Location: 4795 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Family-owned seafood restaurant
Key Features: Nearly 20 years of operation, seafood bisque, conch specialties
King Neptune maintains family ownership, providing consistent quality at fair prices. One of the most beloved lunch spots in Stuart, the establishment earned the number one ranking among Stuart restaurants on TripAdvisor. Menu highlights include seafood bisque (described as “magical” in reviews), oyster shooters, cracked conch, conch fritters, and fresh pompano. The atmosphere reflects casual Florida dining without waterfront views but with emphasis on food quality. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.
The Whistle Stop
Location: 4920 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Breakfast and lunch diner
Key Features: Philly cheesesteaks, breakfast platters, local favorite
The Whistle Stop operates as a breakfast and lunch spot known for Philly cheesesteaks, breakfast platters including the Train Wreck, Italian hoagies, and smash burgers. Reviews consistently mention generous portions and reasonable pricing, around $30 for two sandwiches, fries, and drinks. The atmosphere is casual diner-style. Hours are Monday through Saturday 7 AM to 3 PM. Closed Sundays.
Crabby’s
Location: 4110 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Casual seafood with crab specialties
Key Features: Live blue crabs, royal red shrimp, casual dive atmosphere
Crabby’s operates as a no-frills seafood restaurant with exceptional fresh seafood at reasonable prices. The menu emphasizes crab preparations including live blue crabs, snow crab legs, and soft shell crab. Royal red shrimp receive consistent praise in reviews for their sweet, lobster-like taste. Other popular items include crab bisque, conch fritters, cracked conch, and bacon-wrapped scallops. The restaurant maintains a casual, old Florida atmosphere. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday 1:30 PM to 8 PM. Closed Mondays.
Traditional & Formal Dining
District Table and Bar
Location: 4665 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: New American with Southern influences
Key Features: Seasonally-driven menu, open kitchen, craft cocktails, happy hour
District Table operates as a seasonally-driven restaurant with Southern roots in a high-energy environment with an open collaborative kitchen. The menu features sweet tea fried chicken, prime teres major, deviled eggs, district burger, blackened shrimp, and stone crab claws when in season. Summer prix fixe menus offer three courses for $39. Happy hour features $2 Thursday oysters and $5 cocktails. The atmosphere includes both indoor seating and outdoor patio options. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 PM to 10 PM, Sunday 5 PM to 9 PM. Closed Mondays.
Mangia Clam Bar
Location: 4817 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Italian-American seafood
Key Features: Clam specialties, waterfront location, live music, happy hour
Mangia focuses on Italian-American seafood preparations with emphasis on clam dishes including linguini with clams. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner specials with happy hour pricing. Live music performances are here on weekends. The outdoor seating area provides views of the water. Reviews mention reasonable prices and friendly staff. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 10 PM.
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Quick Service & Casual Options
Sunset Sliders
Location: 3711 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Slider-focused restaurant
Key Features: Pulled pork, Cuban sliders, handcrafted burgers, Cajun Parmesan fries
Sunset Sliders specializes in small-format sliders, allowing customers to mix and match flavors. Originally one of the most talked-about food trucks on the Treasure Coast, they recently moved to a brick-and-mortar location. Popular options include pulled pork, chicken parm, Cuban, handcrafted burger, and chicken and waffles. The casual atmosphere and slider format enable sampling multiple items without excessive cost. Reviews praise the pulled pork slider and seasoned fries. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 4 PM. Closed Sundays.
Georgia Boy & Ethel’s Famous Wings
Location: 2995 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Wings and Southern comfort food
Key Features: 21+ wing flavors, collard greens, mac and cheese, food truck operation
Georgia Boy operates as a food truck serving wings with multiple sauce options including honey garlic, sweet tang, and Parmesan garlic. The menu includes Southern sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato pie. The family-operated business has served Stuart for over ten years. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 AM to 3 PM, Thursday through Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.
The Dog Pound
Location: 1879 SE Manatee Pocket Rd, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Hot dog and casual food spot
Key Features: Specialty hot dogs, quick service, outdoor seating
The Dog Pound serves specialty hot dogs, including Chicago-style, chili dogs, and regional variations. Counter service provides quick meals with outdoor picnic table seating.
The Pearl Waterfront Bar
Location: 4745 SE Desoto Ave, Stuart, FL 34997
Type: Upscale waterfront bar and lounge
Key Features: Craft cocktails, waterfront views, small plates, live entertainment
The Pearl operates in the Fish House building with an elegant bar facing Manatee Pocket. The menu features small plates including tuna tacos, fish tacos, mahi bites, and bao buns. Craft cocktails include the Salerno Sunburn, Tan Line, and Pearloma. The venue emphasizes an upscale atmosphere with wide-open waterfront walls, comfortable couches, and live music on weekends. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 3 PM to 10 PM, Friday 3 PM to midnight, Saturday 11 AM to midnight, Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM. Closed Mondays.
Visiting Manatee Pocket Restaurants
Manatee Pocket sits in Port Salerno, an unincorporated area within Stuart in Martin County, Florida. The restaurant concentration runs along SE Dixie Highway, SE Salerno Road, and surrounding connecting streets near U.S. Highway 1. Most establishments offer parking though spaces fill quickly during peak dining hours on weekends and during seasonal periods from November through April when Florida’s population increases.
Boaters access multiple restaurants via the Intracoastal Waterway entering through the Manatee Pocket channel. Restaurants providing direct dockside access or marina locations include Two Georges, Shrimper’s, The Loft at Pirate’s Cove, and more. The area’s fishing village heritage remains evident through relationships between restaurants and local commercial fishing operations.
Peak dining times occur from 6 PM to 8 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings. Several upscale establishments including The Loft and District Table accept reservations. Many waterfront restaurants operate on first-come, first-served basis. Weekday lunch service generally draws lighter crowds compared to weekend periods.
According to Martin County health department records, restaurants in the area maintain required sanitation inspection standards. Seasonal variations affect seafood availability, particularly stone crab, which follows Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulated harvest seasons running October 15 through May 15 annually.
