At a Glance
Jensen Beach offers dinner options ranging from waterfront seafood houses on the Indian River Lagoon to oceanfront fine dining on Hutchinson Island. Top choices include Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House (established 2000), Conchy Joe’s (established 1979), Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, and downtown institutions like Crawdaddy’s and Peter’s Steak House. Reservations are recommended during the December through April season.
Waterfront and Oceanfront Dining
Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House
Location: 1401 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:30 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to later hours; happy hour daily 3 PM to 7 PM
Established: 2000
The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House sits directly on the Indian River Lagoon at the site of the historic Outrigger Restaurant, originally built by 1940s Hollywood entertainer Frances Langford. The restaurant features a covered outdoor patio, three bars, a private banquet room, and a Sunday brunch with omelet and waffle stations. Popular menu items include stuffed shrimp, shrimp and grits, prime rib, and the signature Dolphin ala Dolphin. The covered veranda fills up during peak season, so reservations are recommended for waterfront tables.
Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks
Location: 10900 S Ocean Dr, Hutchinson Island (Jensen Beach)
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 10:30 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM (Sunday brunch 10 AM to 2 PM)
Established: 2017
Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks operates as an oceanfront fine dining restaurant with an “Eat Local, Be Coastal” philosophy. The menu combines daily catches from local fishermen with prime cuts of beef and a full raw bar. Kyle G’s serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch seven days a week. Happy hour runs Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM. The oceanfront patio provides Atlantic views, though window and patio tables cannot be guaranteed with reservations.
The Magic Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill
Location: 10999 S Ocean Dr, Hutchinson Island (Jensen Beach)
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 3 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 3 PM to 10 PM; daily happy hour
Established: 2015
The Magic Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill is part of the Prawnbroker Restaurant Group and specializes in rotating oyster selections from the Gulf, East Coast, and West Coast. The menu features raw bar items, seafood entrees, and tropical cocktails. The restaurant sits across from the beach and offers happy hour specials and a patio for outdoor dining. Daily happy hour includes reduced-price appetizers and Buck a Shuck oysters. Call after 3 PM at least one hour before your desired dining time for availability. Learn more at https://themagicoyster.com/.
Conchy Joe’s
Location: 3945 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 12 AM, Sunday 10 AM to 11 PM
Established: 1979 (Jensen Beach location since 1983)
Conchy Joe’s has served Bahamian-inspired seafood on the Indian River for more than 45 years. In 2004, Martin County commissioners designated the restaurant a “Treasure Coast Landmark.” The property features four bars, a chickee hut, dockside seating, a firepit, and a boardwalk. A new dining area, bar, stage, and dance floor overlooking the Jensen Beach Causeway opened in December 2024. Signature items include conch fritters, conch chowder, and cracked conch. The restaurant hosts live music five nights a week, Trivia Tuesdays, and Hermit Crab Races on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Downtown Jensen Beach
Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Grill & Raw Bar
Location: 1949 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 11 AM to 10 PM, Thursday through Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM
Established: 1998
Crawdaddy’s was founded by brothers Mark and John Kren, who brought Louisiana-style cuisine to downtown Jensen Beach. The restaurant has been voted Best Restaurant in Jensen Beach five years in a row and Best Restaurant in Martin County three of five years. The menu features Cajun and Creole dishes including jambalaya, étouffée, seafood gumbo, alligator bites, and crab cakes. Crawdaddy’s hosts live music Thursday through Sunday in the outdoor courtyard nestled under Banyan trees. The restaurant participates in the annual Pineapple Festival and holds a Mardi Gras celebration each year.
New England Fish Market & Restaurant
Location: 1419 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach
Hours: Monday through Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM
Fish Market Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
New England Fish Market & Restaurant operates both a seafood market and a full-service restaurant at the same location. The kitchen sources fish daily from the adjacent market. The menu features Maine steamer clams, whole belly clams, live Maine lobster, haddock, grouper, hog fish, and a Connecticut-style lobster roll with warm butter on a split-top bun. Signature items include Haddock Milanese, Lobster Mac & Cheese, lobster bisque, and both New England and Key West conch chowder. Daily lunch specials run from 11 AM to 4 PM. Learn more at https://newenglandfish.net/.
Peter’s Steak House
Location: 3200 NE Maple Ave, Jensen Beach
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 5 PM to 9 PM, closed Sunday and Monday
Established: 1999
Peter’s Steak House operates as an old-school steakhouse in historic downtown Jensen Beach. Proprietor Peter Buchner opened the restaurant in 1999 and continues to greet guests personally. The menu features extra-thick cuts of dry-aged Prime beef, jumbo shrimp cocktail, steak tartare, marinated herring, and classic sides. The dining room features dark wood decor and offers valet parking. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dinners and special occasions.
11 Maple Street
Location: 3224 NE Maple Ave, Jensen Beach
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 6 PM to 9 PM, closed Sunday through Wednesday
11 Maple Street operates as a New American fine dining restaurant in a converted Victorian house in downtown Jensen Beach. Head Chef Michael Perrin creates a seasonal menu emphasizing locally sourced produce and ethically sourced meats. The menu changes throughout the year based on ingredient availability. Signature dishes include wood-grilled New Zealand elk tenderloin, duck entrees, and multi-course tasting options. Reservations are required due to limited seating and abbreviated operating days. Dress code is business casual with no hats or jeans.
Beach and Casual Dining
Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill
Note: Mulligan’s has closed in Jensen Beach; see their other locations in Indian River County.
Location: 1601 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach
Cuisine: American, seafood, casual beach dining
Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill operates as a beachside restaurant with a tiki-hut motif and outdoor deck. The menu features American surf and turf including steaks, pasta, seafood, and appetizers. The restaurant serves families and casual diners looking for beach atmosphere with full bar service. Live entertainment appears on select nights.
Mrs. Peters Smokehouse
Location: 1500 NE Dixie Hwy, Jensen Beach
Cuisine: Smoked seafood, casual American
Mrs. Peters Smokehouse operates from a historic South Florida smokehouse building. The restaurant produces award-winning smoked fish dips including mahi-mahi, Maryland crab, and shrimp varieties that are sold in local grocery stores. The outdoor patio menu features rice bowls with smoked proteins, loaded nachos, pizza, crab cakes, and tacos.
Tips for Dining Out in Jensen Beach
Peak Season Considerations
Peak dining season runs from December through April, coinciding with winter visitors and pleasant outdoor weather. Reservations are strongly recommended during these months, especially at waterfront and fine dining restaurants. Many establishments reduce hours during late summer, so calling ahead from August through October is advised.
Waterfront Seating Strategy
Waterfront restaurants fill up at sunset. Book tables 30 minutes before or after sunset for easier seating. Outdoor patio seating at most waterfront restaurants operates on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be guaranteed with reservations.
Dress Codes
Most Jensen Beach restaurants maintain casual dress codes. Even upscale spots typically accept smart casual attire. Peter’s Steak House and 11 Maple Street represent the higher end of the dress spectrum, with 11 Maple Street specifying business casual with no hats or jeans.
Hurricane Season Impact
Hurricane season runs from June through November and can affect restaurant operations. Check social media or call ahead after storms to confirm hours and availability. Some restaurants close temporarily for maintenance during slower summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do most Jensen Beach restaurants stop serving dinner?
Most restaurants close between 9 PM and 11 PM depending on the day of the week. Conchy Joe’s stays open latest, until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Fine dining spots like 11 Maple Street and Peter’s Steak House close at 9 PM.
Which Jensen Beach restaurants offer waterfront dining?
Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Conchy Joe’s, and Shuckers sit on the Indian River. Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks and The Magic Oyster Bar offer oceanfront and near-beach dining on Hutchinson Island.
Do Jensen Beach restaurants require reservations?
Waterfront restaurants and fine dining establishments recommend reservations, especially during peak season. 11 Maple Street requires reservations due to limited seating and operating only Thursday through Saturday. Casual spots typically accommodate walk-ins except during peak dinner hours.
What is the average cost for dinner in Jensen Beach?
Casual restaurants typically charge $15 to $25 per person for entrees. Mid-range restaurants run $25 to $40 per person. Fine dining establishments including Peter’s Steak House, 11 Maple Street, and Kyle G’s charge $40 or more per person for entrees, with steaks and seafood specials running higher.
Are Jensen Beach restaurants family-friendly?
Most restaurants welcome families. Conchy Joe’s, Crawdaddy’s, New England Fish Market, and Mulligan’s Beach House all offer kids menus and casual atmospheres. Fine dining spots like 11 Maple Street and Peter’s Steak House cater primarily to adults.
Which Jensen Beach restaurants offer live music?
Conchy Joe’s hosts live music five nights a week. Crawdaddy’s features live music Thursday through Sunday in the courtyard. Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Kyle G’s, and Mulligan’s also feature regular live entertainment on select nights.
