A seaside paradise along the illustrious Treasure Coast, there is no shortage of fine dining in Stuart, Florida, where the cool breeze of the Atlantic mixes with the culinary landscape.
Haute cuisine in Stuart isn’t just about exquisite and delicious dishes, it’s an entire experience that distills and encapsulates the charm, elegance, and coastal spirit of the town.
From innovative dishes to authentic flavors to unparalleled ambiances, the fine dining scene in Stuart is rich with coastal American flavor and flair, perfect for the connoisseur.
We’re going to take a journey through some of the top-rated fine dining locations in Stuart, prepare to see locations where you can indulge in the freshest, most expertly prepared seafood, premium steaks, and artistic ambiance with intimate environments.
The Chef’s Table
In the heart of Stuart is Chef’s Table, where guests are invited into a world of delectable New American cuisine, infused with just a touch of Italian fire and flair.
This intimate dining spot is locally celebrated for the artisanal approach taken to the menu items, and with a menu that changes with the seasons, guests are assured to always have the freshest local ingredients at their fingertips.
When you sit down at The Chef’s Table, you’re greeted by a menu filled with innovation and passion that many restaurants in Stuart are not able to replicate.
Starters include options like the Beet Salad, which combines marinated roasted beets with soft chèvre and midnight moon goat cheese, creating a melody of flavors, while seafood lovers will dive into favorites like Seared Diver Sea Scallops, served with Florida citrus and shaved fennel.
Heartier selections include a range of pasta made in-house like the Ricotta Gnocchi, available with a choice of sauces like Basil Pesto or Spring Pea Mint Pesto, or the Braised Beef Short Ribs, served with a parsnip puree and a choice of reductions like Port Wine or Vanilla Scented, and are a physical manifestation of the chef’s mastery in creating dishes that are both comforting and upscale.
Chef’s Table is most popular for their catering and events, being booked by everything from large weddings to intimate business meetings. The intimate ambiance and meticulously curated wine list put the perfect finish on your fine dining experience here.
Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar
Perched along the picturesque waterfront of Stuart, Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar is a seafood lover’s paradise and offers patrons a divine blend of casual elegance and culinary mastery.
Riverwalk is known for its historic charm and exposed brick interiors that create a cozy yet upscale atmosphere, as well as its commitment to serving only the freshest local seafood selections. Located in Downtown Stuart, the restaurant fits right in with surrounding establishments.
Start your meal with their renowned Oysters Rockefeller or the amazing Ahi Tuna Nachos, or for a lighter meal, they offer a Fresh Catch Sandwich, either blackened or grilled, which is a delightful choice and showcases the day’s best catch.
Dinner selections include Ginger Glazed Wild Scottish Salmon, marinated in fresh ginger, soy sauce, sherry, and honey, as well as the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, topped with shiitake mushrooms and scallions, which offers a sophisticated flavor profile with an Asian twist.
Overall, if you’re looking for an upscale oyster bar the Riverwalk’s dedication to freshness as well as their extensive wine selection make it a can’t-miss location.
La Forchetta
For a cozy upscale Italian dining experience in Stuart, La Forchetta offers signature authenticity to each and every guest.
Their menu is bursting with traditional flavors and preparations, with locals celebrating the assortment of delicious options.
Starters include their famous Antipasto Casareccio, which is an assortment of imported meats and cheeses perfect for sharing, or the Bruschetta Burrata and Crostini, featuring fresh bruschetta tomatoes on toasted crostini, topped with burrata offers the delicious garden-fresh flavor of authentic Italian cooking with the toasted crunch that only Crostini can provide.
When you’re hungrier and looking for substantial mains, they certainly deliver, with choices like Veal Sorrentino, a tender veal scaloppini topped with roasted eggplant, red peppers, mozzarella, and sautéed mushrooms in a light tomato sauce.
Pasta options are plentiful, with delicious Italian coastal dishes like the Linguini Pescatore delighting locals and visitors.
The rich menu, perfectly paired wine selection, and warm, welcoming Italian atmosphere make La Forchetta a wonderful fine dining experience in Stuart.
Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks
Kyle Gs Steak House in Jensen Beach FL
Kyle G’s tells you exactly what they’re good at, right in the name, and if you’re looking for fine dining in Stuart, Florida where you can get a world-class steak and countless seafood options, this is the spot.
This restaurant – technically in Jensen Beach – combines the best of land and sea and offers a menu that’s stuffed top to bottom with fresh seafood and premium steaks.
Start your experience with a unique Oyster Shooter, offering a choice between a Tito’s Bloody Mary or Jalapeño Margarita. Move on to legendary starters like the “El Toro” Calamari and Tuna Nachos, each one bringing a unique blend of flavors, textures, and colors to your plate.
Their surf options include the Day Boat Scallops & Shrimp, featuring a truffle corn purée and walnut-sage brown butter, sure to please any seafood aficionado.
This is one of the best Hutchinson Island restaurants for top-quality steaks, and their diverse selection includes Australian MS-7 Wagyu Beef Tenderloin, renowned for its tenderness and topped with truffle butter.
Every steak here also comes with classic sides like mashed potato and roasted garlic tomato confit, created specifically to highlight the rich complex flavors of the meat.
This place has the ambiance and luxurious culinary offerings to create an unforgettable fine dining experience.
Oak & Ember Steakhouse
Oak & Ember Steakhouse in Stuart offers a lavish dining experience and combines the traditional steakhouse charm with a more contemporary sense of culinary creativity.
Oak & Ember is best known for its elegant ambiance and premium cuts of meat, making it a local hub for steak and seafood enthusiasts.
Starters include the Spiced Lamb Sliders, a perfect blend of smoked paprika, goat cheese, pickled red onion, and served with chili-dusted fries. The house-made Lobster Bisque, rich with North Atlantic lobster and sherry, both delightful options that will set your evening on the proper course.
If you aren’t feeling too ravenous, there’s also the classic Caesar Salad parmesan crisp and herbed croutons for a lighter, fresher choice.
Steak lovers are in heaven with the extensive USDA Prime and Wagyu selections that include superstars like the 14oz New York Strip or the 8oz American Wagyu Filet. Seafood aficionados rave about selections like the Colossal Sea Scallops, which are seared on a chapa grille and accompanied by savory corn pudding.
Diners looking to try top-tier selections from the grill will find an unforgettable steakhouse at Oak & Ember.
Sailor’s Return
Sailor’s Return is one of the most storied eateries in the area. If you’re looking for waterfront restaurants in Stuart, this could be your first consideration.
There is an enigma at Sailor’s Return, as it tends to cater to those who want white-table-cloth elegance and shirt-and-sandals casual fare. Either way, the restaurant provides a delicious lunch, dinner, and happy hour menu, as well as live music on many nights of the week.
The Gafford
The Gafford combines classic American cuisine with a hint of Southern flair, making it one of the local favorites, and it’s a great place to find fine dining in Stuart, Florida while still maintaining a casual vibe.
The menu includes a blend of coastal favorites and Southern staples, including the creamy Lobster Bisque, enriched with sherry and chives, and the Shrimp and Grits, a Southern classic that perfectly balances savory and hearty flavors.
The Gafford also boasts a range of seafood selections, with the local Swordfish being particularly noteworthy, and the cozy setting makes it a comfortable place to enjoy fine dining without the stuffy atmosphere.
Wrapping Up
As we wrap up our look at fine dining in Stuart, it’s clear that Stuart isn’t just a picturesque coastal burg, but a culinary hotspot on the Treasure Coast, teeming with dishes and flavors as vibrant and bright as the locals.
There’s no shortage of fine dining options in this idyllic town, and they all have something unique and delicious to offer your visit.
