Anyone visiting the Treasure Coast is going to find out how great the food is eventually, but visitors to the Port Salerno area may be a little intimidated by the sheer number of options for good places to eat.
This charming little fishing burg has been known for a long time as the center of a fascinating and delectable dining scene created by a vibrant culinary community, making it a modern haven for gastronomes and gourmands.
This is a place where the salty sea breeze dances elegantly with the aromas of grilled surf and turf offerings, making an irresistible siren call to the palate.
There are quaint seafood shacks and elegant, upscale waterfront dining establishments, so no matter what mood you’re in or what craving you have, there’s a place in Port Salerno for you.
Come with us to this pocket of Stuart, Florida, as we tour some of the best and most appetizing dining in Port Salerno, and find your own personal mix of flavor, tradition, and the joy of the catch.
District Table & Bar
Location: 4665 SE Dixie Highway
A long-time restaurant in a relatively new location, District Table & Bar gives guests an energetic atmosphere and a contemporary design. This has been touted as one of the top restaurants in Stuart as it sources fresh, local ingredients and dishes up “New American” cuisine with a Southern twist.
District Table puts forward a great Happy Hour and the chef comes up with new menu items regularly, often depending on what items are at their disposal.
Crabby’s Port Salerno
Location: 4307 SE Bayview St
Crabby’s Port Salerno is a wonderful little spot on the waterfront, and when you see the weathered wooden exterior and the nautical accents and decor, you’ll know you’re in the right place.
The rhythmic sounds of waves and the soft, salty air are the perfect accents for the laid-back setting that is the perfect manifestation of the traditional Floridian seafood shack, and the waterfront panorama creates the perfect dining setting.
The menu at Crabby’s features the legendary ‘Crabby’s Steam Pot,’ a medley of fresh seafood including crab legs, shrimp, and mussels, all steamed to perfection with savory spices.
There’s also the Stuart Shrimp Scampi, made with perfectly sautéed shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce, or the Daily Catch, which is a market-fresh daily special, cooked however you want it.
Finish it all off with a Key Lime Pie, or you just aren’t doing it right.
Mangia Clam Bar
Location: 4817 SE Dixie Highway
Mangia Clam Bar offers a quintessential waterfront dining experience in the heart of Port Salerno and is celebrated both as a traditional clam bar and as a local hotspot for Italian fusion cuisine, all set against the picturesque backdrop of a bustling marina.
The atmosphere here is more relaxing and inviting than a clam bar and fusion restaurant probably sounds to visitors, but it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a long week, a hard day, or even a particularly challenging few hours.
As you might expect, the menu here is largely a cache of treasures aimed at seafood lovers, but there are some other offerings if you just aren’t feeling the call of the surf.
Notable menu options include clams in butter and garlic, peel-and-eat shrimp seasoned with Old Bay, a wide range of bar bites, and even pasta dishes.
One of the reasons locals have come to love Mangia is the generous portions they serve, and combined with the service and the overall quality of the food this is one of the best, most well-rounded dining experiences in Port Salerno.
Two Georges Dockside Grill
Location: 4290 SE Salerno Rd
Two Georges Dockside Grill, the bar and grill formerly known as Fysh and Twisted Tuna, is one of the largest waterfront restaurants in the entire area and offers a unique dining experience with more than 10,000 sq ft. of indoor dining space spread over two levels.
This family-owned restaurant is known for its always-lively atmosphere, which is enhanced by live music seven days a week, making it the ideal spot for someone looking for a relaxed, vibrant location to enjoy a meal and drinks.
To make sure all needs and tastes are catered to, they also offer three full bars and outdoor eating areas, that are all smoking and pet-friendly.
Two Georges Dockside Grill insists on only using the freshest local produce, as well as baking their bread, and making sure that all dishes they prepare are made with only the highest-quality ingredients.
They have an extensive menu, offering everything from seafood salads to oysters Rockefeller, but are most well-known locally for their Sunday brunch.
Shrimpers
Location: 4903 SE Dixie Hwy
Shrimpers is a local favorite and have been part of the Port Salerno area for decades, offering a true Floridian dining experience with open-air tropical breezes that blow along the Manatee Pocket waterway.
This is a perfect spot to boatwatch while listening to some fishermen’s tales, having some food, and perhaps a few drinks.
It’s well-known for its waterfront ambiance and has been voted as the top Waterfront & Seafood Restaurant by Stuart News, even having a pet-friendly dining area available for patrons who bring their furry friends along.
Shrimpers Grill & Raw Bar specializes in fresh seafood and has a wide variety of choices to suit any craving or taste, with some of the local favorites being the Bahamian conch chowder, crunchy grouper Reuben, and coconut shrimp.
For visitors looking for more liberal libations, they also offer a happy hour at the restaurant’s bars, where visitors can get their favorite island drinks at unbeatable prices.
Basin Seafood & Fresh Fish Market
Location: 4150 SE Salerno Rd
Basin Seafood & Fresh Fish Market may sound like a wholesaler, but they are one of the most renowned local family-owned restaurants and have been providing locals with some of the freshest seafood delicacies for more than 25 years.
They have a small dining room, as well as outdoor seating, making it one of the smaller, but more cozy and intimate locations in Port Salerno, but the atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and welcoming, making it one of the best spots for a casual or even romantic seafood meal.
When you come to Seafood & Fresh Fish Market, be sure you’re ready for some mind-blowing dishes and very hard choices, because you’ll have to choose between options like their famous ‘half tackle box’, beloved hush puppies, and delectable blue crab.
They have also recently opened a take-out kitchen, allowing visitors to grab and go, enjoying their meals wherever they wish.
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for a diverse array of the best eateries on the Treasure Coast, Port Salerno is where you want to be.
You’ll find an incredibly diverse offering of surf and turf, all steeped in the charming waterfront ambiance and coastal spirit.
