Quick Overview
Fort Pierce offers fresh-caught seafood at waterfront restaurants, casual beach bars, and historic dive spots. Top locations include 12A Buoy, Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant (operating since the 1960s), and Cobb’s Landing overlooking the Fort Pierce City Marina. Most restaurants source local catches, including snapper, mahi, grouper, and stone crab. Expect waterfront views, outdoor seating, and regular live music at most locations.
The best seafood restaurants in Fort Pierce serve up some of the freshest catches on the Treasure Coast. Fort Pierce has excellent spots for stuffed crab, fish tacos, fish and chips, and other seafood dishes. From popular restaurants on the water to hidden gems, the top seafood restaurants in Fort Pierce are listed below.
Waterfront Seafood Restaurants
12A Buoy
12A Buoy is a rustic dive restaurant with an old Florida atmosphere. The restaurant on the water serves fresh seafood in a casual setting with outdoor seating along Fisherman’s Wharf. The restaurant is closed Tuesdays.
Regulars recommend the yellowtail snapper, lobster bisque, stuffed shrimp, stuffed crab, lobster mac and cheese, and butterfly shrimp dinner. The location provides views of the Indian River and an authentic working waterfront experience. 12A Buoy is at 22 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Pierce.
Funky Cuda
Funky Cuda operates on Fisherman’s Wharf near 12A Buoy. The casual outdoor restaurant specializes in crab cakes and buttery lobster rolls. The location also serves smash burgers and features regular live music.
The restaurant emphasizes fresh preparation and competitive pricing in a relaxed waterfront setting. Funky Cuda is at 109 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Pierce.
Cobb’s Landing
Cobb’s Landing overlooks the Fort Pierce City Marina in Downtown Fort Pierce. The tropical-themed restaurant features a tiki bar, outdoor patio, and regular live music. It ranks among the best Downtown Fort Pierce restaurants for waterfront dining.
Recommended dishes include conch fritters, crabcakes, tuna nachos, mahi tacos, poke bowls, and gumbo. The restaurant serves generous portions and provides views of marina boat traffic. Cobb’s Landing is at 200 N Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce.
Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant
Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant has operated since the 1960s as a Treasure Coast landmark. The restaurant maintains original recipes and nautical-themed decor. The waterfront location on the Fort Pierce Inlet provides sunset views. The restaurant opens at 3 PM daily.
Popular menu items include crabcakes, clam chowder, shrimp scampi, stuffed grouper, fish dip, and shrimp and grits. The restaurant uses traditional preparation methods unchanged since opening. Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant is at 822 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce.
Skipper’s Cove Bar & Grill
Skipper’s Cove specializes in raw oysters and triggerfish sandwiches served at the Fort Pierce Marina. The restaurant also serves calamari, ahi tuna, conch fritters, mahi tacos, and shrimp. The patio provides water views and access to regular live entertainment.
The location attracts both boaters arriving by water and visitors arriving by car. Skipper’s Cove Bar & Grill is at 1930 Harbortown Dr., Fort Pierce.
On The Edge Bar & Grill
On The Edge Bar & Grill operates as an open-air restaurant with a thatched roof on the Fort Pierce Inlet. The restaurant serves locally caught coconut shrimp, snapper, mahi, and eight-ounce lobster tails. It also functions as one of the top live music venues in Fort Pierce.
The inlet-side location provides views of boat traffic and waterway activity. Prices run higher than casual spots but reflect the waterfront location and entertainment offerings. On The Edge Bar & Grill is at 1136 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce.
Manatee Island Bar & Grill
Manatee Island Bar and Grill specializes in fish and chips, fried shrimp, mahi fish tacos, seafood paella, stuffed shrimp, and steamed clams. The restaurant also serves Key lime pie.
The inlet location provides water views and a casual dining atmosphere. Manatee Island Bar and Grill is at 1640 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce.
Beach & Casual Locations
Island Beach Bar and Restaurant
Island Beach Bar operates directly on the beach at Jetty Park. The casual restaurant serves brunch specials and runs regular happy hours. Popular menu items include tuna nachos, mahi tacos, and coconut shrimp.
The beachfront location makes it convenient for visitors to spend time at the jetty and beach. Island Beach Bar and Restaurant is at 110 South Ocean Dr., Fort Pierce.
Sharky’s
Sharky’s serves seafood and thin-crust pizza in a casual beach setting on North Hutchinson Island. The restaurant features beachy decor and a menu displayed on a surfboard. Popular items include conch fritters, blackened mahi sandwiches, fried shrimp, and New England clam chowder.
The restaurant operates as a budget-friendly option with competitive pricing for the beach location. Sharky’s is at 1012 Shorewinds Dr., Fort Pierce.
Archie’s Seabreeze
Archie’s Seabreeze has operated on South Hutchinson Island since 1947. The beachside restaurant maintains an old Florida atmosphere and serves burgers, local seafood, wings, and sautéed shrimp with garlic and butter. The full liquor bar offers specialty frozen drinks.
The dog-friendly outdoor seating attracts visitors looking for Fort Pierce nightlife options in a casual beach setting. Archie’s Seabreeze remains a fixture on South Hutchinson Island despite ownership changes over the decades.
Thirsty Turtle
Thirsty Turtle serves fish and chips in a casual beach atmosphere. The restaurant operates as a laid-back spot for quick seafood meals and waterfront views.
Little Jim Bait & Tackle
Little Jim Bait & Tackle operates as both a bait shop and a casual seafood eatery. The location serves fresh catches in a no-frills setting popular with anglers and locals.
Pineapple Joe’s
Pineapple Joe’s serves raw oysters, coconut shrimp, and vegetarian options, including spinach artichoke dip and fried green tomatoes. The restaurant features pool tables and offers peanut butter pie.
The location combines casual dining with entertainment options. Pineapple Joe’s operates in northern Fort Pierce and is a lesser-known option in the area.
Seafood Markets
Pelican Seafood Company
Pelican Seafood Company operates as a seafood market specializing in fresh fish, steaks, and gourmet items. The business has served Fort Pierce since 1982. Available products include Maine lobster, jumbo cocktail shrimp, gulf oysters, Scottish salmon, crabcakes, fish cakes, and prepared seafood platters.
The market emphasizes locally caught seafood and maintains a reputation for freshness and selection. Pelican Seafood Company is at 735 N US Highway One, Fort Pierce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best waterfront seafood restaurants in Fort Pierce?
12A Buoy, Cobb’s Landing, Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant, Skipper’s Cove, and On The Edge Bar & Grill all provide waterfront dining with views of the Indian River, Fort Pierce Marina, or Fort Pierce Inlet. Each location serves fresh local catches in outdoor or open-air settings.
Where can I buy fresh seafood to cook at home in Fort Pierce?
Pelican Seafood Company operates as a full-service seafood market at 735 N US Highway One. The business has served Fort Pierce since 1982 and specializes in locally caught fish, Maine lobster, gulf oysters, and prepared seafood items.
Which Fort Pierce seafood restaurants are most budget-friendly?
Sharky’s on North Hutchinson Island, Funky Cuda on Fisherman’s Wharf, and 12A Buoy provide good value for fresh catches in casual dive atmospheres.
Are there seafood restaurants in Fort Pierce with live music?
On The Edge Bar & Grill regularly features live music performances. Cobb’s Landing also schedules live entertainment on the outdoor patio. Skipper’s Cove offers live shows at the Fort Pierce Marina location.
What local fish species appear on Fort Pierce restaurant menus?
Local restaurants serve yellowtail snapper, mahi-mahi, grouper, triggerfish, and various seasonal catches from Atlantic waters. Stone crab, gulf oysters, and local shrimp also appear on menus depending on season and availability.
Notes from the Editor(s): Chuck’s Seafood, Island Fish Pig, and Downtown Cellars – which were all originally included in this list – are now permanently closed.
