When it comes to dining out, we in Vero Beach are fortunate to have many outstanding local restaurants to choose from. In our inaugural readers’ choice Dining Awards, we asked you to vote for your favorite spots in 12 categories. We’re delighted to share the winners with you.
Best Way to Start the Day
The Lemon Tree
You won’t be the first person drawn in by the bright yellow awning along the west side of Ocean Drive. Our readers nailed it—this cheerful venue is a great place to start your day with a delicious breakfast.
772-231-0858
3125 Ocean Drive
Best Caffeine Fix
Centrally located in downtown Vero Beach, Coffee House 1420 features a laid-back vibe, good coffee, and a belief in the “lost art of hospitality.” They believe in keeping things simple and treating customers like family.
772-925-1572
2001 14th Ave.
Best Waterfront Table
Waldo Sexton built the Ocean Grill in 1941, and, since 1965, three generations of the Replogle family have operated the restaurant. Classic dishes, excellent service, and, of course, the ocean view inspired readers who voted for this Vero Beach landmark.
772-231-5409
1050 Beachland Blvd.
Swankiest Place to Celebrate
With a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and a Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award, it’s no surprise that Chef Leanne Kelleher’s Zagat-rated restaurant is where locals head when they’re ready to celebrate. Don’t forget to make a reservation!
772-234-3966
3103 Cardinal Drive
Best Brunch
Relaxed sophistication is the name of the game at Citron Bistro. Dine inside or out under the oaks while enjoying dishes such as the curry apple chick- en salad or an open-faced chicken caprese.
772-231-6556
6260 Hwy. A1A, Village Shops
What Sets Us Apart: The food is always consistent, and the service is always pleasant and professional. We have a large amount of wonderful outdoor seating with tropical breezes and views of the stars, private dining room, and indoor dining with a charming bistro feel.
Best Feedback from a Patron: “Everything from the atmosphere to the food was top notch.”
Worth Coming Back For: The food is consistently good and the service is always professional. Great staff—both kitchen and waiters have remained consistent over the eight years we have been in business. The ambience is special both indoors and out. We have a wonderful group of shops to go to before or after lunch.
What This Award Means: We are happy because everyone in the restaurant works hard to make the customer experience enjoyable. It is nice to know that our customers appreciate it.
Happiest Happy Hour
Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge
If you are looking for the “Cheers” of Vero Beach, you’ll find it at Bobby’s, where it doesn’t take long to move from being a customer to being a friend. The dark-paneled, sports- themed bar area is a hit for locals and visitors looking for a cool spot to land.
772-231-6996
3450 Ocean Drive
“Greenest” Cuisine
Michael’s on 7th and The Kilted Mermaid
Readers couldn’t decide, so these two very different restaurants tied for first place. Kilted Mermaid calls itself a “funky, eclectic neighborhood pub” and is known for fondues and small plates, including plenty of vegan entries. Michael’s on 7th is Chef Michael Lander’s newest restaurant, known for its “responsibly sourced high-quality” ingredients.
Michael’s on 7th: 772-213-8554; 2217 7th Ave.
The Kilted Mermaid 772-569-5533; 1937 Old Dixie Hwy.
Michael’s on 7th
What Sets Us Apart: We strongly respect our community and the products it can provide to enhance dining experiences at Michael’s on 7th. We have some great farmers and purveyors of fresh products in our backyard. We are glad to know them not just as people we do business with but as friends that work together and support each other.
Best Feedback from a Patron: The best feedback we get are the faces we see every day. We have some patrons who eat every meal with us and tell everyone they know about us.
WORTH COMING BACK FOR: We provide good-quality homemade food and happy service. We want everyone to feel as if they are family coming home
for a meal.
What This Award Means: We love what we do, and being recognized by our friends, neighbors, and community is great validation that what makes us happy makes you happy, too. It’s an excellent feeling.
Tastiest Grab & Go and Most Fun for the Family
Casey Steil didn’t believe us when we told him he had won in these two categories. “I thought I would get best burger,” he quipped. And he might have, if that had been one of categories. This old-time burger joint is on Azalea Lane, a short walk from the beach. It’s in a convenient spot, whether you’re wrapping up a day at the beach or hungry from a day spent shopping on Ocean Drive. Dine outside at a picnic table under the umbrellas and rub shoulders with locals and visitors alike while enjoying a great meal.
772-231-4790
917 Azalea Lane
Best-Kept Secret
This exquisite restaurant hides behind an unassuming “Diner” sign in a strip mall, so it’s no surprise that readers voted it “best-kept secret.” It’s definitely a secret you want to be in on.
772-794-7587
2950 9th St. SW (0slo Rd.)
Best Spot If Music Is Your Jam
Our readers chose Riverside Café both for its live music throughout the week and its weekend dance parties. And the view at sunset? Priceless. Arrive by car, by boat, or on foot to enjoy the fun.
772-234-5550
3341 Bridge Plaza Drive
What Sets Us Apart: We have the best sunsets from our deck overlooking the water, with live music, great happy hour, and a friendly staff.
Best Feedback from a Patron: We love when people say our staff made them have the best experience. They love our food, atmosphere, and music.
Worth Coming Back For: I think that customers keep coming back because of consistency; that is our top priority, to have consistent food and atmosphere.
What This Award Means: We are honored.
Top Spot for a First Date
This restaurant’s motto is “When you’re here, you’re family!” The excellent Italian food, welcoming environment, and spot-on service make this the perfect place to im- press a date.
772-563-9766
815 20th St.
What Sets Us Apart: Throughout the years we have strived to consistently provide an excellent dining experience for our guests. We continue to look for ways we can improve and make their experience better.
Best Feedback from a Patron: The best feedback we receive from our guests is the appreciation for the quality of food and service. We strive to consistently provide our guests with the freshest ingredients sourced locally.
Worth Coming Back For: I believe our customers come back because they can taste the difference. The quality of our ingredients speaks for themselves, and as a chef I get to highlight these ingredients on a daily basis.
What This Award Means: It’s a great honor to be chosen by the readers of Vero Beach Magazine. Knowing that our everyday hard work and passion is recognized by the community is a great privilege.
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