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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Where to eat: 10 essential restaurants in Vero Beach include Ocean Grill, Penny Hill Subs
When in Vero Beach, eat as the locals do. Bucket-list restaurants in Vero Beach are legendary and beloved, whether it be for the food or for the views — or both. They can be found downtown, on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean, on the water by the Indian River Lagoon. When you think of Vero Beach, you think of these restaurants. The city has too many must-visit restaurants to include them all, so TCPalm plans to publish more of these lists in the future. If you have a restaurant you think should be included in the next round — for Vero Beach or any other Treasure Coast city — email Here are 10 essential restaurants in Vero Beach. Owner Casey Steil opened Casey's Place in 1981 near State Road A1A in Vero Beach. The restaurant is a block from the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It has walk-up window service and outside patio tables with umbrellas. It serves sandwiches, fries, salads and even breakfast items, but it's best known for its burgers. Choose from seven different kinds, including chili cheese and bacon blue cheese. They're all 6 ounces of USDA choice Black Angus chuck, cooked to order, and you can make it a double or triple. Expect a wait at this popular spot, especially during season. 917 Azalea Lane, Vero Beach; 772-231-4790; C.J. Cannon's Restaurant and Lounge opened in 1984 at the Vero Beach Regional Airport, allowing diners to watch planes take off from and land on the runway. It's run by owners Chuck Cannon and his mother, Pat. It's described as a casual restaurant with an American-Southern menu specializing in comfort foods. The decor includes retro aircraft memorabilia, celebrity autographs, pictures and history scattered on the walls. The restaurant would be the best view to see the Navy Blue Angels fly during the Vero Beach Air Show, but it closes during the event, held every two years. 3414 Cherokee Drive, Vero Beach; 772-567-7727; Cobalt is an oceanfront restaurant at the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. It's just steps from the beach with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from inside the restaurant or outside, especially around one of its fire pits on the outdoor patio during its popular weekend brunch or happy hour from 3-5 p.m. daily on draft beer, house wines and appetizers. Chef Matt Lange's menu features fresh and local ingredients paired with a selection from its extensive wine list or cocktail menu. 3500 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach; 772-469-1060; Chef Mitchell Weiss and his family, who have been in the restaurant industry for over two decades, opened Fishack bar and restaurant in 2011. It specializes in what it calls "hook-to-table" seafood cuisine. The atmosphere is casual and colorful with indoor and outdoor seating. The made-from-scratch menu has a variety of seafood dishes, po' boys, tacos, chowders and raw oysters. Specialties include crab cakes, shrimp and grits, crusted sea scallops, fish and chips, and the "Shackterranean" mahi. 1931 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach; 772-770-0977; Linda Moore and Rick Norry opened Kilted Mermaid in 2011 on Old Dixie Highway. It's a neighborhood bar with live music where diners can choose between a warm, cozy atmosphere inside and a covered patio outside. It features over 25 local and global wines by the glass and over 80 craft and import beers. Pair them with artisan cheeses or cheese and chocolate fondues, as well as flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and small plates. It serves classic Irish staples year-round, including shepherd's pie. On St. Patrick's Day only, it doles out hundreds, maybe thousands, of Irish hot pockets: corned beef, cabbage, stone-ground mustard and Swiss cheese in a puff pastry. 1937 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach; 772-569-5533; Ocean Grill, a steak and seafood restaurant, is one of Vero Beach pioneer Waldo Sexton's historic landmarks. It was built with mahogany, pecky cypress, wrought iron and Spanish antiques, and it opened on New Year's Eve in 1941. Three generations of the Replogle family have been running the restaurant since 1965. In addition to an upscale menu, there's a gift shop that sells appetizers, dressings, seasonings, desserts and to-go drinks. It's known to get decked out for the holidays with Christmas trees, lights and decorations. 1050 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach; 772-231-5409; Penny Hill Subs has been serving subs, salads and gyros since 1993. The sandwich shop's location on Beachland Boulevard closed in 2022, and its location on Old Dixie Highway came under new ownership in 2024. It bakes its own bread fresh daily and uses local ingredients. Popular subs include the Italian, the California club and the Monte Carlo, as well as the "Healthy Habit" with turkey breast, alfalfa sprouts, grated carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, blended oils, vinegar, salt, pepper and its unique cherry pepper relish. 1179 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach; 772-567-0043; Riverside Cafe is a waterfront restaurant on the Indian River Lagoon at the base of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, where people can dock and dine and watch the sunset. It's country music star Jake Owen's favorite hometown hangout. He got his start singing at the cafe and has remained friends with owners David and Ellen Lane. He shot scenes there for his "American Country Love Song" music video, and he often stops unannounced at the restaurant when he is in town. Its menu ranges from comfy finger foods and classic sandwiches to semi-formal entrees of fresh fish and steaks. 3341 Bridge Plaza Drive, Vero Beach; 772-234-5550; Chef Leanne Kelleher opened The Tides restaurant in 2000 on Cardinal Drive in Central Beach on the barrier island. It's moving temporarily to a new office complex next to the 7-Eleven on South A1A while her old restaurant is razed and rebuilt. The fine dining restaurant features a distinct menu of Floridian and New American cuisine with Southern, Latin, Caribbean and classical French influences for the freshest seafood and the finest quality meats, as well as locally grown and organically raised vegetables and fruits. Waldo's Restaurant & Bar, located inside the historic Driftwood Inn, is one of Vero Beach pioneer Waldo Sexton's historic landmarks. Sexton first came to Vero Beach in the 1920s and started building the Driftwood Inn out of the timbers of a dairy barn destroyed in a storm. Finished in 1935, it was supposed to be a family beach house. However, after many requests for rooms because of limited hotel options in the area, it expanded into the Driftwood Resort with an oceanfront restaurant and bar. It has indoor and outdoor seating with a guest-only pool in the middle, live music on the weekends and a wooden deck that sits on the beach. 3150 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach; 772-231-7091; Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Where to eat: 10 essential restaurants in Vero Beach for food, views
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New restaurants serve smoked BBQ baked potatoes, brick-oven pizzas, handcrafted soups
New restaurants recently opened feature smoked barbecue baked potatoes, brick-oven pizzas, handcrafted soups and homemade biscuits. In case you missed any of the stories for subscribers that TCPalm previously posted throughout the past month about new restaurants — as well as those coming soon — here's a roundup with links. Click "read the full story" for the name, location, hours, photos, menu highlights, signature dishes and more information about the restaurants, especially exclusive interviews with chefs and owners. If you have restaurant news, please email A new brunch restaurant has opened with a breakfast menu featuring savory eggs Benedict, old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes, waffles, omelets and healthy options. Its lunch menu includes over a dozen sandwich and wrap options, fresh and vegetable-filled salads and homemade soups. A new Venezuelan-American cafe has opened in a unique location: inside a car dealership. It's the second location for the owners, who are from Caracas, Venezuela. The menu includes empanadas, pastries, sandwiches and desserts. A new restaurant specializes in handcrafted soups and homemade biscuits. It serves a rotating selection of handcrafted soups, such as hearty corn chowder and California marinade vegetable beef soup, as well as "sides you crave" — including cheddar garlic buttermilk biscuits. Read the full story. A new brewery and restaurant with craft beer and cocktails has opened. It's the second location of the brewery after opening their first location in Yaphank, Long Island, New York. The Port St. Lucie location is the same concept with a similar menu, a full bar, craft-style beers, brick-oven pizzas and TVs with seating outside. Read the full story. An authentic Italian pizzeria named after focaccia bread has opened. The new restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers free delivery. The menu features specialty pizzas, as well as pizza in "teglia," or pizza in the pan, and appetizers, salads, calzones, strombolis, cold and hot subs and desserts. A barbecue taphouse with a full bar and live music has opened. It serves smoked baked potato, homemade chili and Frito pie, and it features weekly chef's specials, such as jalapeno poppers, BBQ egg rolls, and 'Tipsy Texan' and 'Sloppy Hog' sandwiches. Brewery changes: Sailfish Brewing Co. in Fort Pierce adds craft liquor, cocktails New indoor adventure park: Ride go-karts, play arcade games, plus bowling, glow mini golf 15 best beaches in Vero Beach: Jaycee Park, South Beach, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet Port St. Lucie's first craft brewery is becoming an English soccer pub and brewery. It plans to serve food imported from England that includes Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, fish and chips, bangers and mash, and steak and kidney pies. Even bags of potato chips — 'crisps' — are imported with flavors that include tomato ketchup, pickled onion and prawn cocktail. Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurants recently opened Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce Vero Beach
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gunfire hits Honda in reported road rage case in Port St. Lucie; arrest made
PORT ST. LUCIE — A 39-year-old driver accused in a road rage incident of shooting an AR type rifle from his pickup at a Honda, striking the Honda with gunfire, was arrested, according to Port St. Lucie Police. Ali Sami Zaiter, of Port St. Lucie, on May 28 was booked in at the St. Lucie County Jail on two counts related to attempted crime against a person that could cause death, two counts related to weapons offenses, and single counts each of discharging a firearm from a vehicle and tampering with evidence, according to sheriff's records. The arrest follows a May 25 reported road rage incident. Police about 7:30 p.m. that day went to the area of Southeast Crosstown Parkway and Southeast Sandia Drive where the driver and passenger of a Honda Accord reported the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup fired several shots from an AR style rifle at them while they were in their vehicle. Two shots struck the Honda, but neither occupant was hurt. Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson, on May 29 stated what he called a road rage incident began on Southeast Crosstown Parkway from U.S. 1 heading west. '(Zaiter) allegedly cut off the victim's vehicle that started the incident,' Mesiti stated. Police said the accused shooter, later identified as Zaiter, left the scene before officers arrived. Mesiti said the driver of the Honda and his passenger, a woman, did not know the accused gunman before the incident occurred. Police identified the F-150 using surveillance cameras and other techniques, Mesiti stated. Investigators about 4:30 p.m. May 28 executed a search warrant and arrested Zaiter at his home in the 200 block of Southwest Bridgeport Drive. Shooting incident: Reported gunfire in Tradition under investigation; police ask for help Re-opened case: Florida prosecutors to pursue death penalty in family's turnpike killing after Biden commutation The address is west of Florida's Turnpike off Southwest Tulip Boulevard. Police shared photos of the Honda with apparent bullet holes in the rear passenger door and front windshield. Police reported the rifle thought to have been used in the incident has not been recovered, though detectives continue to gather evidence. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gunfire hits Honda in reported road rage case in Port St. Lucie
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial Day weekend: 6 best beginner surf spots in Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Stuart
Surf's up this Memorial Day weekend. If you can find a wave during the flat days of summer in Florida, it's the best time of year to learn how to surf, or for beginner surfers to get better. It's always best to avoid crowded locations with experienced surfers such as the Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce Inlet state parks. Here are six of the best surfing spots for beginners from north to south on the Treasure Coast. Location: North State Road A1A, 4 miles north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park or 9 miles south of Vero Beach Avalon is a good beach for beginning and intermediate surfers that's off the beaten path, but it's unguarded. The waves break outside and travel along a sandbar, making for a long ride. It's a good place for longboard and fun-shape boards. With a long stretch of beach available, surfers can spread out and find waves easily. Location: 3302 N. State Road A1A, Fort Pierce Pepper Park has a series of sandbars that creates a casual break. The beach's outer shoals prevent waves from getting too big. It has lifeguards who watch for bad weather conditions, rip currents and marine life, including sharks and Portuguese men-of-war. Location: 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach Waveland doesn't have an outside barrier reef to break down the waves when the swell gets big, but the beach typically has a soft wave during the summer. Plus, it has lifeguards. One additional benefit to surfers is that no fishing is allowed at this public beach access. Wavegarden: Treasure Coast surfer gives personal account of Fort Pierce surf park to come Staff pick: Entertainment reporter loves Fort Pierce beach for surfing Location: 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach Dollman is good for beginners on small-wave days. It has small and big wave breaks that make it a great place to go during the summer. Catching waves at mid-tide — about two hours after dead low tide or two hours before full high tide — works best for all the St. Lucie County spots. Location: 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach Jensen is used for surf for lessons, taking beginners to different parts of the beach, which has lifeguards. Near low tide, the sandbar is knee- to waist-deep, so it's perfect for smaller waves. That's when a little 1- to 2-foot wave can be found rolling through. Location: 889 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart Stuart is used for surf lessons, taking beginners to the south end near the dirt parking lot. It has a little break and isn't too deep, and the beach has lifeguards. Go just before or just after low tide — a two- to three-hour window. Otherwise, the water can be too deep for 1- to 2-foot waves to break over the sandbar. Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Memorial Day weekend: Best surfing Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Stuart
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire risk elevated due to drought conditions on the Treasure Coast
Drought conditions are posing wildfire risks across the Treasure Coast, but especially in Martin County. Severe drought conditions are present across much of Martin County and those are expected to persist despite rainfall forecast for Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Extreme drought conditions are present in the western part of the county near Lake Okeechobee. "With the fuels being so dry and some of the windier conditions especially associated with the sea breezes in the afternoon, that just means any sort of sparks or embers that start local brush fires and things like that can spread pretty quickly," said National Weather Service meteorologist Brendan Schaper in Melbourne. "If we can get some rainfall down there that will help to temper those fire concerns," Schaper said. "But for right now it's one of those things where if something starts, it's a challenge at first to get it contained." Lightning poses a risk for wildfires, too, Schaper said. A half-inch to an inch of rain could fall Monday and Tuesday in Martin County with some higher amounts locally, according to the National Weather Service. Through Wednesday morning, an inch to 2 inches could accumulate, Schaper said. But "for a drought that's in the severe to extreme category, that's going to take probably a little more than an inch or two to put a significant dent in those conditions," he said. Drought conditions are less severe in Indian River and St. Lucie counties. It's abnormally dry across Indian River County and the northern portion of St. Lucie County, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map for Florida. The latest edition was released May 8. The southern portion of St. Lucie County is experiencing either moderate or severe drought conditions, the map shows. Two to 3 inches of rain could fall in St. Lucie and Indian River counties from Monday morning through Wednesday morning, Schaper said. Interestingly, year-to-date rainfall totals do not indicate the region is suffering from drought conditions. Just over 12 inches of rain has fallen in Fort Pierce, while the normal year-to-date total is 11.71 inches, Schaper said. But the departure-from-normal amounts for the last 30 days paint a different picture. Stuart news: Attorney: Stuart lawsuit costs city $1.2M in legal fees over 'major error' Stuart news: Stuart ban on sleeping in public places may be changed May 12 Rainfall totals are 1 to 3 inches below normal for most of Martin County and 3 to 4 inches below normal for the southeastern part of the county, Schaper said. "Definitely the recent stretches put us into this drought," he said. Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at and at 720-288-6882. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Drought conditions on the Treasure Coast raise the risk of wildfires
