Indian River County Dining Guide
Fifteen restaurants, from Waldo Sexton’s oceanfront rooms to a Fellsmere frog leg dinner.
Vero Beach’s dining scene is anchored by a few historic oceanfront rooms, starting with the two built by Waldo Sexton, and filled out by chef-owned restaurants on the island and casual places on the lagoon. Seafood leads the menus, but the island also has polished bistros and steakhouses that cater to the town’s many winter residents.
Sebastian is simpler: waterfront bars, fish sandwiches and sunsets over the river from Indian River Drive. Fellsmere adds Southern cooking and the county’s best-known frog legs. Two craft breweries in Vero and one in Sebastian round out the list.
Oceanfront Vero Beach
Historic dining rooms and beachfront tables.
A landmark built by Waldo Sexton and perched almost on top of the surf, known for consistent seafood and the sound of waves under the windows.
An oceanfront bar and restaurant inside the 1935 Driftwood Resort, built by Sexton from salvaged wood and full of his collected oddities.
A chef-owned oceanfront restaurant with Italian and Mediterranean influences and outdoor tables facing the beach.
A casual oceanfront bar and grill on Beachland Boulevard with live music and breakfast through dinner.
Island and Lagoon
Fine dining and casual tables by the river.
A long-established fine dining room on Cardinal Drive, reopened in fall 2026 after a refresh.
A lagoon-side cafe and bar by the Merrill Barber Bridge with a dock and sunset views.
Mainland Vero Beach
Two breweries worth a stop.
A Vero Beach brewery and restaurant pouring its own beers, with a full kitchen.
An award-winning local brewery with a taproom and outdoor space.
Sebastian and Fellsmere
River bars, a brewpub and a country restaurant.
A waterfront resort and marina with restaurants and bars on the lagoon, live music and sunset crowds.
A seafood grill built out over the lagoon on Indian River Drive, known for bacon-wrapped scallops and smoked fish dip.
A riverfront bar with live music and a laid-back crowd, regularly voted a local favorite.
Sebastian’s first craft brewery, with a deck and a relaxed brewpub a short walk from the river.
Chef Wesley Campbell’s Caribbean-inspired kitchen, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A family-run restaurant in a restored building on Broadway, famous for frog legs, catfish and gator.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Indian River County Dining — FAQ
Who was Waldo Sexton?
A Vero Beach pioneer who built the Driftwood Resort, the Ocean Grill and much of McKee Botanical Garden in a rustic style using salvaged materials. His buildings are still among the most popular places to eat in town.
Do I need reservations in Vero Beach?
For dinner at the oceanfront and fine dining restaurants from January through April, yes. Sebastian river bars and breweries usually seat walk-ins.
Where can I try frog legs?
At Marsh Landing in Fellsmere year-round, or at the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival in January.