13 Must-Try Outdoor Restaurants In Stuart, Florida
Stuart sits right where the St. Lucie River meets the Atlantic, and the weather here makes you want to eat every single meal outside.
I’ve spent countless evenings bouncing between downtown patios and beachside decks, and I can tell you that the outdoor dining options in this Florida town are seriously underrated.
You get fresh ocean air, waterfront views that never get old, and menus that range from fancy date-night fare to the kind of tacos you eat with your hands while sand is still stuck between your toes.
The best part is that most of these spots let you bring your dog, catch live music, or just linger over dessert without anyone rushing you inside.
Stuart knows how to do outdoor eating right, and once you try a few of these places, you’ll understand why locals guard their favorite tables like treasure.
1. The Waterfront – Sailfish Lounge & Grill
Grabbing a table on the downstairs patio here feels like you’ve unlocked a secret level of Stuart living.
Boats glide past the railings while you’re working through a Tuna Poketini stacked with avocado and mango, and suddenly you remember why you moved to Florida in the first place.
The menu skips the usual fried-everything approach and goes coastal-creative instead.
Korean sticky wings and crab-and-shrimp Oceanside Beignets show up next to proper raw-bar plates, and nothing tastes like it came out of a freezer bag.
Your dog can join you on the patio, which means half the tables are occupied by happy pups watching the sunset.
Locals have already started calling this one of downtown Stuart’s best new waterfront spots, and after one visit, you’ll see why the hype is real.
Address: 131 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
2. Seaside Café at Stuart Beach
Breakfast tastes different when the Atlantic is crashing ten feet away.
Seaside Café sits just above the sand at Stuart Beach, with a breezy deck under a chickee hut and extra tables that practically spill onto the dunes.
You order at the window, then wait for your name while seagulls circle and surfers paddle out.
The menu covers island-ish comfort: waffles and omelets in the morning, cheesesteaks and burgers later in the day, plus frozen drinks that sweat in the sun.
I’ve eaten here after early beach walks more times than I can count, and it never stops feeling like a mini vacation.
The county occasionally closes it during bad weather, but on normal days, this is one of the most “this is exactly why we came to Florida” meals you can have in Stuart.
Address: 891 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996
3. Spritz City Bistro
Walking into Spritz feels like you took a wrong turn and ended up in a little European bistro that somehow landed in coastal Florida.
Tables on the brick patio fill up fast on cool evenings, lit by soft streetlight and the glow from the open kitchen.
The menu doesn’t mess around: braised short rib with mushroom ragu, diver scallops, seafood risotto, Kansas City strip, and fish and chips made with mahi that’s actually crisp.
I brought a vegan friend here once, and the kitchen didn’t just tolerate the request but built her a plate that made the rest of us jealous.
Locals rave about the drinks, and the whole vibe is “nice night out” without the stuffiness.
It’s tucked into historic downtown, so you can walk off dinner by window-shopping the galleries afterward.
Address: 61 SW Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994
4. Coventry Cafe
Hidden in the courtyard of the Old Colorado Inn, Coventry Cafe feels like you’ve wandered into a secret garden restaurant that only the locals know about.
Long banquettes, tiki-style palapas, and strings of lights frame a lush open-air space that’s tailor-made for slow dinners and date nights.
The kitchen leans upscale American with a farm-to-table twist, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and a tight, chef-driven menu.
Expect polished plates, craft drinks, and a pace that encourages lingering rather than rushing.
I’ve celebrated two anniversaries here, and both times the servers remembered our names by the end of the night.
Downtown Stuart’s tourism sites now spotlight Coventry as one of the city’s standout outdoor dining experiences, and reviews consistently praise both the courtyard atmosphere and the attentive service.
Address: 211 S Colorado Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
5. The Gafford
The Gafford is where you go when you want serious food but still want to feel the evening breeze.
Its small patio sits steps from Flagler Avenue, so you can hear the hum of downtown while working through some of Stuart’s most talked-about plates.
Inside, it’s white-tablecloth cozy; outside, it’s more relaxed, but the menu doesn’t dial down one bit.
An enormous bone-in ribeye nicknamed “The Gafford,” local snapper and swordfish, seasonal specials, and Southern-leaning comfort sides show up on plates that look almost too pretty to eat.
Regional travel coverage repeatedly singles it out as one of Stuart’s top “nice dinner” restaurants.
Expect reservations to be wise on weekends, especially if you’re hoping for those coveted outdoor seats that let you people-watch while you eat.
Address: 47 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
6. Stack: Burgers
In the same building as Taco Shack, Stack is the moody, burger-obsessed sibling that pairs patio seating with a serious burger game.
The vibe is part neighborhood hangout, part craft-burger lab, and the outdoor tables fill up fast once the sun starts to set.
They’re big on sourcing: meats are described as all-natural, grass-fed or free-range, and locally supplied whenever possible.
Expect towering specialty burgers, loaded fries, good shakes, and a rotating lineup of creative drinks that make you forget you’re just eating a burger.
I once ordered a burger with candied bacon and jalapeño jam, and it ruined regular burgers for me for at least a month.
Social posts and local directories highlight Stack as a community hub, hosting events and giving Stuart a more urban-feeling outdoor dining option without losing that laid-back Treasure Coast charm.
Address: 555 S Colorado Ave, Suite 106, Stuart, FL 34994
7. Taco Shack Bar & Grill
Just a few doors from Stack, Taco Shack is pure patio fun.
Colorful umbrellas, laid-back picnic tables, and frequent live guitar sets create the feeling of a backyard party that just happens to serve really good tacos.
The menu stays comfortably in its lane: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, empanadas, stuffed avocados, and the kind of chips and guac that disappear faster than you meant them to.
Nice drinks are practically part of the décor, and the whole place hums with a weekend vibe even on Tuesdays.
I’ve started more than one downtown bar crawl here, and it’s the perfect spot to fuel up before wandering the rest of Flagler Avenue.
Because it’s walkable to the rest of downtown, locals often treat Taco Shack as either the starting point or the mid-way refuel on a night of hopping between Stuart’s bars and restaurants.
Address: 555 S Colorado Ave, Suite 102, Stuart, FL 34994
8. Osceola Street Cafe
Osceola Street Cafe began life as a coffee shop and grew into a beloved breakfast-and-lunch institution, right in the middle of downtown.
Sidewalk tables line the brick street, so you can sip coffee and watch the morning crowd drift past galleries and boutiques.
Inside, they turn out from-scratch breakfasts, baked goods, soups, salads, and sandwiches; outside, you’ll usually see regulars working through omelets or the daily special while greeting half the town by name.
I’ve written half my grocery lists here over lukewarm coffee and a second pastry I didn’t plan on ordering.
Recent listings still show it going strong with updated menus and plenty of photos of that cozy downtown setting.
It’s a quintessential “sit outside and feel like a local” cafe, and you’ll leave knowing at least three people’s dogs by name.
Address: 26 SW Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994
9. Pez Vela Fusion Kitchen
Pez Vela is where Stuart’s outdoor dining scene gets a little glamorous.
This Latin-Asian fusion spot pairs a sleek dining room with a patio “under the stars,” framed by modern lighting and coastal landscaping that makes you feel like you’re dining at a resort.
The menu is bold and polished: Spanish-meets-Asian plates, seafood, steaks, sushi, and a strong drink program that local reviewers say lives up to the food.
Between its private-event spaces, valet parking, and special-occasion energy, Pez Vela has quickly become a go-to for celebrations where you still want to feel the night air on your skin instead of being sealed inside an air-conditioned box.
I’ve seen more engagement rings come out of pockets here than at any other Stuart restaurant, so plan accordingly if you’re trying to impress someone.
Address: 2875 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996
10. Namaste Grill
A few minutes from downtown, Namaste Grill brings Nepalese and Indian flavors to Stuart with the option to enjoy them outdoors.
The restaurant’s design nods to Nepalese culture, and current listings highlight a welcoming atmosphere just a short walk or drive from central Stuart.
The menu is rich with classics: butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, tandoori lamb, paneer dishes, and hearty lentil curries, plus plenty of vegetarian choices.
It’s the place to sit outside on a mild evening with a basket of naan while spicy aromas drift out of the tandoor and remind you that Stuart’s dining scene stretches far beyond seafood.
I once brought a friend who claimed they didn’t like Indian food, and by the end of the meal they were asking for the recipe for the saag paneer.
Address: 2500 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994
11. Hurricane Grill & Wings – Stuart
If your ideal outdoor meal is wings, a cold drink, and a big game on nearby screens, the Stuart location of Hurricane Grill & Wings scratches that itch.
It’s a tropical-themed chain, but the Stuart spot leans hard into its patio, with plenty of open-air seating that makes you forget you’re technically at a franchise.
Menus run huge: multiple wing sauces, burgers, tacos, flatbreads, wraps, and shareable appetizers, plus a full bar.
Local guides consistently list this location among Stuart’s outdoor-dining choices, especially for casual gatherings and family groups.
It’s not fancy, but when you want a relaxed patio, big portions, and a very Florida take on a sports-bar setting, this is exactly the vibe.
I’ve watched more playoff games here than I care to admit, and the wings have never let me down.
Address: 1729 SE Indian St, Stuart, FL 34997
12. Coffee Bar Blue Door
Blue Door is the courtyard hangout everyone tells their visiting friends about.
You enter through the namesake blue door and step into a leafy little world of twinkle lights, patio tables, and live music or movie nights under the sky.
By day, it’s a cafe with espresso drinks, iced Mexican mochas, house-made cold brew, and light fare; by night, it turns into a spot with a surprisingly robust menu and a crowd that lingers late.
Recent reviews and even Reddit threads gush over the outdoor courtyard as the real star, and some people admit they go almost every day when they’re in town.
I’ve spent more hours here than I’ve spent at my own kitchen table, and I regret nothing.
It’s the kind of place where you show up for coffee and leave three hours later with new friends.
Address: 38 SE Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994
13. Carson’s Tavern
Carson’s feels like the kind of tavern that quietly becomes everyone’s “usual.”
Inside, it’s all wood and regulars; outside, a covered patio gives you fresh air without sacrificing that cozy pub atmosphere.
The menu runs classic American tavern fare: wings, burgers, steaks, salads, and daily specials, with reviewers frequently praising both the food and the friendly staff.
Because it sits a bit away from the riverfront crowds, the patio here tends to feel more local and low-key: the sort of place you end up talking to the table next to you about fishing conditions, the Barn Theater, or whose turn it is to buy the next round.
I’ve accidentally closed this place down more than once, and every time the staff treated us like we were old friends instead of people who lost track of time over loaded fries.
Address: 2883 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996