Start your day at these popular breakfast and brunch spots on the Treasure Coast

Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·15 min read

Breakfast — and therefore brunch — is the most important meal of the day.

You already may know about the Treasure Coast’s most popular restaurants for breakfast and brunch, but you might’ve missed some hidden gems and local favorites.

According to feedback received on social media, the eateries below have one thing in common: really delicious food. Most also have outdoor seating and some form of takeout service, both valuable amenities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are just some of the many popular spots to try — along with pro tips for when you go — in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

Cannoli French toast at Baci Trattoria in Vero Beach
Cannoli French toast at Baci Trattoria in Vero Beach

Indian River County

Amuse Bouche Crepe Cafe

Customers order from a window of this take-out restaurant that operates out of The Islander Inn on the barrier island, but there are a handful of tables on the patio.

Pro tip: Try the Parisian with melted brie, smoked ham and Dijon mustard or the Canadian with banana, maple syrup, cinnamon and chocolate flakes.

  • Address: 3101 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach

  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday

  • Social media

Baci Trattoria

“Baci” means kisses and “trattoria” means a small, informal eatery. This tucked-away cafe in Towne Plaza includes outdoor courtyard seating. Owners Karen and Jerry Sulchini call it “a funky Italian food experience.”

Pro tip: Order cider-baked doughnuts with vanilla mousse as an appetizer. Get the Nutella spiedini, thick-sliced challah bread French toast with sliced bananas and “amaretto di baci” syrup. Or any eggs Benedict.

Peanut butter-banana pancakes with orange syrup at Baci Trattoria in Vero Beach
Peanut butter-banana pancakes with orange syrup at Baci Trattoria in Vero Beach

Cobalt

Named for the blue-green oceanfront view from every alfresco table, this special-occasion restaurant’s large patio with towering palm trees is set behind the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. It has takeout service, complimentary valet parking for up to three hours and special brunches on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Pro tip: On a cool day, ask if you can eat brunch around the fire pit, which is a great spot to enjoy drinks any time of day or night.

Waffle at Wood 'n Spoon in Vero Beach
Waffle at Wood 'n Spoon in Vero Beach

Wood ‘n Spoon

Chef Mike Wood, a Vero Beach native, has a mission to provide people with healthy, fresh and nurturing food. The 1998 Vero Beach High School graduate had a 15-year career as general manager and executive chef at restaurants from Alaska to Key West to New York City. Try his gluten-free bagels, bread, wraps and sweets. It has outdoor seating and delivery services.

Pro tip: Fresh omelets and other breakfast items aren’t served past 11 a.m., but breakfast sandwiches, bagels and the breakfast platter are served all day. Plus, the Oslo Road location serves brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

  • First location: 2015 Oslo Road, Vero Beach; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 772-217-3132

  • Second location: 97 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; 772-925-1662

  • Website: woodnspoon.biz

  • Social media: Facebook page

Sunset Cafe

The small, lesser-known eatery in the South Vero Square plaza has outdoor seating.

Pro tip: This is one of those affordable, hole-in-the-wall, hidden gems.

  • Address: 760 S. U.S. 1, Vero Beach

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday)

  • Phone: 772-778-5461

  • Social media: facebook.com/sunsetcafe760

French toast with fresh berries at Sunset Cafe in Vero Beach
French toast with fresh berries at Sunset Cafe in Vero Beach

The Lemon Tree

A Vero Beach favorite for over 30 years, this cozy little cafe with the yellow awning is a sunny spot among the shops lining the beach road.

Pro tip: Try the holiday special of white chocolate chip-peppermint pancakes with a warm cup of hot cocoa. Or a white cranberry mimosa.

  • Address: 3125 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach

  • Hours: 7-11 a.m. Monday-Friday (breakfast only; lunch is 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.); 7 a.m. to noon Saturday (breakfast only, lunch is noon to 2:30 p.m.); 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday (breakfast only, no lunch)

  • Phone: 772-231-0858

  • Website: lemontreevero.com

  • Social media: Facebook page

C.J. Cannon’s

Opened in 1984, this local favorite offers brunch with a view. Watch planes take off and land at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. The casual restaurant, with an American-Southern menu specializing in comfort food, has plenty of outdoor seating.

Pro tip: Breakfast ends at 11 a.m., except Sundays, when it’s served until 2 p.m.

Kountry Kitchen ... With Love

This Southern family-style restaurant opened in 1990 under different ownership before siblings Dyana Langford and Mark Santangelo took over in 1998. It has homemade muffins and daily breakfast specials, and it’s most known for its biscuits and gravy.

Pro tip: Hit the ATM first because this is a cash-only restaurant.

  • Address: 1749 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach

  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday

  • Phone: 772-567-6733

  • Social media: facebook.com/kountrykitchenvero

First Watch

Headquartered in Bradenton, Florida, “the daytime cafe” has 365 locations in 29 states since its 1983 founding in California. The name is a nautical reference to the first work shift aboard a ship.

Pro tip: Devotees can buy a cookbook containing their favorite recipes.

The popular brunch spot, Sunrise City Cafe, is expanding by taking over the adjacent space offering spacious seating and on-site roasted coffee from First Wave Coffee on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in downtown Fort Pierce. ”When COVID happened I realized I just wanted to adjust to the new normal,” said cafe owner Nichole Parker. “I wanted the customers to have contactless take-out and more space in the restaurant.”

Treasure Coast restaurants: What's opened, closed or moved recently?

St. Lucie County

Sunrise City Café

Fort Pierce native Nichole Parker, 29, took over this cafe in 2017. The 22-seat eatery is expanding next door to 63 seats and has limited outdoor seating. The cafe, which posts daily specials on social media, uses fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.

Pro tip: Customers can customize anything. Try creative pancakes and craft coffees, such as cinnamon toast crunch latte. Or nitro cold brew on tap. Mug club members can fill up coffee, tea or soda all day.

Did you know?: Sunrise City Cafe expands on Orange Avenue

Breakfast at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce
Breakfast at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce

Captain’s Galley

In 1984, the late Dennis Horvath and his sister opened the original Captain’s Galley Restaurant across from the Fort Pierce City Marina and P.P. Cobb General Store. In 1987, Horvath moved and expanded the restaurant to the corner of Seaway and Indian River drives. He ran the eatery with his wife and three children until his death in 2014.

Pro tip: Expect to wait for a table. Get the Belgian waffle, but split it with someone to save room for more menu items. Order smaller portions of some plates, such as eggs Benedict and pigs in a blanket. Takeout is available only during the week.

Eggs benedict at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce
Eggs benedict at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce

Mickey’s Restaurant

A simple diner that’s a local favorite. It opened over 30 years ago.

Pro tip: Get the off-the-menu grilled biscuit as your bread choice.

  • Address: 3315 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce

  • Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

  • Phone: 772-468-7642

Mission Kitchen Cafe

This mom-and-pop shop is run by family members and volunteers from owners Jerald and Cissy Smith's church. They host charity dinners monthly and provide diners the option of rounding up their checks to donate to a different, local nonprofit each month.

  • Address: 6650 S. Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

  • Phone: 772-462-2600

  • Online: Facebook page

2nd Street Bistro

This bar-restaurant, with plenty of outdoor seating on its back deck, features a popular weekend brunch. The build-your-own bloody mary bar starts at 10 a.m. weekends.

Pro tip: Get bottomless cups of coffee or bottomless mimosas.

Shrimp omelet at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce
Shrimp omelet at Captain's Galley in Fort Pierce

Rooster in the Garden

Opened in downtown's Galleria of Pierce Harbor in 2018, the restaurant's culinary philosophy is rooted in Italian tradition, but adds a modern flair. Ingredients are local and imported from Italy. Executive Chef Kevin Darr, a Pennsylvania native who has lived in South Florida for 20 years, has worked in several states and was executive chef at the Big Time Restaurant Group in Palm Beach. A courtyard has outdoor seating.

Pro tip: For your first time, order eggs Benedict, home fries, grits and a spicy bloody mary.

Berry Fresh Cafe

The father-son chain opened in Port St. Lucie in 2009, then added two locations, in Jupiter and Stuart (see below). Founder Tim Timoteo and son Mitch created a “real food” cafe with chef-driven, adventurous, “made-from-scratch” dishes using the freshest ingredients, mostly from local farms. The menu includes signature jazzed-up comfort foods, as well as healthy vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selections.

Pro tip: The “What’s Fresh” blackboard menu is a monthly showcase for the chefs’ latest creations of seasonal delicacies.

"The Traditional" breakfast at at First Watch in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart
"The Traditional" breakfast at at First Watch in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart

First Watch

In addition to the Indian River location listed above, there’s a St. Lucie location:

Martin County

Kyle G’s Prime Seafood

Treasure Coast native Kyle Greene opened his own restaurant in 2017 in the former Pietro's on the Ocean, where he was executive chef. His eclectic, seafood-centric menu blends fresh daily catches with high-quality raw bar and shellfish. There's plenty of outdoor, oceanside seating, and complimentary valet parking.

Pro tip: Reservations are required for its popular Sunday brunch. Order the signature hand-crafted bloody marys or mimosas, with a variety of fresh juices, including grapefruit and pineapple.

By the way: Treasure Coast native opening new seafood restaurant

Shrimp and grits at Jan's Place in Jensen Beach
Shrimp and grits at Jan's Place in Jensen Beach

Jan’s Place

Bob and Jan Trudel, who first opened in a different location in 1993, moved Jan's Place to the Indian River Lagoon end of Jensen Beach Boulevard in 2009. The family-style restaurant's scratch kitchen turns out big portions of omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, sandwiches, salads and unique signature dishes. Outdoor seating is available.

Pro tip: Expect to wait for a table. Try the shrimp and grits. Take home baked goods.

Drift Kitchen & Bar

This sleek, trendy restaurant in the Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa has plenty of outdoor bar and table seating with one of the area’s best ocean views.

Pro tip: Try the "Oceanside Mary," a house specialty.

More: Holiday Inn becomes Hutchinson hotel in 2017

Café Martier

Described as an eclectic eatery with a wine garden and breezeway piano bar, this restaurant can be found in the historic Post Office Arcade, built in 1925.

Pro tip: Check out bottomless specials any time of day.

Cinnamon bun at Jan's Place in Jensen Beach
Cinnamon bun at Jan's Place in Jensen Beach

Key West Diner

Breakfast is served all day at this local favorite, where the hustle and bustle of a diner meets the laid-back vibe of Key West with tropical flowers, tiki thatch and trophy fish.

Pro tip: Try some of the Greek and Italian specialties.

  • Address: 1619 N.W. Federal Highway, Stuart

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

  • Phone: 772-692-7822

  • Social media: Facebook page

Maria’s Café

This local favorite, opened in 1994, has indoor and outdoor patio seating, as well as takeout and delivery.

Pro tip: Before ordering, check the daily specials menu board.

  • Address: 10 S.W. Osceola St., Stuart

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

  • Phone: 772-781-5886

  • Social media: Facebook page

Pineapple Jack’s Bistro

Located in the landmark Jensen Beach Inn Hotel, the "casually polished" restaurant with a whimsical vibe features fresh, made-to-order, locally sourced American cuisine with a European twist. It has outdoor seating on a tropical patio lined with palm trees, stone columns and a pineapple fountain. Takeout is available.

Pro tip: Order bottomless mimosas, bloody marys or Bellinis during weekend brunch.

  • Address: 1897 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd.

  • Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday for brunch (also open 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 3-10 p.m. Saturday, 3-9 p.m. Sunday)

  • Phone: 772-444-3550

  • Website: pineapplejacksbistro.com

  • Social media: facebook.com/pineapplejacksbistro

Raspberry-ricotta French toast croissant at Three Little Birds Cafe in Stuart
Raspberry-ricotta French toast croissant at Three Little Birds Cafe in Stuart

Three Little Birds Café

Owner Nikki Jandreau and her family have been in the restaurant business for over 30 years. Their cafe in the Downtown Stuart Shopping Center succeeded the Stuart Diner. Its menu is a combination of traditional diner breakfast, Southwest items and homemade specialties. Buttermilk biscuits are made from scratch daily.

Pro tip: Order unique signature items, such as the Bird’s Nest or the Big Bird Bowl. Or try the breakfast burrito or tacos.

Olympic Taverna

Owner Spiro Laskaris brings his authentic Greek family recipes to the restaurant, using many ingredients imported from Greece. His other restaurants, Spiro’s Taverna in Vero Beach and St. Lucie West, don’t offer breakfast.

Pro tip: Put a Greek twist on breakfast with the gyro Benedict or gyro omelet.

  • Address: 2951 S.W. High Meadow Ave., Palm City

  • Hours: 7-11 a.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday-Sunday for breakfast (also open until 9 p.m. daily)

  • Phone: 772-781-8461

  • Website: spirostaverna.com

  • Social media: facebook.com/olympictaverna

Berry Fresh Cafe

In addition to the St. Lucie location listed above, there’s a Martin location.

Floridian French toast at First Watch in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart
Floridian French toast at First Watch in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart

First Watch

In addition to the Indian River and St. Lucie locations listed above, there’s a Martin location:

Seminole Inn

The Foxgrape Cafe (inside seating) is a public restaurant serving Sunday brunch in an Old Florida hotel, built circa 1926 and restored circa 1976.

  • Address: 15885 S.W. Warfield Blvd.

  • Hours: Seatings at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.

  • Reservations required: 772-597-3777

  • Website: seminoleinn.com

  • Social media: Facebook

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter at @TCPalmLaurie or Facebook at faceboook.com/TCPalmLaurie.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Best breakfast, brunch in Stuart, Sebastian, Vero, Jensen, Fort Pierce

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