Port Salerno Waterfront Restaurants, Stuart

Port Salerno is a small spot on the water near manatee pocket. It makes a nice stop when you're in Stuart. The area is definitely not polished-looking but rather has that rugged fisherman kind of vibe. There are several restaurants- Shrimpers Grill and Raw Bar has a crowded, covered deck on a narrow portion of the intracoastal- the calm, green water is so pretty! The shrimp tacos are nicely browned- the other food I ordered was greasy.

Across the canal, you can walk along the water listening to live music. Two Georges Dockside Grille has a super spot near the docks in the open breeze. They have great live music at night and lots of seating on the water. Their food is just ok. Unfortunately lots of smokers hang out at the outdoor bar so you won't get much fresh air. But you can stand on the deck that juts out into the water and enjoy the live music, or sit around the corner hoping you aren't near a smoker. Continue to walk along the waterfront checking out the boats. This is nice at night. You come to a bar called Salerno Beach and some cute shops like Sew Glitty Studios, and a gallery to browse, called Fish House Art Center (open 9-5). 
Under a gorgeous thatched hut you find Mangia Clam Bar and Grill, which has views of the canal and often has live music (the speakers are too loud though). 
A short 400m drive away, Pirates Cove Marina has a bar and some tables on the water, with strung lights hung above. It's a nice place to sit out on a cooler day to have a drink. There is a restaurant upstairs, with a shady balcony above the marina. The balcony has a good breeze, but the food is cooked inside, which is very musty, so it's not a very healthy arrangement. I also wouldn't ever want to sit inside in the dark musty room. It is called Pirate's Loft Restaurant and Tiki Bar. On Fridays at 8pm there is live music at the tiki bar. The tiki bar is probably your best option, and just to have a drink not food. 
Between Pirates Cove Marina in the north and Port Salerno Civic Center in the south you can walk along the water, sometimes on a boardwalk, sometimes on the road- you have to piece this walk together (this would be a great area for Stuart city council to develop into something nice). It is a 0.7 mile walk one way. It floods after heavy rains so come during a dry time.
Not on the water, but with a lovely outdoor patio surrounded by magical tropical landscaping and oddly free of mosquitoes, is District Table and Bar, which attracts a posher crowd from Jupiter Island because of its high prices. The food is ok, and the live music is very nice on weekend nights.
It's wonderful to go on a Sunshine Wildlife Tour, a pontoon boat that takes you out from the docks at Pirates Cove marina for 2.5 hours in manatee pocket and around the islands. Call for reservations (see below).
Drive over to Sandsprit Park and check out the amazing colors of the water. There is an island out there, and lovely blue-green sand bars. Fishermen hang out at the docks. A playground with many stations to climb provides fun for your kids. There is also great workout equipment under a canopy. This waterway is called manatee pocket and sometimes you can see manatees.
It's lovely to go for a long walk, making several loops, at Twin Rivers Park while in Port Salerno. The breeze is fantastic and sometimes you can see dolphins or leaping fish in the water or little tortoises in the vegetation.
Port Salerno is next to Hobe Sound town, a nice area to explore.

Directions

From Highway 95 northbound, exit at Kanner Hwy and turn right. Go 1.8 miles and then turn right on SE Salerno Rd. After three miles, at the end, you will find parking for the restaurants.
Shrimpers Grill and Raw Bar, 4903 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart FL 34997, call (772) 220-3287. Lunch and dinner.
Two Georges Dockside Grille, 4290 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart, FL 34997, opens 11am.
Mangia Clam Bar and Grill, 4817 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997, opens 11:30am.
District Table and Bar, 4665 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997. Dinner only. Closed Mondays.
Sunshine Wildlife Boat Tour, departing at Manatee Park, 4358 SE Bayview St, Stuart, FL 34997, call (772) 219-0148. Trips depart at 10:15 Tues, Fri, and Sat, with an extra tour on Wednesday during the winter tourist season. Cost is $50 per person, and includes lunch and beverages. There is also a sunset tour on Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun.

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