Where Should I Eat at Vero Beach?

Not all Disney Vacation Club properties are created equal. Some enjoy superior dining options, while others reside in tourist areas. So, Disney presumes you’ll spend most of your time enjoying the local flavors. 

That statement perfectly describes Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, although there’s also a must-do at the hotel itself. Where should you eat at Vero Beach? Here are a few suggestions…

Quick Service and Lounges

When you visit Vero Beach, you’ll say the words “Wind & Waves” a lot because that’s the name of the featured restaurant and one of the bars here. Specifically, Wind & Waves Bar provides poolside lounge service. 

When you think of sipping cocktails while staring at palm trees, it’s pretty much this. One part of the pool overlooks the hotel itself, while lush foliage surrounds the rest. As for the drinks, you’ll find the Banana Cabana, Captain’s Mai Tai, and the Piña CoLAVA, along with other recognizable staples of Disney menus.

Inside the building, guests can dine at Wind & Waves Market, a counter service location akin to Capt. Cook’s or the Contempo Café. I will say that the menu at this Quick Service restaurant is a bit more daring, though.

Entrees include the Impossible Patty Melt, Mediterranean Chicken Pita, Buffalo Chicken Strips, and Baha-Style Fish Tacos. Notably, the prices here are quite affordable, especially when compared to other Vero Beach offerings outside the friendly confines of Disney.

Finally, we have one other lounge, The Green Cabin Room. This cozy bar includes an interior sitting area and a balcony. On hot days, you’ll be happy to sit inside and nurture a beverage. However, you should snag a table on the balcony at some point to admire the pristine view of the Atlantic Ocean.

On the menu, you’ll find desserts like Bread Pudding. This place also serves coffee at various intervals, making it a kind of coffeehouse and bar. 

The Character Meal 

I have exciting news for DVC members! The character meal is returning to Wind & Waves Grill! According to the Disney Parks Blog, the updated character meal will debut on April 20th. 

As a reminder, Vero Beach hosts a Saturday breakfast character meal. You can enjoy this interactive dining experience from 8 a.m. until noon, and the hosts of the event are Goofy and Pluto. 

The beloved members of the Sensational Six dress up in beachy outfits, making this the Vero Beach equivalent of Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. So, you’ll want to take plenty of photos and videos of Goofy and Pluto working the crowd. 

Disney has refreshed the breakfast menu at Wind & Waves Grill. When you sit down, your server will present a glorious “Pastry Boat,” filled with mini-pastries shaped like Mouse Ears. The dish will also include a mixed berry compote to augment the flavors.

The Wind & Waves character breakfast will offer menu items like Blueberry Pancakes and Bananas Foster French Toast. Disney describes the latter dish as “fluffy challah bread and drizzled with a decadent bananas foster sauce, complemented by a side of crisp bacon.” Yum! 

Finally, no Treasure Coast breakfast would be complete without a Treasure Omelet. Disney describes it as a “flavorful blend of golden cheddar, ham, bell peppers and onions, served alongside seasoned home fries.”

Of course, this Table Service restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and it’s shockingly good. TripAdvisor ranks it as the #59 restaurant in the area out of 200 options. 

This unexpectedly robust menu includes starters like Scallop Fritters, seafood classics like Shrimp and Grits, and a plant-based dish, “Impossible” Salisbury Steak, that has built quite a buzz since its arrival. Overall, it’s the kind of restaurant where you’ll likely eat multiple meals due to its convenience and quality. 

Other Dining Options 

I touched on some dining options in an article earlier this year. The locals and tourists revere The Tides, a fine-dining experience serving the freshest seafood on the Treasure Coast. 

You’ll discover the scenic Riverside Café nestled along the Indian River Lagoon. If you want to eat Oysters on the Half Shell while watching the sunset, this is the place. This place is also affordable, with no entrees priced over $20. On Sundays, you can eat a Brunch Buffet for $28.99, though. 

TripAdvisor ranks those as the top two dining options in Vero Beach. Rounding out the top five are the Kilted Mermaid, Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station, and The Lemon Tree. 

The Kilted Mermaid prides itself on being a crafted beer and wine bar. Occasionally, live entertainment, such as bagpipes, is featured. If you want a pint of Guinness, this is the place. 

Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station presents itself as inexpensive comfort food, and the reviews reinforce this statement. Similarly, The Lemon Tree will serve you a cheap, good meal while you’re being a tourist around Ocean Drive. 

At Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, you’ll find plenty to eat at the hotel. However, when you drive around the city, you’ll unlock a plethora of new options, many of which serve tasty seafood dishes. 

Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.