On The Treasure Coast
Historic downtown Stuart near the St. Lucie River
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Stuart, Florida

Best Lunch Places in Stuart

This is one of those towns where lunch is part food stop, part atmosphere. Historic Downtown Stuart sits beside the St. Lucie River and packs in shops, restaurants, and galleries, while Stuart Beach adds a more laid-back lunch option by the water. That mix is what makes Stuart especially good for midday dining.

7 min read

Top picks at a glance

  • Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar for a classic Stuart seafood lunch.
  • CoLab Kitchen for a lighter, more modern midday meal.
  • Stuart Boathouse for waterfront lunch with broad appeal.
  • Spritz City Bistro for groups with different diets and tastes.
  • Waterfront for a more polished lunch with seafood-forward plates.
  • Taco Shack for the best quick casual option.
  • Ellie's Downtown Deli for sandwiches, soup, and local charm.
  • Seaside Cafe for the best beach lunch in town.

Planning note

Check hours before you go.

I prioritized places that clearly serve lunch now and offer something useful beyond good food alone, whether that is waterfront setting, speed, variety, healthier options, or a stronger lunch menu. Hours can shift, so it is still smart to double-check before heading out.

1

Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar

If you want the most Stuart lunch on this list, start here. Riverwalk has been in a historic downtown building since 2002 and is a strong choice when you want oysters, fresh seafood, steak, and a real sit-down lunch instead of a grab-and-go meal.

  • Lunch service is listed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Official menu highlights include mahi tacos, a fried oyster plate, and oyster stew.
  • Best fit: a classic downtown seafood lunch with some polish.
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2

CoLab Kitchen

CoLab Kitchen is one of the smartest lunch picks when you want something fresher and a little less heavy. It is especially useful for a healthier lunch, a working lunch, or anyone who wants a more contemporary midday option.

  • Current menu shows lunch Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Bowls and salads include options like The Glory Bowl and Roasted Beet.
  • Best fit: lighter, more modern lunch with better vegetable-forward choices.
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3

Stuart Boathouse

For waterfront energy and a menu that works for almost anyone, Stuart Boathouse is a very safe bet. It is one of the easier recommendations for families or mixed groups where not everyone wants the same kind of lunch.

  • Current hours begin at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.
  • Lunch menu examples include a Steak & Mushroom sandwich and Chicken Bacon Flatbread.
  • Best fit: broad-appeal waterfront lunch with plenty of range.
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4

Spritz City Bistro

Spritz works especially well for groups because the concept is broad without feeling generic. It is a strong choice when one person wants something lighter, someone else wants cocktails, and nobody wants to compromise too much.

  • Serves lunch and dinner in downtown Stuart.
  • Known for tapas, small plates, and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
  • Current hours start at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.
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5

Waterfront

If you want lunch that feels a little more stylish, Waterfront belongs on the shortlist. It is a good pick when you want seafood-forward lunch with a polished setting rather than a pure beach-bar feel.

  • Current posted hours start at 11 a.m. daily.
  • Lunch menu examples include Tuna Poketini, Lobster Roll, Crab Cake Sandwich, and tuna or shrimp tacos.
  • Best fit: polished waterfront lunch with stronger seafood options.
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6

Taco Shack

Taco Shack is the best quick-casual lunch play on this list. It is ideal when you want a fast, flavorful lunch that does not eat up your whole afternoon.

  • Stuart location is at 555 S. Colorado Ave.
  • Currently lists 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
  • Menu leans into tacos, burritos, ceviche, stuffed avocado, and vegetarian options.
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7

Ellie's Downtown Deli

Ellie's is the kind of place that gives a lunch scene character. This is the place to choose for sandwiches, soup, or a lower-key local lunch instead of a waterfront meal.

  • Downtown location is on SE 6th Street.
  • Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The deli says many ingredients are sourced locally in Martin County.
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8

Seaside Cafe

For pure location value, Seaside Cafe is hard to top. This is the right answer when lunch is part of a beach day and you care as much about the setting as the food.

  • Located steps from Stuart Beach with Atlantic views.
  • Relaxed order-at-the-window format serving breakfast, lunch, and bar bites.
  • Lunch menu includes a blackened mahi sandwich, shrimp po'boy, burger, BLT, and Cuban sandwich.
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Which one should you choose?

A faster shortlist.

  • Best classic Stuart lunch: Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar
  • Best healthy or modern lunch: CoLab Kitchen
  • Best broad-appeal waterfront lunch: Stuart Boathouse
  • Best for groups with dietary variety: Spritz City Bistro
  • Best stylish seafood lunch: Waterfront
  • Best quick casual lunch: Taco Shack
  • Best deli lunch: Ellie's Downtown Deli
  • Best beach lunch: Seaside Cafe

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