As late as 1755, English writer Samuel Johnson's dictionary definition of "lunch" was "as much food as one's hand can hold," which simply means it's a sort of snack you can have any time of day.
Around 1850, lunch became a regular fixture as a meal.
During the Revolutionary War, British nobleman John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, popularized the popular handheld lunch option, which we celebrate on National Sandwich Day — Nov. 3 every year.
Restaurants that make the best lunch spots typically serve food that can be served and eaten fairly quickly, such as soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and bowls. Here are some of the best in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties:
TREASURE COAST
Berry Fresh Café
The ever-expanding, family-owned and operated Berry Fresh Cafe chain was founded by Tim Timoteo, who has over 50 years experience in the restaurant industry. His son, Mitch Timoteo, and grandson, Michael Timoteo, now carry on the family business. Since opening in Port St. Lucie in 2009, it has expanded to Stuart, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens. The chef-driven scratch food features ingredients mostly from local farms. The "What's Fresh" blackboard showcases the latest seasonal dishes. It's open for breakfast, brunch and lunch with an assortment of salads, sandwiches, bowls, burgers, wraps and more.
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- 1718 S.W. St. Lucie W Blvd., Port St. Lucie; 772-336-5291; website
- 1429 S.E. Federal Highway, Stuart; 772-324-8287; website
- 3755 Military Trail, Jupiter; 561-401-5693; website
- 11658 U.S. 1 N. Palm Beach Gardens; 561-486-7580; website
SEBASTIAN
Mo-Bay Grill
Mo-Bay Grill is a Jamaican spot opened in 2005 by Wesley Campbell, who grew up watching his parents cook in their restaurants in Jamaica. He started cooking at the Half Moon Resort in Jamaica, where he became the pastry assistant. After realizing his potential, the resort sent him to Austria for additional training. At 20 years old, Campbell became the executive chef of the resort. After his friend opened the Montego Bay Café in Washington, D.C., he moved to America and cooked in a variety of restaurants in the D.C. area. He has won numerous culinary awards over the years and launched Mo-Bay to bring international flavors to a small town. The menu features an assortment of soups, salads, sandwiches, baskets and appetizers.
1401 Indian River Drive, Sebastian, 772-589-4223, website
Sebastian Sandwich Shack
The Sebastian Sandwich Shack is a family-owned and operated restaurant that makes its soups, salads, daily specials and desserts on-site. It gets all of its produce from a local produce stand, brews its own sweet and unsweet iced tea and serves beer and wine. The menu includes an assortment of burgers, paninis, subs/hoagies, Philly cheesesteaks, deli sandwiches, wraps and specialty sandwiches. Shack favorites include the club sandwich, the Shack attack and the Reuben.
482 U.S. 1, Sebastian; 772-589-4133; website
Riverwalk Café
The Riverwalk Cafe is in the Riverwalk Shopping Plaza and is open for breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu features soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, clubs, burgers, paninis, seafood and "old-time favorites," including meatloaf, chopped sirloin and country-fried steak.
1401 Indian River Drive, Sebastian; 772-589-4223; website
VERO BEACH
Chive
Lou Kolbauer first opened Chive on Old Dixie Highway in 2013. As popularity grew, the menu expanded, and a second location was opened in Royal Palm Pointe in 2014. However, it moved in 2018 to its current location to have more seating, a full-service bar and an expanded patio for dining. Chive offers fresh toppings and proteins cooked to order with options including salads, tacos, burritos, sandwiches and rice and bean bowls. The menu allows everyone to create their own meal.
390 21st St., Vero Beach; 772-999-5452; website
Casey's Place
Casey's was opened by Vero Beach native Casey Steil in 1981 and is located a couple blocks from the beach in Vero Beach's oceanside downtown area. All the seating is outside under the iconic umbrellas at large wood picnic tables. The menu includes blackened marinated chicken sandwiches, grilled quarter-pound hot dogs, salads, cold and grilled sandwiches, chicken strips and burgers.
917 Azalea Lane, Vero Beach; 772-231-4790; website
Seaside Grill
Seaside Grill is on the other side of the boardwalk at Jaycee Beach, allowing guests to eat breakfast or lunch while enjoying the ocean with inside and outdoor seating. The city-owned venue has a long history, starting with its first lease in 1978 to John and Rebecca Whitford. From 1980 to 1991, Ernie Turco ran it as the Seaburger. In 1992, Rudy Culumber, his son and his son's wife ran it as the Seaside Grill. In 2022, the Culumber family retired after 30 years, leaving the landmark vacant and future uncertain. In late 2023, Anderson Studebaker and Wylon Wong reopened it after months of renovations. The revamped spot and menu features Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, a charcuterie board, sliders, flatbreads, tacos, salads, burgers, sandwiches and a shrimp po'boy.
4200 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach; 772-205-2865; website
Dagwood's is a sandwich and sub shop known for its bread, toppings and seasoning. They have a unique array of toppings, including grilled peppers and onions, alfalfa sprouts, shredded carrots, Miracle Whip and garlic butter. The bread options include homemade white or wheat sub rolls as well as sliced white, wheat or rye bread or a wrap. The signature subs include the Dagwood, Italian, deli club, chicken club, California club, Philly cheesesteak dip, BBQ brisket and Dagwood's paninis. It offers some salads and Cape Cod chips.
1430 16th St., Vero Beach; 772-778-1900; website
The BarefootCafé
The Barefoot Café was opened in downtown Vero Beach in 2007 by Steve and Lisa Horn, who later sold it to Will Watkins. He always had wanted to own a sandwich shop. The menu includes toasted subs such as the honey chicken ranch, bleu beef and West Virginia; hot wraps such as the Cajun and Tuscan; and cold wraps such as the New Yorker and Bayou Cobb. There are salads, smoothies and sides such as macaroni salad, potato salad, chips, cole slaw and vegetables.
2036 14th Ave., Vero Beach; 772-770-1733; website
FORT PIERCE
Sunrise City
Sunrise City is a breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Fort Pierce opened in 2017 by native Nichole Parker. The menu features a Cuban bowl, Caribbean Salad, very berry salad, ham and cheese panini, Sunrise BLT, loaded club wrap, avocado shrimp wrap, fried green tomatoes and house-made chips. There's a variety of refreshers, coffee drinks and daily breakfast and lunch specials.
204 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce; 772-242-1833; website
Sharky's
Sharky's is the only restaurant on North Hutchinson Island, located in a plaza built in 1979. It became Sharky's in 1985 and had numerous owners before Cindy Rohn and her son, Derek, took over in 2010. Rohn worked at Sharky's before owning it. She also worked at Archie's Seabreeze, Chuck's Seafood, and the former Mangrove Mattie's and now-demolished Original Tiki Bar & Restaurant. Her signature sub is the Buffalo Soldier that Derek created. The menu has sandwiches, quesadillas, pizza, seafood, cold and hot subs, wraps, salads, wings, burgers and desserts.
1012 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-466-2757; Facebook
The Pot Belli Deli
The Pot Belli Deli has been in the historic Arcade Building near downtown Fort Pierce since 1989. It offers sandwiches, subs, breakfast, homemade soups, a quiche of the day and daily specials. The menu features a variety of cold subs such as the supreme Italian and roast beef, and hot subs such as the shaved steak and the meatball sub.
101 N. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; 772-465-4888; website
2nd Street Bistro
2nd Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce has kept the historical character of the 1929 building while adding antique memorabilia as decor. It has indoor seating and a big outdoor deck with a full bar, extensive wine list and 50 beer taps. It is open for lunch, dinner and brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings, offering bottomless mimosas and a bloody mary bar. Menu favorites include the stuffed potato tots, bistro bang shrimp, tuna tacos, shrimp and grits, signature salad, chicken piccata, jambalaya, grilled chicken sandwich, Fort Pierce po'boy, French dip and chicken wrappini.
122 N. Second St., Fort Pierce; 772-293-9191; website
PORT ST. LUCIE
Tutto Fresco is a great choice when looking for an upscale atmosphere that offers traditional Italian fare with a modern twist. It has a fine dining area and a more relaxed patio bar. During lunch, it offers an array of appetizers, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and pizzas.
9501 Reserve Blvd., Port St. Lucie; 772-464-8988; website
Ramen Hana & Wings is an Asian restaurant that offers a variety of ramen, wings, small and large plates. Its ramen can be made with thin or thick noodles, with options including the Hakata tonkotsu, made with their signature creamy pork broth, spicy miso ramen, truffle shio ramen and yuzu shio ramen. The wing sauces include soy garlic, spicy garlic, sweet and sour, sweet chili teriyaki and Hana's special sauce.
6935 Heritage Drive, Port St. Lucie; 772-444-7891; website
JENSEN BEACH
Castaways Gastropub
Castaways opened in 2014 and has over 70 taps of craft beer and a full food menu featuring chicken-stuffed poppers, ahi tuna tacos, a black and bleu steak salad, the option to build your own burger, sticky wings, the French Quarter sandwich, a don Cubano, chicken flatbread and the butcher pizza.
911 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach; 772-618-3838; Facebook
Lure's Riverfront Restaurant
Lure's in downtown Jensen Beach is known for its open-air bar across the street from the Indian River Lagoon. You can dine inside or outside for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features local seafood and tropical co*cktails.
3330 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach; 772-208-5974; Facebook
Crawdaddy's serves food with a Cajun flare and was established in 1998 by brothers Mark and John Kren, who lived in Louisiana. It is known for its clam chowder, gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish étouffée along with its hurricanes and margaritas. The menu offers a variety of po'boys, wraps, burgers, clams and oysters. It has an inside bar and seating as well as an outdoor tiki bar and courtyard seating.
1949 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach; 772-225-3444; website
Shakra's Deli
The Shakra family has owned and operated the deli since 1972. The tomato and cucumber, potato, macaroni and Greek olive hand-chopped salads have recipes that go back to when the deli first opened. The roast beef supreme has been a top-seller for over 50 years. The menu offers an assortment of hot and cold sandwiches, subs and wraps, along with burgers, chicken, baskets and pasta. It also offers daily lunch specials.
887 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach; 772-334-3641; website
STUART
Spritz City Bistro
Spritz in downtown Stuart has a casual upscale dining atmosphere, serving classic American food with a twist. It is known for its tapas and small plates, catering to restricted diets, co*cktails and the selection of local beers on tap. Spritz offers a variety of cheese and charcuterie boards, crostinis, handhelds, flatbreads, salads and larger plates. It also has a menu section dedicated to vegan options and mocktails.
61 S.W. Osceola Street, Stuart; 772-320-9100; website
Osceola Street Café
Osceola Street Café in downtown Stuart has a quaint atmosphere and serves breakfast, baked goods and specialty soups, salads and sandwiches. There is inside and patio seating. It has daily specials and lunch items such as the Nova lox sandwich, BLT, chicken caprese sandwich, pastrami Reuben, berry and goat salad, pear and blue salad, quinoa power bowl and stuffed avocado salad.
26 S.W. Osceola St., Stuart; 772-283-6116; website
The Riverwalk Cafe, in one of downtown Stuart's most historic buildings, was opened in 2002 by chef-owner Steven Feder. The lunch menu features oysters, soups, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, blackened fish tacos and an American Kobe burger.
201 S.W. St. Lucie Ave., Stuart; 772-221-1511; website
PALM CITY
Townies Tavern
Townies Tavern offers an assortment of sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, and house-smoked BBQ. It features items such as the Tavern wings, ahi tuna nachos, pulled pork sandwich, cilantro lime rice bowl, short rib ragu, smoked pineapple chicken, and birria tacos. Townies has $3 domestic beers and $1 smoked chicken wings on Mondays, musical bingo on Thursdays and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
2277 S.W. Martin Highway, Palm City; 772-291-2115; website
Ripper's Restaurant
Jack Ripper opened Ripper's in Stuart in the early 1980s, then Donna Ripper and her mother, Jewel Suvie, moved the restaurant to Palm City in 2004. It offers diner-style food, including sandwiches, salads, burritos, baskets and breakfast.
4207 S.W. Martin Highway, Palm City; 772-219-0009; no website or Facebook
HOBE SOUND
Harry and the Natives
The Cypress Cabins motel, restaurant and gas station opened on Dec. 7, 1941, and changed hands seven times over 11 years. In 1952, Jack and Pauline Author and their three daughters moved into what was then The Farm. They then had two sons, John and Harry. After many years and all the children moving away, Harry, now a chef, came home in 1989, remodeled the kitchen and opened the business as Harry and the Natives. Harry grew up helping his family take care of the restaurant and has cooked in an array of different restaurants from Switzerland to Hawaii. The restaurant has an eclectic Old Florida atmosphere with live music six days a week, a full bar and outdoor seating under a huge thatched roof. There are soups, salads, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas and desserts.
11910 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound; 772-546-3061; website
PORT SALERNO
King Neptune
King Neptune is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving seafood since 1968. It is in the Manatee Pocket area of Port Salerno, renowned as "a fisherman's paradise." It has indoor and some outdoor seating. It also offers the option to cook your catch with two sides for a fee.
4795 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart/Port Salerno; 772-287-9630; Facebook
Also in the Manatee Pocket area of Port Salerno, Shrimper's menu is centered around fresh seafood and known for its Bahamian conch chowder, crunchy grouper Reuben and coconut shrimp. It is pet-friendly and offers items for your furry friend. There are also bars to enjoy the waterfront view.
4903 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart/Port Salerno; 772-220-3287; website
Eve Pierpont is a freelancer for TCPalm who looks out for the best things to do across the Treasure Coast. Do you have an upcoming event you want to be potentially included in this weekly roundup? Email it to her at epierpont@gannett.com. You can also upload your event to TCPalm's event page at events.tcpalm.com.
