Respectfully, I do not agree with your list.
I do understand differences of opinion…
Riverside - Yuk
Hiram’s - Somewhat yuk
Mulligans - seems to have improved
Wind &waves - limited menu
Ocean Grill - agree
But I’m a local. So most of your places are tourist traps. I get that.
I’ve posted my favorites earlier.
I don't have my growing list in front of me. If there is a restaurant that has been mentioned here or other forums, they are not "local" places anymore
. I am not a local.........I have friends who are snowbirds - so this is also limited since they don't go out every single night (one just became a snowbird). A an old-coworker of mine retired and is now living in Vero Beach. He and his wife post on FB places they go to.........I have seen some I recognize. Are they still considered "tourist traps". I don't know. Spread the wealth I say
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If we get in again next year, it will be our third year in a row but our 4th visit. (One other trip was cancelled last minute due to Hurricane Matthew). We will try any, and most of all recommended restaurants (reviews on yelp/tripadvisor can be 50/50).
We all have difference tastes and expectations. We love to try to find little hole in the wall, or places locals go to. We also dined at Sebastian Roadhouse Restaurant and would go back. I don't think I mentioned it. Until we try every single restaurant, we have nothing to compare it too - within Vero/Sebastian.
I know there are a ton of more places - but we can only get to 3 or four max while staying 5/6 nights.
The first time we visited Vero with my brother (and family) and another visit to Hilton Head, he was looking for fancy places like home. Always table cloth napkins, modern decor, etc. etc. I said I can have that at home and most places in Florida and Hilton Head are a little bit of both the modern upscale feel and the beach/casual look/theme. I told him fancy is not always better. Just an example that one needs to try new places and everyone has different needs/wants.
Please feel free to recommend places - I have seen a ton more mentioned and probably by you. How many pages is this thread. I know "search lol". I can't recommend others unless I have tried them. We discovered Waldo while waiting for our table at Ocean Grill. Is it a tourist trap? Of course it is. But I want to go and experience it myself even if it's for a drink or two someday. I still want to get to Earl's
I do want to try restaurants where the locals eat - anywhere I go. I will add to my list. But I can only scratch off one or two next trip. There are some that we repeat for various reasons.
We can always agree to disagree