Fodor's Expert Review The Tides

A charming cottage restaurant west of Ocean Drive prepares some of the best food around—not just in Vero Beach, but all of South Florida. The chefs, classically trained, give a nod to international fare with disparate dishes such as tuna tataki, Asian-inspired carpaccio with satay, penne quattro formaggi, and classic lobster bisque. The setting is effortlessly elegant (think pale-blue, coral-printed fabrics and a brick fireplace) and the service top-notch. An appetizer's two jumbo crab cakes have scarcely anything but sweet, fresh flesh; a Southern-inspired corn-and-pepper sauce naps them. Floridian fish are a focus, testament to the chef's commitment to local sourcing. Adventurous eaters may want to book the chef's table, where the chef's choice menu is paired with wines from an impressive list.