Last Updated on June 12, 2018 by Marybeth
Where else but in Sebastian, on the Indian River, on Florida’s east coast.
If there is another such paradise – in small town, lesser known, coastal Florida – please tell us.
Sebastian, an historic fishing village, is filled with “Friendly People and 6 Old Grouches” (their slogan: we never found out who those 6 are…) and retains an appealing fishing/boating/watersports vibe with boat docks, moorings, deep sea fishing, and many opportunities to explore nature along the water.
Home of the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Forever Florida grant program, Sebastian has been focusing on their dazzling riverfront district with a series of boardwalks to give visitors an up-close view of fishing operations. This grant also supports commercial fishermen who have faced a number of challenges including hurricanes and rising fuel prices in recent years. Read more about this grant program and the exciting plans for the future, here. Crab E Bill’s Seafood Market and Eatery is part of this plan for this area to become a major tourist destination, read more about them, below.
But first, those cottages!
The Pelican Island game cottage is equipped with a pool table and big screen TV where guests can gather
We Triple-B-ers usually dump our overnight bags and scoot to the nearest waterfront watering hole, but for once we reversed our trend and spent time drifting around the peaceful paradise that is Pelican Island Cottages.
Pelican Island Cottages
11330 US-1
Sebastian, Florida 32958
772-321-3202
Gator Cottage
Pelican Island cottages were built in the 1950’s and ’60’s, and have only had three owners. We can see why – acquiring such a cheerful cluster of cottages that speak to you of whimsy and yesteryear… why would you want to walk away? We didn’t.
Formerly The Pink Flamingo, Pelican Island Cottages are still pink, but updated by the current owners, Leslie and Tom Wolff. Each cottage is named after various local wildlife and each interior carries that distinct fish, bird or animal’s coloring and theme. Imagine how fun that must have been, planning and acquiring all the quirky and kitschy decor – I’m thinking maybe I should do that HERE at OUR little bungalow!
Pelican Island Cottages have 19 units with one or two bedrooms available. The full kitchens come with basically all you need – toasters, microwaves, , coffee pots, utensils. Some of the cottages have screened porches or decks. Cute, non-barking dogs are allowed! (Puppet, our all-barking Chihuaha mix rescue, is always left behind with one of our pet-sitting kids.)
Cottage rates are $115 – $160 daily in the winter: December 15 to April 20, and $90 – $130 in the summer: April 21 to December 14. Weekly and monthly rates are less, check their website by clicking on their name above, or go here for their rate page.
Snook Cottage
A guarded beach with public parking and facilities is just 6 miles away by car over the Wabasso Beach Road Bridge: the Wabasso Beach Park. There is also a snack bar there, but the parking lot fills up fast. The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is 11 miles away by car, over the same bridge and then head north, but lots closer by kayak. Pelican Island is the first designated wildlife refuge in the United States, read more about it here.
Visit the beach and the wildlife refuge while you’re here, but the main draw for us is being able to stroll down the street for a meal and a drink or three. We’re all about walkability here at Beaches, Bars and Bungalows. Park it and walk. It’s good for your heart and you beat the boredom of being the designated driver.
Sebastian, Florida has a top-rated Walk IQ, decided by us but also many of our fans and followers. Walkability really is A Thing. FindTheHome.com did an in-depth study for Millenials focusing on the top cities for today’s 20-somethings, using the Walk IQ – the amount of bars and restaurants within walking distance – as an important criteria. While we’re no longer 20-something, nor 30- or 40- and some of us may even no longer be 50-something, Walk IQ is still right up there on the top of OUR criteria. Read FindTheHome’s list of the top 10 cities, here.
You may not be up for walking to EVERY restaurant that dots the shoreline down the street from Pelican Island Cottages. In fact, the northernmost restaurant on our list is a little over two miles away. Depending on your fitness level and the weather forecast you might want to drive, and that’s okay too as there are numerous places to park.
We’ll start with the closest and work our way north.
Pareidolia Brewing Company
482 US Highway 1
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-584-0331
Photo courtesy of Pareidolia Brewing Company
- Offering craft beers brewed on site, as well as guest beers from Florida and beyond.
- Also serving wine and pub grub – dips and snacks, panninis, soft pretzels, hot dogs and more. The kitchen opens at 5:30 weekdays and 1:00 p.m. on weekends.
- Kid-friendly; children are welcome until 8 p.m.
- Friendly dogs are welcome at outside tables.
Mulligan’s Beach House Bar and Grille
806 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-918-4844
Photo courtesy of Mulligan’s Beach House Bar and Grille
- Bar and grill with an emphasis on seafood, a colorful Caribbean vibe and gorgeous views of the Indian River.
- Family owned and operated by native Floridians; Mulligan’s five other locations are Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Lake Worth.
- Happy Hour every day 1- 7 p.m.
- Open 7 days a week 365 days a year, Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 midnight.
Mo-Bay Grill
1401 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-4223
Photo courtesy of Mo-Bay Grill
- Steaks, chops and seafood with international flavors presented in a small-town atmosphere.
- The award-winning chef, Wesley Campbell is also the owner.
- Open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Tiki Bar and Grill
1130 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL
772-388-1080
- Simple but fun and yummy menu of appetizers and entrees of wings, nachos, various sandwiches, tacos, hot dogs and caesar salad.
- Directly on the river with great views, multiple seating options.
- Entrees served Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and appetizers are served Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.
- Live music almost every day; check out their schedule by clicking on their name above.
Earl’s Hideaway Lounge and Tiki Bar
1405 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-5700
- Full liquor lounge, package store, and tiki bar, a Sebastian landmark since the ’50’s across the street from the river, with full river views.
- Serving breakfast – breakfast sandwiches and bagels – from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lunch – burgers, dogs, wings, shrimp on a stick, sandwiches – Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday Tuesday Wednesday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner – pizza, stromboli, calzone, meatballs, meatball subs – Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to close, Friday through Sunday 12 p.m. to close.
- Live blues entertainment Friday, Saturday and Sunday, check their schedule by clicking their name above.
Crab E Bills Seafood Market and Eatery
1540 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-388-2722
- Serving mostly seafood – appetizers, sandwiches and baskets – but also offering a chicken sandwich and burger.
- Crab E Bill has been a fishmonger and meat butcher for over 25 years, and is committed to providing only day boat fish that are not caught on long lines or netted.
- Crab E’s situation is unique in that they are part of the Florida Stan Mayfield grant for “Working Waterfronts” created to promote commercial fishing in Florida. This grant does have some restrictions including no wait staff, beer and wine only, and a certain number of tables allowed. Being a part of this grant allows Crab E Bills to maintain the highest of standards and to provide the best quality products.
- Open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Salty’s Bar and Grill
1550 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-581-8329
Salty’s doesn’t look too salty from the street but don’t let that fool you – they have a great outdoor deck plus this view!
- Sebastian’s newest waterfront restaurant. Right on the river, arrive by car or boat.
- Creative and unusual (for a bar and grill) menu separated into Nibbles and Snacks, Handhelds, and Fork and Knife Required. Full liquor bar, separate outdoor smoking area.
- Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday with plans for more in the near future. Check the schedule by clicking their name above.
- Open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 midnight. Happy Hour is 2 – 6 p.m.
Captain Hiram’s Restaurant and Sandbar
1606 Indian River Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-4345
- Large riverfront complex including a 500-seat cafe, laid back bar with numerous places to sit – decks, the sandbar, under tiki umbrellas, in a beached boat. Arrive by car or boat.
- The Sandbar – an outdoor tiki style 3 bars in 1 – serves sandwiches, burgers, wings, clams, chowder, tacos, crabcakes etc. Food is served 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Beverage service goes until 12:45 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
- Blackfins next door has a more extensive menu with starters, raw bar, sandwiches, soups and salads, fried platters and main courses. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
- You can also stay overnight with the Captain in his non-smoking guest rooms or suites. Click on his name above to go to his website.
Squid Lips Overwater Grill
1660 North Indian River Dr.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-3828
Photo courtesy of Squid Lips
- Low-key atmosphere with high quality food at the end of a pier. Waterfront dining inside but with an open-air feeling, especially when the plastic wind shields are rolled up.
- A very extensive menu including many appetizer choices, sandwiches, baskets, entrees including low carb options, pasta, grits, land and sea entrees, soups and salads.
Capt’n Butcher’s Seafood Grill and Bar
1732 Indian River Dr.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-918-4229
- Indoor seating with a view and open air deck right on the water.
- Varied menu with something for everyone: A shellfish bar, seafood platters, pasta, sandwiches, wraps and flatbreads.
- No live music at this time but tell the Capt’n we want him to play and sing.
- You can also stay with this Capt’n overnight, click on the name above for rates.
Are you tired from all this walking yet? Do you believe that we actually visited all ten restaurants in one afternoon? If I divulge that secret, will you tell me one of yours?
If you haven’t visited this quaint riverfront walkable, friendly, fishing, boating town with its enviably cute pink cottages, book your trip soon; we promise a good time will be had by all.
Sebastian overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway near Florida’s east coast, 15 miles north of Vero Beach and 20 miles south of Melbourne.
