I've been meaning to get to Kilted Mermaid for a while, it kept coming up in conversations and in the Vero Beach Foodie community. Funky beer & wine bar with a light menu, live entertainment & a colorful, art-filled setting. So when I finally made it over, I wasn't surprised to see the place busy even on a weeknight. With a 4.6-star rating from over 1316 reviewers and that $$ price point, expectations were high. They delivered.
One guest put it well: "For me, this is an absolute perfect dining experience"
Appetizer: Coconut shrimp
I started with the coconut shrimp. The portion was shareable, crispy outside, tender inside, with a sweet dipping sauce that had just enough kick. Exactly the kind of appetizer that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment.
Another diner mentioned: "The food is perfect every time I've been..."
Entrée: Fresh grouper
The fresh grouper was the star of my visit. Grouper is one of those Florida fish that can be hit or miss depending on the kitchen, here it was perfectly cooked, flaky and moist. The preparation let the fish speak for itself without overdoing the seasonings. I'd go back for this dish alone.
Someone else wrote: "This place was amazing..."
Entrée: Mahi-mahi
The mahi-mahi was equally solid, grilled to order with a light citrus note that felt right for the setting. It came with seasonal sides that actually felt seasonal, not an afterthought. This is the kind of place where the kitchen cares about the details.
Entrée: Shrimp and grits
I couldn't skip the shrimp and grits. Creamy stone-ground grits, plump shrimp, and a sauce that had some depth to it, not the thin, bland version you sometimes get. It felt like a proper Southern staple with a coastal twist.
Entrée: Pan-seared scallops
Last, the pan-seared scallops. When scallops are done right, they're magic, and these were. Golden sear on the outside, buttery and tender inside. A few of these with a glass of wine would make a perfect lighter meal.
Dessert: Key lime pie
I saved room for the key lime pie, and I'm glad I did. Tart, creamy, with a graham cracker crust that held together, the way key lime pie should be. It's a Florida staple, and they do it justice.
Beverage: Citrus margarita
I went with a citrus margarita to match the coastal vibe. Refreshing, not too sweet, with a good balance. The bar had a solid selection if you prefer wine or beer, worth asking what pairs well with your main.
Final Thoughts
I left Kilted Mermaid feeling like I'd found a spot I could recommend without hesitation. The food lived up to the hype, the vibe was relaxed and welcoming, and it's clear why it's earned such a loyal following. If you're in Vero Beach and looking for seafood done right, put this one on your list.
Photos from Kilted Mermaid
Photos from our visit (images may not correspond to specific dishes reviewed above).
Address: 1937 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32960, USA
Website: https://kiltedmermaid.com/
Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Stacy began programming in high school and never looked back. While earning his B.S. in Telecommunications at the University of Kentucky, he simultaneously worked as a Computer Lab Administrator for the MLK Microlabs and ran his own web development company. He then served as a New Media Developer at Mikrotek ISP, managed internet marketing for Host Communications/Total Sports and the NCAA, and was named Vice President of Development at iHigh.com, a VC-backed startup revolutionizing real-time sports stats for media and fans.
Stacy’s post-college venture, Edit-X, launched in Denver and quickly became one of the most advanced CMS/e-commerce hybrid platforms available. The software was a decade ahead of its time, and its success led to partnerships across Fortune 500 clients and some of the largest privately owned dating platforms in the world. Stacy’s ability to drive traffic, increase engagement, and build custom tech positioned him as a trusted consultant for large-scale digital enterprises.
After successful chapters in Kentucky, Denver, and Miami, Stacy chose Vero Beach as home in 2011, drawn to its creative energy, natural beauty, and family-friendly lifestyle. Since then, he has become a cornerstone of the local digital scene, founding Vero Vine, the largest community-driven event platform in Indian River County, and Vero Beach Foodie, a 46,000-member strong food and lifestyle community hailed as the largest of its kind on the East Coast.
He also serves as the co-author of the Optimizer Handbook, founder of Starling Support, and a veteran Google Ads strategist who has audited over $5 million in digital ad waste and overseen ad accounts spending over $1M/month and managing over $400M in ad spend life-time. His work has empowered hundreds of businesses, agencies, and startups to scale with clarity, confidence, and precision.
A father of three (Ava, Aden, and Myla), Stacy splits his time between digital strategy, community advocacy, and building new tools for local businesses to thrive online. Whether he’s optimizing ad performance, launching grassroots campaigns, or spotlighting hidden gems across the Treasure Coast, Stacy brings passion, integrity, and creative energy to everything he does.
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