Review: Seafood restaurant in Manatee Pocket has been king of fresh fish since 1968

Lucie Regensdorf
·3 min read

In Roman mythology, King Neptune is the god of the seas. Thus, it is a fitting name for a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been specializing in serving the freshest of fish since 1968.

King Neptune Restaurant, in the Manatee Pocket area of Port Salerno, is a hidden treasure described as “unfussy quarters,” but that might be an understatement. The evening we were there, we walked right in and were seated at a table for four. The space is tiny, with about eight wood tables. Seating includes chairs or pretty, blue-patterned upholstery stools. The décor is sea-themed. The building reminded me of a surf shack, but there is absolutely no room for surfboards.

The menu is fish-centric, with loads of choices.

At King Neptune Restaurant in Port Salerno's Manatee Pocket, The blackened mahi over Caesar salad had a pleasing combination of flavors.
At King Neptune Restaurant in Port Salerno's Manatee Pocket, The blackened mahi over Caesar salad had a pleasing combination of flavors.

We started with two appetizers. The hush puppies ($2.99) were spoons full of batter made with cornmeal that had been dropped into hot oil and deep-fried. They were tender, flavorful and slightly sweet on the inside, yet crispy on the outside. The smoky BBQ mustard sauce was a perfect accompaniment.

We also ordered cracked conch ($11.49). King Neptune's menu claims they “do cracked conch right.” And they do. It was the best I have ever tasted. The conch is pounded and lightly dusted before being fried. It was tender and not at all chewy, with a mild, fresh flavor. The island conch sauce was tangy and creamy and complemented the fish.

We also tried the seafood bisque ($9.99), which was a creamy chowder with a slight sherry flavor that was chock-full of tender pieces of lobster, clams, crab and shrimp. It was very good.

One fellow diner ordered sea scallops ($18.49 per half-pound and $28.49 per pound), which you can have cooked your way: fried, broiled, jerked, blackened, grilled or pan sauteed. The grilled scallops had a delicate flavor of the sea, and she described them as melting in her mouth. Entrees are served with french fries and cole slaw, but you can choose other sides for $1 more. She upgraded to the sweet potato fries.

King Neptune Restaurant in the Manatee Pocket area of Port Salerno/Stuart is a hidden treasure described as “unfussy quarters,” but that might be an understatement. The building reminded me of a surf shack, but there is absolutely no room for surfboards.
King Neptune Restaurant in the Manatee Pocket area of Port Salerno/Stuart is a hidden treasure described as “unfussy quarters,” but that might be an understatement. The building reminded me of a surf shack, but there is absolutely no room for surfboards.

Another of my dining companions ordered a special that day: blackened snapper with pineapple salsa ($29.99). The fish had great flavor. It was succulent, but firm and flaky. The salsa contributed a sweet balance to the savory blackening seasonings. He relished the pineapple salsa with his snapper and would have enjoyed a little more of it.

The mister ordered blackened mahi over Caesar salad ($15.49). The combination of flavors was very pleasing. The blackening seasonings gave a kick of heat to the cool romaine lettuce and creamy Caesar dressing.

All things food: New restaurants, reviews, inspections & best bets

Hook and cook: These seafood restaurants will cook your fresh catch

My dinner was listed on the menu under "The King’s Specialties." My pistachio mahi ($19.49) was a slab of fish encrusted in finely chopped pistachios, sauteed, then drizzled with a sauce that had a sweet Key lime-like flavor. I ordered a premium side of cheese grits that were hearty and flavorful, with lots of cheese and bits of chopped onion.

Say you were out all-day fishing in the hot sun and just wanted to sit back, sip a cool drink, and let someone else cook your catch? King Neptune will do that for you for $13.49 per person, including two sides. (The cool drink is extra). If you’re not a fish lover, they also serve filet mignon medallions.

King Neptune Restaurant is a great local spot that could be a fish shop (without the bait or rods) or a surf shop (without the boards), but is really a cozy, fun restaurant serving fresh fish from King Neptune’s Sea.

King Neptune Restaurant

  • Cuisine: Fish and seafood

  • Address: 4795 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart/Port Salerno

  • Phone: 772-287-9630

  • Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday

  • Alcohol: Beer and wine

  • Online: facebook.com/kingneptunestuart/

Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Seafood restaurant review: King Neptune Port Salerno, Stuart