Find Your New Favorite Restaurant: Ethnic Dining in St. Lucie

So, kiss Chinese takeout goodbye, and forget about pizza delivery. There’s a world of ethnic dining to discover in Fort. Pierce and Port St. Lucie.

So when we stepped inside, we were taken aback by the low ceiling and rich, dark wood. A small half-bar filled with wine bottles sat across from a row of small tables, and we were not far away from the kitchen. We could hear and smell the staff preparing fresh Greek dishes — and the key word here is fresh. Joel’s zesty calamari tasted like it was minutes out of the ocean, and it was served with a side of vibrant veggies. Meanwhile, my chicken gyro’s tzatziki sauce was creamy, the flavors accented by a pop of tomato and melt-in-your-mouth pita. We ate heartily, enjoying the rustic stone pillars and Grecian murals on the walls.

The best part by far, though, was the handcrafted desserts. We chose chocolate éclair cake — heavenly puffs of pastry between layers of rich cream, and topped with a chocolate sauce. We left satiated — and you will, too!

The outside of the free-standing building seemed deserted. But when I went in, it was packed. People of all stripes — truck drivers, day laborers, students, men in suits — were clustered around the tables, chowing down on Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, ropa vieja & their popular cafe con leche.

The Spanish-speaking staff treated me with such warmth that I felt like part of the family. And the food? Perfection.

The Croquette Supremo sandwich was almost beyond description. Crispy croquettes paired with rich ham on crispy, flattened bread, lightened up by lettuce and tomato, and a crispy pop of potato chips. The empanadas are emphatically crispy, larger than my hand, and stuffed with potatoes and beef swimming in rich tomato sauce. And the handcrafted pastries, brimming with exotic fillings like guava and cheese, are as soft as they are sweet.

So, if you’re ever craving Cuban classics or some next level comfort food, Mervis Café is the perfect stop.

If you’re new to Thai food, treat yourself to chicken curry puffs as an appetizer. Couched in crispy fried wonton, the chicken boasts a depth of warmth and flavor you won’t get anywhere else.

Despite the name, Spice Thai actually serves Thai / Japanese fusion. Joel’s a sushi lover, so he enjoyed the Scuba Roll. He loved the eel sauce, seaweed, avocado, seared tuna, and tempura flakes. Meanwhile, I indulged in light, crispy chicken katsu for a flavorful experience.

Miranda Jade Friel is a freelance business copywriter under the name JFCopy. As a resident of South Hutchinson Island, she enjoys long walks on the beach and sampling the native cuisine with her fiancee, Joel. You can often find her at the Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market or local festivals.