The only reason Cobalt is getting two stars is the view. Not too many other redeeming qualities. Went with five friends and after fighting for seats on the patio, getting blown with flames from fire pit, having to scramble and carry our chairs to our "spot" on patio, waiting for 15 minutes for drinks, another 15 minutes to order happy hour apps, was hoping dinner would redeem experience. Not so. Waiter was not a good representative for the chef. When one of our group was leaning toward ordering the duck, he noted it was his least favorite dish on the menu. Not a good advocate for the limited menu choices. The apps on patio were terrible. Why offer a happy hour app menu if you can't even make pork sliders and fried rock shrimp well?Poor shrimp...they didn't deserve that unsavory end. Plates chosen by our group were unimaginative and poorly plated. My personal choice was two small plates. "bacon and eggs" app was just ok. Pork belly tasty but poor cut and egg overcooked. Sauce as base was unimaginative. Second small plate was gnudo (gnocchi) with heavy cream sauce. Couldn't even finish the five of them. Soooo heavy. BTW, upset tummy all night and I can eat anything. Steak was boring, short ribs pretty good but not well seasoned, fish dishes ok but nothing out of the park. Dessert offerings again run of the mill. Prices did not reflect a commensurate quality of service, food or preparation. Normally don't slam staff but service was terrible. A definite no go! Take a walk on the beach and bring your own food if this is the only dining choice. Too bad.
(2)
K F.
I love the location of Cobalt, and it is a great place to meet clients and impress. The food and service are consistently good, and of course the oceanfront location rocks. Excellent happy hour with inexpensive but delicious appetizers. Definitely check it out.
(4)
Neil Mikel L.
This place is just in arm's reach of being 4 or 5 stars, but it's the little things that make an excellent experience bad. First the bad, breakfast ends at 11:00 am, I arrived at 11:00, already new what breakfast dish I wanted, the place was empty, and they still couldn't accomodate my desire for some eggs. Just something I've never experienced. Second, the hostress did more than the waitress. Third, the food was good, but not great. The good (1) the view, (2) nice staff, (3) descent selection.
(2)
scott h.
The best fish we had in Vero. But you need to pay handsomely for it. Not complaining. This is definitely a question of getting what you pay for. For a better deal get the fish sandwich at the bar or at the pool bar. Very nice to eat Oceanside on their patio. No doubt another reason they command higher prices.
(4)
Gp M.
I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!! Very Excellent place!!!! Food is always good. Only place were you can eat and see ocean views ( if you don't want to pay a fortune). The staff are very kind people always smiling and happy to see you.
(5)
Colleen H.
Okay - when we reflect on a restaurant, what things are most important? FOOD - AMBIANCE - SERVICE Although I would agree that the service is slooooowww; I would not let that deter me from acknowledging the other delights of this restaurant. I have always, always enjoyed dining here... though I may not always want to 'wait', what more could I ask for with a view like this? Do go to this place to enjoy the food while you enjoy the ocean view, and, hopefully, your company! Worth the visit!
(4)
Alie A.
I've only ever been to Cobalt for drinks; the ambiance here is great! We sat outside by the fire pit; it's a great spot to take visitors of Vero. Always a good crowd of people; on the weekends, they have live entertainment and dancing. Drinks are fairly reasonable in price and the ocean view is a beautiful plus.
(4)
Laura A.
Upper class , fine dining in Vero Beach Service was spectacular , had to get a table inside due to how hot it was For starter had the octopus , nothing out of this world , and would not recommend to order, very small portion plate , only 4 s pieces of octopus , not worth it! For dinner ,,,, well that's another level I had the seared scallops on lobster risotto , although not the best risotto I've had , it was certainly delicious , Had a side of truffle fries , which are a must try!! Overall the restaurant was good when contested to the area Ps , if u buy a bottle of wine, u can take the glasses and the wine off to the beach
(3)
Viena S.
Our hotel included continental breakfast at this restaurant. The continental breakfast ($14.95) included coffee, juice, fruit and a pastry. Limited for a 5 star luxury hotel. Aside from the substandard breakfast, the service was awful. No greeting, the waiters were not on the same page, the hostess was unprofessional and literally screamed 'I AM ONLY THE HOSTESS' while slamming water on our table and telling us we could get coffee OR juice, not both. The service was unacceptable. Wouldn't recommend.
(1)
Susan E.
Cobalt is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. Lunch on the ocean patio was great, however a pricey dinner was a disappointment. Bibb salad with grilled peaches turned out to be an aged remnant of romaine with visible rust and overripe peaches-- this for $12. Grouper looked more like a previously frozen square of some type of fish, definitely not fresh caught. A resort of this caliber should be ashamed.
(2)
Thomas B.
Very cool pool bar that is part of the Cobalt restaurant. Fantastic FISH Sammy one of the best I have had. Mike the bar tender is an awesome dude that loves what he does and is damn good at. Right on the Atlantic with kick ass food, cold beer and did I Mention it's on the beach ?
(5)
Jessica M.
I had been to Cobalt a couple of years ago for a wedding reception and I remembered that the ambiance was very nice and there was a large bar area with an area for dancing. This time, I went back to stay at the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa for a few days with some friends. We decided to stay in one night and grab dinner at Cobalt. I was surprised at how limited (although creative) the dinner menu was. I was not in the mood for an entree. I was more in the mood for appetizers to share or a sandwich. No sandwiches on the dinner menu and the appetizers were not very appealing and didn't seem share-able. I ended up getting the beet salad with grilled shrimp added to it. The salad portion was tiny with barely any yellow beets but it was tasty. The portion of grilled shrimp was fresh and pretty generous with 5-6 decent sized shrimp. Overall, its an overpriced hotel restaurant with few options, but if you're in the mood for creative seafood, then this might be your place.
(3)
Sharon M.
We ate in the bar, full main dining room and bar menu. Plenty of options. Great fresh local fish and seafood and nice toasted warm bread. Avocado salad has a nice twist with cucumbers Regular salad was a little heavy on the dressing, but freshness and flavors were very good. Very quite week here, service was very good and ambiance is cozy.
(4)
Barbara F.
Have only eaten at the bar but the bartender Tom was very good . On both nights I had the butter lettuce. Salad with steak and my husband had the rock shrimp and an order of truffle fries. The fries were the best we have ever had and would go just for those. On Friday night they had live music which was great. All in all, I can' think of anything to complain about. View is spectacular.
(5)
Doug K.
the waiter seemed like we were a bother and the bartender would only give us 1 ice bucket although we had 3 bottles of wine going at once.
(1)
Rollo T.
Good breakfast, with pretty decent service. The coffee was exceptional, and my cup wasn't empty for long, with prompt refills. Would recommend if your staying at the resort, or nearby.
(4)
Theo P.
We come and visit Cobalt everytime we come and visit family in Vero. The food is absolutely out of this world. They also have a great HH out on their patio with very good prices for the portions. A hidden gem in this little beach town.
(5)
Brooke S.
I have been to this restaurant numerous times and every time has been excellent. The food is always delicious. I usually get the seared scallops or crispy skin snapper and they are always perfectly cooked. The dining room is lovely and the service is always great. I would recommend it to anyone coming to Vero and especially if you are staying at the hotel.
(4)
Kyle C.
The food was exquisite and the service was excellent. Our waitress was Julie, she had a fine taste for what was on the menu; and a great attitude with a lovely demeanor. Our entrees were exciting and tasty, we could not have asked for more. This place is beautiful. I ate the local snapper, with Alaskan king crab to start. Overall a 5 star experience! :)
(5)
Jamie W.
For a four star restaurant, we were appauled by the poor, slow service. It over shadowed the entire meal. The service staff would completely disappear for 20 minutes or more. Then, show up with half the order. We had to reorder things three times until all the food arrived. It was impossible to get second drinks. Personally, I don't ever plan to go back.
(1)
Richard R.
Excellent menu, beautiful view, and great service! Drinks by the fire pit, right on the ocean, how could you complain? This is most definitely Vero Beach's finest. I loved the gnocchi carbonara and the fresh yellow eye snapper!!
(5)
ali D.
This is the best restaurant in Vero Beach. They had a fantastic happy hour that we went to twice and also had dinner overlooking the ocean. The service was top notch and the seafood pasta special we had was out of this world. Can't wait to go back on our next visit to Vero. Thanks!
(5)
Kate W.
Cobalt is a real classy place to have dinner in Vero Beach. 1. The atmosphere. The hotel and restaurant are GORGEOUS. Well designed, expensive looking. We went on Christmas Eve (and a few nights before, but who is counting?) and the restaurant looked beautiful with a few Christmas trees and dim lighting. The first night we ate outside. You can't see the ocean at night, but they have firepits that are fun to watch and hang out around. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and comfortable. 2. The food. I really enjoyed what I ate. The scallops were so, so tasty. I'd also definitely recommend the farro salad. 3. The wine. Cobalt has a GREAT wine list. We sampled a number of wines over our two days there, and enjoyed all of them. I also ordered a sidecar from the bar, and the bartender happily told me I was the first person under the age of 60 to order a sidecar, which made me happy. #oldladypalette 4. The service. Both nights, the hosts and servers were excellent. We started the meal with complementary bread, and finished with a scoop of rum vanilla ice cream on the house. What's not to like there? Cobalt is a great place for a date, a special event, or just a memorable dinner. I've also heard good things about hanging out and eating a meal at the bar. Can't wait to go again when we come back to Vero in the future.
(5)
Charles M.
Really good overall place and despite the 3 money signs it was pretty great value (lots of seafood). They also can bring you drinks as you lay on the beach. Service was also on point. Connected to a hotel but you don't have to stay here to eat at cobalt.
(5)
Jackie K.
I've only been to this place on Vero Beach: Food is good. The rock shrimp is good--fried and sweet. Grilled fish taco--good (little chewy), Hummus (skip it--boring and over-salted), veggie burger--very good, truffle fries (good), pickles (good flavor but not crispy) Several of these dishes are part of happy hour and I think are priced accordingly at happy hour ($3-$4) versus higher prices later one. Drinks were strong and lots of choices for happy hour (picture is below). The seating is good. You can overlook the ocean (the patio railing is a little high and obscures the view a little) so it's not the best view but it is good. I would be back for happy hour! Our service was great.
(4)
Foodie K.
Want to add another review for Heaton's Reef (poolside) Cobalt was crowded on the patio for dinner so we opted for a table next door at Heatons Reef in between the hotel pool and ocean. Same patio like feel as Cobalt. It was just as much a great feel as Cobalt. They accommodated us with the Cobalt bar menu in addition to their own and because it was 5:15pm, we were given the "happy hour" menu. (Happy Hour is bet. 5-6pm) Reduced prices on menu for food and drinks. We were very pleased. We ordered things from all the menus. The happy hour menu had $4 dishes (obviously smaller portions, but worth it) From that menu, we ordered the pulled pork sliders, Carolina style w/bbq sauce and the crispy fried florida rock shrimp Siracha ailoi. GREAT! In addition to that we ordered from the regular menu, the Caesar Salad with Chicken and the Cobalt Burger. Again, delish! And what was the best, was the very personable, outstanding and attentive service from Brittany. So, if you want to sit on the patio at Cobalt and unable to because of the crowds, walk 100' further on the patio to Heatons Grill and you'll be just as pleased. Has more of an open feel to it because of the space. After dinner, we headed over to the fire pit at Cobalt nearby for warmth and to listen to the ocean. We have been coming here for a few years now, never disappointed. Our friends who visit us occasionally during the winter months make sure we take them here at least once. A tip: We took the umbrella off of the table so we can comfortably see each other as opposed to opening it and sitting in the shade (early evening) The staff was OK with it.
(4)
Julian C.
Wonderful! Great ambience and excellent service. Had breakfast here and it was very good! They have these awesome pancakes with a Ginger infused Syrup that is so thick it's like candy; quite sinful, but quite yummy and different! They have outside seating as well with a spectacular view of the ocean. Love Cobalt! Highly recommended!
(4)
William S.
The food here based on our experience is marginal at best. But the Friday night dancing and entertainment is wonderful. Snack while you are there, drink, albeit pricey, and watch your bill so nothing unusual appears upon checkout!!
(4)
Michelle M.
Came for happy hour. Food and drink delicious. View even better. The service was lacking personality. They seemed more put out by us than anything.
(4)
J W.
Love this bar and hotel. Very nice, on the beach complete with fire pits and marshmallows and the makings for s'mores if you are in the mood. Pricing is a little high for basic stuff but given the quality of the location, within reason. The bar at night is a decent hangout, but mostly tourists.
(5)
Judith S.
This used to be one of my favorite places. My husband and I came out every 4-6 weeks from Orlando. I loved the atmosphere, the food, the happy hour, the fact that they didn't charge corkage on the first bottle of wine. Today changed all that. We came for happy hour on The pool terrace and were told they weren't serving happy hour food anymore - only the main restaurant was. Fine. I asked about corkage for a before dinner drink at the pool terrace and was told they don't allow it - ok. We went over to the main restaurant and were told that corkage had jumped from zero to $20 for the first bottle! We gave up and came back to our room. Still haven't decided if we'll keep our dinner reservation. I guess all good things come to an end.
(3)
Amanda P.
Beautiful view...Great drinks....wish we would have had time to eat, everything looked delicious!!
(5)
Chris B.
The food we had was delicious but almost none of the seafood on the menu was actually available, and the waitress tripped up the order three times. (Example: Cobb salad arrived without dressing, avocado, or egg. Instead of taking salad away and bringing a new one, the waitress brought the spare ingredients on a separate plate.) Fine for a diner but not for fine dining at premium prices.
(2)
Jen V.
We always make a point to come here when visiting our family in Vero Beach. Great happy hour, service, and atmosphere & view are amazing. Pricey but worth it!!!!
(5)
Rory K.
My family recently had a party here in one of the banquet rooms. I was extremely impressed with the quality of food and service for such a large group. We enjoyed delicious steaks and red snapper. I would recommend this place to anyone that's looking for a nice meal in a laid back atmosphere.
(5)
Yirel M.
Great location, and easily accessible in the Vero Beach Hotel on the waterfront. I had breakfast and dinner here and truly enjoyed both. The Goat Cheese Gnudi and Beet Salad were light and perfect for a late night meal. For breakfast I had the Shrimp Cake Benedict and it was so rich and savory I couldn't help but clean my plate.
(4)
Rob W.
A nice trendy place. We just had some drinks at the bar, no food. The staff was outstanding, providing excellent service.
(4)
Kelly V.
I'll start with the positive. Drinks on the cocktail menu were great. We tried the 2 vodka cocktails and the 2 gins and all were well crafted and fantastic-10-12$ each, but perfect. The beet salad was amazing! The pickled fennel with the warm but light dressing and roasted beets paired so well together. 14$ I think, maybe less. My friends entree was the pork osso bucco and it was delicious. Nice seasoning, fall off the bone and the braised cabbage and potatoes accompanied it so well! -$28. Then I had to go order the scallops... They came out soft like there was supposed to be a bit of a crust but it had softened and were saltier than the ocean. I mean I could have licked a dried out seashell and felt better about it. But the real deal breaker... Wait for it... There were 3, small, scallops on a tiny bed of orzo with unseasoned wilted spinach-$34 Now I'm not a cheap ass, but that's just wrong. So I sent them back and got another round on the account of the salt, and ate them still a little salty myself over being so epically ripped off. We also ordered a side of charred brussel sprouts, which tasted great until we ate the first 4 bites off the top and realized they were steeping in literally 1/4 of a cup of butter. In my opinion that's cheating because anything tastes good soaked in butter but after the first bites the bottom sprouts became so greasy and salty they were unedible. At this point I was still positive. The drinks were great and my friends entree was good a we ordered the raspberry cheesecake with honey power, cause omg what is honey powder? Another fail... It's served in a mason jar, a tall thin one, and the 2 inches of super sour raspberry goop won't move over so I can get to the cheesecake or graham crust and there was no sign of honey or powder for miles around! When I finally reach a piece of cheese cake it's grainy, and still covered in raspberry goop so I can't really even taste it. And I'm still mad about 3 scallops...for $34. I've eaten there 2 times before and the happy/sad ratio has been similar each time. So it's not a fluke or weird coincidence. If your going anyway, stick to the cheaper items, and order a cocktail... You might need it to wash down the salt!
(2)
Kerri K.
Gorgeous view & great food. Went here with a friend when visiting & I loved it. The view is absolutely gorgeous, our server was great & the food & drinks were amazing what more could you ask for?
(5)
Emily H.
While the food was amazing the service was the worst I have ever had. Also, there is barely enough light to see your food when dining outside in the evening.
(2)
Lisa N.
We ate at Cobalt a few weeks ago and would give it 5 stars for sure. Fantastic food, service and ambience. Will definitely go back. We went to Heaton's Reef last night for happy hour and was most disappointed. My wife ordered a cosmo and received it in a plastic juice glass. We were told by the waitress that they were out of martini glasses. Ridiculous for an establishment of this caliber. The sliders were dry and came with no condiments. Waitress was too busy to find so we ate as is. Love the atmosphere. There are great restaurants/bars in Vero Beach. Heaton's needs to step up their game.
(3)
Katie P.
I came here with my girlfriends, and I ordered the salmon, which came on a bed of peaches and barley. I'm usually skeptical about ordering fish, but the salmon was mouth-watering! It was perfectly cooked -- with a nice brown crispy top. I'll definitely come back and order this again, or try something new.
(4)
Ashlee W.
This is where I go when I want a great meal and want to enjoy a day in the Sun! Alex the outdoor bartender at Heaton's Reef is great with tons of personality and a friendly smile. He always recommends something I enjoy. The food is great, upscale beach fare. Server Jesse K. always goes above and beyond to make sure we have a fabulous experience! Can't miss in Vero!
(5)
Tom T.
In our opinion, one of the three best places for outdoor ocean front dining in Vero Beach. If price is not an issue and you feel comfortable mingling with a diner demographic skewed toward the preternaturally entitled and stentorian cellists, it could be a fave. Three of us went for breakfast on a weekday morning. One had the American breakfast with fruit instead of potatoes and an excellent pancake instead of toast. The server did not bat an eye. I had the Rock Shrimp Omelet in which the shrimp gave a remarkably subtle cameo performance. Diner number three had the Rock Shrimp Benedict, which was fabulous. In place of a split English muffin were two muffin shaped patties built up from rock shrimp, sausage, maybe onions and bell peppers, probably bread crumbs and eggs. The service was fine, attentive but not overwrought. The bill pushed fifty bucks, which is at least half again what a decent but uninspired breakfast would cost at the nice little eatery at the Jaycee Park. I would certainly return for the rock shrimp Benedict. Between that and the ocean, Cobalt is a memorable experience.
(4)
Javier Q.
Would give this place 4 stars as far as food quality and preparation, as well as for the upscale venue, and the PHENOMENAL ocean view. The 3 star rating was based on the server not being around as much as we'd like, but wasn't too bad. Not the cheapest place, but would go back. Overall, we had a nice experience.
(3)
Ted R.
I'm a big fan of Cobalt. I eat here several times whenever I'm in Vero Beach visiting family. I have to say that I'm surprised by some of the negative reviews. Maybe it's that I'm coming from Miami which is notorious for bad service and food served at expensive prices. I will say that I've eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner there several times and have always had an excellent experience. Menu is interesting and changes every few months. And the desserts are simply amazing. The butter popcorn ice cream with peanut butter something-or-other was out of this world. The dessert menu has the pastry chef's name on it. That's how renowned she is. Only complaint I have is the valet can be really slow and not particularly helpful. But hey, that has nothing to do with the restaurant. Definitely give it a try.
(4)
Cassandra C.
Had dinner here for the first time last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. All three of our entrees were delicious. For my taste, the Goat Cheese Gnudi was the best--very delicately flavored and the broth was phenomenal. I soaked every bit up with some very nice warm bread. But the seared Tuna Steak was also excellent, with the port wine reduction contributing beautifully to the whole. Another entree was the swordfish which was perfectly cooked and seasoned--so moist and tender. The Tuna Crudo we had to start was less exciting--perfectly acceptable but not thrilling & needing a bit of salt--and the farm greens salad was the same. Dessert was also very good. We had the plantains and the chocolate cake, both of which were accompanied by delicious home-made ice cream. It was all very rich and yummy. Our server was Tom, and he was one of the best waiters I have ever encountered. And I eat out a lot. The view is of course wonderful, and I really liked the decor of the inside restaurant as well.
(4)
Barbara F.
the location and setting are a 10. Drinks are good. Service so-so, food good. usually have the bar menu and bring out of town visitors here. Can't beat the setting on a beautiful winter evening.
(4)
Beverly R.
There is a poolside bar and grill at the same resort as Cobalt, called Heaton's Reef. My family had lunch here Friday and Sunday. The servers were attentive, the drinks were ice cold, and the food was fresh all at a reasonable price. I'll be sure to return the next time I'm visiting Vero Beach.
(4)
Deb A.
We've been here many times before but last night was the best. Our server Lauren and Tom the bartender were awesome. We came in for drinks and a bite after checking in late. Drinks were good. The mussels were wonderful. The best was the people watching! We were quite entertained. Going back on Friday.
This is for dinner and it's more like a 3.5 star review. Great menu selection, understaffed, beautiful ambiance, overcooked and over salted food, easy to get reservations. I prefer the tides or citrus for dinner but still like this place for lunch. The view is hard to beat but there is nothing more depressing than coming to Florida, ordering local fresh fish and having someone overcook it.
(3)
M R.
Went for dinner with four people. Sat outside with a wonderful view of the ocean. The service was excellent, but the food was not exceptional. The portions were very small including the salads. I had the "lamb" dish, but in reality the dish was more a pasta and not much lamb. The lane snapper was overcooked, also. Mussels were good, but there was pork/chorizo that provide a bit too much salt flavor. Also the wine was well overpriced. I usually recognize that most restaurants charge double what one can purchase at the store, but they charged 3x and I think that is unreasonable. Bottom line we had fun, but would go to other similarly priced restaurants in Vero Beach.
(2)
Stephen N.
What a disappointment. My folks brought me here while I was visiting town, and I was excited by the potential. You can come here to enjoy the beautiful view and architecture, but it's all downhill from there. We came for their happy hour specials, which look good - on paper. The reality is that the attitude of the wait staff varies somewhere between icy indifference and outright hostility. No waiter or waitress should act like you are inconveniencing them when you are trying to place an order - but these people seem to take pride in it (I suppose at least they take pride in something). Expect to hold your empty glass with a longing look on your face for at least 20 minutes before anyone notices. Do not expect it to make a difference. I've been to places all over the world. I know what a busy place looks like, and I've worked in the service industry. A polite request for patience gets nothing but sympathy and support from me. But here, while waiting for my beverage, all I could do is wonder if the service here was an elaborate practical joke. The patio view of the ocean is great. But if your group needs more chairs so everyone can enjoy it, no one here will care. Nor will they care if you're waiting for service. When a bar/restaurant seems annoyed to serve you drinks they theoretically are in business to sell, you know there's problems from management on down. I am fairly easy to please and this is one of my first negative Yelp reviews. But no one should be treated with contempt by staff - and contempt here was palpable. If they didn't spit in our food, I'd be genuinely surprised. That should tell you something. Nature here is beautiful. Everything else sucks.
(1)
Maria A.
I was really looking forward to eating here. The hotel is beautiful and the restaurant is stunning with panoramic views. The food was at best mediocre. Our appetizers were pretty good, but the main entrees were awful. Diner quality. I've had better quality food at restaurants for a third of the price. Both our waiter and manager asked how our meals were and we told them the truth politely. However, neither of them apologized nor did they ask to bring anything else out. When the bill came, there were no adjustments even though I didn't eat my entree. Very disappointing.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Dinner Parking : Valet, Street, Private Lot, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jeanine M.
The only reason Cobalt is getting two stars is the view. Not too many other redeeming qualities. Went with five friends and after fighting for seats on the patio, getting blown with flames from fire pit, having to scramble and carry our chairs to our "spot" on patio, waiting for 15 minutes for drinks, another 15 minutes to order happy hour apps, was hoping dinner would redeem experience. Not so. Waiter was not a good representative for the chef. When one of our group was leaning toward ordering the duck, he noted it was his least favorite dish on the menu. Not a good advocate for the limited menu choices. The apps on patio were terrible. Why offer a happy hour app menu if you can't even make pork sliders and fried rock shrimp well?Poor shrimp...they didn't deserve that unsavory end. Plates chosen by our group were unimaginative and poorly plated. My personal choice was two small plates. "bacon and eggs" app was just ok. Pork belly tasty but poor cut and egg overcooked. Sauce as base was unimaginative. Second small plate was gnudo (gnocchi) with heavy cream sauce. Couldn't even finish the five of them. Soooo heavy. BTW, upset tummy all night and I can eat anything. Steak was boring, short ribs pretty good but not well seasoned, fish dishes ok but nothing out of the park. Dessert offerings again run of the mill. Prices did not reflect a commensurate quality of service, food or preparation. Normally don't slam staff but service was terrible. A definite no go! Take a walk on the beach and bring your own food if this is the only dining choice. Too bad.
(2)K F.
I love the location of Cobalt, and it is a great place to meet clients and impress. The food and service are consistently good, and of course the oceanfront location rocks. Excellent happy hour with inexpensive but delicious appetizers. Definitely check it out.
(4)Neil Mikel L.
This place is just in arm's reach of being 4 or 5 stars, but it's the little things that make an excellent experience bad. First the bad, breakfast ends at 11:00 am, I arrived at 11:00, already new what breakfast dish I wanted, the place was empty, and they still couldn't accomodate my desire for some eggs. Just something I've never experienced. Second, the hostress did more than the waitress. Third, the food was good, but not great. The good (1) the view, (2) nice staff, (3) descent selection.
(2)scott h.
The best fish we had in Vero. But you need to pay handsomely for it. Not complaining. This is definitely a question of getting what you pay for. For a better deal get the fish sandwich at the bar or at the pool bar. Very nice to eat Oceanside on their patio. No doubt another reason they command higher prices.
(4)Gp M.
I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!! Very Excellent place!!!! Food is always good. Only place were you can eat and see ocean views ( if you don't want to pay a fortune). The staff are very kind people always smiling and happy to see you.
(5)Colleen H.
Okay - when we reflect on a restaurant, what things are most important? FOOD - AMBIANCE - SERVICE Although I would agree that the service is slooooowww; I would not let that deter me from acknowledging the other delights of this restaurant. I have always, always enjoyed dining here... though I may not always want to 'wait', what more could I ask for with a view like this? Do go to this place to enjoy the food while you enjoy the ocean view, and, hopefully, your company! Worth the visit!
(4)Alie A.
I've only ever been to Cobalt for drinks; the ambiance here is great! We sat outside by the fire pit; it's a great spot to take visitors of Vero. Always a good crowd of people; on the weekends, they have live entertainment and dancing. Drinks are fairly reasonable in price and the ocean view is a beautiful plus.
(4)Laura A.
Upper class , fine dining in Vero Beach Service was spectacular , had to get a table inside due to how hot it was For starter had the octopus , nothing out of this world , and would not recommend to order, very small portion plate , only 4 s pieces of octopus , not worth it! For dinner ,,,, well that's another level I had the seared scallops on lobster risotto , although not the best risotto I've had , it was certainly delicious , Had a side of truffle fries , which are a must try!! Overall the restaurant was good when contested to the area Ps , if u buy a bottle of wine, u can take the glasses and the wine off to the beach
(3)Viena S.
Our hotel included continental breakfast at this restaurant. The continental breakfast ($14.95) included coffee, juice, fruit and a pastry. Limited for a 5 star luxury hotel. Aside from the substandard breakfast, the service was awful. No greeting, the waiters were not on the same page, the hostess was unprofessional and literally screamed 'I AM ONLY THE HOSTESS' while slamming water on our table and telling us we could get coffee OR juice, not both. The service was unacceptable. Wouldn't recommend.
(1)Susan E.
Cobalt is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. Lunch on the ocean patio was great, however a pricey dinner was a disappointment. Bibb salad with grilled peaches turned out to be an aged remnant of romaine with visible rust and overripe peaches-- this for $12. Grouper looked more like a previously frozen square of some type of fish, definitely not fresh caught. A resort of this caliber should be ashamed.
(2)Thomas B.
Very cool pool bar that is part of the Cobalt restaurant. Fantastic FISH Sammy one of the best I have had. Mike the bar tender is an awesome dude that loves what he does and is damn good at. Right on the Atlantic with kick ass food, cold beer and did I Mention it's on the beach ?
(5)Jessica M.
I had been to Cobalt a couple of years ago for a wedding reception and I remembered that the ambiance was very nice and there was a large bar area with an area for dancing. This time, I went back to stay at the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa for a few days with some friends. We decided to stay in one night and grab dinner at Cobalt. I was surprised at how limited (although creative) the dinner menu was. I was not in the mood for an entree. I was more in the mood for appetizers to share or a sandwich. No sandwiches on the dinner menu and the appetizers were not very appealing and didn't seem share-able. I ended up getting the beet salad with grilled shrimp added to it. The salad portion was tiny with barely any yellow beets but it was tasty. The portion of grilled shrimp was fresh and pretty generous with 5-6 decent sized shrimp. Overall, its an overpriced hotel restaurant with few options, but if you're in the mood for creative seafood, then this might be your place.
(3)Sharon M.
We ate in the bar, full main dining room and bar menu. Plenty of options. Great fresh local fish and seafood and nice toasted warm bread. Avocado salad has a nice twist with cucumbers Regular salad was a little heavy on the dressing, but freshness and flavors were very good. Very quite week here, service was very good and ambiance is cozy.
(4)Barbara F.
Have only eaten at the bar but the bartender Tom was very good . On both nights I had the butter lettuce. Salad with steak and my husband had the rock shrimp and an order of truffle fries. The fries were the best we have ever had and would go just for those. On Friday night they had live music which was great. All in all, I can' think of anything to complain about. View is spectacular.
(5)Doug K.
the waiter seemed like we were a bother and the bartender would only give us 1 ice bucket although we had 3 bottles of wine going at once.
(1)Rollo T.
Good breakfast, with pretty decent service. The coffee was exceptional, and my cup wasn't empty for long, with prompt refills. Would recommend if your staying at the resort, or nearby.
(4)Theo P.
We come and visit Cobalt everytime we come and visit family in Vero. The food is absolutely out of this world. They also have a great HH out on their patio with very good prices for the portions. A hidden gem in this little beach town.
(5)Brooke S.
I have been to this restaurant numerous times and every time has been excellent. The food is always delicious. I usually get the seared scallops or crispy skin snapper and they are always perfectly cooked. The dining room is lovely and the service is always great. I would recommend it to anyone coming to Vero and especially if you are staying at the hotel.
(4)Kyle C.
The food was exquisite and the service was excellent. Our waitress was Julie, she had a fine taste for what was on the menu; and a great attitude with a lovely demeanor. Our entrees were exciting and tasty, we could not have asked for more. This place is beautiful. I ate the local snapper, with Alaskan king crab to start. Overall a 5 star experience! :)
(5)Jamie W.
For a four star restaurant, we were appauled by the poor, slow service. It over shadowed the entire meal. The service staff would completely disappear for 20 minutes or more. Then, show up with half the order. We had to reorder things three times until all the food arrived. It was impossible to get second drinks. Personally, I don't ever plan to go back.
(1)Richard R.
Excellent menu, beautiful view, and great service! Drinks by the fire pit, right on the ocean, how could you complain? This is most definitely Vero Beach's finest. I loved the gnocchi carbonara and the fresh yellow eye snapper!!
(5)ali D.
This is the best restaurant in Vero Beach. They had a fantastic happy hour that we went to twice and also had dinner overlooking the ocean. The service was top notch and the seafood pasta special we had was out of this world. Can't wait to go back on our next visit to Vero. Thanks!
(5)Kate W.
Cobalt is a real classy place to have dinner in Vero Beach. 1. The atmosphere. The hotel and restaurant are GORGEOUS. Well designed, expensive looking. We went on Christmas Eve (and a few nights before, but who is counting?) and the restaurant looked beautiful with a few Christmas trees and dim lighting. The first night we ate outside. You can't see the ocean at night, but they have firepits that are fun to watch and hang out around. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and comfortable. 2. The food. I really enjoyed what I ate. The scallops were so, so tasty. I'd also definitely recommend the farro salad. 3. The wine. Cobalt has a GREAT wine list. We sampled a number of wines over our two days there, and enjoyed all of them. I also ordered a sidecar from the bar, and the bartender happily told me I was the first person under the age of 60 to order a sidecar, which made me happy. #oldladypalette 4. The service. Both nights, the hosts and servers were excellent. We started the meal with complementary bread, and finished with a scoop of rum vanilla ice cream on the house. What's not to like there? Cobalt is a great place for a date, a special event, or just a memorable dinner. I've also heard good things about hanging out and eating a meal at the bar. Can't wait to go again when we come back to Vero in the future.
(5)Charles M.
Really good overall place and despite the 3 money signs it was pretty great value (lots of seafood). They also can bring you drinks as you lay on the beach. Service was also on point. Connected to a hotel but you don't have to stay here to eat at cobalt.
(5)Jackie K.
I've only been to this place on Vero Beach: Food is good. The rock shrimp is good--fried and sweet. Grilled fish taco--good (little chewy), Hummus (skip it--boring and over-salted), veggie burger--very good, truffle fries (good), pickles (good flavor but not crispy) Several of these dishes are part of happy hour and I think are priced accordingly at happy hour ($3-$4) versus higher prices later one. Drinks were strong and lots of choices for happy hour (picture is below). The seating is good. You can overlook the ocean (the patio railing is a little high and obscures the view a little) so it's not the best view but it is good. I would be back for happy hour! Our service was great.
(4)Foodie K.
Want to add another review for Heaton's Reef (poolside) Cobalt was crowded on the patio for dinner so we opted for a table next door at Heatons Reef in between the hotel pool and ocean. Same patio like feel as Cobalt. It was just as much a great feel as Cobalt. They accommodated us with the Cobalt bar menu in addition to their own and because it was 5:15pm, we were given the "happy hour" menu. (Happy Hour is bet. 5-6pm) Reduced prices on menu for food and drinks. We were very pleased. We ordered things from all the menus. The happy hour menu had $4 dishes (obviously smaller portions, but worth it) From that menu, we ordered the pulled pork sliders, Carolina style w/bbq sauce and the crispy fried florida rock shrimp Siracha ailoi. GREAT! In addition to that we ordered from the regular menu, the Caesar Salad with Chicken and the Cobalt Burger. Again, delish! And what was the best, was the very personable, outstanding and attentive service from Brittany. So, if you want to sit on the patio at Cobalt and unable to because of the crowds, walk 100' further on the patio to Heatons Grill and you'll be just as pleased. Has more of an open feel to it because of the space. After dinner, we headed over to the fire pit at Cobalt nearby for warmth and to listen to the ocean. We have been coming here for a few years now, never disappointed. Our friends who visit us occasionally during the winter months make sure we take them here at least once. A tip: We took the umbrella off of the table so we can comfortably see each other as opposed to opening it and sitting in the shade (early evening) The staff was OK with it.
(4)Julian C.
Wonderful! Great ambience and excellent service. Had breakfast here and it was very good! They have these awesome pancakes with a Ginger infused Syrup that is so thick it's like candy; quite sinful, but quite yummy and different! They have outside seating as well with a spectacular view of the ocean. Love Cobalt! Highly recommended!
(4)William S.
The food here based on our experience is marginal at best. But the Friday night dancing and entertainment is wonderful. Snack while you are there, drink, albeit pricey, and watch your bill so nothing unusual appears upon checkout!!
(4)Michelle M.
Came for happy hour. Food and drink delicious. View even better. The service was lacking personality. They seemed more put out by us than anything.
(4)J W.
Love this bar and hotel. Very nice, on the beach complete with fire pits and marshmallows and the makings for s'mores if you are in the mood. Pricing is a little high for basic stuff but given the quality of the location, within reason. The bar at night is a decent hangout, but mostly tourists.
(5)Judith S.
This used to be one of my favorite places. My husband and I came out every 4-6 weeks from Orlando. I loved the atmosphere, the food, the happy hour, the fact that they didn't charge corkage on the first bottle of wine. Today changed all that. We came for happy hour on The pool terrace and were told they weren't serving happy hour food anymore - only the main restaurant was. Fine. I asked about corkage for a before dinner drink at the pool terrace and was told they don't allow it - ok. We went over to the main restaurant and were told that corkage had jumped from zero to $20 for the first bottle! We gave up and came back to our room. Still haven't decided if we'll keep our dinner reservation. I guess all good things come to an end.
(3)Amanda P.
Beautiful view...Great drinks....wish we would have had time to eat, everything looked delicious!!
(5)Chris B.
The food we had was delicious but almost none of the seafood on the menu was actually available, and the waitress tripped up the order three times. (Example: Cobb salad arrived without dressing, avocado, or egg. Instead of taking salad away and bringing a new one, the waitress brought the spare ingredients on a separate plate.) Fine for a diner but not for fine dining at premium prices.
(2)Jen V.
We always make a point to come here when visiting our family in Vero Beach. Great happy hour, service, and atmosphere & view are amazing. Pricey but worth it!!!!
(5)Rory K.
My family recently had a party here in one of the banquet rooms. I was extremely impressed with the quality of food and service for such a large group. We enjoyed delicious steaks and red snapper. I would recommend this place to anyone that's looking for a nice meal in a laid back atmosphere.
(5)Yirel M.
Great location, and easily accessible in the Vero Beach Hotel on the waterfront. I had breakfast and dinner here and truly enjoyed both. The Goat Cheese Gnudi and Beet Salad were light and perfect for a late night meal. For breakfast I had the Shrimp Cake Benedict and it was so rich and savory I couldn't help but clean my plate.
(4)Rob W.
A nice trendy place. We just had some drinks at the bar, no food. The staff was outstanding, providing excellent service.
(4)Kelly V.
I'll start with the positive. Drinks on the cocktail menu were great. We tried the 2 vodka cocktails and the 2 gins and all were well crafted and fantastic-10-12$ each, but perfect. The beet salad was amazing! The pickled fennel with the warm but light dressing and roasted beets paired so well together. 14$ I think, maybe less. My friends entree was the pork osso bucco and it was delicious. Nice seasoning, fall off the bone and the braised cabbage and potatoes accompanied it so well! -$28. Then I had to go order the scallops... They came out soft like there was supposed to be a bit of a crust but it had softened and were saltier than the ocean. I mean I could have licked a dried out seashell and felt better about it. But the real deal breaker... Wait for it... There were 3, small, scallops on a tiny bed of orzo with unseasoned wilted spinach-$34 Now I'm not a cheap ass, but that's just wrong. So I sent them back and got another round on the account of the salt, and ate them still a little salty myself over being so epically ripped off. We also ordered a side of charred brussel sprouts, which tasted great until we ate the first 4 bites off the top and realized they were steeping in literally 1/4 of a cup of butter. In my opinion that's cheating because anything tastes good soaked in butter but after the first bites the bottom sprouts became so greasy and salty they were unedible. At this point I was still positive. The drinks were great and my friends entree was good a we ordered the raspberry cheesecake with honey power, cause omg what is honey powder? Another fail... It's served in a mason jar, a tall thin one, and the 2 inches of super sour raspberry goop won't move over so I can get to the cheesecake or graham crust and there was no sign of honey or powder for miles around! When I finally reach a piece of cheese cake it's grainy, and still covered in raspberry goop so I can't really even taste it. And I'm still mad about 3 scallops...for $34. I've eaten there 2 times before and the happy/sad ratio has been similar each time. So it's not a fluke or weird coincidence. If your going anyway, stick to the cheaper items, and order a cocktail... You might need it to wash down the salt!
(2)Kerri K.
Gorgeous view & great food. Went here with a friend when visiting & I loved it. The view is absolutely gorgeous, our server was great & the food & drinks were amazing what more could you ask for?
(5)Emily H.
While the food was amazing the service was the worst I have ever had. Also, there is barely enough light to see your food when dining outside in the evening.
(2)Lisa N.
We ate at Cobalt a few weeks ago and would give it 5 stars for sure. Fantastic food, service and ambience. Will definitely go back. We went to Heaton's Reef last night for happy hour and was most disappointed. My wife ordered a cosmo and received it in a plastic juice glass. We were told by the waitress that they were out of martini glasses. Ridiculous for an establishment of this caliber. The sliders were dry and came with no condiments. Waitress was too busy to find so we ate as is. Love the atmosphere. There are great restaurants/bars in Vero Beach. Heaton's needs to step up their game.
(3)Katie P.
I came here with my girlfriends, and I ordered the salmon, which came on a bed of peaches and barley. I'm usually skeptical about ordering fish, but the salmon was mouth-watering! It was perfectly cooked -- with a nice brown crispy top. I'll definitely come back and order this again, or try something new.
(4)Ashlee W.
This is where I go when I want a great meal and want to enjoy a day in the Sun! Alex the outdoor bartender at Heaton's Reef is great with tons of personality and a friendly smile. He always recommends something I enjoy. The food is great, upscale beach fare. Server Jesse K. always goes above and beyond to make sure we have a fabulous experience! Can't miss in Vero!
(5)Tom T.
In our opinion, one of the three best places for outdoor ocean front dining in Vero Beach. If price is not an issue and you feel comfortable mingling with a diner demographic skewed toward the preternaturally entitled and stentorian cellists, it could be a fave. Three of us went for breakfast on a weekday morning. One had the American breakfast with fruit instead of potatoes and an excellent pancake instead of toast. The server did not bat an eye. I had the Rock Shrimp Omelet in which the shrimp gave a remarkably subtle cameo performance. Diner number three had the Rock Shrimp Benedict, which was fabulous. In place of a split English muffin were two muffin shaped patties built up from rock shrimp, sausage, maybe onions and bell peppers, probably bread crumbs and eggs. The service was fine, attentive but not overwrought. The bill pushed fifty bucks, which is at least half again what a decent but uninspired breakfast would cost at the nice little eatery at the Jaycee Park. I would certainly return for the rock shrimp Benedict. Between that and the ocean, Cobalt is a memorable experience.
(4)Javier Q.
Would give this place 4 stars as far as food quality and preparation, as well as for the upscale venue, and the PHENOMENAL ocean view. The 3 star rating was based on the server not being around as much as we'd like, but wasn't too bad. Not the cheapest place, but would go back. Overall, we had a nice experience.
(3)Ted R.
I'm a big fan of Cobalt. I eat here several times whenever I'm in Vero Beach visiting family. I have to say that I'm surprised by some of the negative reviews. Maybe it's that I'm coming from Miami which is notorious for bad service and food served at expensive prices. I will say that I've eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner there several times and have always had an excellent experience. Menu is interesting and changes every few months. And the desserts are simply amazing. The butter popcorn ice cream with peanut butter something-or-other was out of this world. The dessert menu has the pastry chef's name on it. That's how renowned she is. Only complaint I have is the valet can be really slow and not particularly helpful. But hey, that has nothing to do with the restaurant. Definitely give it a try.
(4)Cassandra C.
Had dinner here for the first time last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. All three of our entrees were delicious. For my taste, the Goat Cheese Gnudi was the best--very delicately flavored and the broth was phenomenal. I soaked every bit up with some very nice warm bread. But the seared Tuna Steak was also excellent, with the port wine reduction contributing beautifully to the whole. Another entree was the swordfish which was perfectly cooked and seasoned--so moist and tender. The Tuna Crudo we had to start was less exciting--perfectly acceptable but not thrilling & needing a bit of salt--and the farm greens salad was the same. Dessert was also very good. We had the plantains and the chocolate cake, both of which were accompanied by delicious home-made ice cream. It was all very rich and yummy. Our server was Tom, and he was one of the best waiters I have ever encountered. And I eat out a lot. The view is of course wonderful, and I really liked the decor of the inside restaurant as well.
(4)Barbara F.
the location and setting are a 10. Drinks are good. Service so-so, food good. usually have the bar menu and bring out of town visitors here. Can't beat the setting on a beautiful winter evening.
(4)Beverly R.
There is a poolside bar and grill at the same resort as Cobalt, called Heaton's Reef. My family had lunch here Friday and Sunday. The servers were attentive, the drinks were ice cold, and the food was fresh all at a reasonable price. I'll be sure to return the next time I'm visiting Vero Beach.
(4)Deb A.
We've been here many times before but last night was the best. Our server Lauren and Tom the bartender were awesome. We came in for drinks and a bite after checking in late. Drinks were good. The mussels were wonderful. The best was the people watching! We were quite entertained. Going back on Friday.
(5)Robbie O.
Food was good, but not great. For starters, the beet salad was good, but the pumpkin soup lacked flavor and was too thick. Duck was very good, but the local snapper was dry and needed seasoning. Creme brûlée was very good. Decent wine list. Dress is casual (shorts are fine), though plenty of folks get dressed up too. Decor is nice. But we were seated in the middle of the dining room, and got whacked with a blast of cold wind each time someone opened the door to sit out in the fire pit area (about every two to three minutes). The hostess could have seated us at more than a dozen empty tables, including many far away from the wind tunnel. Waiter was responsive--but a little too quick (we finished dinner in about an hour). I'd go back again, but wouldn't rush to get there.
(3)Lauren L.
This is for dinner and it's more like a 3.5 star review. Great menu selection, understaffed, beautiful ambiance, overcooked and over salted food, easy to get reservations. I prefer the tides or citrus for dinner but still like this place for lunch. The view is hard to beat but there is nothing more depressing than coming to Florida, ordering local fresh fish and having someone overcook it.
(3)M R.
Went for dinner with four people. Sat outside with a wonderful view of the ocean. The service was excellent, but the food was not exceptional. The portions were very small including the salads. I had the "lamb" dish, but in reality the dish was more a pasta and not much lamb. The lane snapper was overcooked, also. Mussels were good, but there was pork/chorizo that provide a bit too much salt flavor. Also the wine was well overpriced. I usually recognize that most restaurants charge double what one can purchase at the store, but they charged 3x and I think that is unreasonable. Bottom line we had fun, but would go to other similarly priced restaurants in Vero Beach.
(2)Stephen N.
What a disappointment. My folks brought me here while I was visiting town, and I was excited by the potential. You can come here to enjoy the beautiful view and architecture, but it's all downhill from there. We came for their happy hour specials, which look good - on paper. The reality is that the attitude of the wait staff varies somewhere between icy indifference and outright hostility. No waiter or waitress should act like you are inconveniencing them when you are trying to place an order - but these people seem to take pride in it (I suppose at least they take pride in something). Expect to hold your empty glass with a longing look on your face for at least 20 minutes before anyone notices. Do not expect it to make a difference. I've been to places all over the world. I know what a busy place looks like, and I've worked in the service industry. A polite request for patience gets nothing but sympathy and support from me. But here, while waiting for my beverage, all I could do is wonder if the service here was an elaborate practical joke. The patio view of the ocean is great. But if your group needs more chairs so everyone can enjoy it, no one here will care. Nor will they care if you're waiting for service. When a bar/restaurant seems annoyed to serve you drinks they theoretically are in business to sell, you know there's problems from management on down. I am fairly easy to please and this is one of my first negative Yelp reviews. But no one should be treated with contempt by staff - and contempt here was palpable. If they didn't spit in our food, I'd be genuinely surprised. That should tell you something. Nature here is beautiful. Everything else sucks.
(1)Maria A.
I was really looking forward to eating here. The hotel is beautiful and the restaurant is stunning with panoramic views. The food was at best mediocre. Our appetizers were pretty good, but the main entrees were awful. Diner quality. I've had better quality food at restaurants for a third of the price. Both our waiter and manager asked how our meals were and we told them the truth politely. However, neither of them apologized nor did they ask to bring anything else out. When the bill came, there were no adjustments even though I didn't eat my entree. Very disappointing.
(2)Jodi G.
Amazing view and great food. The Tomato and mozzarella flatbread was great as were the mussels. They even made a butternut squash purée for my 10 month old. The deserts were fantastic as well.
(5)