CUISINE: Creative Cuban
TEL: (772) 562-9919
PRICE RANGE: $10 - $48
WINE LIST: Yes
BAR: Yes, Indoor & Cabana bar
OUTDOOR SEATING: Yes
RESERVATIONS: Recommended
HOURS: B: 7 - 11, L:11 - 2, D: 5-10
CREDIT CARDS: MC/VS/AX/DC
ADDRESS: 3244 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach (map)
WEBSITE: visit








Oriente’s first week
Because there were so many items on the menu to choose from, we decide to dine “Tapas” style and picked five different appetizers and smaller entres.Our server was very professional and accomodating.
We started with the swordfish cerviche (very fresh with citrus and spices perfectly balanced) and cuban roll (extraordinary flavor), then tried the shrimp tempura with a tropical sauce that made us want to lick the plate. We finished with palomilla sliders ( cute litle marinated skirt steak burgers with sauted onions) and sugarcane skewered ahi tuna over salad, that was cleverly mixed with smoked ham and black beans. A little cuban coffee and some mango creme brulee made our perfect tropical meal complete. We only wished we could have tried the paella but, unfortunately for us, were prevented by a shellfish allergy.
Perhaps, the best dinner in Vero.
Go early to avoid the local crowds.
This place is gorgeous!
Modern, clean lines and a neat play on the circle theme throughout. Atmosphere is 5 star but my first time dining there was just OK. Some things were very good, others were average and 1 item was sent back. Service needs some polish but it was relatively new when I went so I guess these things need a little time. I will definitely try it again and hope that it tightened things up a bit.
The best combination of food, service, atmosphere, quality crowd on Ocean Drive, and probably in all of Vero Beach.
A little bumpy on the service, had to wait for my plate to be brought long after the Paella serving dish hit the table. Food over all excellent. The Paella was average, but the Pork, and the Lamb were Outstanding…. the Cevichees (several) are abundant with flavor….. Drinks are large… prices a little above Vero… but then the food is way above…. and still a real bargain to the S Fl scene…
6 of us started at the bar, the bartender was great! modified drinks to eliminate added sugars and they were delish!
we ended up in the dining room and everyone liked what they had. i had the veggie ceviche and it was very flavorful. friends had ropas viejas & the marinated pork and some other traditional cuban food which i can’t remember (too many margaritas) and they said it was fab.
since then, we’ve been to the outside bar after beachwalking (this was back in the warmer weather). nice to be able to sit outside and have a beer without being in a loud and noisy bar.
I have to say the food was outstanding, it truly is an experience to eat here. One concern I had though was the Mojito drink special. I am from Miami and every Mojito served down their is made with Bacardi rum. The bar here was using some weird rum called 10 kane. This rum is horrible, do not try it. Request Bacardi like I did if you want an authentic Mojito. Everything else was really good including the service.
We loved the food, the atmosphere, and the service. Had the Paella for two.
The acoustics in the room were wonderful. We could not hear a thing from any other table with the room being full. Our server, Peggy, was wonderful. Professional yet relaxed and attentive.
A few concerns: the bibb salad I had was $10.00 and barely enough for one person. The side of black beans with the Palomilla steak (another guest had this) was too soupy.
All desserts were either $9.00 or $10.00, so not worth it in our minds. The Coke (with refill) was pricey at $3.50 a glass. The house wine was $8.00 a glass and not a big pour.
Would go back but it would be a treat rather than a monthly thing. But a very nice treat!!
Quite busy so must get a reservation in advance.
Recently transplanted to South Florida from San Francisco via Los Angeles, Chicago & New York (and various spots in between) not to mention extended stays in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Austria. Our palates have had the hardest transition from the restaurants of The Bay Area to our new home here on the Treasure Coast.
Today was Father’s Day and three generations of my familia decided to try Costa’s Oriente. We tried several small plates, drinks, wine, and entrees - all were very good.
Atmosphere: The hotel lobby stark and modern, in a minimalist and quasi-chic sort-of way. The restaurant was upscale, cosmopolitan and inviting. The pool-side bar and live music were fun, entertaining, and a draw to the venue all by themselves. It felt more South Beach than Vero Beach.
Wine list: acceptable but not impressive and slightly overpriced for the caliber of wines.
Drinks: we had mojitos, only… my wife liked them a lot, I liked them as well, but not as much. The choice of rum used may be the reason, since the other ingredients and preparation method was to my liking. Note we have been to Cuba and I have been ordering mojitos long before they became in vouge, so I’m a bit of a mojito-snob. Therefore, take my criticism with a pinch of salt (and a lime).
Tapas/Apps: All good! Ceviche (Mediterranean Mixto) fresh and light. Yuca fritas excellent. Black beans, plantain chips, platanos maduros, and seared big-eye tuna all spot on. Our 5-year old and the toughest to please at the table loved, loved, loved the palomilla sliders! The finely julienned french fries added a welcome kid-like topping.
Entrees: Salmon was excellent as well as the paella. Both very fresh and tasty. Portion size was also excellent. The only critique of the paella I have is the often overlooked “rice-crust” that develops on the pan side of the rice in an authentic Valencia style. Not often do I get lucky and find it here in the states. Short of this missing texture, it was very nice.
Bottom-line: $200 well spent and I will definitely be back for dinner, lunch, or just tapas and cocktails!