12A Buoy - Fort Pierce (FL)

4 /5 Traveler Rose: We stopped by this cozy waterfront restaurant just before closing, and the atmosphere stole the show— live music drifting through the night, and a friendly, attentive staff that made us feel welcome. What We Loved: 
 Onion Strings: Absolutely delicious! Light, crispy, golden brown, and paired with a sauce that hit all the right notes. A must-try appetizer. The shrimp cocktail was goood. The shrimp were tender. What Missed the Mark: 
 Fried Chicken Sandwich: Moist inside, but the outer batter lacked seasoning. My husband found it bland despite being cooked well. Lobster with Crab Stuffing: The lobster was fine, but the stuffing was mostly filler with very little crab flavor. If you’re from the Mid-Atlantic, temper your expectations. Kudos to the manager for removing the stuffing from our bill—great customer service! Sadly, they were out of the red snapper and mahi-mahi, which I had hoped to try. Bottom Line: 
Come for the location, vibe, and service—they’re top-notch. The food has some hits and misses, but overall, it’s worth a visit.

5 /5 Marie Weaver: ⭐ 12 A Buoy Nailed It – 10/10! ⭐ After two so-so experiences, the third time was a charm. First visit: Food was great but took 1.5 hours just to get our food. Second visit: Waitress was honest that it would be over an hour to get food, so we left. Third visit: Perfect! Lilly, our server, was fantastic, attentive, and made sure we never had to ask for a thing. The fried shrimp dinner was cooked perfectly, the tartar sauce tasted homemade, the garlic green beans were fresh and flavorful, and the baked potato was crisp and salty on the outside. My husband’s jumbo lump crab cakes were all meat and perfectly seasoned. They have clearly gotten organized and it shows. We will definitely be back! * they charge 3% for credit card charges

5 /5 Deb Henderson- Keller Williams Realty Brevard: We were taking another spontaneous road trip and decided we were ready for lunch so got online and asked a few questions and landed here! What a great find for us. Exactly the relaxed atmosphere we were looking for, very friendly service and the food was good! We had an oyster PoBoy, and the fried shrimp. We got there right as it opened and the place filled up quickly. Definitely worth checking out!

5 /5 Julia Jakkel: I visited 12A Buoy for my birthday, and it was exactly the casual, beach-side spot I was hoping for: good food, good vibes, and a relaxed atmosphere. We started with three appetizers (photos attached): Connor’s Bangin’ Shrimp: flavorful, lightly crispy, and a great shareable starter. Steamed Mussels: fresh, well-seasoned, and served with plenty of broth for dipping. Lobster Mac & Cheese: creamy, comforting, and generously portioned. For the main dishes (also pictured): The special fish of the day (I believe it was grouper) with coleslaw and French fries: simple, fresh, and nicely cooked. A ½ lb. of stone crabs, conveniently pre-cracked for easy eating. We finished with a slice of Key Lime Pie, rich, creamy, and a perfect way to wrap up the meal. Overall, the food was good and enjoyable. I’ll most likely be back!

4 /5 Matthew Garrepy: If you’re looking for the best local catch and toe-curling fish tacos, drop your line at the 12A Buoy in quaint Fort Pierce, Florida. It’s rustic in all the right ways, with a spacious outdoor patio that’s a stone’s throw from a marina and some spectacular views of the Atlantic inlets. As I said, THE FISH TACOS. A must-have. Get it blackened if you dare, and take in the fresh slaw and crema dressing. It’s a revelation for someone who seeks out fish tacos in the wild - and is often disappointed. These were amazeballs. Oh, and ask for the house Gator hot sauce… it’s perfection. Just the right blend of sweet and heat to stir up your tastebuds. My wife had the shrimp poke bowl (also available with spicy tuna), and it was a level up from some sushi joints that specialize in these dishes. Totally worth trying. Hit the clam chowdah and they also have a lobster bisque. What more could you want? As I said, it’s rustic, so don’t expect a lot of frills. It’s not super spacious inside, and it gets busy, so things were a little frenetic and it took a while to get our food. But man, it was worth the wait. The staff was outstanding. A smile at every turn, and our glasses were full. There’s a decent bar, so it could double as a watering hole on a festive evening out. Grab your tackle box - and your appetite - and make your way to 12 A.