There’s just something amazing about eating outside with a view of the water. Here is our guide to waterfront dining on the Space Coast.
I am passionate about showcasing the amazing locally-owned restaurants in my hometown area of Brevard County Florida. This area is also known as The Space Coast and is home to the City of Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Disney world and home to some amazing restaurants. This is a list of my favorite waterfront dining options in the area.
I try to keep our blog posts as up-to-date as possible. With everything that has happened in the pandemic, I am only recommending restaurants that have been to recently. I have tons of favorites and places that I want to try that are not on this list and will post them as soon as I get a chance to check them out.
About the author: Halim “The Food Tour Guy” Urban
Hi, I am the owner of Village Food Tours, Space Coast’s longest-running food tour company. We have been blessed with taking hundreds of guests on our walking food tours throughout brevard county. Working with over 50 restaurants this as given me an insider’s ability to know the best restaurants to recommend.
1) Seafood Atlantic (Port Canaveral Food Tour Location)
Waterfront: Port Canaveral Harbor
Address: 520 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: (321) 784-1963
Seafood Atlantic, hands down no arguments has the freshest seafood in brevard county. They are a small outdoor-only restaurant with a view of the harbor that may be obstructed by a shrimping boat. They do not fry anything and all of the food is either steamed or grilled. The reason you will see fishing or shrimp boat is that they are actually a market.
Seafood Atlantic is the first receiver of sustainable local seafood, buying directly from the American fishermen of the South Atlantic. They have something like 500 ships that fish for them and distribute seafood from the area all over the country. So if you want a waterfront view and the freshest possible seafood this is the place to go.
2) Coconuts On The Beach
Water Front: The Atlantic Ocean (it’s literally on the beach)
Address: 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: (321) 784-1422
Casual atmosphere, one of the few oceanfront dining options in the entire county. I have not been in years and they have remodeled it through 2020. One of my favorite drinks is called the pain in the A**, its blended strawberry daiquiri and pina colada with a rum shooter and pineapple garnish.
As for food, I would usually get the bacon-wrapped scallops or coconut shrimp. I used to visit this place more during my beach partying days, and at that timeframe, it was more for the drinks than the food.
3) Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
Waterfront: Port Canaveral Harbor
Address: 628 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: (321) 783-2033
It’s in the name but in my opinion one of the best places to get oysters. They have seafood of all kinds, fried steamed as well as Cocktails. They have been around as far back as I can remember and the service has always been great.
4) Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill (Food Tour Location)
Waterfront: The Port Canaveral Harbor
Phone: (321) 784-4533
Address: 610 Glen Cheek Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
Fishlips is a local favorite that has been around for a long time. Great drink and meal specials, they have an upstairs deck that is a great view of the harbor. They are also a great place to take our tour guests on our Port Canaveral Food Tour.
5) Hawksbill Bar & Grill
Waterfront: Merritt Island Marina
Address: 2700 Harbortown Marina Dr, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Phone: (321) 412-3400
Great family-run restaurant located on the Merritt Island Marina. Homestyle comfort and bar food. They have a screened-in patio that faces the marina, you can even walk outside and sit on these cozy blue tables with to-go orders to enjoy your meal.
6) Sunset Cafe’ Waterfront Bar & Grill
Waterfront: The Banana Rivad
Address: 500 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: (321) 783-8485
Lovely place. Great seafood and service. The menu is very reasonably priced and delicious. They are also a great venue for group dinners and special occasions.
Thank you for reading this post!
Like I said I will do my best to add to it and keep it updated. If you find yourself in the area I would love to meet you on one of our food tours! They last about 2 hours and we visit 4 restaurants sampling generous portions of delicious food. Purchase of the tour includes the cost of the food and drinks featured plus tax and gratuity. You can book online here.
Here are some picutres of what you will get to sample on our Cocoa Village Food Tour
Some of these amazing pictures were taken by Kayla Camera Eats, she makes the most amazing meat and cheese boards. You can check out here website here.