If you’ve spent much time on our website, you know how much we value a delicious meal and the right ambiance. Cocoa Beach, Florida is one of our favorite “staycation” towns due to its proximity to our home. So we get a lot of chances to eat out there! Here are some of the best Cocoa Beach restaurants.
1. 4th Street Fillin Station
One of the trendiest (in a good way) restaurants in Cocoa Beach is 4th Street Fillin Station. They have an amazing breakfast/brunch and they’re even open for brekkie 7 days a week. They serve lunch and dinner and everything in between, and they’re open late, too.
The menu is extensive and has something for everyone. If you’re in the mood for tacos, sandwiches, burgers, or salads, you can’t beat them. There’s just so much to choose from! My favorite dishes are the avocado toast and jammer biscuit for breakfast, and their bulgogi tacos for lunch or dinner. Speaking of bulgogi, the 4th Street Bloody (Mary) is superb, and it has bulgogi sauce in it. (Bulgogi is a Korean dish of marinated beef.)
Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are available all day long, so whether you want a mimosa with brunch, a craft beer, or something harder, they’ve got you covered.
We always sit outside in the back area. The large fans keep it from being too hot in the summer time, and it’s just such a cool patio area.
They’re located at… well, 4th street! Specifically, the corner of N 4th Street and A1A (aka N. Orlando Avenue).
2. Florida Fresh Grill
In Florida we love our fresh seafood, and no one serves it up better than Florida Fresh Grill. This is a dinner-only location that’s nice enough for date night, but casual enough for a family get-together. My favorite dish here is the Corvina, a light and flaky fish that’s mild but delicious.
For those that don’t care for seafood, they also have amazing steaks and a couple of other non-fish entrees that I haven’t tried. Wine, cocktails, and beer are available, and you simply have to save room for dessert. Might I suggest the key lime pie?!
The wait staff needs to be mentioned here too. They are absolutely fabulous, professionals in every aspect. We’ve only ever experienced amazing service at Florida Fresh Grill.
Located in the Publix shopping center that’s just south of the big surf shops. Their address is 2039 N Atlantic Ave. Don’t let the strip mall location fool you; it’s absolutely worth a visit!
3. Rising Tide Tap and Table
If you want to spend time in the port (Port Canaveral, that is, just north of and adjacent to Cocoa Beach), then you have lots of choices. None are bad, but many of them are similar to each other. Not Rising Tide, though – they truly stand apart, and in the best ways possible.
First of all, during happy hour, they have unique and delicious munchies at great prices, such as pimiento cheese and crackers, and chicharrons. The shishi peppers are tasty and especially fun in a group setting, because only some of them are hot – but when you get a hot one, you’ll know it! There’s no way to tell which ones have the most kick except just to try it.
Their beer menu is extensive, featuring local crafts, international favorites, and more. And of course, they have amazing cocktails and a great selection of wine, too.
For an entrée, you can’t beat the filet and fingerlings. The taste and presentation are both top notch, and the potatoes and broccolini are almost as good as the steak itself. We also like the belly burger and the fun-guy flatbread pizza. Their daily specials are always spot on, too.
Located in the Port, at 523 Glen Cheek Dr, Port Canaveral.
4. Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster
Jazzy’s is one of our favorite places to eat in Cocoa Beach because it’s unique. Many times if you choose lobster in a Florida restaurant, you’ll get Florida lobster. They’re different from “real” Maine lobsters, as Florida lobsters don’t have claws and they do have long spiky antennae. Now before I start a riot, I will say that both are quite good! But when nothing but Maine lobster will do, it’s time to visit Jazzy’s.
Jazzy’s is casual, in tune to the beach lifestyle and perfect for vacationers. We love their lobster rolls, and you can get an entire lobster as well, if you’ve got the appetite! Other shellfish offerings include calamari, snow crab legs, clams, oysters, and much more. They have fresh fish, too, including mahi and tuna. There are even a few non-seafood choices for people who prefer it. And parents will appreciate their kids’ menu choices.
They also have a seafood market, if you’d rather buy fresh ingredients and make your own dishes at home (or your vacation accommodation of choice!)
Located at 210 N. Orlando Avenue.
5. The Fat Snook
The Fat Snook is our go-to anniversary dinner restaurant! It’s a true treat for foodies, with special ambiance and some of the most amazing food I’ve had anywhere. Treat yourself to a multiple-course menu with their delightful options.
Of course, there are always specials, and I tend to lean towards those for something different. However, from the main menu, the seared scallops are incredible. The fish entrée is always good and unexpected, but if you don’t like fish, the grilled duck is to die for! For dessert, you must try the bananas foster if available.
I’ll owe you guys some better photos from here, but we had this dessert above when we visited for our anniversary in 2018. So pretty!
Located at 2464 S Atlantic Ave.
6. Zarrella’s Italian
There are Italian restaurants actually in Cocoa Beach, but in our experience they’ve been hit-or-miss. So our suggestion for Italian – including pizza – is a short drive north on A1A to Port Canaveral. Just past the pink elephant (part of a putt putt course) you’ll find Zarrella’s.
Zarrella’s is great for both their wood-fired pizza and, at dinner, their more traditional entrees. My personal favorite is the chicken piccata, while my husband almost always chooses the veal parmesan. There are also weekly and nightly specials to choose from. For appetizers, the fried mozzarella (a square, not cheese sticks) and the fried calamari are equally delicious choices.
They also have beer, wine, and cocktails. While I’m on this subject, you’ll find Dragonpoint IPA at Zarrella’s and at a lot of the restaurants around Cocoa Beach. It’s a really good IPA beer from Intracoastal Brewing in nearby Melbourne. If you like IPAs, be sure to give this one a shot!
Zarrella’s is located at 8801 Astronaut Blvd #103, Cape Canaveral
7. The Pig & Whistle
If you’ve got a craving for fish and chips, or any other British staple, head on over to The Pig & Whistle. You’ll find all of the charm of an British pub that you’d find in England – except with table service and the expectation of tipping, that is!
The Pig & Whistle is great both for food and atmosphere. You’ll find great beers and classic cocktails as well, all with a Brit flair. Try the Shepherd’s Pie, the Sunday Pub Roast, or a sausage roll. Or go for the classic – their fish and chips are even served on newsprint. They also serve up a mean breakfast with lots of options!
Sports fans will find plenty of TVs with current games playing. The restaurant is family-friendly, too!
Located at 240 N Orlando Ave,
8. Preacher Bar
Get your Goth on at this fun pub that’s uniquely decorated and which offers lots on the menu. The atmosphere is unusual and fun. There’s stained glass and art-inspired décor everywhere, and the menus are all pasted onto the flip side of famous album covers. (B-sides never tasted this good!)
The Scotch egg appetizer is to die for, and the jalapeno poppers are delicious and unique, too. They’re stuffed with smoked gouda, wrapped in bacon, and served with mango salsa for dipping.
In my opinion, their Mahi Mahi tacos are some of the best around, and the fries are perfectly crispy. They go so well with your favorite beer, and Preacher Bar has a long list to choose from! You’ll also find brick oven pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches.
For a lighter option, they offer both soup and salad (though be forewarned, the berry salad is discontinued but hasn’t been removed from the website). For the true foodies, give the escargot or baked brie a go. And don’t forget dessert! The Jack Daniel’s chocolate bourbon cake is truly decadent!
Located at 8699 Astronaut Blvd in Cape Canaveral, just north of Cocoa Beach on A1A.
9. Long Doggers
Long Doggers is a casual indoor/outdoor chain across Brevard County. The one in Cocoa Beach is located on the Causeway just west of The Dinosaur Store. They have good food and drinks, and all of their locations are popular among locals.
Long Doggers is based on a surfing theme, so if you’ve spent your day on the water and want to stick with the theme, come here! You’ll find many of their dishes named accordingly. The décor features surfboards and you’ll even find surfing competitions on the TVs much of the time. If you’re visiting Cocoa Beach for the surfing lifestyle, then this is the perfect compliment. It’s also great for families.
I really like their summer salad, tico pico bowl, and Florida Rueben, which is made with fried grouper instead of corned beef. The actually have quite an extensive hot dog menu. The clam strips are delicious, but keep in mind that they use cornmeal breading – if you don’t like that, shy away from offerings like their fish-n-chips. (Which is otherwise delicious, so if you like cornmeal breading, go for it!)
Most Long Doggers have only beer and wine, but the Cocoa Beach location also has mixed liquor drinks, including “buckets” that you can take to the beach.
There’s a large section of kids meal offerings (found under “Groms”, slang for kids who surf or skateboard). Plus, kids get a free frozen treat after lunch or dinner. Adults get Jolly Ranchers, so be prepared to fight over the watermelon-flavored ones.
Located at 350 W Cocoa Beach Causeway (Highway 520)
Conclusion
If you’re coming to Cocoa Beach for your Florida vacation, then you’ve got a ton of choices for where to eat. This post only covers a few of the many Cocoa Beach restaurants found in or near the town, but in our opinions these are some of the best. It won’t be hard to find something that offers meal options for your entire party.
You’ll notice we don’t mention anything at the Cocoa Beach pier. In our opinion, the pier is overpriced for what you get, especially when you add in the high cost of parking. However, it can be fun if you’re looking for a bar to drink and hang out, and especially if you’re staying close enough to walk.
Be sure to check out our suggestions for things to do in Cocoa Beach, too!
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