Rocco Smith
Cocoa Beach, Florida, is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. This beach town sits right on the Atlantic Ocean near both Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center.
So, whether you’re someone who loves outdoor activities, like surfing and kayaking, or beautiful views and beach culture, Cocoa Beach is a place you absolutely have to visit.
A wonderful city needs to be matched by excellent food, and Cocoa Beach definitely has that. Beach favorites like seafood are plentiful, but there are plenty of hidden gems serving up regional cuisine.
Best Restaurants in Cocoa Beach, FL
- The Tiny Turtle
- The Fat Snook
- Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill
- Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster
- Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
- Mangia & Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana
- Florida’s Fresh Grill
- Flavors of India Cocoa Beach
- Fat Kahunas
- The Green Room Cafe
- 4th Street Fillin Station
It’s a great city to walk around and get a bite no matter what kind of food you like. Most restaurants also have outdoor seating. So, read on to see my list of the best restaurants in Cocoa Beach below!
The Tiny Turtle
249 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-446-7361
Visit Website
The Tiny Turtle sits on Minutemen Causeway, just steps away from the beach. This family joint has been a favorite since opening in 2013. The Caribbean Fusion Cuisine menu is an excellent match for a relaxing atmosphere and plenty of outdoor dining.
Sofrito is the star of the menu here, and you can get it on nachos or a salad or in a bowl or burrito.
If you’ve never had sofrito, picture the most delicious, fragrant, and fresh salsa you’ve ever had. I personally like to get the burrito with roasted island pork. It’s crispy, melty, and fantastic. Try it!
The Fat Snook
2464 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-784-1190
Visit Website
When you visit The Fat Snook on South Atlantic Avenue, you’ll see the ocean on both sides of the road. It’s a fantastic setting for a fresh, Caribbean-inspired seafood meal.
The Fat Snook perfectly straddles the line between casual and elegant, serving great food in a spectacular dining room.
The Fat Snook rotates the menu based on their catch of the day. For one of their staples, I recommend the Creole shrimp & scallops.
Red shrimp and scallops top a heaping portion of dirty rice before getting smothered with a creamy, spicy butter sauce. It’s just the right size, and it’s not too heavy.
Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill
480 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-784-0892
Visit Website
If a restaurant calls itself “Florida’s Seafood,” it would have to bring tons of flavor, and this restaurant does just that.
Located right next to the enormous Ron Jon Surf Shop, Florida’s feels like an old-school surf shack. You’ll dine on classic seafood in a very casual and fun nautical setting.
To me, the beach means tacos, and Florida’s serves some fantastic fish tacos. First, pick your choice of fish and cook style (grilled, blackened, or fried).
From there, you’ll get your fish in a warm tortilla and covered with cheese, fresh cabbage, and a pico de gallo.
Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster
210 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-613-3993
Visit Website
If you’re someone who loves that old-school feel, head over to North Orlando Avenue and check out Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster.
This no-frills joint focuses on classics like lobster, chowder, and fried seafood baskets in a New England roadside kind of atmosphere.
The lobster is fantastic, but some people struggle with the shells. If that sounds like you, try out the New England-style lobster roll.
Jazzy’s mixes massive chunks of lobster with a bit of mayo and celery before putting it over lettuce on top of a buttered, toasted hot dog bun. Get it with a side of fries and slaw, and you’re golden.
Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
125 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-783-2012
A good breakfast spot can sometimes be hard to find. Fortunately for Cocoa Beach visitors, Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery is a top-notch option. Located just down the street from Jazzy’s, diners can get breakfast, and lunch staples are served up fast and fresh.
My absolute favorite breakfast dish when I dine out is an eggs benedict. A restaurant that can get that done well can usually handle anything.
Simply Delicious’ recipe is classic: 2 perfectly poached eggs served on homemade English muffins with Canadian bacon and a creamy, savory Hollandaise sauce. If you’re a vegetarian, sub out the bacon with sliced tomatoes!
Mangia & Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana
218 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-613-0691
You might not necessarily think of pizza as great beachside food, but a thin, wood-fired pizza paired with a glass of wine and an ocean breeze is sublime.
Mangia & Bevi, located next to the world-famous Dinosaur Store, serves fantastic pizza, salad, and sandwiches in a comfortable setting.
The Margherita pizza is the quintessential pie, with mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh parmesan. But, for a bit of a twist on that formula, try the Siciliana.
It takes all the flavors of the Margherita and adds eggplant. The eggplant gives an umami, savory component without making the pizza too heavy.
Florida’s Fresh Grill
2039 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-613-5649
Visit Website
Located right across the street from beautiful Sidney Fischer Park is Florida’s Fresh Grill. The menu centers on seafood and American cuisine, and the decor is casual but upscale.
It’s an excellent spot for a more romantic or quiet evening. Florida’s Fresh has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence every year between 2016 and 2021.
The fresh fish is the main draw, including salmon and swordfish grilled to perfection. If you need a seafood break, Florida’s Fresh also uses their grill on various Angus beef steaks.
Then, for the best of both worlds, get the Surf & Turf, which combines a 10-ounce sirloin with a fresh lobster tail.
Flavors of India Cocoa Beach
5675 N Atlantic Ave #117, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-613-3715
Visit Website
Coastal cuisine doesn’t just have to be seafood, and no restaurant in Cocoa Beach embodies that more than Flavors of India Cocoa Beach. Located in Cornerstone Plaza, this casual spot offers North and South Indian delicacies to hungry diners.
The vegetable samosas, fritters stuffed with potatoes, green peas, and Indian spices, are an ideal starter. Flavors of India also has a great selection of naan.
Naan is an Indian flatbread that can come plain or stuffed with different items like Indian cheese, minced lamb, or vegetables. If you want to try everything, Flavors of India also has a daily lunch buffet.
Fat Kahunas
8 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-783-6858
Visit Website
Fat Kahunas is another fabulous restaurant on Minutemen Causeway. The dining room is tiny, but the flavors and food are enormous. Fat Kahunas is a unique presence in Cocoa Beach with a menu filled with Hawaiian influence.
I personally love the Kona coffee-encrusted Norwegian salmon. A whole salmon gets a coffee crust that it cooks in before being covered in a brandy pecan butter melt.
It adds just a hint of sweetness and complexity to a great fish. Fat Kahunas also does a great job with their jumbo coconut shrimp–fried until golden and served with a mango chili dipping sauce.
The Green Room Cafe
222 N 1st St, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-868-0203
Visit Website
The Green Room Cafe sits in the middle of the city on North 1st Street. It’s an eatery for the more health-conscious diner, serving organic and vegan-friendly food. This place is excellent.
The restaurant has a vast selection of smoothies, offering more than 15 choices on the menu. They’re a great way to get your day going.
t’s an excellent option for lunch as well, with fresh salads and sandwiches like the Sunset (homemade tuna salad, white cheddar cheese, apple, vegan mayonnaise, sprouts, romaine lettuce, tomato, and carrot).
4th Street Fillin Station
382 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-613-2462
Visit Website
If you’re near the Convair Cove part of town, you might think that the 4th Street Fillin Station is a gas station.
At one point, it was, but now, it’s a fantastic restaurant. With upscale tavern food and a menu of more than 175 beers, 4th Street Fillin Station is a wonderful spot to visit.
You absolutely have to try the blue cheese & balsamic kettle chips. Crisp chips get topped with a balsamic vinegar reduction, a blue cheese sauce, blue cheese crumbles, sweet sauteed onions, green onions, and bacon. It’s the absolute perfect match for a tall beer!
Final Thoughts
Cocoa Beach has a ton of great restaurants. There are definitely many seafood options, but with great pizza, Indian, and Caribbean flavors, there’s something for everyone in this seaside haven.
So, take advantage of the waterfront views, kick back with a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail, and enjoy a great meal in one of the best restaurants in Cocoa Beach.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
