Rocco Smith
Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a coastal city near the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
In addition to being known for space science, Cocoa Beach is also home to the Florida Surf Museum, a venue that shows and describes the sport’s presence in Florida.
Furthermore, Cocoa Beach Pier offers various eateries and local artisan shops. Many people who visit Cocoa Beach enjoy viewing Lori Wilson Park, an oceanfront area that attracts wildlife and birds. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a picturesque view of Florida’s native fauna and flora.
For guests and residents alike, a key draw to being in Cocoa Beach is taking in the breathtaking views of the oceans and waterways.
Best Waterfront Restaurants in Cocoa Beach
- Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
- Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
- Coconuts On The Beach
- Seafood Atlantic
- Sunset Cafe’ Waterfront Bar & Grill
- Longboards Tiki Beach Grille
- Rikki Tiki Tavern
Many area restaurants have built guest seating specifically cultivated to enhance the views and offer a fantastic dining experience. We have compiled a list of the seven best waterfront restaurants in Cocoa Beach.
Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
610 Glen Cheek Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321-784-4533
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Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill is a nautical-themed seafood restaurant and bar. Guests can view the West Basin and watch cruise ships glide past the window.
The Port Canaveral restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and brunch, and most guests have enjoyed the relaxing and casual atmosphere of the space.
When I visited Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill, I enjoyed the fish dip and the grouper fingers. The shrimp nachos with wonton chips and jalapeno ranch is delicious.
I also recommend the grilled brie with fruit and the raw oysters on the half shell. Try the scallop risotto or the coconut shrimp with mango salsa for an entree.
Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
628 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321-783-2033
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Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar has a buffet option or an à la carte seafood menu. The venue is a great place to watch sports and take in harbor views.
The restaurant is open at 11:00 am daily. The bar opened in 1992 and is a legacy of one of the first restaurants in Cocoa Beach.
Try the Seared Ahi Tuna or the Buffalo Shrimp as an appetizer. I also enjoyed the Surf and Sirloin with a six-ounce sirloin and four jumbo shrimp.
Other popular menu items include New England Clam Chowder, the Gator Bites, and the Rusty Scampi.
Coconuts On The Beach
2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-784-1422
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Coconuts On The Beach is a relaxed beach eatery known for waterfront views, bikini contests, and live music. The views of the Atlantic Ocean from Coconuts on The Beach is incredible.
The restaurant sits at the end of the Minutemen Causeway. Follow the restaurants on social media for the most up-to-date information on live events.
The jerk Mahi sandwich is delicious and is served with key lime slaw. Other popular menu items include the Poke Nachos with tuna, avocado, wonton chips, and the Mahi Reuben with 1000 island dressing.
Try the Jump Lump Crab Cake Dinner with remoulade or the Seafood Scampi with shrimp and scallops.
Seafood Atlantic
520 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321-784-1963
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Seafood Atlantic is situated in the Middle Turning Basin in Port Canaveral. It is a waterfront seafood market and restaurant that offers local fish, grouper sandwiches, and lobster.
Since the mid-1980s, the restaurant sourced fish from local fishers and created delicious dishes. The restaurant is open between Wednesday and Sunday.
When I visited Seafood Atlantic, I enjoyed the Canaveral Po’Boy with shrimp and the mini crab cakes.
I recommend ordering the fresh fish tacos, the crab cake sliders, and the Mahi burrito. Check out the drink menu. There is nothing better than a cold beer in the sun overlooking the water.
Sunset Cafe’ Waterfront Bar & Grill
500 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-783-8485
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Sunset Cafe Waterfront Bar & Grill is a restaurant with some open-air seating that serves American-style seafood and offers beautiful views of the Banana River.
The restaurant is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; the happy hour is between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm!
The Sunset Cafe is a beautiful location for vacationers to decompress and enjoy fun cocktails and tasty bites.
The menu is filled with tasty options like conch fritters, potato skins, and grouper Caesar salad. I recommend ordering the Sunset Seafood Gumbo, the Shrimp Alfredo, and the Hurricane Shrimp. Try the Lime in the Coconut cocktail or the Argentinian Malbec red wine.
Longboards Tiki Beach Grille
The Hilton Resort, 1550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-799-0003
Longboards Tiki Beach Grille is a local seafood restaurant situated in a casual building. The lavish marble bar and mod-chic dining area transport visitors to a different era.
It is open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. The restaurant is by Lori Wilson Park, a lovely green space with beachfront access within the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
The menu offers frozen cocktails, like Pina Coladas and a Mango Sunrise. Try the Longboard Nachos with pulled pork, the Blackened Atlantic Salmon with corn puree, and the Key Lime Pie for a meal. I also enjoyed the blackened Mahi tacos and the kale salad with shrimp.
Rikki Tiki Tavern
401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Phone: 321-783-7549
The Rikki Tiki Tavern has water views on three sides of the building! The tavern is a laid-back cocktail lounge situated on a pier that juts out into the ocean.
The tavern offers a full bar with tropical drinks. The restaurant opens at 11:00 am daily with extended hours on the weekends.
Try the Pier Punch with four types of rum, the Rum Runner, the Bahama Mama, or the Electric Lemonade!
The tavern also has five distinct frozen drinks, my favorite was called the Key Lime Pie, but the Miami Vice is also delicious. Try the coconut scallop ceviche, the raw oysters with horseradish, or the seafood chowder!
Final Thoughts
Cocoa Beach is known for science and surfing. Many people visit annually to explore and experience the beach and surrounding area.
Cocoa Beach has also experienced rapid growth since the 1960s, when the Kennedy Space Center opened in the area.
Many restaurants in the area are tied to the water with breathtaking views and fresh seafood dishes. Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to vacation or to live.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
