Restaurants Listings Distance From River Palms List Dog Friendly Places
When it comes to eating and drinking well in Brevard, the trio behind FLORIDA TODAY’s Facebook page, 321 Flavor: Where Brevard Eats, are true insiders to the county’s culinary scene. ● Rob Landers, Lyn Dowling and Amber Olesen have curated a list of their 25 favorite go-to spots — places they return to time and again for great vibes and unforgettable bites. ● Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through, here’s your insider guide to our culinary favorites in alphabetical order: 6/2025
Backwater, 1904 Municipal Lane, Melbourne and 5555 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne I’m obsessed with this place. With two locations, you can easily squelch that need for a savory, perfect chicken and waffles with orange citrus zest and a bit of granulated sugar dusting. Or get crazy with the gator version. I’m not. Try the blood orange or watermelon mint mimosa. Chef’s kiss for a brunch go-to. Vegans and vegetarians will find many choices for their dietary needs. Amber Olesen
Bahn Mi Saigon Baguette, 765 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne Tucked away in a strip mall on Wickham Road is this gem. I’ve only had the Bahn Mi sandwiches here because I can’t imagine anything tasting better. Each sandwich is crafted with the freshest ingredients — crisp vegetables and savory meats — nestled in perfectly baked bread that strikes just the right balance between crunchy and soft. - Rob Landers
Café Margaux , 220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Continental-style elegance, first-rate service, a thoughtful, classic menu and probably the best selection of fine wines and spirits in the area can be found at this Cocoa Village restaurant. The wine dinners put on by owner Alex Litras are things to be experienced, especially when venison is on the menu and French reds are in the glasses. - Lyn Dowling
Cerrato’s Italian Market & Deli, 908 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne Not even a little fancy, this little gem on 192 is a throwback to the deli-markets found in the Northeast. Sold though it may have been, former owner and local legend Arsenio Lobosco still is known to help out behind the counter, where he and others put together some of the best submarine sandwiches in the Sunshine State, not to mention Italian-American entrees. Lyn Dowling
Coasters Pub & Biergarten, 971 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne Albeit in a strip mall, this place is a neighborhood pub, at its finest. With a large bar, typical pub décor and TVs lining the walls, Coaster’s delivers large portions with speedy and friendly service. Check out their weekly specials, extensive beer selection and unique game burgers and see why this spot stands out from the crowd. The charming, plant-lined courtyard is not only super cute but also dog-friendly, and there’s plenty of parking to make your visit hassle-free. - Amber Olesen
Crush XI, 923 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne Crush blends upscale flair with a laid-back vibe, putting a creative twist on every dish. Share standout bites like the bacon-wrapped Medjool dates with goat cheese or the fresh salmon poke tacos with friends. For a weekend treat, be sure to book a brunch reservation in advance. Amber Olesen
Da Kine Diegos, 1360 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach Jalapeno pickled carrots and a Gringo Star sandwich. ‘Nuf said. This Baha surf food shack is a great place for a laidback casual meal. It’s an ideal place to kick back with friends, grab a bite after a surf session or simply soak in the easygoing seaside ambiance. - Rob Landers
Goombay’s Beachside, 306 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach I’m here more than I care to admit. One would think I could make shrimp tacos from home and save some dough, but I cannot replicate the blackening seasoning, the perfect grill on the shrimp or their mango salsa. It’s so simple, yet perfect. The staff treats guests of all ages like family and the patio is dog-friendly. - Amber Olesen
Heidi’s Jazz Club and Restaurant, 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach Founders Heidi and Eddie Deleuil may be gone, but the restaurant, formerly Heidelberg, and club still bear her name and commitment to quality. It serves classic Austrian-style food with classic table service, right down to the Malakoff for dessert. - Lyn Dowling
Ichabod’s Bar & Grille Dockside, 2210 Front St., Melbourne This laid-back spot has been a local favorite for years. Tucked away among businesses and a residential area, it can be a bit tricky to find. The deck offers stunning sunset views, so order the seared sea scallops in roasted garlic shallot white wine butter sauce and a cold beer, then enjoy. - Amber Olesen
Italian Fisherman, 5890 A U.S. 1, Grant-Valkaria The food is good. It is definitely a lot. But the experience is worth every penny. It’s a dinner and a show, with a variety of foods to try family-style, music, and most likely, card tricks by the chef. Note: Based on the few times I have been, be sure to ask for bottled water — you can thank me later. - Rob Landers
Luna Food & Wine, 8 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach The briefest of walks up the street from Heidi’s is another intimate gem, Luna, which is as diverse in flavor as it is in cleverness. Tropical-style specialties like Huli Huli Tuna live next to Italian Pansotti on its menu, which also boasts fine steaks. - Lyn Dowling
Masa Taqueria Y Cantina, 445 Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach My favorite thing about Masa? They have so many choices that are all delicious, with a bit of twist. From small craft street tacos to giant enchiladas and fajitas, they have an excellent happy hour with bites and beverages sure to please any budget. Masa has brunch every day until 3 p.m., and I would suggest the chicken and churros or their eggs benedict with chicharron. - Amber Olesen
Mustard’s Last Stand, 415 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne Easily my favorite go-to in downtown Melbourne for a quick bite or the Eau Gallie location when I’m actually in our new office. The Hula Dog, The Chicago Dog, The Pesto Dog … I could go on. Anyone could easily find something they like on this menu. - Rob Landers
Nomads Canteen, 617 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne This restaurant features a patio rooftop, plenty of indoor seating and food is prepared on an open grill with fresh ingredients. From ceviche to poke bowls, the restaurant offers plenty of choices as guests enjoy the funky décor. Between the quality of the food and the consistently competent and attentive staff, this place is a win for Brevard. Amber Olesen
Ryan’s Pizza and Pub, 4 Harrison St., Cocoa The Irish nachos have long been a family favorite, but you CANNOT beat the view sitting up on the deck looking over the Indian River Lagoon. The menu is diverse, offering everything from soups, salads and sandwiches to burgers, wings and pasta dishes. - Rob Landers
Scott’s on Fifth, 141 Fifth Ave., Indialantic We won’t repeat owner-chef Scott Earick’s description of his sparkling, colorful restaurant, the walls of which are lined with original art and the menu of which is lined with his take on classic favorites. Shame on anyone who thinks great American classics like Steak Diane have left the building, when they fly out of Scott’s tiny kitchen Wednesday through Saturday nights. - Lyn Dowling
Taj: Modern Indian Cuisine, 2290 Town Center Ave., Melbourne If you haven’t tried Indian food, this is a good place to start. The lunch buffet has a nice amount of different flavors to try — who knew I would be a fan of vegetable korma?! The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is offered daily, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Rob Landers
Tely’s Chinese Restaurant, 6450 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne Brevard does not have a more careful, better-versed restaurateur than Tely Tse, and from his Suntree restaurant come creative versions of Hong Kong/ Cantonese-style dishes served by men and women in tuxedo shirts and ties and placed on white-clothed tables. Lyn Dowling
The Alibi Cocktails and Bites, 231 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach Do you want a fancy take on a classic old-fashioned with a side of sexy? Dark and moody atmosphere? They’ve got it. The Alibi has a gorgeous back patio, creative craft drinks and a great tasting menu. Get the mussels. Located in the same space as the original Alibi from the 1950s, they claim the astronauts used to hang out there after a tough day in space. - Amber Olesen
The Burger Place, 811 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne Taking into account everything from the temperature of the (quality) meat to the (house-made) roll to the (hand-cut) fries and the (retro-style) ambience, the Burger Place gets it right. - Lyn Dowling
The Donut Shop, 480 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island You can walk in for service or just stay in the drive-through lane and ask the staff (quite possibly the owner) to go ahead and pick their favorites for you. You will never be disappointed with their apple fritters, cake donuts and cinnamon rolls. Guests also rave about their breakfast sandwiches. - Amber Olesen
Tin Whiskey Southern Kitchen and Still, 3 Forrest Ave., Cocoa From the shrimp and grits to the charred Caesar salad, I love the food, but the staff truly make this place awesome. They offer an extensive menu filled with a wide variety of options to suit every taste, all served in generous, satisfying portions. The restaurant also features a spacious, beautifully designed outdoor patio that is fully covered. - Rob Landers
Umami Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 3042 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne If you like sushi, you love Umami, where careful and inventive owner-chef Chris Chern puts together remarkable rolls and other delights, the thought of which (Boba Fett!) makes you want to head there now. The fish come from Pacific waters and Grade-5 Wagyu is prepared on a hot stone, as it would be in Japan. - Lyn Dowling
Vine and Olive, 3350 S. Washington Ave., Titusville Probably the best thing to happen to Titusville since Steven Heron became the executive director at the Titusville Playhouse. With a modern interpretation of classic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant’s menu is diverse, from rich, savory short-rib Bolognese to decadent truffle mushroom ravioli. - Rob Landers