10 Best Restaurants in Cocoa Beach

The Tiny Turtle may be small, but it’s got enough heart and culinary flair to put the city’s bigger restaurants to shame. This beloved Cocoa Beach eatery serves Caribbean fusion cuisine from its street-facing window (alternatively, grab a table in its beach shack interior, or head to the courtyard under the thatched tiki cabana).

Situated in the heart of city centre, just moments from the ocean, The Tiny Turtle showcases bold Puerto Rican and island flavours across an eclectic array of dishes like the El Cubanito pork sandwich, sofrito burritos, and empanadas with roasted tomatillo sauce. To finish, nothing beats a helping of the Piña Colada cheesecake or the creamy custard flan (a classic in Mexico).

The Fat Snook is a casual yet chic New American eatery with a focus on succulent seafood, locally produced beers, and boutique wines that are served in a Caribbean-inspired interior that’s all white wooden chairs and exposed brick walls. The menu offers a delectable selection of dishes including Bluepoint oysters, seared scallops, poblano pesto shrimp, and roasted beetroot salad.

On sunny days, reserve a table in the shady courtyard where you can cool off with a Rose Lemonade cocktail or an ice-cold craft beer like a Daytona Dirty Blonde Ale or a Key Lime Chameleon. The Fat Snook is also renowned for its imaginative desserts – try the black-bottom crème brûlée or the gingerbread-crusted sorbet.

Florida’s Fresh Grill is an award-winning Cocoa Beach restaurant that serves succulent seafood (and other miscellaneous surprises) in upscale yet relaxed surroundings. The eclectic menu features intriguing dishes such as wild gator with jalapeno cheddar grit cakes, as well as tried and true classics like ahi tuna, Atlantic swordfish, and lobster truffle mac and cheese.

Meat lovers will adore the grill’s Certified Angus Beef® steaks that include prime cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, and sirloin. Finish your night of gastronomy with a flourless chocolate torte or a freshly baked carrot cake, paired with a Spicy Poma Rita or a Grapefruit Martini cocktail.

A no-frills shack and fish market that serves some of Cocoa Beach’s juiciest seafood, Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster is famed for its tiki thatched-roof exterior, easy-breezy interior with elongated bar, and dazzling coastal dishes. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on its locally caught fish and delectable Maine lobster (arguably the best in the region).

Boasting one of the largest seafood menus on the Space Coast, Jazzy’s is the place to go when you want to feast on flash-fried calamari, Alaskan snow crab, whole belly clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, and crispy conch fritters. Don’t miss out on those New England classics either like the Connecticut hot lobster roll that’s served in a toasted hot dog bun and drizzled with butter.

Introducing the Cocoa Beach community to Asian-inspired cuisine, Nosh is the vision of former industrial designer Jun Insisiengmay and his restaurant owner brother, Meno. Their mother’s recipes are at the heart of this hip and modern hangout where you can dine on a range of aromatic dishes that have been lovingly prepared with the freshest ingredients.

Sample Far East delicacies like crispy krab angel wantons, EZ street tacos, mango yellow curry, soft shell crab with ponzu dip, and seared tuna steaks. Nosh is also home to speciality sushi with tongue-in-cheek names like the Dirty Old Man Roll and sharing platter “party boats” which are perfect for hungry families.

Set in the heart of Cocoa Beach, Heidi’s has been charming patrons with its European gastronomy and live music offerings since it first flung open its doors in 1992. This upscale joint serves ritzy French fare such as escargot bourguignonne and baked double brie, as well as Austrian classics like wiener schnitzel, beef goulash, stroganoff, and sauerbraten.

The number one hangout for jazz aficionados on Florida's Space Coast, Heidi’s showcases performers Wednesday through Sunday, including open mic amateurs and seasoned professionals like Chief Cherry, Steve Kirsner & Friends, and the Skyla Burrell Band. The cocktail list features old-school classics that are bound to delight including the Moscow Mule and Brandy Alexander.

4th Street Fillin Station is a buzzing bar and grill set in an atmospheric vintage petrol station in city centre Cocoa Beach. The venue prides itself on its generous helpings of Asian street food and succulent smokehouse classics, as well as its extensive drink menu which boasts an eye-popping cocktail selection and 125 craft beers.

Feast on blackened mahi tacos and teriyaki chicken skewers before moving onto major league meat platters that are piled high with pulled pork, St Louis-style ribs, and smoked wings. Kids will relish the dessert bar with its multitude of ice cream flavours, sundaes built on freshly baked waffles, and massive monster milkshakes (adults can add alcohol to theirs).

You can’t miss Coconuts on the Beach – a super chill waterfront hangout that’s instantly recognisable thanks to its giant Polynesian tiki totem that greets visitors upon arrival. Inside, you’ll enjoy blistering live music, a fabulous cocktail list, glamorous views of the turquoise ocean, and a mouthwatering American menu.

Seafood lovers can order plates of jalapeno mahi, sesame-seared tuna, coconut-crusted shrimp, and bacon-wrapped scallops, before washing it all down with a frozen daiquiri or a liquor-free frocktail. Meanwhile, meat fiends can indulge in a range of juicy burgers that are made with Certified Angus Beef® or a perfectly grilled steak served with fries and seasonal vegetables.

It might be billed as a seafood, steak, and pasta restaurant, but Pompano Grill in Cocoa Beach has a number of offbeat tricks up its sleeve. Its Psychedelic Phish Burger is a blended patty of Florida’s cobia fish and Scottish salmon, while Chef Ricardo's Creation remains a culinary mystery until the waitstaff reveals it.

Less adventurous diners can stick to traditional fare like the black Angus prime strip or the tasty Cheshire pork chop, accompanied with sides of truffle gnocchi mac and cheese and creamy Caesar salad. Owner Jackie’s Grand Marnier-infused creme brûlée is not to be missed – pair it with a dessert wine or perfectly brewed espresso.

Famed for its giant turtle street art emblazoned across its exterior, Luna Food & Wine (aka Luna @ Kahuna) is a brilliant little beach shack restaurant that serves a small but chic menu of creative seafood dishes in a casual coastal interior. For starters, try the pear and candied bacon salad, the beef tenderloin carpaccio, or the deep-fried calamari with golden tempura shrimp.

The main course is where things really get imaginative – order the Kona coffee salmon served with bourbon pecan butter, the lobster ravioli with pineapple and tarragon sauce, or the Huli Huli tuna accompanied with ginger and Wasabi peas. After you’ve finished licking your plate, finish with a delectable dessert like the mud pie with cookie crust or the lavender-infused pot du crème.