I've been asked a number of times about where to go to eat in and around Port Canaveral, so this thread is going to be used to pull all that information together. This way, we'll have a place everyone can come to easily find that particular type of information.
A favorite eatery for locals and visitors alike is Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar.
GENERAL INFORMATION and AMBIENCE
The atmosphere here is Island Casual, and the place really hops at night. It's right ON the ship channel, so you can watch the ships pass while you eat indoors or at a waterside table, or sip your favorite beverage at the tiki bar. It's great fun to see a cruise ship dwarf the building as it passes. Get there before 5 on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday for this event. Or, watch a much smaller casino boat leave around 4 pm any day. You'll also enjoy watching the pelicans play amonng the many other vessles, both moored and moving. If you're lucky, a gentle manatee will come to call at their dock!
NASA will provide an occasional special treat as well. Grill's provides a wonderful vantage point for launches.... especially those of the unmanned rockets.
MENU
The menu is heavy on seafood, and it's all good, much of it caught in local waters, though there are some choices for those who prefer other fare. They DON'T fry their seafood, so don't even ask! The owner also owns a charter boat, so the fish is very fresh!
My favorites - Shark Kebobs, paired with Island Vegetables, and preceded by their to-die-for cheese bread as an appetizer.
ENTERTAINMENT
Aside from people, pelican, and port activity watching, there IS live music Thursday - Sunday evenings, and some Saturday afternoons.
LOCATION
Grill's is in 'the cove', just a stone's throw east of the cruise ship terminals.
RESERVATIONS
They don't take reservations, and it's a popular spot, so if you don't arrive early, you may have a wait, but it will be a pleasant one. They use the hand-held alert devices to summon you when your table is ready.
The Cocoa Beach Pier offers several dining choices.
From the Cruise Terminals, head South on A1A. When you see the Holiday Inn Express on your right, and Perkins on your left, take the next left, and go two blocks.
PARKING: When the lot attendant is there, you'll pay $5 to park for the day. But, if you're just going for an hour of so, look for an emply diagonal paking space on one of the two streets that border the pier property to the north and south, and pop in several quarters.
LOTS OF CHOICES IN ONE PLACE
Before you set foot on the actual pier, you'll find
To your left - OH SHUCKS, a rright-on-on-the beach (literally) seafood bar. Oysters in season are good here.
To your far left (across the side street, actually), there's Ricky's Arcade and Ice Cream Parlor.
As you stroll out onto the pier, you'll notice a couple of shops.
Next, you'll encounter the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean Grille (on your left) and Marlin's (straight ahead.)
The Grille is open evenings for full dinners,. What a spectacular view looking over the ocean toward the Cape!
Marlins is open during the day and evening for lighter fare, icluding some pretty decent fish sandwiches. For a nice interlude, ask for a window table at Marlin's. Then, order up a piece of their Chocolate Kaluha Cake (mmm!- goes great with beer), and watch the surfers directly below you as you feel the Atlantic Ocean waves lap against the pilings of the pier.
Ashley's of Rockledge - (just across on the mainland and about 3-4 miles south of State Road 520 on US1) is proported to be haunted.
Most of the ghostly activity takes place in the upstairs dining area. I've never been there myself, but am told the food is good. An acquataince of mine (a very intelligent mortal!) swears the 'ghost' spoke to her there. And a large number of locals claim to have had 'experiences' there. 1609 Highway 1, Rockledge.
Three places that you might find interesting, depending on your taste, are in downtown Cocoa Beach. All three of these are near the intersection of A1A and MinuteMan Causeway.
The Heidelberg Restaurant - German cuisine, live piano music, reservations usually needed.
Bernard's Surf - lots of history here. A favorite hangout of early Astronauts... Steak, Seafood, Pasta, etc. Reservations suggesteded, and you probably won't want to show up in flip-flops and cut-offs.
Coconuts on the Beach - right ON the beach. Looking for a party atmosphere? Head to Coconuts.
We have two locally owned and family operated eateries offering Greek and American menu choices: Victoria's (my personal favorite) and Zachary's, which some of my friends prefer.
Victoria's is just south of state Road 520 on Courtenay Parkway (State Road 3) on Merritt Island.
Zachary's is just east of the cut-off to the cruise terminals on Astronaut Blvd. ( A1A, which takes up where state road 528 leaves off). Across the street from a miniature golf and gocart park.
Aside from Bernard's Surf (see post # 6), tow other choices for surf and turf come to mind:
You'll find Gregory's Steak and Seafood Grille at 900 N Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach. They're open for dinner only, seven nights a week. (Appetizers start around $7.00 and Entreas range from $16-$25.00.)
Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty, located at 2200 S Orlando Avenue in South Cocoa Beach, offers lunches and dinners in a casual waterfront atmosphere.
Some folks are more than willing to drive a little out of their way for a meal at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. (Titusville is about 19 minutes north of the Port on US 1.)
This place serves seafood, seafood, and more seafood in a casual atmosphere. And they don't mind frying it! You may have a wait, but the folks here are efficient, and it probably won't be a long one. While waiting, watch the fish in the large Koi pond, or even feed them if you'd like.
Dishes made from local crab are one of the specialties here.
WARNING: Come hungry ... they'll load up your plate at 1475 Garden Street in Titusville! (Phone: 321-268-5000)
Dixie Crossroads also has lobster specials that attract people from all over!
CM, there's a Cuban restaurant near the Heidelberg ( or there was one) that is very good. Can't remember the name, but it was where we took friends when their son said he wanted Florida food! It was a nice change from Tex-Mex.
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Good Eats in / near Port Canaveral
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Good Eats near Port Canaveral
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