| Dining Overview | Top  |
The Cape Canaveral area isn't known for outstanding cuisine or cutting-edge restaurants—rock shrimp is the closest thing to a local delicacy. What the area does have is plenty of variety, with restaurants serving very affordable seafood, Greek, French and Indian cuisines.
Expect to pay within these guidelines for a meal for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$21-$50 and $$$$ = more than US$50.
| Local & Regional | Top |
Astronauts and world leaders have dined at Bernard's Surf—it's been a fixture in the area since 1948. Fresh seafood prepared daily, broiled or fried, with special menu selections. Daily for dinner from 4 pm. Reservations available. $$$. Most major credit cards. 2 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-783-2401.
This place is a local institution that serves heaps of seafood in a casual atmosphere. (You'll dine on varnished picnic tables inside.) Try a basket of the Cape Canaveral rock shrimp—fried, broiled or steamed. If you go on a weekend evening, prepare to wait one to two hours for a table. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 1475 Garden St., Titusville. Phone 321-268-5000. http://www.dixicrossroads.com.
Located on the St. Johns River, this place is a fish camp turned restaurant and airboat dock. It serves catfish, frog legs, alligator meat, burgers and hot dogs. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 8199 Highway 520 (10 mi/16 km west of Cocoa), Sharpes. Phone 321-632-4199.
This lively sports bar beside Port Canaveral's man-made harbor offers inexpensive food ranging from very spicy seafood gumbo to steamed oysters. Clams from the raw bar are first-rate and a good value, as is a lunch buffet on weekdays. Seating is indoors and out, with views of fishing boats and cruise liners. It can get crowded. Open daily from 11 am. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 2 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-783-2401. http://www.rustysseafood.com.
This place is known for fine dining in an intimate, European-style setting. Dinner favorites include duck prepared with fresh apples and pears, and mahimahi baked with fresh bananas. Pasta, veal and steak also are offered. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 207 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-631-1133. http://www.theblacktulip.net.
Perfectly placed along the wide-open Cocoa Beach pier, this laid-back place is where you can order finger foods, burgers and beer, and kick back as you watch the waves roll in. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-783-7549. http://www.cocoabeachpier.com.
Its specialty is white prawns with pineapple cream sauce. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 2 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-784-1868.
Diners at this restaurant may feel they've been transported to a quaint bistro in the rolling hills of Germany. Entrees feature European cuisine. Next door is Heidi's Jazz Club. Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $$$. Most major credit cards. 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-783-6806.
| Latin American | Top  |
A local favorite for authentic Cuban food. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday-Saturday for dinner. $. Most major credit cards. 26 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach.
A local favorite, Punjab serves authentic Indian cuisine. The menu features a variety of curry and tandoori dishes, with many prepared vegetarian-style. Be sure to save room for the homemade mango ice cream. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for dinner only. $$. Most major credit cards. 285 W. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-799-4696.
| Breakfast & Brunch | Top |
Some of the area's finest and healthiest grilled—not fried—seafood. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. No American Express. 505 Glen Cheek Drive, Sunrise Marina, Cape Canaveral. Phone 321-868-2226. http://www.grillstikibar.com.
Offers American comfort food with a gourmet flair. Known locally as the best breakfast around. Get there early. Open Tuesday-Sunday for breakfast and lunch. $. 1500 N. State Road, Indiatlantic, Cape Canaveral. Phone 321-725-6100. http://www.yellowdogcafe.net/bistro.
| Cafes & Tearooms | Top |
Fine dining with views of the Banana River. Menu items range from salads and sandwiches to filet mignon and fresh seafood. Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch, Friday-Sunday and Tuesday for dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 905 Highway 1, Malabar. Phone 321-956-3334. http://www.yellowdogcafe.net.
This place is known for fine dining in an intimate, European-style setting. Dinner favorites include duck prepared with fresh apples and pears, and mahimahi baked with fresh bananas. Pasta, veal and steak also are offered. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 207 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village, Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-631-1133. http://www.theblacktulip.net.
This is an elegant spot for romantic outdoor or indoor dining, serving fine French and Italian cuisine. Specialties include veal, wild game, filet mignon and seafood. Open Wednesday-Saturday and Monday for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. 220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village, Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-639-8343. http://www.cafemargaux.com.
Its specialty is stuffed filet mignon with cream cheese. Open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. No Discover Card. 118 North Atlantic, Cocoa Beach. Phone 321-799-0513. http://www.themangotreerestaurant.com.
| Steak Houses | Top |
The quality and service is in line with the nation's finest steak houses. Open daily for dinner. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 234 Brevard Ave., Cocoa. Phone 321-639-3922. http://www.ulyssesprimesteakhouse.com.