Restaurant Round-up | Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach restaurants offer you wide-ranging options. Cheap bites and fine seafood delights enriched our hunt to prove eight establishments worthy to satisfy the tastes of hungry beachgoers on the water, near the sand, or inland. You’ll find fresh tasty vittles and satisfying value when you visit the following spots. And maybe you can suggest any we missed out on.
Our Trip to the Beach
Though we had a delicious and enjoyable celebratory meal near home, Christa planned a mini vacation to Cocoa Beach for our anniversary.
If you’ve not yet noticed, food is our spice of life. We enjoy sprinkling the delicious flavors of culinary exploits into our experiences and no less so when hitting the surf and sand. Oh, sure, we’re there for fun in the sun, but we want to enhance it with yum in the tum.
The hunt for vittles
So I hit the interwebs to scout our grub options in Cocoa Beach. I had several boxes needing ticked: a spot to get fresh, locally caught seafood, a spot for pizza, a spot where locals go for beachside eats and drinks, a breakfast place, and if we could find it, a particular burrito shack blast from our past.
The following list is of eight places where we had an enjoyable meal that met our expectations and that we would happily revisit on return trips to Cocoa Beach.
9 favorite Cocoa Beach restaurants
(in no particular order)
- Florida’s Fresh Grill
- The Fat Donkey Ice Cream
- Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
- Fat Kahuna’s
- Long Doggers
- Coconuts on the Beach
- Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos
- Mangia E Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana
A note about service and experience: Avoid peak hours at all costs if you want a pleasant time. We did and experienced none of the service woes mentioned in reviews.
Let’s explore, shall we? Super.
1. Florida’s Fresh Grill
I was anxious to get some fresh sea to table seafood. Florida’s Fresh Grill is one of two places said to have it that I found. And it was popular. Reviewers advised making reservations so, after scouting the place the night before, I called ahead the next day.
The vibe
It didn’t promise much from the strip mall exterior. Still, the outdoor seating area was inviting and cozy. We entered a lively and full dining room with a central bar area. The crowd was smiling faces and boisterous in this classy but casual setting.
Service was prompt and friendly and the staff were all polite, very gracious and checked on us often but unobtrusively.
The vittles
First, we drink. We’re on vacation after all. From the list of 18 specialty cocktails, Christa chose the Fresh “In-house-made” Red Sangria and I picked the “Jacob’s” Smash—Captain Morgan, Malibu, Amaretto, pineapple and orange juice with a Myers’s Rum floater.
That’s about as beachy as it gets despite being in a shopping center (which you forget all about as soon as you enter).
We skipped apps. They looked great, but we had eaten a full breakfast and lunch and simply couldn’t fit both a starter and dessert, which we planned on getting (ice cream and from elsewhere).
For my fresh fish fix, I chose the Florida Black Grouper with couscous and haricots verts (it’s that kind of a place). Christa chose the fish as well, specifically the swordfish with garlic Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and a garden fresh house salad. From the selection of four sauces for the fish, we both went with the lemon caper butter sauce.
Our server took our orders and later returned with a soft baguette dusted with herbs and a ramekin of butter. Ah, warm bread—which we munched at while sipping our cocktails and checking out the digs.
In short order, Christa’s salad arrived—a nice pile of spring mix, iceberg, carrots, grape tomatoes. Not my cup of tea to take up stomach space, but it suited Christa just fine.
Fresh and hot entrees arrived in a flash. Transfixed, I managed to utter, “Ithinkwe’vegotitallthanks,” to get the server gone so I could get dug in. The scent of the lemon caper sauce combined with the rich scent of pan-seared meat, literally giving me the vapors. In a good way.
My entree
The sauce was just the right body and not too much, though I could have drunk it. It was the perfect compliment to the rich and moist grouper. The Israeli couscous was al dente and cool, a chilled side with brunoise aromatics and herbs. Crisp-cooked haricots verts needed no adulteration other than the drizzle of that fantastic sauce.
I sliced into the grouper (didn’t need the knife but wanted a clean cut) to reveal a moist, flaky, perfectly cooked piece of fresh fish that had my senses reeling—all six. The ghost of that fish was even nodding approvingly.
The flavor was delicately meaty but the lemon and butter did not overwhelm it. And the grouper was subtle enough to not overpower the couscous which I’m glad was available that night. The combination was a tasty match.
Could the beans have used a bonus ingredient? Sure, but this was enough to make the grouper stand out. I had picked my sides wisely. While I had considered the asparagus, the extra three dollars irrationally triggered the miser in me. I was happy even so.
Her entree
Christa’s swordfish was as mouth and nose-pleasing for similar reasons. Though, whereas my fish had a beautiful pan-seared crust, her fish bore a crusty grid from the open grill.
The thin slice was leaning against a diminutive scoop of mashed Yukons which, for potatoes, could have been a larger portion. The tiny mound made the plate look huge but, then, her side salad did come on a separate plate.
Presentation and spuds aside, the swordfish had the same alluring aroma and visual appeal with its brown maillard juices pooling around the butter and caper emulsion. I just smacked my lips and its been weeks.
For my final trick, after I vanished the fish and sides, I worked my magic on the remaining lemon caper sauce with the bread I saved for just this moment.
Wow.
The verdict
Treat yourself to this gem when in Cocoa Beach. Florida’s Fresh Grill is worth the expense simply for the fresh catch, but the kitchen talents, the attentive service, and that fantastic cocktail made up for the margin. We dropped a chunk here, but the value was unquestionable and I’d do it again with glee.
2. The Fat Donkey Ice Cream
Christa discovered The Fat Donkey Ice Cream—yet another sweet spot within a block or two of our rental. It’s a colorful shop with tiki surf murals that evoke childhood memories of a cursed Greg Brady. And which suits me just fine since I always feel like a big kid when eating an ice cream cone. You do, too. Don’t deny it.
The vittles
From the mind-boggling list of flavors I continued my beach theme and picked the Mai Kai, “Coconut ice cream with macadamia nuts swirled with fudge and butterscotch”, on a sugar cone, while Christa chose Baja Chocolate Marshmallow with “dunes of cookie dough, chocolate boulder chips, and marshmallow ribbon” on a cake cone, for $3.75 each.
The crew quickly dished up massive single scoops that began melting even quicker in the late day heat. In a frenzy of tongues and sweet cream, we made short work of the treats.
The coconut ice cream had a natural flavor with tiny flakes of coconut, their texture subdued under the macadamia nuts and rich swirls of fudge and butterscotch. It was a fantastic combination that I suddenly wish I could have right now, three hours away.
Christa loved hers and I liked the chocolate flavor of the ice cream. Too often chocolate ice cream tastes weak, this was bold and deserving of the name. Of course, chunks of chocolate are always good, and the marshmallow cream was a sweet and smooth contrast to the sweet and chewy cookie dough.
The verdict
We wiped the sticky with spare napkins and drove back to our waterfront retreat with fat tums and a new favorite deposited into the mental bank.
On our second visit—Oh, you better believe we went back—I picked the Coconut Pineapple, “Tropical Coconut ice cream with a delicious and chunky swirl of pineapple” and Christa chose the Birthday Cake and they were just as rich, sweet, and deeply delicious as the first two. Man, I wish this place was local.
Then I’d have a fat donkey of my very own.
3. Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
Our plans didn’t have us eating farmer-sized breakfasts every day. An all-day lounge on the beach doesn’t require 2,000 calorie meals. Still, we wanted one morning feast for the week. Christa discovered Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery and led the way one sunny morning.
The vibe
Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery is a tropical paint box bungalow a short stroll from our rental. A step through the door puts you right in front of the pastry case loaded with house-made creations, cakes, and cookies.
Asked to sit anywhere we chose a cozy spot in a cadmium yellow room with cobalt blue fireplace and relaxed over giant mugs of fresh coffee. And with plenty of creamers and sweeteners on the table.
The breakfast menu was smaller than your typical diner tome, but still with plenty of options and all the selections were appealing. Everything hovered around $10 so prices would not serve here as a decision-making aid. The server answered that everything is great (of course) but singled out the Benedict and stuffed french toast—with 17 filling to select from—or the omelet.
The vittles
I tried to order light (honest) but the struggle was too much for me. Bennies do come in half portions but at only a $2 less. So, for $2 I get breakfast for tomorrow. Thus I bit on the Benedict while Christa stuck with her tried and true: scrambled eggs and bacon with toast. And a side of fruit.
The grits sounded good, too, but I opted for the spuds. It’s hard to find real home fries, so you gotta git ’em when they got ’em.
Our overloaded Fiestaware plates arrived in no time.
My brekkers
My eggs Benedict wore a pale Hollandaise at perfect nappe (rather than the all too common mayonnaise thickness). A hint of lemon gave zing to the eggs poached just on the verge of perfect; one minute more would have thickened the yolk to a nice custard.
All that and a layer of thinly chipped Canadian bacon perched on a homemade English Muffin bread. It lacked the nooks and crannies, but with superior flavor and denser crumb structure that did a better job of mopping up the yolk and Hollandaise.
Those savory potatoes were great bricks to the Hollandaise mortar. The onions and seasonings and (bonus) a tang of vinegar sealed the treat. Frying them crispy would have made them ideal.
Her brekkers
Christa’s scrambled eggs had fluffy, large curds, set on the outside, but slightly creamy inside. Four dark mahogany thick cut strips of bacon, the fat just rendered, sat beside them. Melt in your mouth juicy, crisp on the edges, but chewy throughout, the savory swine won Christa’s regard.
She said she’d go back just for the bacon.
Fresh and sweet pineapple, orange segments, grapes, and strawberries joined (blah) melon, which was just a few pieces and actually pretty sweet (blah retracted).
The Verdict
We’d love to return for the three- and four-layer cakes, key lime pies, and thick cookies from that big tease pastry case, but too many other places awaited us during our five-day stay.
I forsee Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery becoming our traditional first stop on future trips to Cocoa. Cozy, pleasant, and relaxed atmosphere paired with brilliantly made fresh meals and baked goods make this spot a favorite.
I took half my Bennies and potatoes home. No one wants to lounge on the beach with four pounds of fat and starch in their gut.
I know—leftover cold poached egg, Hollandaise. Both are obviously better hot, but let me tell you from experience, neither is horrible cold and both beat a banana and coffee any day, which is my usual breakfast. So shut up. I’m on vacation.
And still not hungry six hours later.
4. Fat Kahuna’s
Despite listing two fine dining places merely to have a backup, Christa so liked the sound of each that we hit up Fat Kahuna’s on our second night.
Commence tightening of belts…now.
The Vibe
Fat Kahuna’s held court in an invitingly lit plaza amid several other happening spots. The night crowd generated a low amp current of surf-side energy that you couldn’t help but absorb. This standout of Cocoa Beach restaurants was the intimate gourmet spot on our list and known for Hawaii-inspired handcrafted dishes.
Inside the diminutive dining room (it seats twenty-six not including the half-dozen stools at the bar) the attentive and accommodating staff guided us to our table placing a table card with our surname in a script.
Nice touch. Now I know why they asked me to spell my name when making the reservation.
The menu was simple yet sumptuous. We were still pretty full from breakfast and lunch to fit too much food, so we skipped the appetizers and went straight into entrees.
The $34 surf and turf was one hell of a deal—did I say we had little room? The value was immense as it allowed us to taste two creations at for a marginal pittance. A royal value for vacationers who are unlikely to return again and want to try as much as they can fit and afford.
The Vittles
I decided on the Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi, “Encrusted with macadamia nuts and pan-fried, laced with warm habanera colada sauce.” A medium-rare ribeye rounded out the combo.
Christa chose the Kona Coffee Encrusted Norwegian Salmon, “100% Kona coffee encrusted Norwegian salmon, brandy pecan melted butter.” Her’s with a medium ribeye steak.
My entree
The mahi-mahi was firm, large flakes, not dry, but leaning toward that end of the spectrum. Two fewer minutes in the heat would have made me happier, ciguatera be damned. But the flavor and texture pleased this guy, regardless.
The flavor was mild but meaty and I would like to say sweet, but the sauce and crust may have tilted it that direction. The macadamia crust was sweet and nutty-tasting on the outside, buttery on the inside and elevated with a squeeze of lemon. And expertly seasoned.
The cook seasoned the ribeye steaks expertly with smoked Hawaiian salt. And, though slightly overcooked, they were fork tender, buttery rich, and moist. So, as with the fish, no harm, no foul.
Her entree
Christa said her Kona coffee salmon’s coffee flavor was a bit difficult to pick up under the pecan butter sauce, but the whole thing was fantastic. So the sum was greater than the parts, which were all great, too.
Our truffle fries bore a drizzle of rich cream sauce with a good dose of truffle flavor likely from a quality infused oil. More color and crisp was wanting but the seasoning was perfect. Every subsequent bite was as palate pleasing as the first one and triggered my happy. I saved half a forkful for my last bite with a large chunk of steak which the truffle sauce complimented so well.
Fat Kahuna’s cooks know how to use salt. Even the fresh mixed vegetables had proper seasoning. What a refreshing pleasure.
Dessert
We had no room for dessert, but we got one anyway because why not. We were on vacation.
Maui Wowie Mud Pie is a frozen bombe of homemade chocolate macadamia nut ice cream that was smooth and rich, a homemade coffee ice cream, hot fudge, and real whipped cream, all on a buttery rich cookie crust. And it kept our faces smiling and feet swinging as we engaged it in a pincer and attacked repeatedly until it was no more.
The verdict
Fat Kahuna’s impressed us beyond skillfully crafted food. The warm atmosphere and the accommodating, gracious, and exuberant staff complemented the memorable meal with personalized service down to the name on the table.
Fat kahuna’s made a big splash into our hearts and will be a looked-forward-to destination when we return to Cocoa Beach.
5. Long Doggers
Long Doggers came up while perusing a local fishing charter company whose owner listed his favored Cocoa Beach restaurants. Anyway, we love hot dogs, so it went on the list.
The vibe
Long Doggers is a local chain but with only six locations and within the Space Coast vicinity. The small range kept me optimistic. The Cocoa Beach location gives a mixed signal of Nantucket and Nassau with its weathered shake siding and palm-thatched entrance. Hey, it’s all beach to me.
Walls and ceilings festooned with boards, pictures, and paraphernalia in clean corporate order drive home a theme that says uptown-surf-shack-meets tiki bar. Bright turquoise and stained wood give a fun nod to the old woody surf wagons that likely cruised the PCH more than the A1A, but it’s a good look.
Long Doggers is a hot dog sports bar with surf aesthetic. And a gift shop because why not. If merch sells then sell that merch.
Inside, well-trained staff greeted us and led the way to a booth. The outdoor seating area, like most in Florida, looked appealing but the summer heat was too much for the shade to chill.
The menu was extensive for a hot dog joint, but then they cast a wider net. Still, we came for wieners and avoided the distractions.
The vittles
Any dog can become a platter with fries, coleslaw, and a slice of orange for 2.29. Two styles appealed to me so I ordered the M.O.R.K. as a platter for $3.99 + $2.29 and added an Epic Chili Dog “Topped with L.J.’s Killer Chilli”, add onions, on its own for $4.49.
Christa got the M.O.R.K. as a platter with onion rings.
The baskets arrived and received our smiles and sighs. Shazbot. Where were my fries? A tray of waffle fries and an orange slice arrived moments later and all was well.
I don’t know if these qualify as footlongs (I’m not one for wiener measuring) but they do stick out a good inch from each end of the toasted New England style buns. They looked doggone delicious (sorry) and I tore into mine with no niceties other than a barely audible thank you. These doggos had me from hello.
The hot dogs
Through the New England buns with nicely toasted outsides, my bite felt the slightest resistance through the moderately grilled exterior of the M.O.R.K. (Gotta love a shop that has the balls to buck the wiener snobs and put ketchup on a dog) frank. It had beefy flavor with a hint of vinegar, slight smoke, and agreeable seasoning.
I moved to the Epic Chili Dog. Though these were skinless, this one spent more time on the grill and had a slight wrinkle and so a more reassuring snap. Though the longer grilled frank was more to my liking, the descriptor “epic” is a bit overboard.
Typical of most hot dog chili I’ve had, it was thin and though spicy, lacked a depth of flavor; not a bad compliment to the sausage, but not a great one either. Either way, it wasn’t helping things so I wouldn’t get it as a topping again. No worries, there are seven other variations I’d like to try next visit.
The sides
Christa’s onion rings screamed beer-battered by hand, to order. You can’t pre-packaged that lacy golden fringe. Jealousy struck as I glanced at my waffle fries.
I thought the slaw was perfect, a small chop of veg, sweet and tangy dressing, good level of creaminess with the inclusion of celery seed (points). Christa thought it was okay.
Long Doggers’ waffle fries—fresh cut from unpeeled potatoes (points)—had good flavor, but could have benefitted from a longer swim in the fryer. And providing malt vinegar would earn more favor.
The verdict
I don’t know if Eddie would go, but we’ll return next time we’re in town.
We had a pleasant and satisfying experience and with decent prices for hot dogs anywhere outside a gas station. The food was high quality and delicious, the service was friendly, prompt, and attentive. The servers even perfectly corrected a mistake when I misspoke (or our server misheard) my order.
When the urge for a long dog comes over us, we’ll visit again when passing through.
6. Coconuts on the Beach
Of the Cocoa Beach restaurants we visited, Coconuts on the Beach is the oldest, operated by the same family for decades. Coconuts lays at the sandy edge of the same quaint and buzzing plaza shared by Fat Kahuna’s.
The vibe
This is the quintessential beachfront bar and grill. They will even deliver a limited menu to your beach blanket provided you’re in their limited zone. This visit will let me tick off the “tropical cocktails and entertainment with the locals” box of our agenda.
We strode up—love that walking distance–to the large tiki deck and a spirited after-work crowd stocked with locals and late season mid-week tourists whose attire ranged from blazers and work shirts to board shorts and bikinis.
We found an open high-top table under the palm-thatched roof. It was further from the deck than we’d wanted, but we were happy to get a spot at all. Though the inside seating was wide open.
Coconuts on the Beach gets a bit noisy when full with talking, laughter, clinking, and live music, not to mention the surf rolling in and out mere meters away (alliteration is the only time I will reference the metric system), so this is probably not your spot if you want quiet conversation.
Service was fast, courteous, and efficient for a place as busy as this. The happy hour specials offered good deals—$2.50 beers—for the locale. As good as that looked, at a beach-front bar you order the tropical frozen delights. So the specialty mixed drink menu won us over.
The vittles
Fate had made Christa’s decision for her. When she encounters a frozen mudslide, it’s game on.
I answered the call of the rum runner despite the $10 price tag (Hey when you only order one drink per meal, ten bucks ain’t so bad.) Beach drinks must be rum drinks. Especially when this close to the Caribbean. Save the tequila for breakups and inland relaxation.
I think those three arbitrary rules within three paragraphs just set a personal record.
The drinks arrived in large plastic tumblers. I thought my rum runner was sweet, rummy, fruity, and set the tropical mood. Christa’s mudslide was lacking rich flavor and had a lighter chocolate taste than we prefer. Maybe ask for a double dose of chocolate next time.
Appetizers
Plump Bacon Wrapped Scallops arrived hot and skewered in their crunchy porky robes. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, they had a fresh flavor, were tender and juicy, and had no need for sauce. Oh, sauce. Don’t mind if I do. The smokey chipotle ranch was a good match to the bacon but I only dipped once.
Coconuts’ Award-Winning Corn & Crawfish Chowder deserved all the awards. Speckles of spices colored the roux-thickened shellfish broth, chock full of chunks of crawdad tail and corn. I wolfed it down in seconds and wished I had more. I was sipping hard at that rum runner, too.
My entree
Mango Fish appeared before me, a good looking grilled snapper fillet under a one-inch dice of mango—less a salsa, more a side dish of chopped fruit. The snapper was mild, flaky, firm, fresh, and moist. And maybe a skosh over the perfect temp but safe for generally pleasing a mixed crowd. It needed a seasoning adjustment so I added a few grinds of salt.
The “award-winning” (In what contest?) mango salsa was so meh that I had no compunction to parse it beyond huge chunks of warm mango with a splash of vinegar and diced peppers. Yay.
The rice and beans were as bland as rice and beans would be if you steamed up some rice and cooked up plain beans and served them under grilled fish topped with chunks of mango and peppers. With a splash of vinegar but no salt.
The food was fresh and cooked well. This dish was just bland. If the mango in the salsa had a smaller dice it would serve as a proper sauce, thus able to be mixed into the rice and beans and enhance them.
Her entree
Christa’s tacos had my mouth watering but as soon as the server walked away I blurted, “You ordered the Korean Pork Street Tacos?”
Yes, why?”
“I wish I had heard you. Honey, they are going to be way too spicy. I would have warned you.”
“Too late now.”
And they were too spicy for her tender palate. She pecked at one while I shoveled in quality banality. We should have switched (I offered to but she declined).
Still, I took a bite to gauge her tolerance. There was that wow I was looking for from a beachfront bar and grill.
Alcohol demands bold flavors. Those fully loaded Korean Pork Street Tacos met those demands and threw in a bonus plane to Cuba. Meaty, crunchy, tender, spicy, and sweet. Sugar can really win over the brain.
We put the remainders in a box to go. Those tasty tacos made great breakfast the next day and they were almost as good as when hot.
The verdict
As we walked under the full moon along the crashing waves to our rental, I considered my error. It was unlikely this place was going to match Florida’s Fresh Seafood or Fat Kahunas when it came to fresh fish entrees. I should have known better and ordered something more in their wheelhouse. Something like those tacos or the grouper reuben.
Still, they cooked that snapper as near perfect as it gets; it just needed salt. The devil was in the salsa. And wanting aromatics in the beans.
Given the atmosphere, the mood, the live music, the delish drinks, those taco’s, and the ocean-front location, I would gladly return to coconuts for happy hour drinks and more fitting bar fare for a fun and festive moonlit night befitting a beachfront tiki bar and grill.
And we did.
6-1/2. Coconuts on the Beach 2: The return with friends
We returned to Coconuts on the Beach the next night, much to my surprise and delight. It turns out friends of ours from Pennsylvania were in Orlando and drove in to meet us. They chose Coconuts as a place to eat, so I got the opportunity to give them another try.
That red sky evening I partook of the happy hour special with 2.75 well drinks and 3.25 call drinks. I picked a Captain and Coke, in keeping with my rum at the beach rule. They were good pours and a great deal but don’t nurse them. The heat melted ice dilutes them fast.
The vittles
Appetizer
While waiting for our traveling friends to arrive, we decided to make our table-saving worth the server’s while by ordering an app. Not wanting to fill up, we chose the Salsa Trio: “Tortilla chips served with our house made corn, mango and traditional salsa.”
I know. “Mango salsa? But you said…”
I know what I said, but this was to go with salty chips. It could work and was only one-third of the assorted salsas.
And it did work. Though, again, those big chunks of mango made as bad a dipping salsa as a fish sauce. I don’t get it, to be honest.
After scooping out the larger chunks and working each cup of salsa down to a third, I mixed them all together and the result was superior. All in all, it was a decent snack with drinks.
The entrees
After our friends from home arrived, we set to ordering. I went with my theory and got the Black ‘N’ Zola burger: “1/2 lb. fresh black Angus beef with blackened seasoning, topped with gorgonzola cheese crumbles and bacon”.
Christa got the Fish & Chips despite their not having fresh cut fries: “Hand-battered cod served with tartar, housemade lime coleslaw and a side of your choice”.
These dishes were much more enjoyable than last night’s Mango Snapper and better fit the scene. They also were seasoned well.
We savored every morsel, though my blackened burger would have been better if there had been a more discernible amount of blackening seasoning on the burger. Still, it was a tasty sandwich in regards to the flavor of the beef, the tenderness and juiciness, and, of course, the blue cheese and bacon which make everything better.
Our friends got the Jumbo Lump Crabcake Sandwich and the Fish Tacos. We got to talking so much that I never asked their opinions on the food. Both dishes looked appealing, though, and no one complained.
The verdict
Our opportunity to revisit proved that Coconuts on the Beach is a capable kitchen—except for the seasoning shortcomings. And in spite of my opinion of that mango salsa to be dull and cut too large, other people do seem to love it from what I see in reviews.
After both visits, I can honestly say I like Coconuts on the Beach. They have the right look and location without a touristy vibe. Service is attentive and pleasant. The atmosphere is laid-back and fun. The drinks are tasty and priced right for the happy hour. And though we didn’t care for a few items, the food we did like was great.
That said, I would not consider Coconuts on the beach as a culinary destination, it’s a package destination. A place to go have a good time on the beach with tasty adult beverages and tasty, though not always perfect, food at a competitive price.
If I wanted Fat Kahuna or Florida’s Fresh Grill level cuisine, I’m going to have to pay for it. Coconuts on the Beach is exactly what it is meant to be: a friendly spot for affordable tasty vittles with refreshing drinks on the beach with live music and the roar of the sea.
When we revisit cocoa, you’ll likely find me at Coconuts on the Beach, sipping a rum runner over a plate of bacon wrapped scallops and a burger.
7. Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos
We had been preoccupied with a burrito shack we visited on a cross-country trip in 2004 and couldn’t remember the name or find it on the net.
Turns out I was looking in the wrong town; it wasn’t in Cocoa, it was in Satellite Beach. Luckily Christa did her own digging beyond just Cocoa Beach restaurants before we left for home and found Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos just in time.
A tangential digression
Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos. This place dwells in a special place in our hearts.
It was almost fifteen years ago during our cross-country, four-month, trip across Usonia in Fatty Lumpkin Gerty the Blue DinoBus that we rumbled into the Space Coast with a bad tire. After seeking aid and an obligatory stroll through Ron Jon, we stumbled famishedly into this palm-thatched tiki shack covered in surf and skate stickers.
It was this very spot that warmed my heart to food shacks and the possibilities they inspired. Their California-style burritos were enormous in a time before Qdoba’s and Chipotles speckled the nation like rancid jalapenos. We had experienced massive design-your-own burritos before in San Francisco and New Orleans, but this was our first on the east coast.
It was also this place that inspired my enrolling in culinary school to develop my culinary experience of previous decades into a more formal training with which to open a shack of my own and bring big burritos to the mid-Atlantic. I spent a good part of our road trip sketching out building designs and making inventory lists.
Alas, my brain lost that focus after graduation and more proactive entrepreneurs beat me to the market. But it was Da Kine Diego’s that had me on the cusp of a trend that slipped through my fingers. Anyway, enough about my failings.
The vibe
Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos now don’t seem as crazy as they once seemed. After all, we just had similar fare earlier that week at an okay but not as good spot when we couldn’t remember the name or location of this place and thought they might be no more.
Fifteen years is a long time for a li’l ol’ burrito shack to persist. But persist they had and we were presently standing under the palm fronds and making our decision from the menu. First of all, their prices are excellent and highly competitive in this age of the $10 sandwich. No, you don’t get sides with it, but the sides are inside, You get the meat, the veg, and the starch all in one.
The vittles
I got the Insane Burrito with rice, black beans, chipotle sour cream, Shaka Salsa, and lettuce for $6.97 +$0.30 to add pork. Christa ordered the same bargain bomb with steak (+$0.60) and added cheddar ($0.67) and guac ($1.50).
While we waited, I reminisced and wandered the surf shack scene where we trod 15 years prior. Then I got reacquainted with their delicious homemade sauces and decided on the Gold School and the Aunty Lizzy, which I eventually mixed to top my belly buster.
The Insane Burritos arrived in short order just as they did so long ago—wrapped in wax paper and foil on a paper plate with an instruction bill on how to eat it without adding to your dry-cleaner expenses.
The decent portion of shredded pork in my burrito was tender and well seasoned with a flavor boost from a marinade or rub. Christa’s steak was tender and tasty, though a might small in quantity. But, beef isn’t cheap and you’re only going to get so much with a sixty cent markup.
How much steak do you get for six-tenths of a dollar?
The rice, veg, guacamole, and beans all tasted fresh and delicious. The sauces helped boost a decent burrito to delicious. We were happy as clams and sated, though pizza wouldn’t be too far behind. Da Kine Diego’s did not let us down.
The verdict
Reviews are all over the board but, generally speaking, I think a lot of it has to do with which teenager is behind the counter when you’re there. Does the meat come pre-cooked and pre-packaged? I didn’t look to see, but it tasted great.
Look, it’s a seven dollar burrito and based on size alone, not a particularly extraordinary one now that every town has such a shop.
What can I tell you—if you want higher quality haute burritos, then prepare to pay double digits and don’t visit a place covered in graffiti and Volcom and Hurley stickers.
Our burritos that day from the Da Kine Diego’s kitchen came well made (good seasoning, great flavors, no leaking juices) with quality ingredients (bright green guac, fresh veggies, jasmine rice, fresh tasting meat), and at a reasonable price.
And sure, nostalgia colored some of our experience. In short, we enjoyed our meal at, what is in my mind, the Atlantic original. For these reasons, we’ll always return when in town.
8. Mangia E Bevi
A pleasant surprise, Mangia E Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana landed on my list of must-try Cocoa Beach restaurants with little research.
Since my youth, I’ve considered pizza and the beach to go hand in hand. Rehoboth without Grotto or Nicola would be notably less than it is. Ocean City without Pizza Togos would not seem complete. I consulted Tripadvisor to secure a reputable pizzeria as a cheap eat for one of our meals.
Mangia E Bevi was so new, there was no buzz about it and only three reviews (now seven). But the words “Pizzeria Napoletana” and the image of the wood-fired oven on their website hooked me.
Nothing indicated it to be certified “Vera Pizza Napoletana” but it didn’t have to. The only necessities are the right ingredients, the oven, and the skill. With rising hope, I cut short my research of other pizza spots and inked this place into our agenda.
And so we found Mangia E Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana tucked into a strip mall a block from Ron Jon on the road to the mainland. This would be our last memory of our trip to Cocoa Beach and I entered with very high hopes. They were fulfilled, with gusto.
The vibe
The place was brand spanking new and the owner had the exuberance that is so indicative of a proud and driven entrepreneur. He welcomed us and we took a seat at a high top by the window from which height I could watch the pizzas cook in the masonry oven.
Even there I could see dancing amber flames licking the sloped inner walls.
The vittles
Christa opted for her usual water, but I had been eying the beer list. A chalkboard listed the requisite Peroni and Moretti, but I spotted a new name, Poretti (yes, it looks like a portmanteau of the former two), and decided to try the lager.
Now, I hear you saying, “But Rocco, that beer’s been owned by Carlsberg since the 80s. It’s everywhere.”
To which I reply, “You need to stop googling every statement I make and I’ve not been everywhere.”
I find Coca-Cola to be the perfect bev to compliment American pizza, but for this Neapolitan style, I went for something more…sofisticato. (Eh? Eh? Sorry.)
The beer
It was cold, crisp, and refreshing with medium body, grassy, citrus, malt, light hops, slightly bitter, and all that crap. Importantly, it tasted like beer, I’d drink it again, and it went well with the pizza without ruining the taste with each sip.
Which beer usually does for me, hence why I like Coke instead.
We didn’t really need menus, but we accepted them anyway and thus found the Burrata with cherry tomatoes, basil, and extra virgin olive oil, to which Christa’s eyes lit up. If you haven’t had this delicacy of mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream, then you need to get hunting.
We then, of course, ordered the Margherita Pizza Rosso. I inquired if it featured the melty bufala mozzarella since I saw the cheese listed in an appetizer. He said it was a different style better for pizza which I figured was either fior di latte or the certified Specialità Tradizionale Garantita.
As either was authentic and the high moisture of buffalo can make for a wetter crust, my hope stayed intact.
The appetizer
The burrata arrived on a bed of rocket and a border of scarlet cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of fragrant olive oil and cracked black pepper. We dug in with knives and forks to unleash the flow of cream and cheese. The bitter greens and the sweet tomatoes balanced the rich dairy delight.
And it vanished in mere minutes.
The pizza
And with some fanfare, they delivered the star of the show. This pizza was the picture of near perfection. The crust was a swollen, blistered and charred levee retaining a sea of red tomato puree and rafts of melted mozzarella and rivulets of olive oil.
I knew it was too hot to handle, but I slid a piece to my plate in any case.
The melted mozzarella didn’t pull into long strings as I hefted a slice to my nose and inhaled. Heaven.
I realized after the second slice that the cook forgot the basil. I had become so enraptured that I overlooked it at first. Hey, they’re new—growing pains—and no matter. It was so good as it was, the addition of basil would just elevate it that much more.
Evenly distributed char of the underside was revealed when folding the steaming slice. And it also showed that an authentic imported tomato sauce does not have to be so wet that the tip sags and loses it’s topping. This one held up as the puree was the right consistency.
You know how to eat hot pizza, don’t you? You just put your lips together and blow…sauce all over your shirt. Then tear into it with lips drawn back and teeth incising.
The sauce delivered full-bodied seasoned tomatoes with a fruity olive oil. The crisp and chewy crust, with a soft but not wet tip from the center of the pie, had the complex flavor of a wheat flour with a yeasty background.
The char from the furnace left an acrid taste that cut the natural sweetness of the sauce and the smooth dairy of the cheese.
The verdict
Mangia E Bevi’s pizza had all the features of a fantastic VPN pizza, even without the designation (minus the basil).
We enjoyed every bit and I regretted not ordering two. Maybe one with mushrooms. Alas, we would have to settle for a reasonable amount of food rather than be gluttons. We did just eat massive burritos.
That pizza was the perfect end to a splendid week at the beach. This place is a winner and a destination when in Rome—er, Cocoa Beach. If they were near me, I’d have to chain myself to my desk to not eat there every day.
For authentic Neapolitan pizza on the Space Coast, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Mangia E Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana.
Thoughts from the recliner
This trip was about the beach, of course, but restaurants boost the experience. Mirroring the serene but sufficient understated town (offseason and away from Ron-Jon), these Cocoa Beach restaurants were a hit.
We did experience the Cocoa Beach Pier tourist trap, but reviews well warned us what to expect. We simply took it in to see what it was. It’s a pier and with little of substance to offer and no substitute for mid-Atlantic boardwalks.
Spend your time and money at more worthwhile spots.
A fantastic experience can be had with modest planning when time on the sand and tasty vittles is all you want from a beach vacation.
And in the end…
Our trip to relax on the beach and find tasty local treats was a success. We made memories of beautiful sunrises, peaceful lounging in the sand, a shark encounter (sorry, no room for that tale), and certainly fantastic meals.
Old favorites remained true and we found some new treasures, too. Your time and your money will be well-spent when you avoid the traps, avoid peak hours, and start with the eight Cocoa Beach restaurants shared here.
And if I missed any gems that you know of, comment below and let us know. We’re always happy to eat more.
- What did we miss? Where else should we have eaten?
- Does anyone know of a Florida Beach with a northern style boardwalk? Do these only exist in NJ-DE-MD?
- Want to hear about the shark? It’s not a thrilling tale. But I’ll tell it in the comments if you’re interested.
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Nice again,didn’t think of going that far but I do have family on the east coast that gives me a reason to go. Thanks for the heads up,all are on my list.
Fantastic. It is a long drive from Tampa but when I consider that when I was a kid in New Castle it used to take almost as long to drive to the Delaware beaches on summer weekends before the Route 1 bypass, it doesn’t seem so bad.
I don’t think we’ll be making the drive as a day trip any time soon, though.
When you do make the trip, I hope you find these spots to be as enjoyable as we did.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
And happy anniversary to you both ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤓🎉🎂🎈👍🎊🎁💐🎣🌹
Thank you very much, Rick. September was a fun month of celebration.