If you think Cocoa Beach is only about surf and sunsets, wait until you taste what locals swear is the area’s best seafood. Florida’s Fresh Grill blends upscale vibes with coastal comfort, serving plates that make travelers book ahead and regulars return often.
With a 4.6 star reputation and a casually romantic setting, it nails that sweet spot between special occasion and weeknight treat. Here is everything you should know before you go, plus the dishes you will want to claim first.
Signature Cedar Plank Salmon
Some dishes feel like a vacation on a plate, and the cedar plank salmon at Florida’s Fresh Grill is one of them. The gentle kiss of smoke highlights a buttery, citrus glaze that keeps each bite bright and clean.
Expect crisp edges, flaky center, and a fresh herb finish that makes the whole room smell like coastal evenings.
You will notice how the kitchen balances richness with restraint. Vegetables are treated with the same care, bringing snap and color without stealing the show.
Paired with a glass of chilled white, it becomes that midweek reward you start planning your day around.
If you usually order salmon and forget it the next day, this one lingers in memory. The cedar adds character without heaviness, letting the fish shine.
Book early, ask for it medium, and settle in. It is a signature for good reason.
Lobster Bisque With Sherry Cream
Silky, deeply savory, and touched with sherry cream, this bisque lands like a warm ocean breeze. The texture is balanced, not gloopy, so each spoonful moves with velvety ease.
Real lobster meat appears in tender bites, reminding you this kitchen respects its star ingredient.
There is restraint in the seasoning, letting sweetness from the shellfish lead. A final swirl of cream softens the edges without muting the depth.
Pair it with crusty bread or share it as a prelude to grilled seafood, then try not to fight over the last spoonful.
On cooler nights or pre-sunset dinners, it just hits right. The bowl arrives steaming, perfumed with aromatics, and feels like a promise that dinner will be memorable.
Start here and you set the tone for a meal that stays comfortably upscale yet welcoming.
Coconut Shrimp Starter
Crunch lovers, this starter is your moment. The coconut crust fries to a sunlit gold, giving every bite a toasty, slightly sweet snap.
Inside, the shrimp stay juicy, with that briny pop that reminds you you are steps from the Atlantic.
The sauce leans tangy with a tropical wink, the kind you keep dipping until the platter suspiciously vanishes. It is approachable and playful, perfect for breaking the ice at date night.
Order for the table and watch conversation loosen after the first bite.
What makes it stand out is balance. Nothing feels greasy or heavy, and the coconut never goes dessert-sweet.
It pairs naturally with a crisp lager or a citrusy cocktail, setting a breezy pace for the courses ahead.
Blackened Mahi With Key Lime Beurre Blanc
When you want bold flavor without losing freshness, go for the blackened mahi. The spice rub brings heat and smoke while the fish stays tender and bright.
Then the key lime beurre blanc sweeps in, creamy and tangy, cooling everything just enough.
The plate arrives colorful and confident, usually with island rice and seasonal vegetables that pick up sauce like a dream. Each forkful flips between citrus lift and peppery char, a back-and-forth that keeps you chasing one more bite.
It is the entree friends tell friends about.
Order it if you like contrast and clean finishes. Ask your server about spice level, since the kitchen can tune it.
Paired with a zesty sauvignon blanc, it lingers long after the check lands.
Crab Cake With Remoulade
This crab cake respects crab first, filler last. You get big flakes that pull apart gently, pan-seared to a caramelized crust.
A bright squeeze of lemon and a punchy remoulade act like exclamation points without drowning the flavor.
It is a crowd-pleaser that signals care in sourcing and technique. No rubbery chew, no heavy binder, just clean sweetness and a whisper of Old Bay style spice.
Share it as an opener or add a salad and make a light dinner of it.
What stands out is restraint. The kitchen keeps the seasoning confident yet measured, letting the seafood speak.
If you crave a classic done right, this is your move, and it pairs wonderfully with a crisp pilsner or chilled chardonnay.
Sea Scallops Over Corn Risotto
There is a special joy when scallops arrive with that textbook sear. These boast a deep bronze crust and custardy centers that barely resist the fork.
They rest on corn risotto that tastes like summer evenings, sweet and buttery without heaviness.
Every element supports the scallops rather than competing. A herb oil or citrus accent keeps the dish lively, while the grains stay silky and distinct.
The aroma alone will stop table talk for a second, which is always a good sign.
If you want something indulgent yet composed, this is it. Pace yourself, because the last bites might be the best as flavors meld.
Add a glass of pinot gris and let the sweetness and salinity play together in the nicest way.
Catch Of The Day Prepared Grilled
Ordering the daily catch is like trusting the ocean and the kitchen at once. Grilled simply, the fish shows off clean lines, gentle char, and a kiss of herb butter.
It is a great way to taste what is freshest near Cocoa Beach without too many bells.
The sides are thoughtful and seasonal, never afterthoughts. You feel the confidence of a team that buys well and cooks with clarity.
Ask your server for the boat story if you love details, because they usually have one.
This pick suits diners who prefer precision over heavy sauces. Add a squeeze of lemon, sip something crisp, and enjoy that quiet satisfaction of getting seafood exactly right.
It is the move locals make when they are not chasing signatures.
Filet Mignon For Surf And Turf Fans
Seafood leads here, but the steak program holds its own. The filet mignon arrives with that gentle yield, rosy center, and a savory gloss that feels special without going heavy.
Add garlicky shrimp for a surf and turf moment that satisfies both cravings.
It is ideal for date night when one person wants turf and the other lives for the sea. The sides lean classic, letting the proteins shine.
Order a peppery red or a robust cab and let the pairing do its magic.
This is also a smart option for guests easing into seafood territory. You still get coastal flair on the plate while enjoying a tender cut.
Book ahead on weekends since these plates go fast and the dining room fills by 6.
Key Lime Pie Finale
End on a bright note with the key lime pie, a Florida signature done with care. The filling leans tart more than sweet, which keeps you reaching for another forkful.
A sturdy graham crust adds crunch and butter, echoing toasty notes from the meal.
It is refreshing after rich seafood, almost palate-cleansing. The whipped cream is subtle support, not a sugar bomb, and a sprinkle of zest sharpens each bite.
Share if you must, but it is perfectly sized for one.
Pair with coffee or a citrusy digestif and watch the conversation drift happily. This dessert feels like beach air in dessert form, cutting through the evening with sunshine.
If you love classics with personality, do not skip it.
Cocktails At The Lounge
The lounge sets the tone before dinner with cocktails that feel polished yet playful. Expect citrus-forward signatures, riffs on classics, and bartenders who guide without fuss.
It is casual, a little romantic, and just buzzy enough to feel like a night out.
Happy hour draws locals who know a good pour when they see one. You can sit at the bar, chat about the catch, and watch plates stream from the kitchen.
Drinks pair naturally with seafood starters, especially anything with lime or tropical notes.
If you arrive early, this is where you want to wait. Order something bright, nibble on a small plate, and relax into the evening.
By the time your table is ready, you have already settled into Cocoa Beach mode.
Know Before You Go: Hours, Reservations, And Vibe
Florida’s Fresh Grill sits at 2039 N Atlantic Ave, right in the Cocoa Beach flow. Doors open at 4 PM, with Saturday service until 9:30 PM, and the room fills fast.
A 4.6 star reputation means travelers and locals book ahead, especially on weekends.
The vibe blends upscale and easygoing, ideal for date nights, celebrations, or relaxed seafood cravings. Lighting is warm, music low, and service attentive without hovering.
There is parking nearby and a website for menus and updates if you like to plan.
Call +1 321-613-5649 to confirm hours or secure a table, since holiday weeks get busy. If you prefer spontaneity, try early evening lounge seats.
Either way, you are in for fresh seafood, thoughtful cocktails, and a casually romantic setting that wins repeat visits.