A Foodie’s Guide to Florida’s Space Coast

As Seen In The Community Paper

Summer is here, and what better way to celebrate than heading over to Orlando’s closest beach — Cocoa Beach! Just a 45-minute drive from Orlando, visitors can not only catch a wave along the Atlantic Coast but also watch rockets launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center as well as enjoy exploring over 20,000 acres of freshwater rivers and the Indian River Lagoon.

In addition to these sights and attractions, the area is also home to eight local craft breweries and five historic downtown districts with shopping, dining and entertainment. Here are a few food highlights for your next trip to Florida’s Space Coast.

Third Culture Kitchen opened in 2018 with the goal of bringing together multiple cultures and food traditions similar to the way the revitalization of the space program unified people from all over the world in this small town on the Space Coast. Menu highlights include their Creamy Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bowl, Asian chicken wings and steamed bao buns. They also have an extensive vegan menu including Bravas Yucca, tossed in a spicy garlic miso sauce; Spicy Pineapple Paow & Broccoli with stir-fried rice noodles; and the Paow Burrito in a 13-inch tortilla with Paow steak, house-made black beans, jasmine rice, roasted corn, tomatoes, salsa, and vegan cheese.

The concept behind Vine & Olive came out of the desire to have a modern Italian restaurant not just to meet for a glass of wine after work at the bar or casual dinner but also for celebrations. If you time your visit right, you could watch a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center right outside their windows facing the ocean. The bar features 24 draft wines and a creative cocktail menu, while the scratch kitchen employs a wood-fired grill to create modern Italian dishes with ingredients from local producers such as Quincey Cattle Company, Victory Garden Greens, Seafood Connections and Orlando-based Trevi Pasta company. Featured dishes include Lobster Burrata Ravioli, 100 Layer Lasagna, and their Vegan Carrot Cake.

Open since 1996, Sunrise Bread Company specializes in baking specialty and whole-grain breads, cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins and cookies. Their cafe features Batdorf & Bronson coffee with espresso brewed on a La Marzocco espresso machine. For families with little ones, there is a “secret” hidden kids’ play area located under the stairs with games and toys — a perfect place for them to enjoy some time playing while the parents enjoy their coffee. Upstairs, there is ample seating and Wi-Fi for those looking for a place to meet or work while enjoying their baked goods.

Q’s Crackin’ Crab & Seafood Kitchen opened up their dream spot in world-famous Cocoa Beach, Florida, in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, but they’ve have found great success with their delicious crab cluster platters, rib-eye bowls, garlic-infused lobster and more.