Our picks: editorial choices by The Space Coast Wire, not ratings from any review site.

1. Coa by Howie D Editor's pick Cocoa Beach · Modern New American / shareable plates
   Editor's pick: chef-driven Modern New American with global influences, served as shareable plates, plus craft cocktails. Chef Eric Basta. (Coa Cocoa Beach, Coa on Tock (reservations))
2. Drifters Surf Restro Indian Harbour Beach · Sushi bar / coastal-inspired blackboard specials
   A family-run, 22-seat gem from owners Katie and Danny Clark pairing handmade sushi with an ever-changing coastal blackboard menu; one of Florida Today's notable 2025 openings. (Florida Today: new restaurant opens (Feb 2025, paywalled), Florida Today: Brevard's new restaurants of 2025 (paywalled))
3. Café Coconut Cove👀 Water view Melbourne Beach · German / European, lagoonfront
   Authentic German cooking from the Himmeroeder family of Aachen, served on the Indian River Lagoon since 1987; Vero News gave it four stars in 2026, calling it 'the real deal.' (Café Coconut Cove, Café Coconut Cove: About Us, Vero News review (Apr 2026))
4. KOKO Japanese Pub Cocoa Beach · Japanese pub / omakase
   Brevard's first Michelin Guide restaurant (Recommended, May 2026): Japanese-fusion omakase and bento. (Michelin Guide: KOKO, The Space Coast Rocket)
5. Haru Sushi Bar & Grill Indialantic · Japanese / sushi bar and grill
   A beachside Indialantic favorite for fresh sushi, sashimi and omakase alongside seafood and steaks, rated 4.8 from 1,500+ diner ratings. (Haru Sushi Bar & Grill, Uber Eats: Haru Sushi Bar & Grill (diner ratings))
6. Trattoria Bella Palm Bay · Italian / homemade pasta
   Palm Bay's standout for authentic Italian since 2021: Milan-born Chef Fabrizio Pintus's homemade pastas earned a four-star Florida Today review and a 2024 Mayor's Business Spotlight honor. (Trattoria Bella, City of Palm Bay: Mayor's Business Spotlight winner (Q1 2024), Florida Today: four-star review (2022, paywalled))
7. Cafe Margaux Cocoa · French / European fine dining
   Cocoa Village fine-dining standard since 1989: courtyard dining, prime steaks and a deep wine list. (Space Coast Daily: three decades of celebrations, Cafe Margaux)
8. Pompano Grill Cocoa Beach · Seafood / steaks, fine dining
   Refined Cocoa Beach dining (Wagyu, pastas, seafood, wine) that shows up on Space Coast fine-dining shortlists. (Pompano Grill, Visit Space Coast)
9. Yellow Dog Cafe🌊 Waterfront seating👀 Water view Malabar · Waterfront American / seafood
   Riverfront favorite in Malabar named a 2026 Florida Today staff favorite and featured in its waterfront-dining roundups. (Yellow Dog Cafe, Florida Today: waterfront restaurants)
10. Scott's on Fifth Indialantic · Upscale fine dining / daily-changing menu
    A one-of-a-kind Indialantic dining room where chef-owner Scott Earick has cooked every meal himself for 20 years, known for its romantic, art-filled setting, crab bisque and a menu that changes daily. (Scott's on Fifth, Florida Today: Scott's on Fifth marks 20 years (Feb 2026), Twenty years in, a tasty show goes on at Scott's on Fifth (Florida Today via Yahoo))