Cocoa Beach Favorites
Hi Y’all!!!
It’s been a while since I’ve used my blog feature here on my website!! I’ve been posting weekly blogs over on Ko-Fi for about two years now, but I want to start getting into the practice of sharing my content here as well. My Ko-Fi site has both free/public and subscriber only content, but I’m hoping to start making my public content available in both spaces and also give y’all a taste of each Ko-Fi post here (and should you decide to sign up and join us in our Ko-Fi community, that would be awesome!).
This week I want to share my Cocoa Beach Favorites!!! 🌴💕
In just a few days, the FIRST EVER Knitting Tipsy Ko-Fi retreat is taking place in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I am SO freaking excited, y’all!!! 🎉🎉 This has been something I’ve wanted to do for almost three years but due to mental health and grief, I wasn’t able to make it happen. And while I’m still very nervous and anxious about logistics and wanting everyone to have the best time, I’m also so, so excited and proud! We can do hard things, even if we’re anxious!!! 🙏🙏
The retreat takes place May 15th-17th and we will be yarning, cocktailing and mocktailing, beaching, and shopping with a group of 22 makers and 6 partners. We have a couple of planned events including a Welcome Beach Party, a trunk show hosted by Tropical Yarnie, and Flash Tattoos by Sara Taylor of Pinkie Orlando, but other than that, retreat members will be able to relax, bar hop, work on projects, and explore Cocoa Beach at their leisure. Steve and I have taken some time to create a list of some of our very favorite Cocoa Beach places and recommendations for anyone attending the retreat, or anyone planning a trip to Cocoa in the future!
Our Cocoa Beach Favorites
Coffee/Breakfast
Cafe Surfinista - 86 N Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
This is one of my favorite coffee shops in Cocoa Beach. The vibe is AMAZING and I’d describe it as an artsy, surfer’s haven. Lots of delicious and healthy treats and the coffee and matchas are awesome! I love their Acai bowls and their avocado toasts (they have SO many) are a must try.
Le Monthi Cafe and Ice Cream -214 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
This quiet but cute coffee/ice cream shop has delicious breakfasts and coffee. Lots of Brazilian specials and also thai teas and smoothies. I got a savory Spanish style breakfast with cafe con leche and Steve ordered the Acai bowl. 10/10 recommend!
Starlite Restaurant - 2080 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Starlite is a beachfront restaurant in the Hilton Garden Inn. It was recommended as a great breakfast spot for tourists and locals alike. We tried it out this spring and the breakfasts were well seasoned and delish! Also, there Bloody Marys were exceptional! This is a great option if you’re looking to sit down, relax, or stroll on the beach after your meal.
Island Time Marina and Restaurant - 400 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
This place doesn’t look like much from out front, but it is SO COOL inside and out back. This restaurant sits right on the Banana River and has a dock and marina out back. It’s semi open air and the vibe is Jimmy Buffet meets “pirate scallywag”, even at 7 AM. While we didn’t partake in breakfast, it looked and smelled AMAZING and our mimosas were fabulous. The bartenders and locals there on a Sunday morning were hilarious, loud, and super kind. If you want a boozy breakfast (or lunch/dinner - this place gets REAL fun later in the day with live music) head to Island Time for sure.
Lunch/Dinner
The Tiny Turtle - 249 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
My favorite restaurant in Cocoa Beach 🐢💗. The Tiny Turtle is a Caribbean fusion/Puerto Rican restaurant that specializes in Sofrito. I have dined here A LOT and have never had a bad meal. The cocktail menu is extensive and fun and there’s indoor and outdoor seating. This place also has really good breakfast if you want to go that route.
Shark Pit Bar and Grill - 4001 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
I will admit, we only popped by this place because of our retreat location, but it was surprisingly good!!! It has great reviews on Google and the menu has a lot to offer. Steve and I tried the potato skins and they were crispy, salty, cheesy, and delicious. The bartender was also really nice (great pours) and chatted with us for a bit. Whether you want to stop by and order food to take to the beach or relax inside the AC, this is a great lunch or dinner choice. And retreat members, you have a discount you can use here!!
Bruno’s Pizzeria - 366 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
My favorite pizza in Cocoa. We’ve been eating here for 5+ years and the pizza is BANGIN’. If you’re attending our Beach Welcome Party at the retreat, this is where our pizza is from. If you need second helpings and stop by the restaurant, it’s small on the inside but service is great.
Oceanside Pizza- 605 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Because pizza is a beach vacation essential, we’re including TWO pizza places. Oceanside Pizza is highly rated in Cocoa and for good reason. They have a lot of specialty pizza options as well as calzones, wings, pastas, sandwiches, and more. Of particular note is their gluten free pizza crust made with cauliflower. It’s REALLY good and the kitchen makes sure to ask if you have an allergy and would like it cooked separate from other foods. Very accommodating and very tasty, we highly recommend.
Ice Cream
Fat Donkey - 247 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
A Cocoa Beach Classic. This funky little ice cream shop features a large statue of a crazed donkey along with stickers from every local (and not so local) business around! They have soft serve, scoops, waffles, floats, ice cream sandwiches and more. This is where I recommend people get their ice cream in Cocoa Beach.
Bars + Booze
Rikki Tiki Tavern - 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Looking for a tiki bar in Cocoa? This one is at the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier and the vibes are immaculate with incredible views AND incredible drinks! We haven’t eaten there, but we’ve been told their sushi menu is AMAZING. Get there early on weekends to snag a spot at the bar.
The Alibi Cocktails and Bites - 231 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
One of my favorite and more unique bars in Cocoa. It’s not super “beachy” but it does feel like if 1001 Arabian Nights met The Little Mermaid. The cocktails are upscale and elevated, the menu is tapas style, and there’s often live entertainment in the evenings. Also, the bartenders are HOTTTT 😉🔥 If you’re looking to get a little fancy, this would be a great choice.
The Sandbar Sports Grill - 4301 Ocean Beach Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Looking for a tiki bar/dive bar/sports bar vibe? Head to the Sandbar! This open air bar is right next to the beach and features a variety of cocktail options, like their Hurricanes at different category (strength) levels. They have live music on the weekends and events throughout the week. There’s also a decently large food menu if you get the munchies.
Coconuts on the Beach - 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Anyone who has been to Cocoa Beach has probably been to Coconuts. On the beach in the heart of downtown Cocoa, this large tiki bar is where probably 90% of the tourists go to get their beachside drinks. We’ve been there a few times and while the drinks are good, it can get REALLY crowded. Definitely go if you want, but know there are other options should you wish to avoid crowds.
Shopping (Souvenirs + Yarn)
Ron Jon Surf Shop - 4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
“One Of A Kind” with only three locations in Central Florida 😂🤣. But honestly, this multi story surf shop (shaped like a sand castle) is pretty impressive. Lots of name brands like Kulani Kinis, Salt Life, Reef, and more. Not the cheapest souvenirs, but good quality and worth checking out.
Cocoa Beach Surf Company - 4001 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Another awesome surf and beach clothing/accessories shop. Retreat members can score a discount at this shop (check Ko-Fi for more info!) and I intend to do a little damage here during retreat weekend 😉.
The Sunshine Shop - 159 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
The cutest little gift shop full of local Florida goodies and fair trade gifts and jewelry from Latin America and Africa. The owner is SO friendly and will explain the story behind all the items. I’ve bought multiple Christmas gifts from here for friends and I’ve also added to my kitchen pantry some amazing flamingo and palm tree pastas and Florida indigenous teas.
Knit and Stitch Boutique - 15 Stone St, Cocoa, FL 32922
Not right on Cocoa Beach, but in Cocoa Village is the Knit and Stitch Boutique. This wonderful little shop is PACKED with yarn and always has knitters and crocheters hanging out inside. Hours are a little wonky (make sure to check online) but if you want a fun afternoon, head to Cocoa Village and do some yarn shopping and maybe even a little wine sippin’ too.
Knitcessities - 3370 Rouse Rd #115, Orlando, FL 32817
Not at all in Cocoa, this yarn shop is in Orlando 😂🤷♀️. But I have to shout out my LYS. Knitcessities is owned by the lovely Vanessa and this wonderful little yarn shop is well worth the side quest to get here. I was in the other day and was so excited to see that there’s an awesome selection of Circulo yarns and also Juniper Moon Farms yarns (one of my faves!). They also have “Fiber Group” hours where you can pop in and sit and work on your projects with other makers.
Manatee Viewing
Bairs Cove Boat Ramp at Haulover Canal - Bairs Cove Rd, Mims, FL 32754
I cannot say with 100% certainty that manatees live here year round, but I also have gone in every season and there’s been a shit ton of manatees every time. Haulover Canal is a great kayak/paddle board launch area, but if you just want to pop in to see manatees, head to Bairs Cove Boat Ramp and hang out on the dock. It won’t take long before a manatee pops their head up to say hi!
Beaches + The closest Nekkid Beach to Cocoa!
High Tower Beach/Satellite Beach - 815 Jimmy Buffett Mem Hwy, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
If you’re looking for waves to surf or board, High Tower Beach is the spot! I do not go IN the ocean so take this with a grain of salt 😉🤣 but there always seems to be TONS of surfers when I go there for sunrises. It’s also really good for shelling!
Cocoa Dog Beach/ Robert P Murkshe Park - 1635 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
This is my absolute favorite beach in the world. YUP. The whole world. There’s a parking lot with bathrooms and free parking, it’s quiet, FULL of dogs, the sunrises are AMAZING, and it’s close-ish to my house. I love coming here before sunrise, setting up my towel and projects, coffee and books, and spending the whole morning just relaxing. It will start to get busy around 11 AM on weekends, but I have sometimes been the only person on this beach (after the puppers get their sunrise walkies in) for hours at a time.
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier - 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
If the tourists aren’t at Coconuts, they are probably at the pier and on the surrounding beaches. The beaches by the pier are beautiful and have cart vendors walking by, volleyball courts, and lots of chair/umbrella rentals. If you get here early enough, I think this could be great. But it’s gonna get crowded QUICKLY, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore, (Clothing Optional at Pier 13) - Playalinda Beach Road, Titusville, FL 32796
If you like your beaches au naturel (in more than one sense 😉), head to Canaveral National Seashores National Park. These beaches aren’t in Cocoa either, in fact they are about an hour north, but they are absolutely incredible!!! This truly is “Wild Florida” and you could see bobcats, alligators, sea turtles, gopher tortoises, scrub jays, bald eagles, and more! After passing the ranger station to pay to get in (it’s about $25 per vehicle), you’ll drive several miles through wetlands to get to the shore. Along the way, you’ll have EXCELLENT views of Kennedy Space Station and the rocket launch pads and might even catch a launch (be sure to check before you go, they do occasionally close the beaches for launches). While many of the boardwalks/piers/beach areas in the park are family friendly and amazing, at the end of the road is pier 13. You will see several signs warning: “You may encounter nude sunbathers from this point on”. That’s because pier 13 is clothing optional. This is my SECOND favorite beach in the world and I’ve only ever had positive experiences here. The vibe is respectful and chill, even if you’re a woman alone. I definitely recommend Canaveral National Seashores Beaches (Playalinda) and pier 13 if you’re looking for wild and different.
If you have any questions about Cocoa or the places I’ve mentioned, I’d be happy to try and answer. Just drop me an email or DM on Ko-Fi.
Let us know if you try out any of our favorite places in Cocoa!!!!
Happy beachin’, WIPpin’, and sippin’, Y’all!!!
XOXOXO
