8 Space Coast breakfast spots with great views of Artemis, plus 16 post-launch options
Looking to enjoy breakfast while awaiting the Artemis I launch?
Alas, restaurants with a great view that serve breakfast and are open on Mondays are few. Plus, they're sure to be packed at 8:33 a.m. Aug. 29 when the Space Launch System rocket launches from Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, headed for a trip around the moon.
But if you're up for the excitement of a crowd, here are eight Space Coast spots with great views that are open for breakfast:
Cafe Surfanista, 2 Wave Crest Ave., Indialantic. With vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, as well as acai bowls and smoothies, Cafe Surfanista should please everyone in your viewing party. Snag something to eat, then stake out your spot on the sand. cafesurfinista.com
Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Brevard's oceanfront hometown bar usually opens at 11 a.m., but the staff's coming in early for Artemis. Coconuts will open at 8 a.m., with breakfast burritos, bloody Marys and mimosas. Beachside service is available. facebook.com/coconuts.onthebeach
Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, 500 Glen Cheek Drive, Port Canaveral. A local favorite since 1997, Grills opens daily for breakfast at 7 a.m. There's lots of outside seating, plus an elevated observation deck. grillsseafood.com
Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, 6075 N. U. S. 1, Melbourne. Grills location in Melbourne is on the Indian River, a little further away from Kennedy Space Center, but it still offers great views. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. grillsseafood.com
The Landing Rooftop, Hotel Melby, 11th floor, 801 Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. OK, so this one isn't waterfront, but oh, the view. You can see for miles while dining atop the downtown Melbourne hotel. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. thelandingrooftop.com
Sand on the Beach, 1005 Atlantic St., Melbourne Beach. Yes, we're getting pretty far from Cape Canaveral at Sand on the Beach, but Artemis is a big rocket. You'll still get quite a show. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. sandonthebeach.com
Sunrise Diner, 365 W. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Route 520, Cocoa Beach. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. Enjoy omelets, pancakes, biscuits and Benedicts, as well as mimosas. facebook.com/Sunrisedinercocoabeach
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Waters Edge Cafe, 300 Christopher Columbus Drive, Port Canaveral. Primarily a bait and tackle shop, Waters Edge opens at 6 a.m. This isn't a big place, so you might want to grab breakfast to go, then find a spot along the water.
In case you missed it: NASA rolls massive Artemis I moon rocket to Florida pad ahead of historic launch
More Artemis I coverage: NASA's Artemis I moon mission includes educational, cultural, and commemorative mementos
Places for post-launch breakfast
Once the Orion capsule leaves Earth's atmosphere, ground-based vehicles will clog highways heading out of Brevard County. If you prefer sitting down to breakfast over sitting in traffic, here are seven restaurants near prime viewing areas.
Anaya Coffee, 1414 Highland Ave Melbourne. Near Pineapple Park on the Indian River. Opens at 7:30 a.m. anayacoffee.com
French Delights Bakery, 121 Harrison St., Cocoa Village. Near Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village. Opens at 8 a.m.
Juice N Java, 75 N Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach. Across the street from the beach. Opens at 7 a.m. juicenjavacafe.com
Lily's Beachside Restaurant, 240 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach. Near Seagull Park. Opens at 7 a.m.
Mel's Tiki Cafe, 2344 N. State Road A1A, Indialantic. Across the street from Paradise Beach. Opens at 8 a.m. facebook.com/melstikicafe
Southern Charm Cafe, 8501 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral. Near Cherie Down Park. southerncharmcafefl.com
The Surfanista, 86 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach. Across the street from the beach. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. .facebook.com/TheSurfinista
Sunrise Bread Company, 315 S. Hopkins Ave., Titusville. Near Max Brewer Bridge. Opens at 6 a.m. sunrisebread.com
If you hang out for a bit (or if the launch slips a few days)
At this point, you've spent the morning watching the sky. You might as well eat lunch. These 10 waterfront places offer great grub. Plus, should the launch scrub until Sept. 2 or 5 when it's later in the day, you might as well scope out your next viewing spot.
Where to stay for Artemis launch: Space Coast hotels are filling up. Where should I stay to watch NASA mega moon rocket liftoff?
Capt. J's, 211 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. The rooftop deck overlooks the Atlantic. The burgers earn rave reviews. Opens at 11 a.m. Search for Captain J's on facebook.com.
Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach. Stretching out into the Atlantic, the pier is home to Maui J's Shaved Ice Truck, Rikki Tiki Tavern, the Boardwalk Bar, Pelican's Bar & Grill, Keith's Oyster Bar and Sea Dogs. Opens at 11 a.m. facebook.com/CocoaBeachPier
The Dock at River Rocks, 6485 U.S. 1, Rockledge. The tropical cobb, with avocado, bacon, chopped egg, cheddar, mango, tomato and blue cheese crumbles, doused in orange blossom dressing, might be one of the best salads in Brevard. Enjoy it while watching dolphins play in the river. Opens a 11 a.m. riverrocksrestaurant.com
Lou's Blues Bar & Grill, 3191 N. State Road A1A, Indian Harbour Beach. The back deck overlooks the ocean; the parking lot has beach access. Make a day of it and hang out until the music starts that evening. Opens at 11 a.m. lousbluesbarandgrill.com
Pier 220, 2 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway Titusville. Look across the Indian River and see the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. Opens at 10:30 a.m.
Port Canaveral. Park at the Cove at the port and spend the morning. When the rumble from the rocket fades and the rumble from your tummy gets louder, in addition to Grills, pick from three restaurants that open for lunch on Mondays:
Gator's Dockside, 683 Dave Nisbet Drive, Cape Canaveral. Opens at 11 a.m. gatorsdockside.com
Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar, 628 Glen Cheek Drive, Cape Canaveral. Opens at 11 a.m. rustysseafood.com
Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill, 610 Glen Cheek Drive, Cape Canaveral. Opens at 11 a.m. fishlipswaterfront.com
New York New York Bar and Grill, 5401 Riveredge Drive, Titusville. Shhhhhh. Locals don't want the secret about this riverfront mainstay to get out. Go for the burgers and the river view; stay for the stories you'll hear from current and former space workers. Opens at noon. nynytitusville.com
Old Florida Grill & Oyster House, 5370 U.S. 1, Port St. John. Settle in for oysters, wings and river breezes. Opens at 11 a.m. facebook.com/OldFloridaGrillOysterHouse
Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Artemis launch: Restaurants near Kennedy Space Center with view
