Ask any local where to go for some summer fun, and most likely they’ll point to the beach. More specifically, they’ll point to Coconuts on the Beach. With its delectable eats, fruity specialty cocktails, live music, direct beachfront bearings and come-as-you-are attitude, Coconuts has become one of the area’s most popular places to while away a summer afternoon or night.
“We are only one of two places that are located directly on the beach in the Cocoa Beach / Cape Canaveral area,” says Chuck Benoit, general manager. “Most people visiting the area are here for the ocean and we can provide them with some-thing to eat and drink without having to leave the beach.”“Our menu is casual with something for everyone to enjoy,” says Benoit. “Our most popular dish is the Mango Mahi served over black beans and rice and topped with a house-made mango salsa.” He adds that the fish can be prepared grilled, blackened or jerked. Other scrumptious seafood servings include Pineapple Thai Shrimp and Bahamian Lobster Tail. Land loving diners, meanwhile, can enjoy options such as Fontina Chicken or George’s Filet, which can be topped with bleu cheese crumbles. During lunch hours, Coconuts is known for its variety of sandwiches, wraps and burgers.
While the fresh fare is no doubt enticing, Coconuts just as easily draws people in with its entertainment offerings. “We have a large oceanfront deck with two outdoor bars and plenty of seating. You can sit and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean while dining and listening to live music most nights on our outside stage,” says Benoit. Monday through Thursday nights, guests can catch single or duo musicians, and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Coconuts usually brings in a three or four-piece band for entertainment. Crowds of people from all over the Space Coast, Orlando and other nearby communities often swarm Coconuts’ outdoor deck and sandy beaches on Sunday afternoons to mingle and let loose before the weekend draws to a close. It’s on these carefree days that Coconuts’ bartenders are often blending up refreshing frozen cocktails in particular one consisting of a 50-50 mix of Pina Colada and Rum Runner served with a “tooter” of dark rum. Says Benoit, “We hope to continue to grow the business for the locals, as well as bring in people from around the globe.”
Coconuts on the Beach:
2 Minute Man Causeway, Cocoa Beach
(321) 784-1488 or coconutsonthebeach.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for lunch; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day for dinner; late night
