Restaurant recommendations near Kennedy Space Centre

[lolomarie]

We will be visiting the KSC the day before our cruise and would like to eat dinner near there but not at the facilities (I read the food is bad). Ideally it would have great seafood, allow children in (but doesn’t need to cater to children) and have views of the water or beach. I noticed Fishlips and rusty’s oyster bar, are either of these good? We will have a car so we can drive and park!

Thanks so much!

 

[OKW Lover]

I noticed Fishlips and rusty’s oyster bar, are either of these good?

Yes, they are both good. There is also at least one other restaurant in that general area.

 

[Angelamarya17]

It’s been years, but I used to eat at Grill’s all the time when I lived there. The food was always great and loved watching ships leaving right next to the restaurant.

 

[ChanaC]

I went to Fishlips years ago. I don't remember if the food was good, but I do remember it was a lot of typical bar food, so stuff most people can enjoy (ex nachos, wings, burgers, sandwiches) along with some seafood options like salmon dip and crab cakes. For us the major draw was being so close to the port and watching the ships leave for the day. We weren't there on a cruise, just a quick Kennedy Space Center trip, so you may not have the same experience, but it was still cool to be pretty close to the ships. I also remember the day we were there I bad thunderstorm came through, but it was great because the outdoor deck was covered and they were able to pull some plastic siding down to keep everyone dry. If I was in the area I would go back! I remember there being three or four restaurants all in a row, and they all have the same view, so it might be worth looking at the menus and Yelp pages for each and see which one you would prefer.

Edit: There is also a live Port Canaveral webcam which lets you watch the ships leave, and their camera is set up at Fishlips so you can see what the view is like!

 

[princesscinderella]

My mother in law loves fish lips

 

[lolomarie]

Thanks for everyone’s replies. I think we’ll head in that general direction and see where we can get in? Or would you recommend making a reservation?

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for everyone’s replies. I think we’ll head in that general direction and see where we can get in? Or would you recommend making a reservation?

you shouldn't need reservations. Just go with whichever captures your fancy.

 

[tj48103]

We will be visiting the KSC the day before our cruise and would like to eat dinner near there but not at the facilities (I read the food is bad). Ideally it would have great seafood, allow children in (but doesn’t need to cater to children) and have views of the water or beach. I noticed Fishlips and rusty’s oyster bar, are either of these good? We will have a car so we can drive and park!

Thanks so much!

We ate at Rusty's last time we were there. Outdoor seating. My kids loved it. My oldest son was especially excited because there was a space X rocket on one of the barges he could see from the restaurant. They also had live music that night.

 

[SweetSpot]

We live down the road from the port and go to Rusty's often. They are far less touristy than other restaurants at the port and their food and service are always great. We stay away from Grill's because it is very touristy and over priced. The port is not very close to KSC. It's 15+ miles away at the end of Merritt Island, close to Titusville. I've read that there are very good restaurants in that area on the water (river) but I haven't eaten at any to refer you to but if you are passing Kim's Donuts make sure you stop in.

 

[lolomarie]

We live down the road from the port and go to Rusty's often. They are far less touristy than other restaurants at the port and their food and service are always great. We stay away from Grill's because it is very touristy and over priced. The port is not very close to KSC. It's 15+ miles away at the end of Merritt Island, close to Titusville. I've read that there are very good restaurants in that area on the water (river) but I haven't eaten at any to refer you to but if you are passing Kim's Donuts make sure you stop in.

Thanks so much! I’m Canadian so measure distance in time! Lol. 15 miles would be a 30 minute drive?

 

[dvcjoe]

We will be visiting the KSC the day before our cruise and would like to eat dinner near there but not at the facilities (I read the food is bad). Ideally it would have great seafood, allow children in (but doesn’t need to cater to children) and have views of the water or beach. I noticed Fishlips and rusty’s oyster bar, are either of these good? We will have a car so we can drive and park!

Thanks so much!

Fishlips is the location of the PTZtv sailaway webcam so we would go there.

 

[SweetSpot]

Thanks so much! I’m Canadian so measure distance in time! Lol. 15 miles would be a 30 minute drive?

Depends but about that. It's a fairly easy drive as well.