The Year of the Rat was exactly that for so many reasons, and Brevard’s restaurants had every excuse not to shine in 2020. But they did. They persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial and personnel-related nightmares it engendered and beat them.
So as we move along in 2021, we think of things positive. These are our nine top-reviewed restaurants of 2020. Each received four stars, defined by FLORIDA TODAY as “Worth going out of your way for. Food, atmosphere and service are routinely top notch.”
Antonio & Vittoria Italian Tavern, 586 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach. Another few visits could see this intimate, smart restaurant rise in its star-number, so good is it with genuine Italian cuisine. Wine selections are perfect, entrees are superb and even the salad is special. Try the Zizzona Siciliana, house-made mozzarella with eggplant, sliced peppers, garlic and cherry tomatoes on a bed of fresh spinach with pureed beet, if and when it’s offered. Antonio changes his menu frequently. Call 321-978-2242 or visit avitalianmarket.com.
Around the World Café, 119 Fifth Ave., Indialantic. International-style charm personified is this beachside gem, with omelets as delicious as its pierogi and diet-killer baked goods. Try Sweet Summer Memories, cheese and cherry crepes; your palate will thank you. Call 321-360-9284 or visit aroundtheworldcb.com.
Bacco Wine Café, 4100 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Let’s cut to the chase about Bacco: It is among the top restaurants in the area, and like Antonio e Vittoria, should expect to have its rating upgraded if it stays on track. The pasta carbonara is easily the best you’ll have here, magnificent in its simplicity. Call 321-259-3456 or visit baccowinecafe.com.
Grey Belly’s, 601 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Never again say Florida restaurants cannot do Chesapeake-style crab cakes. Low-key, informal Grey Belly’s big, filler-free, succulent version has diners reminiscing about their days in Maryland or Delaware, and the rest of its fare isn’t anything to scoff at either. Neither is the wine. Call 321-499-4531 or visit facebook.com/GreyBellys.
Flames, 1270 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Spacious, stylish, congenial Flames persevered through the early days of the pandemic and made changes when it should, which are reasons enough to salute it. Entrees are terrific, including anything with lamb, and so are appetizers and desserts. Try the herbed, slightly spicy phyllo-wrapped cheese rolls. Call 321-777-7677 or visit flamesgrille.com.
Marsh Landing, 44 N. Broadway, Fellsmere. Truthfully, we didn’t expect Marsh Landing to be as terrific as it was, nor to have the commitment to things fresh and natural that it does. But it did and proved one of the most rewarding meals of 2020. Our Southern friend’s eyes watered at the first bite of chicken-fried steak because it brought back memories of her grandmother, and I’ll go back for one of those massive burgers with pimento cheese. Call 772-571-8622 or visit marshlandingrestaurant.com.
Pompano Grill, 110 N. Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach. Had we known owner Jackie Sampson would use the pandemic-related break to completely re-do the restaurant, we probably would have waited to review it, but as it was, Pompano Grill was just fine. We’ll assume it has all the comfortable cheer that it always has had, and the same, beautifully plated steaks and seafood, as well as those wonderful fried oysters. And banoffee tart. Aye, banoffee tart. Call 321-784-9005 or visit pompanogrill.com.
Salt and Sweet, 3092 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne. This mannered, low-key, Polish-style mainstay tops the list of Brevard’s hidden gems, with traditional delights like golabki, zrazy Polskie and a variety of pierogi. Its continental fare like osso bucco is worth trying, too. Call 321-259-5182 or visit saltandsweet.net.
2 Angry Wives Pub and Eatery, 3826 Murrell Road, Rockledge: This may have been the surprise of the year, and credit its owners and reenergized chef Chris Morales for that. They have transformed the former site of mediocre eateries into a go-to with a great, joyous pub atmosphere and comfort food with multiple twists. The burgers are killer-good and the shepherd’s pie is grand: made with lamb, as it should be. Call 321-848-0227 or visit 2angrywives.com.
While these nine spots were our top performers, 14 others had impressive showings. These restaurants, which each earned 3½ stars, are definitely worth a visit:
• Chez Cani, 6375 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
• Fiesta Azul Tequila House, 1700 Evans Road, Melbourne.
• Frigates Waterfront Bar and Grill, 1120 N. Harbor City Boulevard, Melbourne.
• Hamburger Mike’s, 31 E. New Haven Ave, Melbourne.
• Harbor City Diner, 1630 S. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
• Indialantic Seafood Co., 826 S. A1A., Indialantic.
• Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster, 210 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach.
• Manny’s Cucina Napolitana, 4980 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
• Morning Glory Eatery, 1753 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach.
• Nini’s Cuban Café, 147 Fifth Ave., Indialantic.
• Scrambled Egg Café, 727 Pine Tree Drive, Indian Harbour Beach.
• Spacebee Bistro (closed).
• Texas Roadhouse, 941 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne and 1975 Viera Blvd., Viera.
• Vargas Café, 8010 N. Atlantic Ave., Cape Canaveral.
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