I just spent a couple of days exploring the beaches between New Smyrna and Vero Beach with my old high school buddy Alex Kerr. Don’t get to see him often since he lives on Guam, but he happened to be in Florida for the Coral Reef Symposium and an echinoderm conference at the Florida Technical Institute in Melbourne, so we got to hang out for a few days. I’ll be writing a lot about that trip over the next few weeks, but first I want to tell you about a nice little beach restaurant we found.
The desk clerk at the Holiday Inn New Smyrna Beach (1401 S. Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, Fl) told us about this little restaurant right on the beach at the end of Flagler Avenue. It’s right next to the Flagler Ave Beach Access which also has a ramp for cars to drive out onto the beach (driving your car on the beach is permitted on parts of New Smyrna Beach).
As you can see from the above photo the Breakers Restaurant sits right on the sand. There is a bar that runs the length of the building so you can sit and look out over the beach while eating and drinking. The ocean breeze is perfect for keeping you cool.
We took a seat in the dining area, and then as soon as we saw the bar overlooking the beach we moved straight to the bar and ordered lunch. We each ordered a Mahi-mahi sandwich and I got a side of potato salad (included with the meal). The food took a little while to arrive, but no problem. The view was gorgeous and we were in no hurry whatsoever.
The food was great, but the view was the real winner here. I’m really not much on “tiki bars” on the beach because I don’t drink alcohol, and they are usually crowded and a little noisy, especially the ones at hotels. But this one was fairly quiet and very laid-back at the noon hour on a Monday in July. My guess is that on weekends and holidays it is standing-room only.
So if you are in New Smyrna Beach and want to sit at a bar overlooking the beach and have lunch or something to drink, I highly recommend the Breakers Restaurant. It isn’t gourmet food, but it is much better than what a typical beach concession serves. I also recommend that you visit during the week, or else arrive a bit early for lunch.
There are plenty of people on the beach here to watch. If you get restless, take a walk along Flagler Avenue and do some window shopping. Or rent a surfboard and give it a try!
