Heading to Cocoa Beach Florida and looking for the best gluten free options, you’re in the right place! This beach town packs a punch when it comes to dining options, so I’ve pulled together 30 of my top picks that both you and whoever you’re visiting with can enjoy too. Whether it’s some oceanfront dining, a healthy lunch or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, I’ve got you covered in this gluten free Cocoa Beach guide. As a bonus, it also covers some gluten free Space Coast options too.
Updated August 2024
Gluten Free Restaurants
This guide covers the best restaurants on the oceanfront, downtown, both north and south Cocoa Beach.
Oceanfront Gluten Free Restaurants
Coconuts on the Beach – is a casual bar and restaurant located directly on Cocoa Beach, complete with all the tiki vibes. It’s a hot spot in the area with ocean views, happy hour, an indoor restaurant imitating a reef and live music. The food is standard Florida fare with fresh seafood, burgers, salads and sandwiches. The menu also has an allergy key for gluten free options. I recommend trying out their chipotle chicken salad without the tortilla chips or the blackened mahi-mahi with rice and beans. Another tip – if you ask for a gluten free bun you can also order the vegan burger.
Bizzarro Pizza & Pasta – CLOSED offering speciality gluten free pizza options on their menu. They’re available for delivery or pick up. But the best part is you can enjoy their pizzas at The Beach Shack (just behind the pizzeria) overlooking the ocean.
Longboards Tiki Beach Grille – This beachside spot is located inside the Hilton hotel. There are two areas, the main bar area and a tiki hut closer to the beach. So, if you walk in off of the beach, you’ll hit the tiki bar first. They have quite a few different gluten free options to choose from, but I recommend their tuna poke bowl or pork nachos.
Gluten Free Restaurants Downtown & South Cocoa Beach
4th Street Fillin Station has a menu for everyone and some all-around good vibes. It was once a functioning filling station that has transformed into an indoor/outdoor bar with jenga, fire pits, water features and twinkly lights in the garden. They have a varied gluten free menu with plant-based options too, and others in your party might be interested in their large selection of craft beers. It’s also a popular spot for brunch on the weekend. The pineapple caribé cider, blackened mahi tacos or their chicken wings are my recommendations, all delicious!! They also have an awesome dessert bar, see below for all of those details!
The Tiny Turtle is a casual restaurant serving up healthy Caribbean style food. The menu clearly states which items are gluten free. They also have a separate fryer for their tortilla chips and maduros, just mention it to your server. The sofrito bowl is one of my go-to dishes, delicious.
The Alibi Cocktails & Bites is a hotspot in downtown Cocoa Beach. Specialising in handcrafted cocktails, this upscale bar also offers some gluten free nibbles on their menu from various flatbreads to salads. It’s the perfect late-night spot.
Check out this detailed guide to the best bars in Cocoa Beach!
Flavour Kitchen & Wine Bar – Blink and you might miss this local gem. Flavour is an open kitchen serving up varied dishes from around the world and delicious weekly specials. They also have an extensive wine list and a great weeknight happy hour. It’s a popular place for brunch with its bottomless mimosas but make a reservation if you want to check it out. The chef is very personable and can advise which dishes are or can be made gluten free.
Tropics Cocktail Bar -As the name suggests this is a cocktail bar, but they do offer tapas style snacks. There are items labelled gluten free on their menu, but they are NOT celiac safe (sigh). Their decor is also super cute with a tropical aesthetic and good vibes. I visit for their mean cocktail skills. One of the best bars in town!
The Fat Snook – If you’re looking for a higher-end dining experience, head to The Fat Snook. Call in advance and let them know you require some gluten free options. They take allergens seriously and will adapt the kitchen for coeliac/celiac preparation. I visited and enjoyed some appetisers, but a few things were omitted to make them gluten free. From what I could tell, their main seafood dishes are the best bet. They also have a sister restaurant in Melbourne called Crush XI, and I’ve found the same level of service there.
Oceanside Pizza, Cocoa Beach is a new restaurant in town offering pizzas, salads, pastas, subs and desserts. They have specialty pies that are gluten free. It’s worth calling ahead or placing an order online if you want takeout, as the gluten free pizzas are made to order.
Gluten Free Restaurants North Cocoa Beach
Florida’s Fresh Grill is worth the splurge and has so many gluten free menu items. Seafood is their thing, and they do it so well. Every dish I’ve had is incredible from start to finish. Their chocolate torte is also gluten free, but it’s a good one to share as it’s quite rich. They also have great happy hour bar specials from 4.30-6 pm. It includes some tapas/snack-type bar food (pictured above).
Fish Camp Grill – A popular newcomer to Cocoa Beach is Fish Camp Grill. The decor and overall atmosphere here is pretty cool. There’s an outdoor deck with a bar and DJ and a games area with pool tables inside. The menu is southern bayou inspired; the gluten free items have a symbol on the menu for ease. I was underwhelmed by the food but it’s worth a visit all the same.
Nosh – This gem serves up some delicious modern Asian dishes. Don’t let the strip mall location put you off. They don’t have a dedicated gluten free menu, but the manager explains the options and advises the chef when you place an order. They also have gluten free soy sauce, a huge win in my book as it means there is no compromise in taste. I recommend ordering the beef pho and nigiri sushi, both are amazing.
The Sunrise Diner is an old school retro-style diner with great breakfast menu items. For a gluten free option go for one of their omelettes with a side of grits. You won’t be able to order any of the toast or hash browns, but the plates are large, and you won’t leave hungry.
Sandbar Sports Grill is home of the fish taco and an all-round fun time. They offer a gluten free menu but sadly it’s not celiac safe due to cross-contamination risks. However, it’s worth visiting for a drink to soak up the vibes, entertainment and latest sports game.
Flavors of India is one of my favourite restaurants in the area. If you like Indian food, don’t skip it. They know exactly how to prepare a gluten free dish including curries, poppadom, appetisers and more.
Gluten Free Cafe & Coffee Shops
The Green Room Cafe is an organic cafe offering gluten free items from smoothies, wraps, salads and desserts. It’s slightly tucked away just off the main street in downtown Cocoa Beach, but a perfect place to grab a healthy lunch or snack option. It offers up some vegan options too.
Cafe Surfanista – One of my favourite spots to grab an organic gluten free breakfast or a healthy lunch is this retro surf cafe. Not only is the themed decor super cool, almost everything can be made gluten free. Just add gluten free toast, bread or granola depending on what you’re ordering and enjoy. The açaí bowls are the absolute best. It can get a little busy at the weekend, so arrive early to avoid the wait. If you’re plant-based or vegan, they also have a whole host of options on the menu. There is also a second location in Indialantic.
Juice N Java is a popular coffee shop in the centre of downtown Cocoa Beach. They’ve got a great choice of smoothies, gluten free wraps and desserts on offer. The chipotle chicken wrap is SO good, I can’t recommend it enough!
Gluten Free Ice Cream & Dessert
The Fat Donkey – Located in downtown Cocoa Beach this little spot is super cute. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, this is your place. The menu highlights gluten free options. All you have to do is make your choice, skip the waffle cone and enjoy. They’ve also got another spot in Indian Harbour Beach.
4th Street Fillin Station – Their dessert bar is simply awesome! You can pretty much build up the ice cream the way you want it from the choice of flavours, toppings and sauces. They even have boozy shakes so you can add your favourite tipple too and enjoy.
The Ice Cream Hut – This unassuming little hut serves up some tasty ice cream scoops, shakes and sundaes. But check the menu online beforehand. It has the allergen key listed for each flavour by location, there are a few around the area. It can get pretty crowded inside, so the menu can be hard to view. The Cocoa Beach spot has a large gluten free selection available.
Gluten Free Restaurants, Space Coast
The chances are if you’re visiting Cocoa Beach, you’ll explore some other areas of Florida’s Space Coast. So to help you plan, I’ve included some of my favourite gluten free options to check out while you’re gallivanting around the Space Coast.
Gluten Free Eau Gallie & Melbourne
Pineapples is a three-storey restaurant and rooftop bar with views overlooking the Indian River. They have two menus and multiple gluten free options. Their craft cocktails are also SO good! I recommend trying out the flight of tuna poke bowls washed down with one of their native cocktails, yum.
Intracoastal Brewing Company – A local brewery with gluten free options listed on the menu. They’ve got some ciders to choose from that are delicious, but if that’s not your thing they also have regular bar options.
Frigates is a tropical waterfront restaurant with a very varied menu. The menu shows both the gluten free items, and the dishes modified to accommodate. These include lettuce wraps instead of flour tortillas or a swap from regular to gluten free pasta. I’m slowly working my way through the menu; this place is a delight.
Bacco Wine Cafe is an authentic Italian restaurant with a great range of gluten free options. It’s on the small side, so reservations are required. The chef knows how to modify and prepare gluten free meals, avoiding cross contamination. This little gem is heaven.
Gluten Free Port Canaveral & Cape Canaveral
Rising Tide is a fun taproom with limited gluten free options. But they offer gluten free tacos, pizza and can omit a few things from their salads to make them suitable. It’s also a lively spot with entertainment, sports and a unique view overlooking Exploration Tower.
Rusty’s and Fishlips and Grills all have dedicated gluten free menus and really pay attention to the ordering process. They’re also good spots to watch the world go by at the port. Whether it’s a rocket launch, cruise ships settling sail, fishing boats, submarines or wildlife, there is always something to look out for.
For an upscale dining experience head to Sage Bistro in Cape Canaveral. Their scratch kitchen serves up tasty daily specials, alongside a fixed menu of beautifully prepared dishes. The chef can accommodate any allergies too. I highly recommend checking them out.
For more details on the Best Restaurants in Port & Cape Canaveral check out my guide!
Gluten Free Cocoa Village
Café Margaux – This well-established French restaurant has been in Cocoa Village for over three decades, so it’s a good one. Serving up delicious dishes the chef can accommodate gluten free requests and advise which menu items do not contain gluten. This is the spot to choose for an upscale dining experience or special occasion.
Pub Americana – a casual restaurant with gluten free pizza, pasta and dessert. It’s a great place to hang out and their location on the corner makes it a good people watching spot.
Map of Gluten Free Establishments
Disclaimer: Items labelled gluten free do NOT mean they’re celiac/coeliac safe. So always check with your server or manager at the establishment to ensure the food is safe for your needs.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope this has been a helpful guide to eating gluten free in Cocoa Beach. You can also check out the best bars in town. I’ll continue to update this guide as I try out more places around town. Have any other recommendations? Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram.
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Looking for more gluten free travel guides? Check out some food destination guides on the blog here.
It’s always so difficult to find gluten free food, so I will definitely be bearing this post in mind!
So happy to hear you’ve found it helpful 🙂
All of these Gluten Free options in Cocoa Beach look amazing! I love that you included something for everyone including coffee, dessert, and restaurants that you can visit in between. I will definitely be saving this for a future trip. Can’t wait to try them out!
I’m so happy to hear it’s been helpful. Hopefully you can try them out soon 🙂
This is such a comprehensive list of gluten-free options and is so important for people with dietary requirements. Your photos had me salivating over some of the places suggested, and now I’m starving! Cocoa Beach sounds lovely!
So glad you like the look of the options 🙂
These restaurants all look delicious, even for non-gluten free travelers! That board at 4th Street is calling my name!
That charcuterie and cheese board is amazing!
All these restaurant and cafe options are amazing! The food looks so delicious, and it’s great to know they offer gluten-free options. I had a gluten-free diet a few years ago, and I found it difficult as I couldn’t find many options.
It’s definitely hard and some places say gluten free when they’re cross-contaminated. Good thing is there are more and more options these days.
4th Street looks so good! I love fish tacos, but other than that I don’t eat too much meet, so I’m glad they have plenty of GF veggie options.
It’s definitely one of my favourite spots!