Hampton Inn Melbourne-Viera

MM 920 Anchorage

by grandmaR

We've been to marinas twice in Melbourne, but most of the time we just anchor - usually near the Eau Galle Bridge. Almost anywhere on the Indian River is appropriate for anchoring. Last time, we anchored about mile marker 920 behind Crab Point off Melbourne Beach about 1320. The wind was 10-20 knots from the east - we were as close to
shore as we could get.

Also around Mile 903 you can anchor almost anywhere out of the channel along the river in the Melbourne area and north.

seafood

by doug48 about the shack

the shack has been a palm bay institution for a number of years. located on US 1 in palm bay the shack offers a beautiful view of the indian river. this old florida style restaurant offers local seafood and typical american fare. one of the better seafood restaurants in the melbourne area.

Now, for all of you less adventurous....

by Dancer_75 about Some familiar names and not so familiar names...

Soups and Sandwiches:
Aloha Eatery
260 N.Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL
321-751-0999
credit cards accepted $10.00USD PP

I love the restaurant. It has hawaiian decor and the food is really good! The owners are so delightful and pleasant to visit! They are open for breakfast and lunch. If they have coconut cream pie, definitely try a piece or take it to go!

Atlanta Bread Company
3696 N.Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL
242-8655
credit cards accepted $10.00USD PP
www.atlantabreadcompany.com

It is a chain, but none the less, very nice. Try the chicken pesto panini. Great place to grab a sandwich.

Panera
4100 N.Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL
321-259-2055
credit cards accepted $10.00USD PP
www.panera.com

Very similar to the one above. Very nice pasteries and bagels. The sandwiches and salads are very nice and the atmosphere is nice to wind down to, for a lunch hour, during a hectic work day.

Pizza:
Bizzaro
4 Wave Crest Ave
Indialantic, FL
321-724-4799
credit cards accepted $5-10USD PP

Here's the thing...Service not so great. Like the soup nazi from Seinfeld LOL. You are in a line, and they take your order...but..they pizza is like NY, and that is hard to find. Everybody knows NY pizza is the best! I just smile, give my order and enjoy my pizza.

Pizza Hut
3214 Lake Washington Rd
Melbourne, FL
321-253-0700
credit cards accepted $10+USD
www.pizzahut.com

International chain, recognized by most. This can be found in different locations across Melbourne, so call or go on the site and you will find a good location for you.

UNO Chicago Grill
8260 N.Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL
321-255-1400
credit cards accepted $10.00USD PP
www.unochicagogrill.com

Best deep dish pizza! Like Chicago!

Italian:
Carrabbas
7620 N.Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL
321-253-0991
credit cards accepted $10.00USD PP
www.carrabbas.com

An Italian restaurant chain that still tries to maintain it's traditional cooking, verses the standard American way. The bread is very nice to start out your meal. Olive Garden
2508 New Haven
Melbourne, FL
321-722-2204
credit cards accepted $10-20USD PP
www.olivegarden.com

Okay, okay...this is the American version of Italian food. Like I said, it is for those who like to stay safe with what they know.

.
Steakhouses:
Texas Roadhouse
425 E Eau Gallie Blvd
Indian Harbour Beach, FL
321-773-3220
credit cards accepted $10-25USD PP
www.texasroadhouse.com

This steakhouse is very good if you enjoy a good steak. What I love most about this one is the rolls that come out before your food. They melt in your mouth and are served with cinnamon butter. You should order a bakers dozen before you leave!

Roadhouse Grill
1700 Evans Road
Melbourne, FL
321-728-1023
credit cards accepted $10-25USD PP
www.roadhousegrill.com

This is very familiar to the one above. What most people like about this restaurant is all the peanut shells on the floor. You can eat peanuts from a barrel and leave the shells on the floor. You can also watch the cooks prepare the meat. The rolls are also delicious here, along with a messy sundea after dinner if you have room.

Outback Steakhouse
4651 NE Babcock Rd
Melbourne, FL
321-722-0903
credit cards accepted $10-25USD PP
www.outbacksteakhouse.com

This is a well known, again, American version of Australia grilling. It is a chain all over the country. I really enjoy the ceasar salad and the Alice Springs Chicken, which I alter. Good steaks for you carnivores.

National/International chains:
Applebees
3001 W.Eau Gallie
Melbourne, FL
321-242-3071
credit cards accepted $10-20USD PP
www.applebees.com

Bennigans
900 S.Apollo Blvd
321-727-1180
credit cards accepted $10-20USD PP
www.bennigans.com

Boston Market
2450 N.Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL
321-254-6549
credit cards accepted $5-10USD PP
www.bostonmarket.com

Chilis
955 N.Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL
321-757-9449
credit cards accepted $5-15USD PP
www.chilis.com

Melbourne Art Festival

by jadedmuse

Not exactly international reknown, but the Melbourne Art Festival (held every year around the last weekend in April) does gather its share of people - and not just from the proverbial neighborhood.

5th Avenue (the main "downtown" drag) is closed off to traffic, while food pavilions, stages for live musical performances, and of course the reason for the season - the ARTISTS themselves - all line up along the street for a browsing bonanza. You can usually find some great buys on local artwork and artisanry from not only Melbourne locals, but from artists who come in for the Show from all over the United States (usually the Southeast).

It's a really nice way to spend the day.

For more info on the Art Festival, check out their website below.

Beach vacation one hour from ORLANDO

by gkitzmil

"Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Satellite Beach"

Melbourne becomes somewhat of the "locator" for a host of small communities that neighbor one another. Melbourne is NOT on the beach but is on the Indian River. it is a nice sleepy community with a somewhat rehabed 'downtown.' Neighboring Melbourne Beach is across the River which is part of the intercoastal waterway, and adjoins Indialantic, Indian Harbor Beach and stretches to Satellite Beach. If we consider beachfront hotels they can be in Indialantic or Indian Harbor Beach. Area restaurants are five minute apart but in different municipalities. It seems silly to place them in each little area but some I have placed in both. I started coming here in about 1988 and am here over 20 years later. There is a rougher part called West Melbourne but you won't be going there on vacation.

Overall this is a friendly beach community. There are Four major oceanfront hotels. Many local restaurants, some are staples: Bunky's!, the Cove, Bonefish Willie in Eau Gallie (across the causeway), Islands Grille, Megan O'Mally's Irish pub, and more.

a few things were blown away in 2005 but still sun, sand, seafood, and some are slowly returning

"more soon, I promise"