Came here once with my girlfriend who was visiting me as I'm down here for work, and I simply had to introduce this place to my colleagues. The charm of this restaurant is undeniable.
Our server, Genevieve, was one of the most informative and delightful parts of our experience. Although the menu is refreshingly small, having a tour guide navigate us through the intricacies of each dish was an immense luxury. She presented her knowledge with confident but never haughty poise, and had each and every one of us drooling over the food with her vivid oral descriptions. We had many questions to ask her, and she always was happy to oblige and inform. Quite simply, Genevieve was one of the best servers I have ever had.
The highlights of the menu at the Fat Snook for me and my friends were (be prepared to pick off each other's plate because everyone will be jealous of each other's order when it comes out):
1) The salmon rillettes on the seafood charcuterie. This little spread of salmon (also topped with a paste of smoked mussels on top) will knock you off your feet). MUST try.
2) She Crab soup: One of the best soups you will every try. I have never had a bisque that so purely caught the essence of the shellfish (be it lobster or crab) that it contained. Pair that pure crab essence with a subtle sweetness from the white mirepoix (a base foundation of the soup made of leeks, onions, and celery) and sherry and you have a glorious celebration that truly elevates the aforementioned "essence of the crab".
3) Ink polenta: This was on our rotating catch of the day option and was served with polenta. The texture and richness of the polenta made me truly jealous of my colleague.
4) Seared Scallops: All scallops should be cooked this way.
5) Duck breast: Cooked to perfection and served on top a luscious bed of pureed parsnip (think the creamiest and smoothest mashed potato you've ever had with heaps of less starch and a tasteful edge of sweetness). What's interesting was the duck breast was also plated next to chunks of its skin deep fried to a crispy perfection.
6) Key lime pie: This was my favorite Key lime pie of all time. The crust is the true winner for this pie: they use a house made blend of almonds, toasted coconut, cacao, and graham cracker and it really adds a dimension of richness but tasteful complexity to an already classic dish.
This is easily the best restaurant in the Cocoa Beach / Melbourne area. We have eaten at practically all the big names around here, and no establishment held a candle to the Fat Snook. Unfortunately, as I am writing this, this will be my last day down in Melbourne for work. I wish we had discovered this place earlier during the past 10 weeks we were here, but I sincerely hope I can return to this gem one day.
This place was amazing. I rarely see such attention to detail. From inspecting and hand drying each glass out of the dishwasher to the vivid descriptions of the menu items, no detail was overlooked. I went in thinking I had to get seafood, and I did for the appetizer with a wonderful cape Canaveral royal red shrimp dish, but the pork ribeye was too inventive to pass on. It had a mango cabbage slaw for a bright light element, a habanero plantain purée for the creamy notes, a white barbecue sauce, and some toasted granola for crunch. Combine that with the perfectly cooked juicy pork sliced into tenderloins and seared to a light crisp on the outside, and this is a dish to come back for before the seasonal menu changes. My wife got catch #2 which featured an Asian style sesame soy crusted mahi seared to perfection, served over sautéed root vegetables and radishes with a table-side dashi broth. Again, an excellent dish and worth going back for. Dessert did not disappoint as I went with their signature key lime pie with the perfect amount of tartness and a crisp yet light spiced almond/coconut/graham crust. It was topped off with a mile high mound of meringue which managed to not be eggy at all. My wife went with the flourless chocolate torte with peanut and a banana creme anglaise that hit all the notes you’d expect from a rich dessert. If you haven’t made the drive out to cocoa beach from Orlando, THIS place is the reason to do it. We will definitely be back.
The food was deliciously genius, the absolute best meal and dessert I had during my entire vacation! Not only was the food amazing but the entire staff was warm & friendly. They were all so welcoming and able to describe everything on the menu with great detail. I can't wait to come back!!
The food was phenomenal...no exaggeration, by far THE best I've had in a looooong time, and the staff was so friendly! My husband and I went for our anniversary and they had a card signed from the staff waiting on our table when we got there for our reservation and the kitchen staff even added a little "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate sauce on our dessert plate. We had a great anniversary dinner thanks to The Fat Snook!
This place is the best of the best! My mouth waters just thinking about it!!! A must to dine here if you are in the cocoa beach area!!!
We moved to Brevard 2 years ago and I cannot believe we just dined here. By far, this is the most thoughtfully prepared menu I have encountered on the coast! Our server was well versed, the attention to detail was meticulous and the environment was comfortable and welcoming. Best place to celebrate an achievement. We will definitely return!
We had a really great meal. The duck was one of the best that I have ever tasted. I also thought that the flavors were so complex and my husband really loved the grouper. All around it was a pricey meal but it warranted it with the flavors and the presentation. I will be back!
Last night we came to celebrate our wedding anniversary... So far the best meal we both have ever had... the food was amazing! Every single dish was so unique and creative! The service was 5 stars! Thank you "The Fat Snook" for making our special date so magnificent!
We made a reservation for a Saturday night we were in Cocoa beach and it wasn't disappointing. The food and service was excellent. Highly recommend this place.
The best food and intimate atmosphere.
The duck was awesome
service was impeccable.
This not a spend $50 dinner but well worth every penny especially for special occasions.
One of the finest meals I've ever eaten. We had the Charcuterie, so fresh, seasonal and perfectly paired. The staff was friendly and very helpful, answering all of our questions.
The best place for a special evening, the service and food is always top notch
Fresh food with the most unique tastes. Best food EVER every time we visit. A true gem with professional staff, relaxing and a chic ambiance! Everything is FRESH from the farm. Must order at least one daily special and if they are offering the watermelon salad be sure to place your offer immediately to get one! Got to the restaurant and received a birthday card signed by the entire staff. This is a a true dinning experience. Thank you!
Absolutely amazing, presentation was fantastic! Atmosphere was so relaxing and the tastes were like nothing I’ve had before definitely a must. The staff were awesome and attentive and knowledgeable! Thank you �
I am convinced that Jesus Christ himself is a chef here!! Our server was excellent and guided us meticulously through the extravagant menu. For the appetizer, we went with the crab spring roll special which was so crispy and saucy with a corn and sweet chili sauce. For the entrees, we chose the fresh catch fish and the creole seasoned shrimp and scallops. For a side, we went with the cornbread which was smothered in butter that complemented it perfectly. Everything was cooked to perfection and the meals had never ending flavors that brought it all together. This was one of the best meals we ever had and it was worth every penny.
If you've been looking for a culinary dining experience with superb service, look no further. You must try The Fat Snook. What an absolute delight!! Happy hour is Monday through Friday 4-6. Be sure to make a reservation. They do have indoor and outdoor seating. Ok, what are you waiting for...make that reservation...you won't be disappointed!
Hands down the absolute best restaurant in Cocoa Beach. Family owned and operated with outstanding service. The food will leave you speechless because the flavors in each bite are endless. And not to forget, their wine selection, WOW!
We decided to find a local place for our anniversary dinner. This was truly a gem and it made for such a beautiful dinner. Tanner was our server, he is wonderful. Loves his job and loves providing excellent customer service. We had the steak and snapper special. With a side of corn bread. Absolutely delicious. Thank you for the kind note, special drink and experience. We will be back again. Tanner you’re the best.
The Fat Snook, 2464 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931
5 Stars
***New BBDO Numero Uno***
After hearing nothing but good things about The Fat Snook in Cocoa Beach, I was excited when the name spewed from my random name generator. Other than hearing the food was delectable, I also read that they have been dedicated to supporting local food purveyors...no Industrial Food Service? I'm so there!
Gina is the waiter this evening, and let me tell you, she is incredible. She is now the new Number One server for the 3Q with a month to go. Game over. Thanks for playing. Gina performed her duties as one who truly loves helping people explore dining at its finest and not one under the guise of an ancient wedbedrip. My only regret is that I did not record her exemplary performance as a lesson to all who come after her. From menu knowledge to effective food presentation, Gina had it all. Maybe it helped that the food was so good, but I have a sneaky feeling Gina could turn a dining experience at your local Waffle House into a black-tie affair, though I find it hard to believe she would spend any amount of time jousting with an unreasonable customer request.
I asked Gina for one order of the Yellow Fin Tuna and the Amber Jack Sriracha Mussels. Before I even try to describe the array of flavors laid before me, could you look at the pictures? If I rated on presentation alone, this would be 5 Stars, and I would be done. However, as we all know, all I care about is execution. Hey, someone has to taste this stuff!
One bite of the Yellow Fin, and I knew I was in the presence of a master chef. I have rarely had any fish taste so extraordinary. The combination of the fresh vegetables and mandarin oranges assured me I had left the ordinary and stepped into the fine dining promised land. I don't know how else to explain it other than it was otherworldly, complex, delightful, and comprised of flavors I didn't know could be combined to achieve such edible bliss.
Forcing myself to move on, I placed a forkful of the Amber Jack into my mouth and died a little right there. If the Yellow Fin was all that, this was the bag of chips. The chef used an orange peel to offset the heat of the sriracha and in so doing turned a mild fish into a dazzling array of flavor layers you would expect to find in a Big City seafood joint as opposed to mild-mannered Brevard County.
The Big Boy says, “Hands down, new Number One. You need to go. They book through Open Table. Ask for Gina.”
Had a marvelous Birthday Dinner there in March with my hubby. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. The staff was very attentive and helped to celebrate my birthday nicely. We will definitely be back.
Five star food - the service was rough, but they were busy and might have been short staffed.
Date night - started with the Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs - they were awesome. They brought us an amuse bouche of some kind of tuna tartare, not entirely sure, but it was great.
She had the Yellowtail/fin Tuna special with red pepper succotash, I had the Swordfish over a sriracha sauce with potatoes. I tried both, the tuna was better. Both were described as locally sourced and fresh.
Food was reasonably priced, drinks were a little on the steep end. They serve still and sparkling water, both from glass bottles. No plastics in sight if that's your thing.
I'd absolutely recommend The Fat Snook for a date night. Small complaint - it's super loud in there. But it's a small joint with wooden floors and sparse walls, so everything echoes.
One last note - there was an extra tip line for the Kitchen staff. They describe their kitchen as a "scratch kitchen" which is a nice buzzword I hear all over these days. I don't mind tipping to the kitchen, and gave them 10% over the 20% for our waitress - but I'm deducting a star because obviously tipping is getting wild now, and I'd prefer to know the staff were getting a living wage rather than relying on additional "optional" tips. If staff is getting a full living wage, put that on the receipt so I'm not sitting there scratching my head on what the right thing to do is. In retrospect I should have given the kitchen 20% and the waitress 10%. /shrug
Oh, and parking is a bit of an issue. But what are you gonna do? Nbd.
Still a big recommend.
Fantastic. We were able to secure an easy reservation by booking on OpenTable. Upon arrival, the staff was super friendly and seated us right away. Our server did a fantastic job of going over the specials and explaining the dishes. Our food arrived faster than any other fine dining restaurant I have ever been to. The presentation was incredible. The sauce in the red snapper dish was slightly spicy. I loved it, but maybe a bit much for my wife. The shrimp and scallops over dirty rice was outstanding. Every part of the dish was delicious. Dessert was great as well and arrived in minutes.
I just want to focus on the service for a moment. This place gets it. This was the best service I have experienced in a very long time. The whole staff worked as one unit. Our drinks were never empty. We felt at home from start to finish. Various staff members wished us a good evening when leaving, including holding the door open for us.
If you're looking for a great dining experience in Cocoa Beach, this is your spot without question.
Went on a Wednesday evening. Parking is a bit hectic in the front. Service was exceptional and food was phenomenal. I really enjoyed their freshly made mango iced tea. For apps, my favorite were the mussels, crab cake special and the scallops. Would personally forgo the oysters next time as a oyster lover. Main course was the poblano pesto shrimp and it was amazing!! The grits are so creamy and buttery and the chorizo oil they drizzle over is to die for. Would def recommend.
I was crushed that they were out of Tepache, it was one of the intriguing items that brought me. The amuse bouche was creamy and savory. The cook on the Jerk Shrimp was perfect but could have used a dash more salt. No notes on the Creole, fantastic, I would go back just for another bowl.
We ate here for the first time tonight. It was so fabulous! We showed up without a reservation and the said they were full, but then Jansen chased us down in the parking lot to tell us they would fit us in. We’ve never had such amazing service in our life! Casey was our server and he was so amazing! He was so knowledgeable about all of the cuisines! He was unbelievable attentive. If you would like to visit a high end restaurant while in Cocoa Beach, this place is amazing!
Absolutely fantastic restaurant. The service exceptional, the wait staff loves what they do & it shows. They are energetic foodies who have a passion for all aspects of the industry. The menu is creative with a fine balance of seafood, vegetables & meat dishes. Their Key Lime Pie is the best I've ever had with s meringue like Elvis's pompadore hairdo. Whenever we have a special occasion or friends visit from out of town, this place is a must!
Fancy restaurant with amazing food, but you don’t have to dress fancy. Neat experience! The food is always fantastic. They rotate their specials about once a quarter.
My favorite is the Poblano Pesto Shrimp on Pumpkin Cheese Grits. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced!
Amazing fine dining quality food in an unpretentious, relaxed, casual, quiet atmosphere. Food is fresh, and every dish is creative, tasty, and put together carefully and artfully. Service is superb. The best restaurant I've ever tried in the Space Coast area. Highly recommended!
We called ahead and reserved a patio table for 5. However, when we arrived, they had set a table for us inside. We asked if we could move outside and they quickly shuffled things around for us. We ordered a bottle of white wine which was fantastic. We split several appetizers like the scallops, the brussel sprouts, but the winner was the shrimp spring rolls! I ordered one of the market catches was red snapper but others enjoyed many other entrees. My fish was so flaky and enjoyable, the sauce was a little too spicy for my taste tho! We finished up with the flourless torte which was also delicious but we wished there was more of that chai ice cream with it! All in all a good meal and DJ was a great attentive server!
Family feel to the place starting with the awesome service. We had a reservation and arrived 15 minutes early. They said they weren't quite ready (which we were expecting, we were early), but they were very apologetic (even though they didn't need to be!) and offered to show us the patio to see if we wanted to sit out there - it was a nice night so we did, and didn't regret it! Quiet, nice breeze, didn't notice bugs, and surrounded by nice plants. (First weekend in Sept).
Food was fantastic, very tasty. Only knock I could give was that the portion sizes may be a bit small for the price, but quality and taste made up for it. Good selection of wines, they do not serve liquor.
It was our anniversary and they gave us a nice card that was signed by the staff, and customized our dessert to say "Happy Anniversary". A very nice touch on a lovely evening. Highly recommend!
From start to finish our dining experience at the fat snuck was absolutely amazing. We started out with the blue crab spring roll and it was fantastic. I got the catch number two which was snapper in a coconut sriracha sauce, mussels and fingerling potatoes. On the side I got the cornbread to soak up the sauce. My wife got the creole shrimp and scallops, the flavors of New Orleans in a dish. We finished the meal with the mile high meringue key lime pie. There are now words on how good it was. Our server Tanner made our experience even better, he was knowledgeable and entertaining and made great recommendations. The Fat Snook is in our top 10 dining experiences of all time.
Our waitress was very nice, explained the meals with great detail. The food was exceptionally good, fresh quality ingredients , amazing flavor. Well worth the money spent. Oh and it was my husband's birthday and they were so nice to give him a personally written birthday card signed by everyone who works there, nice little touch that didn't go unnoticed and was very much appreciated!
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