Welcome to Nautical Cafe
Nestled at 205 Ocean Ave in Melbourne Beach, FL, Nautical Cafe is a hidden culinary gem that celebrates authentic Cuban cuisine. Loved for its charming outdoor seating and welcoming atmosphere, this café has garnered rave reviews for its mouthwatering offerings. From the highly recommended Cuban sandwiches to the perfectly fried fish and chips, each dish bursts with flavor. Guests rave about unique options such as lentil and sweet plantain empanadas, expertly crafted to please both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. With reasonable prices and delightful cafecitos, Nautical Cafe is a must-visit spot for locals and beachgoers seeking an unforgettable dining experience.
- 205 Ocean Ave, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, United States Hotline: +1 321-372-6498
Nautical Cafe is a delightful culinary destination nestled at 205 Ocean Ave in Melbourne Beach, Florida. This charming eatery boasts a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, perfect for locals and visitors alike seeking a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine. With a menu that sings with rich flavors and fresh ingredients, Nautical Cafe quickly establishes itself as a must-visit haven for food lovers.
One of the standout features of Nautical Cafe is its extensive range of offerings, from the golden-brown loaded tostones to the indulgent Cuban sandwich that has earned rave reviews from patrons. Customers, like Dez Lezotte, proudly recommend their Cuban sandwich alongside crunchy empanadas filled with lentils and sweet plantains. These curated food experiences capture the essence of Cuban flavor, allowing diners to savor a blend of traditional recipes and home-style cooking.
The allure of this café is not just in its food, but also in its welcoming service and reasonable pricing. Julia Fuller notes the fantastic service and shaded outdoor seating, making it an ideal spot to unwind. This combination creates an inviting dining atmosphere, where guests can actually enjoy their meals while basking in the Floridian sun.
Another highlight is the cortadito—a Cuban coffee that's deeply loved by many visitors. Miguel Suero suggests it be paired with a guava empanada for a perfect day by the beach. The high quality of the food, such as the perfectly fried flounder in the fish and chips enjoyed by Briana Silva, indicates that Nautical Cafe prioritizes freshness and flavor in all its dishes.
Despite its limited seating, Nautical Cafe has carved out a space in the hearts of its patrons. Each dish reflects the rich Cuban culture with a twist, enticing guests to return time and again. Regulars like Franca Cairns emphasize the café's charm, describing it as a culinary gem that deserves recognition beyond its humble location.
So, whether you're craving a comforting Cuban sandwich, crispy tostones, or a sweet empanada to finish your meal, Nautical Cafe promises to deliver an unforgettable dining experience that encapsulates the spirit of Cuban cuisine with every bite.

Love this place! I’ve had many things here, and here are our must haves: loaded tostones (pictured), Cuban sandwich, cortadito (Cuban coffee), lentil and sweet plantain empanada. Enjoy!

The food, service, cafecitos are all fantastic & prices are very reasonable. Great people. Shaded outdoor seating. Love this little place!

Love the Nautical Cafe-Delicious Cuban Sandwich, fish & chips & plantains-the chicken empanadas were full of fresh chicken and the cafe con leche was perfect. Service was fast, friendly & welcoming. We will definitely be back

the food is great. very fresh made. the empanadas very crunchy fresh made. i recommend start with a cuban sandwich and a cortadito. then a guava empanada. the hall family gets something and it was just like 50 and some change. definitely will be my place to grab a bite before i go to the beach.

By chance, we saw this small restaurant, the most beautiful and clearly Hispanic food. We tried the empanadas, my favorite is guava and cheese. Today we stopped again and the lady recommended me the one with lentils and maduros... and I loved them, very tasty. I really recommend you visit them and try!

We had a flounder fish and chips today. The fish was fried perfecting and the batter was light and crispy. We also enjoyed the cole slaw which was lightly dressed and peppery and their fries were also very tasty. Also a great price. We will be back to try their Cuban sandwiches.

The Nautical Cafe is a true gem of a Cuban cafe in Melbourne Beach. You'd be hard pressed to find better Cuban food in Miami, Tampa or Havana. They have a lot of the classics along with a few unusual items like lentil/plantain empanadas. There's a good selection of vegetarian options and the tostones are some of the best I've ever had, crunchy on the outside and creamy inside. Seating is very limited and is all outside, although there is a good amount of shade.

We stayed at the B and B next door. Came for lunch 3 times. I’m a foodie and this was excellent. The Cuban sandwich was our hands down favourite. Andrea is beautiful inside and out. We will be back!