Renowned for its rocket launches, bioluminescence and stunning beaches, the Space Coast attracts some famous visitors. More are likely to come as Brevard was just named among the top 10 places to visit in North America and the Caribbean in 2025 by Conde Nast Traveler.
And to satisfy their hunger, celebrities often seek out local favorites. If you want to follow in the culinary footsteps of the famous, here’s what you need to know.
Where billionaires Musk, Bezos dined in Brevard
After the Jan. 16 maiden launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, billionaire Jeff Bezos and crew dined at the Country Cookin’ Diner in Port St. John. Bezos, who owns Blue Origin, ate the pancake combo, with two eggs over medium and a sausage patty. “He tipped well. He was very generous,” waitress Pam Pollock said.
In 2023, Bezos dined at El Leoncito in Titusville, feasting on dinner with his fiancée Lauren Sanchez. The Mexican restaurant has long been a go-to for watching rocket launches at nearby Kennedy Space Center. Blue Origin’s expansive campus is not too far away, just outside the gates to KSC.
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SpaceX founder Elon Musk and his bodyguards were spotted at the Five Guys in West Melbourne in 2020. After a scrubbed launch, Musk was seen at the fast food restaurant, charging his Tesla and getting burgers to-go.
More:Coming soon to Brevard: Casual take-out in Cocoa Village
Florida roots: where surfing legends and a soccer star pop up
In 2016, as part of a Space Coast Office of Tourism-commissioned program, soccer star Ashlyn Harris, known for her contributions to the Orlando Pride and the U.S. Women’s National Team, enjoyed lunch at Yellow Dog Cafe in Malabar. Harris is a Cocoa Beach native and was a Satellite High soccer star.
Astronaut Winston Scott, who lives in Melbourne and is associated with Florida Tech, has been spotting having lunch at Fat Kahuna in Cocoa Beach.
Brevard native and former professional surfer C.J. Hobgood has been seen dining at Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar at Port Canaveral.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater, a Cocoa Beach native, recently made an appearance in Cocoa Beach signing copies of his new book, A Life of Waves, at Café Surfinista, 86 N. Orlando Ave.
Backstreet Boys’ Howie D, who lives in Indian Harbour Beach, dined and performed at Urban Prime Restaurant last year, according to multiple social media posts. His visit added a touch of celebrity allure to the upscale restaurant.
More:Recalling the charms of some of Brevard’s much-missed eateries, bars
Celebrity television personalities visit Brevard
The host of the show “My Lottery Dream House,” David Bromstad was spotted at Doubles Beachside in Satellite Beach in December. Bromstad studied design at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota and is a former Walt Disney World cast member where he worked as an illustrator.Back in 2014, Chef Emeril Lagasse sampled many of Brevard’s beloved staples, including Yellow Dog Café in Malabar, Fat Snook in Cocoa Beach and Café Margaux in Cocoa Village to film “Emerald’s Florida” on The Food Network. There were also reports on social media that Lagasse was spotted at the Café Coconut Cove in Melbourne Beach.
Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY’s food and dining reporter. Reach her at aolesen@floridatoday.com.
