Unearth The Voyage
There is a spot in Cocoa Beach that used to pump gas and now pumps out some of the most talked-about food on Florida’s Space Coast. The building still carries that old-school garage character, with bay doors, industrial details, and a backyard patio that feels more like a neighborhood cookout than a restaurant.
The menu swings from breakfast burritos to blackened mahi tacos to homemade ice cream, and somehow it all works beautifully together. Whether you are a local looking for a new regular haunt or a visitor who wants something more interesting than a chain restaurant, this converted filling station is worth every minute of your time.
The Address and Location You Need to Know
Right at 382 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, you will find one of the most charming restaurant conversions on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The spot sits along North Orlando Avenue, which is a well-traveled road that connects the beach town to the rest of Brevard County.
The building does not try to hide its past. Old-school garage bones are everywhere, from the wide bay doors to the weathered exterior that gives the whole place a lived-in, welcoming feel.
Getting there is easy whether you are coming from Kennedy Space Center, the Cocoa Beach Pier, or just cruising down A1A. Parking can fill up fast on weekends, so arriving a little early is a smart move.
The destination earns its reputation as soon as you pull up and see the crowd spilling onto the patio.
From Gas Pumps to Gastrobar: The Conversion Story
Not every old gas station gets a second life this good. The building that now houses this beloved gastropub was once a working filling station, and the owners leaned hard into that history instead of covering it up.
The result is a space that feels genuinely original, not like a themed restaurant trying too hard to look cool. Exposed structural elements, garage-style bay doors that open to the outdoors, and a layout split between an ice cream parlor on one side and a full restaurant and bar on the other all come together in a way that feels intentional and fun.
The conversion has earned serious local loyalty since opening, racking up over 4,600 reviews on Google with a 4.7-star rating. That kind of community embrace does not happen by accident.
It happens when a place respects its roots while building something genuinely fresh.
The Outdoor Patio That Steals the Show
The back patio is the kind of outdoor space that makes you want to cancel your other plans. String lights hang overhead, fire tables glow on cooler evenings, and the whole setup is surrounded by enough greenery to make you forget you are sitting next to a parking lot.
There is plenty of shaded seating, which matters a lot when you are in Florida and the sun has opinions about your comfort. The space is large enough to host live music without feeling cramped, and local performers have played here on weekend evenings, adding a soundtrack to an already great meal.
Families with kids and guests with dogs are both welcome out here, which makes the patio genuinely inclusive in a way that not every restaurant manages. The vibe is relaxed and social, and it is easy to see why so many people end up staying much longer than they planned.
Breakfast That People Drive Across Town For
Mornings at this spot are serious business. The breakfast menu is stacked with options that go well beyond eggs and toast, and the kitchen clearly puts real effort into making the first meal of the day feel special.
The crabcakes Benedict is a standout, swapping the usual Canadian bacon for a generous crab cake that brings a coastal Florida twist to a classic brunch dish. The apple biscuit has its own fan base, and the breakfast poutine is the kind of unexpected menu item that makes you stop and say, wait, that actually sounds amazing.
The breakfast burrito is hearty and well-seasoned, the kind of thing that keeps you full through a long beach day. The kitchen opens at 7:30 AM every day of the week, which means early risers and post-sunrise surfers have a genuinely excellent option waiting for them just off the main road.
The Taco Game Is Seriously Strong Here
Few things on the menu generate as much enthusiasm as the tacos, and after trying them, the excitement makes complete sense. The blackened mahi taco is a masterclass in balance, with the smoky char of the fish playing off a bright, sweet mango salsa in a way that feels fresh and coastal.
The shrimp tacos have earned their own loyal following, with the seasoning hitting every note just right. Chicken tacos round out the lineup and hold their own against the seafood options, which is no small feat at a place this close to the ocean.
Each taco feels like it was built with actual thought behind it, not just protein tossed into a shell. The tortillas are soft, the toppings are generous without being sloppy, and the portion sizes leave you satisfied without that heavy, overstuffed feeling that some taco spots deliver by accident.
Burgers and Sandwiches Worth Talking About
The burger and sandwich section of the menu is where comfort food gets a serious upgrade. The Black and Blue Smash Burger brings together bold flavors with a satisfying, crispy-edged patty that delivers on the promise of a proper smashburger experience.
The 4th Street Dip is essentially the restaurant’s take on a French dip sandwich, and it has quickly become one of the most-ordered items on the menu. The beef is tender, the bread holds up well to the au jus, and the whole thing has that deeply savory quality that makes you want to order it every single visit.
The Mahi sandwich also gets consistent praise for being flavorful and fresh, which fits the coastal Florida setting perfectly. With this many strong options in one section of the menu, picking just one sandwich feels like a real challenge that most guests solve by planning a return visit immediately.
The Sides and Snacks That Steal Bites
The sides at this place are not an afterthought. The charred edamame has become something of a cult favorite, with that smoky, slightly caramelized exterior making it far more interesting than a standard steamed preparation.
Yucca fries show up on a lot of tables, and for good reason. They come out hot and crispy with a soft interior, and they pair well with almost everything else on the menu.
The elote, or Mexican street corn, is described as sensational by regulars, and the seasoning is generous and well-balanced.
Even the classic French fries hold their own and come out consistently good. Having this many solid side options means that building a full meal out of small plates is completely doable, and some guests do exactly that.
The kitchen handles both the adventurous and the familiar with equal confidence, which keeps the whole table happy no matter who is ordering.
Bowls, Vegan Options, and Menu Variety
One of the things that sets this spot apart from typical gastropubs is how seriously it takes menu variety. The bulgogi bowl brings a Korean-inspired flavor profile to a Florida beach town menu, and it works surprisingly well given the coastal setting.
Vegan guests have genuinely good options here beyond the token veggie burger. Cauliflower tacos, street corn, and other plant-forward dishes are made with real ingredients rather than processed substitutes, which earns consistent appreciation from plant-based eaters who are used to being an afterthought on most menus.
The kitchen also marks gluten-free options clearly throughout the menu, which takes real pressure off guests who need to navigate dietary restrictions. Having a menu that genuinely serves families with different needs without making anyone feel like they settled is rarer than it should be, and this place pulls it off with a natural ease that feels refreshing rather than performative.
Homemade Ice Cream That Lingers in Your Memory
The ice cream parlor side of the building deserves its own spotlight. The homemade ice cream here is the kind that stays in your memory long after the visit ends, with flavors and textures that feel genuinely crafted rather than scooped from a commercial tub.
The campfire dessert has developed a devoted following, and the strawberry shortcake creation is the kind of thing people return specifically to order again. On cooler Florida evenings, sitting near one of the fire tables with a scoop of something rich and sweet is a surprisingly perfect way to end a night out.
The monster peanut butter cup shake and the monster cookie sundae are on the more indulgent end of the dessert menu, and both are worth every calorie. Even guests who have eaten dinner elsewhere have been known to stop in just for dessert, which says everything about the quality of what the kitchen is turning out.
The Atmosphere After Dark
Once the sun goes down, the energy at this place shifts into something genuinely special. The fire tables glow across the back patio, the string lights overhead create a warm canopy effect, and the whole space takes on a relaxed, social atmosphere that is hard to replicate.
Live music has been part of the evening experience here, with local musicians playing on the patio and setting a tone that feels festive without being overwhelming. The vibe skews more neighborhood gathering than loud party scene, which makes it appealing to a wide range of guests including those who want a fun night out without the chaos.
The kitchen stays open until 11 PM on weeknights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which means late-night food options are genuinely available rather than just technically on the menu. That late-night dessert run is very much a real possibility here, and it is absolutely worth making.
Family and Dog Friendly Details
Bringing the whole family here, including the four-legged members, is genuinely welcome and not just tolerated. The outdoor patio accommodates dogs comfortably, and the relaxed atmosphere means kids are not out of place even on busier evenings.
The menu has enough options to keep picky eaters happy, with kids’ cheeseburgers and chicken strips that come out consistently good rather than like an afterthought designed to quiet a child while the adults eat. The space is designed with movement in mind, so families can spread out, explore the different areas, and find a setup that works for their group.
Games are scattered throughout the space, adding an interactive element that keeps younger guests engaged between courses. The combination of good food, a welcoming layout, and a staff that genuinely seems to enjoy the company of all types of guests makes this a rare find on the Florida coast for families traveling with mixed-age groups.
Service That People Actually Notice
Good service is the kind of thing that elevates an already solid meal into a genuinely memorable experience, and the staff here seem to understand that. Multiple guests have specifically called out servers by name in their reviews, which is the clearest possible signal that the service is personal and attentive rather than just functional.
Servers here are known for making menu recommendations confidently, which is a real help at a spot with as many options as this one. Being guided toward the right local beer or the best taco combination by someone who actually knows the menu takes the guesswork out of the experience entirely.
The friendliness feels organic rather than scripted, and that makes a difference. A busy Friday night with a packed patio is exactly the kind of scenario where service can fall apart, but the staff here consistently keeps up with the pace without losing the personal touch that regulars clearly appreciate.
Hours, Pricing, and Planning Your Visit
Planning a visit here is pretty straightforward once you know the schedule. The kitchen opens at 7:30 AM every day of the week, which covers the breakfast and brunch crowd without making anyone set an early alarm.
Weeknight closing time is 11 PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays the doors stay open until midnight.
Pricing falls in the moderate range, marked as two dollar signs on Google, which means a full meal with sides and dessert is very reasonable without feeling like a budget compromise. The quality-to-price ratio is one of the things that keeps locals coming back regularly rather than treating it as a special occasion destination.
The phone number for the restaurant is 321-613-2462, and the full menu along with any updates can be found at www.4thstreetfillinstation.com. Reservations are worth considering for larger groups, especially on weekend evenings when the patio fills up quickly and the wait can stretch longer than expected.
What Makes It Stand Out From Other Cocoa Beach Spots
Cocoa Beach has no shortage of places to eat, but most of them fall into predictable categories. Seafood shacks, chain restaurants, and tourist-trap menus dominate a lot of the landscape, which makes finding something with genuine personality and consistent quality feel like a real win.
This spot earns its reputation by doing several things simultaneously that most restaurants only manage one at a time. The food is creative without being pretentious, the atmosphere is distinctive without being gimmicky, and the menu serves everyone from serious foodies to kids who want chicken strips.
The building’s history as a gas station gives it a story that no new construction can replicate, and the owners have used that story well. Regulars who have been coming for over a decade and first-time visitors who stumble in on a whim both tend to leave with the same reaction, which is that they will absolutely be back.
