Grills Riverside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar
6075 US 1, Melbourne, FL, 32940
Grills Riverside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar Menu
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Address :
6075 US 1
Melbourne, FL, 32940 - Phone (321) 242-8999
- Website https://www.grillsseafood.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Jeremiah P.
Great place to grab a bite to eat. It's a little pricey for some of the 'better' food options, but I love their catch of the day and shark platters. Very well seasoned, very good selection to choose from, and awesome location. I'm a local and I'd recommend this place if you're looking for a relaxed, non-dressy place to eat. We also get take-out from here when we need something yummy, but we just don't feel like going out. Reasons it didn't get a 5-star from me: - Prices could be a bit more reasonable. - Consistency of the food from time to time. When I order a large salad w/ Tuna steak, I don't expect to get something different each time....
(4)Michelle P.
I'll start by saying the food was amazing. The lunch platter of grilled fish was more than plenty and a great discount price!! We got the tuna rare and it was cooked perfectly. The sides that it included were varied and large portions. All the other plates of food that were ordered looked good. I tried the shark appetizer and it was yummy. The hostess was less than friendly. We wanted to sit outside but she said no even though there were tables. Then we requested a view and she said that every place had a view and proceeded to put us in a corner in the back as far away from the windows as possible and with obviously no view. And this is with the restaurant less than half full. So we requested moving closer to the window and she gave a face that clearly said she wasn't happy with us. Were we asking to much? I don't think so. Good food. Good waitress. Terrible first impression with the hostess.
(3)Casey P.
We had a really good experience at the restaurant in Palm Shores. We stopped in after a terrific river tour at Good Natured Tours right next door. The waitress was one of the best servers I have ever had. She was taking the orders of a big party when we came in. She asked another waitress to let us know she would be with us as fast as she could. I found that professional and courteous of her. She stayed on top of our drinks and got all of orders correct. We ordered the wings (really good!), the Steak Kabobs (husband liked them), a Spicy Asian Shrimp Salad (I really enjoyed it), and a Key Lime Colada (great!). The establishment was clean and upbeat, if a little touristy. I liked that the women's restaurant had a baby changing station inside an oversized stall with its own sink. It probably deserves a 3.5 rating, but the service pushed it over to 4.
(4)Charlie S.
Cold beer, outside deck right on the bay, and live music make a great place to relax and chill with friends. I have only eaten here for breakfast and the food was very good. Breakfast burrito and pizza omelette are definitely something I would order again. Prices are very reasonable and the service was great!
(4)Diana C.
Our waitress Desiree was great. She knew the menu well and explained the fish specials for the day. I had the fish tacos made with File (Could've picked tuna or Mahi too) which were either cooked with coconut milk or coconut oil. We also had the Key Lime Pie which was delicious. The Shark is out of season so we couldn't try it, but I'll be back when it is. There's also a full bar and a great view of the river from inside the restaurant and the outside deck. Enjoy!
(5)Rachel R.
I have a hard time with this place because it has such a great view and real drinks. But as far as the food goes, the only thing I've liked is the clam chowder and bacon wrapped scallops. Everything else I've tried has been mediocre and flavorless for the price. Last time I tried something new, the rock shrimp and the lion fish. The shrimp were cooked but cold. Let me stress that the lion fish is served WHOLE and thus had tons of bones. I did not like this at all. Some parts tasted cooked and other parts were slimey and all around no flavor. Very disappointing. This is a good place to stop for a drink and maybe a quick appetizer (bacon wrapped scallops!). Not my favorite for a full entree.
(2)Robert S.
Great location and cool Tiki bar however the food as is the location at the Port is bland and not fresh tasting. I go for a drink but eat elsewhere.
(3)Mike G.
Always worth the trip! Great food on the water. We are big on the water factor. Good bands but they aren't playing tonight because they play outside (after all it is Florida!) And there is a Tropical Storm "Erika" coming and it is raining HARD!
(5)Tyler P.
We had to wait 20 mins for a table for 2 at lunch. Counted 10 open tables. We skipped the wait by going to the bar. Bees were every where. We enjoyed the sangria red and the white. My wife enjoyed her tuna poke. I was excited to see my fish samwhich that looked like a philly cheese steak. The problem is that they forgot the fish.
(4)Rosemarie Y.
Very nice setting, live music and great atmosphere to just unwind and relax. Try the Lion fish - if they have it. I loved it.
(5)Riley S.
This was a great casual family spot. Good food for price and good service. Yummy desserts and a million dollar view.
(3)Vincenzo G.
Great place to enjoy a beer with good friends . The Friday night crew is always so helpful . Julian and Linsey are some of the best bartenders I have ever meet . The Shrimp Ruben is a must if your hungry . Good people and good times have fun everyone .
(5)Debra F.
Beautiful setting on the river-you can sit inside or out. I had the bacon wrapped scallops and they were delicious. while there was a remoulade sauce, they had several others as well-one that resembled duck sauce. My sister in law had the coconut shrimp and they were delicious-large, crispy and full of flavor. Husband had the tuna and it was great. We had sweet potato fries which were very good but unfortunately I was comparing them to a place where I had SPF the day before so I cannot say they were great. They have a side dish of carrots that is different than anything I've had. We will definitely go back! You certainly will not be disappointed. Our server and service was fantastic.
(4)Carmen D.
Had their fish of the day, tuna cooked medium. It was flavorful, lightly seasoned and sushi quality texture. Excellent meal. The service is always friendly and quick and the band was entertaining but not intrusive. A nice place for a warm night summer dinner.
(5)Katiana Y.
I get the mahi fish tacos every time. They are the best! Great food, great service, great views. It's the quintessential Florida restaurant with fresh fish, beer and cocktails, and a view of the water that can't be beat. Good for families or after work happy hour at the Tiki bar
(5)Liza M.
Have eaten here a few times and am continually disappointed. Very basic food. The Caesar salad dressing is wayyyy too salty and the Mahi I got on top was dry and bland. Their veggie burger is not great. Their mozzarella sticks are also too salty and they cook them too long. The philly cheese stake was alright. Cool ambience tho. Huge place by the water. Lots of very young kids working the floor and aren't attentive when you approach the counter. They're usually busy talking or on their phones to greet you until you intercept their conversation.
(2)Tila D.
Last night was wonderful. Went for Halloween dinner, we weren't dressed up but it didn't matter. The music was GREAT. They had a band called "The Umbrella Thieves" who were probably the best band they have ever had. They played so much favorite and her song range was unbelievable. The food....absolutely fabulous! They have rock shrimp right now which they never have on their regular menu. It was sweet and meaty and didn't even need the butter, we ordered two servings! The crab dinner with veggies and tators was one of the best meals I have ever had here. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hopefully will go again before the rock shrimp disappear.
(5)Robert R.
Atmosphere great and patio overlooking water is perfect. Excellent food and pretty fast service.
(5)Drew F.
Came 2 nights in a row while visiting family. The food is AMAZING and I hope they keep up the good work in that department! The bacon-wrapped shrimp were especially memorable. Live entertainment is hit and miss at any establishment. The indoor lighting could use some tweaks as our table was a bit poorly lit. The staff are eager to help and that makes up for the occasional forgetfulness. Waiters are only human after all.
(4)india r.
We stopped in on our way home from Miami. This place was jumping! They have a huge outdoor deck area. A live band was playing great 80s tunes. The view of the intercoastal water was gorgeous. The menu has a huge variety even though its seafood based if you. cannot find something to eat here you aren't hungry. The choices range from sushi to fish prepared lots of ways to burgers. Our waitress was great and the food was well cooked,clean and served quickly
(4)Lesley M.
This restaurant has probably one of the best locations being right on the corner of the Pineda Causeway and US Hwy 1. With that being said...get ready for difficult time parking during the busy weekends. The restaurant is very large, nicely decorated, and has a very nice tiki bar/outdoor seating area. If you want a restaurant that has lots of different people to mingle with and good food then this is definitely the location for you. There is always some type of music/entertainment on the weekends and that always makes a full house. My main reason for visiting was because I had a coupon for Grills from my Entertainment booklet. My husband had been a few times with co-workers so I was very excited to try it. I ordered the blackened chicken sandwich with fries on the lunch menu. There was a nice sized chicken breast served with a generous amount of seasonings on top of a bun. I was very pleased with the taste and flavor of the sandwich, but I was not too impressed with the fries. They gave a decent portion size, but the fries could have used some seasonings to kick them up a notch. My husband was very pleased with his mahi tacos once again. He was served three soft taco shells full of mahi, lettuce, and pico.
(3)Paul D.
Food and beer is good and music usually good. Takes WAY too long to get a table outside since every table holds eight people and only two or three are usually taking them up having a few beers for hours. They need to have smaller tables for smaller parties of two or three. Love hearing Johnny Danger play. Also love docking my boat or riding my motorcycle in for lunch on weekends. My last review was deleted for supposedly not having actual details so I hope the above actual experiences from me actually being there and waiting forever for a table or just leaving provides enough actual detail for this review.
(2)Michael J.
Great place to sit on the river and vey good burgers either outside at the tiki bar, tables around the bar, inside seating, & my favorite spot is under the shaded roof protecting you from the afternoon sun and thunder storms. Great burgers and rock fish. Good prices. Have there several times without any issues.
(4)John L.
Location, location, location - that's what entices the crowd to this dock side casual eatery. Situated off the Indian River, the view of a dockside table is unrivaled. However, the food, the culinary skill and factor in the price, this place is deceptively inadequate. Before the locals cry foul to my statement, I've eaten at Michelin starred restaurants and some of the best hole in wall places so I kinda know my "food". If you think this place is a culinary pinnacle, you can either continue to go there and maintain your opinion, or broaden your uninformed experience by trying a few more restaurants (and no, Cheesecake Factory does not count). If you do ended up at this place, my advice is to stick with the basic burgers and wings. Also get bottled beers over their cocktail specials. Whoever their mixologist (aka bartender) is should be fired. I mean how does one f-up a piña colada? It comes premixed!!
(2)Amber H.
Grills riverside is great location with wonderful views and plenty of room for large crowds. The food is your typical seafood pub style with a large emphasis on fresh not fried. The service is friendly and fast. I had the grilled Mahi sandwich with chips and I was perfectly satisfied! The fish was cooked to perfection! Great family friendly place!
(4)Dillon C.
I love this place but who Evers running the afternoon crew. I think these guys needs to be fired.They watched as I tried to get the servers attentions. I waited 30 mins to order a beer.
(3)William V.
Good food and cooked just the way it should be. Drinks are good and happy hour prices are a plus. Interesting Lion Fish appetizer.
(3)Whitney P.
I guess if you're stuck in this God forsaken hellhole that is Florida and even more specifically, Melbourne, it's pretty slim Pickens as far as restaurants and entertainment go. That being said we were here for the Nationals spring training and decided to take the advice of some locals and go to Grills. The first time we came here was for lunch. I got some sort of fish I had never heard of and I must say it was tasty. The waitress was super nice, she gave us (without asking) water to-go cups and couldn't have been more friendly. Nothing special, nothing to write home about as far as the food and atmosphere. I guess it's on the river, but coming from Southern California, a river in Florida is about as appealing in comparison as overlooking a sewage dump. So, lunch was pretty decent by Melbourne standards. My main complaint about this place was when we decided to come back for dinner. I ordered about 3 things, that they said they were out of, until I settled on the fettuccine Alfredo. It was gross. This was not even my problem, after having stayed in Melbourne Florida for a month, I knew that there were no good restaurants worth the money, so my standards naturally plummeted as far as acceptable. But, the crowd, ugh the crowd that comes out at night is reminds me of the red neck/white trash crowd I used to see when I would beg my parents to take me to the fairgrounds when it came to town every year. They hated the fairgrounds as it was filled with garbage and I never cared being a kid. But now as an adult you can see things more clearly, it was full of white trash drunks. Old red necks ladies with belly shirts on WASTED dancing around like they were on spring break and 18. Look, have fun do it up, whatever, but it was super trash at night. I blame this in no way on the restaurant or the staff. It's Melbourne, it's Florida, so I don't know what I thought it would be like, but it's gross. If you want to come here, come for lunch, but I'd at least avoid weekend nights, unless of course you like belligerently drunk mid life crisis, imported red neck kind of crowds. Again, I blame Melbourne, not Grills.
(2)Danielle L.
So average. I try to enjoy this place, but sometimes the service is just meh or the food will come out cold or completely wrong. They have a pretty good fish sandwich. But it's nothing worth celebrating over.
(3)Jesus R.
Can't beat the view, great local place to eat. Food is above average, and the prices are reasonable given location.
(4)Angie T.
Relaxed waterside dining at a decent price and enjoyable. Great place to bring out of state friends for lunch. Or when out and about to grab a nice meal without having to get dressed up.
(4)Emily H.
Honestly the food was bland and the service sucked. We sat thirsty and empty on beers for at least 10 min. The server has no personality and honestly....shitty work ethic. I wouldn't return here nor would I recommend it. The parking lot was so packed too we had to park on the grass, you would have thought it would have been worth it! Oh well
(2)Michael K.
Grills is a fun place to go. That really sums up my review. It is "FUN". There is nothing spectacular about the food in any way whatsoever. It is all pretty much the same stuff you get everywhere with the same combination of flavors. You know, Onion rings, cheese fries, jalapeno poppers, cheese sticks, sandwiches, etc. And lots of it is with a seafood theme:; "grilled fish sandwich", "coconut shrimp", etc. We have been there five or six times, and it has never been for the food. There is no one in our family that just loves that one menu item there, but *WE DO GO HERE* It's all about the experience and the setting. Every one of my three stars is for that. This Grills is right on the Indian River, so the views are beautiful. The decor has a great "Tiki Island" feel to it, and on Thu, Fri and Sat nights, they always have live bands. The bands are usually Classic Rock cover bands, and they are usually quite good. They play in a great outdoor setting in front of a patio area that serves as seating and a makeshift dance floor, with a big open bar right behind it. Behind all of that is a larger outdoor restaurant area right on the water. They also have an indoor restaurant area, but I honestly cannot imagine why I would ever go in there. That's Grills. Great entertainment, Really nice bar, Very cool setting, and by the way, they serve food. To sum it all up, I really want to say that they should really put some focus on delivering more interesting food, but the reality is that this place is always packed, so they simply don't have to. But unless everyone just loves frozen to the fryer comfort food, they are packing the place because of the music and the setting.
(3)Jamie R.
The food was good baresque kinda it was not very fancy but the environment was great beachy, and cute ! The kids gave it a 9out of 10 in their book only because the smokers on the patio seating area if not they would have hit it out of the park. The staff was pleasant and we will return for sure.
(4)Matt P.
Came here for dinner and then lunch two days later. Both times were met with a friendly waitress and service was on point. Never had to wait for drinks and the portions were enough to go home happy about with a little extra. You'll have a fine time here at Grills. In fact we are sitting here enjoying the band Iris - also very good - on a Thursday night!
(5)Amanda P.
Stopped in for a quick snack & cocktail... Great outside bar! Get the bacon wrapped shrimp! Heard the bacon wrapped scallops were good too :-)
(5)Kristine B.
The only reason I am not giving them 5 stars is the pricing. But it's a tourist area, so I guess you have to expect that. We loved it so much, especially the fried, whole lion fish, that we went back again that week a second time. Great kids menu and super friendly staff! Really cold beer and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
(4)Kathi W.
I absolutely love Grills and have been visiting for years. Not only is the view beautiful, but the food is always delicious. My favorite is the lunch special with blackened mahi mahi.. They have good draft beers at good prices, and the service for me has always been very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend.
(5)Meg ..
We had a wonderful time at Grills. The restaurant is in a great location by the river. It's a large restaurant with an extensive menu and good seafood options. I had the specials, which were a rock shrimp appetizer and fried whole lion fish. The lion fish came two per order with two sides of your choice. The meal was very good and atmosphere enjoyable and relaxed.
(4)Jaclyn P.
We showed up on a Thursday evening for dinner. It was absolutely packed and the hostess said there was a 40 minute wait so we took a buzzer and had a seat. Well, Grandpa went up and chatted a bit with the girl and low and behold they had a table for us. The first thing I noticed was how LOUD the music was. It's a big, open space with 2 levels all constructed of wood planking so the sound just resonated and it felt more like I was in a Miami nightclub than out to dinner with the grands. I had to deduct a star just for this, I left with a headache and I didn't even have a cocktail with dinner. The menu is very friendly for a limited palette. Bacon wrapped scallops, steak and cheese sandwiches, grilled seafood, rice, etc. Normal, safe, boring. I opted for the grilled shrimp with vegetables and rice. The portion was generous but the shrimp were very overcooked. Cocktails are served in disposable cups and the tables and chairs are outdoor patio furniture. Grills Riverside is obviously going for a laid back, kick off your shoes kind of atmosphere but in reality it felt a little cheap and gimmicky. Softer music and real wood tables/chairs would really class up this place. Also, the waitress made the statement, "we don't have a fryolater here" when we inquired about fish and chips but they clearly do because everything can come with french fries, they offer jalapeno poppers and many other fried items. It wasn't a huge deal but even slight, misleading statements regarding their cooking methods can leave a bad taste in my mouth....honesty is the best policy.
(3)Tara B.
This place is great! If you are a tourist then the live music, cheap drinks, local fish offering, ambiance and boat tours make this a great place to spend a day. This is a more adult setting but kids are welcome. We didn't see many. You are on the water whether you are on the boat or at the bar. The staff were courteous and efficient. The food is AWESOME! We had conch fritters and a grilled fish sandwhich covered in cheese, and philly veggies (read: shroom, onion, peppers.) They will see us again. Oh and there is another one of these at the cape that may be seeing this food ninja soon.
(5)Knot D.
Nice place to go to by boat. Music is good and drinks are reasonable. Food was great as was the service. Great view of the river.
(4)Michele M.
The view was beautiful, the breakfast food was very good and the prices we're very reasonable. The staff was friendly and the restauant was clean. Would definitely return.
(5)D L.
Came here on a Sunday evening to meet up with some old friends and had a wonderful experience. The food was very good and the drinks were cold and plentiful. The service was above average and I had the sushi and others in my party had various kebabs which all were given a firm thumbs up. The place was very busy for a Sunday night and they seem to be able to handle it just fine. Must have one of the few great management teams in the area. Keep up the great work.
(5)Alison N.
Enjoyed fish tacos (pretty tasty, loved the sauce) and a delicious cheeseburger on another visit. The decor is pretty hokey, but the food and service is on point.
(4)Enit S.
My friends and I stopped here for a bite to eat on a Saturday. It was busy but we were able to find seats out in the patio. It has a really nice view of the water (see pic) and they had live music. As always, I went to go wash my hands before I ate; the bathroom's were stylish and very clean; I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the grilled fish sandwich with ahi tuna, but you could also get Mahi. The tuna was fresh and cooked perfectly medium as I requested with a delicious wood-grilled flavor. For $3 you can get an order of their "Tahitian Taters" which are red-skinned potatoes covered in cheese, bacon, sour cream and some kind of spiced seasoning that was really flavorful and delicious. I would definitely come back.
(4)Sean C.
Went for breakfast this morning. Seafood omelette was the bees knees, so big and packed with deliciousness. Bloody marys? Sure why not and they were damn good. I went to the one in canaveral previously (this one was closer to house) and what a view of the river. I recommend for breakfast at least considering prices are comparable to dennys and ihop. We brought our autistic three year old who is more impatient then me, thank you for the quick service.
(5)Dana D.
Came here Saturday night with a large party. Were quoted 30 minutes but seated in about 10 so that was nice. Our server was really busy and it took awhile to place our order. Major gripe was the appetizers came out and the food followed five minutes later so the table of 8 with 8 meals & 4 appetizers was very crowded. The food was decent but not that great of quality. Think this place is better for scenery/live music!
(2)Roberto B.
Great bartenders. Good food. Amazing view. Entertainment at it's best. I can come here every day. Oh, I do!!!
(5)Ryan M.
Arriving for a late lunch on Friday with my girlfriend, we pulled up to a -huge- establishment. Tons of outdoor seating available on the dock area, and a large inside dining room area as well. Upon entering, we obviously startled a waitress as she decided to take us to our table, and stopped along the way to ask an employee eating, "Do we have a hostess today?" The woman eating said that she was eating, but was the scheduled hostess, and after a huffy reaction from the waitress, we were taken to our table. The menu is quite expansive. Salads, wraps, burgers, seafood of all kinds, and non-seafood protein options as well. Of course signature restaurant drinks, too. We started out with conch fritters, that resembled something like a hush puppy. I suppose I am used to those served back home at Pescado's which are almost entirely conch that is fried. Where as these were mealy in comparison. Even so, they had decent flavor, and the house reumalade was delicious for dipping. My girlfriend went with the crab legs, and I went with the Shark Kebobs. I've had Mako several places, all up and down the east coast, and the shark here was ABSOLUTELY incredible. Delicious. Paired with grilled green peppers, onions, pineapple, and very tender shark. The flavor combination was absolutely stellar. This was plated with a mixed steam vegetable, cheese bread, and a creamy, cheesy red skin potato salad. The plate was over flowing, and if I had the appetite, I -might- have been able to finish it. My girlfriend really enjoyed her crab legs, as there was an abundance of it. She seemed to like the crab legs offered at the Sand Bar closer to our hotel. But even so, our meal was really delicious. This place would have gotten 5 stars from me, but the service was lacking. The blatantly rude interaction when we entered, on top of our server not checking on us, except to refill our drinks made us seem like we were just an inconvenience. For an 80$ lunch bill, I'd at least have appreciated the server coming to make sure that our food was prepared alright. Regardless of that foresight, I'd definitely come back for food here.
(4)Delia N.
Being a local, you'd think I would learn where to go for good food! We are usually disappointed when coming here...I don't know why our expectations are so high! It's definitely the view & location that makes us come back. the atmosphere and the view...beautiful! The food is not good! My husbands Grilled mahi sandwich was nasty(fish was bad!) The "new" fish tacos were gross(I got ahi tuna in mine) the cabbage and tortilla tasted terrible! The actual tuna was good, fresh and tasty though. Tacos were served with salsa/beans on the side in ramekin. It tasted like black beans poured out of can with a little bit of chopped tomato on top! We sat at the outside tiki bar on a Sunday around 130pm. We like the bar, so we waited for someone to leave so we could sit there(took about45 minutes) We tried a table in the bar, but we're pretty much ignored for 15 minutes! The first bartender was amazingly friendly and efficient. After a while a new, very young bartender came on. She thought she could just get by with her looks(which didn't work) and had minimal personality, unless, apparently, you were a regular! My husband thought maybe she was in training....she wasn't! Sad that the awesome first bartender had to share her tips, since she was doing all the work! Wish I would've gotten names! Needless to say, we probably won't go back, unless, in a year we forget how bad it is and try it again!
(2)Kellie B.
Love this place. Do get the Mahi Tacos. You won't be sorry!
(5)Brandon S.
We didn't try the food. We came for drinks and live music. Both did the job. The location overlooks the river right off Pineda Causeway and US1. The outside patio is sprawling and well maintained. Lots of parking. The inside dining area was very large as well. It wasn't too crowded but I can see this being insane during the summer. We'll be back for dinner.
(3)Phillip R.
When i was down here on vacation, I had the rock shrimp it was probally the best i ever have ate in my life... Great place, great staff, outstanding food!! Cant wait to come back!
(4)Thomas C.
Hangout for brevard county drunks. We used to eat at the one in Cape canaveral which used to be good. But with poor service and the food quality going down tremendously from when we used to eat here we decided to try the new location. The great thing about the new location doesn't have trashy bikers all over the place. There food is alright most of the time. But the last few times we have eaten here it was horrible. They made a fish Philly for my wife and used all of the dark garbage off of the fish. She placed her sandwich down and mentioned something to the waitress about it and they didn't even offer to make her a new one. We thought it was a fluke but this happened twice so we stopped going. My food wasn't bad but it wasn't better than good.
(2)Jessica C.
I can see what is appealing here, but I will never go back. I went yesterday with my mom, aunt, grandma, and cousin. The staff was very friendly and the bathrooms were not bad. It was a beautiful day out so the river view was great. But the food, not good. My mom and I ordered the burger with lettuce, pickle and chips. My aunt and grandmother ordered the cheesesteak. My cousin got the bacon cheeseburger. The food looked okay but it was not. The burger did not taste like real meat and the pickle was gross. This is not even the worst part of it all though. My aunt, mom, and I started to feel icky about an hour or two after eating. Later when we got back to Orlando, we were already feeling the repercussions of the bad choice we made. I am still sick this morning. For 3 of us to get sick, the food is definitely questionable. I don't know what exactly was bad, but my review is to not try it out.
(1)Mike H.
Good place for happy hour with a nice view. A couple of people with me got sick from the food (one thought it was bad mayo and the other thought it was bad cream cheese icing from a breakfast bun). Service was awful. Food I had was mediocre. The cheese steak is better at Firehouse Subs.
(1)Joseph S.
Our family of five all enjoyed our meals. Kabobs, grilled lobster, catch if the day(file) was as as perfect as our waitress described. Sesame tuna was not fishy at all and was sooo tender. Sat on deck overlooking water as day turned into night. Was awesome right in the water. Kids loved killing time on charter pier. Was our favorite dinner so far. Great night.
(5)Shara M.
Vegetarian/vegan menu is not tasty. Very boring bland selection. Appetizer selection poor. Service can be lacking at times.
(2)Chuck L.
Great location.....theme was cool, key west , nautical .waterside, food was good...service was fantastic Cynthia was really good at what she does....happy suggestive upsell....A+ ordered shark kabobs...awesome! Conch fritters were lil greasy...have had better....surf and turf 28.99... not so great! Have to say service saved the day ...would prob do apps and drinks next time...
(4)Samantha A.
Went over the weekend with family, a total group of seven. Literally we were all beyond pleased with our experience. We also had one vegetarian & one diner who hates seafood. 3 people got the seared ahi tuna tacos, I kept hearing that they were the best fish tacos they've ever had. The view is gorgeous! We were lucky enough to get seated in the covered outdoor area. The other outdoor seating seemed unbearable on a hot summer day, not sure I'd recommend it. I didn't get our servers name, but she was SO friendly & knowledgable. Full of recommendations & just wonderful to get good service for a change. This place is so amazing! Check it out!
(5)Louis W.
Great spot for lunch. Took a seat outside by the water on the covered deck. I had the Mahi fish tacos, one of my dining partners had the shark kabob. Both were excellent. Fish tacos are served on a soft corn tortilla with a nice portion of slaw and a well seasoned sauce. Accompanied by a small bowl of beans. Waitstaff was very friendly. We had a very large group occupying a few tables, and all but one table had excellent and fast service. I will return next time I'm in the area.
(4)Alan M.
The Grilled Shark Kabob were fantastic! Very tender and tasty ... but what truly makes this place a "must go" is the view and ambiance on the deck. It just seemed wrong to sit indoors. :)
(4)Greg D.
Now open for breakfast every day. Nothing spectacular, limited menu. Hope they expand menu in the future. We were the only two people there at 845, then a group of six came in. Nice view, average prices.
(2)April K.
UGHHHH. When this place first opened I was SUPER excited. Large venue on the water, lots of parking, sea food, what could be better? Well... almost anything... The last few times I have been there service has been really slow. I am pretty forgiving considering I myself am a former server, but this last time we went, it took forever to have anything come to the table, including menus. So we ordered a few appetizers. Nothing notable. Cold fried food mostly. Then we ordered the clam chowder that was recommended by our server. This has to be the worst clam chowder anywhere. I mean, honestly my spoon could lay on top of this thick gelatin-like substance that was supposed to pass for soup. No no no. All wrong. This is place open late and there is live music. I suggest that if you are hungry, you venture elsewhere. And if you are in a hurry, good luck trying to locate a server for any length of time.
(2)Mary R.
Been twice. Both times the portions were generous (scallops and shrimp) and service was good. Good fresh and well prepared.
(5)Melissa C.
I came for seafood at lunch time. The parking lot looked full so I gave it a try. I was promptly seated. I could of seated myself outside but choose the inside seating. I choose the mahi sandwich at the suggestion of my server. It didn't take long at all to get my food. The bun was larger than the fish which I was disappointed in. It came with plain store bought chips and a large pickle spear. For the price, I got what I paid for. I will say if you came for the view, it definitely has that.
(3)James S.
Great food and atmosphere. Waitress was very nice. Great view. Grills and river rocks are two go-to restaurants in the Melbourne/rockledge area. Try the fish tacos!!
(4)Maria B.
Good food. Had to hale down the waiter to get service at first but after that it was great.
(4)Deborah C.
Love this place! We've had dinner here twice. Love the view!
(5)Susan P.
Great place. Very scenic. Good music. Good priices. Good is great. Just love it here
(5)Dennis V.
I'll make this short. It was very good. My wife and I had lunch with friends who are local to the area. The service was good, and the place was not all that busy the day we were there. Everyone was very happy with their food order, and it all looked very good. Now for my choice the server suggested the grilled fresh Mahi Mahi Reuben. He flatly said "It was the one of the best thing I've ever eaten" Since he had a few extra pounds and looked like he might know something about food, I ordered it. He WAS NOT WRONG! It was probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. Amazing how the Sauerkraut, Thousand Island Dressing and Fresh Mahi, go together. As I write this I'm starting to Salivate. Under $10 with great fries and Coleslaw. Honestly, this sandwich was amazing. Nice Place and quite affordable.
(4)Danielle C.
Service was great. We had the shark kabobs and bacon wrapped scallops. Cooked to perfection. This place has a great atmosphere. Local hangout.
(5)Lisa C.
I went here for dinner. I was seated at a table that a waitress had a tray on and was using as a tray jack as I was being seated. My waitress Jessika came over and was very pleasant and professional. I ordered the shark kabobs and they were excellent. I really liked the food and service from my waitress and a very nice hostess, Linsey. They do need to invest in some tray jacks and make the wait staff use them.
(5)Kent L.
Came here about a year ago, had the shark kabobs, and didn't think much of it. What was memorable was the great view of the ocean (see picture). However, I came back last week on business and tried the Mahi Mahi fish sandwich with sweet potato fries - recommended by a colleague, as "the best fish sandwich in America" per Regis and Kelly. I'm not much of a fish lover, but I found the fish sandwich to be really good! Same goes with the sweet potato fries, which came with an interesting honey mustard dip. Great place to grab dinner and drinks after work, and is reasonably priced, but come earlier in the winter time so you can catch the great view.
(4)Don F.
Three stars for the food and eating options, but it's location and boating options brings it up to four. Really, 4.5. We love our local Port Canaveral Grills for breakfast (and breakfast only), and had to try the new Grills on the river. Granted, we tried it after their first week, so the service really wasn't good, and the food was OK, but we know from our 'inside source (our usual server at our Grills) that they were under the gun, hiring a lot of staff and training them quick and hard. So I'll change this review on our next run, depending on how that goes. So it was 3 stars. BUT, I'm a sailor, and they have 42 slips. And I REALLY have been hoping for more restaurants on the water. What Grills Riverside has to offer me is a floating dock (in addition to many fixed docks) that can take a large boat with a deep draft. Bingo, one more star. Cruising sailors love waterfront restaurants, and this one is directly on the ICW. So, if you're on a boat on the ICW in central Florida and you're yelping to see if there's a place to eat...this is a good choice. just north to fhe Pineda Causeway.
(4)Gwen T.
This is the typical Florida style restaurant. You are here for fresh fish and boy is it good. I have been here twice with two large groups and all the food was fantastic. Casual restaurant, open air seating available and right on the inland water way- even boat docking available. Great Mahi Mahi.
(5)Wesley S.
This riverfront venue was a pleasant surprise. If I could adjust anything here it would be the sound level and the performance of the bands equipment. Otherwise the food was really good (I had a fish Reuben), the wait staff quite helpful, and the environment very fun (for a Friday night in Brevard County). The fish sandwich was worth the trip! Also I think this place is a good place to bring a group of people as they have very large tables outside on the deck and it is quite a large space for riverfront dining and entertainment. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(4)Jennifer M.
My first and only time at this new location restaurant/ bar was a good one. I met a friend on a Saturday evening around 7 p.m. Each time I've driven by Grills, it's always packed, ever since they opened. This time was no different, but I was lucky to find a parking spot. I didn't have any food, only cocktails, so in terms of their food, I cannot comment about that at this time. I'm giving it three stars simply for atmosphere. There was a good, diverse crowd the night I went. The band was playing some good tunes. I especially like the set up of the place. They have a huge dockside bar/ patio area overlooking the river, in addition to the indoor restaurant with big windows. The staff was attentive and very friendly. It's a nice place to have some drinks and people watch.
(4)Gloria M.
Great River Views, Good Food, Live Music, Cool Tiki Bar Deck We have been coming to Grill's in Port Canaveral since 1997 when it opened. We were thrilled when Grill's Riverside Restaurant opened in Melbourne back in January 2011. In the beginning, parking was a big problem at the new restaurant. Everyone wanted to try it. Now it seems less so. We have been to this newer location many times since it opened. On our latest visit this week, eight of us dined here for lunch. I phoned in a reservation about 90 minutes before we arrived. The table was ready for us and our server, Spencer arrived soon after we sat down to take our drink orders. After perusing the menu for a short time, we all decided on our choices. Although Coconut Shrimp, $9.99 and Bacon Wrapped Scallops, $11.99 sounded delicious we all decided to skip appetizers. Two of us ordered the Deluxe Cheeseburger in Paradise cooked rare, $10.49 - one with Sweet Potato Fries and the other with seasoned French Fries. Our third diner ordered a Hurricane Hamburger, $8.49 served with a pickle wedge and chips. Another diner ordered a new item on the menu, a Cuban sandwich with Shrimp, $10.99. Our fifth diner ordered a regular (new) Cuban sandwich, $9.99. Our sixth diner has a Fish Sandwich, $10.49. Our seventh diner ordered the Grilled Rueben Sandwich, $9.99, while our final diner ordered Fish with Cheese Sandwich, $10.49. All sandwiches are served with chips and a pickle wedge. The Cheeseburgers in Paradise did not arrive cooked as ordered and one of the diners had to send his back as it was so overcooked that it showed no pink at all. Spencer graciously agreed that it was not anywhere near rare and returned it to the kitchen. She replaced it with one cooked rare and it was great, our diner said. Aside from that snafu, we all thought that the food was delicious. We arrived at the end of a busy afternoon so service was a bit slow at the beginning of the meal but improved greatly as the restaurant cleared out. While we ate, I glanced around the busy restaurant. Each table had a different scene on it. I ones I saw mostly depict tropical beach scenes, marine motif or Grill's logo. High wooden unfinished ceiling with fans soared high above the tall picture windows that look out on tranquil river views. The Pineda Causeway Bridge can be seen out the tall windows and I watched as a colorful catamaran glided by. The bridge looks beautiful lit up at night. Opened yellow umbrellas hung around the dining room with lights inside them. The artwork on the wall is eclectic many with beach or marine themes as well as neon lights advertising beer logos. You can dine outdoors or inside. Something new to me was a Frozen Yogurt machine that I had not noticed on previous visits. The outside Tiki Bar was very busy - just about every seat was occupied as we departed the restaurant. The restrooms are outside the interior dining area and is accessible for the bar and outdoor diners. There is live entertainment in the evenings at both locations. Check the Website for the schedule. This is a fun restaurant to visit. Seafood is fresh. I have noticed that prices are rising. Both Grills' Restaurant used to be more affordable. I still enjoy coming to both locations for the marvelous waterfro0nt views and the live entertainment. If prices continue to rise, I probably will visit less frequently. If you have not dined here, check it out. Perhaps you will become a regular as I am.
(4)Mike H.
It's always nice to try new places and having driven past Grills Riverside several times a week for the past few months, and seeing how busy it always seemed, I decided it was high time to give it a go. As others have pointed, Grills Riverside has a pretty nice view of the Indian River Lagoon. And, if you're lucky, a great view of the dolphins as they round up their own seafood platters. The restaurant is always packed (unless you get there early for breakfast [Fri-Sun]) and it tends to be quite loud. Depending on where they seat you, expect to be packed like sardines. I was unable, for most of the meal, to back my chair from the table because there was someone in a similar situation sitting behind me. Also, I couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone but myself - even then I had difficulty hearing myself and kept going loudly (in my head), "What?" The service is fairly attentive and orders are delivered pretty quickly. However, what they deliver leaves something to be desired. Keep in mind that their menu is about 80% seafood and I wasn't in the mood for seafood. I ordered the deluxe cheeseburger (I forget the fanciful name they gave it) and was disappointed when I started eating. The patty, all though larger than what you'd expect elsewhere, was very bland and lacked seasoning. In fact, I'd say that had they ground up cardboard and concrete and formed it into a patty and served that, I'd have been delighted. I'm not kidding folks. That was one crappy "burger". The "burger" is served with whatever crumbs the kitchen managed to rescue from the bottom of their vending machine bag of Ruffles. Ha! Ruffles. We should be so lucky. Of course, you also get a dill pickle wedge - which, by the way, was the most flavorful part of the meal. I will say this: the cheese sticks appetizer was excellent. How can you mess up cheese? If you're looking for someplace to have a nice, quiet dinner, this isn't the place. If you're looking for someplace that will make you feel like you are in the container your dinner came in, then this IS the place. And even though I was not impressed at all with their dinner, I really do recommend going there for their breakfast offerings which are really, really good. One side note: the band that was playing the night we went... sucked. I've listened to James Taylor for more than half my life and I've seen him in concert four times. If you can't sing a simple song like "Fire and Rain" and get the lyrics and actual music right, then don't sing it. Same goes for "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" - you're no Lynyrd Skynyrd, so don't try...
(2)Lori H.
What a view over the river...the food is fantastic and they have live music. We always try to eat outside on the deck when it's available but once the band starts it can get hard trying to find a table. If you enjoy dining on the river then this place is for you.
(5)Jason H.
Prime riverside location with great views, but the place was way too loud, and the food was surprisingly average. I had the fish tacos, and for $10 it seemed OK. We had also ordered the fish sandwich--this came out soggy, cold, and covered with very strong onions. Not a good sandwich. Service was fair and the menu has quite a few choices. Overall just an average place.
(2)Maria G.
It was rainy when we ate here, so I missed the great view other reviewers have mentioned. Maybe that would have bumped it up to 3 starts. Meh is right-the food was okay, but nothing more than okay. Our table got a variety of items, and nobody was terribly impressed. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, it was okay food. The beer selection was disappointing-no local beers, no craft beers, just a handful of larger breweries. This isn't a bad place at all-I'd probably go back if I was back in the area. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, though. Maybe next time I'll be wow'd.
(2)Mark S.
The atmosphere is fairly nice. The food was ok. When I am there for dinner, DON'T serve me beer in a plastic cup!! It's not a keg party and you weren't sponsoring a major event.
(2)Mark S.
The atmosphere of Grill's is pretty cool, but I jokingly stated to my gf that it seems to be a mid-life crisis hangout. Most of the people hanging outside for the music were late 40's to early 50's, and being overly tacky. But with that said, its a pretty cool setup and if I lived nearby I would probably go for drinks and music occasionally. We ate inside and the service was pretty good even though they were really busy (45 minute wait on Friday night at about 7pm). We ordered some onion rings as an appetizer because the menu states some of the best around, they were not good at all, but the jalapeno poppers were good. I had the chicken caeser wrap, which was pretty good, no complaints. My gf had the fish tacos which she stated were really good, some of the best she has had in a while. Overall this place is pretty cool, I will go back when I visit the area again.
(4)Anthony R.
One of our favorite local places. At first the size of the building and sometimes seemingly chaotic parking can be daunting, the food is fantastic! Shark kabobs are unique and flavorful. The clam chowder is some of the best around, and service is friendly. This is a place we now bring friends and family from out of town when we want them to experience local flavor and flair. Incredible views while dining, Grills is a must!
(5)Jamie S.
We've decided the only real appeal of Grill's is it's atmosphere. It has a huge outdoor patio, dock, & tiki bar right on the river with live music on weekend nights - can't beat that ambiance! With that being said, they're food kinda sucks. It's your standard, expected menu for this type of restaurant - sandwiches, crappy seafood, some "from the land" options. Their food is never very tasty and their seafood is really low grade. They do have some yummy desserts though! The prices are moderate. I'd recommend Grill's more for a night outside for drinks then for a good meal. Plus, if you try to eat here on a weekend night, you'll have AT LEAST a one hour wait, and you'll be sadly disappointed!!
(3)Bill D.
Mostly fried foods and average menu. Had the bacon wrapped scallops and it seemed like they were cooked in a deep fryer. Visited several times for dinner and this time on a Friday night. Noise was so loud I couldn't hear the person sitting three feet away. Live band made it worse in main dining area. Recommend for lunch (Mahi jerked sandwich) but not going back for dinner.
(3)Steve S.
What's right: - Quality for the value. The food and drinks were really good with generous servings for the price. - The setting. Grills built a comfortable and attractive facility in a location with a good view and pleasant setting. - Service. Hostess, waitress, and runner were pleasant, competent and cordial. I have been to Grills at the Port. The new location improves on the original. The fish of the day was fresh and very well prepared. The wine list has a good selection at fair prices served in good portions in the correct glass at the right temp. The beach brews are served by the pitcher or plastic cup, but also at the right temp from a clean dispensing system. As I arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night, the parking lot was just opening a few spots as cocktail hour attendees departed. Even with a full lot, I was seated immediately. Good job, Grills.
(4)Aaron D.
Cold food... Could have been much better. Good venue & service at least.
(2)Gregg S.
The conch fritters were tasty with plenty of conch. Bahamian Fish Chowder was amazing with generous portions and great flavor, even though it was served with soup splashed all over the side of the bowl. Mahi Rueben sandwich was am interesting riff on a traditional dish, but turned out suprisinglly well. Service was reminiscent of 'who's on first!'. Lots of room for improvement here. Great waterfront view, and the Rum Runners are among the best in town. Good live entertainment on this Sunday afternoon, and overall... Recommended!
(4)Marty S.
Definately our new fave place for lunch. Stopped in around noon since every evening we've tried to get in here it's been packed. Great service and really good fresh food. I had the filefish lunch special with veggies and potatos. very good-fish was absolutely perfectly grilled. Hubby had a bowl of the bahamian seafood chowder (I'll be getting that next time) that was to die for. Rich, spicy with tons of fish and potatos in it. Mmmm! daughter had spaghetti with awesome garlic cheese toast. We're fans now and will be heading back for the chowder again!
(4)Jeanne R.
We went here once on a Saturday night. Parking is "dog-eat-dog". We ended up parking on the side dirt road in the grass. We didn't have to wait for a table, but it was really busy and the hostess said we were lucky. Cocktails were pretty strong (no complaints there...) and reasonably priced. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and it was very good. Chicken was marinated, some are complaining about the onions on the sandwiches but I like that. My boyfriend ordered the grilled fish sandwich, with choices of 3 different types of fish, his main complaint was that it was a bit small. They really should give you fries here automatically, not the "bottom of the bag" potato chips we received. My biggest complaint about the food (but this is a pet peeve of mine), is the fact that they use baskets for sandwiches. Give me a real plate and save the baskets for the fried appetizers, PLEASE. Crowd is older, the music wasn't too loud in my opinion, they played classic old songs that everybody knows. Can't beat the awesome view.
(3)S L.
Really cool spot. There is a large outside area to listen to music and have a few drinks while waiting for your table. The seafood is fresh and really good. Tuna and Mahi Mahi were nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly. They also have large TV's outside to watch sporting events.
(4)Bill D.
Recently returned to Melbourne and visited Grills again. Same great food and nice staff!
(4)Donald S.
Recommended by the lady at the front desk at the Holiday Inn. Love the dockside environment (good looking waitresses dont hurt either) Had the fish tacos with medium tuna and shock top. GREAT! Peanut Butter pie was also very smooth and not too dense which was nice after a meal like that. Place was very busy on a Monday night....but it was a very good experience.
(4)Stephen M.
VooDoo wings were excellent. Lots of sauce just like I like them. Served with a nice sized cup of chunky blue cheese. When they have the Shark Skewers, HAVE THEM!!! By far the best thing on the menu. Went at 5:00pm on a Saturday and had no problem getting a table for 5. My wife had bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp... She licked the plate :) We ordered and shared 6 desserts (gotta live it up at times). The whopper chocolate cake was incredible, as was the mud pie. Both highly recommended. The key lime pie is a little smoother and less tart than I prefer, but still very good. Waitress recommended the fried cheesecake, but I do not. There are better desserts on the menu. Wait staff was very attentive and pleasant. Will go back next time we are in town.
(5)Ernie C.
In town for the day on business...stopped in for lunch. Nice november weather, so the windows were open. This place is huge. Staff friendly and extensive menu. Sushi, several types of fish, sandwiches, dinner plates, etc. I had some great fish tacos (3) made with rare tuna. Came with a small cup of black beans for $10. Next time think I'll try the sashimi and some grilled fish. Friendly staff. This appears to be a big time bar/hangout on the weekends as evidenced by all the standing room areas and the boat slips.
(3)Vincent R.
Sub par seafood.
(2)Robin D.
Great Fish Taco!! Can't wait to visit again next time we are in town! A must go to place.
(4)Marcy S.
Great yellow fin tuna steaks, husband loved his crab legs, incredible view of the river. This was the first restaurant we visited the day we moved to PAFB and we will definitely be visiting again!
(4)Rich A.
While their fish is fresh & well prepared, the sides that come with your meal are mediocre, and that's being kind. There was a band playing outside on the deck on the night we went & they were loud, even when seated inside. I'll go back for drinks & to enjoy the view, but I'll skip the food.
(2)Charles B.
Best Bushwackers in the area. Food is decent. Could have a bigger selection, but overall a very nice place to go. Great atmosphere, service and view of the river!
(4)Judge S.
Loud and smelly. WHAT is the attraction with place? It's so loud inside you have to scream to get your order in, and you can forget about having a table conversation. Ever heard of sound dampening? The sealant they used on the wood beams and interior is awful--gave me a headache. Cheap ass resin chairs--really?
(1)Lisa Kay H.
The location simply cannot be beat. I must admit, I come here for the view, not the food...if Grills was located anywhere else, it would be an occasional trip. The servers are great and hustle--for being a busy lunch, my water glass stayed full and service was attentive.
(3)Scott K.
Beautiful location, recently built, and built very nicely. Only peeve is 1 bathroom, and to get there from inside you must walk outside - not a problem unless it is a weekend and you have to wade through 1000 people. Nonetheless, I go there regularly, and recommend it. BTW, the seaweed salad is really good.
(4)Chris B.
If you own a restaurant that serves frozen, fried fish in your dishes you need to come here to see how to do fish right! My grilled tuna sandwich was so good and fresh I didn't even need to add anything to it. I can't wait to come and try more good stuff! Great location and great menu. There needs to be more places like this !
(4)Gerry G.
Food is pretty good...what you'd expect from the flip-flop/sunburn set. Fresh fish dishes, good apps and soups. The problem we had was with the other clientel. We were seated next to a table of about 6 adults (and 2 kids!) that had the most foul mouths imaginable. Nevermind that we were there with our 2-year old (you know how they repeat everything they hear), but I was personally offended. This wasn't at the bar, where you might expect, but rather in the dining area. They were loud and drunk and obnoxious. And the servers and management didn't care. So, if you want some decent food while you're getting drunk and obnoxious, this is the place for you. Otherwise, stay away.
(2)Eye F.
Been there twice. First time the food and service was pretty good and deserving of a return trip. The second time the service was terrible and the fish was dry rubber. Too inconsistent to warrant another visit.
(2)Chris L.
I only give this 3 stars because of the views. Great views of the water and Merritt Island. We have eaten here twice and I would say the food is average at best. Shark kabobs are good but nothing else we have tried was very good. The salads are made with no imagination. Everything seems to be salty. The service was slow the first time and the second time the server seemed disturbed that we sat in his section. He could not get rid of us fast enough. I would go back for a drink and that's it.
(2)Richard S.
Melbourne's other riverfront restaurants will have to step up their game now that Port Canaveral favorite, Grills has opened an outpost on US1 just north of the Pineda causeway. There is a lot to like about the new location. Grills did a quality build out on a relatively grand scale with very high ceilings, wood floors and large floor to ceiling windows to give every table an outstanding view of the intercoastal or "Indian River" as is it referred to in these parts. The floors are wide planked wood with exposed nail/screw heads and interior ceiling is loft style with exposed duct work. The place still smells like fresh new wood. Grills menu is deep, with offerings from grilled fish, multiple fish sandwiches, ribs, burgers, chicken wings, Fillet Mignon, pasta, and Sushi. Perhaps the best part of the menu is the wit of the copywriter. The house specialty / Fish section of the menu states "For fried fish we recommend Long John Silvers." Hilarious. When you have the freshest Mahai (and usually snapper or grouper) in town frying such great fish would be a travesty. Good for Grills for steering their patrons to the proper way to cook fish (grilled) or out the door for those who can't appreciate the difference between fabulous fresh caught local fish and ground up fried mystery fish served in some chains. Grills Riverside opened in early May of 2010 and getting a table for dinner in May or June of 2010 means a 20 to 40 minutes wait for dinner. Part of the reason for the wait is that everyone wants to try out new restaurants. Another reason for the wait is inefficient use of the interior space. For such a large restaurant there are surprisingly few tables in the interior of the restaurant. Had Grills utilized built in booths like an Outback, Texas Roadhouse, or even Enigma they could have comfortably fit more diners in the same space. The chairs on both the inside and outside of Grills are plastic/acrylic/PVC stacking lawn / beach chairs in white (outside) or green (inside). These chairs seem practical for the deck since they are cheap, stackable, very light and can be housed down. For interior dining they look and feel cheap and are not comfortable. For a restaurant with a million dollar view and entrees from $11.99 ( Grilled chicken dinner) to $18.99 (7 oz fillet), plastic/resin chairs like those found in the garden section of Home Depot seem out of place. It is as if they ran out of money on the outstanding construction and then just went to Lowes or Walmart to pick up stack chairs. These chairs are also huge. Smaller wood chairs would be more comfortable and would not squander precious space that could be used to seat additional diners. I had a lunch portion of Mahi, served with Tahiti taters (small fingerling potatoes in a zesty cheese sauce) and vegetables for $8.99. The Mahi was outstanding.. (substantially better than Mahi at Squidlips) and at $8.99 with sides an excellent value. Our server was professional and attentive which is impressive given that every table in the place was full. My spouse had a full rack of ribs which was huge, fall of the bone tender, and competitive with the ribs any BBQ, casual chain, or steakhouse in town. Grills has excellent fresh brewed Ice Tea in both sweet and unsweet varieties. If you order the fish ... the Mahi & Snapper are marinated and the tuna is not. From time to time they have "file fish" as a special and it is gross the Mahi, Tuna, and Snapper (the usual menu fish options) are better then the fish they add as the specials. On another visit we tried their Snow Crab and is was not fresh ( I should have sent it back). Conch Key Grill (to the North) and Squidlips (to the South ) will have to step up their game. For casual dining on the river, Grills is the new king.
(4)Darlene P.
I had the misfortune of selecting Grills for my birthday lunch. Every year my friend and I treat each other to lunch or dinner. I picked Grills. Absolutely the WORST decision I could have made. It was not my first time, second or third time but ABSOLUTELY the last, I promise. The first was opening week. Understandable things were not perfect or near perfect. Second and third very mediocre. This last time! I ordered the Steak & Cheese sandwich...........OMG. Maybe I should have ordered some type of fish but I had on prior visits. Ho Hmm. The Steak and Cheese sounded good. Now I can say Arbys is Gourmet and I would consider Arbys the pits. . It had to be the worst tasting thrown together garbage I can imagine. I couldn't even eat the entire sandwich, it was that bad. The beer (1) was cold and water OK. Please consider taking that item off the menu and have a talk with the night maintenance man who was doing the cooking. I know it was beef from a heating tray, thrown on a soggy roll with over heated onions & peppers and a REALLY thin slice of something called cheese (doubtful) on top and put in a microwave. UGH! Then the noise level was the worst as well. AND it was not the patrons. There were very few at 3:30 PM Wednesday. It was the noisy staff. You may need to overhaul and have a talk with management. That's who is to blame! Not to worry, I made a promise not to return so you won't get another bad review from me.
(1)Louis W.
Great spot for lunch. Took a seat outside by the water on the covered deck. I had the Mahi fish tacos, one of my dining partners had the shark kabob. Both were excellent. Fish tacos are served on a soft corn tortilla with a nice portion of slaw and a well seasoned sauce. Accompanied by a small bowl of beans. Waitstaff was very friendly. We had a very large group occupying a few tables, and all but one table had excellent and fast service. I will return next time I'm in the area.
(4)Alan M.
The Grilled Shark Kabob were fantastic! Very tender and tasty ... but what truly makes this place a "must go" is the view and ambiance on the deck. It just seemed wrong to sit indoors. :)
(4)Greg D.
Now open for breakfast every day. Nothing spectacular, limited menu. Hope they expand menu in the future. We were the only two people there at 845, then a group of six came in. Nice view, average prices.
(2)Alison N.
Enjoyed fish tacos (pretty tasty, loved the sauce) and a delicious cheeseburger on another visit. The decor is pretty hokey, but the food and service is on point.
(4)Tara B.
This place is great! If you are a tourist then the live music, cheap drinks, local fish offering, ambiance and boat tours make this a great place to spend a day. This is a more adult setting but kids are welcome. We didn't see many. You are on the water whether you are on the boat or at the bar. The staff were courteous and efficient. The food is AWESOME! We had conch fritters and a grilled fish sandwhich covered in cheese, and philly veggies (read: shroom, onion, peppers.) They will see us again. Oh and there is another one of these at the cape that may be seeing this food ninja soon.
(5)Knot D.
Nice place to go to by boat. Music is good and drinks are reasonable. Food was great as was the service. Great view of the river.
(4)Michele M.
The view was beautiful, the breakfast food was very good and the prices we're very reasonable. The staff was friendly and the restauant was clean. Would definitely return.
(5)Enit S.
My friends and I stopped here for a bite to eat on a Saturday. It was busy but we were able to find seats out in the patio. It has a really nice view of the water (see pic) and they had live music. As always, I went to go wash my hands before I ate; the bathroom's were stylish and very clean; I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the grilled fish sandwich with ahi tuna, but you could also get Mahi. The tuna was fresh and cooked perfectly medium as I requested with a delicious wood-grilled flavor. For $3 you can get an order of their "Tahitian Taters" which are red-skinned potatoes covered in cheese, bacon, sour cream and some kind of spiced seasoning that was really flavorful and delicious. I would definitely come back.
(4)Sean C.
Went for breakfast this morning. Seafood omelette was the bees knees, so big and packed with deliciousness. Bloody marys? Sure why not and they were damn good. I went to the one in canaveral previously (this one was closer to house) and what a view of the river. I recommend for breakfast at least considering prices are comparable to dennys and ihop. We brought our autistic three year old who is more impatient then me, thank you for the quick service.
(5)Dana D.
Came here Saturday night with a large party. Were quoted 30 minutes but seated in about 10 so that was nice. Our server was really busy and it took awhile to place our order. Major gripe was the appetizers came out and the food followed five minutes later so the table of 8 with 8 meals & 4 appetizers was very crowded. The food was decent but not that great of quality. Think this place is better for scenery/live music!
(2)Roberto B.
Great bartenders. Good food. Amazing view. Entertainment at it's best. I can come here every day. Oh, I do!!!
(5)Brandon S.
We didn't try the food. We came for drinks and live music. Both did the job. The location overlooks the river right off Pineda Causeway and US1. The outside patio is sprawling and well maintained. Lots of parking. The inside dining area was very large as well. It wasn't too crowded but I can see this being insane during the summer. We'll be back for dinner.
(3)Phillip R.
When i was down here on vacation, I had the rock shrimp it was probally the best i ever have ate in my life... Great place, great staff, outstanding food!! Cant wait to come back!
(4)Thomas C.
Hangout for brevard county drunks. We used to eat at the one in Cape canaveral which used to be good. But with poor service and the food quality going down tremendously from when we used to eat here we decided to try the new location. The great thing about the new location doesn't have trashy bikers all over the place. There food is alright most of the time. But the last few times we have eaten here it was horrible. They made a fish Philly for my wife and used all of the dark garbage off of the fish. She placed her sandwich down and mentioned something to the waitress about it and they didn't even offer to make her a new one. We thought it was a fluke but this happened twice so we stopped going. My food wasn't bad but it wasn't better than good.
(2)Ryan M.
Arriving for a late lunch on Friday with my girlfriend, we pulled up to a -huge- establishment. Tons of outdoor seating available on the dock area, and a large inside dining room area as well. Upon entering, we obviously startled a waitress as she decided to take us to our table, and stopped along the way to ask an employee eating, "Do we have a hostess today?" The woman eating said that she was eating, but was the scheduled hostess, and after a huffy reaction from the waitress, we were taken to our table. The menu is quite expansive. Salads, wraps, burgers, seafood of all kinds, and non-seafood protein options as well. Of course signature restaurant drinks, too. We started out with conch fritters, that resembled something like a hush puppy. I suppose I am used to those served back home at Pescado's which are almost entirely conch that is fried. Where as these were mealy in comparison. Even so, they had decent flavor, and the house reumalade was delicious for dipping. My girlfriend went with the crab legs, and I went with the Shark Kebobs. I've had Mako several places, all up and down the east coast, and the shark here was ABSOLUTELY incredible. Delicious. Paired with grilled green peppers, onions, pineapple, and very tender shark. The flavor combination was absolutely stellar. This was plated with a mixed steam vegetable, cheese bread, and a creamy, cheesy red skin potato salad. The plate was over flowing, and if I had the appetite, I -might- have been able to finish it. My girlfriend really enjoyed her crab legs, as there was an abundance of it. She seemed to like the crab legs offered at the Sand Bar closer to our hotel. But even so, our meal was really delicious. This place would have gotten 5 stars from me, but the service was lacking. The blatantly rude interaction when we entered, on top of our server not checking on us, except to refill our drinks made us seem like we were just an inconvenience. For an 80$ lunch bill, I'd at least have appreciated the server coming to make sure that our food was prepared alright. Regardless of that foresight, I'd definitely come back for food here.
(4)Delia N.
Being a local, you'd think I would learn where to go for good food! We are usually disappointed when coming here...I don't know why our expectations are so high! It's definitely the view & location that makes us come back. the atmosphere and the view...beautiful! The food is not good! My husbands Grilled mahi sandwich was nasty(fish was bad!) The "new" fish tacos were gross(I got ahi tuna in mine) the cabbage and tortilla tasted terrible! The actual tuna was good, fresh and tasty though. Tacos were served with salsa/beans on the side in ramekin. It tasted like black beans poured out of can with a little bit of chopped tomato on top! We sat at the outside tiki bar on a Sunday around 130pm. We like the bar, so we waited for someone to leave so we could sit there(took about45 minutes) We tried a table in the bar, but we're pretty much ignored for 15 minutes! The first bartender was amazingly friendly and efficient. After a while a new, very young bartender came on. She thought she could just get by with her looks(which didn't work) and had minimal personality, unless, apparently, you were a regular! My husband thought maybe she was in training....she wasn't! Sad that the awesome first bartender had to share her tips, since she was doing all the work! Wish I would've gotten names! Needless to say, we probably won't go back, unless, in a year we forget how bad it is and try it again!
(2)Jessica C.
I can see what is appealing here, but I will never go back. I went yesterday with my mom, aunt, grandma, and cousin. The staff was very friendly and the bathrooms were not bad. It was a beautiful day out so the river view was great. But the food, not good. My mom and I ordered the burger with lettuce, pickle and chips. My aunt and grandmother ordered the cheesesteak. My cousin got the bacon cheeseburger. The food looked okay but it was not. The burger did not taste like real meat and the pickle was gross. This is not even the worst part of it all though. My aunt, mom, and I started to feel icky about an hour or two after eating. Later when we got back to Orlando, we were already feeling the repercussions of the bad choice we made. I am still sick this morning. For 3 of us to get sick, the food is definitely questionable. I don't know what exactly was bad, but my review is to not try it out.
(1)Mike H.
Good place for happy hour with a nice view. A couple of people with me got sick from the food (one thought it was bad mayo and the other thought it was bad cream cheese icing from a breakfast bun). Service was awful. Food I had was mediocre. The cheese steak is better at Firehouse Subs.
(1)Joseph S.
Our family of five all enjoyed our meals. Kabobs, grilled lobster, catch if the day(file) was as as perfect as our waitress described. Sesame tuna was not fishy at all and was sooo tender. Sat on deck overlooking water as day turned into night. Was awesome right in the water. Kids loved killing time on charter pier. Was our favorite dinner so far. Great night.
(5)Shara M.
Vegetarian/vegan menu is not tasty. Very boring bland selection. Appetizer selection poor. Service can be lacking at times.
(2)Chuck L.
Great location.....theme was cool, key west , nautical .waterside, food was good...service was fantastic Cynthia was really good at what she does....happy suggestive upsell....A+ ordered shark kabobs...awesome! Conch fritters were lil greasy...have had better....surf and turf 28.99... not so great! Have to say service saved the day ...would prob do apps and drinks next time...
(4)Samantha A.
Went over the weekend with family, a total group of seven. Literally we were all beyond pleased with our experience. We also had one vegetarian & one diner who hates seafood. 3 people got the seared ahi tuna tacos, I kept hearing that they were the best fish tacos they've ever had. The view is gorgeous! We were lucky enough to get seated in the covered outdoor area. The other outdoor seating seemed unbearable on a hot summer day, not sure I'd recommend it. I didn't get our servers name, but she was SO friendly & knowledgable. Full of recommendations & just wonderful to get good service for a change. This place is so amazing! Check it out!
(5)April K.
UGHHHH. When this place first opened I was SUPER excited. Large venue on the water, lots of parking, sea food, what could be better? Well... almost anything... The last few times I have been there service has been really slow. I am pretty forgiving considering I myself am a former server, but this last time we went, it took forever to have anything come to the table, including menus. So we ordered a few appetizers. Nothing notable. Cold fried food mostly. Then we ordered the clam chowder that was recommended by our server. This has to be the worst clam chowder anywhere. I mean, honestly my spoon could lay on top of this thick gelatin-like substance that was supposed to pass for soup. No no no. All wrong. This is place open late and there is live music. I suggest that if you are hungry, you venture elsewhere. And if you are in a hurry, good luck trying to locate a server for any length of time.
(2)Mary R.
Been twice. Both times the portions were generous (scallops and shrimp) and service was good. Good fresh and well prepared.
(5)Melissa C.
I came for seafood at lunch time. The parking lot looked full so I gave it a try. I was promptly seated. I could of seated myself outside but choose the inside seating. I choose the mahi sandwich at the suggestion of my server. It didn't take long at all to get my food. The bun was larger than the fish which I was disappointed in. It came with plain store bought chips and a large pickle spear. For the price, I got what I paid for. I will say if you came for the view, it definitely has that.
(3)James S.
Great food and atmosphere. Waitress was very nice. Great view. Grills and river rocks are two go-to restaurants in the Melbourne/rockledge area. Try the fish tacos!!
(4)Maria B.
Good food. Had to hale down the waiter to get service at first but after that it was great.
(4)Deborah C.
Love this place! We've had dinner here twice. Love the view!
(5)Susan P.
Great place. Very scenic. Good music. Good priices. Good is great. Just love it here
(5)Dennis V.
I'll make this short. It was very good. My wife and I had lunch with friends who are local to the area. The service was good, and the place was not all that busy the day we were there. Everyone was very happy with their food order, and it all looked very good. Now for my choice the server suggested the grilled fresh Mahi Mahi Reuben. He flatly said "It was the one of the best thing I've ever eaten" Since he had a few extra pounds and looked like he might know something about food, I ordered it. He WAS NOT WRONG! It was probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. Amazing how the Sauerkraut, Thousand Island Dressing and Fresh Mahi, go together. As I write this I'm starting to Salivate. Under $10 with great fries and Coleslaw. Honestly, this sandwich was amazing. Nice Place and quite affordable.
(4)Danielle C.
Service was great. We had the shark kabobs and bacon wrapped scallops. Cooked to perfection. This place has a great atmosphere. Local hangout.
(5)Whitney P.
I guess if you're stuck in this God forsaken hellhole that is Florida and even more specifically, Melbourne, it's pretty slim Pickens as far as restaurants and entertainment go. That being said we were here for the Nationals spring training and decided to take the advice of some locals and go to Grills. The first time we came here was for lunch. I got some sort of fish I had never heard of and I must say it was tasty. The waitress was super nice, she gave us (without asking) water to-go cups and couldn't have been more friendly. Nothing special, nothing to write home about as far as the food and atmosphere. I guess it's on the river, but coming from Southern California, a river in Florida is about as appealing in comparison as overlooking a sewage dump. So, lunch was pretty decent by Melbourne standards. My main complaint about this place was when we decided to come back for dinner. I ordered about 3 things, that they said they were out of, until I settled on the fettuccine Alfredo. It was gross. This was not even my problem, after having stayed in Melbourne Florida for a month, I knew that there were no good restaurants worth the money, so my standards naturally plummeted as far as acceptable. But, the crowd, ugh the crowd that comes out at night is reminds me of the red neck/white trash crowd I used to see when I would beg my parents to take me to the fairgrounds when it came to town every year. They hated the fairgrounds as it was filled with garbage and I never cared being a kid. But now as an adult you can see things more clearly, it was full of white trash drunks. Old red necks ladies with belly shirts on WASTED dancing around like they were on spring break and 18. Look, have fun do it up, whatever, but it was super trash at night. I blame this in no way on the restaurant or the staff. It's Melbourne, it's Florida, so I don't know what I thought it would be like, but it's gross. If you want to come here, come for lunch, but I'd at least avoid weekend nights, unless of course you like belligerently drunk mid life crisis, imported red neck kind of crowds. Again, I blame Melbourne, not Grills.
(2)Danielle L.
So average. I try to enjoy this place, but sometimes the service is just meh or the food will come out cold or completely wrong. They have a pretty good fish sandwich. But it's nothing worth celebrating over.
(3)Jesus R.
Can't beat the view, great local place to eat. Food is above average, and the prices are reasonable given location.
(4)Angie T.
Relaxed waterside dining at a decent price and enjoyable. Great place to bring out of state friends for lunch. Or when out and about to grab a nice meal without having to get dressed up.
(4)Emily H.
Honestly the food was bland and the service sucked. We sat thirsty and empty on beers for at least 10 min. The server has no personality and honestly....shitty work ethic. I wouldn't return here nor would I recommend it. The parking lot was so packed too we had to park on the grass, you would have thought it would have been worth it! Oh well
(2)Michael K.
Grills is a fun place to go. That really sums up my review. It is "FUN". There is nothing spectacular about the food in any way whatsoever. It is all pretty much the same stuff you get everywhere with the same combination of flavors. You know, Onion rings, cheese fries, jalapeno poppers, cheese sticks, sandwiches, etc. And lots of it is with a seafood theme:; "grilled fish sandwich", "coconut shrimp", etc. We have been there five or six times, and it has never been for the food. There is no one in our family that just loves that one menu item there, but *WE DO GO HERE* It's all about the experience and the setting. Every one of my three stars is for that. This Grills is right on the Indian River, so the views are beautiful. The decor has a great "Tiki Island" feel to it, and on Thu, Fri and Sat nights, they always have live bands. The bands are usually Classic Rock cover bands, and they are usually quite good. They play in a great outdoor setting in front of a patio area that serves as seating and a makeshift dance floor, with a big open bar right behind it. Behind all of that is a larger outdoor restaurant area right on the water. They also have an indoor restaurant area, but I honestly cannot imagine why I would ever go in there. That's Grills. Great entertainment, Really nice bar, Very cool setting, and by the way, they serve food. To sum it all up, I really want to say that they should really put some focus on delivering more interesting food, but the reality is that this place is always packed, so they simply don't have to. But unless everyone just loves frozen to the fryer comfort food, they are packing the place because of the music and the setting.
(3)Jamie R.
The food was good baresque kinda it was not very fancy but the environment was great beachy, and cute ! The kids gave it a 9out of 10 in their book only because the smokers on the patio seating area if not they would have hit it out of the park. The staff was pleasant and we will return for sure.
(4)Matt P.
Came here for dinner and then lunch two days later. Both times were met with a friendly waitress and service was on point. Never had to wait for drinks and the portions were enough to go home happy about with a little extra. You'll have a fine time here at Grills. In fact we are sitting here enjoying the band Iris - also very good - on a Thursday night!
(5)Amanda P.
Stopped in for a quick snack & cocktail... Great outside bar! Get the bacon wrapped shrimp! Heard the bacon wrapped scallops were good too :-)
(5)Kristine B.
The only reason I am not giving them 5 stars is the pricing. But it's a tourist area, so I guess you have to expect that. We loved it so much, especially the fried, whole lion fish, that we went back again that week a second time. Great kids menu and super friendly staff! Really cold beer and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
(4)Kathi W.
I absolutely love Grills and have been visiting for years. Not only is the view beautiful, but the food is always delicious. My favorite is the lunch special with blackened mahi mahi.. They have good draft beers at good prices, and the service for me has always been very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend.
(5)Meg ..
We had a wonderful time at Grills. The restaurant is in a great location by the river. It's a large restaurant with an extensive menu and good seafood options. I had the specials, which were a rock shrimp appetizer and fried whole lion fish. The lion fish came two per order with two sides of your choice. The meal was very good and atmosphere enjoyable and relaxed.
(4)Jaclyn P.
We showed up on a Thursday evening for dinner. It was absolutely packed and the hostess said there was a 40 minute wait so we took a buzzer and had a seat. Well, Grandpa went up and chatted a bit with the girl and low and behold they had a table for us. The first thing I noticed was how LOUD the music was. It's a big, open space with 2 levels all constructed of wood planking so the sound just resonated and it felt more like I was in a Miami nightclub than out to dinner with the grands. I had to deduct a star just for this, I left with a headache and I didn't even have a cocktail with dinner. The menu is very friendly for a limited palette. Bacon wrapped scallops, steak and cheese sandwiches, grilled seafood, rice, etc. Normal, safe, boring. I opted for the grilled shrimp with vegetables and rice. The portion was generous but the shrimp were very overcooked. Cocktails are served in disposable cups and the tables and chairs are outdoor patio furniture. Grills Riverside is obviously going for a laid back, kick off your shoes kind of atmosphere but in reality it felt a little cheap and gimmicky. Softer music and real wood tables/chairs would really class up this place. Also, the waitress made the statement, "we don't have a fryolater here" when we inquired about fish and chips but they clearly do because everything can come with french fries, they offer jalapeno poppers and many other fried items. It wasn't a huge deal but even slight, misleading statements regarding their cooking methods can leave a bad taste in my mouth....honesty is the best policy.
(3)D L.
Came here on a Sunday evening to meet up with some old friends and had a wonderful experience. The food was very good and the drinks were cold and plentiful. The service was above average and I had the sushi and others in my party had various kebabs which all were given a firm thumbs up. The place was very busy for a Sunday night and they seem to be able to handle it just fine. Must have one of the few great management teams in the area. Keep up the great work.
(5)Vincenzo G.
Great place to enjoy a beer with good friends . The Friday night crew is always so helpful . Julian and Linsey are some of the best bartenders I have ever meet . The Shrimp Ruben is a must if your hungry . Good people and good times have fun everyone .
(5)Drew F.
Came 2 nights in a row while visiting family. The food is AMAZING and I hope they keep up the good work in that department! The bacon-wrapped shrimp were especially memorable. Live entertainment is hit and miss at any establishment. The indoor lighting could use some tweaks as our table was a bit poorly lit. The staff are eager to help and that makes up for the occasional forgetfulness. Waiters are only human after all.
(4)Jeremiah P.
Great place to grab a bite to eat. It's a little pricey for some of the 'better' food options, but I love their catch of the day and shark platters. Very well seasoned, very good selection to choose from, and awesome location. I'm a local and I'd recommend this place if you're looking for a relaxed, non-dressy place to eat. We also get take-out from here when we need something yummy, but we just don't feel like going out. Reasons it didn't get a 5-star from me: - Prices could be a bit more reasonable. - Consistency of the food from time to time. When I order a large salad w/ Tuna steak, I don't expect to get something different each time....
(4)Michelle P.
I'll start by saying the food was amazing. The lunch platter of grilled fish was more than plenty and a great discount price!! We got the tuna rare and it was cooked perfectly. The sides that it included were varied and large portions. All the other plates of food that were ordered looked good. I tried the shark appetizer and it was yummy. The hostess was less than friendly. We wanted to sit outside but she said no even though there were tables. Then we requested a view and she said that every place had a view and proceeded to put us in a corner in the back as far away from the windows as possible and with obviously no view. And this is with the restaurant less than half full. So we requested moving closer to the window and she gave a face that clearly said she wasn't happy with us. Were we asking to much? I don't think so. Good food. Good waitress. Terrible first impression with the hostess.
(3)Casey P.
We had a really good experience at the restaurant in Palm Shores. We stopped in after a terrific river tour at Good Natured Tours right next door. The waitress was one of the best servers I have ever had. She was taking the orders of a big party when we came in. She asked another waitress to let us know she would be with us as fast as she could. I found that professional and courteous of her. She stayed on top of our drinks and got all of orders correct. We ordered the wings (really good!), the Steak Kabobs (husband liked them), a Spicy Asian Shrimp Salad (I really enjoyed it), and a Key Lime Colada (great!). The establishment was clean and upbeat, if a little touristy. I liked that the women's restaurant had a baby changing station inside an oversized stall with its own sink. It probably deserves a 3.5 rating, but the service pushed it over to 4.
(4)Charlie S.
Cold beer, outside deck right on the bay, and live music make a great place to relax and chill with friends. I have only eaten here for breakfast and the food was very good. Breakfast burrito and pizza omelette are definitely something I would order again. Prices are very reasonable and the service was great!
(4)Rachel R.
I have a hard time with this place because it has such a great view and real drinks. But as far as the food goes, the only thing I've liked is the clam chowder and bacon wrapped scallops. Everything else I've tried has been mediocre and flavorless for the price. Last time I tried something new, the rock shrimp and the lion fish. The shrimp were cooked but cold. Let me stress that the lion fish is served WHOLE and thus had tons of bones. I did not like this at all. Some parts tasted cooked and other parts were slimey and all around no flavor. Very disappointing. This is a good place to stop for a drink and maybe a quick appetizer (bacon wrapped scallops!). Not my favorite for a full entree.
(2)Robert S.
Great location and cool Tiki bar however the food as is the location at the Port is bland and not fresh tasting. I go for a drink but eat elsewhere.
(3)Mike G.
Always worth the trip! Great food on the water. We are big on the water factor. Good bands but they aren't playing tonight because they play outside (after all it is Florida!) And there is a Tropical Storm "Erika" coming and it is raining HARD!
(5)Tyler P.
We had to wait 20 mins for a table for 2 at lunch. Counted 10 open tables. We skipped the wait by going to the bar. Bees were every where. We enjoyed the sangria red and the white. My wife enjoyed her tuna poke. I was excited to see my fish samwhich that looked like a philly cheese steak. The problem is that they forgot the fish.
(4)Rosemarie Y.
Very nice setting, live music and great atmosphere to just unwind and relax. Try the Lion fish - if they have it. I loved it.
(5)Riley S.
This was a great casual family spot. Good food for price and good service. Yummy desserts and a million dollar view.
(3)Debra F.
Beautiful setting on the river-you can sit inside or out. I had the bacon wrapped scallops and they were delicious. while there was a remoulade sauce, they had several others as well-one that resembled duck sauce. My sister in law had the coconut shrimp and they were delicious-large, crispy and full of flavor. Husband had the tuna and it was great. We had sweet potato fries which were very good but unfortunately I was comparing them to a place where I had SPF the day before so I cannot say they were great. They have a side dish of carrots that is different than anything I've had. We will definitely go back! You certainly will not be disappointed. Our server and service was fantastic.
(4)Diana C.
Our waitress Desiree was great. She knew the menu well and explained the fish specials for the day. I had the fish tacos made with File (Could've picked tuna or Mahi too) which were either cooked with coconut milk or coconut oil. We also had the Key Lime Pie which was delicious. The Shark is out of season so we couldn't try it, but I'll be back when it is. There's also a full bar and a great view of the river from inside the restaurant and the outside deck. Enjoy!
(5)Carmen D.
Had their fish of the day, tuna cooked medium. It was flavorful, lightly seasoned and sushi quality texture. Excellent meal. The service is always friendly and quick and the band was entertaining but not intrusive. A nice place for a warm night summer dinner.
(5)Katiana Y.
I get the mahi fish tacos every time. They are the best! Great food, great service, great views. It's the quintessential Florida restaurant with fresh fish, beer and cocktails, and a view of the water that can't be beat. Good for families or after work happy hour at the Tiki bar
(5)Liza M.
Have eaten here a few times and am continually disappointed. Very basic food. The Caesar salad dressing is wayyyy too salty and the Mahi I got on top was dry and bland. Their veggie burger is not great. Their mozzarella sticks are also too salty and they cook them too long. The philly cheese stake was alright. Cool ambience tho. Huge place by the water. Lots of very young kids working the floor and aren't attentive when you approach the counter. They're usually busy talking or on their phones to greet you until you intercept their conversation.
(2)Tila D.
Last night was wonderful. Went for Halloween dinner, we weren't dressed up but it didn't matter. The music was GREAT. They had a band called "The Umbrella Thieves" who were probably the best band they have ever had. They played so much favorite and her song range was unbelievable. The food....absolutely fabulous! They have rock shrimp right now which they never have on their regular menu. It was sweet and meaty and didn't even need the butter, we ordered two servings! The crab dinner with veggies and tators was one of the best meals I have ever had here. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hopefully will go again before the rock shrimp disappear.
(5)Robert R.
Atmosphere great and patio overlooking water is perfect. Excellent food and pretty fast service.
(5)Lesley M.
This restaurant has probably one of the best locations being right on the corner of the Pineda Causeway and US Hwy 1. With that being said...get ready for difficult time parking during the busy weekends. The restaurant is very large, nicely decorated, and has a very nice tiki bar/outdoor seating area. If you want a restaurant that has lots of different people to mingle with and good food then this is definitely the location for you. There is always some type of music/entertainment on the weekends and that always makes a full house. My main reason for visiting was because I had a coupon for Grills from my Entertainment booklet. My husband had been a few times with co-workers so I was very excited to try it. I ordered the blackened chicken sandwich with fries on the lunch menu. There was a nice sized chicken breast served with a generous amount of seasonings on top of a bun. I was very pleased with the taste and flavor of the sandwich, but I was not too impressed with the fries. They gave a decent portion size, but the fries could have used some seasonings to kick them up a notch. My husband was very pleased with his mahi tacos once again. He was served three soft taco shells full of mahi, lettuce, and pico.
(3)Paul D.
Food and beer is good and music usually good. Takes WAY too long to get a table outside since every table holds eight people and only two or three are usually taking them up having a few beers for hours. They need to have smaller tables for smaller parties of two or three. Love hearing Johnny Danger play. Also love docking my boat or riding my motorcycle in for lunch on weekends. My last review was deleted for supposedly not having actual details so I hope the above actual experiences from me actually being there and waiting forever for a table or just leaving provides enough actual detail for this review.
(2)Michael J.
Great place to sit on the river and vey good burgers either outside at the tiki bar, tables around the bar, inside seating, & my favorite spot is under the shaded roof protecting you from the afternoon sun and thunder storms. Great burgers and rock fish. Good prices. Have there several times without any issues.
(4)John L.
Location, location, location - that's what entices the crowd to this dock side casual eatery. Situated off the Indian River, the view of a dockside table is unrivaled. However, the food, the culinary skill and factor in the price, this place is deceptively inadequate. Before the locals cry foul to my statement, I've eaten at Michelin starred restaurants and some of the best hole in wall places so I kinda know my "food". If you think this place is a culinary pinnacle, you can either continue to go there and maintain your opinion, or broaden your uninformed experience by trying a few more restaurants (and no, Cheesecake Factory does not count). If you do ended up at this place, my advice is to stick with the basic burgers and wings. Also get bottled beers over their cocktail specials. Whoever their mixologist (aka bartender) is should be fired. I mean how does one f-up a piña colada? It comes premixed!!
(2)india r.
We stopped in on our way home from Miami. This place was jumping! They have a huge outdoor deck area. A live band was playing great 80s tunes. The view of the intercoastal water was gorgeous. The menu has a huge variety even though its seafood based if you. cannot find something to eat here you aren't hungry. The choices range from sushi to fish prepared lots of ways to burgers. Our waitress was great and the food was well cooked,clean and served quickly
(4)Amber H.
Grills riverside is great location with wonderful views and plenty of room for large crowds. The food is your typical seafood pub style with a large emphasis on fresh not fried. The service is friendly and fast. I had the grilled Mahi sandwich with chips and I was perfectly satisfied! The fish was cooked to perfection! Great family friendly place!
(4)Dillon C.
I love this place but who Evers running the afternoon crew. I think these guys needs to be fired.They watched as I tried to get the servers attentions. I waited 30 mins to order a beer.
(3)William V.
Good food and cooked just the way it should be. Drinks are good and happy hour prices are a plus. Interesting Lion Fish appetizer.
(3)Lisa C.
I went here for dinner. I was seated at a table that a waitress had a tray on and was using as a tray jack as I was being seated. My waitress Jessika came over and was very pleasant and professional. I ordered the shark kabobs and they were excellent. I really liked the food and service from my waitress and a very nice hostess, Linsey. They do need to invest in some tray jacks and make the wait staff use them.
(5)Kent L.
Came here about a year ago, had the shark kabobs, and didn't think much of it. What was memorable was the great view of the ocean (see picture). However, I came back last week on business and tried the Mahi Mahi fish sandwich with sweet potato fries - recommended by a colleague, as "the best fish sandwich in America" per Regis and Kelly. I'm not much of a fish lover, but I found the fish sandwich to be really good! Same goes with the sweet potato fries, which came with an interesting honey mustard dip. Great place to grab dinner and drinks after work, and is reasonably priced, but come earlier in the winter time so you can catch the great view.
(4)Don F.
Three stars for the food and eating options, but it's location and boating options brings it up to four. Really, 4.5. We love our local Port Canaveral Grills for breakfast (and breakfast only), and had to try the new Grills on the river. Granted, we tried it after their first week, so the service really wasn't good, and the food was OK, but we know from our 'inside source (our usual server at our Grills) that they were under the gun, hiring a lot of staff and training them quick and hard. So I'll change this review on our next run, depending on how that goes. So it was 3 stars. BUT, I'm a sailor, and they have 42 slips. And I REALLY have been hoping for more restaurants on the water. What Grills Riverside has to offer me is a floating dock (in addition to many fixed docks) that can take a large boat with a deep draft. Bingo, one more star. Cruising sailors love waterfront restaurants, and this one is directly on the ICW. So, if you're on a boat on the ICW in central Florida and you're yelping to see if there's a place to eat...this is a good choice. just north to fhe Pineda Causeway.
(4)Gwen T.
This is the typical Florida style restaurant. You are here for fresh fish and boy is it good. I have been here twice with two large groups and all the food was fantastic. Casual restaurant, open air seating available and right on the inland water way- even boat docking available. Great Mahi Mahi.
(5)Wesley S.
This riverfront venue was a pleasant surprise. If I could adjust anything here it would be the sound level and the performance of the bands equipment. Otherwise the food was really good (I had a fish Reuben), the wait staff quite helpful, and the environment very fun (for a Friday night in Brevard County). The fish sandwich was worth the trip! Also I think this place is a good place to bring a group of people as they have very large tables outside on the deck and it is quite a large space for riverfront dining and entertainment. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(4)Gloria M.
Great River Views, Good Food, Live Music, Cool Tiki Bar Deck We have been coming to Grill's in Port Canaveral since 1997 when it opened. We were thrilled when Grill's Riverside Restaurant opened in Melbourne back in January 2011. In the beginning, parking was a big problem at the new restaurant. Everyone wanted to try it. Now it seems less so. We have been to this newer location many times since it opened. On our latest visit this week, eight of us dined here for lunch. I phoned in a reservation about 90 minutes before we arrived. The table was ready for us and our server, Spencer arrived soon after we sat down to take our drink orders. After perusing the menu for a short time, we all decided on our choices. Although Coconut Shrimp, $9.99 and Bacon Wrapped Scallops, $11.99 sounded delicious we all decided to skip appetizers. Two of us ordered the Deluxe Cheeseburger in Paradise cooked rare, $10.49 - one with Sweet Potato Fries and the other with seasoned French Fries. Our third diner ordered a Hurricane Hamburger, $8.49 served with a pickle wedge and chips. Another diner ordered a new item on the menu, a Cuban sandwich with Shrimp, $10.99. Our fifth diner ordered a regular (new) Cuban sandwich, $9.99. Our sixth diner has a Fish Sandwich, $10.49. Our seventh diner ordered the Grilled Rueben Sandwich, $9.99, while our final diner ordered Fish with Cheese Sandwich, $10.49. All sandwiches are served with chips and a pickle wedge. The Cheeseburgers in Paradise did not arrive cooked as ordered and one of the diners had to send his back as it was so overcooked that it showed no pink at all. Spencer graciously agreed that it was not anywhere near rare and returned it to the kitchen. She replaced it with one cooked rare and it was great, our diner said. Aside from that snafu, we all thought that the food was delicious. We arrived at the end of a busy afternoon so service was a bit slow at the beginning of the meal but improved greatly as the restaurant cleared out. While we ate, I glanced around the busy restaurant. Each table had a different scene on it. I ones I saw mostly depict tropical beach scenes, marine motif or Grill's logo. High wooden unfinished ceiling with fans soared high above the tall picture windows that look out on tranquil river views. The Pineda Causeway Bridge can be seen out the tall windows and I watched as a colorful catamaran glided by. The bridge looks beautiful lit up at night. Opened yellow umbrellas hung around the dining room with lights inside them. The artwork on the wall is eclectic many with beach or marine themes as well as neon lights advertising beer logos. You can dine outdoors or inside. Something new to me was a Frozen Yogurt machine that I had not noticed on previous visits. The outside Tiki Bar was very busy - just about every seat was occupied as we departed the restaurant. The restrooms are outside the interior dining area and is accessible for the bar and outdoor diners. There is live entertainment in the evenings at both locations. Check the Website for the schedule. This is a fun restaurant to visit. Seafood is fresh. I have noticed that prices are rising. Both Grills' Restaurant used to be more affordable. I still enjoy coming to both locations for the marvelous waterfro0nt views and the live entertainment. If prices continue to rise, I probably will visit less frequently. If you have not dined here, check it out. Perhaps you will become a regular as I am.
(4)Mike H.
It's always nice to try new places and having driven past Grills Riverside several times a week for the past few months, and seeing how busy it always seemed, I decided it was high time to give it a go. As others have pointed, Grills Riverside has a pretty nice view of the Indian River Lagoon. And, if you're lucky, a great view of the dolphins as they round up their own seafood platters. The restaurant is always packed (unless you get there early for breakfast [Fri-Sun]) and it tends to be quite loud. Depending on where they seat you, expect to be packed like sardines. I was unable, for most of the meal, to back my chair from the table because there was someone in a similar situation sitting behind me. Also, I couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone but myself - even then I had difficulty hearing myself and kept going loudly (in my head), "What?" The service is fairly attentive and orders are delivered pretty quickly. However, what they deliver leaves something to be desired. Keep in mind that their menu is about 80% seafood and I wasn't in the mood for seafood. I ordered the deluxe cheeseburger (I forget the fanciful name they gave it) and was disappointed when I started eating. The patty, all though larger than what you'd expect elsewhere, was very bland and lacked seasoning. In fact, I'd say that had they ground up cardboard and concrete and formed it into a patty and served that, I'd have been delighted. I'm not kidding folks. That was one crappy "burger". The "burger" is served with whatever crumbs the kitchen managed to rescue from the bottom of their vending machine bag of Ruffles. Ha! Ruffles. We should be so lucky. Of course, you also get a dill pickle wedge - which, by the way, was the most flavorful part of the meal. I will say this: the cheese sticks appetizer was excellent. How can you mess up cheese? If you're looking for someplace to have a nice, quiet dinner, this isn't the place. If you're looking for someplace that will make you feel like you are in the container your dinner came in, then this IS the place. And even though I was not impressed at all with their dinner, I really do recommend going there for their breakfast offerings which are really, really good. One side note: the band that was playing the night we went... sucked. I've listened to James Taylor for more than half my life and I've seen him in concert four times. If you can't sing a simple song like "Fire and Rain" and get the lyrics and actual music right, then don't sing it. Same goes for "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" - you're no Lynyrd Skynyrd, so don't try...
(2)Lori H.
What a view over the river...the food is fantastic and they have live music. We always try to eat outside on the deck when it's available but once the band starts it can get hard trying to find a table. If you enjoy dining on the river then this place is for you.
(5)Jennifer M.
My first and only time at this new location restaurant/ bar was a good one. I met a friend on a Saturday evening around 7 p.m. Each time I've driven by Grills, it's always packed, ever since they opened. This time was no different, but I was lucky to find a parking spot. I didn't have any food, only cocktails, so in terms of their food, I cannot comment about that at this time. I'm giving it three stars simply for atmosphere. There was a good, diverse crowd the night I went. The band was playing some good tunes. I especially like the set up of the place. They have a huge dockside bar/ patio area overlooking the river, in addition to the indoor restaurant with big windows. The staff was attentive and very friendly. It's a nice place to have some drinks and people watch.
(4)Kellie B.
Love this place. Do get the Mahi Tacos. You won't be sorry!
(5)Jason H.
Prime riverside location with great views, but the place was way too loud, and the food was surprisingly average. I had the fish tacos, and for $10 it seemed OK. We had also ordered the fish sandwich--this came out soggy, cold, and covered with very strong onions. Not a good sandwich. Service was fair and the menu has quite a few choices. Overall just an average place.
(2)Maria G.
It was rainy when we ate here, so I missed the great view other reviewers have mentioned. Maybe that would have bumped it up to 3 starts. Meh is right-the food was okay, but nothing more than okay. Our table got a variety of items, and nobody was terribly impressed. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, it was okay food. The beer selection was disappointing-no local beers, no craft beers, just a handful of larger breweries. This isn't a bad place at all-I'd probably go back if I was back in the area. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, though. Maybe next time I'll be wow'd.
(2)Mark S.
The atmosphere is fairly nice. The food was ok. When I am there for dinner, DON'T serve me beer in a plastic cup!! It's not a keg party and you weren't sponsoring a major event.
(2)Mark S.
The atmosphere of Grill's is pretty cool, but I jokingly stated to my gf that it seems to be a mid-life crisis hangout. Most of the people hanging outside for the music were late 40's to early 50's, and being overly tacky. But with that said, its a pretty cool setup and if I lived nearby I would probably go for drinks and music occasionally. We ate inside and the service was pretty good even though they were really busy (45 minute wait on Friday night at about 7pm). We ordered some onion rings as an appetizer because the menu states some of the best around, they were not good at all, but the jalapeno poppers were good. I had the chicken caeser wrap, which was pretty good, no complaints. My gf had the fish tacos which she stated were really good, some of the best she has had in a while. Overall this place is pretty cool, I will go back when I visit the area again.
(4)Anthony R.
One of our favorite local places. At first the size of the building and sometimes seemingly chaotic parking can be daunting, the food is fantastic! Shark kabobs are unique and flavorful. The clam chowder is some of the best around, and service is friendly. This is a place we now bring friends and family from out of town when we want them to experience local flavor and flair. Incredible views while dining, Grills is a must!
(5)Jamie S.
We've decided the only real appeal of Grill's is it's atmosphere. It has a huge outdoor patio, dock, & tiki bar right on the river with live music on weekend nights - can't beat that ambiance! With that being said, they're food kinda sucks. It's your standard, expected menu for this type of restaurant - sandwiches, crappy seafood, some "from the land" options. Their food is never very tasty and their seafood is really low grade. They do have some yummy desserts though! The prices are moderate. I'd recommend Grill's more for a night outside for drinks then for a good meal. Plus, if you try to eat here on a weekend night, you'll have AT LEAST a one hour wait, and you'll be sadly disappointed!!
(3)Bill D.
Mostly fried foods and average menu. Had the bacon wrapped scallops and it seemed like they were cooked in a deep fryer. Visited several times for dinner and this time on a Friday night. Noise was so loud I couldn't hear the person sitting three feet away. Live band made it worse in main dining area. Recommend for lunch (Mahi jerked sandwich) but not going back for dinner.
(3)Steve S.
What's right: - Quality for the value. The food and drinks were really good with generous servings for the price. - The setting. Grills built a comfortable and attractive facility in a location with a good view and pleasant setting. - Service. Hostess, waitress, and runner were pleasant, competent and cordial. I have been to Grills at the Port. The new location improves on the original. The fish of the day was fresh and very well prepared. The wine list has a good selection at fair prices served in good portions in the correct glass at the right temp. The beach brews are served by the pitcher or plastic cup, but also at the right temp from a clean dispensing system. As I arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night, the parking lot was just opening a few spots as cocktail hour attendees departed. Even with a full lot, I was seated immediately. Good job, Grills.
(4)Aaron D.
Cold food... Could have been much better. Good venue & service at least.
(2)Gregg S.
The conch fritters were tasty with plenty of conch. Bahamian Fish Chowder was amazing with generous portions and great flavor, even though it was served with soup splashed all over the side of the bowl. Mahi Rueben sandwich was am interesting riff on a traditional dish, but turned out suprisinglly well. Service was reminiscent of 'who's on first!'. Lots of room for improvement here. Great waterfront view, and the Rum Runners are among the best in town. Good live entertainment on this Sunday afternoon, and overall... Recommended!
(4)Marty S.
Definately our new fave place for lunch. Stopped in around noon since every evening we've tried to get in here it's been packed. Great service and really good fresh food. I had the filefish lunch special with veggies and potatos. very good-fish was absolutely perfectly grilled. Hubby had a bowl of the bahamian seafood chowder (I'll be getting that next time) that was to die for. Rich, spicy with tons of fish and potatos in it. Mmmm! daughter had spaghetti with awesome garlic cheese toast. We're fans now and will be heading back for the chowder again!
(4)Robin D.
Great Fish Taco!! Can't wait to visit again next time we are in town! A must go to place.
(4)Marcy S.
Great yellow fin tuna steaks, husband loved his crab legs, incredible view of the river. This was the first restaurant we visited the day we moved to PAFB and we will definitely be visiting again!
(4)Rich A.
While their fish is fresh & well prepared, the sides that come with your meal are mediocre, and that's being kind. There was a band playing outside on the deck on the night we went & they were loud, even when seated inside. I'll go back for drinks & to enjoy the view, but I'll skip the food.
(2)Jeanne R.
We went here once on a Saturday night. Parking is "dog-eat-dog". We ended up parking on the side dirt road in the grass. We didn't have to wait for a table, but it was really busy and the hostess said we were lucky. Cocktails were pretty strong (no complaints there...) and reasonably priced. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and it was very good. Chicken was marinated, some are complaining about the onions on the sandwiches but I like that. My boyfriend ordered the grilled fish sandwich, with choices of 3 different types of fish, his main complaint was that it was a bit small. They really should give you fries here automatically, not the "bottom of the bag" potato chips we received. My biggest complaint about the food (but this is a pet peeve of mine), is the fact that they use baskets for sandwiches. Give me a real plate and save the baskets for the fried appetizers, PLEASE. Crowd is older, the music wasn't too loud in my opinion, they played classic old songs that everybody knows. Can't beat the awesome view.
(3)S L.
Really cool spot. There is a large outside area to listen to music and have a few drinks while waiting for your table. The seafood is fresh and really good. Tuna and Mahi Mahi were nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly. They also have large TV's outside to watch sporting events.
(4)Bill D.
Recently returned to Melbourne and visited Grills again. Same great food and nice staff!
(4)Donald S.
Recommended by the lady at the front desk at the Holiday Inn. Love the dockside environment (good looking waitresses dont hurt either) Had the fish tacos with medium tuna and shock top. GREAT! Peanut Butter pie was also very smooth and not too dense which was nice after a meal like that. Place was very busy on a Monday night....but it was a very good experience.
(4)Stephen M.
VooDoo wings were excellent. Lots of sauce just like I like them. Served with a nice sized cup of chunky blue cheese. When they have the Shark Skewers, HAVE THEM!!! By far the best thing on the menu. Went at 5:00pm on a Saturday and had no problem getting a table for 5. My wife had bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp... She licked the plate :) We ordered and shared 6 desserts (gotta live it up at times). The whopper chocolate cake was incredible, as was the mud pie. Both highly recommended. The key lime pie is a little smoother and less tart than I prefer, but still very good. Waitress recommended the fried cheesecake, but I do not. There are better desserts on the menu. Wait staff was very attentive and pleasant. Will go back next time we are in town.
(5)Ernie C.
In town for the day on business...stopped in for lunch. Nice november weather, so the windows were open. This place is huge. Staff friendly and extensive menu. Sushi, several types of fish, sandwiches, dinner plates, etc. I had some great fish tacos (3) made with rare tuna. Came with a small cup of black beans for $10. Next time think I'll try the sashimi and some grilled fish. Friendly staff. This appears to be a big time bar/hangout on the weekends as evidenced by all the standing room areas and the boat slips.
(3)Vincent R.
Sub par seafood.
(2)Charles B.
Best Bushwackers in the area. Food is decent. Could have a bigger selection, but overall a very nice place to go. Great atmosphere, service and view of the river!
(4)Judge S.
Loud and smelly. WHAT is the attraction with place? It's so loud inside you have to scream to get your order in, and you can forget about having a table conversation. Ever heard of sound dampening? The sealant they used on the wood beams and interior is awful--gave me a headache. Cheap ass resin chairs--really?
(1)Lisa Kay H.
The location simply cannot be beat. I must admit, I come here for the view, not the food...if Grills was located anywhere else, it would be an occasional trip. The servers are great and hustle--for being a busy lunch, my water glass stayed full and service was attentive.
(3)Scott K.
Beautiful location, recently built, and built very nicely. Only peeve is 1 bathroom, and to get there from inside you must walk outside - not a problem unless it is a weekend and you have to wade through 1000 people. Nonetheless, I go there regularly, and recommend it. BTW, the seaweed salad is really good.
(4)Chris B.
If you own a restaurant that serves frozen, fried fish in your dishes you need to come here to see how to do fish right! My grilled tuna sandwich was so good and fresh I didn't even need to add anything to it. I can't wait to come and try more good stuff! Great location and great menu. There needs to be more places like this !
(4)Gerry G.
Food is pretty good...what you'd expect from the flip-flop/sunburn set. Fresh fish dishes, good apps and soups. The problem we had was with the other clientel. We were seated next to a table of about 6 adults (and 2 kids!) that had the most foul mouths imaginable. Nevermind that we were there with our 2-year old (you know how they repeat everything they hear), but I was personally offended. This wasn't at the bar, where you might expect, but rather in the dining area. They were loud and drunk and obnoxious. And the servers and management didn't care. So, if you want some decent food while you're getting drunk and obnoxious, this is the place for you. Otherwise, stay away.
(2)Eye F.
Been there twice. First time the food and service was pretty good and deserving of a return trip. The second time the service was terrible and the fish was dry rubber. Too inconsistent to warrant another visit.
(2)Chris L.
I only give this 3 stars because of the views. Great views of the water and Merritt Island. We have eaten here twice and I would say the food is average at best. Shark kabobs are good but nothing else we have tried was very good. The salads are made with no imagination. Everything seems to be salty. The service was slow the first time and the second time the server seemed disturbed that we sat in his section. He could not get rid of us fast enough. I would go back for a drink and that's it.
(2)Richard S.
Melbourne's other riverfront restaurants will have to step up their game now that Port Canaveral favorite, Grills has opened an outpost on US1 just north of the Pineda causeway. There is a lot to like about the new location. Grills did a quality build out on a relatively grand scale with very high ceilings, wood floors and large floor to ceiling windows to give every table an outstanding view of the intercoastal or "Indian River" as is it referred to in these parts. The floors are wide planked wood with exposed nail/screw heads and interior ceiling is loft style with exposed duct work. The place still smells like fresh new wood. Grills menu is deep, with offerings from grilled fish, multiple fish sandwiches, ribs, burgers, chicken wings, Fillet Mignon, pasta, and Sushi. Perhaps the best part of the menu is the wit of the copywriter. The house specialty / Fish section of the menu states "For fried fish we recommend Long John Silvers." Hilarious. When you have the freshest Mahai (and usually snapper or grouper) in town frying such great fish would be a travesty. Good for Grills for steering their patrons to the proper way to cook fish (grilled) or out the door for those who can't appreciate the difference between fabulous fresh caught local fish and ground up fried mystery fish served in some chains. Grills Riverside opened in early May of 2010 and getting a table for dinner in May or June of 2010 means a 20 to 40 minutes wait for dinner. Part of the reason for the wait is that everyone wants to try out new restaurants. Another reason for the wait is inefficient use of the interior space. For such a large restaurant there are surprisingly few tables in the interior of the restaurant. Had Grills utilized built in booths like an Outback, Texas Roadhouse, or even Enigma they could have comfortably fit more diners in the same space. The chairs on both the inside and outside of Grills are plastic/acrylic/PVC stacking lawn / beach chairs in white (outside) or green (inside). These chairs seem practical for the deck since they are cheap, stackable, very light and can be housed down. For interior dining they look and feel cheap and are not comfortable. For a restaurant with a million dollar view and entrees from $11.99 ( Grilled chicken dinner) to $18.99 (7 oz fillet), plastic/resin chairs like those found in the garden section of Home Depot seem out of place. It is as if they ran out of money on the outstanding construction and then just went to Lowes or Walmart to pick up stack chairs. These chairs are also huge. Smaller wood chairs would be more comfortable and would not squander precious space that could be used to seat additional diners. I had a lunch portion of Mahi, served with Tahiti taters (small fingerling potatoes in a zesty cheese sauce) and vegetables for $8.99. The Mahi was outstanding.. (substantially better than Mahi at Squidlips) and at $8.99 with sides an excellent value. Our server was professional and attentive which is impressive given that every table in the place was full. My spouse had a full rack of ribs which was huge, fall of the bone tender, and competitive with the ribs any BBQ, casual chain, or steakhouse in town. Grills has excellent fresh brewed Ice Tea in both sweet and unsweet varieties. If you order the fish ... the Mahi & Snapper are marinated and the tuna is not. From time to time they have "file fish" as a special and it is gross the Mahi, Tuna, and Snapper (the usual menu fish options) are better then the fish they add as the specials. On another visit we tried their Snow Crab and is was not fresh ( I should have sent it back). Conch Key Grill (to the North) and Squidlips (to the South ) will have to step up their game. For casual dining on the river, Grills is the new king.
(4)Darlene P.
I had the misfortune of selecting Grills for my birthday lunch. Every year my friend and I treat each other to lunch or dinner. I picked Grills. Absolutely the WORST decision I could have made. It was not my first time, second or third time but ABSOLUTELY the last, I promise. The first was opening week. Understandable things were not perfect or near perfect. Second and third very mediocre. This last time! I ordered the Steak & Cheese sandwich...........OMG. Maybe I should have ordered some type of fish but I had on prior visits. Ho Hmm. The Steak and Cheese sounded good. Now I can say Arbys is Gourmet and I would consider Arbys the pits. . It had to be the worst tasting thrown together garbage I can imagine. I couldn't even eat the entire sandwich, it was that bad. The beer (1) was cold and water OK. Please consider taking that item off the menu and have a talk with the night maintenance man who was doing the cooking. I know it was beef from a heating tray, thrown on a soggy roll with over heated onions & peppers and a REALLY thin slice of something called cheese (doubtful) on top and put in a microwave. UGH! Then the noise level was the worst as well. AND it was not the patrons. There were very few at 3:30 PM Wednesday. It was the noisy staff. You may need to overhaul and have a talk with management. That's who is to blame! Not to worry, I made a promise not to return so you won't get another bad review from me.
(1)