In Cocoa Beach, you'll find loads of restaurant choices, both high end and casual.

Coconuts on the Beach is the place to visit, whether you’re going for lunch, to party, to meet people or to listen to live music. Casual and fun, Coconuts serves a fresh seafood menu and always offers happy-hour specials. On the afternoon I was there, there was a true mix of clientele; twenty-somethings and retirees were all mingling, listening to the music and enjoying the beach views.

Another fun destination is in nearby Port Canaveral/Cape Canaveral, where locals go to party at the various restaurants located in the Port. Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar is where you can dine from an island menu that includes fresh seafood brought in to their dock daily.

Fishlips Waterfront Bar and Grill is two levels of fun. Sit on the top deck to get the best views of the cruise ships as they leave the Port. They have bars both inside and outside and a large dance floor. The place was jammed when I was there and has a really upbeat vibe. Late night happy hour runs from 11 p.m. to close every night. Theme nights include Ladies 80’s Night on Tuesdays, comedy on some Wednesdays and live bands every weekend.

At the more upscale Redhead Martini & Cigar Bar, I perused the drink menu, which features over 100 specialty martinis, and chose the chocolate martini. We sat inside and listened to live jazz, but you can also go outside to the covered waterfront patio for live music and DJs spinning the latest hits.

A girl’s gotta eat, so I also checked out some of Cocoa Beach’s restaurants. Gregory’s is located at the Ocean Landings Resort and was jammed with locals. The interior is intimate, with stone and wood details, a large bar and arched windows dressed with lace café curtains. Cocktails were generous and the food moderately priced. I had the rib eye with caramelized onions topped with blue cheese butter. Fantastic. My guest, a fish lover, said that his mahi mahi was the freshest he’d tasted in a long while. The blackened stuffed flounder was another winner.

More upscale, the Mango Tree Restaurant features a series of intimate dining rooms. We sat at the back in a Garden Room that boasted etched glass windows overlooking a quaint brick courtyard. A pianist was on hand playing standards and the ambiance was tres romantic. Both appetizers we selected, the escargot topped with puffed pastry and the sherried seafood bisque, were fabulous, while the penne pasta with chicken and vegetables in a Teriyaki cream sauce was both imaginative and delicious. The only disappointment of the evening was the cheese plate. Not many restaurants offer this and if they’re going to, it should be a bit more imaginative. Prices are high, so save this location for that special night out.

Coconuts on the Beach: www.coconutsonthebeach.com

Grills Seafood Deck: www.visitgrills.com

Fishlips: www.fishlipswaterfront.com

Redhead Martini & Cigar Bar: www.theredhead.biz

Gregory's: www.gregorysonthebeach.com