Ava McDonnell
If you’re craving a getaway that blends coastal charm with palate-pleasing local food, New Smyrna Beach’s Coastal Catch Restaurant Month is the perfect excuse to press pause and savor something new. Each October, the New Smyrna Beach Area invites food lovers to indulge in a month-long celebration of coastal cuisine, featuring exclusive dishes and prix-fixe menus priced at $39 and $59 from some of the community’s most beloved restaurants.
It’s a delicious way for both locals and visitors to explore the flavors that make NSB such a vibrant culinary destination.
Coastal Catch Month isn’t just a lineup of menus, it’s an invitation to dine with purpose and pleasure. This year’s participating restaurants include:
- Avanu on Flagler
- Boston’s Fish House
- Chases on the Beach
- Crabby’s Bar & Grille
- Flagler Tavern
- La Terraza
- Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar
- Outriggers Tiki Bar & Restaurant
- SoNapa Grille
- Spanish River Grill & Wine Bar
- The Grille at Riverview
Each restaurant put their own creative spin on bold, fresh, coastal-inspired flavor to their menu. Full menus are available on the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau website and mobile app.
Night One: Dinner at La Terraza
For my own Coastal Catch experience, I packed a bag and headed to Flagler Avenue, settling in for a relaxing one-night staycation. I checked into the SpringHill Suites, where the staff was welcoming, and everything felt clean, modern, and refreshingly low-stress. A few steps from the beach and surrounded by shops, dining, and walkable charm, it made the perfect home base for a food-focused mini-escape.
I kicked off my visit with dinner at La Terraza, a family-owned Mexican restaurant with festive energy and warm hospitality. The meal started with fresh guacamole and homemade salsa that was both bright and impossible to stop eating. For my main course, I ordered their authentic chicken tamales which are made in house every day. My partner ordered a hearty burrito and sipped a grapefruit-hibiscus margarita, one of many tempting margarita variations on their menu. It was light, refreshing, and not overly sweet, it paired perfectly with the meal. To top it all off, the service matched the flavors with friendly, attentive employees who seem proud of what they serve.
Day Two: Lunch on Flagler
For lunch the next day, we headed to Flagler Tavern, one of NSB’s most recognizable local spots and a participating Coastal Catch restaurant. We sat outside, soaking in the classic beach town energy, and ordered our next delicious meal. I went for the smash burger sliders, which nailed the combo with the burger meat, melted cheese, Hawaiian rolls, and the special Tavern Smash sauce working in harmony. My partner ordered the ribeye cheesesteak, which looked incredible, and we split a Cobb salad to round out the meal. It was casual, satisfying, and perfectly suited to an easygoing afternoon by the beach.
Despite the waves being hazardous during our visit, the off-season pace gave the trip a breezy, relaxed rhythm. It also meant fewer crowds, cooler air, and plenty of coastal charm making it easy to slow down and just enjoy the moment with great food as the centerpiece.
From diverse flavors to beach-town ease, Coastal Catch Restaurant Month is a delicious way to experience New Smyrna Beach. Whether you’re a foodie, a curious local, or just someone looking for a short and satisfying escape, the combination of fresh coastal cuisine, community spirit, and small-town charm makes this event well worth the trip.
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