fbpx
Restaurant ReviewMelbourne & Palm Bay

Backwater Restaurant Review – Melbourne, Florida

Nestled across the street from Melbourne City Hall is Backwater, a cozy breakfast and lunch spot known for its southern-style cooking and charming atmosphere. Since 2015, Backwater has been crafting fresh, in-house dishes daily. They proudly work with multi-generational, family-owned Florida businesses to source meats, grains, and specialty ingredients—keeping things truly local.

american-icon-wide-2
armanis-banner
chive-wide
tccsf-wide
BCBC-wide-72ppi
celebration-grove-wide
island-burger-and-shake-wide
island-pig-and-fish-wide
green-marlin-wide
sacred-grounds-wide
Counter-Culture-Wide
riverside-banner
tipsy-gypsy-wide
ocean-grill-wide
rosie-malloys-wide
Backwater restaurant front entrance located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

The atmosphere inside is warm and lively with chatter from full tables and waitstaff moving about. A friendly host will greet you along with a colorful “Welcome to Backwater Downtown” blackboard that lists the seasonal specials. It features a map of Florida that highlights their locally sourced ingredients, reinforcing their farm-to-table philosophy.

Dining room inside Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

The atmosphere ties it all together. Historical artwork lines the walls while a tin roof reminiscent of a rustic barn adds a touch of Southern charm. It’s the perfect place to bring family or friends new to town, offering them a taste of the South before heading out for a stroll through downtown Melbourne.

The downtown Melbourne location features high-top seating, tables, and interactive griddle stations where guests can cook their own pancakes. It was a cold, rainy morning when I went, making the griddle table the perfect spot to warm up. My waitress Holly was incredibly friendly and attentive, setting the tone for a great breakfast experience.

raw pancake batter cooking on a griddle at the dining room table located inside Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida
A cooked pancake with cream cheese spread on top at Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

I started with the Pancakes and was given a menu that lets you choose your batter flavor along with a variety of toppings. I chose the seasonal snicker doodle pancakes and the house-made cream cheese topping. The batter comes in a squeeze bottle, making it easy to create fun designs on the griddle. I’m no artist, so after a failed attempt at a star, I stuck to simple circles.

tccsf-wide
BCBC-wide-72ppi
green-marlin-wide
rosie-malloys-wide
american-icon-wide-2
riverside-banner
island-burger-and-shake-wide
armanis-banner
tipsy-gypsy-wide
sacred-grounds-wide
chive-wide
ocean-grill-wide
Counter-Culture-Wide
island-pig-and-fish-wide
celebration-grove-wide

The pancake batter was delicious. The warm spices of the snicker doodle flavor came through beautifully, complementing the sweetness of the cream cheese for a rich, comforting bite.

The Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict as prepared by Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

Next, I explored the savory side of the menu. The Carolina Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict was my introduction to eggs Benedict, and it couldn’t have been a better first experience. The pulled pork was spicy and tangy, true to Carolina-style barbecue. It contrasted perfectly with the mild, creamy hollandaise. The homemade biscuits were flaky, and each bite was packed with flavor, making this the standout dish of my meal.

The Cajun Omelet as prepared by Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

Omelets are a breakfast staple, so I tried the Cajun made with andouille sausage, jack cheddar cheese, and onions. If you enjoy Cajun flavors but can’t handle spicy foods, this omelet is for you. The andouille sausage has a bit of a kick but is mellowed out by the sweet onions and cheese.

island-burger-and-shake-wide
american-icon-wide-2
ocean-grill-wide
chive-wide
Counter-Culture-Wide
green-marlin-wide
sacred-grounds-wide
tipsy-gypsy-wide
celebration-grove-wide
island-pig-and-fish-wide
rosie-malloys-wide
riverside-banner
tccsf-wide
BCBC-wide-72ppi
armanis-banner
The Monte Cristo Sandwich as prepared by Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

Since breakfast and lunch are served all day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., I decided to try their “Bourbon Revival”—a triple-decker Monte Cristo deep-fried in a sweet beer batter and served with a bourbon bacon dipping sauce made with puréed raspberries. The beer batter created a light, crispy exterior, while the layers of Turkey, Swiss, ham, and cheddar inside offered a delicious contrast of flavors. Paired with the raspberry dipping sauce, each bite was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It’s a rich, indulgent dish that could easily be shared.

Artwork on the outside of the building at Backwater restaurant located in Downtown Melbourne Florida

Backwater does something truly special— it offers a dining experience that feels both creative and deeply rooted in Florida tradition. The menu is inventive and grounded, embracing bold flavors without compromising on the fundamentals.

armanis-banner
ocean-grill-wide
island-pig-and-fish-wide
chive-wide
Counter-Culture-Wide
rosie-malloys-wide
BCBC-wide-72ppi
riverside-banner
celebration-grove-wide
sacred-grounds-wide
island-burger-and-shake-wide
tccsf-wide
tipsy-gypsy-wide
green-marlin-wide
american-icon-wide-2

Backwater
Address: 1904 Municipal Ln, Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone: (321) 837-3925
https://www.backwaterflorida.com/

Keywords: Backwater Restaurant, Melbourne FL Breakfast, Southern Cooking, Farm-to-Table Dining, Pancakes Melbourne FL, Brunch Spots Melbourne, Best Breakfast Florida, Downtown Melbourne Dining, Southern Food Florida, Comfort Food, Best breakfast spots in Downtown Melbourne FL, Farm-to-table restaurants in Melbourne FL, Southern-style brunch in Florida, Where to eat in Downtown Melbourne FL, Interactive pancake griddle experience Melbourne, Carolina Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict near me, Best homemade biscuits in Florida, Bourbon Monte Cristo sandwich in Melbourne FL, Family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne FL, Best places for brunch with friends in Florida, Unique dining experiences in Downtown Melbourne, Cajun omelet with andouille sausage in Melbourne FL, Locally sourced ingredients restaurant Melbourne FL, Top-rated comfort food spots in Florida.

island-burger-and-shake-wide
ocean-grill-wide
tccsf-wide
riverside-banner
american-icon-wide-2
island-pig-and-fish-wide
green-marlin-wide
armanis-banner
rosie-malloys-wide
celebration-grove-wide
sacred-grounds-wide
tipsy-gypsy-wide
Counter-Culture-Wide
BCBC-wide-72ppi
chive-wide

Gabriela Huselton

I have a BA in Literary Journalism from UC Irvine and work as a freelance journalist in Brevard County. I love uncovering hidden gems and bringing local stories to life.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button