After years of hearing from many of my followers about how wonderful this place is, I finally had the chance to visit The Yellow Dog Café in Malabar, Florida. From the road, the restaurant looks rather unassuming, but that quickly changes once you step inside. The upstairs dining room feels somewhat cozy, with its rich wood paneling, plank ceiling, and a bar tucked into the corner. While not all tables are close to the windows, most still offer a pleasant view of the Indian River. I had the pleasure of meeting co-owner and Chef Stuart Borton, who gave me a full tour of the property. As we made our way downstairs, I was blown away by two large dining rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a more nautical, yet elegant ambiance. The views from this level are quite spectacular, and I highly recommend sitting downstairs if you have the chance.
The Yellow Dog Café is the labor of love of Chef Stuart and his wife Nancy, who opened the restaurant in February 1997. Specializing in “comfort food with a flair,” the café has earned a stellar reputation for both its impeccable cuisine and exceptional hospitality. What started as a charming riverfront eatery has grown into one of the most celebrated restaurants in Brevard County, recognized by Space Coast Living and featured in Florida Travel & Life for its scenic location. With a multi-level layout, intimate dining spaces, and a peaceful dockside setting along the Indian River Lagoon, it’s the kind of place where locals celebrate milestones and travelers discover something truly memorable. Whether you’re sipping a glass of wine on the porch or strolling the beautifully landscaped property, The Yellow Dog Café offers a dining experience that feels both elevated and inviting.
Now let’s dive right in and see what this place has to offer, and what I had to eat!
To kick things off, I started with two appetizers: the house-made Potato Chips and the Potato & Cheese Pierogi, a recent addition to the menu. The chips are fried fresh to order, topped with crumbled bleu cheese, and served with a warm cheese dipping sauce on the side. They arrived crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned—an irresistible start to the meal. The pierogi were also excellent, with a crust that felt like a cross between a traditional pierogi and an empanada, likely baked rather than boiled or fried. The potato and cheese filling was generous and comforting, with a mild, creamy cheese flavor that didn’t overpower the dish. A solid newcomer to the appetizer lineup, and one I’d gladly order again.
Next up was the Crab Bisque Soup—a staple on the menu since day one and, from what I’ve heard, one of the most popular items they serve. Naturally, I had to try it. Rich, creamy, and loaded with tender crab meat, this soup did not disappoint. It struck a perfect balance between indulgent and comforting, and I can absolutely see why it’s remained a guest favorite for so many years.
As I was browsing the menu, the Jägerschnitzel immediately caught my eye. It’s not a dish you see too often, so I couldn’t pass it up. The plate featured breaded pork cutlets topped with a rich mushroom Demi-glacé, served alongside a portion of braised red cabbage. The cutlets were perfectly fried, with a satisfying crunch on the outside and incredibly tender pork inside. The mushroom Demi-glacé added a savory depth that complemented the pork beautifully. While I’m typically not a fan of cabbage, I almost let that keep me from ordering the dish. The cabbage was tender, slightly sweet, and a perfect match for the rest of the plate.
For my final entrée of the night, Chef Stuart recommended I try the Filet Mignon—and I’m glad I took his advice. I opted for the 8 oz portion, cooked medium, and it was absolutely perfect. The seasoning was spot on, and it was topped with a bone-shaped bacon bleu cheese compound butter, keeping with the restaurant’s playful dog theme. The filet was incredibly tender and bursting with flavor, a true standout on the menu. Served alongside were mashed potatoes that were smooth, creamy, and the ideal complement to the richness of the steak.
What’s a fantastic meal without a sweet finish? I asked about their dessert selections, and they brought over a display board so I could see everything they had to offer—a nice personal touch. As a big fan of chocolate brownies, the choice was easy: I went with the classic Walnut Brownie Dog Bone. True to the name, it’s shaped like a dog bone and served warm, topped with a thick, decadent chocolate sauce. Rich, gooey, and satisfying, it was the perfect way to end an already impressive dining experience.
Want to bring some of The Yellow Dog Café magic into your own kitchen? Chef Stuart Borton’s Comfort Food With a Flair cookbook is packed with 214 pages of reimagined classics—from traditional mac and cheese to elevated favorites like lobster mac. With beautiful photography, global flavor inspiration, and easy-to-follow recipes, it’s perfect for both home cooks and seasoned pros. Click here to order your copy and start cooking comfort food with a flair!
Yellow Dog Café
Address: 905 US-1, Malabar, FL 32950
Phone: (321) 956-3334
https://www.yellowdogcafe.com/
Keywords: Yellow Dog Café Malabar Florida, best restaurants in Malabar FL, waterfront dining Space Coast, Stuart Borton chef, comfort food with a flair, riverfront restaurants Florida, Malabar fine dining, Indian River waterfront dining, where to eat in Malabar FL, Florida restaurants with a view, seafood and steak restaurants Space Coast, Florida comfort food restaurant, This article is a paid advertisement for the restaurant featured in this blog post. All opinions expressed in this post are based on our own experience with the business and its products, local favorites Space Coast dining, top-rated restaurants Brevard County, unique dining experiences Florida, chef-owned restaurants in Florida, romantic dining Indian River, foodie destinations in Florida, best filet mignon Space Coast, homemade pierogies Florida, house-made potato chips with bleu cheese, crab bisque soup Florida, Florida dessert brownie, dog-themed restaurant Florida.
