About Melbourne's Historic Downtown Melbourne

Florida has the largest Cuban population in the U.S. The Miami and Tampa areas are rich with Cuban heritage, culture and restaurants...on the Space Coast we have yet to have a large Cuban influx...but thankfully we have a few really good Cuban restaurants and El Ambia Cubano is one of the best!

El Ambia Cubano is a small restaurant built in an old Historic Melbourne home that overlooks a river and park. The restaurant has tables inside as well as a sizable outdoor porch and some stools up at the counter facing the kitchen. Although the parking lot for the restaurant is small...you can always find parking in the near by City parking lot. The issue you may have here is the food is so good and authentic you may find yourself waiting on a long line to enjoy the wonderful Cuban options offered at great prices.

On a recent visit for lunch I decided on a Cuban sandwich, sweet plantains (maduros), and a cup of Cafe Con Leche (strong Cuban coffee with steamed milk...yum)...the entire lunch cost me $9.50 plus tax and tip...an amazing value for what felt like a 45 minute trip to Cuba circa 1960!. The Cuban sandwich rivals those I have eaten (many times) in Miami...the roasted pork is amazing...and I need to know what they do to those pickles). If you have room left for desert try the Flan...it is the best available north of South Florida!

There are always great specials offered (your server will tell you which are available each day)...fyi...they are $7.50 on the day they are offered...and $10 on off days. They also offer music on the patio many nights...so check the schedule (I will include a link to the website below). They have beer, wine and sangria (red or white) available. The sangria is sold by the glass or pitcher...my suggestion...order a pitcher ($15) with your dinner it is really...really good.

El Ambia Cubano is located at 950 E. Melbourne Ave in Historic Downtown Melbourne...they are across the street from Crane Creek (the best place to see the Manatees in season)! If you are coming for lunch try to arrive no later then noon...so you can get a table out on the patio...this way you can enjoy the sun and great food.

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.elambiacubano.com

I love Historic Downtown Melbourne...it has really come a long way from when first moved here in the mid-80s. One of my favorite places to hang out when I am trying to view the beautiful (in an ugly sort of way) Manatees (some call them sea cows) is Bean Park. The Manatee is on the endangered species list so this is a real treat for us here in on the Space Coast.

Bean Park is located at 1208 East Melbourne Ave on the south side of Downtown Melbourne. It is a riverfront part (runs along Crane Creek) that has been beautifully landscaped grounds as well as plenty of parking within a short walk.

Amenities in Bean Park include:

• Pavilions (two of them)
• BBQ Grills
• Lots of park benches
• Great Manatee viewing
• Plenty of parking
• Wonderful waterfront views
• Walk to restaurants for lunch

You can actually feed the Manatees here when they are in season (my boy could spend the entire day)...FYI...bring lettuce...they do not eat meat.

Bean park is a place you will find yourself coming often. Stop at one of the really good local restaurant options...then pull up a park bench or sit in a pavilion and see if you can view a Manatee.