New Smyrna Beach's Flagler Avenue Florida is a true landmark. Here's your guide to exploring it to the fullest!
Nestled on Florida's Atlantic coast, New Smyrna Beach is a delightful seaside town celebrated for its tranquil ambiance, pristine sandy beaches, and vibrant history. It's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering excellent opportunities for surfing, fishing, and other recreational activities along its picturesque shoreline.
One of the most visited spots in town is Flagler Avenue, a vibrant five-block boulevard stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway. It features a mix of locally owned restaurants, boutiques, nightlife venues, and recreational spaces. While it attracts many tourists, it still maintains a strong local vibe and a sense of community spirit.
If you're planning a visit to NSB, be sure to include this beloved avenue in your itinerary. To make your city explorations easier, we've created a guide highlighting the best things to do along Flagler Avenue.
Before we start...
Are you curious about other local tips and hidden gems in NSB? At our destination blog, we offer expert insights on everything from the best restaurants and nightlife to fishing tips and hidden gems in New Smyrna Beach and around.
Flagler's hotspots await — let's jump right in!
New Smyrna Beach Flagler Ave: Key Attractions
Dining
Boasting a diverse array of restaurants catering to various tastes, Flagler Avenue is home to welcoming eateries where you can enjoy an energizing breakfast, an indulgent brunch, a casual lunch, or a romantic dinner.
The Mermaid Cafe: This charming eatery is known for its delightful breakfast and mouth-watering lunch offerings. The cafe features a cozy, beach-themed decor that creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal with family or friends. The menu features waffles, beignets, and hearty breakfast and lunch options such as sandwiches and wraps.
AA Garden Fusion This family-owned Asian fusion restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere suitable for a variety of dining occasions. Highlights from their menu include Shrimp Wonton Rolls, Poke Finger Rolls, Lobster Rangoons, Satay Chicken, and Spiced Tuna Fishcakes.
Avanu On Flagler: Offering a Polynesian-inspired menu that combines fresh local seafood with unique island flavors, Avanu on Flagler pairs superb cuisine with panoramic views of New Smyrna Beach from its rooftop. In addition to delectable dishes like Kalua Pork Nachos, Pork Belly Bao Buns, and Lemongrass Seafood Noodles, their menu also features exceptional signature cocktails.
The Breakers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar: Established in the early 1900s, The Breakers has become an iconic landmark on Flagler Avenue, offering patrons a unique beachfront dining experience. Situated directly on the sandy shores of New Smyrna Beach, it provides diners with stunning ocean views and a menu featuring fresh seafood dishes, sandwiches, signature burgers, and salads.
Caffe Paradiso: Established over 21 years ago, this local café has evolved from offering a variety of smoothies and espresso drinks to specializing in authentic Italian cuisine. Must-try options include their incredible wood-fired pizzas, flavorful paninis, and award-winning chowders, including the homemade Lobster Bisque and New England Clam Chowder.
Tayton O'Brians: Tayton O'Brians is an Irish pub and grille that delivers a traditional Irish atmosphere, focusing on exceptional food and drinks. The menu features classic Irish dishes such as Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd's Pie, and Bangers and Mash. They also boast an extensive selection of bottled and draft beers, as well as a variety of cocktails and spirits.
Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar: A local favorite renowned for its commitment to sustainability and global flavors, Third Wave draws inspiration from diverse culinary traditions, seamlessly blending them with southern coastal elements to create a truly unique dining experience. The tranquil and scenic garden patio is a favorite spot for patrons to enjoy their exceptional dishes. Their brunch, accompanied by their famous mimosas, is particularly famous.
Nightlife
Are you a night owl? Check out these fantastic options for an exciting night out along Flagler Avenue:
Flagler Tavern: A popular nightlife destination known for its lively atmosphere, live music, and diverse menu. They have multiple bars and an upstairs speakeasy called The Bounty, which features craft cocktails in an intimate setting.
Peanuts Sports Bar & Grill: Established in 1987, Peanuts has become a local favorite, offering live music performances, karaoke nights, poker nights, and a variety of delicious pub fare, including chicken wings and burgers. If your ideal night out involves watching a big game, Peanuts boasts over 20 TVs, making it a perfect spot for sports enthusiasts.
Traders' Bar: Traders Bar has been a local institution for over a decade. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the bar features a charming outdoor patio where you can enjoy delicious drinks, live music performances, and mouthwatering bites like Caribbean Shrimp Tacos and Tiki Wings.
Shopping
Flagler Avenue is also a vibrant hub of unique boutiques and specialty shops. Here are some notable establishments locals and visitors enjoy:
Gyftz: Locally owned gift and décor shop offering a diverse selection of items, including home décor, collectibles, wine accessories, cosmetics, and much more.
Wilde Side Beach & Surf: This shop is a staple for beachgoers, offering everything needed for a day at the beach, including boogie boards, swimsuits, and sunglasses.
New Smyrna Beach Outfitters: Outfitters is the ultimate store for outdoor enthusiasts, offering gear and accessories for fishing, boating, and other water-related activities.
Galleria di Vetro: This gallery offers a selection of one-of-a-kind glasswork, with each piece meticulously custom-made in the shop. If you're looking for a truly unique souvenir in New Smyrna Beach, this is the perfect place to visit.
Vintage Thang Boutique: Vintage Thang offers a curated collection of modern and vintage clothing. You'll also find a variety of items to compliment any outfit, including jewelry, handbags, and more.
Recreation
Beyond dining and shopping, Flagler Avenue offers several opportunities to immerse yourself in the beach atmosphere of New Smyrna, unwind, or enjoy unique activities. Here are some of the top recreational options along Flagler:
Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park
Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park is a popular destination in town, offering a blend of natural beauty and convenient amenities for relaxation and enjoying stunning ocean views. Located at the eastern end of Flagler Avenue, the park provides direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, a covered pavilion ideal for picnics and gatherings, and designated areas for fishing. Needles to say, the beachfront park is also the perfect stage for spectacular sunsets.
New Smyrna Beach Shuffleboard Courts
If you're a shuffleboard enthusiast, check the Mainland Shuffleboard Club at the corner of Flagler Avenue and Pine Street. The club features 20 shuffleboard courts, with 8 of them equipped with lighting for evening play. Additionally, the adjacent Coronado Civic Center provides amenities such as a kitchen, dining room, and dance hall.
Regular play sessions are held Monday through Saturday at 10:00 AM, with additional evening sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM. These sessions offer ample opportunities for both casual and competitive play while providing a great chance to connect with the local community.
Events and Activities
As a vibrant hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment, Flagler Avenue naturally serves as the stage for exciting events and activities throughout the year. Here are some of our favorite happenings along this beloved avenue:
Wine Walks
The Wine Walk is a monthly wine tasting event held on Flagler Avenue giving participants the opportunity to sample a diverse selection of wines while exploring various local establishments along the avenue. It typically takes place on the last Saturday of each month, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
You can purchase a tasting passport for about $30, which includes 20 tasting tickets, a keepsake wine glass, a map, and a listing of each host location's featured wines for the month. During the event, locations offer both one- and multi-ticket wines to sample from over 100 featured wines.
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite until 11:00 AM on the day of the event. For online purchasers, tasting passports and glasses can be picked up at the "Welcome Porch" located at 401 Flagler Avenue, on the corner of S. Cooper Street, starting at noon.
Chili Cook-Off Challenge
Held along Flagler Avenue, this amazing annual event offers the opportunity to sample a variety of chilli styles prepared by local host locations. You can taste different chili recipes and vote for your favorites, with winning establishments receiving the "Best at the Beach" awards.
Shamrock & Roll Music Festival
Coinciding with St. Patrick's Day, the Shamrock & Roll Music Festival brings an extra layer of vibrancy to Flagler Avenue with live music performances, festive activities, and themed events. Over several days, multiple venues along Flagler Avenue host free concerts featuring a wide range of regional and national bands.
Additional activities during the festival include the Shamrock & Roll Beach 5K, a chip-timed race along the beach; the St. Patty Paws Beach 2K, a fun run/walk event for dogs and their owners; and the Mac & Cheese Challenge, a culinary competition where attendees can sample and vote on various mac and cheese dishes prepared by local chefs.
VooDoo Music Festival
This annual event celebrates the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras. Held along Flagler Avenue, the festival spans multiple days and features free live music performances across various venues. With over 20 free shows planned, it showcases a variety of musical genres and highlights local talent. The most anticipated moment of the event is the Mardi Gras Parade, which culminates the festival on Fat Tuesday, February 13th, with festive floats and lively entertainment.
Flagler Avenue Florida: Accessibility and Parking
Parking on Flagler Avenue is designed for convenience with several public parking lots available at nominal fees. The South Pine parking lot is particularly noted for its proximity to the avenue, making it easy for you to access all that Flagler has to offer.
Where to Stay in New Smyrna Beach, FL
At Great Ocean Condos & Homes, we offer a variety of beachfront condos and spacious homes overlooking the blue waters of the Atlantic, providing everything you need for an unforgettable vacation.
