The Mermaid Cafe at Riverview is a charming eatery nestled in the heart of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where the coastal ambiance meets delectable cuisine. Locals and visitors alike rave about the delightful breakfast offerings, particularly the Belgian waffles, with the strawberry shortcake being a must-try. Reviews highlight the fantastic Dole Whip mimosas, that have become a signature drink, praised for both their taste and presentation.
The warm, welcoming atmosphere is consistently mentioned, thanks to the attentive staff led by owner Jim, who often interacts personally with guests. Olivia Storkamp and Renee Morley share fond memories of their visits, emphasizing the cafe's friendly vibe and the unique experiences, such as complimentary beignets that add a thoughtful touch to their meal. Customers appreciate the cafe's beachy decor, making it an ideal spot for a lovely brunch after a beach day.
As you savor each bite and sip, it’s clear that The Mermaid Cafe embodies the spirit of New Smyrna Beach — relaxed yet vibrant. Be it a special occasion or a casual morning, this café promises an experience to cherish, making it a must-visit destination for anyone in town.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For The Mermaid Cafe at Riverview
Olivia Storkamp
Jun 20,2025
I live in town and work at a nearby dinner restaurant and always recommend the Mermaid Cafe to folks if they want a lovely breakfast by the beach while on vacay. The waffles are awesome (you gotta try the strawberry shortcake guys) and the dolewhip mimosas are my fav. Jim, and crew are always the sweetest and will make you feel super welcome. Love you guys! Cheers to filling the the waffle void we didn't know we had
Renee Morley
May 13,2025
My sister and I visited New Smyrna Beach to explore a place our dad loved visiting. He would always send us pictures of the Mermaid Cafe, so it was a must-see for us! Being a big fan of mermaids myself, it was the perfect spot to grab brunch. We started with the Dole Whip mimosas – one pineapple and one orange – which were not only delicious but also picture-perfect. For food, we both went with the Belgian waffle. My sister opted for the half waffle, half breakfast combo, and everything was fantastic! Shoutout to our waitress for recommending the mimosas; she made a great call. To top it off, the owner, Jim, stopped by to introduce himself. He even topped off our drinks and treated us to complimentary beignets, which were amazing. Bonus points for rocking his mermaid gear and making the experience even more memorable. We had a fantastic time at the Mermaid Cafe and will definitely be back! 10/10 recommended.
luz allwein
May 13,2025
What a beautiful place! Got a special welcoming (Beignets) from The owner Jim Marshall when he found out it was our first time! Food was delicious and the staff was friendly and welcoming! Highly recommended.
Kayla Soffera
May 7,2025
We visited The Mermaid Cafe for breakfast after staying the night at The Riverview Hotel. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast at the cafe next door. You just preselect your choices from the slip at the hotel, walk over to the cafe and present them with your selection. The food was fantastic and was ready quickly. It was a very nice breakfast to be included with the stay and I even added on an iced coffee to go. We meet the owner while there and he was so friendly and welcoming. When he found out my 13-year-old son and I were on a trip, and traveling back to NC that day, he made us an order of beignets to take on the road - for free. The selection of yummy foods and atmosphere make this a place you'd want to visit every day of your trip. **A tip for hotel guests visiting for breakfast - remember to tip your waiter/waitress. While the food is comped their time and taking up a table, which limits other tips, is not.**
Savanna Williams
May 3,2025
The Mermaid Cafe blew my mind! I can tell love and care goes into each plate. The service is so friendly, and the atmosphere so beachy and cute. The owner Jim is a sweetie, and we loved having Jules and Lola take care of us during the times we’ve been. The experience gives us a vacation feel. We look forward to going to The Mermaid Cafe when we visit New Smyrna.
Erin Kilpatrick
Apr 25,2025
The perfect hidden gem breakfast in NSB! Absolutely amazing beach breakfast spot! We had the NSB waffle and it was hands-down the best waffle we’ve ever had — incredibly light, flavorful, and topped with fresh strawberries and the most delicious lemon curd. It felt like a slice of summer on a plate! We also tried the breakfast burrito, and it was packed full of fresh, tasty ingredients and wrapped perfectly so it stayed together with every bite. The drinks were just as impressive. I had the Dole Whip Pineapple Mimosa and it was pure perfection — tropical, refreshing, and absolutely delightful. This place is a must-visit whether you’re a couple looking for a relaxing morning by the beach or bringing the kids along — the menu has tons of fun and delicious options that kids would love too. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and made with so much care. We can’t wait to come back next time we’re here!
Gene Hinders
Apr 14,2025
We ate here each morning as we were staying next door for a few days. The breakfasts were always fantastic, the service very friendly. The Beginets are light and so good, the Belgian Waffle with fresh fruits have got to be my favorite. The Mermaid theme throughout was very cool.
Cassie Chance
Mar 27,2025
Amazing breakfast at The Mermaid Cafe this morning! Waffles, the rooster, joined us for breakfast. We were served a delicious breakfast by Lauren! Jim recommended beignets and they were the best we’ve ever tasted! What a great way to start our weekend from Ohio! Thank you for the warm welcome Jim!!
Reviews For The Mermaid Cafe at Riverview