The Nomad Cafe

For years I have lived in Melbourne and been meaning to go to The Nomad Cafe. This is a small unassuming location on US 1 that houses a farm to table restaurant. You never would guess how elegant the food and decor of this restaurant is from the outside, making it one of Melbourne’s hidden treasures. We finally decided to dine here one night with my sister, Nancy. 
We sat outside on the patio which is designed in a slightly enclosed way that makes for a relaxing patio atmosphere. The inside of the restaurant is more fitting for a special occasion, but we had been freezing in offices all day and wanted some warmth. They had a deal going on for $5 red or white sangria, so we all got that. Both versions were delicious and not nearly as sweet as most sangrias, which we preferred. For my meal I went with the Drunken Fish, shown above. It is a Tempura Haddock with a tequila cream sauce and grits and veggies. I found it to be very appetizing, as the tempura fry was executed well. The sauce had a nice flavor, but there was a lot of it so you may want to ask for it on the side. Andrew got the Mediterranean Shrimp with red potatoes and crushed tomatoes. He loved the zesty flavor and all the veggies that came with it. This restaurant definitely has plenty of healthy options, so it can be a great choice for a nice dinner out without the over-indulgence. My sister opted for a lighter meal of the spring rolls, which had a tasty southwestern flair, as they were wrapped in flour tortillas with avocado, beans and chicken. We all got side caesar salads, but they were not anything special and had a boring dressing. I would give the house salad a try next time instead. The Nomad Cafe is a refreshing Melbourne dining option with it’s locally-sourced ingredients being used to created international dishes. There is influence from all sorts of cuisines on the menu, but all executed well. As with many Florida restaurants, it can be a casual or elevated experience depending what you make of it, but you will get great food regardless.