Brevard County loves its dining spots and independent businesses. And here are five that have either recently opened or are planning to open soon across the county.

As always, Business Debut has personally interviewed each business owner to confirm the details below.

Pepe’s Cantina — Melbourne

Address: 7700 N. Wickham Road, Suite 101, Melbourne, FL 32940

Status: Targeting the first week of August.

What to expect: Full-service Mexican restaurant with waitstaff and seating for about 150 guests. The restaurant is moving into the former Mi Jalisco space on N. Wickham Road.

Menu highlights: Molcajete, margaritas and rotating new dishes every few months. Alejandro Diaz also highlighted the Coconut Love margarita, which he described as having a beach-inspired flavor.

Atmosphere: Expect a relaxed restaurant with music, drinks and a plant-filled design. Diaz said the goal is to create a comfortable place where guests can meet, eat and spend time together.

Hours: Planned daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; extended until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Who’s behind it: Alejandro Diaz and his wife, Luisana Rodriquez, with partners Franco Massacessi and Pedro Massacessi.

Read our full article.

Pha’Ya Thai & Sushi Restaurant — Palm Bay

Address: 130 St. Johns Heritage Parkway NW, Suite 106, Palm Bay, FL 32907

Status: Targeting a mid- to late-July opening, pending permitting and buildout.

What to expect: Full-service Thai and sushi restaurant coming to a newly built shopping center near Malabar Road and St. Johns Heritage Parkway. The restaurant will seat about 55 guests inside, with eight additional seats on a small patio.

Menu highlights: Pad Thai, drunken noodles, tom yum soup, fried rice, crispy fish, crispy duck, lobster roll, red dragon roll, spicy crab roll, sashimi, temaki hand rolls, teriyaki dinners, lunch bento boxes and a kids menu.

Community angle: The owners want the restaurant to be closely involved with the neighborhood. Plans include local partnerships, community events, cultural events, sushi rolling workshops and cooking demonstrations.

Hours: Planned Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Who’s behind it: Owners Sam Dyer, Davut Munkong, Nuy Dyer and Keaw Munkong.

Read our full article.

Margarita Island Kitchen & Bar — Indian Harbor Beach

Address: 445 E. Eau Gallie Blvd, Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937

Status: Now Open!

What to expect: Full-service Mexican restaurant and bar with a tropical influence inspired by the Mexican Caribbean, including Cozumel. This is the brand’s sixth location and third in Brevard County.

Menu highlights: Street tacos, steaks, seafood, molcajete and piña loca. The molcajete includes steak, chicken, shrimp, pork and chorizo, while the piña loca is served in a pineapple with a sweet-and-savory mix.

Drink highlights: Margaritas are a major focus, including the Paradise Margarita with strawberry and kiwi and the Tropical Island Margarita with coconut and pineapple.

Space details: Approximately 170 seats between indoor dining and a large patio. The restaurant will also include a full bar with seating for food and drinks.

Hours: Planned daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Owners Elizabeth Sanchez and David Gonzalez.

Read our full article.

Lakeside Social — Viera

Address: 2431 Town Center Ave, Building 2, Melbourne, FL 32940

Status: Opening soon!

What to expect: Large-scale food truck park, live entertainment venue and waterfront gathering space in Viera. The concept will include six semi-permanent food trucks, a performance stage, green space and two full-service bars overlooking the water.

Food highlights: The food truck lineup is expected to include Asian street food, pizza, desserts, American gastropub fare, Puerto Rican options and potentially seafood. The semi-permanent setup is designed to create consistency while still supporting independent operators.

Experience highlights: Lakeside Social is planned for live music, markets, festivals, car shows and school performances. Owner Daniel Todd said the idea is for events to be free and accessible for families.

Space details: Seating for about 250 to 300 guests, with capacity for up to 1,000 standing. Seating will include high-tops, low-tops and waterfront deck areas.

Hours: Planned daily opening at 11 a.m.; closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Who’s behind it: Owner Daniel Todd, whose portfolio includes Fourth Street Fillin Station, The Alibi Cocktails and Bites and Dirty Bird’s Tiki Bar and Grill.

Read our full article.

Salty Bagel and Grill — Melbourne

Address: 223 W Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901

Status: Opening soon!

What to expect: Family-run bagel shop expanding with its sixth location. The Melbourne restaurant will continue the brand’s focus on fresh in-house bagels, breakfast staples, sandwiches and coffee.

Menu highlights: 24 bagel flavors made daily, with additional weekend varieties such as a ghost pepper bagel. Sandwiches include pork roll, egg and cheese on a salt bagel and the hot honey, made with hot honey sauce, bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese and cream cheese.

Coffee program: Salty Bagel and Grill also serves espresso drinks, hot coffee, iced coffee and specialty drinks.

Space details: The Melbourne shop is expected to offer about 15 seats inside, with outdoor seating possible if approved.

Hours: Planned daily 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Owners Bernard and Elizabeth Corrigan. Their children, Ryan and Paige, have also helped grow the family business.

Read our full article.