THIRD WAVE CAFE

THIRD WAVE CAFE is slipping. It still carries a B (83/100), but the trend across its recent inspections points down — worth a look at the history below before you go.

Its most recent inspection on May 18, 2026 cited 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 1 basic violations. It currently ranks safer than 34% of Volusia County restaurants we grade. Diner rating: 4.7 from 1,677 reviews.

Trend: declining · B (83/100)

Get directions Call (386) 402-7864

Restaurant details

Health grade
B (83/100)
Violations
3 total — 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, 1 basic
Address
204 FLAGLER AVE, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Cuisine
Other
Categories
Restaurant, Wine bar
Price
$20–60
Rating
4.7 stars (1677 reviews)
Seats
40
Phone
(386) 402-7864
Website
Official website
Photo of THIRD WAVE CAFE
Photo: Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.7 Community-sourced rating 1,677 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

No clear consensus emerges from these 21 reviews. Where the staff comes up, the rating that follows averages 5.0, so it reads as a strength.

What nobody raises here is serving size — it goes unmentioned across all 21 reviews. The split is 19 positive to 1 negative across 21 rated reviews, with 1 in the middle. More reviewers landed on 5 stars than any other score — 19 of 21.

On the health side, the most recent DBPR inspection returned a B (83/100) with 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 1 basic violations — middling, much like the reviews. That result dates from May 18, 2026. Across its inspection history the kitchen is declining, which argues for reading the older reviews with caution. On health score it sits safer than 34% of the Volusia County restaurants we grade. What the inspector actually wrote up: cross-contamination and chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used.

Both measures agree, which is the least complicated version of this page. The reviews themselves follow, unedited and newest first.

Our own analysis of 21 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 29, 2026

    Great food and pizza. Drinks are very good, definitely coming back!

  • June 29, 2026

    Wow Great food Great atmosphere

  • June 28, 2026

    Best place in NSB!!! Great service and food!

  • June 28, 2026

    Fresh delicious food the frittata ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ Atmosphere is beach Key West vibe tucked into Flagler street. Such a gem we will be back!!!

  • June 20, 2026

    Great place. Excellent service. Delicious, healthy food. We had the fish sandwich and the Morroccan salad. Great cocktails too.

  • June 15, 2026

    Great food and beautiful atmosphere

  • June 1, 2026

    Great brunch, with vegetarian options and lots of variety.

  • May 29, 2026

    Wow 🤯 We absolutely fell in love this place. The food is tremendously delicious, breakfast and dinner. The employees were all very welcoming. The customer service was exceptional. The pizza was fresh, straight out the oven. The half chicken dish was mouth watering! My family and I had a wonderful time, and we will be returning. I highly recommend, Third Wave.

  • May 27, 2026

    Amazing amazing amazing!!!!!! This is the place it has great vibes and the waitress named Zack in the inside restaurant was amazing as well very very professional at what he does and how he speaks I give this place a 10/10 definitely recommend 🔟

  • May 26, 2026

    Well the fact that we went two nights in a row is telling about how we felt about it. We really enjoyed it. Our take aways: - [ ] Timing matters. We went early and the wait wasn’t bad. However, it was hotter. But we coped with that. - [ ] They don’t have reservations but it makes it an even playing field for everyone. - [ ] Parking. There is a free lot across the street behind the buildings run by roosters…. Food: Night #1: - [ ] Fish dip appetizer. It was good. Didn’t blow me away. I loved the pickled veggies. But I would say other apps were better. - [ ] Special dish- red snapper coconut curry. Delicious. Great pick! - [ ] Smart Catch- signature fish dish. Pecan encrusted dish. Served in a phenomenal sauce with chef’s vegetables and mashed potatoes but I switched out for grits, which I enjoyed!! Night #2 (believe it or not it was better) - [ ] Waygu hummus. Oh my word. The Waygu was perfection. The pickled carrots too were delicious! So much greatness in one bowl - [ ] Special dish-ribeye and shrimp. Perfectly cooked! Got sautéed mushrooms(which was a perfect side) and the chef vegetable. - [ ] Moroccan beet salad with salmon. It came highly recommended both nights. So I ordered it and enjoyed it. It wasn’t anything super special or a unique beet salad I haven’t had elsewhere but I throughly ate every bite. Service: - [ ] Fantastic both nights! Thanks Ashley and Jennifer! And even the hostess was awesome!

  • May 26, 2026

    Local favorite

  • May 24, 2026

    You are not allowed to order a drink at any of their bars unless you have a seat. Even if one of us have a seat. This is total BS, we live here and will make sure we do not recommend 3rd Wave again.

  • May 19, 2026

    Came for lunch with my Neice and oldest son. We ate by the sand area and it was so beautiful out! I had the mahi mahi sandwich with fries. The fish was delicious! My Neice had a garlic shrimp dish with coconut rice. She said the rice was outstanding! My son had salmon scampi and he really enjoyed it too!

  • May 16, 2026

    The food is absolutely delicious, everything scratch from the kitchen. Ryan & his team are fabulous from the bar to the tables! Put third wave in yours plans & experience something exceptional!

  • May 11, 2026

    It was all very good! Pretty expensive, but such a fun place with fun foods to try! Greaaat variety of vegetarion option. At dinner, I've tried the pizza, the hummus, Moroccan date night, cheese board, all really great. The drinks were good, too.

  • May 8, 2026

    If you like shrimp scramble, this is the cafe for you. Also, it feels like I stepped into Key West. 28/30

  • May 6, 2026

    One of our favorite places in NDB! Awesome Brisket

  • May 3, 2026

    Great atmosphere, Great service and d fantastic food a d the best bloody mary I've had in a long long time

  • April 25, 2026

    Three of us stopped by with two pups in tow. Or maybe they were towing us. Third Wave was welcoming, and we were seated in the patio. We've been in the garden before, it's kind of a hidden sanctuary, very cool! Today service started a little slow, but dogs got water bowls, food arrived fast, and it was all delicious, from the crab croissant to the pizza to the strawberry crepes. We'll be back for sure!

  • April 23, 2026

    Too expensive

  • April 19, 2026

    Great service, great food. We had the short rib hummus dip, the Buratina pizza and Tres Leches cake - all amazing. Our server was very attentive.

Overall Score

63 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 30/40
    Grade B
  • Dietary transparency 10/20
    3 options listed
  • Community rating 19/20
    4.7★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 4/10
    Declining, 50% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
8 AM to 10 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
8 AM to 10 PM
Thursday
8 AM to 10 PM
Friday
8 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
8 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
8 AM to 10 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. May 18, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Warning Issued

    1 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 1 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
  2. February 9, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic

    No violations cited.

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to THIRD WAVE CAFE, by Florida DBPR grade:

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: May 18, 2026