**INITIAL REVIEW** Most of my fellow Yelpers know if food were categorized by a genre, breakfast and brunch has a special place in my heart. Ergo, I am on the constant search for more breakfast and brunch places to add to my repertoire. With that in mind, I must stress that Historic Downtown Melbourne a.k.a. Melbourne Main Street has an amazing number of breakfast and brunch places. But the one I admire the most is The Roots Restaurant Tavern, which I will shorthand simply to The Roots for the remainder of this review. Though an address is provided, it must be stressed The Roots is a little "off the mainstreet" of Melbourne Main Street. Just west of the train tracks, the road splits in which the northernly direction is the continuation of New Haven Ave. or the actual Melbourne Main Street. The Roots is on the southern road, right next to The Iron Oak. Take note that The Roots is quite a cozy location. On the outside, The Roots has this look of an old saloon out in the wild west. There are a few tables and chairs for outdoor seating, excellent for people-viewing while eating your meal. Inside, The Roots looks delightfully tacky with all the knick-knacks hanging around and about on the walls. Imagine how Cracker Barrel used to look before the new CEO decided the decor should be more minimalist. But my statement on how The Roots looks small from the outside definitely shows when you are inside, too. The place is small. They definitely utilize the space as best they could, with large party seating being in the back for only one party. Still, take note of this limitation. My waitresses were very kind and attentive when serving me. But I am sure you all want to know about the food. The times I have eaten here, I have had three meals: The Eggs Benny Flight, and Pancake Flight, and Shrimp n' Grits. I will detail each in the pictures of food (if I have them), but I will say that everything here was delicious. My one lone criticism is that some of these flights are best enjoyed with another, not by yourself. On a sidenote, the restroom is clean and stocked, but there is only one and it is unisex. As I said earlier, The Roots is the best breakfast and brunch restaurant, well for me, in Historic Downtown Melbourne. So it is understandable why I am giving them a five-out-of-five stars for their review. Food, service, and ambiance are all excellent and the issues are way too minimal for me to consider them having any major affect. If you are ever going to eat at The Roots only once. My suggestion are the flights. Either eggs bennies, pancakes, or mimosas, you can't go wrong with any of them. read more

See all

It's a cute place and fun to go to. I got the pancake flight and loved I could pick different flavors read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Pancakes flight - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Experience: I had to take a friend to a medical same day surgery nearby so I decided to try this place for some breakfast while I wait. It was 8:00 on a Wednesday. Facility: It's a small place located on a strip in downtown. There are a few tables outside, and inside they have tables and chairs and a few high top tables and chairs. The dinning room had a very cute, country feel, and they are playing country music over head. It was a little cold inside though, so bring a jacket. They have a couple TVs on the wall so maybe they play sports games too. Service: the waitress, Jen, greeted me when I walked in along with everyone else. She was very friendly and patient while I decided what to get. It was early morning but I asked if the lunch options were available too and she said that they could make me something off the lunch menu if I wanted. That's great customer service!!! But I ordered breakfast. LOL! I just overheard her helping another customer and they asked for something custom and she was so nice and accommodating. Keep her!! Food: menu looks great with lots of southern comfort food choices such as country fried steak, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, etc. I ordered the shrimp and grits and a side of hash (since she said it was homemade). Shrimp and grits: 4.5/5 the flavor was there, but the grits could have been just a little hotter. The cheese didn't even really melt on top. But it was delicious... I'm from Louisiana and eat a lot of shrimp and grits and this was good. Shrimp was perfectly cooked. Hash: 5/5 when she first brought it, I thought it looks exactly like what you get in a can.... Until you take a bite. Amazing!!! Very good hearty cornbeef flavor fried crispy on top and soft underneath. So good!! Overall: The food was great!!!! Service was perfect and the ambiance comfortable. I would definitely come back and try lunch at lunchtime. read more

See all

Come hungry! Good amount of menu options; serve both bfast and lunch. We hit brunch and got a delicious omlete that had cream cheese in it and good old bfast plate with eggs bacon pancakes. Casual vibes but nicer than average diner. Lots of fun drink options like mimosa flights. I got a fun coffee drink (think it had liquor can't remember ) Service was friendly and quick. What more can you ask for read more

See all

Always good food, good service and will accommodate a girls luncheon - we all enjoyed a wonderful brunch yesterday - thank you for always making us welcome. read more

See all

Found a new favorite brunch spot! Came here with my friends and got the mimosa and pancake flight. The mimosa flight had a lot of unique flavors - I got lavender, blueberry, whipped pineapple (don't recommend), and orange dreamsicle. The pancake flight had 3 different flavors - I chose strawberries and cream, peanut butter banana, and custard marshmallow and they were all amazing. It was quite busy so I would say that the service was slow, mimosas took a long time but they are made to order. Also the wait list for the seating was confusing and people were skipped for their table while they waited outside. Ambiance was very cute and rustic, though they don't have many seating options outside (don't recommend anyway since the train is annoying). read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Mimosa flight - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

See all

I can't say enough good things about this place, the ambience is great. The service is great. The food is great and prices are reasonable. Everyone needs to check this place out. It's well worth it. read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - My mother for Mother's Day - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Enjoyed my visit in town with my stop at roots for brunch . The staff was very welcoming and were quick on handing us menus . Very fast service and the food was amazing . I ordered a mimosa with my veggie scrambler. I left no crumbs on my plate it was so good .good portions. It's very family oriented. I definitely like how clean & well kept this place was . Bathrooms were clean as well . 10/10 would recommend. read more

See all

This place was recommended from my old job at first source. Brandy told me had the gladiator burger but I had breakfast. The biscuits and gravy. It's just a southern thing. Not sure if I had the orange juice but if I do go back I will make sure to order it. read more

6 stars if I could! The Roots Restaurant Tavern is so much more than a breakfast spot it's a warm, welcoming space where people are genuinely celebrated. I arranged a surprise birthday breakfast for my mom, and Jen from the restaurant handled everything with love and intention. She decorated the table with a "Happy Birthday" sign, a balloon, and set up a beautiful fruit bouquet I had delivered. It felt personal, heartfelt, and unforgettable. My mom ordered the shrimp and grits PERFECTION. Creamy, cheesy grits topped with well-seasoned shrimp, sausage, and peppers. Absolutely delicious and made fresh. The customer service here is unmatched. Jen made us feel like VIPs. She said she treats her customers how she'd treat her own family and she really means it. Whether you're celebrating or just grabbing a bite, The Roots is a gem. This is what hospitality should feel like. read more

See all

Cute, cozy restaurant located in the downtown area with great selection of breakfast options, indoor and outdoor seating! We ordered white mocha cappuccinos, country fried steak and eggs with potatoes and side of bacon, as well as Chicken and Waffles with spicy syrup. Both were absolutely delicious Our server, Jen, gave excellent service! Promptly greeted us, food came out quickly and she anticipated our needs like extra napkins, etc before we asked. The 2 cappuccinos, 2 meals and tip was about $47, but we thought it was absolutely worth it! read more

See all

Can't speak on the food but wish I could. Unfortunately after walking to get here and looking forward to it. I was informed when I walked in that they had just closed at 1:30 even though everything posted said 2:00pm. Seemed like a nice place, just call to find out if they're randomly closing early before you go. read more

We went to the Roots on Mother's Day for breakfast We were able to seat ourselves & were greeted promptly. We had the carafe of the Lavender mimosa. Tasty but a little too sweet for our pallet. MIL enjoyed her Bloody Mary. Our food was delicious I even brought some home. It was steady busy while we were there & was getting very busy towards the end of our meal. The service was fantastic as always! Do yourself a favor & go check them out. You won't be disappointed! read more

Service was great and the place was super clean. My eggs were a bit overcooked for a Benedict, but I will go back and order something else and give it another try. read more

My Co-Workers and I ordered Rueben's and Hamburgers ( takeout ) and all we can say is WOW ! Alot of delicious food. We will definitely be ordering from there again. We highly recommend. read more

Chicken and Waffles was great. Eggs Benedict was great. Biscuits were solid. Bloody Mary was spicy and delicious. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive, even while the restaurant was very busy. The place is decorated in sort of a haphazard, homey way... very 'Melbourne'. read more

Quick Overview: 10/10 experience! Highly recommend. "Roots" is just that, old Florida roots are really reflected through the ambiance and food! Indoor and outdoor seating. Clean establishment. Quick/attentive service. Amazing food! Details: [Mimosas]: 7/10. I ordered the carafe ($18). You can mix flavors, as there were a lot to choose from. I did the blueberry and lavender, it was just a tad too sweet for me! But if you are someone who enjoys a sweeter drink this is for you. I'm definitely looking forward to trying some of their limited time flavors next time! [Fried Okra Appetizer]: 10/10. Plain and simple, you can never go wrong with fresh fried okra! My only complaint (not attached to the okra) is the ranch is a little sour leading me to believe it's not made in house. [Cowboy Burger]: 10/10. This burger is BURSTING with flavor, holy cow! I really appreciate that they didn't use iceburg lettuce, using a more cruciferous lettuce definitely added some freshness in this rich burger. The bacon was thick cut and the bbq sauce was sweet with a hint of spice! Definitely recommend, but make sure to ask for extra napkins! [Shrimp and grits] 9/10. This was ALMOST perfect for me! I love that they used a good quality stone ground grit, however it did need a considerable amount of salt even after mixing everything together. Other than that this was absolutely fantastic. The shrimp were fresh, the andouille sausage added a hint of spice, the onions added a bit of sweetness. Definitely recommend! This restaurant is a hidden gem for sure, can't want to revisit! read more

See all

We love this cozy little place. The staff is very focused on customer service. They offer indoor and outdoor dining options. The food is fantastic! Large portions and very reasonably priced. Mimosas and Bloody Mary are a great addition to Sunday breakfast. They also serve Burgers, Sandwiches and sides for lunch. Next time you're in Downtown Melbourne this is a must stop for breakfast or lunch. read more

See all

The decor is southern homey and the staff was very welcoming! I came in with two friends for a late brunch on a Thursday. Everyone was pleased with their drinks and meal! I ordered the Cream Cheese Scramble and a Vanilla Chai Coffee. Both were perfect for a chilly winter morning! I love trying biscuits and this one was good! Moist and not dry like some biscuits. My scramble kept me going the whole day, very filling! read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Cream Cheese Scramble and Vanilla Chai Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Haven't been since it first opened. The original owners were awesome. I worked at Gordon's at the time. A few of us got together there. It was very clean and food and service were great. read more

Let me just say this is a great little place! The staff was friendly and efficient. It was warm and inviting without trying! The food was great! It was wonderful to find a local place with a comfortable environment, good food, and a great staff! Well done!! We will be back for lunch!! read more

See all

Darned near perfect. Great breakfast and lunch menu. Generous portions. Locally owned. I highly recommend Roots!!! read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Darned near perfect. Great breakfast and lunch menu. Generous portions. Locally owned and operated. I highly recommend Roots!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

So first off I think the location is great, its downtown Melbourne. I love the way the inside was decorated and set up, it was like a cozy place to sit and have breakfast. I got the avocado toast on sourdough with potatoes and bacon. The bacon and potatoes were 10/10. Bacon was cooked to perfection and potatoes had a great taste. The sourdough was a little hard but overall taste was great. The service experience was a little off for me and I dont know if maybe she was new and that's why. It was my first time so idk. Would definitely recommend and would come again. Forgot to take a pic. read more

Decided to head to Downtown Melbourne for breakfast/lunch...wow did we hit the jackpot! The Root has a magnificent eggs Benedict...the hollandaise sauce was the BEST I've EVER had! My friend ordered a grilled chicken sandwich! Both choices were amazing!!! The service we received from Jen was on point!!! This is a very quaint restaurant with a very laid back ambiance of rustic woodworking! Will I be back...heck yeah I will! Best part is the outside dining with dog bowls filled with water... read more

Amazing- best chicken + waffles ever! A must try! This sentence is extra because I need 85 characters or Yelp won't let me post a review - all of a sudden, I feel like I am being graded on a high school essay! LOL Screw you YELP read more

Great atmosphere good drinks and reasonably priced the food can be hit or miss on occasion

We found The Roots on Yelp. Read the comments and decided to try. There were people lined up waiting outside we thought ok that's a good sign. Went inside we were seated immediately at a high top table. Walking to our table we noticed no table had their food, it was 10:30am on a Sunday. Bad sign. I didn't smell food cooking. Bad sign. My Hubz ordered sweet tea. I took a swig IT WAS SOUR and overly sweetened. Bad sign. It was time to order. I asked the server "how's your corn beef hash prepared?" She said "oh it's from a can"...we pleasantly apologized for leaving, payed for the tea, thanked our server and left a nice tip, with NO hesitation. My "good" isn't everyone else's "good" but my refined palate will not be insulted by being served canned hash. FYI 20 mins had passed, no one had food on the table as we were leaving. We walked across the street To Crush. read more

We tried this place for breakfast yesterday and can't wait to return and try new things! We absolutely loved everything we ordered! I had the eggs Benedict trio appetizer for my meal and just WOW! Not only did I enjoy the 3 different varieties of Benedict but the potatoes that came with it were amazing! The ambience is quaint and casual and while small, no one was waiting at 9:30 for a table. We got right in. We will definitely be back! read more

This was our first time at this small, cozy downtown Melbourne restaurant )only 9 tables!). The menu items are interesting and a bit different for the area. For example, they've got a breakfast poutine described as a pile of potatoes with gravy, cheese curds, bacon & eggs! If we return, we'll consider this one! We ordered the cream cheese scramble with bacon, bell peppers, onions & cream cheese with homemade biscuits, and the Bacon Cheese burger with chips. First time I've had chai coffee and the vanilla chai was delicious! Service was EXTREMELY slow but considering that only 2 tables were open when we arrived it was understandable however by the time our order was taken there were only 3 tables left (our table made 4) and all had already been served. The room is a bit noisy when full but it is a small room and the noise was tolerable. They have outside tables on the sidewalk for those that desire to sit in the Florida sunshine. It was a beautiful day and we considered it but chose the AC LOL! The BrightLine train passes near by and we could see it in the reflection of the glass! That train is FAST and loud!!! The burger was ginormous!!! And delicious! The grits with butter and the cream cheese egg scramble to die for! The biscuit was pretty epic too. Despite the delays, this place was totally worth it and we will return. read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Lunch Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

See all

We just had an amazing lunch experience at The Roots. We came in with a group of 18 people. They had another large group leaving as we got there and they turned the tables and served us well. The wait staff were so accommodating. Patty melt with onion rings was delicious. Others in our party got the Swiss mushroom and the Morning After burgers. The BLT and Cuban were satisfying. All was enjoyed. It literally felt like we were welcomed into a home kitchen and served with love. We'll definitely be back for breakfast next time! read more

The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food was hot and delicious. Spicy Bloody Mary's on point! Very nice, clean atmosphere. read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

See all

Food was alright , nothing to write home about but wouldn't go back. Not POC friendly. They only paid attention to the lighter skinned people at the table and pretty much still stuck in the last century. read more

Awesome biscuits and gravy, these people know good food! Love the Gladiator burger challenge they have, haven't gotten it yet but I will.

Second time back to this restaurant. Such good food. Will say this is "the BEST Reuben we've had in a long time! It was so delicious. Look at the "take a bite" photo! Dang it's good. So flavorful. Tried the Cuban sandwich which was good but not as much flavor as the Reuben. Can't watch to come back to try their burgers and great assortment of Hot Dogs! read more

See all

Food is outstanding! We both had scramblers. They are like chunky omelets over potatoes. Ambiance is clean and rustic. Service is fast and friendly. read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Front inside dining room. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

This is a small location wonderfully decorated just off the main downtown road. It is easy to miss, but it is a MUST stop. The service was amazing. We started with a flight of mimosas. They had multiple flavors to choose from. They were all delicious. From there we had OATE breakfast choosing to have it without the bread. This was supposed to be a sandwich. In addition the homemade corn beef hash, and a flight of pancakes. The hash was amazing. Eggs cooked perfectly. The OATE was light, fresh and expertly prepared. The pancake flight was a real treat. I was expecting three small pancakes on a plate. They get a 15 for presentation of the pancakes. From left to right, it was a white chocolate chip, pancake with fresh strawberries, and cream in between the three pancakes. The middle was three pancakes with custard and a dollop of whipped cream on top. The one on the right was a pancake with peanut butter, chips and cream. my preference ironically is left to right the white chocolate chip pancake was amazing. All were very good. This is a must stop recommendation from us. read more

The Roots Restaurant Tavern - Our meals. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

I have family in the area. So they recommend and we met there for breakfast. Outstanding food. And very good blood Mary's.. but it's a local Place so I didn't tell you. And it's a little small so there could be a small wait read more

Delicious. Went for breakfast early on a Sunday and really enjoyed ourselves. I got the Chicken and Waffles with buttery grits. It's not my go to, but I'm so glad I ordered it. The spicy syrup was perfect for it. I took half back and gave it to my sister ( it's her definite go to) and she LOVED it. The Bloody Mary's were spicy like we like it, and the husband's Chicken Fried Steak burrito was soo good! Our waitr was a little scattered and kept forgetting us, but the manager was on it, and never lost her smile! We are going back for sure. read more

We went for Sunday breakfast. Walked in and immediately got a table. Lucky because the couple a minute behind us waited about 20 minutes for a table. The server didn't come over to us for about 15 minutes after getting our drinks. Took our order and didn't come back. I had to actively flag another server to get a coffee refill as both servers kept walking past my empty cup to refill other tables. After 40 minutes waiting we got our breakfast. My over easy eggs were hard, cooked with no butter/oil and flavorless. The country fried steak was overcooked to just hard fried crispy on the outside and tough thin piece of meat inside. The potatoes were whole new potatoes with skins and no seasoning. My wife's poutine was cold and flavorless. I tried talking to the server but she just walked away. The place was packed and long wait. Don't know why based on our experience. read more

Breakfast is excellent. Justl really good food. Nothing flashy, just tasty. My wife loves to come to Roots after walking the causeway.