Best Restaurants on 30A

The top of our vacation planning list is always: where are we going to go, what are we going to do, where are we going to stay and what are we going to EAT? At Love to Stay 30A, we can help you answer all these questions – but today we’re focus on our favorite topic: delicious food. We’re exploring all of the must go restaurants on 30A.

Learn more about dining on 30A with this guide to the best restaurants on 30A. The list of must-go restaurants on 30A cover casual dining, fine dining and desserts!

By
LoveToStay30A,
on
September 11, 2021

The top of our vacation planning list is always: where are we going to go, what are we going to do, where are we going to stay and what are we going to EAT? At Love to Stay 30A, we can help you answer all these questions – but today we’re focus on our favorite topic: delicious food. We’re exploring all of the must go restaurants on 30A.

If you’re like us and looking for all the best local food and fare, this list of the best restaurants on 30A is for you:

Casual Restaurants

Cowgirl Kitchen

If you’re looking for a casual, family-friendly restaurant in Rosemary Beach (and another location in Seagrove Beach), Cowgirl Kitchen has to be on the list. We love the laid-back, homey feel. Open from 8am-9pm, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They even have a breakfast happy hour with Bloody Mary’s and mimosas for $5 each. Breakfast offerings are fun twists on classics: breakfast bowls, burritos and sandwiches. Their most popular dish is their Migas– a traditional Texas egg scramble with tortilla chips, tomatoes, and jalapeños, topped with queso and fresh chives, served over grits with bacon and two tortillas. Check out their menu online to get the lowdown on lunch and dinner.

30A Burger

Who doesn’t love a good burger? 30A Burger in Inlet Beach has a variety of craft and traditional burgers so you can make yours exactly how you like it. They also have chicken options, milkshakes, wine and local beer. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s a great place for classic comfort foods. The fun, upbeat vibe is coupled with indoor and outdoor seating options, overlooking the 30Avenue Green.

Southside Slice

If you love a good slice of pizza (or a whole pie,) you’re going to want to stop by Southside Slice in Rosemary Beach. Sometimes you just need a good slice on the go or delivered for an easy eating night. They have classic recipes and more unique pies too!

Freshii

Freshii always makes our list for great casual eateries for a reason – there’s something for everyone here. They also have a great vegetarian and vegan selection. It’s fast, casual and has an extensive, customizable menu. Build your own, wrap, bowl or salad or order one of their popular combinations. They have juices and smoothies, even healthy desserts like Coconut Chia Pudding.

Red Fish Taco

We have to cover all the bases for casual dining: burgers, pizza and tacos! Red Fish Taco has fresh, fire roasted salsa and guacamole. Pair that with a margarita and some tacos and you’ve got yourself the perfect meal.

Fine Dining

Café Tango

Café Tango is a special place: charming, romantic, intimate and cozy. Authentic Mediterranean and Spanish flavors are made with fresh, local ingredients. Their Pistachio Crusted Grouper made it to our Must Try 30Adishes list. Reviewers call it, “Fish candy” it’s so delicious. Their curated wine list is perfect for finding the perfect glass or bottle to accompany your meal. If you’re not a fan of seafood, try one of their popular steak dishes instead!

Cuvee 30A

Celebrity chef Tim Creehan’s flagship 30A restaurant, Cuvee30A is conveniently located in 30Avenue, one of our favorite developments. If you are a fan of fine fining and memorable meals, Cuvee 30A is a must visit. Award-winning signature dishes like Amy Grant’s Seared Tuna Rare and Vince Gill’s Pecan Crusted Grouper are highlights of the menu. Their world class wine list holds 30A’s only Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.

Restaurant Paradis

High prices and sky high reviews cement Restaurant Paradis on our list of best fine dining restaurants on 30A. If you’re planning to celebrate a special occasion, the romantic atmosphere and sophisticated haute cuisine here make it a contender for gold. The dining room is small, cozy and intimate so be sure to make reservations in advance. Seasonal menu changes make Restaurant Paradis a place you can visit again and again without getting bored. Some of their most popular dishes are lobster-encrusted grouper, gulf coast snapper served skin on, shiso dusted ahi tuna and rack of elk.

Pescado

Pescado has more of a casual fine dining vibe which makes perfect sense for a beach town. One of our favorite features: this restaurant boasts spectacular views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The chic interior and exterior set a refined and relaxed atmosphere. They’re open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch in Rosemary Beach. Lunchtime offerings include fried oysters, summer burrata and a wagyu beef burger. For dinner, try the Paella Valenciana which has clams, mussels, chicken thighs, shrimp, Spanish sausage, and calasparra rice or spring for a juicy 48 oz. Porterhouse Steak with rosemary, garlic, thyme. The menu for Sunday Brunch includes lemon-poppy seed blueberry pancakes, chicken and waffles, smoked salmon and duck confit hash.

Surfing Deer

Surfing Deer in Santa Rosa Beach is an American-fusion restaurant with plenty of our most popular local cuisine: seafood. Crispy calamari, bloody mary oysters, sweet and spicy snapper, crab cakes, sea scallops and daily fish are highlights on the menu. Right in the heart of Seagrove Beach, this spendy spot is a popular and highly rated local establishment. If you’re a seafood lover looking for a delicious dinner with big flavors, locally sourced ingredients, produce and meats, Surfing Deer is a must visit 30A restaurant.

Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

Seagar’s Prime is located in the Hilton in Sandestin and it's the longest standing AAA Four-Diamond Steakhouse. They serve only USDA prime steaks, the highest designation of the eight grades given to beef by the U.S. government. Cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, porterhouse, NY strip and steak Diane served tableside are menu options. And you can guarantee it will be cooked to perfect! Amazing service and an elevated, classy dining experience are a draw. Aside from their famous steaks, seafood dishes like tuna tartare, Maine lobster and Dover sole are all perfectly prepared.

Sweets and Desserts

La Crema

Are you craving a taste of Spain right in the heart of Rosemary Beach? La Crema is all about Spanish influence and amazing tapas. It’s not just a dessert stop, either. There’s a wide variety of delicious food to choose from. Serrano-wrapped figs, crab cakes on arugula and their famous seafood paella with lobster, shrimp, mussels, scallops, clams and chorizo are all best enjoyed with one of the wonderful wines from their top-notch wine list. But we’re here to talk about DESSERT, right? La Crema is inspired by the chocolate shops in Madrid. The desserts here are simple irresistible: chocolate and churro sticks, chocolate fondue, hot, gooey chocolate molten cakes and more. If you’re a chocolate lover, this should be your #1 dessert restaurant on30A. Cookies, fruit tart, amazing coffee – even if chocolate isn’t your things, La Crema will be.

Blue Mountain Bakery

Located in Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Bakery has a glowing reputation as a local staple. In addition to their small menu (lots of vegan options), they have bread, cake, cookies, granola, scones, cinnamon rolls and more. Everything is fresh and delicious. If you love the smell of fresh baked bread as much as we do, you’ll need to swing by, even if it’s just for sniffs.

Great Southern Café

Beignets have become synonymous with New Orleans so you maybe surprised to learn we have pretty amazing ones here on 30A. Sure, Café du Monde may prepare the most famous iteration of this delicious fried dough treat but our local Great Southern Café in Seaside gives them a run for their money. Great Southern Café offers their beignets at breakfast and, unfortunately, their dinner menu doesn’t list any desserts. This is a one stop shop for breakfast beignets.

The Sugar Shak

The Sugar Shak in Rosemary Beach is a popular stop for beachgoers and locals alike. A wide variety of candy and ice cream greet you. But the signature dessert here, the Belly Ache, a colossal ice cream behemoth with 16 scoops of ice cream and ALL the candy toppings will surely send you home very, very full. Make your own creation or choose from popular recipes.

Blue Mountain Beach Creamery

Florida summers call for ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream. Blue Mountain Beach Creamery is your home for artisanal ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet. Everything is made daily with the freshest ingredients. If you’re lactose intolerant or dairy-free, you can still enjoy fresh fruit sorbet (non-dairy and non-fat!)

Frost Bites

This adorable little shaved ice shack in Seaside, Florida is a quick way for a sugar rush. Shaved ice is not your old hard-as-a-rock sno cone from the past. This thin shaved ice is light and airy, easy to scoop and refreshing to enjoy. Frost Bites has loads of fun flavors to pick from like candy apple, cherry limeade, big kahuna, ninja juice, lemon lime, fuzzy navel and toasted coconut. You can even add in custard if you want to take your creation to the next level.

Donut Hut

Donuts aren’t just for breakfast anymore. At Donut Hole in Santa Rosa Beach, some of the flavors come FULLY loaded with caramel apple, oreos, candy, maple bacon and more! They are more like a meal to themselves. There’s plenty to pick from as muffins, cakes, filled donuts, glazed donuts, frosted donuts and beignets are all available here. In fact, making your choice might just be the hardest part of all.

The Sweet Peddler

Seacrest Beach’s favorite candy shop boasts TONS of candy, 12 flavor of ice cream and a massive Jelly Belly dispensing station with every flavor you could want. They’ve got all your old school candy favorites and some new ones you’ll be excited to try for the first time. With a friendly and helpful staff, The Sweet Peddler is one of our favorite places to visit with the family to make sweet new memories together.

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