Must Try 30A Dishes

One of the best parts of visiting Florida’s scenic Highway 30A is the delicious food. From fresh seafood to local delicacies, there’s so much for your taste buds to explore on your vacation. You’ll find many of the best restaurants along the Gulf Coast here. We’ve identified many of the best, highly rated and reviewed, must-try dishes so you don’t miss a bite!

Looking for the best restaurants and must-try dishes in the 30A area? We've got the master list of all the best dishes in Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach and more!

By
LoveToStay30A,
on
September 23, 2019

One of the best parts of visiting Florida’s scenic Highway 30A is the delicious food. From fresh seafood to local delicacies, there’s so much for your taste buds to explore on your vacation. You’ll find many of the best restaurants along the Gulf Coast here. We’ve identified many of the best, highly rated and reviewed, must-try dishes so you don’t miss a bite:

1. Famous Paella with a View

Paella is a delicious Spanish dish with seafood and rice. At Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar in Rosemary Beach you’ll find one of the best. Their Paella Valenciana has clams, chicken thighs, mussels, shrimp, Spanish sausage and tender calasparra rice. It’s a flavorful must-try dish in a beautiful casual, fine dining environment, complete with a rooftop bar overlooking the Gulf.

2. Classic Oysters Rockefeller Get an Upgrade

Restaurant Paradis is an upscale establishment with high prices and high ratings. It has the perfect romantic atmosphere for a special night out and sophisticated, perfectly executed dishes you’ll remember. The small, intimate setting means making reservations in advance is a must. Try the popular Oysters Rockefeller appetizer, an update on the classic dish with creamed spinach, apple smoked bacon, smoked cheddar and a blood orange beurre blanc. If you’re staying for an entrée, their Lobster Encrusted Grouper is a great choice.

3. Fish Candy

Café Tango has a fish dish so good reviewers call it, “Fish candy!” You just can’t get enough of their Pistachio Crusted Grouper. Fresh fish fillet, toasty pistachio crust and buerre blanc is a match made in heaven. Pair the dish with a glass of wine from their curated list. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, their steaks are just as popular. You can’t go wrong at this favorite 30A restaurant.

4. Greatest Grits Around

We love Great Southern Café for their laid back, family friendly atmosphere and their late-night-craving-worthy Grits à Ya Ya. This dish will quickly become the BEST shrimp and grits you’ve ever had. Smoked Gouda grits, 8 blackened large shrimp and a creamy mushroom and bacon sauce meet together for a memorable, flavorful and filling meal. The portion is huge, so share with a friend or bring home some leftovers for a late-night snack. You’ll love the rich, bold shrimp and the cheesy, creamy grits and sauce so much you might catch yourself visiting again sooner than you’d expect.

5. Get Rustic with an Oyster Log and Crawfish Pie

Stinky’s Fish Camp is a local staple. We love the cabin feel and the huge windows overlooking one of the rare coastal dune lakes. If you love oysters, this is the spot for you. With 10 variations, you just might want to try them all and the Oyster Log is the perfect way to enjoy a giant variety of oysters on the half shell in one visit. We also love the unique and tasty Crawfish Pie. It’s a dish you won’t find in many places but you’ll definitely want to enjoy it again and again.

6. Pork and Grouper, Oh My

No doubt you’ve noticed that most of the dishes on our list are seafood and for good reason. There’s nothing like enjoying fresh fish overlooking the Gulf. But this restaurant offers the best of both worlds: seafood and delicious meat dishes, too. At Perfect Pig Grill and Fish House, their Potato Parmesan Crusted Grouper is one of the top choices. But perhaps even more popular is the fish-free Pork Tenderloin Medallions. They serve tender pork over creamy gruyere grits with a blackberry pinot noir sauce. Consider visiting for half price entrees from 5pm-6pm and save money while you eat!

7. Best Brunch

No list of best dishes is complete without some delicious brunch options. There are many great brunch spots on 30A but we love Pescado for their outdoor seating, great views and tasty food. The rooftop bar has an awning so you won’t be in direct sun and you’ll be able to overlook the rooftops of a picturesque neighborhood and see the beach, shore, and water too. Enjoy a zesty Bloody Mary or refreshing mimosa with your meal. The Challah French Toast is a favorite pick. It has a graham cracker crust, poached pear and amaretto mascarpone. Mm… Mmm!

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