There’s no shortage of delicious food and drinks in the Florida panhandle. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect place to fit any atmosphere and budget.
Keep in mind that many of the beach towns have limited parking, so build in extra time if you have a reservation.
Casual
Black Bear Bread Co (Grayton Beach) – A café that’s as charming as it is delicious, this Yelp review says it all: “Attention Instagrammers: Here is your double-tap-worthy coffee shop.” Go early (definitely before 9am) to avoid a long wait, grab a coffee and a pastry, and take home a loaf of homemade bread with you.
Crackings (Grayton Beach) – A perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, take advantage of joining the waitlist via Yelp prior to arrival to reduce your wait time.
Airstream Row (Seaside) – These gourmet food trucks offer lunch options sure to please the whole family, like grilled cheese, barbecue, hot dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and smoothies. Keep in mind that most close around 7pm.
Cowgirl Kitchen (Rosemary Beach & Seagrove) – Both a market and a café, stop in for breakfast or lunch, or pick up picnic items to take to the beach with you. The Seagrove location closes mid-afternoon, but the Rosemary Beach location is open through dinner and has a more extensive menu, including handmade pizzas and craft beer.
Mid-Tier
The Bay (Santa Rosa Beach) – Situated on the Choctawhatchee Bay, diners can arrive by car or boat and dine al fresco on the restaurant’s expansive deck. If you’re a sushi fan, don’t miss the Hot Mess Roll.
George’s (Alys Beach) – Whether you’re in the mood for something healthy or something indulgent, you’ll find a perfect dish for lunch or dinner on either the Behave or Misbehave side of the menu. Expect a wait at dinner, as reservations are not accepted.
La Crema (Rosemary Beach) – What better combination than tapas, wine, and chocolate? Perfect for a date or a girls night, everything on the menu is made for sharing. Like many places in the area, this quaint spot doesn’t take reservations.
Café Thirty-A (Santa Rosa Beach) – Combining casual ambiance with fine-dining, start with award-winning dishes and cocktails and end with their signature banana beignets.
Upscale
Café Tango (Santa Rosa Beach) – Perfect for a date night, this quaint restaurant specializes in both seafood and Italian food.
Roux 30A (Grayton Beach) – Open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, Social diners will love the shared-table concept, and foodies will love the frequently-changing menu.
Restaurant Paradis (Rosemary Beach) – A popular spot for happy hour and dinner, enjoy steak, seafood, wine, and cocktails, with $10 off of entrees until 5:45pm.
All of these spots currently accept and encourage reservations, as seating is limited.
Sweets
Blue Mountain Beach Creamery (Blue Mountain Beach) – Although the line gets long and only cash is accepted, the homemade ice cream, floats, and smoothies are worth the wait.
Charlie’s Donut Truck (Alys Beach) – Get there early (very early!) for the unique flavors like key lime and maple bacon, as they consistently sell out within a couple of hours.
Pecan Jacks (Santa Rosa Beach) – With classic flavors and creative twists (including several “liquored up” options), their handcrafted ice cream is sure please everyone’s palate.
Kahve and Cream (Seagrove Beach) – This unassuming café serves amazing coffee from a Floridian roastery (Lucky Goat Coffee) and sells bagged coffee beans to take home. If you’re in the mood for a treat to go with your coffee, Charlie’s Donuts and Pecan Jacks ice cream are both sold here as well.
