We know that part of everybody’s favorite reason to visit 30A is the abundance of incredible restaurants and bars. Our scenic South Walton highway is filled with something to satisfy everybody’s taste palate. We’re sure you have your favorite tried and true restaurants you just can’t wait to get back to, however part of the fun of vacation is also trying new spots! We’ve rounded up a few of 30A’s newest restaurants for you to check out and possibly add to your repertoire.
Crêpes du Soleil
The newest, and very welcome, addition to the infamous airstream row in Seaside is serving up an iconic French cuisine in a familiar and crave worthy way. Crêpes du Soleil features both sweet and savory made to order crepes. Sweet options include traditional chantilly cream with nutella, fresh fruits, chocolate mousse, or caramel. If you prefer something on the savory side, you’ll have a difficult time deciding between the “peppered pig” stuffed with pulled pork, gruyere cheese, mustard, and pickles, the “cordon bleu” with chicken, ham, gruyere, and onions, or our personal favorite, the all day “bonjour breakfast” which is everything good about breakfast all wrapped up with what is essentially a thin pancake. The crêpes are sold in a convenient cone making them easy to eat while on the go, but make sure you leave a hand free for a cup of their frosé to cool down with. This frozen rosé slushie treat is worth a stop to the truck alone.
Ji Shi Ki Chn
Another new spot to hit the Seaside Square scene is another gift given to us by Chef Jim Shirley, the chef behind South Walton favorites like Great Southern Cafe and The Bay. Ji Shi Ki Chn is open all day from 11AM to 10PM serving healthy superfoods in an attainable and satisfying way. In addition to sushi and poke, Ji Shi has noteworthy salads, impeccably prepared seafood dishes, and memorable dishes made up of the freshest ingredients guaranteed to nurture and feed your soul. Stop by in the morning for an acai bowl, a variety of toasts (with gluten free bread available!) including our recommendation, the Figgy Brie which is a satisfying way to start the day, or come by for dinner to enjoy a glass of wine on the rustic and romantic patio. We aren’t ashamed to admit that in our eyes, Jim Shirley can do no wrong.
Black Bear Bar Room
Everybody’s favorite Grayton Beach bakery and coffee shop has now expanded. Just as aesthetically pleasing as it’s coffee shop counterpart, the Black Bear Bar Room is cozy, quaint, modern, and hip. The bar room serves the same breakfast cafe menu but also offers other delights like charcuterie, sharables, and even sustainably harvested farm-raised oysters. The expertly sourced exotic wine list will definitely make you want to stay for a while and the environment and ambiance provide a wonderful place to enjoy an afternoon socializing. So, what will it be? Coffee, wine, or both?
Blue Mabel
If you begin to smell savory roasted and smoked meats wafting through the air it may be because you’re in Blue Mountain Beach near Blue Mabel smokehouse. This smokehouse was named in honor of Mabel Strickland, a tough but gentle cowgirl who could rope a steer in 18 seconds. With its roots in slow-cooked, comforting food, Blue Mabel makes everything from scratch down to every sauce, and what a difference it makes! The beignets and duck chilaquiles at brunch are a must, the brisket and shishito pimento cheese melt is divine, and the drunken bbq lamb chops are so indulgent you might find yourself licking the plate clean. Blue Mabel may be new, but their quality and unique menu are just two of the many reasons we think they’ll become a new 30A staple in no time.
Is your mouth watering yet? Make sure to book your next trip down to the beach in one of our many condos or beach homes and add one (or all!) of these new 30A restaurants to your list of places to visit. Save the cooking for later, you’re on vacation!
