South Walton offers so many great restaurants already, so why try out the new ones? Because there’s always room for more culinary creativity, that’s why! Some fantastic new dining establishments have recently sprung up and you don’t want to miss out on them during your stay. Here’s our list of the latest and greatest restaurants along Scenic 30A.
Emeril’s Coastal Italian
435 Grand Blvd., Miramar Beach
(850) 608-7040
Miramar Beach was ready for a top-notch Italian restaurant, and BAM! Famed chef Emeril Lagasse launched one there. The light, airy stone and wood interior created by Emeril himself invites patrons to relax in a casual yet intimate setting. The menu expands beyond traditional Italian fare, yet the classics are still there, albeit with Emeril’s unique culinary flair. Emeril himself periodically shows up and cooks up a storm behind the line, so you may even get the chance to meet him!
Surfing Deer
2743 County Highway 30A, Seagrove Beach
(850) 213-4200
Paying homage to 1940s Seagrove Beach celebrity Cube McGee and his pet deer Bambi, Surfing Deer offers a fantastic potpourri of eclectic menu items such as Duck Gumbo, Crispy Curry Chicken, and Seafood Acadiana, and Sesame Seared Wild Salmon, just to name a few. Located along famous Highway 30A, Surfing Deer’s casual beachside ambiance, great food, excellent wine selection and friendly staff make this new addition to Seagrove Beach a worthy stop.
Abrazo Latin Kitchen
80 East Highway 30A, Grayton Beach
(850) 213-4156
Abrazo Latin Kitchen is fast becoming a Grayton Beach favorite, and with one taste of anything on the menu you’ll understand why. Don’t expect to find traditional Latin food presentations, though you’ll recognize the ingredients in their flavorful fare. Their unique menu is peppered with item names you will recognize, such as tacos and empanadas, but these are no ordinary tacos and empanadas. Other creative offerings are Negra Modelo Braised Pork Belly Arepas, Cochanita Pibil, Masa Batter Fried Grouper, and Guajillo Rubbed Chicken with Molé Sauce.
Big Bad Breakfast
10711 East Highway 30A, Inlet Beach
(850) 532-6952
James Beard award-winning chef John Currence has been busy. Well-known in Oxford, Mississippi for his outstanding eateries, Currance has just opened up Big Bad Breakfast, a powerhouse breakfast joint in Inlet Beach that pays respect to the most important meal of the day. Featuring a unique menu replete with hearty day-starters such as Fried Oyster Scramble, Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and Grits and much more, Big Bad Breakfast is the way to get your morning off to an awesome start.
Everkrisp
625 Grand Boulevard, 107-E, Miramar Beach
(850) 460-8881
Everkrisp is more than just a popular lettuce hybrid; it’s also the name of the best farm-to-table vegetarian restaurant in Miramar Beach, if not on Florida’s entire west coast. Everything on their menu is sourced from small local farms. Featuring over the top salads, satisfying grain bowls loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, daily specials, and a rotating soup menu, even die-hard carnivores find Everkrisp’s fare irresistible!
