Iconic Eats on 30A: My Go-To Restaurants After a Lifetime of Visits

Grayton Beach

The scenic 30A along Florida’s Panhandle is one of my very favorite places in the entire world. This stretch of coast between Destin and Panama City Beach is home to beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants, and a walkable, laid-back lifestyle. It’s hardly a hidden gem. These days it can be nerve-wracking to drive down this stretch of road with bare feet pedestrians absentmindedly crossing the street after a full day in the sun back to their cottages or the gaggle of kids on beachcomber bicycles who are too busy racing ahead of each other to notice the cars cruising alongside them. I was personally lucky enough to grow up alongside the explosive growth of this tiny seaside community because my grandmother saw the beauty of this place back in 1989, and she and my grandfather scooped up a condo at one of the few highrises that can be found along this stretch in Seagrove, next to Seaside, Florida. 

I’ve made the trip from Georgia down to the Gulf at least once a year (if not multiple times a year) throughout my life, and I have distinct memories of my parents loading the car down with all the groceries we would need for the week prior to leaving town and then picking up our gallon of milk at the Tom Thumb gas station since it was the only option when we were down there. Back in the 90s and early 2000s restaurant options were limited, so we tried them all. I love to see some of these restaurants still going strong today. 

Iconic 30A Restaurants 

While an exhaustive list would simply be exhausting to read, here’s my abbreviated list of restaurants that are near and dear to my heart. Even after a lifetime of visits, I still find myself returning to these when I make my pilgrimage to the Gulf. 

The Redbar - A 30A Classic with Live Music & Laid-Back Vibes

The Redbar is a staple for anyone visiting 30A. This lively, noisy, laidback restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but waiting for a table is part of the joy. They typically have a small jazz band playing in the front room. Their bar is in the heart of the building and the drinks hit just right after a long day in the sun. Once you’re seated, the waiter will come over with a giant chalkboard with their small menu of offerings. Their crisp and simple salad and creamy mashed potatoes sides are staples, and I’ve personally always gravitated toward their fresh seafood dishes. Try to save room for dessert, though. Their apple dumplings are healing (especially sunburn). 

Parking has gotten more complex in recent years as Grayton Beach has become more popular. They now offer a shuttle service from a parking lot located just up the street. While this does make visiting more of a commitment, I can personally attest that it might be for the best considering one time when visiting with girlfriends I managed to get my car stuck in the sand after using the only (risky) parking spot left nearby. I was particularly grateful to learn that trip that AAA does respond to beachside emergencies. 

The famous martinis from Cafe 30A

Cafe Thirty-A - Elegant Dining with the Best Crabcakes on 30A

Cafe Thirty-A has been a family staple for us for a long time. Known for their martinis, this restaurant is the kind of place where you’ll want to make a reservation, shower, put on makeup, and pull out one of your dressier and less wrinkled clothing options from your suitcase. Personally, I find their crabcakes to be my favorite along 30A. They are heavy on the crab and light on the filling, and it’s lightly fried on the exterior to give it a crunch without making it taste like a hushpuppy. 

My family also loves to take advantage of their early dinner special. If you order dinner between 4:30 - 5:00, they offer a buy one entree get a second entree half off. Coming from Eastern Standard Time, it feels more like eating between 5:30 and 6, and typically on these days, we’ll get breakfast somewhere fabulous like The Perfect Pig (also highly recommended) and then spend a long uninterrupted late morning/early afternoon on the beach before cleaning up for our early dinner. 

Goatfeather’s Seafood Market - The Perfect Takeout for a Beach Night

Goatfeather’s Restaurant was a childhood staple for me. They had a lifesize mermaid tucked up in their rafters and some popcorn shrimp that rocked my world when I was little. One of the few restaurant offerings along 30A back in the day, they’re still going strong today. That said, while you can still visit the restaurant, I personally love their Seafood Market most now. For those nights when you don’t want to put in the effort to go out to eat, popping over to their market and scooping up a couple of pounds of their steamed shrimp or a fresh catch of the day to grill is the perfect way to leave the saltwater in your hair and still enjoy the local offerings. Fair warning, though, the market closes at 6 PM, so don’t wait until late to pick things up.

Seagrove Village Market - Nostalgic Eats with a Casual Beachside Feel

Seagrove Village Market has a special place in my heart because it started with humble beginnings. It was tucked into the back of a little gas station convenience store where you could pick up all your beach toys and a stick of gum. You’d wander back through the aisles to where suddenly you were met with a hostess stand. They had a fabulous back porch where you could sit and enjoy some of the very best fried seafood. Hushpuppies included, of course. 

While the restaurant has significantly upgraded their interior and dropped the back porch, their wonderful fried seafood options are still as delectable as ever. When you’re in the mood to ride your bike to lunch or dinner, this is the perfect destination. Laid back and good vibes only.  

Vue on 30a - Breathtaking Views and Coastal Cuisine

The view from The Vue

The name of this place could not be more appropriate. Located on top of the dunes, this restaurant’s back walls are nothing but windows showcasing the gorgeous gulf waters and white sand. I personally believe this restaurant offers the most stunning vistas of any restaurant along this stretch of land. On top of having gorgeous views, they also offer delicious dishes. Most recently, I enjoyed their Cobb Salad with Grilled Shrimp. They included these tiny slices of spicy sausage that really brought the entire dish together. 

The Vue is the kind of restaurant where you want to strategically plan your reservation. They’re not open every day, and they also rent out the space for special events. (Fun fact, my cousin actually got married here!) Be sure to call ahead and make reservations instead of just showing up. Pro tip, look up the time of sunset, and see if you can schedule your reservation around then. 

There are so many fantastic restaurants along 30A, and this list just brushes the surface of some of my longtime favorites. This tiny stretch of friendly beach towns has captured the hearts of so many, and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and evolve throughout the rest of my lifetime.