12 Spots for the Best Breakfast on 30A Beaches
30A is a scenic coastal route stretching from Destin to Panama City Beach along the Florida panhandle. While the nearby beach communities boast towering skyscrapers, 30A offers a contrasting experience with charming seaside villages, each with its own distinct charm. Join us as we explore the top 11 spots for the best breakfast on 30A beaches.
The tranquil turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico grace the shores. Typically serene, adorned with powdery white sands, first-time visitors often find themselves captivated by their allure.
30A is home to several exceptional dining establishments, particularly those serving delectable breakfast and brunch options. Enjoy a satisfying meal to fuel up before embarking on a delightful day of sun, sand, and surf at the beach.
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Your Beach Packing list
- the best beach chair
- beach umbrella
- sun shade
- beach towels
- beach blanket
- beach toys
- best hat
- sunglasses
- bug spray
- kids face sunscreen
- kids face stick
- adult face sunscreen
- body sunscreen
photo credit: R. Schwartz
Best Brunch + Breakfast on 30A
1. Perfect Pig
With three locations at Gulf Place, Watercolor, and Seagrove, most 30A guests are close to this fantastic restaurant. The breakfast menu offers biscuits, pulled pork tacos, quiche, omelets, avocado toast, and pork belly benedict. There’s also a delicious assortment of pastries.
Breakfast is offered every morning from 8-11 a.m. and Brunch on Sundays only. The brunch menu is similar to breakfast, adding chicken and waffles, fresh seafood, and a breakfast grilled cheese. For those new to the idea, Gulf Place is a shopping center located in Santa Rosa Beach.
Check out my guide to the best condos for families!
2. Great Southern Cafe
Great Southern Cafe is a popular restaurant in the heart of Seaside and one of our favorites. Grits YaYa is one of the classics on the menu, a hearty meal of shrimp and grits. You can also choose the fresh catch of the day, beignets, a variety of egg benedicts, and tasty cocktails.
Come here for breakfast and walk through the community’s shops afterward. You’ll love the charming buildings and open green areas for kids to run around. Grab ice cream in Seaside at Heavenly or Dawson’s Yogurt if you have time. They also offer fantastic options at dinner too.
photo credit: R. Schwartz
3. Black Bear Bread Co.
Black Bear Bread Company is a local coffee shop with locations scattered on 30A. We’ve tried the cute shop in Grayton Beach for breakfast, but there are also Seaside and Sandestin(Grande Boulevard) locations.
Known for their coffee and pastries, it is a local favorite. We stopped by for breakfast on our way out of town once, and it was quick and easy. The shop is quaint with excellent service. We tried the breakfast sandwiches on biscuits and a cinnamon roll, but there’s also granola, french toast, and oatmeal.
After breakfast, consider going to Grayton Beach State Park to explore the walking trails or the gorgeous beach.
photo credit: R. Schwartz
4. Cowgirl Kitchen
Cowgirl Kitchen is another local breakfast place. With several Blue Mountain Beach and Rosemarch Beach locations, you aren’t far from trying this exquisite breakfast spot.
Their menu carries classics such as egg plates, waffles, french toast and biscuits, and gravy, but they have a unique twist on traditional menu items. For instance, there are veggie breakfast tacos, pimento cheese on a biscuit known as the heartache, praline bacon, and a black bean biscuit sandwich.
photo credit: R. Schwartz
5. Bud & Alley’s
Bud & Alley’s Restaurant and Rooftop Bar is one of the best brunch spots in Seaside. Their offerings include classics such as a southern-style breakfast, french toast, biscuits with gravy, or a crab cake benedict paired with delicious cocktails. I’d try the crab and shrimp frittata while enjoying a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Try the steak and eggs or blackened mahi if you want a hearty meal. There are lighter options such as granola, fruit, and overnight oats.
Since Bud & Alley’s is an institution on 30A, I recommend making reservations.
photo credit: R. Schwartz
6. Canopy Road Cafe
Located in Rosemary Beach, Canopy Road Cafe is a restaurant unique to Florida. Their menu is diverse, with a little something for everyone. They offer seasonal items like pumpkin pancakes in the fall paired with traditional dishes such as eggs, breakfast burritos, egg benedict, country-fried steak, and a breakfast Cuban.
They also offer lighter options such as avocado toast, bagels, and fruit. Their menu is expansive with many variations of pancakes, eggs benedict, french toast, waffles and omelet. You will never get bored with their menu.
7. Modica Market
If you are exploring Seaside one morning, pop into Modica Market for a quick and easy breakfast. Modica Market is a small family-run grocery store in the heart of Seaside and worth a stop. They make a great selection of gourmet breakfast items such as pastries and biscuit sandwiches that you grab to go. This is the perfect spot to snag a delicious breakfast at the beach.
photo credit: R. Schwartz
8. Havana Beach Bar & Grill
For guests in or near Rosemary Beach, make time for brunch at Havana Beach Bar & Grill. The menu boasts a great mix of breakfast and lunch items, which is perfect since it is the day’s most important meal. Choose between avocado toast, eggs, french toast, Mojo Pork Empanadas, salads, burgers, or a Cuban.
Brunch is offered from 8 am -2 pm. Havana offers lunch on their rooftop bar, too!
9. Blue Mountain Bakery
While at the beach, I love taking a morning walk or bike ride. 30A is lined with wide paths for bikers and walkers. Blue Mountain Bakery is close to our favorite condo at Adiago, so it is a quick and easy breakfast spot.
The Bakery serves breakfast options till 11 a.m. Choose from breakfast burritos or bowls, avocado toast, scrambled eggs, frittatas, quiche, or granola. My husband and I tried their yummy breakfast rolls. If you prefer something sweet, there’s banana bread, cookies, and muffins. There’s an outdoor patio for you to enjoy your sweet treat on!
photo credit: R. Schwartz
10. Fish out of Water
Fish out of Water sits in the heart of Watercolor right on the Beach. If you opt for a table on the porch, you are surrounded by beautiful views of turquoise water. Brunch is served daily from 8-2 p.m. with classic dishes like french toast, eggs, shrimp, and grits. They also have oysters, a quinoa bowl, a fish sandwich, and tacos.
We’ve tried both brunch and dinner here and highly recommend it. Their cocktails are tasty, but the location is key if dining with kids. You can walk outside the dining room and on the boardwalk to the beach. This has helped our kids burn off energy on numerous occasions!
photo credit: R. Schwartz
Best Donuts & Pastries in 30A
My kids and I love donuts! At the beach, we always stop by our favorite places for donuts, usually more than once! I’ve even stopped on the way home to Atlanta and grabbed a dozen! These places are wildly popular, so be up early to grab your favorite flavors!
11. Donut Hole
Donut Hole is one of our favorite places to grab breakfast while on vacation. We’ve been known to go twice during our trip. You can stop here for a traditional sit-down breakfast at all times of the day! There are two locations in the 30A region and a third spot in Destin.
You can’t be on 30A without making a pit stop for their donuts. My kids love the chocolate and strawberry glazed donuts. My absolute favorite is their crumb cake donut (they have an apple-filled one, too!). My other favorite is called Vanilla Angel, a cream filled donut covered in powdered sugar.
Both locations on 30A are wildly popular, especially at Inlet Beach. I’ve seen lines to pick up donuts with 20-30 people waiting in the hot summer sun. Go early if visiting during the busy season!
photo credit: R. Schwartz
12. Charlie’s Delights
If you’ve visited 30A in previous years, you may have noticed the colorful donut truck in Alys Beach known as Charlie’s Donuts. Now they have a permanent location in Alys called Charlie’s Delights. My favorite donut from Charlie’s is the chocolate glazed donut. If you are in staying in Alys, Seacrest, Rosemary or Inlet, make time to try one of their tasty donuts.
If you are in Alys later, you can also grab ice cream at Charlie’s Delights.
FAQ: Visiting 30A
🏖️When is the peak season for the Emerald Coast?
The optimal time to visit is during the shoulder season. Late spring and fall are the ideal periods for a 30A getaway. I also enjoy the quiet season of winter. I recommend avoiding spring break and the summer months when schools are on break, as this is when crowds swell and prices rise. Christmas on 30A is a magical time to visit too.
🏖️Is a golf cart required?
The necessity of a golf cart depends on your specific location. Golf carts are more prevalent in Seagrove, Watercolor, Seaside, Grayton, Santa Rosa, and Blue Mountain areas.
🏖️What are the top activities to enjoy in the region?
Among the best activities to partake in are biking, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, indulging in beach bonfires after dark, exploring nearby state parks, and savoring the shopping and dining experiences. For the adventure lover, check out the exciting excursions in the region.
🏖️What is the nearest airport?
The closest airports to 30A are Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, located in Panama City, is the nearest option for travelers visiting 30A.
🏖️Where’s the best ice cream on 30A?
Blue Mountain Creamery, Pecan Jacks, Heavenly’s, and Sugar Shak are just a few examples.
🏖️Which state parks are worth visiting?
Some of the top state parks to explore in the area include Deer Lake State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Camp Helen State Park, and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
In conclusion: 12 Spots for the Best Breakfast on 30A Beaches
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, and I hope my guide to the best breakfast on 30A beaches helps you plan your next great adventure.
30A Resources
Best 30A Beaches
Best 30A Tours
Breakfast in 30A
Ice cream in 30A
Best Seafood on 30A
30A State Parks
30A Winter
30A Fall
Christmas in 30A
Spring Break on 30A
30A When it Rains
4th of July at 30A
How to Vacation at 30A on a Budget
Vacation Rentals on 30A for Families
Beach Packing List for Families
The Best Review of Seaside vs Watercolor, Florida
Ultimate Guide to Watercolor, Florida
Is Watercolor, Florida, Worth it? 12 Reasons why I love it
Best Things to do in Rosemary Beach
Which 30A beach is right for you?
Best things to do in Seaside
🎬30A Google Stories🎬
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