The Scenic Highway 30A corridor, stretching through charming communities like Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Inlet Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach, has always been a haven for food enthusiasts. Since January 2024, several new dining establishments, food trucks, and coffee carts have emerged, adding fresh flavors and experiences to the area. Here’s a curated list of these new culinary spots.
1. Mimmo’s 30A
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Description: Mimmo’s, renowned for its hearty Sicilian pizza, pasta, and meat dishes, has opened a new location on 30A. This expansion brings their authentic Italian flavors closer to residents and visitors of Santa Rosa Beach.
Highlights:
- Signature Dish: Mimmo’s Marsala – angel hair pasta topped with chicken or veal in a marsala wine mushroom sauce.
- Ambiance: Cozy setting with warm hospitality, perfect for family dinners or intimate gatherings.
2. Shelby’s Beach Bar
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Description: Shelby’s Beach Bar offers a seasonally inspired menu with scratch-made dishes sourced from local produce and seafood. This Gulf-front hotspot provides incredible views, al fresco dining, and occasional live music, making it a must-visit for those seeking a relaxed beachside dining experience.
Highlights:
- Must-Try: Shrimp tacos with grilled shrimp, cilantro cabbage slaw, and roasted garlic aioli.
- Atmosphere: Casual and inviting, with outdoor seating that captures the essence of 30A’s coastal charm.
3. M & P Farrington Foods
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Description: M & P Farrington Foods brings elevated dishes, immersive experiences, and wine pairings to 30A. Led by a chef honored as the “Best Chef of the Emerald Coast,” this establishment promises an unforgettable dining experience. For those preferring to dine in the comfort of their vacation rental, they offer private chef services and handmade pasta delivery.
Highlights:
- Culinary Experience: Weekly new dishes that showcase creativity and a deep appreciation for local ingredients.
- Services: Private chef bookings and pasta delivery, catering to personalized dining preferences.
4. Crave Coffee 30A
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Description: Crave Coffee 30A is a mobile coffee trailer known as the “Mean Bean Machine.” They offer premium espresso beverages crafted by skilled baristas, bringing quality coffee experiences to various events along 30A.
Highlights:
- Specialty Drinks: Unique creations like the “Salty Pumpkin Latte,” combining salted caramel with pumpkin spice.
- Services: Available for event bookings, ensuring guests have access to delightful coffee options wherever they are.
5. Heirloom Donuts
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Overview: Just launched! Heirloom Donuts specializes in artisanal donuts made from scratch, offering unique flavors that rotate seasonally.
Highlights:
- Menu: Offers a variety of donut flavors, including classic options and innovative creations that change with the seasons.
- Ingredients: Focuses on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to ensure freshness and support local producers.
- Mural: Local residents fought to keep a gorgeous mural painted on the side of the building after challenged by county codes.
Customer Feedback: Guests appreciate the creativity in flavors and the quality of the donuts, often noting them as a delightful treat in the area.
6. Wild Coast Coffee
Location: Eastern Santa Rosa Beach near Walmart Neighborhood Market
Overview: Wild Coast Coffee is a coffee cart offering specialty coffee beverages, emphasizing sustainable and ethically sourced beans.
Highlights:
- Menu: Serves a range of coffee drinks, from classic espresso-based beverages to unique seasonal specialties.
- Sustainability: Committed to eco-friendly practices, including the use of biodegradable cups and sourcing beans from fair-trade suppliers.
Customer Feedback: Patrons enjoy the quality of the coffee and the friendly service, making it a popular stop for locals and visitors alike.
7. Papa Surf Burger Bar
Location: Gulf Place
Overview: Papa Surf Burger Bar offers a boutique burger experience in a renovated historic property surrounded by heritage citrus trees.
Highlights:
- Menu: Features a variety of burgers crafted with fresh ingredients, complemented by a selection of beers and sides.
- Ambiance: Provides a relaxed atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating options, allowing guests to enjoy the coastal environment.
Customer Feedback: Guests have praised the great service, food, and vibes, noting the quick service and enjoyable outdoor seating.
8. Grace Pizza and Shakes
Location: Uptown Grayton Beach
Overview: Grace Pizza and Shakes offers a unique combination of artisanal pizzas and extravagant milkshakes, providing a fun dining experience for all ages.
Highlights:
- Menu: Features a variety of wood-fired pizzas with creative toppings and indulgent milkshakes adorned with an array of sweets.
- Family-Friendly: Designed to cater to families and groups, offering a lively atmosphere and shareable menu items.
Customer Feedback: Diners enjoy the innovative pizza options and the over-the-top milkshakes, making it a memorable spot for both locals and tourists.
9. Down Island Gulf Seafood
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Overview: Down Island offers fresh, well-prepared seafood and cocktails in a welcoming environment suitable for families or date nights.
Highlights:
- Menu: Features a variety of Gulf seafood dishes, showcasing the region’s rich marine offerings.
- Atmosphere: Combines a casual setting with an upscale dining experience, making it versatile for different occasions.
Customer Feedback: Patrons have praised the freshness of the seafood and the quality of the cocktails, noting the restaurant as a great addition to the local dining scene.
10. 3 Sons Barbecue
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Overview: 3 Sons Barbecue brings authentic Southern barbecue to 30A, offering smoked meats and classic sides in a casual setting.
Highlights:
- Menu: Offers a selection of smoked meats, including brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, accompanied by traditional sides like coleslaw and baked beans.
- Cooking Method: Utilizes traditional smoking techniques to infuse rich flavors into the meats, appealing to barbecue enthusiasts.
Customer Feedback: Patrons appreciate the tender meats and flavorful sauces, noting it as a welcome addition to the local food scene.
11. Gather Kitchen and Bar
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Overview: Gather Kitchen and Bar offers a modern dining experience with a menu focusing on seasonal ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
Highlights:
- Menu: Features a rotating selection of dishes that highlight seasonal produce and locally sourced ingredients, providing a fresh and dynamic dining experience.
- Ambiance: Combines contemporary design with a warm atmosphere, making it suitable for both casual meals and special occasions.
Customer Feedback: Guests enjoy the creative menu and attentive service, often highlighting the restaurant’s commitment to quality and presentation.
12. Macho Taco Cantina
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Overview: Macho Taco Cantina brings vibrant Mexican flavors to 30A, offering a variety of tacos, burritos, and margaritas in a lively setting.
Highlights:
- Menu: Features a selection of traditional and innovative Mexican dishes, including street-style tacos and flavorful salsas. Try the shrimp tacos!
- Drinks: Offers a variety of margaritas and Mexican beers, complementing the bold flavors of the food.
Customer Feedback: Diners enjoy the authentic flavors and festive atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both casual lunches and evening gatherings. Only downside is location next to busy paint store.
13. Idyll Hound Proper
Location: Shops at Inlet Beach
Overview:
A fresh offshoot of the beloved Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, Idyll Hound Proper opened in early 2024 and brings elevated pub fare and a curated drink experience to the heart of 30A. It’s more than just a taproom—it’s a thoughtfully designed gastropub where locals and visitors can gather over house-brewed beers, inventive cocktails, and chef-driven small plates.
Highlights:
- Menu: Seasonal, Southern-inspired small plates with coastal influence—think citrus-cured snapper, smoked wings, and wagyu beef sliders.
- Drinks: Offers the full lineup of Idyll Hounds brews, along with creative cocktails and a wine list that rivals any upscale restaurant nearby.
- Vibe: Upscale casual. The interiors are clean and modern but still warm, making it perfect for a date night, group dinner, or long lunch.
Customer Feedback:
Locals have praised it as the kind of spot 30A needed—laid-back but elevated. It’s quickly becoming a go-to for those looking to enjoy great food and drinks without leaving Santa Rosa Beach. The beer flights and rotating food specials make it worth repeat visits.
14. Ghost Crab Pizza
Location: Seagrove Beach (30Avenue)
Overview:
Ghost Crab Pizza is a bold new entry to the 30A food scene, serving up artisan-style pies with a creative edge. Opened in 2024, it’s already generating buzz for its funky vibe, playful branding, and unexpected flavor combinations. Whether you’re grabbing a pie to-go or sitting down for a casual family dinner, it delivers both quality and personality in equal measure.
Highlights:
- Menu: Hand-tossed, stone-baked pizzas with inventive topping combos—like honey-sriracha chicken or prosciutto with fig jam. There are also vegan and gluten-free options.
- Drinks: Craft beer on tap, natural sodas, and a rotating selection of seasonal beverages.
- Vibe: Coastal-casual with a slightly edgy twist—think surf shop meets indie pizzeria. Fun for both families and friend groups.
Customer Feedback:
Fans love the chewy crust, generous toppings, and fast, friendly service. Many say it’s a welcome break from traditional tourist fare and ranks among their favorite meals on 30A. It’s also a top pick for takeout on beach nights or laid-back evenings in.
Final Thoughts: A Fresh Flavor Wave on 30A
Whether you’re sipping espresso from a beachside coffee cart or diving into wood-fired pizza after a long day in the sun, these new restaurants, cafes, and food trucks are adding exciting new layers to the 30A experience. As a long-time local, it’s been a treat to watch the food scene grow in both quality and creativity—and 2024 is already shaping up to be one of the best years yet.
If you’re planning a visit soon, I highly recommend checking out a few of these spots while they’re still flying under the radar. And if you’ve already been? Let me know what you thought—I’d love to hear which ones made your list of new favorites.
Beach days are better with good food.
See you out there.
