Discovering New Restaurants on 30A

May 2, 2024

When you think of 30A, walking along pristine beaches, paddling on coastal dune lakes, and biking the Timpoochee Trail are a few things that come to mind. And while that is a big part of the 30A experience, don’t overlook the incredible culinary scene. The area is bursting at the seams with delightful eateries offering a range of flavors. Whether you’re a food enthusiast eager to try the latest culinary trends or simply looking for an incomparable dining experience, here are some new 30A restaurants to try on your next visit!

Mimmo’s

Mimmo’s has earned a reputation for serving hearty Sicilian pizza, pasta, and meat dishes passed down for generations. A 30A Hot Spot award winner for best Italian cuisine, it’s easy to see why. With their second location now open on 30A, guests can enjoy the same authentic flavors and warm hospitality that made them a favorite in Destin.

Best known for: Traditional Italian cuisine, cozy ambiance, and an excellent staff.

Our top picks: Mimmo’s Marsala featuring angel hair pasta topped with chicken or veal finished in a marsala wine mushroom sauce.

Shelby’s Beach Bar

Featuring a seasonally inspired menu with scratch-made dishes sourced from local produce and seafood, you’d think people only come to this Gulf-front hotspot for the food. That’s only part of the appeal of this new 30A restaurant featuring incredible views, al fresco dining, and occasional live music. Go Southern traditional with fried green tomatoes and a fried grouper sandwich, or take it up a notch with the shrimp ceviche and lobster grilled cheese—either way, you’re in for a treat!

Best known for: Delicious food and drinks and outdoor dining in a prime 30A location.

Our top picks: Shrimp tacos with grilled shrimp, cilantro cabbage slaw, and roasted garlic aioli.

M & P Farrington Foods

Think elevated dishes, immersive experiences, and wine pairings, then throw in accolades like “Best Chef of the Emerald Coast,” and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable dining experience at this new 30A restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach. And if you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your 30A vacation rental, book a private chef or have some of their handmade pasta delivered!

Best known for: Fantastic new dishes dropping every week.

Our top picks: With an unpublicized menu, you never know what’s available, but if you get the chance to try the miso-marinated Pacifico striped bass marinated with sherry cream chowder, shitake mushrooms, and gnocchi, go for it!

Wild Olives

If charcuterie boards and Mediterranean platters sound appealing, this cozy bistro in Santa Rosa Beach might become one of your new favorite restaurants on 30A. An extensive wine list and craft cocktails complement small and large plates crafted with the highest quality ingredients. Swing by for a happy hour or dinner, relax in the casual setting, and reconnect with family and friends.

Best known for: A welcoming environment where sharing meals is celebrated.

Our top picks: The charcuterie is lovely, the poke is divine, but there’s no need to pick just one—order a mix and share with the table!

Down Island

While you’ll find a diverse mix of items on the lunch and dinner menu, fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab tend to steal the show. Lunch offerings include soups, salads, po’boys, and seafood baskets, while dinner ranges from broiled octopus and buffalo crawfish nuggets to tomato and fennel stew and Peruvian-style ceviche. Expect top-notch service, a friendly staff, and beautifully presented regional dishes in a modern casual dining environment.

Best known for: Excellent food, beautiful presentation, and inspired flavor combinations.

Our top picks: Wood oysters to start followed by the fish of the day—trust us.

The Daytrader

It’s always five o’clock in Seaside, especially at this fun tiki bar serving coastal cuisine with a Polynesian flair. Enjoy a new take on American classics while sipping a beach butterfly mocktail or a spicy garden Rita. The food tastes as good as it looks, whether enjoying a smash burger, a lobster poor boy, or Maui fries topped with black Angus beef, brown gravy, and cheddar. Settling into your vacation comes easy when surrounded by sherbert-colored walls, a tropical motif, and a staff filled with contagious enthusiasm!

Best known for: Playful, locally sourced cuisine bursting with fresh, bright flavors.

Our top picks: The sloppy Koa with sweet tomato stewed black Angus, grilled pineapple, and Asian slaw on a Hawaiin bun.

Beach Happy Cafe

Located in WaterColor, this bright and cheerful hangout is a fun place to hit before or after the beach. Grab a few of their wraps, sandwiches, or quesadillas and an iced matcha latte, then get outside and soak up the sun. They’re also known for refreshing coffee drinks, smoothies, and adult beverages, including green apple, dragonfruit, and coconut breeze refreshers.

Best known for: Casual cafe with a chill vibe, perfect for hanging out or passing through.

Our top picks: The chicken pesto sandwich with asiago and a 30A berry beach smoothie.

Charlie’s Delights

What began with a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar serving donuts, ice cream, pastries, and other sweet treats in Alys Beach. You’ll also find homemade milkshakes, delicious Italian sodas, and coffee drinks on the menu. The whole family will go crazy for the fresh, hand-rolled, dipped doughnuts, and while you could get one or two, grab a dozen and spread the love!

Best known for: Donuts—every day, all day, anywhere, anytime.

Our top picks: A key lime-filled doughnut stuffed with key lime cream, a sugary glaze, and a hint of lime.

Gallion’s

Rosemary Beach is the perfect backdrop for this refined restaurant and cocktail lounge, one of our favorite new restaurants on 30A. Start with a few small plates, like deviled eggs and pimento cheese dip, then take your pick from steak, seafood, pasta, and chicken, all equally delicious and artfully prepared. Dine indoors or out, pick a bottle from their curated wine list, and enjoy the Rosemary Beach lifestyle.

Best known for: Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, exceptional cuisine, and upscale yet casual dining environment.

Our top picks: Surf and turf lovers won’t go wrong with the bone-in filet with jumbo lump crab, bearnaise, and truffle potatoes, followed by the show-stopping carrot cake.

You’ll want to stay close by to try all the new restaurants on 30A, so book a beautiful vacation rental with Scenic Stays for the ultimate dining experience on 30A!

Discovering New Restaurants on 30A

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