5 Best Restaurants in 30A (2024)

There are regular road trips, and there are Gulf Coast road trips with stops along 30A, the Florida panhandle’s equivalent of Route 66.

According to Forbes magazine, one of the signatures of 30A is the trademark, sky-blue bumper sticker featuring a happy, always sunny center — a sight familiar to anyone who has traveled this blissful stretch of road. When you think of 30A, think of this two-tone tribute to the 24-mile stretch of highway.

Because much of the 30A region is built for luxury, those who like to be pampered will find 30A an irresistible blend of food, music, and everything salt life. Indeed, many celebrities are drawn to the area’s low-key vibe, including foodies Tricia Yearwood and Chef Emeril Lagasse, who allegedly own properties here. If having professional chefs for neighbors isn't impressive enough, there is also HGTV’s Vern Vip, the well-known and alliterative designer.

No matter your dream home, calling on Sarah Davidson will help you find a great space, even near the upscale Alys Beach celebrity homes. And any which way you turn, the food will be magnificent.

The menu items are decadent at Edward’s. Imagine a baked mix of seafood, perfectly seared scallops, and tuna tartar, each brought in from fishers that day. The cover photo of one menu item features a filet of fish so caringly smothered in tomatoes and spinach that you can almost taste the flavor through the screen. But there is more than seafood here.

Two popular sides include grits and tomato chutney, both used in different dishes to equal success. Chutney is the perfect sauce to couple bacon-wrapped quail with Parmesan grits in a cohesive dish; the chutney’s sweetness teams beautifully with smoked pork.

If 30A is your destination or a potential new neighborhood, Edward’s needs to be on your list.

The Pearl is the only hotel on Rosemary Beach, but the oyster-themed moniker seems perfectly appropriate for the popular place on the stretch of highway known as 30A.

The beach down the stairs from The Pearl is more quaint pastels than flashy penthouse parties under the moonlight. Such solitude makes the area a seemingly obvious place for VIPs to escape the paparazzi, and it also could be an excellent place for you to make intriguing friends and hear some wild stories over rum drinks.

The casual atmosphere does not take away from the high-end fine dining experience at George's.

Southern Living recognized the restaurant’s merger of coastal and Southern cuisines, and immediately the opportunities at George's appeared endless.

The menu is innovative in that guests are asked to select either the Behave or Misbehave side of the menu. While it can be a bit unsettling to talk about food that might be considered too decadent to be healthy, the setup at George's reminds us that anything is a go in moderation. It “Ain’t Misbehavin’” if there is a touch of extra butter on the grits to make them extra creamy. Eat what you love — the fried calamari with lemon remoulade sounds incredible, and when are shrimp and grits ever wrong?

But even as hard as it is to resist is the Misbehave side, the Behave side blends color-drenched, festive food, dishes born from chefs who are masters of the adage, “First, we eat with our eyes.”

Plan several meals here to keep going back to find new gems, or maybe order one plus-sized dinner with wine and new friends so all of you can try a spread of irresistible menu items and make some great memories.

The Citizen is a beachfront tavern that draws inspiration from global coastal cuisine. The appetizer section features two raw fish preparations — tuna tartar invented by a Beverly Hills chef and Crudo, a Spanish fish dish that traditionally features a pop of citrus to “cook” the fish. Here, it is all about the eye, as the Crudo dish is free of fish and uses corn and cilantro to mimic traditional flavors; it’s a modern style with a hint of molecular gastronomy at play.

The Citizen steps onshore now and again for a great steak menu, hand-cut tagliatelle tossed in a pistachio pesto, and farm-to-table items including carrot hummus and mind-blowing cauliflower shawarma.

This cleverly-named restaurant features a six-course prix fixe tasting menu that kicks off with charred blood orange salad, mussels, and tomato bisque with the peppery punch of radish microgreens cutting through the richness, lobster mac and cheese, aged Black Angus steak, and a dark chocolate torte.

Menus are seasonal, and the details make Roux on 30A special, such as a bright chimichurri sauce topping a smoked sirloin or black lava salt for dramatic color against a pumpkin bisque.

Nearby Watercolor also has some fantastic restaurants, including super-casual seafood spots, a taco bar featuring a play on a Caprese salad with generous cuts of sliced tomato, mozzarella, baby greens, and a drizzle of good Balsamic vinegar.

If you fall in love with any of the restaurants along 30A, check out Sarah Davidson’s listings for Watercolor real estate for sale or Alys Beach lots for sale. You can build your own beachfront oasis — maybe within walking distance of a favorite restaurant! Or browse Rosemary Beach homes for sale, so you’ll never have to wait long to satisfy a craving for the tomato chutney at Edward’s.