Take a Food Tour of 30A and the Emerald Coast

Calling all foodies! A fun new culinary experience has hit the beach, offering tasty hits of diverse restaurant cuisine along the Emerald Coast.

Tennessee native and now 30A local Abbe Little has created A Little Taste of the Emerald Coast, the first food tour of its kind our area.

Abbe was inspired to launch A Little Taste of the Emerald Coast after years of restaurant hopping with her husband and friends. She has traveled and tasted extensively, becoming a cuisine connoisseur in such places as Spain, London, Japan, Israel, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

“I feel that food tours are key to creating a sense of place, a taste of place, and, by extension, a more relatable destination experience,” Little said.

With dining being the most direct (and most delicious) way to connect to local culture, “hunting for genuine regional cuisine and avoiding chains is the best way to immerse in the total experience,” she said. The locally owned restaurants of the Emerald Coast were a perfect fit for Little’s vision.

Using Sunshine Shuttle for transportation, Abbe will be your personal guide for each 4-hour tour.

Foodies will indulge in beach cruising in the comforts of an air-conditioned shuttle, learn local history through the flavors of the Emerald Coast, and get the opportunity to kick it karaoke style while en route to the next culinary hot spot. Abbie, passionate about music, was lead singer in a band for 7 years and once even performed on stage with Shania Twain, so her karaoke game is strong.

Guests are welcome to bring a small cooler with a favorite beverage to enjoy from stop to stop. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately at participating restaurants.

Choose from two taste tours, each is held from 2-6 PM, March through October. Private tours available year round.

Mondays and Wednesday is the 30A West Tour

Stopping at The Perfect Pig (“Praise the Lard” with gourmet southern food); Local Catch (boasting southern coastal cuisine, drinks, and live music); Grayton Beer Brewpub (local twists on bar food favs with beer brewed in-house); and Trebeachè (coastal elegance with an ethnic flair)

Tuesdays and Thursdays is the US 98/ Miramar Beach Tour

This tour makes stops at Mezcal (Mexican dishes with southern beach influence); Acme Oyster House (New Orleans style dining – known for chargrilled oysters); Ocean Club (elegant dining, fine seafood and steak); Christiano’s (Traditional Italian classics with a warm cozy vibe); and Vin’tij Food and Wine Bistro (coming soon to this tour, offering eclectic cuisine and fine wine)

A Little Taste also offers private tours tailored to your group’s palate preferences. Find out more and book your tasting tour now at emeraldcoastfoodtours.com. A minimum of 6 guests is required to depart, with a maximum of 15 guests.

What a great way to spend an afternoon with friends or sample the entire beach culinary scene all in one vacay day. Tease your taste buds, channel your inner rock star, and tour on foodies!

To stay updated on local food trends, follow 30A on Facebook!

CHRISTY (CHICK) HUGHES is a freelance writer and a respiratory therapist living in South Walton. She and her husband moved to the beach in 2000.  One sunset…and the couple never looked back. Find her at her blog chickhughes.com.