By Abigail Abesamis
There are so many things to love about brunch, and whether you’re craving stunning views, refreshing cocktails, crispy bacon or all of the above, there’s a restaurant on 30A that’s ready to serve it up. While most of the restaurants highlighted below exclusively serve their brunch offerings on Sundays, there are a handful of spots that you can stop by during the week or on Saturday to get your fix––because when it comes to brunch, there are no rules.
Enjoy brunch bayside at chef Jim Shirley’s Santa Rosa Beach restaurant overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay. Pair a Bloody Mary or glass of bubbly with crab cake Benedict (lump crab cakes over fried eggplant topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce), chilaquiles, sweet tea marinated fried chicken with a housemade fried biscuit, or the daily chef’s special.
Brunch is served at The Bay on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photo Credit: Another Broken Egg Cafe
This Miramar Beach outpost of a national chain serves Southern-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch plates in a family-friendly setting with a pet-friendly patio. Offerings include pancake flights (because why limit yourself to just one flavor?), biscuit beignets and seasonal plates like corned beef and Brussel hash. The drink menu is fairly extensive as brunch goes and not to be missed, with different types of Bloody Marys by the glass and pitcher, infused mimosas, spiked cold brew coffee and a brunch old fashioned made with bourbon and cold brew.
Another Broken Egg Cafe is open Monday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This neighborhood gathering spot in, you guessed it, Grayton Beach offers bottomless mimosas for $9.95 with the purchase of an entree. On the menu are savory plates like fried green tomato Benedict and a shrimp and crawfish omelet, sweet bites like New Orleans-style French toast, and chicken and waffles for those who want a bit of both.
Brunch is served at Grayton Seafood Co. on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
French toast at The Perfect Pig. Photo Credit: Northern Gulf Media
Brunch favorites meet Southern comfort food staples at this easygoing eatery with multiple locations in Santa Rosa Beach. Menus vary slightly between locations, with options including ham biscuits with blackberry mustard, a Parmesan-crusted breakfast grilled cheese sandwich, and housemade quiche featuring applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions and Gruyère. To drink, there’s freshly ground and locally roasted coffee, Bellinis, mimosas and bacon Bloody Marys.
Brunch is served at The Perfect Pig on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Â
There’s no need to wait until the weekend for diners at Crackings., a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant with a location in Santa Rosa Beach and another in Destin. Bring a crew and order a pitcher of mimosas or Bloody Marys. There’s something for everyone on the menu, including starters like lobster Gouda grits and a cinnamon roll covered in melted cream cheese icing, Benedicts, scrambles and omelets, and health-focused fare like a quinoa berry bowl and steel-cut oats topped with fresh fruit.
Crackings. at Santa Rosa Beach is open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gulf views are paired with a seafood-forward menu at this elegant Santa Rosa Beach eatery. Menu highlights include eggs Benedict (classic, crab cake, smoked salmon, fried oyster and veggie), Jamaican jerk snapper tacos and different types of omelets. To drink, there are $5 house Bloody Marys, martinis and half priced bottles of wine.
Brunch is served at Vue on 30A on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This Rosemary Beach rooftop spot usually serves a crowd of 18+ but opens up their dining room to all ages during its Sunday brunch service. The à la carte menu features a range of dishes including the Pescado Original (a breakfast plate with two eggs plus your choice of breakfast potatoes or asiago polenta and Nueske’s bacon or sausage), blueberry and lemon poppyseed pancakes and lobster grilled cheese served with tomato bisque. To drink, there’s mimosas, Bloody Marys, rosé, and an Endless Summer cocktail made with rum, calvados, Aperol, lemon and prosecco.
Brunch is served at Pescado on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Eggs Benedict. Photo credit: Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast
This Miramar Beach restaurant is another option for those looking for brunchy bites on days other than Sunday (though they serve the Sunday brunch crowd as well). Kick off your meal with a pastry platter or sliced oranges in sea salt and olive oil before moving onto mains like an Italian breakfast panini (made with prosciutto, sunny side up eggs and Gruyère cheese), homemade espresso biscuits (the house specialty) and bananas Foster French toast.
Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Photo credit: Alissa Aryn Commercial
Housemade breads, tempting pastries and Stumptown Coffee drinks headline the menu at this contemporary cafe nestled in the Shops of Grayton with covered outdoor seating and additional dining space in the recently opened Bar Room located next door. On the menu are breakfast bowls, including a grain bowl with eggs, farro, quinoa, pecans, avocado, greens, tomatoes and fresh herbs; breakfast sandwiches, tartines, and lunch plates like the Dragonfly Farms arugula salad with pecan sherry vinaigrette, radicchio, Smokey Blue cheese and herbs.
Black Bear Bread Co. is open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Brunch bites are accompanied by live music, mimosas and Bloody Marys at this relaxed seafood and wine bar in Santa Rosa Beach. On the menu are plenty of oysters (raw, baked and steamed) and New Orleans-influenced fare including specialty po’boys (with options like fried shrimp, Buffalo shrimp, and roast beef and grilled ham), beignets and boudin hash served with bacon, fried eggs and a biscuit.
Brunch is served at Stinky’s Fish Camp on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
BThis Blue Mountain Beach establishment recently celebrated a year in business and has already garnered a strong following thanks to its casual vibe and creative fare. Reservations are recommended for its popular brunch, with offerings including a bacon flight, keto power bowl and 24 hour smoked brisket sandwich. Brunch bites are complemented by $5 glasses of house champagne, bottomless orange, grapefruit and peach mimosas ($10 with an entree, $15 without one); and a house Bloody Mary.
Brunch is served at Blue Mabel on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
