The temperatures are heating up and so is the activity in the communities of 30A. There’s always the draw of emerald waters, sugar sand, and brilliant sunshine, but there’s more to love this season. Whether you’re here for a week, or a lifetime, the unmatched physical beauty of rare coastal dune lakes and fiery ocean sunsets create a welcoming backdrop for delicious meals filled with the region’s bounty and glasses raised in celebration. And we have a few new kids on the block to welcome to the fold. Let’s take a look at some of our new (& coming soon) favorites.
A new spot is coming to Seaside in Spring 2023 and there will be bad-ass tiki cocktails to toast the sunset. Chef Nikhil Abuvala, the genius behind Roux 30A and Nanbu, is creating a close to 5,000-square-foot space where guests can, “…trade a day at the office for a day at the beach.”
The Daytrader Tiki Bar & Restaurant draws inspiration from the countries and cuisines found in Polynesia with a respectable nod to Hawaii and tiki culture. On the horizon are Sloppy Koa heaped with Angus beef and pineapple cabbage slaw sandwiched between Hawaiian sweet rolls, Spam Crispy Rice layered with oyster sauce, nori, egg, and other goodies, tangy Wahoo Poke piled high with jalapeno, radish, ginger, and bits of scallion, and crispy Lumpia filled with tender pork and Mang Tomas Sarsa for a taste of the Philippines.
Remember the Cabana By The SEASIDE Style shops right outside Bud & Alley’s? A new set of pop-up shops featuring artisans, independent manufacturers, and crafters, are now rotating. Current shops include This Spread featuring charcuterie and specialty cheese boards, Rustler Hat Co. with a selection of custom straw and felt hats, Pop Alchemy serving hand-crafted sodas, elegant mocktails, and wine-based cocktails, Lala Links Jewelry, Charleston Shoe Company, and Turkoise with an array of custom Shoes and handmade tableware and gifts.
The pop-up district is open March through August from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and September through January from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The beloved truck Charlie’s Donuts has a new brick-and-mortar location right in the heart of Alys Beach. They still have the same great donuts, but now visitors can sample housemade fudge, ice cream served in homemade waffle cones, a full espresso bar, and more.
When this local favorite shuttered the Rosemary Beach eatery, a great outcry came from the community. Now slated for a June 2023 opening, the social media accounts have been afire with excitement. The new menu will feature fresh local seafood, Joyce Farms chicken, organic grass-fed meats, organic produce, and a plant-based menu section. Look for Chef Chris & his team to bring an exciting wine selection, craft cocktails, and the delicious foods they’ve always been known for.
Since opening on New Year’s Eve, this spot has quickly become a hot dining ticket. Tucked into the 30 Avenue shopping center in Inlet Beach, it’s right off 30A. The menu changes daily as they find their groove. Dumplings are rolled every day. Fish from Hawaii, New Zealand, Japan, and wherever the freshest fish are swimming populate the evolving menu. The assorted sashimi plate does not disappoint with its buttery soft salmon, slices of fresh-off-the-boat tuna, and slivers of yellowtail, everything precisely fileted. And hot dishes like the signature Thai Basil Chicken complement the fresh sushi.
The beverage menu adds another layer to the concept of elevated Asian with nods to the rising Japanese cocktail culture. The familiar negroni is crafted with Roku Japanese Gin and Umeshu. Sake, Japanese Whiskey, Haku Vodka, yuzu, and lychee can be found throughout the menu lending more layers of adept flavor pairings to the food.
Dinner is served 5-9 p.m. every day except Sunday.
The popular Columbus Ohio Mexican restaurant where everything is made fresh daily brings an outpost to the beach. Look for innovative takes on tacos, burritos, and bowls alongside more traditional plates.
Mimmo’s 30A opened Monday, November 21st, 2022, just three days after they received their Certificate Of Occupancy, and it’s been gangbusters ever since. An extension of the beloved Destin location, this outpost serves up the popular Penne ala Vodka and house specialty Mimmo’s Marsala, as well as wood-fired pizza that is craggy and bubbled in all the right places.
On the horizon, there’s a brand new pasta extruder waiting in the kitchen for its first batch of homemade pasta to support all those housemade sauces.
And don’t leave without some dolce. The tiramisu, made by the executive chef who is also the man behind the pastry, is soaked in fresh-brewed espresso, Frangelico, and Borghetti liquor (an Italian specialty). It is super creamy with spongy ladyfingers steeped in hazelnut flavor, a light and airy bite that still imparts the bold espresso taste.
Mimmo’s is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m Saturday and Sunday.
Credit: Joe Frank Photography
Just behind longtime Seaside favorite Pickle’s sits Sandbar, a popular new spot for a “toes-in-the-sand, cocktail-in-hand” experience. 2023 is the 30th anniversary year of Pickle’s Burger & Shake and what better way to celebrate than a little expansion? Handcrafted cocktails, ice-cold draft and canned beer, frozen drinks perfect for the beach, and a carefully curated wine list await you at Pickle’s Sandbar.
Grab one of their signature Pickle’s Bloody Mary with all the usual suspects plus a little pickle juice for good measure. Or opt for a Perfectly Pickled mixed with cold Ford’s Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dill Pickle juice, Crystal hot sauce, and a pinch of spicy salt. And if you’re snacky, guests can order a Pickle’s Cheeseburger at the bar to accompany one of those handcrafted cocktails.
They’re open Monday through Friday starting at 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m. with Happy Hour daily from 3-5 p.m.
Photo credit: Friends 30A Burger Bar Facebook Page
The Corchis family is bringing a third restaurant to Inlet Beach and it’s all about burgers. The fast-casual eatery will be located next to the new Publix in Watersound Town Center Origins and serve smash burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes, and more. Stay tuned for an opening date later this year.
Photo courtesy of Amavida Coffee via Facebook
Airstream Row in Seaside is getting a new option from local coffee roaster Amavida. The crew has been dabbling in donuts this past year and now the fruits of their labor will be available Friday through Sunday at the vintage Citroën-inspired yellow truck stationed right across from Amavida in Seaside. There will be classic glazed donuts, seasonal creations, gluten-free and vegan options, cold brew coffee, and donut-themed merchandise.
Hours of Operation: Friday through Sunday, 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. (or until sold out)
Brian Kelley is adding a new tasty destination to his 30A businesses. He and his wife Brittney have partnered with Jason Aldean and Tom Glavine to bring Papa Surf Burger Bar later this summer. The boutique burger bar will be housed in a renovated historic piece of property surrounded by heritage citrus trees that will seed some of the menu offerings. A private dining room located upstairs will be available for private party rentals, and the custom magnolia tree bar in the backyard will be a welcome spot for a refreshing drink. The team is targeting late June or July, for their opening party with live music by Brian and Jason in the backyard. Follow their journey on Instagram here.
A new community coffee cafe has entered the 30A scene. Located in Santa Rosa Plaza right off Highway 98, The Cafe 180 serves a bevy of coffee options, Italian club sodas, pastries, sandwiches, and a wide variety of hot teas. Find them Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
There are changes afoot at this popular venue on 30A. Construction on the SW corner of the property is expected to be complete mid-Summer and will house two new retail spaces. Relocating are two of the kiosk concepts previously in that spot, the outside bar (will be open end of March) and Pineapple Smoothie. New names and branding will follow.
Macho Taco and Hooked Sea to Table are under the umbrella of Big Chill ownership and will have updated the menus, but keep the same seafood and Mexican themes visitors have come to love. Both will also undergo a rebrand with new names (TBD) over the next few months. Don’t worry, the same great outdoor entertainment and community gathering space will remain.
A new hub is coming to 30A right in the heart of Seagrove Beach. Greenway Station will offer upscale shopping, unique dining options, and lodging that blends the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape with modern amenities, all within a walkable space. Access to the Gulf of Mexico, Point Washington State Forest, and the Timpoochee Trail recreational path lies just outside the doors of 15 small businesses, restaurants, and coffee shops located adjacent to The Lodge 30A. Each business is opening on its own construction schedule so look for a staggered set of open dates for the following businesses.
Aubrey Craig and partner Harrison Holditch found inspiration in those little sandwich shops in Italy and France where you walk up to the counter, talk to your butcher, and leave with high-quality cheese, meat, and bread for a delicious lunch. They want to be the place offering specialty cuts of beef, chicken, and pork that comes from farms they know and can trace, but they also want to be, “…the spot to grab a good quick lunch, that’s not too expensive. We decided if we’re gonna do this butcher shop, we should also use the cheese and charcuterie meats that we will be selling retail and make sandwiches that people could grab to take down to the beach, or back to the office in Seagrove,” said Craig.
Hoping to open in March, The Salty Butcher will be an outpost for retail wine, specialty cuts of meat, cheeses (local and global), charcuterie boards, and selective ingredients from around the world. Holditch elaborated, “The goal is for you to be able to make an entire meal from the store. Obviously, it’s not a place where you do your entire week’s grocery shopping, but if you’re just coming into town or want to have a quick steak dinner, you’ll be able to grab fresh produce, pasta, sauces, spices, and everything you need to prepare an entire meal in the store.”
They started as an espresso bar in the back of a barber shop in Florence, Alabama. Then they found their own space and incorporated food they enjoyed eating like avocado toast, and homemade pastries. Now they are coming to 30A and they’re targeting late Spring or Early Summer for opening.
Start your day with one of their cold brews paired with avocado toast with an egg on sourdough, or the acai bowl with whey protein, peanut butter, blueberries, and homemade granola.
The breakfast and lunch hotspot will continue to serve the great food with innovative twists they have become known for in Inlet Beach.
Slated to open mid-summer, the team from popular brewery Idyll Hounds and No Reservation Restaurant Group is bringing a gastropub to the 30Avenue shopping center in Inlet Beach.
The brewery tucked away on Serenoa Drive became increasingly popular over the last few years which sparked the idea for a brewpub. The concept is a high-end gastropub (serving lots of great local beer of course) filled with mural art, polished metal and stone, garage doors, and…a robot.
“With a full bar, an outside walk-up bar, an eclectic menu, and rotating fresh local beer we aim to be the new locals’ hangout spot. Perfect for bachelorette parties, date nights, family night, working lunch, or watching the big game—our space will be partially open air with garage doors, misters, and heaters. “Great Food, Better Beer, Proper People.” is our motto,” said Frasier Hansen.
Some more Deep Fried Love is coming to 30A! Opening in late summer, the love child from the parents of Seagrove Village Market and Surfing Deer will serve up their signature fare at Watersound Town Center, at the corner of Hwy 98 and 86 N Watersound Parkway, right on the water next to the White Bridge. Look forward to a full bar, indoor/outdoor and porch seating, lunch and dinner service with to-go options, and the same fabulous food and colorful stories the Hartley Restaurant Group is known for. As they say, “Come getcha some!”
A specialty running store selling top brands of shoes, apparel, accessories, and nutritional products is coming to Watersound Towncenter (next to the new Publix) in June. Fleet Feet Inlet Beach is locally-owned and operated and plans to host weekly fun runs and training events, in-store educational seminars and talks, clinics, medical screenings, and more.
Based on a personalized FIT ID Scan, the experienced team is trained to make recommendations that best suit individual needs. Understanding that fueling up for a race is as important as gear, the store is stocked with nutrition selections that focus on clean ingredients without color dyes in a wide variety of plant-based, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free offerings.
