Since 2007, our annual 30A Hot Spot Awards have celebrated the best of the best, chosen by you. From unforgettable dining experiences and local events to standout talent and stunning state parks, this is your chance to spotlight the restaurants, people, and places that make 30A truly one-of-a-kind.

This year, you made your voices heard in a big way. With an overwhelming number of votes cast, the 2025 winners represent the true fan favorites across food, drink, entertainment, shopping, and more.

So, without further ado, meet your 2025 30A Hot Spot Award winners as voted by the people who know our stretch of paradise best: you.

1. CASUAL DINING
Winner: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

Second Place: Red Bar
Third Place: Pickles Sandbar

2. FINE DINING
Winner: Cafe Thirty-A

Second Place: Ambrosia 30A Prime Seafood & Steaks
Third Place: Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar

3. OUTDOOR DINING
Winner: Old Florida Fish House

Second Place: The Bay
Third Place: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

4. DINING WITH A VIEW
Winner: Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

Second Place: Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar
Third Place: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

5. DOG-FRIENDLY DINING
Winner: North Beach Social

Second Place: Pickles Sandbar
Third Place: Chiringo

6. COFFEE
Winner: Black Bear Bread Co.

Second Place: Amavida Coffee Roasters
Third Place: Fonville Press

[NOTE: While we sincerely appreciate getting nominated, 30A’s Beach Happy Cafe in WaterColor was excluded from this poll to help ensure fairness.]

7. BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Winner: Donut Hole

Second Place: Crackings
Third Place: Black Bear Bread Co.

8. SWEETS (BAKERY, ICE CREAM, CANDY)
Winner: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery

Second Place: La Crema
Third Place: Pecan Jacks Ice Cream & Candy

[NOTE: While we sincerely appreciate getting nominated, 30A’s Beach Happy Cafe in WaterColor was excluded from this poll to help ensure fairness.]

9. SEAFOOD
Winner: Old Florida Fish House

Second Place: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
Third Place: Stinky’s Fish Camp

10. RAW OYSTERS
Winner: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

Second Place: Hurricane Oyster Bar
Third Place: The Citizen

11. SUSHI / ASIAN / INDIAN CUISINE
Winner: O-Ku Alys Beach

Second Place: Basmati’s Asian Cuisine
Third Place: Old Florida Fish House

12. ITALIAN
Winner: Mimmo’s 30A Ristorante Italiano

Second Place: Borago
Third Place: amici 30A Italian Kitchen

13. PIZZA
Winner: Pizza by the Sea

Second Place: Grace Pizza and Shakes 30A
Third Place: amici 30A Italian Kitchen

14. MEXICAN / LATIN CUISINE
Winner: Red Fish Taco

Second Place: amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen
Third Place: Los Rancheros

15. BURGERS
Winner: Pickles Burgers & Milkshakes

Second Place: Papa Surf Burger Bar
Third Place: Idyll Hound Proper

16. HOTTEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN 2024)
Winner: O-Ku Alys Beach

Second Place: Friends 30A Burger Bar
Third Place: BrickTop’s, Grand Boulevard

17. VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE
Winner: Raw & Juicy

Second Place: Blue Mountain Bakery
Third Place: George’s at Alys Beach

18. BEER
Winner: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company

Second Place: Grayton Beer Taproom
Third Place: Growler Garage

19. WINE
Winner: The Wine Bar, Watercolor

Second Place: Ambrosia 30A Prime Seafood & Steaks
Third Place: Cuvee 30A

20. COCKTAILS
Winner: Daytrader Tiki Bar and Restaurant

Second Place: The Citizen
Third Place: Pescado

21. HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Hurricane Oyster Bar

Second Place: Ambrosia
Third Place: Daytrader Tiki Bar and Restaurant

22. HOTTEST CHEF
Winner: Chef Jim Shirley – Jim Shirley Restaurant Group

Second Place: Chef Francisco – Ambrosia
Third Place: Chef DJ McCracken – Old Florida Fish House

23. LIVE MUSIC
Winner: Red Bar

Second Place: Old Florida Fish House
Third Place: Stinky’s Bait Shack

24. HOTTEST SPOT TO WATCH THE BIG GAME
Winner: Shades Bar & Grill

Second Place: The Big Chill
Third Place: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

25. HOTTEST LOCAL MUSICIAN OR BAND
Winner: Red Bar Jazz Band

Second Place: Jared Herzog
Third Place: Dion Jones

26. ANNUAL EVENT
Winner: 30A Songwriters Festival

Second Place: Digital Graffiti Festival
Third Place: Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K

27. HOTTEST ARTIST
Winner: Justin Gaffery

Second Place: Jonah Allen
Third Place: Allison Wickey

28. PHOTOGRAPHER
Winner: Jonah Allen

Second Place: LA free Film / Lauren Duesing
Third Place: Lillian Baker

29. FISHING CHARTER
Winner: Grayton Beach Charters

Second Place: Florida Boy Adventures
Third Place: Grayton Girl Fishing Charters

30. GYM / FITNESS / WORKOUT
Winner: Grayton Beach Fitness

Second Place: Studio Thirty A
Third Place: Camp Creek Wellness Center

31. HOTTEST SPOT TO GET PAMPERED (SPA, SALON, MASSAGE, AESTHETICS)
Winner: Serenity by the Sea Spa

Second Place: Spa Pearl
Third Place: Vivo Spa 30A

32. GOLF COURSE
Winner: Camp Creek Golf Course

Second Place: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
Third Place: Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

33. SHOPPING
Winner: Grand Boulevard

Second Place: Seaside
Third Place: Rosemary Beach

34. CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
Winner: Mercantile

Second Place: Willow + Mercer
Third Place: Cabana Seaside

[NOTE: While we sincerely appreciate getting nominated, 30A Gear Stores were excluded from this poll to help ensure fairness.]

35. KIDS ACTIVITY
Winner: The Big Chill

Second Place: Seaside Amphitheater
Third Place: E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

36. LOCAL PARK
Winner: Grayton Beach State Park

Second Place: Eden Gardens State Park
Third Place: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

37. HOTEL / INN
Winner: The Pearl Hotel

Second Place: WaterColor Inn
Third Place (TIE): Hotel Effie / Camp Creek Inn

38. WEDDING VENUE
Winner: The Chapel at Seaside

Second Place: Eden Gardens State Park
Third Place: The Pearl Hotel

Big congratulations to all of our 2025 Hot Spot nominees and winners! Follow 30A on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for your daily dose of BEACH HAPPY vibes, community love, and all things 30A.