Easter is one of my favorite holidays in South Walton. Many come back to relax at their second home, while others flock to the beaches to soak up the sun. Locals and tourists alike are out and about enjoying the beauty and wonder of the season, renewed and alive with activity.
I have been asked recently by quite a few 30A EATS followers,”Where should we eat Easter Brunch?”, so I have come up with 30A EATS Easter Brunch Guide. This list does not incude all restaurants I enjoy, it is not a breakdown of my favorites, but it is a list to help guide you when on your Sunday Brunch search.
I am working on my current “30A Favorite’s Guide”. When seasons change, so do many restaurants, and I am visiting each, meeting with the folks and chefs onsite, and will be bringing those updated favorites to you as soon as I can write them. They will be listed under ‘Local’ on the 30A EATS website heading, and will include chef interviews, restaurant reviews, and food photography.
Please investigate the highlighted links, and virtually visit the restaurants and menus, so that you may make the best and most informed choice for the group you are dining with.
Many 30A EATS readers live in and visit Pensacola. If you are heading to Downtown Pensacola and want to enjoy great food with a beautiful view, I would recommend the laid back venue of The Pensacola Fish House. Fun and inviting, The Fish House is famous for their Grits A-Ya-Ya, and fresh catch of the day.
Pensacola Fish House, 600 South Barracks, Pensacola. Executive Chef Jim Shirley, 850-470-7001, 11am-2pm
Sister Restaurant, Jacksons Steak House in Downtown Pensacola offers delectable fine dining cuisine, and an extensive wine list, all in a relaxed casual coastal atmosphere.
Jackson’s Steak House, 400 South Palafox Street, Pensacola. Chef Irv Miller,850-469-9898, 10am -3pm
H20 Pensacola Beach is located at the Hilton Gulf front, and shares incredible views with those dining in the restaurant. Chef Dan Dunn is onsite, and his menu is Cajun-Asian inspired. H20 will be serving a buffet style brunch.
H2o Hilton 12 Via de luna Drive, Pensacola Beach, 850-916-2999. Many fun activities will be planned for the kids, with crafts, an egg hunt, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Executive Chef Shawn Wade, owner of A La Carte in Uptown Station Ft. Walton Beach, will be creating delicious dishes for Sunday brunch. Order from the Easter menu, Hours 9am-2pm. Reservations are strongly recommended.
A la Carte 99 Eglin Parkway, Suite 34, Ft. Walton Beach. Call 850-462-9552
Executive Chef John Sallman will be on site at Beach Walk Cafe, and he has developed a masterful menu for a bounty of culinary delights shared in an Easter Buffet. The setting is a romantic one, as diners will have a panoramic view of the Gulf and the unspoiled beaches of Henderson Beach Park.
Beach Walk Henderson Beach, 2700 Scenic Hwy. 98 . Hours 11:30am-2:30pm. Please call 850-650-7100 as reservations are recommended.
Plan on spending your Easter Sunday with Executive Chef Tim Creehan at Cuvee Bistro. A delectable special Easter menu has been planned for all to enjoy. Cuvee Bistro has some of the best food on the Gulf Coast served in a relaxed casual atmosphere.
Cuvee Bistro 36120 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin. Chef Tim Creehan 850-650-8900, East of Destin Commons, 11am to 3pm
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resorts Easter Explosion will be Saturday, April 7, find out more here. Games, crafts, the Easter Bunny and more! On Sunday make plans to dine at the beautiful Marlin Grill. Chef McAnulla will be preparing a special Easter dish, New Zealand Spring Rack of Lamb grilled over hickory wood. Children’s menu is available; Hours 5-10pm.
Marlin Grill is located at the Village At Baytowne Wharf, 850-351-1919
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway. Phone:1-866-442-2137
Marlin Grill 9100 Baytowne Blvd. Phone: 850-351-1990
Why not take a cruise Easter Sunday? The family will enjoy hopping onto the Solaris yacht-Sun Quest Crusie at Sandestin Marina, located at The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Enjoy a 3-course brunch and entertainment while you sail on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Boarding time is 12:15pm-12:55pm, and brunch is from 1pm-3pm, with children’s menu available. Full bar and appetizers for purchase. 850-650-2519
Solaris-SunQuest Cruise: For more information and to make your reservation, visit www.SunQuestCruises.com, and call 850-650-2519.
Crawfish Tamale paired with Martinelli wine, Stinky's
Known for their Sunday brunch, and “oysters all day all ways”, Stinky’s Fish Camp is a favorite among locals. The menu is eclectic, and does include fried seafood, but I suggest moving past it to the fresh catch of the day or brunch specialty dishes, to truly capture the flavor of the Gulf Coast. They also have a great Bloody Mary. Try the Liar’s Club next door for Brakfast during the week, and also Stinky;s newest location in Navarre.
Stinky’s Fish Camp, Dune Allen:, Santa Rosa Beach. Chef Jim Richard, 850- 267-3053, Regular Brunch 11am-3pm
The Vue on 30a is part of the Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club, located on the South side of 30a across from Gulf Place neighborhood. The view at the Vue is magnificent. The dining room has unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico, and an Easter Buffet Brunch will be served. It is open to the public.
Vue 30A 4801 County Hwy 30-A, SRG&B Club Gulf Place. Chef Giovanni Flipponi, 850-267-2305, Easter Brunch 10am-3pm
Restaurant Fire located at the The Shops of Gulf Place has a wonderful Sunday Champagne Brunch. They serve Napa-style American fare with a coastal twist. Omelets, Frittatas, Sandwiches, and Chef specials are available and all delicious.
Restaurant Fire 7 Town Center Loop, Gulf Place 30-A. 850-267-9020
Hibiscus Bed and Breakfast always has something hip going on, and this Sunday is no exception. Enjoy a Champagne brunch with live music by Dave Posey and Wayne Hall from 10:am-1pm.The Backyard of Love usually has a non-profit group they promote each weekend, and this Sunday it will be The Shelter House. This is a kid-friendly venue.
Hibiscus is locate in Grayton Beach, 85-117 Defuniak Street. Call 850-231-2733 for more information.
Photo: Moon Creek Studios
One of the areas most popular destinations, The Red Bar aka Piccolo Restaurant, is the place for family and friends to take in the eclectic atmosphere, live music, and enjoy great food and cocktails. They are know for Sundays being Fundays, and have one of the best Bloody Mary’s in South Walton. They are open 7am-11pm, but on Sunday plan to be there by 11am to 3pm when Dread Clampitt takes the stage, a treat you will not want to miss. The menu is by chalkboard, and Crab Cakes are a house favorite, as is the Paneed Chicken. Celebrity sightings happen often here, and The Red Bar is Kid Friendly.
The Red Bar/Piccolo, 70 Holtz Avenue, Grayton Beach 850-213-1008
Watercolor Inn and Resort will host many fun filled events on Saturday Apri, 7 and Sunday April 8. Click here for more details. Easter sunrise service, egg toss, egg hunt, brunch and more!
The Bait House, open for special events throughout the year, will be the venue for Easter Sunday Brunch at Watercolor Resort from 9am-1pm. For reservations call 850-879-5050
Watercolor Inn and Resort 34 Golden Rod Circle. Phone: 1-866-426-2656
Seaside Florida will host the Easter Bunny from 12pm-2pm on Sunday April 8. A fun Easter egg hunt is also on the agenda.
Enjoy Easter Champagne Brunch at CRUSH, Seaside on 30a. Chef Chef Derick Storhm has created some new an exciting dishes for the menu. Happy Hour is daily from 4pm-6pm offering half-priced deliciously fresh sushi and wine. Brunch Hours: 10:30am-3pm
CRUSH is located at 25 Central Square in Seaside. Phone: 850-468-0703
Great Southern Cafe will have a breakfast service from 8am-11am followed by an Easter menu, shown above from 11am till. Their regular menu will also be available. I am a big fan of soft shell crab, so I know what I’d choose. The Grits A Ya-Ya on the regular menu is Chef Jim Shirley’s signature dish.
Great Southern Cafe, 83 Central Square, Seaside. Phone: 850-231-7327
V Seagrove, is one of the most sought after reservations on 30-A. Chef David Cunningham hailing from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans uses only the freshest ingredients he can source locally in the dishes on his menu. He has planned a beautiful Easter menu for friends and family to enjoy. This is a destination you will not want to miss on your visit to South Walton. Make sure to order their bacon Bloody Mary. Inside or Ouside dining. Reservations are not accepted.
V Seagrove is located on the Corner of 30a and 395 . Call 488-0973 for more information.
723 Whiskey Bravo
723 Whiskey Bravo is also a new restaurant on 30-A, opening just recently in March. They are already known for sunsets on their roof-top deck, and James Taylor’s “Up On The Roof” playing at 7:23pm each evening. Last week the owners implemented Sunday Brunch with a make-it-yourself full Bloody’ Mary Bar.
723 Whiskey Bravo 3031 East County Hwy. 30-A. Phone: 213-0015
La Botana is a wonderful restaurant to visit while driving down 30-A. They are known for fine wines, latin cuisine, small plates and live music. On Sunday they turn to brunch from 10am-1pm, and Chris Alvarado will be performing.
La Botana 4281 East Highway 30A, 850-231-0716
Rosemary Beach has planned a non-denominational Easter service at 8:30am on the Eastern Green. A low-rise chair is suggested. An Easter egg hunt will take place on the Western Green at 9:45am. Plan to eat at one of their many restaurants open on Sunday, with a few suggestions listed below.
Edward’s Fine Dining has Recently opened in a beautiful courtyard location, by longtime 30-A Chef Edward Reese. Edward’s offers Southern influenced coastal fare in a refined yet casual setting. Chef Ed is onsite and serving what he loves best; Locally sourced food prepared fresh for each customer. Simple and delicious, the menu features the freshest Gulf Seafood and the highest quality ingredients. A delicious children’s menu is available.
Edward’s Fine Dining, 66 Main Street, Rosemary Beach, 850-231-550 Sunday Brunch 11:00am-3pm
Summer Kitchen Cafe is a great little place in Rosemary Beach to enjoy a bite of breakfast. A small but quaint location, Chef James Dillon serves wonderful fresh meals to visitors and locals in the community. Summer Kitchen was the first Restaurant in Rosemary Beach opening in 1999. They make excellent omelets, have delicious food, and are quite kid friendly.
Summer Kitchen Cafe 60 North Barrett 850-231-6264
Cowgirl Kitchen serves up home cookin’ with a western flair. From breakfast taco’s, burrito’s, pancakes and more, the casual fun menu has something for everyone. I recommend Mama’s Nogi. Limited seating inside, patio seating outside. Everyone loves the relaxed and casual atmosphere of Cowgirl Kitchen, “Where Beach Meets West.”
Cowgirl Kitchen, 54 Main Street Rosemary Beach. 850-303-0708
