About
In the heart of Seaside Beach on 30A is a legendary restaurant known for its forward-thinking Southern fare. Welcome to the Great Southern Cafe!
Executive Chef Jim Shirley has been the driving force behind this eatery since its opening in 2006. He blends Southern cooking, international influences, and fresh produce from local farms and Gulf seafood to create mouth-watering classics.
You'll also experience his diverse culinary skills at sister restaurants like Farm & Fire, The Bay, and North Beach Social. All three of these hotspots are off HI 98 near the 331 bridge.
The Great Southern Cafe's appeal lies in its diverse menus, ranging from hearty Southern breakfasts to lunch, brunch, and dinner. Whether you order the pimento appetizer or go all-in with the acclaimed Grits A Ya Ya, you're in for a tantalizing dining experience.
With its central location in Seaside, well-rounded menus, and acclaimed cocktails, dining at Great Southern Cafe is a rite of passage when vacationing on the Emerald Coast.
Vibe
While parking in Seaside as a visitor is anything but convenient, dining at Great Southern Cafe is worth the effort.
You'll find this exceptional restaurant in the center of the crescent-shaped Central Square. The one-story eatery sports a tin roof and a faded lime facade with white trim, blending with the nearby rental homes and cottages.
The inside uses the home's rooms to create an intimate yet laid-back scene. While the rooms are often filled with diners, it never feels claustrophobic.
But the majority of guests prefer dining under the covered porch or out front at umbrella-covered tables. Here, the vibe is laid-back and inviting.
Whether you're enjoying a leisurely brunch or sipping one of its classic mojitos, the ambiance enhances any 30A vacation.
Great Southern Cafe: Menu & Drinks
With so many menus, we can't possibly cover every tasty item, so we'll highlight some must-trys to whet your appetite.
Breakfast is from 8-10:45 a.m., featuring a wide range of palate-pleasing choices. From classic bacon and eggs to beignets, seafood, chicken and waffles, to Benedicts, there's something for everyone. Toss in the mimosas, fresh-squeezed juices, coffee, and teas, and you quickly comprehend why Great Southern Cafe is so popular.
Moving on to the lunch and dinner menu, the starters shine and could be combined to create a tapas-style meal. A prime example is the Little Southern Seafood Plateau, featuring eight fresh oysters, chilled shrimp, and one lobster tail. The soup of the day never disappoints, especially when the lobster bisque is available. This tomato-based, creamy wonder showcases chunks of lobster with a hint of sherry to amaze the taste buds.
Moving on to the entrees, the Grits A Ya Ya is a must-try! This creamy concoction features smoked Gouda cheese grits with sautéed shrimp, bacon, spinach, and mushrooms. The Chef Shirley "twist" is the sweet potato "hay." The crunchy, subtle sweetness of the crisp, grated sweet potato unites the flavors and textures of the grits and Cajun-spiced shrimp. You'll also find this crowd-pleaser on the breakfast menu!
Seafood lovers will be in awe of the selections, ranging from jumbo shrimp, grouper, snapper, oysters, and mahi. You can have the seafood cooked in a variety of styles, including pecan-crusted, fried, blackened, or grilled.
The char-broiled steaks and the meat-and-three daily specials will appeal to diners who prefer food from the farm. Toss in creative salads, twists on comfort-food classics, burgers, and sandwiches, and even your pickiest eater will find something to enjoy.
Moving on to the aforementioned cocktails, the mojitos are some of the best on 30A. What sets them apart is that not only is the classic noteworthy, but you'll find alternatives like peach, grapefruit, pineapple, and strawberry, to name a few. Toss in the extensive wine and beer choices, and there's a beverage awaiting you at this restaurant.
Dining at Great Southern Cafe enhances any Santa Rosa Beach getaway, offering a taste of the region's culinary excellence in a setting that's both relaxed and refined.
Local Tips
- Paying in cash offers you savings. See the menu for details.
- Paid public parking is between Watercolor and Seaside.
- The kids' options make this cafe family-friendly.
- Reservations are strongly encouraged.
- Happy Hour is daily from 3-5:00 p.m.
