Seaside Restaurants

13 of the Best Seaside Restaurants in Florida

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Seaside restaurants in Florida offer some of the best views and dining experiences in the state. From fresh seafood to fine dining, these restaurants offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a romantic setting or a place to enjoy a meal with family and friends, there are plenty of great options to choose from.

Here are just a few of the best seaside restaurants in Florida.

1. Amavida Coffee & Tea

Founded in 2004, Amavida Coffee Roasters is an organic, fair trade and the main specialty is a coffee company that provides the best tasting, flavorful, and freshly roasted coffee beans to retailers and wholesale suppliers in Florida and outside. The hotel loves specialty coffee, they love life.

amavida coffee and tea

At Amavida Coffee Roasters targets the maintenance of long-lasting partnerships with favorable trading conditions that promote the sustainability of our customers, farmers, suppliers, employees, and environment.

We strive to uphold excellent ethical practices that ensure a long-term supply of high-quality specialty coffee. This approach positively impacts the lives of coffee farmers and their communities.

We go through elaborate measures to serve you an outstanding cup of specialty coffee. And we love doing it.

From our interesting coffee adventures to the people that visit our shop, and all the producers in different parts of the globe that work diligently to cultivate the coffees we serve. We absolutely love life and everyone in our extended specialty coffee family.

2. Barefoot B-B-Q

barefoot barbeque

Barefoot Barbeque is the best combination of barbeque and people watching from the center of Air Stream Row. Barefoot BBQ was the third long-standing airstream truck to come to Seaside and make it their permanent home.

‘They use organic, local, chemical-free meat and produce. The sauces are a fusion of the best of Caribbean, Southern, and Texan BBQ.  Everything from the sauces to the sides is made on-premise.

Barefoot BBQ has been voted the best BBQ in the area since the first year they hung their shingle in 2009.  The motto at Barefoot BBQ is to be compassionate for your world and passionate about your BBQ.

They are well known for their “Knock Your Socks Off” barbecue at Barefoot BBQ!

3. Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar

bud and alleys pizza bar

Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar + Trattoria renovations are complete and Pizza Bar is open.  This enhancement is a part of Bud & Alley’s 35th-anniversary celebration.  Opens at 11 AM for lunch and dinner.

Located dune side in the iconic beach town of Seaside, Florida, Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar + Trattoria is a locally inspired pizzeria serving authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. Our passion is rooted in traditional cooking techniques–from the mixing of the dough to the shaping of each pizza to maintaining the proper flame in our wood-fired oven.

Everything at Pizza Bar is made by hand, including our fresh mozzarella and naturally leavened sourdough baked daily for our seasonal bruschetta. Our menu is complemented by a carefully curated list of handcrafted cocktails, wine, and craft beer.

We strive daily to create a menu that celebrates where we live, offering the best from both land and sea.

4. Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar

Shake the sand off your feet, choose a colorful table step from the sugar-white sand of the Gulf and get ready to experience South-of-the-Border favorites — Florida style. Baja fish tacos, homemade guacamole, burritos, top-shelf margaritas, and ice-cold Cerveza hit the spot for lunch or dinner, which is served daily. Located right off the beach from the Coleman Pavilion and adjacent to Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar.

5. Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

bud and alleys waterfront restaurant and bar

This beloved gathering place with the quirky name was founded serendipitously in 1987 by a couple of young local surfers on their way to catch some waves. Instead, they jumped into the chance to channel their energy and passion into Bud & Alley’s overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in the heart of Seaside on Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida.

The pair named the place after the town founder’s dog and the restaurant owner’s cat, and created a dining tradition where sharing good food with good people and having a good time has become a way of life.

But beyond serving up a fresh take on the Southern coastal classics, Bud & Alley’s has become a trusted tradition for generation after generation for those seeking the unassuming upscale seaside restaurant with a sense of place.

6. Cocina Cubana

cocina cubana

Cocina Cubana is situated south of 30A by Seaside Kids with a grab-and-go style or enjoyable outdoor seating.

The main feature is a “Make-Your-Own-Bowl” meal with Cuban flair. Pick a base of rice, couscous, and quinoa or mixed greens, top it with a protein and some veggies, then pile on the toppers, which include classic mojo, grilled jicama, pineapple, papaya salsa, chimichurri, roasted tomato-habanero or chile mustard.

Vegan options are also available. They also offer incredible traditional Cuban sandwiches, like the Cubano, sweet-breaded Medianoche, and Pan con Tortilla (a delicious egg, ham, swiss cheese, and onion breakfast sandwich). Side options include croquetas, tostones and chicharrónes. Come try Cuban dishes that honor traditional family recipes.

7. Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudge

Dawson’s Yogurt opened its doors on July 4th, 1988. The most tempting tastes in specially formulated frozen yogurt, locally sourced soft serve ice cream, ICEEs, homemade fudge, your favorite fudge-dipped novelties, and other sweet treats are waiting for you and your family at the confectionary corner nestled in the heart of Seaside, Florida.

When Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks founder Bill Dawson built one of the original beachfront houses in Seaside, Florida, he agreed to open an ice cream shop for the soon-to-be-developed urbanized beach town. It is believed that Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks holds the longest record for a yogurt shop open for business and remaining in its original location in the entire country.

The new owners, the Beecher & Fields families are excited to contribute to your Seaside, FL vacation memories for many years to come and continue to build on the legacy that Bill Dawson started all of those years ago.

It’s easy to see why so many love it, when you are enjoying your walk-away, treats just minutes from the beach.

Opens at 10 am daily – seasonal closing times (busy season, 10 pm)

8. Frost Bites

frost bites

Frost Bites originally opened in Seaside, Fl. in 1994. In 2004, Frost Bites, still the only Airstream in Seaside, was purchased by Mike Gullett. Mike, a father of four, had a vision of helping families make new memories at the beach, as well as reliving old ones.

That tradition continues today with photo ops, yummy shave ice, old-fashioned root beer floats, and the friendliest of employees. Joined by his wife, Chance, Frost Bite’s has become a family affair with children, siblings, and even an occasional grandparent pitching in!

All of us here at Frost Bites work to support and encourage one another as well as the Seaside community.

9. Great Southern Café

Histories are told by the food that is cooked here. This restaurant tells the story of my history, of the great food, and the people I’ve met along the road. Here at Seaside, Florida, I mix my taste for international cuisines with Southern cooking and local food — fresh produce from nearby farms and fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

I hope you find the flavors of my life and cooking to your liking. We’ll be looking for you.

10. It’s Heavenly Shortcakes & Ice Cream

Take a walk-through Seaside, Florida until you see the bright blue awning and giant triple-scoop ice cream cone in front of Its Heavenly! The central location in this breezy beach town makes it the perfect place to pop in on a bright, sunny day for something delightful.

Whether you need a sweet treat or a warm cup of Lavazza coffee or Lavazza espresso shot, they are bound to have you covered!

Classic southern ice cream flavors, organic and locally made Italian gelato and sorbet, house-made strawberry shortcakes, and gourmet cookies from the friendly shop beckon a sweet tooth for miles.

Cool off with a hand-spun milkshake of your flavor choice and enjoy its smooth, light texture topped with whipped cream and a cherry!

Watch one of the It’s Heavenly team members fold in your toppings to the ice cream or gelato of your choice right before your eyes on our marble slab. Whichever sweet treat you fancy, it is bound to be Heavenly!

Opens at 10 am daily – seasonal closing times (busy season, 10 pm)

11. Mr. Gyro Hero

mr gyro hero

After selling gyros, hummus, and salads at the Seaside Farmers Market for over 10 years, Olga and Burak Akkan, who specializes in healthy Mediterranean recipes, moved into an Airstream trailer to be full-time vendors on Airstream Row.

“We’ve had so many customers who wanted to see us full-time in Seaside so we’re excited,” Burak Akkan says. The couple’s gyros and Mediterranean salads will still be on the menu, with additions that include beef, chicken, and shrimp kebabs, mazes, and falafels.

12. Pickle’s Burger and Shake

If you haven’t been to the town staple as of September 2021, you haven’t had Pickle’s new burger! Pickle’s has officially switched to a custom blend of brisket & Angus making it a larger & juicer patty than ever before without raising the price!

The All-American burger fast-casual restaurant is also known for its signature sandwiches, hand-cut French fries, locally sourced ice cream for hand-spun milkshakes & breakfast served up fresh daily!

Originally starting in only 48 square feet of space in 1993, Pickle’s has grown up, and is a favorite of the locals and tourists alike, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When Pickle’s first opened, the menu consisted of hotdogs, beer, and, of course, pickles.

The previous owners, Bill & Heavenly Dawson recently sold the business to the Beecher and Fields families in 2021 and have since worked diligently to make a lot of improvements to not only guest satisfaction but the overall value one receives when eating a delicious cheeseburger or breakfast taco!

Today the All-American grass-fed burger joint by the beach is known for its House-made Pimento Cheeseburger, the Triple Decker Club Sandwich, Hand Cut Fries, and Locally Sourced Ice Cream for Hand-spun Milkshakes, and of course, its Famous Fried Pickles!

Pickles also has one of the best breakfast menus in town, they offer everything from French Toast and Breakfast Tacos, to Omelets and Breakfast Sandwiches served up on buttered Texas Toast.

The fast-casual grill, Pickle’s is located right on Seaside, Florida’s Central Square just steps from the Emerald Coast. It faces 30A, the town amphitheater, and all the hustle and bustle of downtown. Sitting under the shade of the trees on the deck with a bucket of ice-cold beer and a soft Gulf breeze makes for some of the best people-watching in town.

Don’t forget the kiddos – they love Pickles!

Whether it’s an all-beef, grass-fed hotdog, classic corndog, or timeless grilled cheese they’re after, the kids will have a blast enjoying their meal and milkshake seconds from the sand.

Pickle’s values its guest-oriented, fun, colorful, and certainly family-friendly environment and look forward to serving our guests all year long!

Open at 8 am daily – seasonal closing times (busy season, 10 PM)

13. Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs

Wild’s Bill’s Beach Dog is a unique and cool Airstream trailer on Airstream Row in Seaside, Florida. Wild’s Bills faces 30A and serves up gourmet-American Wagu all-beef hotdogs on a toasted New England style bun.

Established in April 2011, Wild Bill’s has always offered an array of delicious dogs accompanied by Brauhaus jumbo soft pretzels, served up with your choice of queso, mustard, or caramel sauce!

Wild Bills gets its name from the original owner, Bill Dawson. He has since passed the torch along to the Beecher and Fields families and they plan to give you the best hotdog experience on 30A.

The new menu features specialty gourmet-American Wagu all-beef hotdogs in a variety of styles on the menu including the “Carolina Style”,  “All American” and “Chi-Town” to name a few, all served up on a Rotella New England Style Bun!

The Mahalo Andy has been hands down a fan favorite, it’s a spicy andouille sausage with bbq sauce, pineapple and applewood smoked bacon all served on a Kings Hawaiian Hotdog bun. Grab a “fork and knife” dog and a local beer to cool off from the beach and enjoy the breeze.

In the spring of 2021, Wild Bill’s started opening up on the weekends a little earlier to showcase a new breakfast item, the Kolache. A kolache is a hand-held breakfast treat originating in Czech, then brought to Texas many years ago.

The Kolache is a sweet bread stuffed with smoked sausage & cheese. It is often ordered by the single, half, and full dozen for the whole family.

Wrapping Up…

The food options in Florida are vast and varied, but one thing is for sure – you won’t go hungry!

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, there’s something for everyone. And with the beautiful views of the Gulf Coast, you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in this charming town.

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