Favorite Restaurants

When Nancy and I come to the beach we come to rest and relax in a very casual atmosphere. We tend towards some of the more laid back places. In this genre, some of our favorites are:

Seagrove Village Market Café

Located just north of the intersection of CR 30A and CR 395 (between Seaside and Seagrove Beach), Seagrove Village Market Cafe’ is a favorite of locals and vacationers. It is a very relaxing environment, particularly if the weather permits sitting outside on their rear patio.

(850) 231-5736

Directions

Elmo’s

Elmo’s is located near the west end of CR 30A. We enjoy their gumbo and other seafood. They have live entertainment several nights a week. Call to see who is playing on which night. We have always enjoyed the night when they have a one man band. He plays keyboard which simulates several instruments. What parents seem to enjoy most about Elmo’s is that he plays music for the kids to dance to. The dance floor is always full of small children. The food is good, the atmosphere relaxing and music entertaining.

Nick’s on the Choctawhatchee Bay

If you want a taste of old Florida, drive north across the 331 Bridge, take a left at Freeport and drive 10 miles to the small bayside community of Bayou Basin. On the left is Nick’s.  Under the third generation of family management, you will enjoy good food in a family friendly atmosphere.

They have a great oyster bar and delicious fresh gulf seafood. Nothing fancy, just good food and a place to relax. Nancy and I love to take groups there, particularly if they have never spent much time on the Panhandle.  Call ahead for reservations for groups larger than 12.

Bayou Basin, Florida
850-835-2222

Nick's Seafood Market

As long as you are on the north side of the Bay, you may as well stop at Nick's Seafood Market.  It is located just west of Highway 331 on Highway 20 as you leave Freeport.  Here you will find fresh oysters, shrimp, crabs, mullet, grouper, snapper and trigger fish.

Freeport Café

On your way to Nick’s on the Bay you will go through the growing community of Freeport. Freeport Café’ is on the right on Highway 20.
One of our favorite things to do at the beach is go to different out of the way places, looking for the perfect fish sandwich. That’s how we found the Freeport Café. Some locals told us about it so one night we ventured north across the 331 Bridge to Freeport.
Don’t go there if you are looking for a place populated by the vacationing public. You will not find many tourists there but you will find a great fish sandwich and a good casual seafood menu.

D & K’s Café

This is our exception to the rule of laid back, casual dining. Nancy and I have known Doug and Kathy for more than 10 years. We have followed them to three different dining establishments on the Panhandle. Doug is a gormet chef and you will not be disappointed with your evening at D & K’s.
If you don’t feel like going out for the evening, call and order their shrimp and cheese grits appetizer and bring it back to Coastal Classic for the evening.
Address:.
60 Holtz Avenue
Grayton Beach, Florida  32459
850-231-0455
(across from the Red Bar)

Some of the places that our guests recommend include:

331 Restaurant
The Red Bar
Goatfeathers
Pizza by the Sea is adjacent to Publix in WaterColor and serves fresh pizza, pasta, salads and ice cream. Check store hours (may be closed Sunday off-season) Call 850.231.3030

Grocery Shopping

Publix has a nice store on Hwy 395 just north of Seaside and adjacent to Water Color.
If you prefer Winn Dixie there is one in Sandestin and one on the west end of Panama City Beach. Publix also has a store on the west end of Panama City Beach. Depending on the time of year, you will probably find less traffic towards Panama City. Both stores are equi-distance from Coastal Classic.

For smaller pick up items, there is:

Seagrove Village Market

3004 S County Highway 395
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

(850) 231-5736

Directions

Sally’s by the Sea Store

Just a couple of miles west of Coastal Classic in the beach community of Blue Mountain Beach is Sally’s by the Sea Store. Aside from gasoline and small grocery items that you may have forgotten to get when you were at Publix or Winn Dixie, Sally has the best breakfast sandwich menu on the our end of Hwy 30A. If you get up early and are hungry before your crowd rises to prepare breakfast, drive, bike or walk to Sally’s for a great breakfast biscuit (egg, cheese, sausage, bacon, ham, croissants, etc.) and a good cup of coffee.
Depending on the season, Sally usually barbeques on Friday night and serves great pork barbeque on Saturday.

Modica Market

850-231-1214, Central Square, Seaside, FL