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Notes from Florida's Walton County Highway 30-A off U.S. 98 in the Panhandle:
Seagrove Village MarketCafe at 3004 South Highway 395 at 30-A is an institution, where tourists mingle with local workers chowing down on great po-boys, fried and grilled grouper sandwiches and more. Prices are $8-$10 for lunch, around $18 for platters at dinner. Order at the counter at lunch, or from a server at dinner. As casual as can be, nothing fancy, and very friendly.
You can still see the Gulf from the deck, but probably not for long. 850-231-5736.
Not to be insulting to the 30-A community of Seaside, but you might not expect to find such a cool book and music store in its picture-perfect shopping village. Sundog Books at 89 Central Square has a good popular music selection upstairs, but also alternative music, magazines and even vinyl. The employees are super-helpful. 850-231-5481.
So many people were jamming into Yianni's Seagrove Grille in Seagrove Beach that it was impossible for a couple of visitors to get in recently, but friendly locals swear by the small cafe that's open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dishes include lamb, shish kabobs, Greek-style grouper, sesame tuna steak and more, with entrees about $18-$22. You can call in an order to 850-534-0002.
One of the nicest public beaches for day use is at the intersection of Highway 393 and 30-A.
Seaside's Aquarius spa offers a full range of treatments; 850-231-0953. Yoga on 30-A, 850-231-1758, has classes throughout the week.
Trattoria Borago has "contemporary Italian cuisine" in a shopping center location and is one of the best restaurants on a road just filled with them. Try horseradish-encrusted salmon with soft cheese polenta, mixed vegetables and roasted tomato butter sauce for $19.95; grilled filet topped with Boursin cheese served with herb and Parmesan risotto, green beans and tobacco onions for $32.95, and a sinful chocolate creme brulee that's more yummy crust than creme. Call for reservations: 850-231-9167.
Other nice places to eat along the highway: Beach Club Restaurant, Goatfeathers, Cafe Thirty-A, Cafe Bouzouki, Criolla's, Fish Out of Water at WaterColor and Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant at Seaside. The Old Florida Fish House at 5235 Highway 30-A has live entertainment and lake views.
The Red Bar just off 30-A in Grayton Beach is becoming a legendary hip hangout. Sheryl Crow is said to show up from time to time. Other celebrities have been spotted, too, listening to the jazz band. Now serving breakfast. 850-231-1008.
A short drive from the eastern end of 30-A is Bayou Bill's Crab House at 23100 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, 850-235-1010. The place is clean, bright and family friendly, and also has great no-nonsense food. The $12-for-two crab dip is delicious, and the $14/dozen chargrilled oysters are some of the best oysters you'll eat anywhere - tender, with a smoky flavor.
Notes from Florida's Walton County Highway 30-A off U.S. 98 in the Panhandle:
Seagrove Village MarketCafe at 3004 South Highway 395 at 30-A is an institution, where tourists mingle with local workers chowing down on great po-boys, fried and grilled grouper sandwiches and more. Prices are $8-$10 for lunch, around $18 for platters at dinner. Order at the counter at lunch, or from a server at dinner. As casual as can be, nothing fancy, and very friendly.
You can still see the Gulf from the deck, but probably not for long. 850-231-5736.
Not to be insulting to the 30-A community of Seaside, but you might not expect to find such a cool book and music store in its picture-perfect shopping village. Sundog Books at 89 Central Square has a good popular music selection upstairs, but also alternative music, magazines and even vinyl. The employees are super-helpful. 850-231-5481.
So many people were jamming into Yianni's Seagrove Grille in Seagrove Beach that it was impossible for a couple of visitors to get in recently, but friendly locals swear by the small cafe that's open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dishes include lamb, shish kabobs, Greek-style grouper, sesame tuna steak and more, with entrees about $18-$22. You can call in an order to 850-534-0002.
One of the nicest public beaches for day use is at the intersection of Highway 393 and 30-A.
Seaside's Aquarius spa offers a full range of treatments; 850-231-0953. Yoga on 30-A, 850-231-1758, has classes throughout the week.
Trattoria Borago has "contemporary Italian cuisine" in a shopping center location and is one of the best restaurants on a road just filled with them. Try horseradish-encrusted salmon with soft cheese polenta, mixed vegetables and roasted tomato butter sauce for $19.95; grilled filet topped with Boursin cheese served with herb and Parmesan risotto, green beans and tobacco onions for $32.95, and a sinful chocolate creme brulee that's more yummy crust than creme. Call for reservations: 850-231-9167.
Other nice places to eat along the highway: Beach Club Restaurant, Goatfeathers, Cafe Thirty-A, Cafe Bouzouki, Criolla's, Fish Out of Water at WaterColor and Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant at Seaside. The Old Florida Fish House at 5235 Highway 30-A has live entertainment and lake views.
The Red Bar just off 30-A in Grayton Beach is becoming a legendary hip hangout. Sheryl Crow is said to show up from time to time. Other celebrities have been spotted, too, listening to the jazz band. Now serving breakfast. 850-231-1008.
A short drive from the eastern end of 30-A is Bayou Bill's Crab House at 23100 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, 850-235-1010. The place is clean, bright and family friendly, and also has great no-nonsense food. The $12-for-two crab dip is delicious, and the $14/dozen chargrilled oysters are some of the best oysters you'll eat anywhere - tender, with a smoky flavor.