Rise & Shine Breakfast Spots in SoWal

Wake up early for a fabulous SoWal sunrise then treat yourself to a delicious southern breakfast.

Whether you’re looking for a great place to sit down with the family or grabbing a quick bite on the go, here’s our latest Sowal List of favorite local breakfast spots.

Grits & Grind
Grits & Grind serves a range of breakfast selections to spice up the day the right way on the east end of Scenic 30A in Seacrest Village. A favorite is the huevos rancheros featuring two eggs atop corn tortillas, rancheros sauce, avocado and feta served with home fries. Another must-have treat is the classic Monte Cristo served with grilled ham and melted swiss served between two slices of French Toast. Full bar serving up morning cocktails. Open daily 7:00 a.m. til 11:00 a.m. Located inside La Cocina Mexican Grill & Bar in Seacrest Beach. http://gritsandgrindbreakfast.com.

Great Southern Cafe
The Great Southern breakfast includes all the charming southern hallmarks of their lunch and dinner menus. Warm, cheesy Grits A Ya-Ya is served with perfectly cooked shrimp and a smoky bacon-mushroom sauté starting at breakfast and all day long. Whatever you order for breakfast, be sure to order a side of the famous Gouda grits. They are not to be missed. All-time faves include any of the Benedicts, served with poached eggs over English muffins with Hollandaise and grits. Don’t forget the beignets and Bloody Marys! Great Southern Cafe whips up southern breakfast selections daily from 8:00 a.m.til 11:00 a.m. View the menu at https://www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com.

Crackings Grayton Beach
Crackings in Grayton Beach offers a little bit of everything to get your morning cracking in the most eggcellent way possible. Start off with The Coastal Omelet, prepared with shrimp, green onions, cream cheese then topped with pepper jack cheese, tomatoes, and lump crab meat. Try the Tiramisu French Toast because you only live once, right? Bloody Marys and Mimosas are on the drink menu, along with the oh-so-necessary coffees and juices. Crackings is located at Uptown Grayton and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 am til 2:00 pm. www.crackingsfl.com.

Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant
Breakfast is served on the open-air rooftop deck at Bud and Alley's Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside. The perfect spot to sip coffee with breakfast in the mornings while taking in the most incredible view of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Try the Sweet Potato Pancakes served with whipped butter and maple syrup or some inspirational Fried Chicken & Waffles with chipotle aioli and maple syrup. Sunrise cocktails are special at Bud and Alley’s. Fresh orange juice and Lamarca Prosecco make for one wonderful Mimosa, but it’s the Bloody Mary that’s the star of the show. Bud & Alley’s serves breakfast on the Rooftop daily from 8:00 am til 11:00 am. https://www.budandalleys.com.
 

Havana Beach Bar & Grill
The sun also rises at Havana Beach Bar & Grill in this Hemingway-inspired restaurant located inTthe Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. Experience sensory overload for the tastebuds in the best way possible with menu features such as Caribbean French Toast, prepared with vanilla bean custard-soaked Black Bear baguette, roasted banana, chocolate-sesame crumble, and rum-craisin maple syrup. The Havana Beach Sunrise is also a win-win featuring two farm eggs, choice of breakfast potatoes or Anson Mills grits, Nueske's thick cut bacon or Tall Pines pork sausage, and choice of bread. Havana Beach is open daily for breakfast from 8:00 am til 11:00 am, followed by lunch and dinner. See the full menu at https://www.thepearlrb.com.

Sunset Bay Cafe
Sunset Bay Cafe located bayside in Sandestin was recently voted BEST Bloody Mary and BEST Chicken and Waffles in the Best of the Emerald Coast 2018. Breakfast items served homemade and and fresh include cinnamon rolls, breakfast tacos, pancakes, omelets, breakfast bagels, eggs, french toast, shrimp and grits, etc. Try the Hillbilly Benedict (fried gouda grit cake with fried chicken breast and poached eggs topped with Hollandaise Sauce). The casual dining spot overlooks Choctawhatchee Bay where you’ll find amazing views for breakfast and lunch. Open daily from 7:00 am til 2:00 pm. http://sunsetbaycafesandestin.com.

Don Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant
Don Pedro’s offers affordable, down home, and dang good breakfast options. Try one of the breakfast sandwiches or the Local’s Special with chorizo. One menu feature is the Todos por Nada which translates to everything and boy does it deliver…the need for a nap. Don Pedros also offers omelets and a la carte items for you to try. Serving breakfast Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am til 11:00 am and on Sundays from 7:00 am til noon.  https://www.facebook.com/Donpedrosmexican/menu.

Donut Hole
Locally classic Donut Hole has been serving breakfast in South Walton since 1989. With lines out the door on most days, this local staple delivers fresh and steadfast options at two South Walton locations in Santa Rosa Beach and Inlet Beach. Never missing a beat to feed locals and visitors anything from perfect Belgian waffles and omelets to pancakes and fresh doughnuts and pastries in the onsite bakery. Donut Hole is family-owned restaurant and a long-time local staple serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily from 6:00 am til 10:00 pm.

Pickle’s World Famous Burger & Shake
Breakfast is served daily in this famous Seaside roadside joint. The menu features the famous omelets and breakfast platters, home fries, “the best French toast in town”, and more great items to start your day off right. Don’t forget the bloody marys and mimosas! Sit on the porch and watch the town go by. Breakfast Hours: 8am - 11.am. Pickle’s Burgers & Shakes on Facebook

Mama Clemenza’s
Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast in Miramar Beach is a South Walton specialty. Try one of the delicious custom roasted coffees or Mama’s perfectly constructed Croque Madame, an open-faced egg sandwich with Béchamel sauce, prosciutto, and gruyere. The pastry platter is another go to that never disappoints the constant carb-craving kid bellies in any family. Mama’s is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 am til 1:00 pm. http://mamaclemenzaseuropeanbreakfast.com.

Big Bad Breakfast
Located in Inlet Beach, Big Bad Breakfast serves creatively curated cocktails and breakfast options that are worth every single calorie consumed. Start your day the right way with the famous “Cathead Chicken Gravy Biscuit” featuring crispy fried chicken, sausage, and cheddar cheese on an open-faced biscuit paired with a Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita. BBB is open daily from 7:00 am til 3:00 pm. https://citygroceryonline.com/big-bad-breakfast-inlet-beach.

Maple Street Biscuit Company
With a motto like “Help People, Serve Others, Be a Part of the Community,” Maple Street Biscuit Company is making its mark on the SoWal dining scene plating up fresh breakfast options. If you want to be wowed, try the Squawking Goat featuring a flaky biscuit, all-natural (and perfectly) fried chicken breast, fried goat cheese medallion and house-made pepper jelly. Located at The Market Shops in Miramar Beach. Open Mon-Fri from 7:00 am til 2:00 pm and on Saturdays til 3:00 pm. https://maplestreetbiscuits.com/miramar-beach.

Cowgirl Kitchen
Cowgirl Kitchen serves up some wild wild west inspired good eats in two locations. The Migas is a must featuring a Texan style egg scramble with tortilla chips, onion, tomatoes, and jalapeños then topped with queso and chives and served over grits and two strips of bacon with a side of tortillas. Build your own grub, breakfast biscuits and good morning eats. Serving breakfast daily from 7:30 am til 2:00 pm in Seagrove Beach and 8:00 am til 11:00am in Rosemary Beach. For more info, visit https://www.cowgirlkitchen.com.

The Perfect Pig
Put some south in your mouth at The Perfect Pig Grill and Fish House. Try the House Made Quiche with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions and gruyere cheese or Biscuits with Pimento Cheese featuring two biscuits with applewood smoked bacon and pimento cheese served with duck fat potatoes. Praise the Lard, y’all! With two locations, in Gulf Place and in Seagrove Beach, The Perfect Pig serves breakfast daily from 8:00 am til 11:00 am. For more info, visit http://www.theperfectpig.com.

Black Bear Bread Co.
Stop in this neighborhood coffee shop and bakery in Grayton Beach for an early morning cup of Stumptown coffee and fresh pastries. The small breakfast menu also includes steel cut oatmeal, croissant and biscuit breakfast sandwiches, tartines/toasts on freshly made sourdough bread, and other amazing creations depending on Chef’s whim and the season. Choose from an array of beautiful pastries including the kouign amann, a French pastry of croissant dough baked in a muffin tin glazed with granulated sugar and a hint of sea salt (pronounced queen ah-mahn). If you want to snag this popular pastry, or any of the other creative confections made on site be sure to arrive early! Open daily at 7am (Sunday at 8am) in The Shops of Grayton. www.blackbearbreadco.com

Amavida Coffee
Amavida Coffee welcomes coffee and tea lovers alike to their café locations. Stop by to try locally roasted coffee prepared by expert baristas. Try a hand-crafted cappuccino, exotic loose-leaf tea or buttery croissant. Breakfast items also include empanadas, breakfast biscuits and pastries. Amavida ethically sources all of its teas and coffee beans from the finest coffee farms in the world. Visit a nearby Amavida cafe and learn how your coffee purchase is changing the world for the better! Open daily in Seaside, Rosemary Beach, The Market Shops in Miramar Beach and St. Andrews in Panama City. www.amavida.com

Sunrise Coffee Co.
Start your morning with coffee and a cinnamon roll at Sunrise Coffee in the heart of Gulf Place. Get it to go or relax in the comfy dining area with a cup of Amavida coffee or a mimosa. On the menu: breakfast wrap or biscuit to order, bagels, pastries or smoothies. A funky little neighborhood coffee shop and meeting place, Sunrise Coffee opens daily at 6:00 am. http://www.sunrisecoffee30a.com.

Charlie’s Donuts
Charlie’s Donut Truck opens early each morning serving fresh, handmade donuts and pastrie. Charlie’s Donuts have become a coveted Alys Beach breakfast tradition with these 1920’s-style donuts, which are hand-rolled, dipped, and filled. The colorful pastries are served out of a converted Sunbeam bread truck located off Highway 30A near the Alys Beach Amphitheatre. The decadent donuts are created in flavors such as red velvet cake, blueberry cake, sour cream pound cake, and a rainbow of sprinkles. Get there early, Charlie’s is open from 6:30 a.m. – noon or until they run out! Charlie’s Donuts on Facebook

Another Broken Egg Cafe
Start your day the delicious way with southern-style biscuit beignets, gourmet omelettes, a variety of unique eggs benedicts, french toast and pancakes and more from a big menu. Another Broken Egg Cafe serves a southern-inspired breakfast with a creative twist with hand crafted cocktails. Serving from 7:00 am til 2:00 pm at Grand Boulevard on the east end of the plaza by Publix, and in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. www.anotherbrokenegg.com

Hungry yet? We sure are! We'd love to hear about your go-to breakfast or brunch spots at the beach. Get the latest food and dining news at SoWal Community Forums and post about your fave places to eat, drink and relax with family and friends. Be sure to check out the SoWal Dining Guide for even more great places to dine in South Walton.