Best of 30A | Do Say Give Guide to 30A Vacations

Best of 30A

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best places on 30a

So many readers have used our (newly updated!) 30A guide over the years but we wanted to go a step further and share my personal favorites when it comes to restaurants, activities and more! If you follow @dosaygive on Instagram you may have seen this on Stories but now it’s in a post that can be easily referenced anytime. Be sure to bookmark posts that are helpful or send to friends and family that are traveling to this area soon. And I’d love to know your favorites in the comments section of this post!

Best Coffee: 

Amavida

They have locations at Rosemary Beach and Seaside. 

Runners up: The Beachy Bean and Black Bear Bread Co. 

Best Donuts:

Donut Hole 

A pandhandle classic!

Best Diner Breakfast:

Donut Hole 

During season go before 7AM to avoid lines! 

Best Bread/Cafe:

Black Bear Bread C0.

A great little cafe for brunch or get bread, pastries, coffee to go!

Best Seafood Market:

Buddy’s Seafood 

Runners up: Destin Ice Market 30A and Goatfeathers at 30Avenue 

30a restaurant

Best Restaurant:

George’s at Alys Beach 

Go for an early lunch or dinner! 

Best Waterfront Dining:

Crabby Steve’s 

Walk up from the beach if staying nearby. Great for lunch or frozen drinks! 

Runners up: Bud and Alley’s and FOOW 30A

30a vacation

Best Hotel for  Quick Weekend:

The Court Seaside is perfect for couples or girls trip! Read about it here

Runners Up: The Pearl and Watercolor Inn!

My Parent’s Favorite Restaurant: 

The Perfect Pig 

Fun Kid-friendly Restaurants (no reservations):

Stinky’s Fish Camp 

Get the turtle food to feed turtles! 

Nice and Kid-friendly Restaurants (with reservations):

The Bay South Walton, The Perfect Pig 

Best Atmosphere for Date Night or Girls’ Night:

Pescado 

Best Adult Date Night Spot:

Citizen, Pescado for rooftop ambiance and Edward’s is romantic! 

Best After Dinner Fun for Children:

Sugar Shack 

Best After Dinner Fun (adults and/or children):

La Crema Tapas Bar and Restaurant 

florida vacation

Fun Surprise for Your Children:

The Yard Milkshake Bar 

Better to go in person, but if you’re looking for touristy fun, go to Pier Park in Panama City! 

Favorite Ice Cream Places:

Blue Mountain Creamery, Sugar Shack and Marble Slab 

Best Sno Cone:

Frost Bites in Seaside

Best Family Hike:

Grayton Beach State Park (1 mile) 

It goes through sand dunes, forrest, and more! 

Best Public Beach:

They are all pretty nice! For the state parks, get early because limited spaces. 

We liked Sea Breeze (close if staying at The Hub!)

Favorite Clothing Store:

Willow Boutique

There a several locations, each with a different style! 

Best Art Gallery:

Grayton Beach is known for their art galleries! 

Best Interiors Store:

Parish by Ashley Gilbreath 

outdoor restaurant

Best Live Music:

The Big Chill, The Bay South Walton 

Children’s Favorite Non-Beach Cctivity:

Kayaking an Inlet at Camp Helen State Park 

Best Place for Toddlers:

Fonville Playground in Alys Beach. Rosemary has several playgrounds too! 

Bike Rental in 30A

Favorite Activities for Middle Schoolers:

Bike riding is the best way to have fun and explore! Exploring Seaside and Rosemary beach towns are also fun for that age. I loved Watercolor for this reason, because lots of places to safely bike and they could go up to Seaside for sno cones, etc. 

Best off the Beaten Path Activity:

Picnic or Tour at Eden Gardens State Park 

Beach Bonfire on 30A

Best Bonfire Experience:

CC Boone

Best Bakery for Birthday Cake:

Donut Hole 

My favorites are the coconut or strawberry cake! 

Easiest To-Go Dinners:

Amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen, Amici 30A Italian Kitchen 

Outdoor dining too! 

Best Sushi:

Basmati’s

Best PoBoy:

Great Southern or Stinky’s 

Best Charcuterie Board:

CC Boone 

You can have delivered to your house! 

Best Tuna Dip:

Goatfeathers at 30Avenue 

Best Takeout Options for Large Groups:

Back Beach BBQ or Pizza from Bruno’s 

30a photograhper

Best Photographers:

Brenna Kneiss Photo 

Best day Adventures:

Eden Gardens State Park, Deer Lake State Park (Bring $4-5 cash for parking to the State Parks.) Art Galleries and lunch in Grayton Beach, 1/2 day trip to Destin and go to Kahuna or The Track. 

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  1. Thoroughly enjoyed this article. It was sent to me by a friend when she heard we are about to vacation here for the first time in July this year.