Seaside’s Best Breakfast Foods, From Great Southern to Black Bear

Now that the winter blues are in the rear-view mirror, the biggest question of your sunny spring morning should be sunny side up or over easy? A wave of tasty choices awaits you at these Seaside eateries, where tank tops and flip-flops fit right in.

Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant

Everyone knows that Bud & Alley’s is the most Instagram-worthy place to view the sun dip below the horizon every evening with a cold beverage in hand. But most are not aware that it’s also the place to be after sunrise to dine al fresco with Gulf-front views.

Diners will find the freshest daily baked breads on the menu, thanks to Black Bear Bread Co. Try my top two favorites — smoked salmon with a bagel, cream cheese, capers, and fresh chives, or the crab cake benedict with its tender, flaky and succulent jumbo lump crab.

Additional breakfast items include seasonal fresh fruits, cereals, and locally sourced farm fresh egg dishes. And, if you’re seeking a libation, try the refreshing frozen peach bellini or the award-winning bloody mary.

Black Bear Bread Co.

With a name inspired by the local black bears pillaging the dumpster to eat the bread starter at the flagship Grayton Beach location, Chef Phil McDonald thought it was a fitting way to pay homage to the furry neighbors who appreciated the sourdough. “Freshly-baked naturally leavened bread, dynamically seasonal produce, and sensible sourcing are the inspiration for our menu,” says McDonald.

Wildly successful, McDonald and partner Dave Rauschkolb, founder and owner of the iconic Bud & Alley’s family of restaurants, now have a third location of Black Bear Bread Co. in Seaside adjacent to The Court and Town Center.

Plan on ordering the most incredible Paris ham croissant, or the tastiest tartine topped with bananas and whipped ricotta. Late risers will want to dive into the kale sandwich with avocado, feta and tahini on the coveted sourdough before heading out for a day at the beach.

Great Southern Café

The creation of award-winning chef Jim Shirley, Great Southern Café is well known for its Southern cuisine. Offering homemade breakfast dishes and sides, like my favorite biscuit with sausage gravy, the dishes spotlight our local farmers and fisherman with a fresh take on their most popular dishes.

Try the famed Grits A Ya Ya (shrimp nestled on a bed of gouda grits), or The Fisherman (a grilled catch of the day topped with eggs, and choice of hollandaise, salsa or olive tapenade). For something lighter, don’t miss the avocado toast topped with West Indies marinated jumbo lump crab, or the locally made kombucha-mosa to kick off the day. 

Pickle’s Burger & Shake

Pickle’s first opened in 1993 in just 48 square feet of space and has grown through the years in size and in popularity with locals and visitors alike. This fast-casual grill is located right on Seaside’s Central Square, which is the perfect spot for people watching while dining.

Pickle’s might be known for their fried pickles, hand-cut fries, and the best grass fed-burger in town, but they also have one of the finest breakfast menus in South Walton. Pickle’s serves up everything from French toast and breakfast tacos, to omelets and breakfast sandwiches on buttered Texas toast.

Whether you’ve overindulged the night before or not, plan to order the hangover omelet loaded with tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, jalapenos, bacon, sausage and cheese. Or stick to the Southern tradition like me, with classic scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes and crispy bacon. There’s even a breakfast beverage called the Pickle Shot to wash it down with.

Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs

If you are lucky enough to have had a kolache, you know it’s a Texas staple, but if you haven’t had one, you’re probably still trying to figure out how to pronounce the word. It’s “ko-lah-chee.” Kolaches are Czech pastries made of sweet yeast dough and filled with cheese and sausage.

The owners of Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs knew they wanted to bring a taste of their Texas roots to Seaside and right away started serving the delicious kolaches at their food truck on Airstream Row for breakfast. Plan to order a dozen to nosh on at your rental home or to take to the beach or pool. 

Susan Benton is the go-to resource for foodies visiting the Emerald Coast, a longtime freelance food and travel writer, and the owner of the original 30A blog. Follow @30aeats on Instagram.