What to Eat, Drink & See Near The Retreat
Located in picturesque Blue Mountain Beach, the most beautiful stretch of shoreline along the famed 30A corridor, The Retreat provides close proximity to countless conveniences and recreation options, including phenomenal dining, live music and bars. All available via car, golf cart, bike and even walking, The Retreat owners can enhance their coastal lifestyle by adding a trip (or three!) to any of these spots during their time along the Gulf.
Walking Distance:
While food and fun can be had all around the Retreat, these locations are available via foot, for those looking to stroll to and from drinks or dinner.
Real & Raw 30A - This faith based smoothie and espresso bar offers a full menu of espresso drinks, fresh made smoothies, artisanal breakfasts toasts, and pastries. In addition, they stock light groceries such as fresh fruit, health conscious canned drinks and sodas, small bites and whole food based desserts.
Ice Cream Shoppe 30A - While the name might seem obvious, this Ice Cream parlor specialties in a deep selection of frozen treats, a large selection of old-time style sodas, and mix and max candies for everyone in your group. Plentiful seating is available inside, while benches outside allow you to enjoy your favorite concoctions alongside the warm breezes off the Gulf.
30A Thai Cuisine - Owned by a local family with multiple locations in Santa Rosa Beach, patrons can enjoy their favorites for lunch or dinner. Thai style calamari is a need to try while quintessential dishes such as Pad Thai and Tom Kha are meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Mimmo’s Ristorante Italiano - This italian eatery serves upscale lunch and dinner offers with a traditional italian twist. An expansive menu (one of the largest on 30A!) offers endless combinations of both neapolitan and classic pizzas, plentiful pasta dishes, desserts, salads and cocktails. Online reservations are available and encouraged for dinner.
Basmati’s Asian Cuisine - While perhaps more likely to be visited by golf cart or car, Basmati’s is walking distance from The Retreat for those looking to get their steps in before and after a delicious meal. Managed by the team who oversees Cafe 30A, Basmati’s fresh take on asian inspired seafood dishes have created lifelong fans for decades. Classic soups, sushi, seafood and butcher’s cuts are available alongside a deep wine selection. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Biking & Golf Cart Distance:
These spots are located nearby The Retreat, but we highly encourage you to visit via a bike, golf cart, or even car.
Blue Mountain Bakery - This small but mighty delicatessen style bakery serves up fresh sweets, savory breakfast sandwiches and lunch wraps, and even provides full catering for those looking to take the hassle out of breakfast, lunch or dinner while at the beach. Quiche’s, sausage rolls, cupcakes, cookies and chicken wraps can be enjoyed to start off your day’s adventure on 30A, or as a mid-day refueling for some sun filled fun.
Redfish Taco - This taco shack and more provides lunch and dinner fun with live music, expansive bar offerings and tasty tacos sure to please everyone in your group. Large scale patio seating or tavern inspired indoor seating is sure to please whatever your mood, while taco salads, brisket tacos and frozen cocktails on demand will put everyone in the island spirit.
Blue Mountain Creamery - Donut and coffee shop by morning and ice cream shop by night, the Blue Mountain Creamery is a 30A staple, serving up fresh dipped cones, tantalizing shakes and fresh donuts and coffee every day of the week.
Local Catch - If fresh seafood and ice cold beer in a casual environment with outdoor seating is up your alley, then Local Catch might be your favorite hangout spot on 30A. Salads, po-boys, fish tacos and creative takes of fresh catches provide plenty of options for everyone in your party. A full service bar, tons of outdoor and indoor seating, and spacious parking makes Local Catch a favorite throughout the year.
Goatfeathers - Anchored by the seafood market on the first floor, patrons can also venture upstairs for classic southern takes on seafood, such as blackened group po-boys, fried shrimp salads and plenty of handhelds, perfect for a lunch break from the beach. Grab peel & eat shrimp at the market on your way out, or stock up on everything you need for a seafood boil thanks to their market offerings.
Papa Surf Burger Bar - One of the newest additions to the west 30A culinary scene, Papa Surf’s Burger Bar enhances the quirky and fun aesthetics of 30A while whipping up delicious wagyu burgers, hot dogs and salads, all in one of 30A most iconic buildings east of Gulf Place. Two levels of indoor seating ensure options for patrons while the backyard beer garden provides an exceptional spot to enjoy local drafts while enjoying some old-florida charm thanks to the tree overhangs and moody garden lighting.
Shunk Gulley - A Gulf Coast staple for anyone traveling down 30A, Shunk Gulley oyster bar is the epitome of coastal hospitality in a laid back island environment. A curated menu of seafood, burgers, oysters and salads take the main stage while unparalleled views of the Gulf fo Mexico take the cake. Local drafts, fun themed cocktails and a well stocked branded gift shop make a lunch or dinner an adventure filled with fun, good vibes, and tasty eats. Live music is found constantly and the food is consistently a favorite among visitors and locals, alike.
The Perfect Pig - Tucked back into the center of Gulf Place Perfect Pig offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner every day of the week. “Praise the Lard,” might be their slogan, but they don’t stop at pork - the brisket sandwich and blackened fish salads are fan favorites while the chilled cocktails and hearty meals give you a reason to try every different menu they offer throughout the day.
