Come for happy hour; the cocktails are well crafted and reasonably priced, and the environs are pleasant, soothing even, both inside and out.
The Great Southern Cafe is one of the best dining spots in a touristy area densely packed with quality options for fresh gulf seafood. Centrally located on the main drag of the idyllic beachfront community of Seaside, The Great Southern boasts a spacious patio area, a fully stocked bar, and an eclectic menu that offers delicious seafood staples with a traditional Southern bent. Come for happy hour; the cocktails are well crafted and reasonably priced, and the environs are pleasant, soothing even, both inside and out. Tay and I stopped by for happy hour on a Friday afternoon and the patio was packed. We opted for a table inside and really enjoyed the minimalist aesthetic as well as the local art adorning the walls. The only thing to detract from the perfectly nice atmosphere was a hostess who seemed uninterested in helping us. She was probably just somewhat beaten down by the busy day. Another minor service related annoyance was the long wait time between when we were seated and when our drink order was taken, but thankfully it was mostly smooth sailing from there on out.
I had a local brew from Idyll Hounds, an aggressively hoppy IPA called “Divide and Conch’r”. It proved a perfect pairing with my seafood, the crisp bitterness accenting the potent flavors of oyster and crab nicely. Speaking of crab, the crab cakes and fried green tomatoes appetizer was phenomenal. These were quality crab cakes, possessing the perfect ratio of breading to meat. I despise crab cakes that are mostly filler, and these didn’t disappoint. For my entree I chose the fried oysters. At $22 these were a tad overpriced, but delicious nonetheless. The deep fried Southern flavors of fresh gulf oysters, crispy, buttery green beans, and a generous helping of fries and hush puppies, all left me delighted and stuffed in equal measure. In place of dessert, I went with a second brew to wash it all down. I think I made the right call, but I can’t wait to go back for a return visit and explore more of the menu. Tay’s shrimp and grits looked fantastic!
The Great Southern Cafe has always been a consistent date spot for us whenever we’re lucky enough to vacation in Destin. From the beach house we stayed in, it’s only about a thirty minute drive to the restaurant. In the past it’s been well worth the trip, not only for the lovely scenic views along highway 30A, but because the food at The Great Southern Cafe is awesome. I’m happy to report that our latest trip didn’t disappoint!
On this visit, we started our meal out with crab cakes and fried green tomatoes. The combination of the crunchiness from the fried tomatoes and the flavor of the crab cakes was absolutely divine. There was a red pepper remoulade on the fried green tomatoes that I wish I could put on everything. My drink for the night was a Mai tai, which felt appropriate for some beachside boozing. The Mai tai was delicious and strong, a couple swigs and I was feeling the effects.
Now for the best part, even better than my expertly made cocktail: I ordered the grilled gulf white shrimp with smoked gouda grits and coleslaw. This meal was fresh, delicious, and satisfying. The shrimp were good sized and had a perfect flavor, mild enough to complement the smoky, cheesy grits nicely, but also well seasoned with big flecks of black pepper. I’m not usually big on grits, but the flavor and texture here was unlike any grits I’ve ever had. If you love a good tasty, cheesy dish, do yourself a favor and get the grits. This place is famous for their take on the popular “Grits a Ya Ya” entree, and it’s easy to see why. Whenever I’m in Seaside I make sure to go to The Great Southern Cafe to enjoy some great food, great atmosphere, and great people!
