We had amazing food & great service from Caylin! He was very attentive to our requests and made amazing recommendations for us! Would definitely dine here again! read more

Great Southern Cafe - 6oz Filet Mignon - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Amazing breakfast spot in a perfect location of seaside. Not overly complicated just good food. Service and ambiance were solid, felt like a classic breakfast spot. Amazing Benedict's. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Hash Benedict - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

The restaurant was very clean, and the service was decent. We were a party of ten, and our waitress, Alyssa, did a good job overall. Everyone in our group enjoyed their food. The reason I'm giving this a lower rating is because of my entrée. I ordered the red snapper and was really looking forward to it. However, when our food arrived, the server delivering the dishes said it was grouper. I told him I had ordered red snapper, and he informed me they were out. That caught me off guard--no one had mentioned it, and my order had been changed without checking with me first. I didn't make a big deal about it at the time, but I found it odd that no one communicated the change or gave me a chance to choose something else. The grouper was decent, but it definitely wasn't what I wanted. When I shared this with Alyssa, she offered to change my order, but I didn't want to extend our stay any longer. If we return, I'll make sure to double-check that what I order is actually what I receive. read more

We came to Great Southern as a recommendation from our friends and we texted them and gave them a big THANK YOU for sending us this way! Having Cayln as our server was a blessing he gave us INCREDIBLE recommendations like this mind-blowing crab dip appetizer (it was insane ten stars must get). All of the food was incredible but he also steered me to the blackened grouper which was out of this world! Great service, amazing food, we will be back - you want this :) read more

Wow!! I was insanely amazed by this place. The restaurant itself is located in the square and it is decorated very cute. Whether you eat inside or out, it's an elevated vibe. Both entrees that we got were incredible. The French dip was very flavorful and came with a lot of meat. The grits were a good texture and also delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you order. The service was great too and our waitress was very sweet! read more

Great Southern Cafe - The French Dip and Grits à Ya Ya - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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This was my second visit to this spot, and it definitely lived up to the first. The wait for seating was a little longer than expected, but once we got settled in, everything else made up for it. Our server, Anastasia, was great--super friendly and really on top of things. She kept the water and soda refills coming without us even having to ask, which always goes a long way. I ordered the catch of the day (mahi mahi), and it was fantastic blackened. Cooked perfectly with great flavor, especially paired with their house sauce, which is definitely worth trying. And just like I mentioned in my last review, the hush puppies are top tier--easily some of the best around. Overall, this is still one of the best seafood spots in the area. Consistently good food and solid service make it an easy recommendation. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Catch of the day. Mahi mahi - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Always great! Don't be discouraged by the wait times, it's worth it. Great knowledgeable staff, amazing entrees, refreshing cocktails. Hands down the best dinner in Seaside PS: They have amazing breakfast too read more

This is one of our "go to" spots and it remains consistently good. We always dine in the "outside" areas. Service is good, food is great and prices are surprisingly reasonable for Seaside. My preferred meal is the Burger(very good, not sure it's the BEST but I won't quiblle), with Cheese, Sweet Potato fries (these are really good) and a Hooter Brown beer on draft. Friends had Grits a YaYa, one of their specialties and it is very good. Other had the Grouper on salad, reported the fish was outstanding! read more

This is THE restaurant of Seaside. Such a beautiful, fun place to walk around, and the great Southern Cafe is the perfect type of food to indulge in here, especially for those out-of-town, Yankee visitors. We had a party of 7, and were seated immediately, no reservation, for an early dinner around 5:30. There was definitely a line later, so get here early. The food was fantastic. Although not the best fried green tomatoes I've ever had, they were very good. I got the shrimp and grits entree, which was great. They put a lot of this shredded sweet potato situation on top of things. It was good, but I could have done with a little bit less of it. It is teetering on solely being a garnish, I didn't need any more than 3-4 bites of it. Service was good, the weather was perfect for our outdoor dinner. The star of the dinner was by far and away the mojitos. Or "vojitos." It was a vodka cocktail loaded up with fruit. I got the strawberry lemon one. I believe it was called "lemongrass." There were sooooo good. They would be even better on a hot summer day walking aorund. read more

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Ordered 2 Bushwackers from their "BFF Frozens" porchside bar. $16 each. Comes in a tiny plastic cup and they did not even fill them up all the way. Criminal. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Bushwacker before a single sip was taken - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Wow! Best meal I've had in the area. The service was top notch and on top of everything! We sat inside and enjoyed a break from the heat. Those fries are some of the best I've had. The cheese grits, collards and mashed were all great sides. I had the special pork ribeye with peach mango sauce and it was so good. Perfect char without being dry. So impressed. Would definitely repeat! read more

Everything about this place was fantastic! Great food, great service, great ambiance! We will definitely be going back anytime we are in the area! read more

Right in the center of Seaside and honestly expected it to be overrated, and was pleasantly surprised! Good food and great service...a must-try at Seaside read more

First time here! Loved the vibe of the place and we sat outside which has a cool bar too. Their homemade hot sauce is legit! If you like hot sauce you gotta try it. We started with the pimento cheese app and then shared the grits ya ya. Our waitress was super friendly and recommended the grits ya ya and it was delicious. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Homemade hot sauce - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

This was our least favorite restaurant we visited when in the area for 5 days. Sadly, it's where we decided to come on our last night. To start, the hostess was very unwelcoming. We got there a little after 8 PM and were quickly told it would be a 45 min-1 hour wait. There were several tables open that we could see, but we said that was totally fine and gave them our information. Since we had so much time, we decided to walk around. We ordered a drink at a bar across the street, and as we were paying and grabbing them, we received a text from Great Southern that our table was ready. Only 6 minutes had passed (see photo for proof). This was very frustrating to us. Nonetheless, we wasted the cocktails we ordered and went back to get our table. Server took a while to come and was MIA a lot, but he was very nice. My husband and I both ordered a cocktail from the specialty list, and both were disappointing. The drinks we got from their happy hour (25% off 3-5 PM) earlier in the week were better. We decided to order two of their items that were boxed and bolded, which we assumed meant were some of their favorite options...the crab claw appetizer and grits a ya ya. The crab claw appetizer was so bad. The amount of actual claws was pitiful, and it was smothered in a creamy but flavorless sauce. They were overcooked and mushy, making it hard to get the meat off of the claws. It was also served lukewarm. Would not recommend this item, especially for $28. The grits a ya ya was a better item. Nothing I'll return back to get, but thankfully not as disappointing as everything else we experienced here. A bit one-noted, but the hot sauce on the table helped add some much needed flavor. There are so many great restaurants in the area...we would advise going elsewhere. read more

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Our server, Valarie, was absolutely perfect. She did an amazing job helping some new timers pick out a perfect meal. Pecan crusted Mahi Mahi, Gouda Grits, and fried green tomatoes hit the spot. The restaurant had great seating inside and outside. The wait was around 45 mins. There was plenty to see and do while we waited. We are so glad we found this spot for our last night on vacation! Oh and the Key-lime pie was to die for. We will definitely be back. read more

I came here for breakfast and had a great experience. The waitress originally said it would be a 30 minute wait, but it was only about 15. We ordered the café breakfast and the steak and eggs. Both came with biscuits, which were amazing! The steak and eggs also came with grits, which is what they are known for. You have to order them!! The orange juice was fresh too. Our waitress was friendly and checked on us many times throughout our meal. Sitting outside was great because of the shade they have with the roof and siding. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Seaside. read more

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Lovely location in the heart of Seaside. We ordered from their Sunday Brunch menu. My husband and I tried their calamari and we were very pleased. I followed mine with the fried green tomato and crab cakes eggs Benedict and my husband tried their calamari po'Boy. We were celebrating our anniversary so I had a skinny mimosa which instead of the actual oj, they infuse the prosecco with a spritz of orange oil! Ingenious! Everything came out promptly, at the right temperature, well plated, and so delicious. The place is comfortable, clean, well decorated inside and out on their "porch" outdoor area. Service was casual, helpful and friendly. We will be back every time we are in town! read more

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Dinner or lunch at The Great Southern is always a must when we visit Santa Rosa Beach. We also love the shrimp and grits for dinner. Be ready for a long wait but it is worth it. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Shrimp and grits are their signature dish. - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

This place is great !!! There was a 30-40 minute wait on Sunday around 5:30, so just be prepared. We Ordered some mixed drinks (Habanero margarita, bourbon smash) and they were very good. Once we were seated, we Ordered the calamari appetizer which was also great. It tasted better using the spicy oyster sauce at the tables instead of the salsa/sauce it came with. For mains, we ordered the Grits a YaYa, meat and three sides, and the buttermilk chicken sandwich. All the food was tasty and very filling. Valerie our server was also excellent and checked in on us to make sure we had everything and gave us some good suggestions. read more

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Such a cute little spot. Outside patio was super nice. Service was a little slow but to be fair they were super busy. The collard artichoke dip was EXCELLENT, as were the fried green tomatoes. Definitely recommend if in seaside! read more

This place has an excellent location, but that seems to be the only draw. Because of this, the waits are usually long during the high season, and the servers seem to know that people will tolerate bad service just to be there. Between the evening hostesses and the bartenders I have not been to many places that felt less welcoming. read more

Don't go for breakfast. They serve fake rubber eggs and a low-quality breakfast. However, their dinner is great.

Amazing experience! Food was presented beautifully and tasted great. Loved the vibe and service was attentive without being obtrusive. I will dine here again whenever in the area. read more

Loved dinner here! Grits a Ya Ya was so good!!! Service was great. They have specials all the time. Wait time was accurate. Sooo many options for your meal! read more

Great Southern Cafe - Salmon, collard greens, grits, hush puppies . - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Everything was delicious. Nice outdoor seating, perfect brunch selection. My husband had the steak and eggs and I had lox and bagel. Both were very good. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Steak and Eggs - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Excellent burger and fries - solid service and staff - got the kids an order of fries out early big hit - only negative is standing in 100 degree heat with young ones based on a policy of all must be present before being seated 7 of 11 wasn't enough read more

We had our entire family of 9 Dine there on June 4th ,all were extremely satisfied all the way down to our 10 year old Grandchildren , which are beyond picky eaters ! Food was divine, cocktails satisfying , service superb, we make sure we eat there every time we are in Destin read more

For my group, it was a mix of "my dish is incredible" and "my dish is fine". My Celiac friend had hush puppies put on his plate. He's extremely sensitive to gluten, so he couldn't chance it and couldn't eat. read more

I went here strictly for dessert (off of a recommendation by a local) and they did not disappoint. The key lime pie was so delicious and a massive portion for the price. The location is beautiful and very warm and welcoming. The staff was friendly. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Key Lime Pie - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Great service. The best chicken and waffles! The chicken was lightly breaded, tender and moist with good flavor. The waffle was a huge portion and somehow they kept it all hot topped with an orange marmalade. This may have been the best we had ever. We did swing back later for a mojito which everyone recommended as well as the Yelp cast. We weren't impressed with the drink flavor but they will fu-up! I thought the price for 2 mojito @$40 was a bit steep and a foul but that chicken tho!! read more

Great Southern Cafe - Chicken and Waffles - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Came here our first night. There was a two hour wait as per the non smiling uninspiring hostess. However we got lucky at the bar as two people got up as we went to check. This place had come recommend but I still haven't figured out why. Again after 10 minutes or so we were greeted by the bartender who did not smile or act welcoming in any way. I ordered the blackened grouper sandwich with the cheese grits as the side. Cheese grits were very good but the piece of blackened fish was like shoe leather, so dry and over cooked. My husband's food was not that great either. Sometimes the kitchen is off but I can't understand why the people working there seemed so unhappy and unwilling to nicely converse. Not sure we will ever come back. read more

The Great Southern Cafe offers a more upscale vibe with the combination of a southern charm mixed in with an establishment. They have a great menu with a little bit of everything from land to sea items. They are known for their mojitos and I highly recommend ordering one of those as they are made fresh. Their crab cakes were delicious you get a set of 2. For our main dish we got their blackened fish with a side of sweet potato fries and fried okra. A wonderful place to go and get dinner while staying in Santa Rosa. read more

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We have been in Seaside for 3 days tried everything from seafood to a burger to Mexican food. GREAT SOUTHERN CAFE was by far THE BEST!! Food was UH-MAYZING!! Our server Calyn was incredible. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. Not only was the atmosphere beautiful and family friendly, but dinner was one of the best meals I've ever had. Fresh blackened snapper and for a girl who doesn't even like grits- the smoked Gouda grits changed my life. LOL! You will not be sorry coming here. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

The best pancake breakfast! Love the area of Seaside. But the hostess was not having a good day.

Great Southern has always been on our list as a must eat there for years. We had dinner there 4/29 and sadly it will no longer make the list. We had the Seafood celebration and a ceasar salad. The salad was saturated in dressing so we didn't finish it. The grilled Grouper was overcooked and chewy, the shrimp was supposed to be blackened but it was barely seasoned. The hush puppies were doughy and hard and the fried oysters were mush and had no flavor. It's no longer worth the struggle to find parking. read more

Today was my second time here and I was a little disappointed in comparison to last time. I got the black and blue salad with a medium steak but it came out well done. The sauce was good though and the steak was seasoned well. The grits were just alright, I wasn't getting much of a smoked Gouda taste though. Another person ordered the pecan crusted shrimp platter and out came regular fried shrimp. Granted, it was all good but not what we ordered. We didn't say anything so I am unsure how they would have fixed it but it is weird that half of the dishes we ordered came out wrong. The fries are thick and very good. Warning; the gluten free bun is quite crumbly. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Black n blue salad and Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

A good meal & a good mojito! Our favorite must stop place when in Seaside. The food is consistently good and the service is top notch. Patio and indoor dining. read more

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The wait is always long to get dinner. We sat at the outside bar. Every time we come here we meet fun people. The mojitos are the best ever! Bartenders are nice and attentive. Just a good vibe to relax, chat, and enjoy your time. One spot we love to come while we are in town. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Titojito - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Wonderful experience, beautiful street table side, great service, took waiters recommendations. Food was so good. We are returning next week again for lunch. The lobster bisque is so delicious, large pieces of lobster in cup. read more

Great Southern Cafe - Southern Near Me - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida