Food & Drink

Three Incredible Designs to Try on 30A’s Beaches

Building sandcastles is one of those timeless beach activities that perfectly captures the spirit of a family getaway. For parents, it’s a chance to unwind and savor the breathtaking beauty of 30A’s beaches, while the kids stay happily engaged, shaping the sand into imaginative creations. Whether you’re already enjoying the sunshine or still planning your trip, this guide is filled with step-by-step ideas and tips to inspire your next beachside creation with the kids.

Where to Dig In

The key to a great sandcastle starts with the right sand, and 30A’s beaches have plenty to offer. With private beach access at four of our properties, guests can enjoy prime spots near the waterline, just a shuttle ride or walk from their room. For those staying elsewhere, YOLO Board & Bike—located across from The Lodge 30A—provides daily rentals, making it easy to explore the coastline and find a spot to dig in.

The Simple Tower Castle

An excellent choice for beginners, this classic sandcastle design combines simplicity with charm. It’s an ideal, fun project for families with young children.

Materials Needed: A bucket, shovel and carving tools (like a plastic knife).

Instructions:

1. Gather Materials: Keep your tools close and ready for action.
2. Pick Your Spot: Look for compact, moist sand near the waterline for a strong foundation.
3. Lay the Groundwork: Fill your bucket with damp sand, pack it tightly, and invert it to form the base.
4. Add Towers: Repeat the bucket-flipping process to create towers around the base.
5. Form Walls: Connect the towers with smooth walls, packing the sand firmly with your hands or tools.
6. Detail the Fortress: Carve bridges or, windows and doors to bring your castle to life.

The Drip Palace

For a whimsical twist, the Drip Palace lets you defy gravity and create something truly magical. The organic shapes and intricate details are as fun to make as they are to admire.

Materials Needed: Sand and water

Instructions:

1. Create the Perfect Mixture: Combine sand and water to make a slurry with a thick, mud-like consistency.
2. Build the Base: Form a sturdy base using damp sand.
3. Drip Away: Scoop up the sand slurry with your hand and let it drip over the base, creating spires and flowing shapes.
4. Layer the Magic: Continue dripping and layering, allowing the sand to set slightly between applications.
5. Add the Finishing Touches: Smooth rough edges and refine details to complete your palace. 

Pro Tip: If you stay at Camp Creek Inn or WaterColor Inn, be sure to stop by the Treat Suite—available on each floor—for a complimentary snack or a refreshing drink before heading to the beach!

The Grand Fortress

For aspiring master builders, this ambitious project features multiple towers, connecting walls, and grand archways. The result? A sandcastle fit for royalty.

Materials Needed: Multiple buckets (including bottomless buckets for variety), a shovel and carving tools

Instructions:

1. Gather Materials: Assemble your tools and prepare for a rewarding challenge.
2. Build the Foundation: Start with a large, compact mound of sand as your base.
3. Form Towers: Use buckets to shape towers, tightly packing the sand before lifting them away. For added height and drama, use bottomless buckets to create unique shapes.
4. Construct the Walls: Stack and pack damp sand to build sturdy walls connecting the towers.
5. Carve Archways: Carefully carve graceful archways into the walls using carving tools.
6. Add Royal Details: Finish your castle with windows, turrets, stairs and other decorative touches. 

Pro Tip: Did you forget your sunscreen or need extra towels? The WaterColor Store and WaterSound Store are stocked with everything you need for an uninterrupted day at the beach.  

The end of the year calls for gathering and celebrating, and whether you prefer a grand feast or a laidback affair, you’ll find everything you need from a bar-away-from-the-bar experience at the WaterColor Inn Package Store.

Consider the Package Store, conveniently located next to the WaterColor Beach access, your one-stop shop for all your festive essentials this season. Cheers!

WaterColor Private Label Wines
Raise your glass(es) and celebrate in true WaterColor style with the resort’s own private label wines, crafted in collaboration with Rutherford Wine Company, a family-owned Napa Valley winery. All WaterColor™ Private Label wines ($35 per bottle) pair exquisitely with the diverse flavors of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast and include a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Red Blend and Sauvignon Blanc.

Ps: Take advantage of the Package Store’s “Wine Down” special on Wednesdays and enjoy 30% off all wines, including the WaterColor™ Private Label collection!

Fish Out of Water Favorites
Browse a curated selection of favorites from WaterColor Inn’s beloved Fish Out of Water restaurant, including Duckhorn Decoy Flavored Seltzers, Grayton Beer Company Beers, Heathen Wines and Casa Dragones Joven Tequila. Looking to toast with (or gift) something really special? You’ll also find rare items like E.H. Taylor Rye, Eagle Rare and even Louis XIII de Remy Martin Cognac Grande Champagne.

Specialty Items
In addition to all of your at-home bar essentials, including barware and even ice, you’ll also find an array of specialty items to gift or to keep (we won’t tell either way). Local favorites include Carrie Rhea Jewelry, including a Fish Out of Water-inspired line of necklaces, and the beloved “Theo the Stuffed Turtle,” proceeds from which go towards protecting sea turtles in Northwest Florida.

WaterColor Exclusives
Create a classic WaterColor celebration with destination-inspired barware, including glasses, mugs and more – only available at the Package Store. Want to add the optimal WaterColor touch to your festivities? Consider snagging a WaterColor Inn gift card, which can be applied to future stays or dining experiences.

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The WaterColor Inn Package Store is open daily, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (seasonal hours apply). For additional information, visit dinefish30a.com/package-store.

Chef Louis Martorano’s passion for cuisine began long along, watching his mom and his Italian grandmother prepare delicious homemade meals.  An avid fan of the New York Yankees, he once dreamed of becoming a baseball player, but his professional journey would lead him to culinary school instead.

“Speaking to me in Italian, my grandmother taught me how to make Sicilian rice balls; even though I didn’t understand the words, food became the language that allowed us to communicate with one another. It was that powerful.”

Martorano’s career began in 1985 at the acclaimed Waldorf Astoria New York, where he would experience the unique chance to cook for a U.S. president, preparing a meal (potato soup sorrel) for Pres. Ronald Reagan, all under the gaze of Secret Service. After sharpening his skills in the Big Apple, Martorano went on to hold multiple chef positions at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton, Fla., experiences he says served as his training ground for five-star and five-diamond dining experiences. There, too, Chef Martorano had the distinct opportunity to cook for several U.S. presidents, including George H. Bush (French toast with banana), George W. Bush (smoked brisket) and Bill Clinton (filet and shrimp), as well as participate in nearly a dozen Food & Wine Classic events and a dinner at the iconic James Beard House.

From South Florida to San Francisco and Nashville to Washington, D.C., Chef Martorano’s hospitality experiences have awarded him with diverse insights into what makes food and beverage programs truly excellent – from the menu and the dining experience to each guest touchpoint in between. In 2009, he was on the opening team for the Hilton Orlando Convention Center hotel, which became the first property to earn Hilton’s desirable Connie Award three years in a row. Most recently, the self-proclaimed “baseball freak” served as the Executive Chef of the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga.

In summer 2024, Chef Martorano and his family began their newest adventure in South Walton when he accepted the role of Director of Culinary and Executive Chef for Watercolor Inn, including its award-winning Fish Out of Water restaurant.

“As a family, we love South Walton’s natural beauty, small-town feel and access to fresh seafood and local ingredients,” Martorano says. “I’m an avid outdoorsman, so it has been a nice match personally. Professionally, I’m excited to continue to keep Fish Out of Water’s offerings locally and seasonally focused.”

Under Chef Martorano’s leadership, Fish Out of Water will continue to distinguish itself by a fresh and fun approach to delectable cuisine and impeccable service but do so with a much more seasonally minded perspective that keeps the menu reinventing itself and provides guests the opportunity to savor something new.

From exquisitely seared lump blue Crab Cake and a Seafood Cioppino to a zesty Aqua Chile and Local Oysters, served raw or baked, the menu’s starters are focused on serving up a fresh taste of the Gulf. Entrées include a decadent grilled Ribeye steak – one of Chef Martorano’s favorites – and an array of locally caught fish with a variety of tasty Southern sides.

“There are some unexpected surprises for guests, too, like a very versatile and surprising Cauliflower ‘Tabbouleh’ that can be modified for a variety of tastes, and our Florida Hot Crispy Fish Sandwich, which is surely going to become a guest favorite!”

Chef Martorano is looking forward to sharing the story of our beautiful corner of the world one bite at a time and in true Watercolor style. The best – and tastiest – is surely yet to come!

Stay tuned for an overview of Fish Out of Water’s new menu, coming soon to stjoeexperiences.com. In the meantime, visit dinefish30a.com or follow @fishoutofwater30a for the latest updates.

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To seat guests more efficiently, Fish Out of Water does not accept reservations. Dine-in service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, 2 to 4 p.m. for happy hour and 2 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seasonal hours apply.
 

At The Pearl Hotel, it’s all about the small details that make for a grand experience. Whether you’re dining at Havana Beach Bar & Grill, sharing tapas on the rooftop or ordering food to-go, the hotel’s Food & Beverage team is there to ensure you receive the highest level of service and quality for which the award-winning hotel has long been known. This is why at The Pearl, in-room dining isn’t just in-room dining, it’s fine dining tailored with comfort and convenience in mind.

The delectable variety of in-room menu items– including wine! – also allows you to be able to enjoy multiple meals in the comfort of your room, without having to always order the same one or two dishes.

Choose from brunch, dinner or dessert! Standouts include the hotel’s signature Shrimp & Grits, Smoked Tuna Dip, El Supremo Cubano, Papa’s Garden Salad and The Mandy Burger (named after the team member who named this decadent take on a classic), as well as Meet Me in St. Louis, a gooey butter cake dessert – just to name a few.

And because The Pearl carefully curates its in-room dining menu with this type of dining in mind, you won’t have to worry about sauces running all over your plates or sogging your food! Hot food items are always delivered within five minutes of preparation and come in hot boxes to ensure both temperature and quality are maintained

Equally as important as the dishes is the in-room delivery experience itself. Conveniently browse and select your in-room dining order directly from the tablet in your room, without ever having to use the phone or leave your room. The Pearl considers every detail, so that you won’t have to, and the team prides themselves in anticipating guests’ needs ahead of time (no need to call back for any items after your order is received). Everything you need for a proper dining experience (including silverware and hand-selected condiments) are laid out on a rolling dining table, so you can dine comfortably just steps away from your bed – or anywhere you choose.

In-room dining is available daily, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Brunch) and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Dinner), with the last order at 9:30 p.m. Seasonal hours apply. Please call 850-588-2882 for more information or to place your order.

Ready to book a luxurious stay at The Pearl? Learn more at ThePearlRB.com.

Framed by a peaked clock tower, pointed turrets, sun-splashed terraces and black-and-white striped awnings, The Pearl Hotel has long been a picturesque icon of the West Indies-inspired coastal community of Rosemary Beach® in South Walton.

Within its walls, the boutique hotel envelops guests in a thoughtfully curated experience, inspired by the warmth and elegance of Old Town Havana, an evocative, richly historic destination, where architecture, culture and everyday life coexisted colorfully.

This Old World charm and laidback sophistication permeates The Pearl’s common areas and guest rooms, with eclectic furniture and décor, including potted palms and framed photos of Havana captured by local artist Tommy Crow, as well as Latin-inspired ambiance music and in-room mini fridges stocked with authentic Cuban sodas from Miami’s Cawy Bottling Company.

Even the hotel’s signature scent – aptly called “Pearl Bliss” – will transport you! All of The Pearl’s bath amenities were created in partnership with Pish Posh Patchouli’s, a local Rosemary Beach merchant specializing in hand-crafted body and skin care, drawing from the richly exotic scents of spiced tonka bean, tobacco bay leaf and vetiver.

At check-in, guests of The Pearl receive a branded coin, reminiscent of a Cuban peso, which can be redeemed for a complimentary signature cocktail at the hotel’s award-winning Havana Beach Bar & Grill during the nightly guest welcome reception – much like residents of Old Town Havana used their pesos at the acclaimed El Floridita in the ‘40s and ‘50s, an era that deeply influenced the writings of American-born Ernest Hemingway.

It’s Hemingway’s beloved haunt that inspired the flavors and flair of The Pearl’s award-winning restaurant, which celebrates the joy of living, eating and drinking well. In fact, Havana Beach Bar & Grill’s stunning hand-carved mahogany bar was modeled after the one at El Floridita. Much like Papa Hemingway himself, Havana Beach Bar & Grill believes that dining should delight all of the senses, with a menu that’s equal parts Gulf Coast and Caribbean, with French-inspired techniques.

Havana Beach’s menu standouts include Ropa Vieja Hash, El Supremo Cubano, and Grouper de Santiago, to name just a few favorite delicacies. And of course, a jaunt to Old Town Havana wouldn’t be complete without a rum-based cocktail. Enjoy a Hemingway Daiquiri, a Nuevo Cubano or a tropical Cocomango in the main dining room, at the bar or at the Havana Beach Rooftop.

Join Havana Beach Bar & Grill for specially themed events (such as Hemingway Day and Havana Nights), taking place throughout the year, for more opportunities to experience the allure of Old Town Havana.

Whether visiting for a weekend or dining in for a night, consider each visit to The Pearl hotel a journey, each bite a story to savor and share.

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To learn more about The Pearl Hotel, book your stay and enjoy the latest seasonal specials, visit thepearlrb.com, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram for a daily dose of #thepearlrb inspiration.

It’s five o’clock at the beach, which means it’s time for a refreshing cocktail inspired by South Walton’s sugar-white sand and emerald water and the pastel hues that make up the string of 30A beach communities. And there’s no place as quintessentially representative of the 30A lifestyle as WaterColor Inn, with its casual elegance, effortless style, family fun and hospitality. 

Just in time to quench the summer heat, we’re taking you behind the bar at Watercolor’s beloved Fish Out of Water. With an array of specialty and seasonally featured handcrafted drinks and a selection of some of the world’s best rums, tequilas and more, Fish Out of Water is the place for coastal-inspired cocktails.

Fish Out Of Water offers the ultimate 30A Happy Hour daily, from 2 to 4 p.m. (hours and live entertainment vary seasonally), but if you can’t make it to the Gulf to join us, you can still sip its flavors with these beach-inspired cocktails and mocktails to make at home.

Below, we’re sharing recipes for three fan favorites for you to enjoy wherever you are in the world. Imagined by WaterColor Inn’s head bartender, these cocktails and mocktails are sure to refresh your senses and transport you to our slice of paradise. Simply add sunshine and enjoy!

Looking for a premium bar-away-from-the-bar experience? The Package Store at WaterColor Inn is your one-stop shop for everything you need, including Fish Out of Water- and WaterColor-inspired barware and gifts.

Cheers!

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BEACH HAIR DON’T CARE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz RumHaven Coconut Rum
• 0.25 oz Banana Liqueur 
• 1 oz Orange Juice
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice

RECIPE

• Salt the rim of a rocks glass 
• Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously
• Using a strainer, strain shaken ingredients over ice into the salt-rimmed glass
• Garnish with edible flowers for an extra tropical flair!

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THE SWIM TO THE SECOND SANDBAR

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ oz 360 Vodka 
• ¾ oz RumHaven Coconut Rum
• ¼ oz Combier Orange 
• 1 oz Blue Curacao 
• 3 oz Pineapple Juice 

RECIPE

• Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously
• Using a strainer, strain shaken ingredients over ice into a highball glass
• Garnish with a large gummy shark – because why not?!

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GEORGIA PEACH AT THE BEACH (MOCKTAIL)

INGREDIENTS

• ½ oz Peach Puree
• ½ oz Honey Syrup
• Mix ½ cup of honey with ½ cup of warm water and stir vigorously until thoroughly dissolved; store in the fridge
• ¾ oz Lemon Juice
• 2-3 Basil Leaves
• 5 oz Ginger Ale

RECIPE

• Pour and combine the peach puree, honey syrup, lemon juice and basil leaves over ice in a shaker
• Shake vigorously
• Pour into a highball glass and top with the ginger ale
• Garnish with a basil leaf

We get it. When it comes to traveling with family and friends, figuring out where to eat can often turn into a feat of its own. Is there enough seating for all of you? Will both the kids and grandma be happy with the food? And what if you’re a group on the go? Well, we’ve got you covered – thanks to an array of delicious and group-friendly dining options along Scenic Highway 30A.

Below, a roundup of our favorites. We have a feeling they’ll soon become your group’s faves too!

Fish Out of Water

Settle into one of FOOW’s oversized booths and take in the 180-degree Gulf Views as you enjoy all-day dining with a locally sourced menu that showcases the very best of our Southern coast. From a variety of seafood platters and sandwiches to tacos, burgers and salads, everyone in your party is sure to find something that pleases their palate. The kiddos will be delighted by the delicious Kid’s Menu and adults will surely find something to toast with on the restaurant’s acclaimed beverage menu, including beers, wines, specialty cocktails and a full bar. For more information, visit Fish Out of Water online.

Havana Beach Rooftop
Looking for laidback rooftop vibe? The Pearl Hotel’s al-fresco restaurant, the Havana Beach Rooftop, provides an idyllic ambiance for sharing tasty tapas with family and friends with stunning views of the Gulf. Gather by one of the firepits or take your pick of the open seating areas and bar, and experience your own coastal dining oasis while savoring the distinct flavors of Havana Beach. For more information, visit Havana Beach Rooftop online.

Scratch Biscuit Kitchen

Treat yourselves to home-away-from-home experience with house-made breakfast or lunch at Scratch Biscuit Kitchen. Whether you treat yourself to one, three or a full dozen, personalize your biscuit with a variety of house-made jams, jellies and gravies, or choose from Scratch’s playful breakfast and lunch menu, available for dine-in, outdoors or to-go. For more information, visit Scratch Biscuit Kitchen online.

Online Ordering

For the ultimate crowd-pleasing convenience, consider ordering to-go from your favorite WaterColor restaurants online and enjoy some of Northwest Florida’s most delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner menus in your room, on the beach or by the pool.  Fish Out of Water, Scratch Biscuit Kitchen and WaterColor Grill all offer curbside pickup.

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Please check respective restaurants’ websites for additional details.

The WaterColor® beach community has long been beloved for its resort amenities, unrivaled hospitality, luxury and service standards, and its fresh, sophisticated and modern lifestyle. Of course, there are also delectable dining experiences to be enjoyed at WaterColor’s Fish Out of Water®, Gather Kitchen + Bar and Scratch Biscuit Kitchen, just to name a few, and plentiful ways to toast to an unforgettable beach experience.

This summer, there are even more reasons to raise your glasses and celebrate in true WaterColor style, thanks to the resort’s own private label wines! That’s right – while South Walton’s sugar-white beaches may not be conducive to viniculture, the team searched the world over for more than two years to find wines that reflect WaterColor’s essence. The result? A selection of WaterColor wines exclusively crafted by Rutherford Wine Company, a family-owned Napa Valley winery that meticulously sources its grapes from California’s most diverse growing regions. Sophisticated yet easy sips, all WaterColor™ private label wines represent WaterColor in a bottle and are meant to pair exquisitely with the diverse flavors of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Each wine was carefully and thoughtfully considered by WaterColor’s award-winning culinary team to capture the balance among taste, quality and affordability.

TASTING NOTES

WaterColor™ Cabernet Sauvignon

• Deep ruby color with fruit and spice characteristics; aromas of blackberry, black cherry and caramel
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Tenderloin Medallions

WaterColor™ Chardonnay

• Bright golden color with aromas of fresh citrus peel and apple, with vanilla and cinnamon
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Gulf Grouper (Blackened or Grilled); Gather Kitchen + Bar’s Smoked Gulf Coast Fish Dip

WaterColor™ Merlot

• Ruby color with aromas of ripe strawberry, cranberry, vanilla and dark chocolate; luscious flavors of Bing cherry, blueberry, cranberry and gingerbread
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Cajun Shrimp & Andouille Kebab; Gather Kitchen + Bar’s B.L.T. with Truffle Fries

WaterColor™ Pinot Grigio

• Vibrant aromas of green apples and citrus; bright acidity and flavors of green apple, tutti-frutti and lime zest
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Catch of the Day or Low-Country Seafood Boil; Gather Kitchen + Bar’s Gulf Fish Sandwich

WaterColor™ Red Blend

• Aromas of blackberry, cherry, anise, French vanilla and dried herbs with berry flavors and a light, rich spiciness
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Spaghettini Puttanesca; Gather Kitchen + Bar’s Wagyu Burger

WaterColor™ Sauvignon Blanc

• Aromas of grapefruit, lime zest and lemongrass with flavors of pink grapefruit, green apple and line
• Pairs With: Fish Out of Water’s Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell or Grilled Sweet Tea Chicken Breast; Gather Kitchen + Bar’s Gulf Fish Ceviche

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WaterColor™ private label wines are available for purchase by the bottle ($35) or by the glass ($10) at all of WaterColor Inn’s restaurants, including Fish Out of Water, Gather Kitchen + Bar*, Scratch Biscuit Kitchen, The Canteen Restaurant & Bar at Camp WaterColor, and WaterColor Grill, Costa Chica and Beach Cow at the WaterColor Beach Club*. And be sure to stop by The Package Store to stock up on several bottles for gifting or for enjoying yourself (we won’t tell). Tastings are also available at any time; all you have to do is ask!Additionally, take advantage of half-priced bottles and/or $5 glasses during Happy Hour at Fish Out of Water (2-4 p.m. daily) and Gather Kitchen + Bar* (3-6 p.m.).

Sipping WaterColor™ private label wine this season? Raise your glass high; take a photo and tag us (#watercolorinn) so that we can toast with you. Cheers!

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*Gather Kitchen + Bar and WaterColor Beach Club are private amenities available only to WaterColor Inn guests and Watersound Club Lifestyle members.

For more than 10 years, Havana Beach Bar & Grill’s menu celebrates the joy of living, eating and drinking well, drawing  inspiration from Ernest Hemingway’s favorite old-town Havana haunt, El Floridita. Vibrant and storied, it’s the Cuba of the late 1940s and ‘50s that deeply influenced the writings of the American-born author. More so, it was a love of food – and a love for gathering, hunting and fishing – that penned the author’s pursuit of delectable celebrations, from the Caribbean to Europe and back to the Florida coast.

Much like “Papa Hemingway” himself, so too does The Pearl Hotel’s award-winning restaurant believe that dining should delight all of the senses. Equal parts Gulf Coast and Caribbean, with French-inspired techniques, Havana Beach’s menu is sourced as close to the ground, as close to the water and through the woods as possible. When you dine here, consider each bite a story, each course a new chapter to dive into and each visit a journey.

To dig deeper into the Havana Beach experience, we sat down with Executive Chef Matthew Rolens to learn more about the restaurant’s inspired (and newly reimagined) menu, the dishes you must try and his approach to providing an unforgettable dining experience for all guests. ¡Salud!

What makes Havana Beach Bar & Grill’s menu different from other local restaurants?
Our menu melds Cuban-inspired and Caribbean flavors with Southern and coastal favorites, incorporating classical French cooking techniques. The result is a unique and inspired palate of flavors that can’t be found elsewhere on 30A. It’s truly a culmination of our team’s commitment to making it the best dining experience it can possibly be.

What can guests expect when dining at Havana Beach?
Havana Beach offers approachable food, served in a casual yet elevated environment that celebrates the dining experience. Our dining spaces, much like Havana herself, are vibrant and lively. On select evenings, our house pianist provides a lovely soundtrack for the dining room, and the bar area is always energetic and inviting. We like to mix in a sense of family and fun with our refined dinner service. Whether joining us for a night on the town, a special occasion or a laidback brunch any day of the week, we pride ourselves in providing guests with a welcoming and memorable experience.

What are some of your favorite dishes?
Where do I even begin? For brunch, the Ropa Vieja pairs exceptionally well with the Havana Beach Bloody Mary. And of course, El Supremo Cubano has been a guest favorite for years, and our Mandy Burger, a local favorite, has been hailed as the best burger on 30A. Need I say more? For dinner, the Whole Fish Catch of the Day is an experience you won’t regularly find in South Walton. We serve whatever fish has been caught locally that day, marinate it and lightly fry it to maintain its tenderness ­and serve it escabeche-style, a Caribbean preparation that includes pickled vegetables and spices. It’s mouthwatering delicious! I also recommend the Oysters de Antigua; roasted and combined with tamarind and coconut flavors, these tasty bivalves make the perfect pairing to our Hemingway Daiquiri. For something with a bit more of a Southern take, La Perla del Sur Ribs are just delicious (be sure to pair it with the Ernest Intentions cocktail for the ultimate experience).

What might guests be surprised to learn about Havana Beach’s menu?
That in addition to delicious and inspired dishes, our mixologists have also crafted an equally thoughtful cocktail menu. Inspired by 1950s Havana, our signature cocktail menu offers classic favorites with a Caribbean twist. These include the Hemingway Daiquiri (a longtime guest favorite) and the Banana Boulevard. Whether you’re eating, toasting or both, we hope this menu provides a vibrant taste of the past. Additionally, to accommodate the dietary restrictions of all of our guests, our menu offers several gluten-free options, and our team is always happy to make modifications based on guests’ needs.

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Havana Beach Bar & Grill is located at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach®. Havana Beach is open daily, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch menu items are available daily, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hours and offerings may vary seasonally. For more information, visit Havana Beach online.

Craving a delicious daytime delight? Look no further than Scratch Biscuit Kitchen in the WaterColor Town Center! Served up in true Southern style, Scratch’s beloved delicacies – including the restaurant’s signature fluffy and buttery square-shaped biscuits – are freshly prepared daily.

Whether you treat yourself to one, three or a full dozen, personalize your biscuit(s) with a variety of house-made jams, jellies and gravies. And, of course, as one would expect from a Southern scratch kitchen, the coffee is always flowing, with daily selections of Scratch’s own signature blend. In fact, die-hard coffee enthusiasts can join Scratch’s “Mug Club” to receive their own branded mug and unlimited $1 coffee!

Craving something a bit heartier? Take advantage of Scratch’s daily Lunchbox Special, available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes the Special of the Day with your choice of side, dessert and beverage. How’s that for hospitable?

You may also choose from a variety of handhelds like the signature Chicken Biscuit or pick from one of the Southern Plates & Bowls, including a make-your-own Grub Bowl option and a delectable N’awlins Shrimp & Grits that’ll have you coming back for more. Those wanting to keep things on the lighter side will also find plenty to choose from on the Good for Ya! menu, which includes favorites like a Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toast and a Granola & Yogurt Boat. There are plentiful homecooked-style sides, small bites and delectable sweet treats, too (the scrumptious French Toast Sticks are among guests’ favorites!).

And much like grandma’s kitchen, the name of the game at Scratch is comfort and convenience. Step right up to the counter! Whether you choose to dine in or place your order to-go at the restaurant’s convenient pickup window, you’ll experience family-friendly service. There’s also plentiful seating to accommodate parties of all sizes.  

Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty pre-beach breakfast, some by-the-beach snacks, a post-pool lunch, an afternoon sweet treat or your second coffee of the day, Scratch has all of your family’s cravings covered!

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Scratch Biscuit Kitchen is located in the WaterColor Town Center and is open 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily (closed on Tuesdays), featuring live music on Wednesdays during the summer months. Counter, indoor and outdoor seating is available; online ordering and carryout are also available (carryout window opens at 6:30 a.m.). For more information, visit scratchbk.com or call (850) 231-6550.