The Chef Jim Shirley Enterprises Experience

Where Tradition Begins

By Morgan Claybourne | Photography by Hunter Burgtorf

There is something about Seaside, Florida, that invites you to slow down and take it all in, from the view to the salty breeze to the people you are with. Maybe it is the pastel cottages and white picket fences, or the way bicycles outnumber cars, or simply that feeling that the best parts of your vacation are still waiting to unfold. Whatever it may be, Seaside has a way of turning ordinary days into the ones you talk about long after you have returned home.

R ight in the heart of it all, Chef Jim Shirley and his team have created more than just a series of restaurants. They have created gathering places where people can hang out after hitting the beach, where dinners become family traditions, and where moments that seem small at the time become the stories you tell and cherish for years.

Right in the heart of it all, Chef Jim Shirley and his team have created more than just a series of restaurants. They have created gathering places where people can hang out after hitting the beach, where dinners become family traditions, and where moments that seem small at the time become the stories you tell and cherish for years.

Chef Jim Shirley Enterprises continues to shape the dining scene throughout South Walton. In Seaside’s Central Square, where several distinct Jim Shirley concepts sit just steps apart, each spot offers its own unique experience while sharing that same sense of hospitality that truly makes you want to return again and again.

Great Southern Café

Great Southern Café is the kind of place that becomes part of your vacation tradition before you even realize it. Since opening in 2006, it has grown into a beloved South Walton staple, welcoming both locals and visitors who return year after year. Here, brunch after the beach stretches into leisurely afternoons with famous Happy Hour mojitos, and dinner feels familiar, like a Sunday at Grandma’s house in the South.

Chef Jim Shirley’s modern Southern cuisine anchors the menu, with the beloved Grits à Ya Ya leading the way for many first-timers and regulars alike. Gulf seafood, seasonal vegetables, and classic Southern comfort dishes, paired with craft cocktails and one of the area’s most extensive wine lists, round out a lineup that delights the senses and satisfies every craving.

From the front patio, guests can watch life in the square unfold in real time as families pass by and the energy shifts from daytime ease to the sunset glow. Inside, the restaurant is filled with conversation, laughter, and a warmth unlike any other. Great Southern Café has become a place where milestones are celebrated and is the highlight of countless family vacations in South Walton.

b.f.f.

Lovingly attached to Great Southern Café, b.f.f. captures a different side of Seaside. Short for Bushwackers, Frosé, and Frozens, this cheerful walk-up spot fits seamlessly into any beach-day itinerary, offering a refreshing yet decadent treat. After a few hours in the sun or a round of shopping, there is just something beyond satisfying about strolling through the square with a frozen cocktail or soft-serve ice cream in hand.

b.f.f. feels both relaxed and unplanned in the very best way, as it serves as a casual walk-up spot where friends can meet, parents can grab a drink while their kids play on the Seaside Amphitheater green, and couples can get a sweet treat while they soak in the simplicity, ease, and everything you hope for on a vacation.

The C-Bar

Just steps away, The C-Bar (short for Container Bar) is set inside a repurposed shipping container and feels perfectly suited for that in-between part of the evening. Whether you are waiting for your table, meeting friends before dinner, or simply not ready to head home yet, a craft cocktail, glass of wine, or cold beer makes it an easy and natural stop along the way. Their food menu pulls favorites from Great Southern and 87 Central Square, so you can cozy up to the bar for a bite, as well. This is another perfect spot to “unpack happiness” during any beach day along the white sugar sands of the Emerald Coast.

87 Central

For the evenings that call for something a little more intimate and al fresco, 87 Central Square offers a cozy wine bar experience just off Central Square, tucked between Great Southern Café and Sundog Books. The patio atmosphere feels warm and inviting without being formal, making it just as fitting for date night as it is for gathering with friends.

The extensive wine list makes it easy to try something new every visit or return to old favorites, and the global, tapas-inspired dishes are perfectly designed for sharing. It is the kind of place where conversations and laughter unfold in the open air, and the night’s pace slows down in the best possible way. Its location, so close to the other concepts, allows every guest to find something perfect right in the heart of the square.

Beyond the Square

While the Seaside concepts feel like their own curated collection, Chef Jim Shirley Enterprises extends across South Walton with the same consistent hospitality that keeps tourists and locals alike returning for their favorites.

The Bay pairs waterfront views with sushi and Gulf-inspired dishes that turn dinner into an evening event, especially on Wednesdays and Sundays when live music fills the air. Just across Highway 331, Farm & Fire centers around wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients in a comfortable, elevated neighborhood setting with incredible sunset views over the bay. Downstairs, North Beach Social leans into a laid-back beach bar atmosphere where live music and sandy feet—or paws—are always welcome. Back at Seaside’s Airstream Row, The Meltdown on 30A brings a playful twist to gourmet grilled cheese that feels especially fitting after a day at the beach and is perfect for all ages.

For any readers planning their next South Walton escape, consider this your official reminder to bike into Central Square, order the shrimp and grits, say yes to the frozen cocktail, and stay for one more round. At Chef Jim Shirley Enterprises’ collection of restaurants and experiences, the best things you take home are not souvenirs, but the meals you shared and the time spent with those who matter most.

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Visit ChefJimShirley.com to learn more!