Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, a premier 2,400-acre destination resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new full-service restaurant, Bayside Café. Open to the public and resort guests, the restaurant is nestled along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay and just steps from the resort’s Bayside Inn. The café blends classic Southern hospitality with fresh, vibrant flavors that celebrate the area’s coastal lifestyle.
Leading the café’s culinary vision is Chef Blake Van Zant, who brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the menu. Chef Van Zant grew up in the food industry, surrounded by the sights, sounds and flavors of his family’s restaurant. Cooking was second nature, woven into daily life and passed down through generations. While his early years shaped his understanding of food, his travels broadened his culinary perspective. By exploring new places and immersing himself in diverse cultures, he discovered ingredients and techniques that inspire his menus at Bayside Café.
“We wanted to create a dining experience that feels familiar yet exciting,” explained Van Zant. “At Bayside Café, guests can savor coastal comfort food with a few unexpected twists, all while enjoying stunning bayfront views.”
Breakfast
Bayside Café’s breakfast buffet ($25 per person) offers an indulgent start to the day. Southern classics include Scrambled Eggs ($16) with cheddar and Creole seasoning or Biscuits & Gravy ($18) with Cajun-spiced sausage gravy. Sweet options like Pancake Stack ($16) and Brioche French Toast ($16) come with syrup, butter, and toppings like chocolate chips and pecans. Lighter options include Coconut Parfait ($12) with Greek yogurt, pineapple, chia seeds, and agave, or the Dragon Fruit Parfait ($12) with dragon fruit and chia seeds. The Berry Parfait ($12) combines yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, and granola. For heartier selections, guests can enjoy Avocado Toast ($14) with smashed avocado and heirloom tomato or the Assorted Bagels & Bread ($16) with smoked salmon, capers, and preserves. The Bakeshop’s Basket ($18) features croissants, danishes, muffins, scones, and lemon pound cake. Interactive stations include the Omelet Station ($20) (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday), Belgian Waffle Station ($20) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), and Crepe Station ($22) (Saturday), each offering a variety of ingredients and toppings.
Lunch
For lunch, guests can enjoy signature sandwiches, wraps, and tacos alongside chips, fries, or seasonal fruit. Favorites include the Gulf Grouper Sandwich ($22) with pineapple slaw, the BBQ Pork Sandwich ($18) with pulled pork and coleslaw, and the Club Sandwich ($19) with turkey, ham, bacon, and cheddar. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich ($18) comes with hot sauce and buttermilk ranch, while the Bay Burger ($19) is a half-pound beef patty with grilled red onion and aioli. Lighter options include the Chicken Caesar Wrap ($18) with Parmesan and romaine, and the Veggie Wrap ($16) with hummus, avocado, and edamame. The Chicken Tender Basket ($19) features hand-battered tenders, while Tiki Tacos offer a choice of Chicken, Brisket, or Catch of the Day, available blackened, grilled, or fried.
Dinner
Weekend dinner specials include the Low Country Boil (Saturday) with Gulf shrimp, crawfish, corn, and hushpuppies, and Taco Night (Friday) with grilled meats, seafood, and a variety of toppings. Signature entrées include the Grilled Skirt Steak ($29) with chimichurri sauce, the Southern Fried Chicken ($20) with honey garlic BBQ, and the Rustic Meatloaf ($19) with buttermilk mashed potatoes. The Southern Brisket ($21) features smoked Angus beef with BBQ sauce, while the Gulf Catch of the Day (MKT) is prepared blackened, grilled, or fried. Another standout, the Sandestin Ale Shrimp & Grits ($23), combines Gulf shrimp, cheddar grits, bacon, and Creole seasoning.
Desserts
For a sweet finish, guests can enjoy Apple Pie ($6), Blueberry Pie ($6), or a Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie ($5) with the option to add À La Mode (+$2). The Ice Cream Sundae ($4) is available in Chocolate or Strawberry flavors..
Beyond its inviting indoor space, Bayside Café offers access to the poolside bar, where guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails and light bites in a breezy, relaxed atmosphere. Whether stopping in for breakfast before a round of golf, a midday meal between dips in the pool, or an evening wind-down after meetings at the Linkside Conference Center, Bayside Café promises an experience where time slows down, flavors shine, and every meal feels like a getaway.
Bayside Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 am–9 pm. For more details on menu offerings and special events, visit.sandestin.com/bayside-cafe.
ABOUT SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT®
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®, the “#1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast,” is a major destination for all ages and seasons. The resort invites guests to experience 2,400 acres with over 70 charming neighborhoods with nearly 1,000 vacation rentals, including condominiums, villas, homes and townhomes. The resort features 85,000 square feet of meeting space, more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bayfront, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, six pickleball courts, 20 swimming pools, a 226-slip marina, a fitness center and a spa. Shop, dine and play at the charming pedestrian village, The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Every year, Sandestin welcomes families from all over the U.S. to make cherished memories that will last a lifetime. For more information, visit sandestin.com. @Sandestin | #Sandestin
