Great Southern Café

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where Food Tells a Story

At the heart of Seaside, Florida, Great Southern Café is chef and owner Jim Shirley's most personal project. In his own words, "Where The Great Southern Café is my history" — a place rooted in the flavors and experiences that have shaped him. Set within the 87 Central Plaza on Santa Rosa Beach, the restaurant draws on the Gulf Coast's seafood traditions while carrying the warmth of a chef who genuinely means it when he says, "We'll be looking for you."

Chef Jim Shirley

Jim Shirley is both the creative force and the constant presence behind the restaurant. His philosophy is direct: food is autobiography. The Great Southern Café represents his history, his craft, and the Southern coastal cooking he has built a reputation around. The wine program earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2013 — a recognition that speaks to the seriousness with which the kitchen and front of house approach the full dining experience, not just what's on the plate.

Seafood, Southern, and Serious About Both

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a bar that opens daily and a dining room focused on the evening hours. The seafood at Great Southern Café reflects its location — Florida's Emerald Coast provides the context, and Shirley's cooking provides the point of view. The result is a seafood-forward table that feels grounded rather than generic, personal rather than performative.

General Manager Maureen Higgins helps ensure that the hospitality matches the cooking — a detail that matters in a place where the chef's own voice is so clearly present throughout.