Grayton Beach is one of the oldest towns on 30A, and it acts like it. The streets are narrow and shaded, the cottages are weathered, and the best-known restaurant is a converted general store full of vintage clutter. Grayton Beach restaurants match that mood: casual, local and a little loud after dark. Then there is the beach, a mile of protected sand in a state park that sits right next to town.
This guide covers where to eat, what to do in and around Grayton Beach State Park, the galleries worth an afternoon and how to park. It is part of our 30A towns guide. To see every place we list here, visit the Grayton Beach area page.
Quick answer
- Don’t miss: Dinner and live music at The Red Bar, open since 1995.
- Best beach day: Grayton Beach State Park, with about a mile of sand and Western Lake for paddling.
- Best rooftop: Tacos and a Gulf view at Chiringo.
- Best breakfast: A key lime croissant at Black Bear Bread Co.
- Best rainy day: Make your own mosaic at The Shard Shop Grayton.
A Short History of Grayton Beach
Army Major Charles T. Gray built a homestead here around 1885, and the village took his name. In 1890, General William Miller and William Wilson moved their families in and mapped out the streets and blocks. The town celebrated its 130th anniversary on July 4, 2020.
For decades Grayton was hard to reach. Before the 1930s, roads were little more than sand trails through the forest, and electricity did not arrive until the 1940s. In 1942 the U.S. Coast Guard set up a 40-man station in the village. The state created what became Grayton Beach State Park in 1967 and bought the beachfront, dunes and forest in 1985, which is a big reason the town still looks the way it does.
Grayton Beach Restaurants
Most Grayton Beach restaurants are a short walk apart, around Hotz Avenue, DeFuniak Street and the Shops of Grayton on Logan Lane. Park once and you can walk to most of them.
| Restaurant | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| The Red Bar | Short menu, full bar, nightly live music | The classic Grayton night |
| AJ’s Grayton Beach | Seafood and steak, three bars, two stages | Groups and live music |
| Chiringo | “Elevated beach food,” rooftop patio | Lunch near the beach |
| Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill | Oysters raw, broiled or fried | Happy hour (3 to 6 p.m.) |
| Grayton Seafood Co. | Gulf seafood, gumbo, bread pudding | A family dinner |
| Roux 30A | Six-course seasonal tasting menu | A special night out |
| Chanticleer Eatery | Scratch-made comfort food with Cajun flavors | A casual lunch |
The Red Bar
The Red Bar opened in 1995, when Belgian restaurateur Oli Petit took over an abandoned building on Hotz Avenue. A fire badly damaged it in February 2019, and it reopened on July 15, 2020, rebuilt to current code with its old character intact: red walls, low light and cluttered vintage decor. The menu is short (blackened grouper, crawfish and shrimp pasta, crab cakes), and live music plays most nights it is open. It has a long cash-only, no-reservations tradition, so bring cash and call ahead to confirm current policies.
Across the street and around the corner
Chiringo sits across from The Red Bar, about 200 feet from the Gulf, in the old Shorty’s building. It serves fish and shrimp tacos, Caribbean wings and a Cuban sandwich, and the rooftop patio has Gulf views. It is dog friendly. AJ’s Grayton Beach on DeFuniak Street opened in 2017 with three bars, two stages for live music and karaoke, and an oak-fired grill. Order oysters or the shrimp and grits.
Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill on Logan Lane is a first-come, first-served local spot with oysters three ways, Caribbean tacos and a big tequila and bourbon list. Grayton Seafood Co. in Uptown Grayton follows the local catch and serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday; text the restaurant for a table.
Coffee, pizza and wine
Start the morning at Black Bear Bread Co. in the Shops of Grayton. Seaside restaurateur Dave Rauschkolb opened it in 2016 for naturally leavened bread, French-style pastries and Stumptown coffee. In the evening, the bakery’s sister spot next door, Black Bear Bar Room, pours natural and biodynamic wines alongside oysters, house-made pasta and charcuterie.
With kids in tow, Grace Pizza & Shakes 30A in the former Pickle Factory building serves coal-fired, brick-oven pizza and loaded milkshakes. For a big night, Roux 30A serves a six-course, chef-driven tasting menu at communal tables around an open kitchen. The room is small, so reserve well ahead.
For the rest of the road’s best tables, see the best restaurants on 30A.
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park covers nearly 2,000 acres next to the village. It is the reason Grayton’s beach still looks wild: dunes, sea oats and about a mile of sugar-white sand, with Mobi-Mats at both the day-use and cabin beaches. There are no lifeguards, so swim with care and check the flags.
Things to do in the park
- Paddle Western Lake: The 100-acre coastal dune lake sits right behind the beach. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one at the ranger station. Jet-propelled watercraft are not allowed.
- Hike or bike: A 1-mile nature trail crosses dunes, salt marsh and pine flatwoods from the beach parking area. A 4.5-mile trail (9 miles round trip) loops through the forest and around Western Lake.
- Fish: Surf fishing and lake fishing are allowed with the right license.
- Look for wildlife: The park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Watch for shorebirds, osprey and bald eagles.
- Stay overnight: The park has 59 campsites and 30 two-bedroom duplex cabins that sleep six. See the note below about overnight stays.
| Grayton Beach State Park basics | Details (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8 a.m. to sundown, every day |
| Vehicle with 2 to 8 people | $5 |
| Single-occupant vehicle | $4 |
| Pedestrians, cyclists, extra passengers | $2 |
| Phone | 850-267-8300 |
The park can fill up and close to new cars for a while on busy days, so arrive early. For more parks like it, see our guide to Emerald Coast state parks.
The Underwater Museum of Art
About 0.9 mile offshore from the state park, the Underwater Museum of Art is a permanent sculpture garden on the seafloor, about 58 feet down. It launched in 2018, and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County adds new juried pieces over time, which slowly turn into living reef. It is for certified divers only, so book through a local dive operator.
Galleries and Shops
Grayton has been an art town for a long time, and its galleries are small and personal.
- The Zoo Gallery on Hotz Avenue has been open since 1979, with paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery and gifts from American artists and makers.
- The Studio Gallery is artist Susie Bettenhausen’s cottage gallery in the Shops of Grayton, showing paintings, shell art and jewelry, mostly by 30A and Southeast artists. It is open Monday through Saturday.
- The Shard Shop Grayton lets you make your own mosaic “ShardArt” from repurposed glass, shells and beads. Classes take about an hour and are open to ages 6 and up.
- Grayton General Store is the practical stop for ice, beer and beach supplies, open early and late.
Where to Stay
Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse on DeFuniak Street calls itself “the anti-resort,” with cozy rooms and cabins, a cafe in a garden courtyard and The Red Bar about two minutes away. It is dog friendly and locally owned. For more options, see where to stay on 30A.
Before You Go
- Parking: Street parking in the old village is tight. The Grayton Central lot on County Road 283 offers a free tram into town (check current hours), and Chiringo runs a free shuttle from the same lot.
- After the storm: Hurricane Isaias brought a 3 to 5 foot storm surge to Grayton in October 2026. It collapsed the only road bridge into Grayton Beach State Park, but crews rebuilt it in about 16 hours and the park reopened for day use on October 12. Overnight stays at Florida state parks were suspended after the storm, so confirm any cabin or campsite reservation directly with Florida State Parks.
- The beach and dunes: The surge overtopped Grayton’s dunes and filled Western Lake. Locals are planting sea oats and putting up sand fencing, so stay on boardwalks and marked paths.
- Restaurants: AJ’s reopened October 12 and Hurricane Oyster Bar on October 14. We could not confirm current hours for every spot, including The Red Bar, so call or check social media before you go.
- Cash: Bring some. The Red Bar has a long cash-only tradition.
For more 30A ideas, see our things to do on 30A list and our 30A beaches guide.
Grayton Beach FAQ
What are the best Grayton Beach restaurants? The Red Bar is the classic, with AJ’s Grayton Beach for live music, Chiringo for a rooftop lunch, Hurricane Oyster Bar for oysters, Grayton Seafood Co. for a family dinner and Roux 30A for a tasting menu.
How much does it cost to get into Grayton Beach State Park? $5 per vehicle with two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians, cyclists and extra passengers (as of November 2026).
Is Grayton Beach State Park open after Hurricane Isaias? Yes. The park reopened for day use on October 12, 2026, after crews rebuilt its storm-damaged entrance bridge. Confirm overnight reservations directly with the park.
What is there to do in Grayton Beach? Swim and walk the state park beach, paddle Western Lake, hike the park trails, browse the galleries, make a mosaic at The Shard Shop and finish with dinner and music at The Red Bar.
Is Grayton Beach the oldest town on 30A? It is one of the oldest communities in the area. Major Charles T. Gray homesteaded here around 1885, and the village streets were laid out in 1890.
Does The Red Bar take credit cards? The Red Bar has a long cash-only tradition. Bring cash and call ahead (850-231-1008) to confirm current payment and reservation policies.