Black Bear Bread Co.

Black Bear Bread Co. occupies a corner of The Court at Seaside, the boutique hotel that anchors Scenic Highway 30A, and it has become one of the more reliable breakfast stops on that stretch of the beach highway. The Parisian-style bakery and cafe opened in 2016, developed by longtime Seaside restaurateur Dave Rauschkolb, already known in town for Bud & Alley’s, in collaboration with Stumptown Coffee Roasters and working alongside Chef Phil McDonald. The stated goal was simple: build a true neighborhood bakery, one rooted in naturally leavened baked goods, honest local ingredients, and coffee good enough to rival any city roaster.

That naturally leavened bread is the backbone of the operation. Bakers ferment dough slowly, hand-score each loaf before it goes into the oven, and turn out pastries fresh every morning rather than relying on shipped-in frozen dough, a level of craft that shows in the crackling crusts and open crumb of the daily bread selection. The pastry case fills early with croissants, danishes, and other laminated dough, drawing a steady stream of locals and 30A vacationers before the beach crowds arrive. Menu highlights that regulars return for include a seasonal key lime croissant and an egg and cheese bagel sandwich that anchors the morning rush.

Beyond the pastry case, Black Bear runs a full breakfast and lunch menu built around the same seasonal, locally sourced approach, with dishes shifting as produce comes in and out of season. The kitchen rotates soups, salads, and sandwiches through the lunch hours, all made to be eaten in at the cafe or carried down toward the beach. The cafe’s coffee program runs on Stumptown Coffee Roasters beans for its espresso and drip service, a detail that matters to visitors used to hunting down quality coffee on vacation, and the pairing of Stumptown with fresh-baked pastry is a big part of the draw for repeat customers.

The Seaside cafe shares its name and culinary philosophy with sister locations down the road in Grayton Beach and on Grand Boulevard, plus a dedicated event space, Bar Room | Soirees, that Black Bear operates in Grayton Beach for private parties and catering. Across the brand, Black Bear keeps a loyalty rewards program running and takes custom orders for cakes, breads, and pastry platters through its catering department, a useful option for anyone hosting a wedding weekend or family reunion along 30A.

Inside, the Seaside location keeps a cozy, cottage-style feel that matches the architecture of The Court around it, with counter and table service that moves quickly even when the morning line stretches toward the door. The space draws a mix of hotel guests staying at The Court, Seaside homeowners on their morning walk, and day-trippers who spotted the bakery while exploring Scenic Highway 30A. The bakery’s location right on 2311 E County Highway 30A makes it an easy stop whether coming from the east toward Grayton Beach or heading west into Seaside proper.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and reachable at 850.738.6771, Black Bear Bread Co. works equally well as a grab-and-go coffee stop before a beach day or a slower sit-down breakfast for those staying nearby. For visitors building a 30A food itinerary, it is worth treating as a fixture rather than a one-time stop, since the seasonal menu changes enough to reward a second or third visit over the course of a longer stay. The combination of scratch-made naturally leavened bread, a real pastry program, and Stumptown coffee gives it a distinction on this stretch of coast: a bakery worth planning breakfast around.