Hungry is no way to start a relaxing day in Navarre Beach. Ya gotta eat. Here are a few suggestions for the ideal late-morning meal. (Okay, early afternoon, if you’re really relaxed).

The Beach House Bar & Grill

Wake up to a thoughtfully curated brunch menu. Located directly on the beach at the SpringHill Suites on Navarre Beach, The Beach House features stunning views of the beach.  Try the Sun Soaked French Toast and accompany your meal with mimosas or Bloody Marys.

 

Blackwater Bistro & Grill

From southern classics like shrimp-&-grits and chicken-&-waffles to omelets, sandwiches and salads, get your Sunday underway in this quaint period house that offers an intimate dining experience. The place is located in downtown Milton two blocks from the scenic Blackwater River. (Sunday brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

TC’s Front Porch

If you’re more of an early eater, this rustic café near gorgeous Santa Rosa Sound offers a hearty menu of morning eats. The omelet lineup has some cool offerings: lobster, nacho and Philly cheese steak. TC’s calls its brunch…breakfast. Imagine that. (7-11 a.m.)

Alphy’s Family Restaurant

A no-frills eatery just a couple miles off the beach in Navarre, Alphy’s (aka Alphy’s Catfish House) specializes in hearty, affordable Southern fare. That means biscuits and gravy, country-fried steak and hotcakes (the cinnamon roll version gets raves), and also omelets, French toast and just about any other breakfast grub you can imagine. You can even get a breakfast side of catfish. (Saturdays and Sundays are breakfast only, 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)

JJ Chago’s

Look for the little building painted a vibrant blue on Navarre Parkway. JJ Chago’s cuisine is Mexican-American, and the breakfast menu reflects it. The Avocado Breakfast and the Breakfast Brisket tacos and burritos get high marks. (Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Donuts in Paradise

Mmmmmm, donuts. Tap your inner Homer Simpson — and do so in the paradise that is Navarre Beach/Santa Rosa County. This aptly named shop, set up in a small trailer, is ideal for getting your day started with a vast array of tasty morsels. They’re hand-made in small batches daily. Centrally located on Navarre Parkway, Donuts in Paradise serves your treats through a window, and you can eat them at an umbrella-covered picnic table or carry them away to another part of paradise. One Facebook reviewer declared, “hands down the best donuts I have ever eaten.”

Shark Bite

A funky, ramshackle place with a walk-up window, Shark Bite sits right on Navarre Beach. Breakfast items ($6 to $7) include three-egg feasts like Chorito, Campfire and Cajun Country. This is the ideal place to fuel up before a day at the shore. (breakfast Tues.-Fri., 6 a.m.-11 a.m.; Sat.-Sun., 7 a.m.-11 a.m.)

Juana’s Pagodas

Navarre Beach’s prime hot spot has a whole lot going on — and one of them is breakfast. Sailor’s Grill serves an array of omelets, biscuits-and-gravy, pancakes, French Toast and breakfast bowls (including shrimp & grits). (Mon.-Sat., 8-11 a.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-noon)