FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Parking and Shuttle Details:

Heading to SEASIDE® to visit? Check out this article, the ultimate SEASIDE® transportation guide with details about the complimentary shuttle, paid parking and biking information! See you soon!

When are you open?

We are open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until at least 9:30 p.m. unless special circumstances dictate otherwise. Please check our Facebook and Instagram pages for events, menus, and special business hours.

What do I do if I’ve lost something in the restaurant or at Seaside?

If you have left something at Great Southern Café, we will help you to be reunited with the item(s) as quickly as possible.  If you believe you left something at Seaside, their Courtesy Team is available at (850) 231-2297 24-hours a day.

Do you sell gift cards?

Gift cards can be purchased at the restaurant. Currently, a gift card purchased from the Great Southern Café can be used at the Great Southern Café and The Bay.

Do you take reservations?

We gladly welcome walk-ins, but recommend you make a reservation. You can make an online reservation by clicking the “reservations” link at the top of this page. If there are no available times displaying on the reservations page, we are booked for the day that you’ve chosen. However, cancellations are added back into the reservations queue, so you may want to check back to see if a time has opened up for your desired day/date. Reservations are released one week in advance on Mondays at 12 PM CST.

What’s in those tequila bottles on the tables?

Big Jim’s World Famous Oyster Juice.  We sell it at the restaurant. Grab some for your kitchen or a gift for a friend.

Can I get the the recipe for _________?

Most of Jim Shirley’s recipes that inspire our menus can be found in his book “Good Grits,” available at the restaurant.

Can you accommodate large parties or groups?

Great Southern Café has several tables and spaces available to accommodate larger parties.

What about on-site events?

Due to our seasonal volume, we are unable to accommodate events on-site between the months of March – September. We encourage larger groups to visit the restaurant a few hours in advance of their desired dining time to determine current wait times.

How do I apply for a job with Great Southern Café?

We are always looking for qualified applicants to join us at Great Southern Café. You can apply in person at the restaurant between 1–4 p.m. Monday–Thursday, or you can apply online by clicking here.

What is the A&E Fee on my receipts?

A voluntary 2% fee is added to your purchases to go toward an Arts and Entertainment Fund that provides cultural, educational, and entertainment activities for the Seaside community.  If you have any questions about the fee, please call (850) 231-6106.

When are you open?

We are open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until at least 9:30 p.m. unless special circumstances dictate otherwise. Please check our Facebook and Instagram pages for events, menus, and special business hours.

What do I do if I’ve lost something in the restaurant or at Seaside?

If you have left something at Great Southern Café, we will help you to be reunited with the item(s) as quickly as possible.  If you believe you left something at Seaside, their Courtesy Team is available at (850) 231-2297 24-hours a day.

Do you sell gift cards?

Gift cards can be purchased at the restaurant. Currently, a gift card purchased from the Great Southern Café can be used at the Great Southern Café and The Bay.

Do you take reservations?

We are currently seating for RESERVATION-ONLY dining. You can make an online reservation by clicking the “reservations” link at the top of this page.

We ONLY accept reservations for our Thanksgiving Day Lunch Buffet. The phone lines open at 8 a.m. November 1, for reservations and are on a first-call first-reserved basis. We do not accept Thanksgiving reservations by email, voicemail, or through our website or social media platforms. Reservations typically fill up within hours.

What’s in those tequila bottles on the tables?

Big Jim’s World Famous Oyster Juice.  We sell it at the restaurant. Grab some for your kitchen or a gift for a friend.

Can I get the the recipe for _________?

Most of Jim Shirley’s recipes that inspire our menus can be found in his book “Good Grits,” available at the restaurant.

Can you accommodate large parties or groups?

Great Southern Café has several tables and spaces available to accommodate larger parties. While we do not accept reservations, we encourage larger groups to visit the restaurant a few hours in advance of their desired dining time to determine current and estimated wait times. We welcome your large group, but please understand that you may have a long wait.

What about on-site events?

Due to our seasonal volume, we are unable to accommodate events on-site between the months of March – September. We encourage larger groups to visit the restaurant a few hours in advance of their desired dining time to determine current wait times.

How do I apply for a job with Great Southern Café?

We are always looking for qualified applicants to join us at Great Southern Café. You can apply in person at the restaurant between 1–4 p.m. Monday–Thursday, or you can apply online by clicking here.

What is the A&E Fee on my receipts?

A voluntary 2% fee is added to your purchases to go toward an Arts and Entertainment Fund that provides cultural, educational, and entertainment activities for the Seaside community.  If you have any questions about the fee, please call (850) 231-6106.

stay close by!
Exclusive VRBO rentals in the heart of Seaside.