2020 Perfect in South Walton Award Winners

The Perfect in South Walton Awards, now in its sixth year, are both nominated and voted on by the public, allowing both visitors and residents to recognize their favorite local restaurants, businesses and events in a variety of categories.  

“The best part about the Perfect in South Walton Awards is that it creates another moment for our visitors and locals to remember the people and experiences that make South Walton special,” says Visit South Walton Director of Marketing and Communications David Demarest. “When they spend time thinking about their favorite memories, it won’t be long before they’re back to visit and support local business.”

Here are this year’s Perfect in South Walton award winners listed by category:

Best Beach Photographer
Diamond: Kurt Lischka, Moon Creek Studios
Platinum: Jessica Winkler Photography
Gold: Dawn Whitty Photography

Kurt Lischka, founder of SoWal.com, won the honor again for Best Beach Photographer. Kurt founded SoWal in 2003 as a platform to spread the word about the world's most beautiful beaches and has shared thousands of South Walton photographs online and in print for several decades.

"It's such an honor to win again and to have people vote for me makes it very special. South Walton has a lot of fans and I love sharing the beach with them every day," Kurt said. "I'm dedicating the award to Moon Creek Studios' employee Molly Parker who passed away last December. She was a huge part of our success and establishing our gallery in Grayton Beach. She was part of our SoWal family and is missed every day."

Best Breakfast
Diamond: The Donut Hole
Platinum: Black Bear Bread Co.
Gold: Another Broken Egg Cafe

Best Lunch
Diamond: Chanticleer Eatery
Platinum: Cowgirl Kitchen Restaurant & Bar
Gold: George’s at Alys Beach

Best Casual Dining
Diamond: The Bay
Platinum: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
Gold: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill

Best Fine Dining
Diamond: Café Thirty-A
Platinum: Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar
Gold: Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

Best Wine List
Diamond: The Wine Bar
Platinum: Vin’tij Food & Wine
Gold: Wine World

Best Craft Beer Selection
Diamond: The Craft Bar
Platinum: Grayton Beer Brewpub
Gold: Growler Garage

Best Sweet Treats
Diamond: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery
Platinum: La Crema Tapas & Chocolate
Gold: Sweet Henrietta’s Treats and Coffee

Best Coffee House
Diamond: Amavida Coffee Roasters Coffee Shop
Platinum: Bad Ass Coffee
Gold: Sunrise Coffee Company

Best Local Musician or Band
Diamond: Forrest Williams Band
Platinum: Dread Clampitt
Gold: Luke Langford Band

Best Live Music Venue
Diamond: The Bay
Platinum: The Hub
Gold: AJ’s Grayton Beach

Best Event
Diamond: 30A Songwriters Festival
Platinum: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
Gold: Mountainfilm on Tour at WaterColor Inn & Resort

Best Park or Nature Locale
Diamond: Grayton Beach State Park
Platinum: Eden Gardens State Park
Gold: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Best Outdoor Adventure
Diamond: YOLO Board
Platinum: Adventure 30A
Gold: Baytowne Adventure Zone

Best Fishing Charter
Diamond: Dead Fish Charters
Platinum: Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Charters
Gold: Florida Boy Adventures

Best Tennis Facility
Diamond: TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort
Platinum: Rosemary Beach Racquet Club
Gold: WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts

Best Golf Course
Diamond: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
Platinum: Camp Creek Golf Club
Gold: Burnt Pine Golf Club

Best Art or Design Gallery/Studio
Diamond: Fusion Art Glass and Fine Jewelry
Platinum: Justin Gaffrey Galley
Gold: The Blue Giraffe

Best Jewelry Boutique
Diamond: La Vie Est Belle and McCaskill & Company
Gold: Shimmering Seas Jewelry & Gifts

Best Clothing Boutique
Diamond: Mercantile
Platinum: Willow Boutique
Gold: Indigo

Shopping Area
Diamond: Grand Boulevard
Platinum: Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Gold: The Merchants of Seaside

Best Kids Attraction
Diamond: Baytowne Adventure Zone
Platinum: Thrills Laser Tag and Arcade
Gold: Rock Paper Scissors 30A

Best Conference Space
Diamond: WaterColor Inn & Resort
Platinum: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Gold: TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort

Best Wedding Venue
Diamond: The Chapel at Seaside
Platinum: WaterColor Inn & Resort
Gold: The Pointe

Best Event Venue
Diamond: WaterColor Inn & Resort
Platinum: Gulf Place
Gold: The Pointe

Best Spa
Diamond:  Serenity by the Sea Spa at Hilton Sandestin Beach
Platinum: WaterColor InnSpa
Gold: Spa Pearl

Best Hotel/Resort
Diamond: The Pearl Hotel
Platinum: WaterColor Inn & Resort
Gold: TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort  

Best Rental Management Company
Diamond:  360 Blue
Platinum: ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Gold: Southern Vacation Rentals

Best Bed and Breakfast
Diamond: Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse
Platinum: The Rosemary Beach Inn
Gold: The Seagrove Guest House

Best Beach Services Provider
Diamond: La Dolce Vita
Platinum: Jake’s Beach Service
Gold: Rent Gear Here