Two men pose and smile in front of a light blue building on a sunny day; one wears a black shirt, the other a light pink shirt with sunglasses hanging from his neck.
White beachside building with large windows, an upper deck, palm trees, and a sandy area in the foreground under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A woman holds a large fish in front of her face and puckers her lips as if to kiss it, with the ocean in the background.
Two workers construct the wooden roof of a round, open pavilion supported by tall posts near the coast, with ladders and tools visible on site.

Our Story

Thirty-nine years and counting, Seaside’s beloved restaurant and beach-front bar are still making waves. Seaside is one of those places that draws us back time and again to rest, rejuvenate, and create memories with family and friends.

Granted the white sandy beach and turquoise waters deserve credit, but surely another major draw is Bud & Alley’s, the town’s oldest restaurant and favorite gathering spot. Depending on your appetite or mood, Bud & Alley’s strikes the perfect balance between fine dining and simply having a fine time. It’s a beloved institution that has helped make Seaside what it is today.

It’s amazing that a restaurant founded by two 24-year-old surfing buddies and named for a cat and dog in a town with only twelve houses would establish such an enduring legacy. From the beginning, Bud & Alley’s hit the right chord and has maintained an intensely faithful following ever since.

A woman in a white dress stands by a garden bed with flowering plants, pointing while talking on a corded phone near a white building and outdoor chairs.

“Back then Seaside was really in the middle of nowhere,” recalls owner Dave Rauschkolb. The fledgling community was on the way to a surf spot when Scott Witcoski asked Dave to stop and see town founder Robert Davis, who was looking to open a restaurant. Scott was already an accomplished chef at 24, having honed his skills at his father’s restaurant in Destin. Dave had worked his way through college waiting tables and bartending. With their combined experience and friendship, the pair opened their own restaurant in Seaside.

“We had laughed when Scott said we should name the restaurant after Robert’s dachshund Bud and Scott’s cat Alley,” recalls Dave. A month later, facing a phone book deadline, Robert’s secretary said she liked the name. “It seemed crazy at the time, but it was the perfect personification of what we would become; a casual, unpretentious eatery with great food.”

Dave oversaw the front of house while Scott served as founding chef. After almost 20 years, Scott sold his interests to pursue art, photography, fishing and surfing. Dave took over and continues to strike the balance between serious kitchen and casual gulf-front setting, offering panhandle classics paired with Southern cuisine that expresses Seaside perfectly.

Two men stand side by side on a wooden deck between two white buildings, both casually dressed in jeans and sneakers.
“Back then Seaside was really in the middle of nowhere.”
– Dave Rauschkolb
A group of people in patriotic clothing ride in a convertible decorated with American flags and streamers during a parade.

The Rooftop Bar and recently expanded Sky Deck offer classic waterfront views of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the world. Tourists and locals pop in after swimming for cocktails, whether in wet bathing suits or evening attire. The Rooftop Bar is “the place” to be at sunset, where a cast-iron bell from an 1888 steam train is rung each day to honor the sunset—a beloved Seaside tradition.

“Robert Davis has assured me that Bud & Alley’s will be in Seaside for many years to come,” says Dave. So count on things remaining constant—fresh local seafood, ice-cold cocktails, friendly atmosphere, and tee shirts with the original cat and dog logo. “Our motto from day one has been Good Food, Good People, Good Times,” Dave proudly states, “And it still rings true 25 years later.”

Outdoor restaurant with white tables and chairs surrounds a gazebo overlooking the ocean at sunset, with diners seated inside and people walking along the beach in the background.
A man in a light blue shirt smiles while standing at a bar, with shelves of bottles and hanging glasses in the background.
A surfer wearing a red and blue shirt rides a wave on the ocean, crouching low on the surfboard as water splashes around.

Our Press

Florida’s 17 Most Legendary Restaurants

“Bud & Alley’s is an iconic oceanfront eatery along Highway 30A. Founded by a couple of 24-year-old surfing buddies (and named for a cat and dog in a town that only boasted twelve houses at the time), it was the first restaurant and watering hole to open in Seaside. It’s still serving up its beloved crab cakes today. Take in the sunset from the rooftop bar with epic views.”

Read More

Press

Videos

Play Video

BeachTV - Breakfast on the Gulf Coast - What’s for Breakfast?

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VIE Speaks - Surfing, Loving Life, and Championing for Good

Awards & Recognition

  • Visit South Walton’s Perfect in South Walton Awards

    Best Seafood Menu 2015 (Top Finalist)
    Best Gulf to Table Menu 2015 (People’s Choice)
    Best Sunset View 2015 (Grand Champion)
    Best Place to Have Lunch 2022 (Platinum)

  • Best of the Emerald Coast Awards

    Best Place to Watch a Sunset 2018
    Best Tuna Dip 2021
    Best Waterfront Restaurant 2022

  • Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award – 2021

    Awarded by the Walton County Tourist Department to owner Dave Rauschkolb for his contributions to the local hospitality industry.

  • Florida Public Relations Association ‘Community Person of the Year’ – 2013

    Awarded to Dave Rauschkolb, recognized as a professional who has made a significant contribution within the field of public relations and has enriched the well-being of the community.

Careers

We’re constantly needing positions filled, from bar tenders, servers, dishwashers, etc. Fill out the form below and we will get back to you.

Four chefs in a commercial kitchen prepare food together, surrounded by hanging utensils and cooking equipment.
A woman in a white chef's coat carries a tray of grilled eggplant slices in a commercial kitchen, with knives hanging on the wall behind her.
Careers