Taste of Gulf Breeze brought together over 50 of the best food and drink vendors in the Gulf Breeze area with a sold-out crowd estimated to be over 1,200 attendees.
If you couldn’t score a ticket in time, you can still visit the vendors year-round. Here were some of the overwhelming crowd favorites, ranging from judges picks, to people’s choice, and where you can try them for yourself.
Salt Pensacola – Best Appetizer (Judge’s pick)
12 Via De Luna Drive
Escape to the Mediterranean coastline on a trip to Pensacola Beach through Salt, a hidden gem inside of Hilton Pensacola Beach, which opened in 2023. The restaurant features Gulf Coast cuisine, ranging from tapas style starters, to handhelds, flatbreads and signature plates. Try the Mediterranean dips sampler from Salt if you want to experience a taste of the Mediterranean, from the homemade dips, ranging from the crazy feta to the tzatziki with grilled pita.
The Thirsty Ranch – Best drink (judges’ pick and people’s choice)
Mobile
One of the Pensacola area’s trendiest mobile bar carts, The Thirsty Ranch has been making a big splash with cocktails crafted specifically to pair with the event where they are served. To lean into the fall season Thirsty Ranch whipped up favorites including a caramel apple butter mule, with caramel apple butter, lime ginger beer and vodka, as well as a hot honey cranberry margarita with hot honey cranberry syrup infused cranberry juice, lime and agave tequila.
While The Thirsty Ranch mainly performs catering, it does host monthly Crafted Social events with tickets for that are open for public purchase, allowing the community to get a taste.
Piazza Pizza and Beach Bodega – Best snack (judges’ pick)
5 Via De Luna Drive
Gulf Breeze was given a taste of Italy with Piazza on Pensacola Beach’s signature toasty paninis on homemade focaccia, showcasing Italian meats and cheeses. To try the Taste of Gulf Breeze feature, order the Italian panini loaded with salami, capicola, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, onions, tomatoes and Calabrian aioli. However, if you’re look for a more composed plate, try a build-your-own pasta bowl.
Glory to Glory Ice Cream – Best dessert (judges’ pick and peoples’ choice)
Mobile
Glory to Glory took home the judges’ pick and peoples choice awards for their elevated soft serve ice cream, including a variety of creative desserts, such as their award-winning Campfire Cone. The Campfire Cone comes with soft serve ice cream, milk and dark chocolate, graham cracker crumble, toasted marshmallow fluff served in a signature waffle cone or 12-ounce cup. Check Glory to Glory’s Facebook page for their locations
Sauce Boss Burger Co. – Best appetizer (peoples’ choice)
319 N. Tarragona St.
Sauce Boss Burger Co. took the crown for best appetizer, with quartered burgers with special sauce and homemade pickles. Sauce Boss specializes in waygu burgers and chicken sandwiches served with house homemade signature sauces, as the restaurant’s name suggests. Owner Eli Cook founded the truck in 2021 and has taken home a variety of awards ever since for signature burgers and a special burger of the month. Visit Sauce Boss outside of the Handlebar at 319 N. Tarragona St., where you can get classics, such as The Boss with hand-torn lettuce, thin-sliced sweet onions, house-brined pickle chips and the famed Boss Sauce.
Beach House Social Bar & Grill – Best snack (peoples’ choice)
8375 Gulf Blvd.
Beach House Social, one of Navarre’s most picturesque dining destinations, took home the prize for best snack serving up executive chef Andrew Suthers’ new umami, seasoned with white truffle oil, porcini mushroom dust and Grana Padano cheese from Italy. In November, the umami popcorn will likely replace bread service, where a boat of the special popcorn will be presented to patrons at the door, according to Suthers.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Taste of Gulf Breeze 2025 winners: Where to enjoy their award-winning dishes year-round
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
