Who doesn’t love breakfast? Which then leads to the question, who doesn’t love Native Cafe — a Pensacola Beach staple. In the lead up to their Native 2.0 two year anniversary, we thought it was time to take our food crush team to enjoy this Pensacola tradition.
The family-owned restaurant has been around for over 15 years and two years ago they doubled in size. The beach cafe welcomed a handful of new additions such as a wrap around bar, hostess and waiting area, merchandise wall, coffee bar, loads of new artwork and larger tables that can accommodate the entire family or the entire Local Pulse Food Crush Team. On this breakfast outing we thought it was only necessary to invite the one and only Robbie Lofty Schrock, Director or Administration, Santa Rosa Island Authority.
Voted the best breakfast restaurant in Pensacola by the local community, Native Cafe is the place to get fueled up before a long day of surf, sun and sand. Here’s what we ordered:
Bloody Mary’s, Screwdrivers and the best coffee of the beach
If you’re more of a liquid breakfast person, you’ve come to the right place. Native offers a full bar and specialty cocktails, including one of the best Bloody Marys on the beach and don’t skip their new coffee drink menu. Native offers their own special Native blend coffee made locally by De Luna Coffee and a brand new coffee menu full of cold brew beverages from Mrs. Jones coffees and an espresso machine for the extra sleepy.
It’s all about the sweets
Stuffed French toast, made-from-scratch pancakes and the toppings to satisfy every sweet tooth. Let’s start with the stuffed French toast which includes two pieces of cinnamon-vanilla French toast stuffed with cream cheese dusted with powdered sugar topped with berries and berry syrup and served with one side (hash browns, grits, bacon, ham, or sausage). We recommend ordering your bacon extra crispy and not worrying if it the maple syrup makes it’s way on over to the bacon.
Native Cafe is known for their pancakes. Why? Because their made-from-scratch recipe is a secret family recipe from Mama Joyce herself and, rumor has it, their blueberry compote topping is made by Pensacola Beach mermaids themselves. They are fluffy, they are stackable and they are by far the best in town. Order a stack, or at the very least, a table pancake is a necessity. P.S. – you can order their pancakes gluten free and I promise you won’t even miss the gluten!
It’s not breakfast without a Benny!
Known for their hollandaise sauce you can’t go wrong with any of the Native Benny orders. Luke went with the classic eggs Benny and swears by their hollandaise sauce saying it is by far ‘the best in town.’
- Classic Eggs Benny -Toasted English muffin topped with Canadian bacon & 2 poached eggs covered in Native Cafe’s famous hollandaise.
- Eggs Benedict Arnold -Big of biscuit topped with 2 fried eggs & choice of bacon, ham, or sausage covered in made from scratch white gravy.
- Crab Cakes Benny – Toasted English muffin topped with 2 crab cakes & 2 poached eggs covered in Native Cafe’s famous hollandaise.
Huevos Nativos
Native’s take on the classic Mexican Breakfast Huevos Rancheros. 2 eggs your way served with 2 corn tortillas, salsa, sour cream & choice of 1 side (hash browns, grits, bacon, ham, or sausage.) The corn tortillas are something special, especially when paired with their homemade salsa and house made hot sauce that’s available for purchase. Our insider tip, don’t skip a side of their homemade black beans which really pulls this dish together.
Gulf Coast Seafood Omelette
As a beach restaurant, of course you’re going to find some seafood on the menu and we recommend the seafood omelette. Stuffed with grilled fish, shrimp, crab meat & shredded cheese topped with remoulade sauce and green onions — there’s a lot to love here.
There is no better place to grab breakfast on Pensacola Beach and while the food is top notch, the best part about Native Cafe is the people behind it. The Brown family honors their community, their team and all the natives who visit them. And THAT is their secret ingredient to success. Thank you to the Native team for having us and we will be back real soon!
