How Bud & Alley’s grew from a surf-town dream into Seaside’s enduring gathering place
By Zandra Wolfgram
At Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant, the ritual is familiar. The sun lowers toward the Gulf, glasses are raised and a bell rings from above, marking another day shared. For 40 years, that simple moment has defined Bud & Alley’s — not just as a restaurant, but as a place where Seaside gathers.
Founded by Dave Rauschkolb and Scott Witcoski, two 24-year-old surfing buddies with more enthusiasm than experience, Bud & Alley’s opened at a time when Seaside itself was just beginning to take shape. Few could have predicted that a casual beachfront restaurant in a town with barely a dozen houses would become one of Northwest Florida’s most enduring culinary landmarks.
The name itself reflected the founders’ lighthearted approach. Witcoski named the restaurant after his cat, Alley, and Seaside founder Robert Davis’ dachshund, Bud — a playful beginning that hinted at the welcoming spirit to come. From the outset, Bud & Alley’s was designed to feel approachable, unpretentious and deeply rooted in its surroundings.
As Seaside grew, Bud & Alley’s grew with it. What began as a simple Gulf-front restaurant evolved thoughtfully over time, helping pioneer the farm- and sea-to-table movement along Scenic Highway 30A while maintaining its relaxed, come-as-you-are feel. Fresh regional seafood, carefully sourced ingredients and consistent quality earned the restaurant a loyal following that now spans generations.
“For me, this milestone is really about gratitude,” Rauschkolb said. “I’m thankful for our dedicated staff, past and present, whose talent and commitment define this place every day. I’m grateful to my founding partner, Scott, to my wife, Carol, and our daughters for their constant support, and especially to the generations of loyal patrons who have gathered here with their families — and now their grandchildren. Bud & Alley’s has always been about good food, good people and times.”
Today, Bud & Alley’s continues to serve as a central gathering place. The Taco Bar and The Pizza Bar now operate under the same roof as the original Bud & Alley’s, allowing guests to move easily between concepts while remaining connected to the same sense of place. Whether stopping in for tacos, wood-fired pizza or a sunset toast, visitors experience a seamless extension of the Bud & Alley’s ethos.
Beyond daily dining, Bud & Alley’s has become known for its role in community traditions. Signature events — from wine dinners and New Year’s Eve celebrations to music-filled evenings tied to the 30A Songwriters Festival — help define the social rhythm of Seaside, many while supporting local nonprofits and causes.
Over the years, Bud & Alley’s has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including Florida Trend magazine’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame Award; designation as one of the Top 20 Restaurants in Florida; Coastal Living magazine’s Best Rooftop Bars; Emerald Coast Magazine’s Best Place to See the Sunset; and Visit South Walton’s Perfect in South Walton Awards for Best Seafood Menu and Best Sunset View, among others. In 2024, Bud & Alley’s was named to Southern Living’s “17 Most Legendary Restaurants in Florida” list.
As part of its 40th anniversary, Bud & Alley’s is marking the milestone with a redesigned website and a special anniversary logo featuring a golden banner. A public celebration is planned for the spring.
Four decades on, as the sun dips low and the bell rings once more, Bud & Alley’s remains what it has always been — a place to gather, to celebrate and to return to, again and again.
