Adding some welcome diversity and thematic dining to Santa Rosa Beach’s restaurant scene, Farm & Fire combines awesome ambiance and a killer location with exciting eats and drinks: well worth giving a try on a visit to Florida’s Emerald Coast.
Farm & Fire boasts a fantastic spot right along Choctawhatchee Bay, overlooking the Highway 331 bridge. The views from the outdoor seating area (and from the restaurant’s sister establishment downstairs, the beach bar North Beach) are fantastic, reason enough to check the place out.
Fortunately, both the atmosphere and the menu at Farm & Fire back up the perfection of the bayfront H.Q. The white-washed multi-level exterior and the elegant, warmly lit interior both hit the mark, the Choctawhatchee backdrop notwithstanding.
The restaurant roughly divides its offerings between “Fire,” “Market,” and “Speakeasy” themes. The “Fire” side of the equation is the star of the show, powered along by the 800-degree anthracite coal ovens that provide the foundation of the establishment’s kitchen.
The ovens churn out the pizzas at the heart of Farm & Fire’s offerings. These 12-inch pies include a wide array of creatively topped preparations, among them Chicken Pesto, Meatballs & Ricotta, and Prosciutto & Arugula, as well as a build-your-own option.
But other entrées come out of that fiery treatment, too, including the local-catch Whole Roasted Fish (nested atop an arugula and shaved-fennel salad) and the Coal-Fired 8-oz. Filet, paired with roasted fingerlings, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus.
For the “Market” items and the veggies here in general, Farm & Fire sources as much produce as possible from local farms. There’s an extensive lineup of salads showcasing this bounty, plus a laden cheese-and-charcuterie board, roasted-nuts plate, and other fine lighter fare.
The Coal Oven Starters are definitely worth kicking off your meal with, from the wings (more on those showstoppers later), the Oven Roasted Clams, and the tasty cauliflower and Brussels sprouts roasted with pine nuts and spices.
The stylish desserts here include Tiramisu, Key Lime Pie (naturally), and a unique spin on the latter: Blood Orange Pie.
We certainly would be remiss not sketching out the “Speakeasy” options here. Farm & Fire’s skilled bartenders whip up a mean array of specialty cocktails, including a great Southern Sazerac, the Turmeric Sour, Nick Carraway’s Arnold Palmer, the Hibiscus Cucumber Cosmo, and the Ginger Pistachio Daiquiri.
Draft beers—including a great selection of local and regional craft brews—and wines round out the boozy end of the spectrum, while non-alcoholic beverages include various fountain drinks and kombucha.
Now, time to zero in on some absolute menu highlights at Farm & Fire:
Sushi Rolls
Farm & Fire has plenty of Sushi options! Where you like traditional rolls like the California Roll or Spicy Crunchy Shrimp Roll or prefer something more adventurous, you are sure to find options that suit your fancy here. The Steel Fox Roll with ginger fried shrimp is a crowd favorite for those that like a little spice.
Margherita Pizza
Definitely worth trying out some of the more complicated and creative toppings of the Farm & Fire pizzas, but it’s hard to top the simple perfection of a Margherita. The sliced tomatoes, fresh mozz, basil, and olive oil make for artfully modest accouterments that let you really taste the char from the oven. *Pizza menu changes frequently.
Burrata Caprese
We’re a fan of this lush salad, great to pair with pizza or another main course or simply to serve as a light bite in and of itself. Local arugula combines with roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, and pine nuts under an olive oil/balsamic dressing to hit the refreshing (and healthy) spot.
Rabid Fox Ale
A definite highlight of the Speakeasy menu at Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria is the Rabid Fox Ale, exclusively brewed for the restaurant and its sister establishments by the local Oyster City Brewing Company. This light blonde ale, with its subtle notes of hop and orange peel, has sessionability written all over it, and tastes mighty perfect on one of those hot summer days the Emerald Coast specializes in.
Come for those bay-scape views, stay for the zesty eats and drinks at Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria!
Insider Tips:
-The 12-inch size of the pizzas at Farm & Fire means that you should expect to buy several if you’re coming here with a family crew or other large group.
-Time your meal at Farm & Fire for sunset if at all possible: That’s when the Choctawhatchee Bay vista from the place reaches its scenic pinnacle.