There are more good restaurants between Panama City Beach and Fort Walton Beach than anywhere in the world. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating just a little bit. But seriously, this part of Florida is known for its fabulous food. I'm SO excited to showcase the restaurants I consider to be the area's best! You probably won't find chain restaurants on my list. What's the point? Why go to a chain when there are so many one-of-a-kind options available? I sorted these alphabetically as to not play favorites. Enjoy!
This page was last updated on December 12, 2007.
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how to get there: From Destin, head east on Hwy 98. Take a left into the north entrance of Sandestin. Ask the person at the guard gate for specific directions. why you should go: This is the BEST place to get brunch on the Emerald Coast. what to order: Eggs benedict, obviously. Actually, everything I've tried is great. The cajun omelet is tasty. additional comments: You'll fork over a pretty penny, but it's worth it for special occasions. |
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how to get there: From Destin, head east on Hwy 98. Turn right on 30A and enjoy the scenic drive until you see Basmati's on the right. why you should go: I can honestly say I haven't eaten at Basmati's yet. However, a good friend of mine is a "food snob" like myself and promises it's fantastic. Therefore, it makes my list... for now. Should I visit in the future and feel differently, it will be removed. what to order: I couldn't tell you. Try something and get back with me. additional comments: I really need to visit this restaurant, don't I? |
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how to get there: There's a light at the entrance to Destin Commons on Hwy 98. Turn south at that light onto Crystal Beach Drive. It will dead-end at Scenic Hwy 98 and you'll see the Inn at Crystal Beach right in front of you. Beach Walk Cafe is located on the bottom floor of that condo. why you should go: It's the best restaurant in all of the Emerald Coast. No, I'm not kidding. Chef Tim Creehan has catered weddings for celebrities... that's how good he is. This is a fine dining restaurant and the prices reflect that, but it's so worth what you'll pay. what to order: Start with the crab cakes appetizer, followed by the pecan-crusted grouper. You absolutely must save room for dessert: the white chocolate banana cream pie. additional comments: Oh my gosh. You'll never want the meal to end. You will dream about it for months. Also, the restaurant is beautifully decorated and right on the Gulf of Mexico. Talk about a view! |
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how to get there: From Destin, head west on Hwy 98. After crossing the Brooks Bridge, turn left at the second light. Follow the road back around and Big City Bistro will be on your right. why you should go: Delicious food in a big city-style atmosphere. what to order: Their salads and fish are great. additional comments: I know my directions are confusing. You may want to call ahead for clarification. |
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how to get there: From Hwy 98, take 395 south. When you get to 30A, turn left. Bruno's is located in the heart of Seagrove Beach, in a strip mall on the north side of 30A. why you should go: Best hand-tossed pizza ever. what to order: Any of their pizzas are awesome, but I tend to go for plain cheese or the "white" pizza. If you do get toppings, prepare to be impressed. They use HUGE toppings. Like, real veggies... not that frozen junk some places use. For example, if you order the supreme, you will have to use a knife and fork to eat it, because there's no way your hands will handle it. additional comments: This is another "hole in the wall" joint. As with Theo's, if you can't get over the decor, order take-out. |
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how to get there: From Hwy 98 (near Destin Commons), go south on Hutchinson St. When you reach Scenic Hwy 98, turn right and you'll see Camille's immediately on the right. why you should go: Intimate atmosphere... romantic and cozy, yet chic. Great food and service. what to order: Sushi and the famous gumbo. additional comments: Camille's is right across the street from the Gulf and they have a lot of windows. Try to arrive in time to watch the sunset.. |
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how to get there: From Hwy 98, go south on 283. Turn left at 30A and you'll see Criolla's on your right pretty soon. why you should go: I can honestly say I haven't eaten at Criolla's yet. However, a good friend of mine is a "food snob" like myself and promises it's fantastic. Therefore, it makes my list... for now. Should I visit in the future and feel differently, it will be removed. what to order: I couldn't tell you. Try something and get back with me. additional comments: I really need to visit this restaurant, don't I? |
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how to get there: It's located on the south side of Hwy 98, about 5 minutes east of the Silver Sands Factory Stores. why you should go: The restaurant is pretty, the food is divine, and the owners are lovely people. what to order: Croque Monsieur or Fresh Tuna Burger. additional comments: This place is simply wonderful. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed French food until I experienced Fabrice. Try it... it'll be one of your new favorites. |
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how to get there: From Destin, head east on Hwy 98. Take a left into the north entrance of Sandestin. Ask the person at the guard gate for specific directions. why you should go: The food is out of this world, the atmosphere is simply cool, and the artwork is all for sale. Sometimes you can even enjoy live jazz or blues. what to order: You can't go wrong with the fish. I think the herb-crusted grouper is the best (the menu says snapper, but I order it with grouper instead). The veal marsala is to die for. Oh, and I love the house dressing on the salad! additional comments: Two of my favorite local artists (Andy Saczynski and Justin Gaffrey) have artwork in Graffiti. Ask your server to point them out on the walls. All the artwork is for sale! |
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how to get there: It's located in a strip mall across from the Destin Harbor. why you should go: The food is great and the atmosphere is funky. Sometimes you can even enjoy live jazz or blues. what to order: Their seafood is good and the pizza is worth talking about. Save room for dessert, because the tirimisu is extraordinary. additional comments: Graffiti is very similar to the Red Bar, only with a larger menu. |
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how to get there: It's located directly on the harbor, not too far east of the Destin bridge. Right across from Hog's Breath. why you should go: Harbor Docks has the best sushi in the area. what to order: I go strictly for the sushi. Best rolls include: DAT, Cowboy, Crunchy Shrimp, and Fried Fish. It can take awhile for the sushi to be prepared, so I usually start with a ginger salad and some crab poppers. additional comments: This is a great place to catch the sunset, since it's right on the harbor. I feel I need to explain something about Harbor Docks. It is like two restaurants in one. DON'T go to the left side, because you'll be disappointed. DO go to the right side, which is where the hibachi tables are located. Trust me. If you go with a big group, keep in mind that they won't do separate checks. I have no idea why and it's REALLY annoying. So, bottom line: go with a small group, only go to the right side, and pretty much only order sushi. You'll be glad you did. |
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how to get there: Read the driving directions for Harbor Docks (see above). Hog's Breath is right across the street. why you should go: Not too many options for good BBQ in this area. what to order: Pulled pork sandwich and potato salad. Yum. additional comments: I like to eat outside when the weather's nice. |
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how to get there: From Destin, head east on Hwy 98. Take a left into the north entrance of Sandestin. Ask the person at the guard gate for specific directions. why you should go: First, the Village of Baytowne Wharf is a fun place to go. Second, good BBQ is hard to find in this area. what to order: Pulled pork sandwich, of course. additional comments: This is probably the least expensive meal option in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. |
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how to get there: Just before the Destin bridge (east side), you'll see McGuire's on the north side of Hwy 98. why you should go: They have live music from a guy singing Irish tunes, their food is good, and the upstairs outdoor deck has a nice view of the Destin harbor. what to order: The prime rib, a steak, or a burger. Also, their fresh baked bread and root beer, both made in-house, are quite tasty. additional comments: If the weather is nice, you should definitely sit on the deck upstairs... great place to watch the sunset. |
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how to get there: You should probably call for directions. why you should go: I can honestly say I haven't eaten at Mulhollow's yet. However, a good friend of mine is a "food snob" like myself and promises it's fantastic. Therefore, it makes my list... for now. Should I visit in the future and feel differently, it will be removed. what to order: I couldn't tell you. Try something and get back with me. additional comments: I really need to visit this restaurant, don't I? |
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how to get there: From Destin, head west on Hwy 98. Just before the Brooks Bridge, turn left on Santa Rosa Blvd. You'll see the Old Bay Steamer almost immediately on your right. why you should go: The atmosphere is very hip and the food is great. There's a Gulf view from the upstairs dining area. what to order: The crab & shrimp platter. Now, these are Snow Crabs, so they're obviously not caught locally. But it's so good, I don't care. Oh, a salad comes with your meal. It's honestly one of the best salads I've ever had. Get the house dressing (actually, they might not offer any other dressings). additional comments: You might have to wait awhile to be seated, but it's worth the wait. |
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how to get there: From Hwy 98, go south on 395. When you reach 30A, turn left. Soon, 30A will divide - keep left. Go over a small bridge, then look to your left. You'll see a sign for the Old Florida Fish House - turn left on that street. Almost immediately, you'll make a left into the parking lot. It's a little confusing to find the first time you go, so you might want to arrive before sunset. why you should go: It's... enchanting. The exterior of the building will remind you of "Old Florida" (live oaks with spanish moss, the sound of tree frogs, etc). Once you go inside, you'll realize it's more than you imagined. No detail was overlooked when this classy restaurant was designed. what to order: Start with the crab and corn bisque, order the crab-stuffed grouper as your entree, and save room for the creme brulee cheesecake as your dessert. Oh, and the sushi is awesome. additional comments: Request to sit by the fountain. Go on a night with live music for an extra special treat. |
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how to get there: From Hwy 98, go south on 283. Cross 30A and keep going straight until the road dead-ends and you're forced to turn left on Hotz. You'll see The Red Bar on the right side of the road. why you should go: Everything about The Red Bar screams COOL. Live music, chalk board menus, red lights, posters on the wall and ceiling, etc. what to order: Either the shrimp/scallop pasta or the chicken. When they offer crab cakes, consider yourself lucky and order them. additional comments: Dress sexy and leave the kids at home. Don't get me wrong, kids are welcome... but this is a hot date location. Also, go early or prepare to wait for a table. They are always busy... well, maybe not November-February. But the rest of the year they're constantly packed. |
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how to get there: From the Silver Sands outlet mall, head west on Hwy 98... but just for a minute! Royal Orchid is located in a strip mall on the south side of 98. why you should go: The food is phenomenal and the atmosphere is cooler than you would expect in a strip mall. what to order: Satay for an appetizer. If you want soup, try Tom Kha Gai. For your entree, try either Gan Ped Gai (order Thai hot only if you're insane) or Moo Yang. Their Fried Rice is wonderful. I like the Pad Thai, but I ask for it without the ground peanuts because I don't like the texture. additional comments: They have cool tables where you sit at floor level and your feet go below the floor. Hard to explain, but you'll understand when you get there. |
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how to get there: At the light at Smith's Antiques (on Hwy 98), go south. When you dead-end at Old Hwy 98, turn left. Theo's is located in a strip mall just after the Bad Ass Coffee Shop (yes, it's really called that). why you should go: Best thin-crust pizza ever. I think it's called "St Louis" style. Whatever, I don't care what style it is. It's awesome. what to order: Go with the sweet sauce. I mean, all their sauces are good. But the sweet sauce is what makes them stand out. additional comments: This is what some might call a "hole in the wall" joint. When you first walk in, you might feel scared or think I'm crazy for recommending it. Just chill. Try the pizza. You'll love it. If you can't get over the decor, then order take-out. Just eat the pizza, okay? |