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Sleek but casual (covered-up swimsuits are allowed) and family-friendly, FOOW (which stands for Fish Out of Water) has exceptional food, service, and Gulf views. As the restaurant's name suggests, the menu is heavy on local seafood, and chefs work in an open kitchen creating the Southern specialties infused with international flavors.
34 Goldenrod Cir., Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 32549, USA
Known For
- Small seasonal menus utilizing mostly local fish, meat, and produce
- Water views from every seat
- Balcony and outdoor bar and patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and winter
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Since 1977 this authentic Irish pub has promised its patrons "feasting, imbibery, and debauchery" seven nights a week. A sense of humor pervades the place, evidenced by the range of prices on hamburgers—$10–$100 depending on whether you want it topped with cheddar or served with caviar and champagne. As for the "richness" of the decor—on the walls and ceiling are nearly $1 million in bills signed and dated by "Irishmen of all nationalities."
600 E. Gregory St., Pensacola, Florida, 32501, USA
Known For
- Large menu, including both meat and seafood
- Extensive wine cellar and cocktail list
- Home-brewed beer
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Located in a behemoth clapboard building on a prime downtown corner, this charming, old-fashioned, first-come-first-served, lunch-and-dinner spot pleases modern palates in both the white-linen-elegant dining room and on the colorful garden terrace. Later in the evening, the mood shifts, and the place becomes more of a casual lounge with a full bar. If there's not enough of a liquor selection for you, check out options from the wine cellar, which has 3,000 bottles from around the world. Right next door, on Commerce Street, is the Owl Tap Room, with 16 beers on tap and a pub-grub menu of appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches.
15 Ave. D, Apalachicola, Florida, 32320, USA
Known For
- Varied menu, heavy on seafood
- Large wine selection
- Sunday brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations not accepted
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Food Network star James Briscione and his wife, Brooke Parkhurst, returned to Pensacola to create Angelena's, named for the wife of a Sicilian immigrant who found success as a Pensacola produce merchant in the early 1880s. Today, the pair carries on the legacy of fresh, sustainable ingredients in this trendy Downtown hot spot.
101 E. Intendenicia St., Pensacola, Florida, 32502, USA
Known For
- Posh dining room and swanky bar
- Celebrity chef's modern twist on Italian favorites
- Sophisticated wine-pairing menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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Unless you sit in the water, you can't dine any closer to the Gulf than at this casual beachside bar and grill next to the Gulfarium and at the entrance to the Okaloosa Island Pier. Inside are tons of TVs broadcasting sports events (even in the elevators and bathrooms); outside, a volleyball net tempts diners onto the sands. Snack on nachos and quesadillas, sample fresh-catch dishes such as king crab and prawns, or try the smoked tuna dip, a lightly smoked yellowfin tuna dip served with warm, crisp tortilla strips. Saturday is an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548, USA
Known For
- Sports bar fare plus fresh fish
- Warm smoked tuna dip
- Excellent Gulf views
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Follow the line to this local-favorite breakfast-and-lunch retreat, one of six locations in Northwest Florida. Morning starts with platters of pancakes, waffles, and French toast with special twists like blackberry grits. More than a dozen styles of omelet include the "Hey Lucy" a Spanish omelet with chorizo, green chilis, onions and avocado. It's crowded for a reason.
4289 Legendary Dr., Destin, Florida, 32541, USA
Known For
- Biscuit beignets
- Great omelets
- Modest prices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Geographically speaking, this trendy spot is in Downtown Pensacola (on leafy Seville Square), but its cuisine is all over the map. Appetizers offer the most variety, with influences from all over the world; main courses are more American in character. You'll also find the fish of the day (blackened, grilled, or tempura-fried) and sushi, which is brought in from a local seafood market. Dine inside under a collection of Southern folk art or outside under café umbrellas and droopy oaks.
300 S. Alcaniz St., Pensacola, Florida, 32501, USA
Known For
- Wide variety of influences, including good sushi
- Locally caught seafood
- Comfy Southern setting both inside and out
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With its bright, airy atmosphere and seafood-heavy menu, Felix's brings New Orleans directly to Pensacola Beach. A large covered patio overlooks the Santa Rosa Sound.
400 Quietwater Beach Dr., Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA
Known For
- Fresh-shucked oysters
- New Orleans barbecue shrimp
- Bloody Marys
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Come one, come all, come hungry, and come at 11 am to witness the calm before the lunch storm. The wide-ranging menu of fish dishes is the bait, and each can be served in a variety of ways—ginger-crusted, grilled, blackened, pecan-crusted, or Pacific-grilled, which puts any dish over the top. Sushi also is on the menu, and be sure to save room for their selection of homemade desserts.
600 S. Barracks St., Pensacola, Florida, 32505, USA
Known For
- "Grits a Ya-Ya" (shrimp and cheese grits)
- Large wine list
- Great water views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No reservations
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This little hole-in-the-wall serves up big flavor, mostly in the form of fresh Gulf seafood with Creole flair (think: gumbo, shrimp and grits, étoufée, and po’boys). If you're not into seafood, try a gourmet burger, juicy steak, or creamy pasta. Nautical decor lends to the charm of this local haunt.
13486 Perdido Key Dr., Florida, 32507, USA
Known For
- Local haunt
- Charming nautical decor
- Everything made from scratch
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Chef George and wife Luba want you to feel like family at their chic bistro, where they say “South of France meets The South.” The menu features recipes from their travels, including super coffees and cocktails, as well as standout salads and sandwiches.
6205 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola, Florida, 32504, USA
Known For
- Truffle fries
- Weekend brunch
- Date-night dining
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This restaurant offers unforgettable views of Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay along with mouthwatering fresh local cuisine. Top-notch seafood shares the menu—printed daily—with specials.
400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, Florida, 32561, USA
Known For
- Fresh seafood and local oysters
- Breathtaking views
- Sophisticated atmosphere
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The food is as eclectic and comforting as the atmosphere at this locals' favorite, where you can dine alfresco or belly up to the bar and watch the magic happen in the open kitchen. The menu changes daily, but you can always count on a fusion of flavors. Save room for dessert: if you're lucky, pastry chef Sylvia Gould's beehive-shaped baked Alaska or toasted-coconut meringue layer cake will be on the menu.
921 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
Known For
- Fine food with a casual vibe
- Creative and colorful dishes
- To-die-for desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Although this old-school ice-cream parlor and candy shop serves salads, sandwiches, and other savory dishes, it's best known for its extensive menu of sodas, frappes, and egg creams and its generous brunches featuring classic waffles and omelets, as well as a homemade hash that is deliciously different. The ice-cream choices are delectable, and it's hard to take your eyes off the candy makers as they hand-craft the confections. Lofty also sells jigsaw puzzles, toys, and board games, which customers have been known to play while dining.
1355 Market St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32312, USA
Known For
- Classic soda fountain
- Candy made on-site
- Ice cream, brunch, and board games all in one place
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Touting itself as a “Crafty Southern Pub,” Union Public House pairs fresh ingredients with creative ideas, like the Scotch egg starter or the grouper and shrimp corndog; they’ve even been known to put gold flakes on fried chicken. You can also make your own “meat and two” by choosing a meat, two Southern sides, and a sauce.
309 S. Reus St., Pensacola, Florida, 32502, USA
Known For
- Sassy starters
- Savory main dishes
- Handcrafted cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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