The Panhandle Restaurants

An abundance of seafood is served at coastal restaurants: oysters, crab, shrimp, scallops, and a variety of fish. Of course, that's not all there is on the menu. This part of Florida still impresses diners with old-fashioned comfort foods such as meat loaf, fried chicken, beans and corn bread, okra, and fried green tomatoes. You'll also find small-town seafood shacks where you can dine on local favorites such as deep-fried mullet, cheese grits, coleslaw, and hush puppies. Restaurants, like resorts, vary their operating tactics off-season, so call first if visiting during winter months.

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  • 1. Firefly

    $$$$

    A white-light-adorned oak tree in the center of the dining room sets a warm, wistful tone at this casual fine-dining gem. The menu features fresh seafood (including a sushi bar) and Southern feel-good staples, all creatively plated. Diners typically rave about the personalized service.

    535 N. Richard Jackson Blvd., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32407, USA
    850-249–3359

    Known For

    • Inspired cuisine
    • Romantic atmosphere
    • Excellent service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 2. Angelena's Ristorante Italiano

    $$$$

    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
    850-542–8398

    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.
  • 3. Bud & Alley's

    $$$$

    Named for a pet cat and dog, this down-to-earth, beachside restaurant has been a local favorite for Gulf seafood and Southern classics since 1987, when Seaside had only 12 houses. You can also grab a quick bite at the taco and pizza bars, or head for the Roof Deck Bar to settle in with a cocktail and toast the sunset.

    2236 E. County Rd. 30A, Seaside, Florida, 32459, USA
    850-231–5900

    Known For

    • Seafood specialties like gumbo and barbecued head-on shrimp
    • Fresh, seasonal ingredients
    • Sunset views
  • 4. Café Thirty-A

    $$$$

    About 1½ miles east of Seaside and set in a beautiful Florida-style home with high ceilings and a wide veranda, this restaurant has an elegant look (think white-linen tablecloths) and impeccable service. The menu changes regularly and might include such entrées as pan-roasted grouper, sesame-crusted rare yellowfin tuna, or grilled filet mignon. Even if you if don't usually go for Southern food, try the appetizer of grilled Georgia quail with creamy grits. With nearly 20 creative varieties, the martini menu alone is worth the trip.

    3899 E. Scenic Hwy. 30A, Seagrove Beach, Florida, 32459, USA
    850-231–2166

    Known For

    • Excellent personal service
    • Lobster truffle mac and cheese
    • $6 martinis on Tini Tuesday and Thursday

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 5. Drift

    $$$$

    Just upstairs from Casino Beach Bar is Drift, a fine-dining venue with the best views on the beach. Enjoy an award-winning wine list, prime rib on Sundays, and sunset happy hours in a spectacular setting.

    41 Fort Pickens Rd., Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA
    850-733–7331

    Known For

    • Contemporary setting
    • Great surf or turf meals
    • Stellar views
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. George's

    $$$$

    George's has a well-deserved reputation for serving elegantly plated food in a casual setting. There's plenty of patio space for outdoor dining as well as an upstairs deck where you can enjoy a beer or wine while waiting to be seated. For ease in ordering, the menus have both lighter "behave" and more indulgent "misbehave" sections. Takes on fresh seafood are the stars, although steak and burgers are on the menu, too.

    30 Castle Harbour Dr., Rosemary Beach, Florida, 32461, USA
    850-641–0017

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood, steaks, and burgers
    • Pretty presentations
    • Comfortable outdoor dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No reservations
  • 7. Grand Marlin Restaurant and Oyster Bar

    $$$$

    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
    850-677–9153

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood and local oysters
    • Breathtaking views
    • Sophisticated atmosphere
  • 8. Marina Café

    $$$$

    A harbor view, impeccable service, and sophisticated fare create one of the finest dining experiences on the Emerald Coast. Selections include Gulf seafood; USDA steaks; gourmet pizzas; and Creole, Mediterranean, or Pan-Asian dishes. A special sushi menu is also available. The wine list is extensive, and happy hour runs from 5 to 7. An ocean motif is expressed in shades of aqua, green, and sand accented with marine tapestries and sea sculptures.

    404 Harbor Blvd., Destin, Florida, 32541, USA
    850-837–7960

    Known For

    • Fresh-caught seafood
    • Extensive wine list
    • Attentive service
  • 9. Restaurant IRON

    $$$$

    Contemporary treats—of both the food and cocktail varieties—abound at this hip, sleek gem on Pensacola's hottest Downtown strip. The menu's Southern and seafood favorites feature seasonal ingredients, modern preparation techniques, and artistic plating.

    22 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, Florida, 32502, USA
    850-476–7776

    Known For

    • Late-night dining on Friday and Saturday
    • Extensive, ambitious cocktail menu
    • Elegant setting
  • 10. The District

    $$$$

    This sophisticated steak house sits on the same street Andrew Jackson walked to meet the Spanish Governor Cavalla in order to transfer the territory to the United States in 1821. Contemporary furnishings in an old-world setting take you back in time, and the meat is aged as well. Enjoy traditional apps like shrimp cocktail or oysters Rockefeller before selecting your steak paired with sides such as lobster risotto or whipped Yukon golds.

    123 E. Government St., Pensacola, Florida, 32502, USA
    850-332–5224

    Known For

    • Dry-aged beef
    • Historic district location
    • Upstairs lounge

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

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