The Panhandle Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Panhandle - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Flora-Bama Yacht Club

    $$

    Drive, boat, or paddleboard to this waterfront, open-air eatery that serves mainly seafood dishes, as well as a few salads, steaks, and sandwiches. Stay for the live music on the beach, or head over to the Flora-Bama bar if you’re in the mood for a wild night out.

    17350 Perdido Key Dr., Florida, 32507, USA
    850-483–6272

    Known For

    • Gulf oysters, chargrilled or raw
    • Live music
    • Family-friendly vibe
  • 2. Apalachicola Seafood Grill

    $$

    At the only traffic light in downtown Apalachicola you'll find a place serving a fish sandwich so massive that it's way too big for its bun. Established in 1903, this restaurant is where locals come for lunches and dinners of blue-crab cakes, seafood gumbo, grouper, or shrimp. The service is ultra casual (think Styrofoam box), and the decor is iconic diner with hints of seaside kitsch.

    100 Market St., Apalachicola, Florida, 32320, USA
    850-653–9510

    Known For

    • Fresh fish, prepared grilled, blackened, or fried
    • Lunch specials
    • Iconic diner vibes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 3. Billy's Oyster Bar and Crab House

    $$

    Join the throng of locals who really know their seafood, roll up your sleeves, and dig into some of the Gulf's finest blue crabs or shrimp—all seasoned to perfection. Gumbo, crawfish, fish tacos, sandwiches, and burgers are also on the menu. Don’t be in a hurry, though; this is a beach experience to savor, and service is strictly first come, first served.

    3000 Thomas Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408, USA
    850-235–2349

    Known For

    • No-frills local hangout
    • Fresh Gulf seafood
    • Billy's special spice blend

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 4. 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
  • 5. Capt. Anderson's Restaurant & Waterfront Market

    $$$

    Since 1967, Capt. Anderson’s has been serving local seafood while working to protect the fragile coastal economy. Come early for dinner—not only to watch the boats unload the catch of the day, but also to beat the crowds at this landmark, family-friendly restaurant, which, despite having 725 seats, can still fill up. 

    5551 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408, USA
    850-234–2225

    Known For

    • Views of fishing fleet
    • Large selection of fresh seafood and steaks
    • Greek specialties

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurant

    $$

    Reaching this beloved eatery run by descendants of Destin's original fishing families is a bit of an adventure, but the seafood and the setting—in a shack that juts over the water and has excellent Choctawhatchee Bay views—are well worth the trip along a gravel road and through an industrial area. If you prefer a larger, more traditional restaurant, Dewey Destin's Harborside, which has a longer menu and serves both lunch and dinner, is less than a mile away.

    9 Calhoun Ave., Destin, Florida, 32541, USA
    850-837–7575

    Known For

    • Casual atmosphere (wait staff sometimes goes barefoot)
    • Fresh, simple seafood—steamed, grilled, or fried
    • Over-the-water location

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 7. Fish House

    $$$

    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
    850-470–0003

    Known For

    • "Grits a Ya-Ya" (shrimp and cheese grits)
    • Large wine list
    • Great water views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No reservations
  • 8. Flounder's Chowder and Ale House

    $$

    The wide and peaceful sound-side spreads out before you at this casual restaurant where, armed with a fruity libation, you're all set for a night of "floundering" at its best. Funkiness comes courtesy of an eclectic collection of objets d'art; tastiness is served in specialties such as seafood nachos and the shrimp-boat platter.

    800 Quietwater Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, Florida, 32561, USA
    850-932–2003

    Known For

    • Flounder chowder
    • Live entertainment nightly in season
    • Gulf-inspired cocktails like the mighty Diesel Fuel, served in a giant Mason jar
  • 9. 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
  • 10. Indian Pass Raw Bar

    $$

    To feast on oysters that "slept in the bay last night," head 18 miles west of Apalachicola to this unique coastal seafood shack. The menu consists primarily of oysters, shrimp, and crab legs served raw, steamed, stuffed, or baked—nothing fried here—but there's also seafood gumbo, burgers, and hot dogs. Beer and other drinks are on the honor system, so grab what you need, and spend time on the porch listening to live music and making friends. Chances are you will have to wait, because this place is that popular.

    8391 CR 30-A, Apalachicola, Florida, 32456, USA
    850-227–1670

    Known For

    • Come-as-you-are dress code
    • Fresh oysters
    • Self-serve beer

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 11. Paddy's Raw Bar

    $$

    Paddy's is the place locals will tell you about if they like you. Tucked away on the bayside of St. George, it's got the casual vibe of a beach shack with lots of outdoor seating. Even the indoor bar and tables bring the outside in—dogs and swimsuits are welcome. Raw oysters are king here, but be sure to try one of the chef's creative specials, like Captain Clint's spicy Big Fish SGI: oysters steamed with jalapeño, Parmesan, and Old Bay seasoning.

    240 3rd St. E, St. George Island, Florida, 32328, USA
    850-927–2299

    Known For

    • Oysters, raw or creatively cooked
    • Dog-friendly
    • Live music
  • 12. Red Fish Blue Fish

    $$

    Known locally as “the best backyard on the beach,” this open-air establishment was built from sustainable materials including shipping containers and reclaimed wood from an old Coca-Cola warehouse. Bring the kids, bring the dog, and enjoy this grassy spot on the sound side of the beach.

    5B Via de Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA
    850-677–8899

    Known For

    • Fresh-cut fries
    • Outdoor dining
    • Lawn games

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 13. Schooners

    $$

    The food at this beachfront spot is far from fancy, but it’s good and fresh, the beer is cold, and sunsets are celebrated with a cannon blast. It's a good family place for lunch or an early dinner; kids can have burgers and play on the beach while Mom and Dad enjoy grown-up drinks and gumbo, steak, burgers, crab-stuffed shrimp, or fresh grouper.

    5121 Gulf Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408, USA
    850-235–3555

    Known For

    • Awesome views
    • Basic burgers and seafood menu
    • Lively but laid-back atmosphere
  • 14. The Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe

    $$

    At the island's only restaurant on the beach, you'll feel as if you're sneaking in the back door as you climb the side stairs leading to an outdoor deck overlooking the Gulf. The food is hard to beat if you're looking for fresh seafood and a casual atmosphere. Baskets of shrimp, oysters, and crab cakes—fried or char-grilled and served with fries—are more than one person can handle. The place is packed during the summer high season, so service may be a little slow. And if you're in the mood for fun in the sun, Jet Ski rentals are available onsite.

    68 W. Gorrie Dr., St. George Island, Florida, 32328, USA
    850-927–2987

    Known For

    • Baskets of fried and grilled seafood
    • Creative tiki drinks
    • Gulf views
  • 15. The Gulf

    $$

    Constructed of stacked shipping containers that have been painted bright azure, this is a great kid- and dog-friendly place to enjoy mojitos and seasonal seafood. Much of the restaurant is outdoors—the better to soak in the Choctawhatchee Bay views—with lounging couches and a patch of sand; simply order at the counter, and your meal is brought to you. There's another location just over the Alabama border in Orange Beach.

    1284 Marler Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548, USA
    850-387–1300

    Known For

    • Boat access
    • Daily happy hour
    • Shrimp tacos
  • 16. The Point

    $$

    Since 1955, this dive restaurant has been serving some of the area’s best fried mullet—try it before you knock it. Enjoy live bands and a full bar under the oak trees after you have one of the best seafood dinners around.

    14340 Innerarity Point Rd., Florida, 32507, USA
    850-492–3577

    Known For

    • Low-key atmosphere
    • Fried mullet
    • Creamy shrimp and crab bisque

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

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