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.

Sort by: 9 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 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. Owl Café

    $$$

    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
    850-653–9888

    Known For

    • Varied menu, heavy on seafood
    • Large wine selection
    • Sunday brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations not accepted
  • 3. Angler's Beachside Bar & Grill

    $$

    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
    850-796–0260

    Known For

    • Sports bar fare plus fresh fish
    • Warm smoked tuna dip
    • Excellent Gulf views
  • 4. Another Broken Egg Café

    $$

    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
    850-279–4266

    Known For

    • Biscuit beignets
    • Great omelets
    • Modest prices

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 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 Bistro + Bar

    $$$

    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
    850-912–4655

    Known For

    • Truffle fries
    • Weekend brunch
    • Date-night dining
  • 7. 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
  • 8. Hopkins' Eatery

    $

    Locals in the know come to this counter-service spot for superb salads, homemade soups, and sandwiches. Opt for a chunky chicken melt, walnut gorgonzola salad, or garden vegetarian sub. The spearmint iced tea is a must-have, as is the chewy Congo Bar for dessert. A second location at 1660 North Monroe Street offers the same menu; a third location has also opened at 1208 Capital Circle SE.

    1415 Market St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
    850-668–0311

    Known For

    • Good salads and sandwiches
    • Spearmint iced tea
    • Cakes and pies

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., no dinner Sat.
  • 9. Magnolia Grill

    $$

    Known affectionately as "a museum that serves food," this restaurant is set in a 1910 house that's filled with photos and steeped in local history. Dine on seafood, traditional Italian dishes, or fabulous steaks. 

    157 Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA
    850-806–1892

    Known For

    • Off the beaten path
    • Quaint historical atmosphere
    • Surf and turf

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video