-
$$ | |
Drive, boat, or paddleboard to this waterfront, open-air eatery that serves mainly seafood dishes, as well as a few salads, steaks, and sandwiches. Stay for the live music on the beach, or head over to the Flora-Bama bar if you’re in the mood for a wild night out.
17350 Perdido Key Dr., Florida, 32507, USA
Known For
- Gulf oysters, chargrilled or raw
- Live music
- Family-friendly vibe
-
$$$ | |
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
-
$$ | |
Unless you sit in the water, you can't dine any closer to the Gulf than at this casual beachside bar and grill next to the Gulfarium and at the entrance to the Okaloosa Island Pier. Inside are tons of TVs broadcasting sports events (even in the elevators and bathrooms); outside, a volleyball net tempts diners onto the sands. Snack on nachos and quesadillas, sample fresh-catch dishes such as king crab and prawns, or try the smoked tuna dip, a lightly smoked yellowfin tuna dip served with warm, crisp tortilla strips. Saturday is an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548, USA
Known For
- Sports bar fare plus fresh fish
- Warm smoked tuna dip
- Excellent Gulf views
-
$$ | |
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
-
$$ | |
At the only traffic light in downtown Apalachicola you'll find a place serving a fish sandwich so massive that it's way too big for its bun. Established in 1903, this restaurant is where locals come for lunches and dinners of blue-crab cakes, seafood gumbo, grouper, or shrimp. The service is ultra casual (think Styrofoam box), and the decor is iconic diner with hints of seaside kitsch.
100 Market St., Apalachicola, Florida, 32320, USA
Known For
- Fresh fish, prepared grilled, blackened, or fried
- Lunch specials
- Iconic diner vibes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
This simple beach shack near the bridge serves solid, if predictable, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and appetizers, but the pizza is the star of the menu. Try a specialty pie like Shrimp Pesto Pizza, or choose from 16 toppings to build-your-own personal pie. There's beer on tap, and wine is available, too.
105 W. Gulf Beach Dr., St. George Island, Florida, 32338, USA
Known For
- Good casual fare, and really good pizza
- Owned by the same family since 1990
- Family- and pet (on the porch)-friendly
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$ | |
The smell of coffee and freshly baked bread fills the air at this café, where breakfast and lunch menus are built around healthful, seasonal produce and naturally leavened bread. Dine in and linger over coffee, or be on your way with pastries and other to-go items that are a cut above. Black Bear has two other locations on the Emerald Coast in Seaside and Grand Boulevard near Sandestin.
26 Logan La., Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 32459, USA
Known For
- Baked goods and coffee
- Grab-and-go fare
- Elevated breakfast and lunch
-
$$$$ | |
Named for a pet cat and dog, this down-to-earth, beachside restaurant has been a local favorite for Gulf seafood and Southern classics since 1987, when Seaside had only 12 houses. You can also grab a quick bite at the taco and pizza bars, or head for the Roof Deck Bar to settle in with a cocktail and toast the sunset.
2236 E. County Rd. 30A, Seaside, Florida, 32459, USA
Known For
- Seafood specialties like gumbo and barbecued head-on shrimp
- Fresh, seasonal ingredients
- Sunset views
-
$$$ | |
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
Known For
- Views of fishing fleet
- Large selection of fresh seafood and steaks
- Greek specialties
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$ | |
Tallahassee has its fair share of popular pizza emporiums, but many put Midtown's Decent Pizza at the top of their favorites list. A couple of Florida State University grads opened this simple pizzeria, which became an instant hit with those on an undergraduate budget: slices and salads start at $5.95 and $4.95, respectively. Choose from 35 toppings for red-sauce, pesto, or white pies. Bring your patience; lunchtime lines are out the door.
1026 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
Known For
- Superb pizza
- Cheap drinks
- Lunch specials (and lines out the door)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
-
$$ | |
Reaching this beloved eatery run by descendants of Destin's original fishing families is a bit of an adventure, but the seafood and the setting—in a shack that juts over the water and has excellent Choctawhatchee Bay views—are well worth the trip along a gravel road and through an industrial area. If you prefer a larger, more traditional restaurant, Dewey Destin's Harborside, which has a longer menu and serves both lunch and dinner, is less than a mile away.
9 Calhoun Ave., Destin, Florida, 32541, USA
Known For
- Casual atmosphere (wait staff sometimes goes barefoot)
- Fresh, simple seafood—steamed, grilled, or fried
- Over-the-water location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$$$$ | |
George's has a well-deserved reputation for serving elegantly plated food in a casual setting. There's plenty of patio space for outdoor dining as well as an upstairs deck where you can enjoy a beer or wine while waiting to be seated. For ease in ordering, the menus have both lighter "behave" and more indulgent "misbehave" sections. Takes on fresh seafood are the stars, although steak and burgers are on the menu, too.
30 Castle Harbour Dr., Rosemary Beach, Florida, 32461, USA
Known For
- Fresh seafood, steaks, and burgers
- Pretty presentations
- Comfortable outdoor dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No reservations
-
$ | |
Locals in the know come to this counter-service spot for superb salads, homemade soups, and sandwiches. Opt for a chunky chicken melt, walnut gorgonzola salad, or garden vegetarian sub. The spearmint iced tea is a must-have, as is the chewy Congo Bar for dessert. A second location at 1660 North Monroe Street offers the same menu; a third location has also opened at 1208 Capital Circle SE.
1415 Market St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
Known For
- Good salads and sandwiches
- Spearmint iced tea
- Cakes and pies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., no dinner Sat.
-
$$ | |
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
Known For
- Come-as-you-are dress code
- Fresh oysters
- Self-serve beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | |
“Rollin’ in the dough since 1989,” this is the spot to grab a delicious pie on the beach. Its award-winning recipes have been featured in several national culinary magazines, and its family-friendly vibe is loved by locals and visitors alike.
14514 Perdido Key Dr., Florida, 32507, USA
Known For
- Pizza dough made fresh daily
- Seafood pizza
- Weekday lunch buffet
-
-
$ | |
Although this old-school ice-cream parlor and candy shop serves salads, sandwiches, and other savory dishes, it's best known for its extensive menu of sodas, frappes, and egg creams and its generous brunches featuring classic waffles and omelets, as well as a homemade hash that is deliciously different. The ice-cream choices are delectable, and it's hard to take your eyes off the candy makers as they hand-craft the confections. Lofty also sells jigsaw puzzles, toys, and board games, which customers have been known to play while dining.
1355 Market St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32312, USA
Known For
- Classic soda fountain
- Candy made on-site
- Ice cream, brunch, and board games all in one place
-
$$ | |
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
Known For
- Oysters, raw or creatively cooked
- Dog-friendly
- Live music
-
$$ | |
Known locally as “the best backyard on the beach,” this open-air establishment was built from sustainable materials including shipping containers and reclaimed wood from an old Coca-Cola warehouse. Bring the kids, bring the dog, and enjoy this grassy spot on the sound side of the beach.
5B Via de Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA
Known For
- Fresh-cut fries
- Outdoor dining
- Lawn games
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$ | |
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
Known For
- Awesome views
- Basic burgers and seafood menu
- Lively but laid-back atmosphere
-
$$ | |
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
Known For
- Baskets of fried and grilled seafood
- Creative tiki drinks
- Gulf views
