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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
Known For
- Inspired cuisine
- Romantic atmosphere
- Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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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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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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Formerly Ciao Bella of nearby Destin, this Italian bistro changed its name to match that of its matriarch when it moved down the coast. Expect traditional Italian dishes served in a casual, but elegant atmosphere.
171 Brooks St. SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA
Known For
- Fresh seafood and steaks
- Brick-oven pizzas
- Reservations are a good idea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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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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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.
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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
Known For
- No-frills local hangout
- Fresh Gulf seafood
- Billy's special spice blend
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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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
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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
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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
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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
Known For
- Excellent personal service
- Lobster truffle mac and cheese
- $6 martinis on Tini Tuesday and Thursday
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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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
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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
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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
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Jim Shirley, founder of Pensacola's very popular Fish House, has brought his Grits a Ya-Ya to this restaurant on Seaside's town square. The menu emphasizes regional fare, including Gulf seafood and fresh sides such as collards, okra, black-eyed peas, fried green tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. Oysters and po'boys stuffed with shrimp bring a little N'awlins to the beach. Beer and wine and a full liquor bar are here to boot. It can get very busy, so reservations are recommended.
83 Central Sq., Seaside, Florida, 32459, USA
Known For
- Grits a Ya-Ya (blackened shrimp on cheese grits)
- Shrimp po'boys
- Chicken and waffles for breakfast
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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.
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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
Known For
- Off the beaten path
- Quaint historical atmosphere
- Surf and turf
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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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
Known For
- Fresh-caught seafood
- Extensive wine list
- Attentive service
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Libations are the star here, but Neat has an intriguing, ever-changing menu of shareable small bites, too. The Tasting Room opens at 2 pm, so it's the perfect spot for an afternoon cocktail and nibbles while waiting for dinner reservations; the neighboring Bottle Shop sells artisanal spirits, wines, and craft beers as well as bar tools, and some of its offerings are from producers in and around 30A.
11 N. Castle Harbour Dr., Rosemary Beach, Florida, 32413, USA
Known For
- Craft cocktails
- Cheese and charcuterie boards
- Predinner snacks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
