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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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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
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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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Since 1977 this authentic Irish pub has promised its patrons "feasting, imbibery, and debauchery" seven nights a week. A sense of humor pervades the place, evidenced by the range of prices on hamburgers—$10–$100 depending on whether you want it topped with cheddar or served with caviar and champagne. As for the "richness" of the decor—on the walls and ceiling are nearly $1 million in bills signed and dated by "Irishmen of all nationalities."
600 E. Gregory St., Pensacola, Florida, 32501, USA
Known For
- Large menu, including both meat and seafood
- Extensive wine cellar and cocktail list
- Home-brewed beer
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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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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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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
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.
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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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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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Vegetarian or vegan small plates meant for sharing and a wine list that tilts toward organic, sustainable, and biodynamic labels are among the highlights here. Graze on miso grit cakes and harissa honey-fried cauliflower, or opt for larger steak, chicken, and other dishes. Although there are a few traditional tables, most of the seating is out on a patio or at a food bar, including one where you can watch the chefs at work. Expect a wait.
1304 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
Known For
- Selection of vegan and gluten-free options
- Creative takes on sauces and seasonings
- Friendly, helpful staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations not accepted
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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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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
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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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Geographically speaking, this trendy spot is in Downtown Pensacola (on leafy Seville Square), but its cuisine is all over the map. Appetizers offer the most variety, with influences from all over the world; main courses are more American in character. You'll also find the fish of the day (blackened, grilled, or tempura-fried) and sushi, which is brought in from a local seafood market. Dine inside under a collection of Southern folk art or outside under café umbrellas and droopy oaks.
300 S. Alcaniz St., Pensacola, Florida, 32501, USA
Known For
- Wide variety of influences, including good sushi
- Locally caught seafood
- Comfy Southern setting both inside and out
