i'll be in destin oct 23-26 and need to know some first hand reviews on great places to eat!!

Misty, I am sure sure what you like but here are some suggestions. In Destin try the Back Porch. Best view and great food. Very casual. For better food go down to Grayton Beach. Go to Criollas or to the Red Bar. You must dress up for Criollas but not for the Red Bar. In Destin, you may also want to try Callahans. It is where all of the locals go. Not real nice but great food. For something nicer try the Marina Cafe. Let me know if you have other questions.

Destin proper has many tourist traps, so be careful. Your best bet is the Grayton Beach area. Criolla's, Red Bar are good choices, however, at times, the flavors in the foods at Criolla's don't blend well. I highly recommend a restaurant called Cafe Tango on Hwy 30A just west of Grayton Beach. I've lived near the area for many years and back in August I had one of the best upscale meals I have ever had on the Gulf Coast in this restaurant. I recommend the pastachio crusted grouper. The Elephant Walk, in Sandestin, has generally always been a hit, but after ten years of having good experiences there, I had a meal there back in September that was simply awful. Avoid the mushroom salad at all costs. For the best "down home" seafood meal in the Destin area try the High Tide Restaurant and Lounge (kids welcome in dining room) on Okaloosa Island, just a few miles west of Destin. Speaking as a native of the area, I've rarely had a better seafood meal than at this place. Have fun!

Here's another entusiastic vote for the Red Bar. When you pull up to the place, you'll think you've arived at a biker bar. That's part of the charm, but the food is the reason to go.

When we vacation at Seaside, we sometimes eat dinner at the Red Bar three times in a week.

IHAVE HEARD THAT DESTIN CHOPS, HARBOUR DOCKS, CAPT DAVE'S, AND OCEAN CLUB ARE GOOD RESTAURANTS AS WELL.... ARE THEY? ANY THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO THERE EXCEPT SEE THE BEACH AND EAT ( I KNOW ABOUT THE OUTLETS)

The Back Porch is great. I like to eat early (5:00 - 6:00) at the Fisherman's Wharf and watch the boats return from deep sea fishing. Great seafood selection / salad bar / live music outside on the back deck.

I do not recommend Harbour Docks. I think it is overpriced and of only fair quality.

I don't recommend Captain Dave's. It was good about 20 years ago, but now it's not much better than lots of chains.

Elephant walk is very good, you can go casual or dressy, we ALWAYS have fun there. Habour Docks is WAY overrated. Criollos is excellent if you want to drive.