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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
Known For
- Contemporary setting
- Great surf or turf meals
- Stellar views
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With its bright, airy atmosphere and seafood-heavy menu, Felix's brings New Orleans directly to Pensacola Beach. A large covered patio overlooks the Santa Rosa Sound.
400 Quietwater Beach Dr., Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA
Known For
- Fresh-shucked oysters
- New Orleans barbecue shrimp
- Bloody Marys
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Come one, come all, come hungry, and come at 11 am to witness the calm before the lunch storm. The wide-ranging menu of fish dishes is the bait, and each can be served in a variety of ways—ginger-crusted, grilled, blackened, pecan-crusted, or Pacific-grilled, which puts any dish over the top. Sushi also is on the menu, and be sure to save room for their selection of homemade desserts.
600 S. Barracks St., Pensacola, Florida, 32505, USA
Known For
- "Grits a Ya-Ya" (shrimp and cheese grits)
- Large wine list
- Great water views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No reservations
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This little hole-in-the-wall serves up big flavor, mostly in the form of fresh Gulf seafood with Creole flair (think: gumbo, shrimp and grits, étoufée, and po’boys). If you're not into seafood, try a gourmet burger, juicy steak, or creamy pasta. Nautical decor lends to the charm of this local haunt.
13486 Perdido Key Dr., Florida, 32507, USA
Known For
- Local haunt
- Charming nautical decor
- Everything made from scratch
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The wide and peaceful sound-side spreads out before you at this casual restaurant where, armed with a fruity libation, you're all set for a night of "floundering" at its best. Funkiness comes courtesy of an eclectic collection of objets d'art; tastiness is served in specialties such as seafood nachos and the shrimp-boat platter.
800 Quietwater Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, Florida, 32561, USA
Known For
- Flounder chowder
- Live entertainment nightly in season
- Gulf-inspired cocktails like the mighty Diesel Fuel, served in a giant Mason jar
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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
Known For
- Truffle fries
- Weekend brunch
- Date-night dining
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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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This restaurant offers unforgettable views of Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay along with mouthwatering fresh local cuisine. Top-notch seafood shares the menu—printed daily—with specials.
400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, Florida, 32561, USA
Known For
- Fresh seafood and local oysters
- Breathtaking views
- Sophisticated atmosphere
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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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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.
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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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The food is as eclectic and comforting as the atmosphere at this locals' favorite, where you can dine alfresco or belly up to the bar and watch the magic happen in the open kitchen. The menu changes daily, but you can always count on a fusion of flavors. Save room for dessert: if you're lucky, pastry chef Sylvia Gould's beehive-shaped baked Alaska or toasted-coconut meringue layer cake will be on the menu.
921 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
Known For
- Fine food with a casual vibe
- Creative and colorful dishes
- To-die-for desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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“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
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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
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Reservations are recommended for this dinner-only, 50-seat bistro that specializes in American comfort food with Creole and Southern accents. It's a short hop from the capitol and is a reliable spot for upscale dining in a down-to-earth setting.
1241 E. Lafayette St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32301, USA
Known For
- Artful presentation
- Pimento cheese fritter appetizer
- Seasonal menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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If you're passionate about coffee, be sure to stop in at this or one of the five other branches of this local chain to find your new favorite brew. Friendly, knowledgeable staffers are happy to explain the flavor profiles of the different coffee varieties and roasts. Pastries and other edibles from Tasty Pastry, a local favorite bakery, are available, too.
1210 S. Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32301, USA
Known For
- Freshly roasted beans
- Cold brews
- Locally made pastries
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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.
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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
