Here are some of our personal favorite eateries on the Emerald Coast! We have personally selected some of our favorites as well as our homeowner’s favorites for guests to enjoy! Most of these places are kid friendly and some take reservations. If you are dining in the summer season, please know that many restaurants experience long wait times. We like to eat early to avoid crowds. Please feel free to call or email us for additional ideas and or questions. Bon Appetit!
Destin Restaurants
Dewey Destin’s – Crab Island and Harbor
$$$ – Fresh, Local Seafood
Owned by the original “Destin” family, Deweys uses original Destin and Gulf Coast recipes, and are proud to serve local seafood and other favorite area side dishes to local friends and out-of-town guests alike. While we maintain a casual atmosphere, we are serious about great tasting food. Please relax, enjoy the view, the weather, the company of fellow diners, and remember our promise as various portions of your order arrive.
Boshamps – Destin Harbor
$$$ – Fresh, Local Seafood
Boschamps Seafood and Oyster House, located on the beautiful Destin harbor, will spoil you with spectacular sunsets, sensational “Gulf to Table Southern Cuisine”, and family-friendly service all in a fun, relaxed casual atmosphere. The large, sandy beach area provides great fun for kids and adults with colorful beach toys, ring toss, and corn hole games as well as comfortable hammocks to while away the afternoon. There will be live entertainment on weekends for your enjoyment too!
McGuires Irish Pub – Destin Harbor
$$ – Steaks and Pub Fare
This is what we recommend if people want a break from the seafood restaurants, or are looking for the perfect steak to pair with a draft beer from the in house brewery. With an eclectic atmosphere of Irish memorabilia complete with large portions. This is the perfect family friendly place for a delicious meal. They also offer a fantastic Sunday brunch that comes with beignets and irish coffees, perfect for a sleep in weekend.
Another Broken Egg – Multiple Locations
$$ – Louisiana-Style Breakfast and Lunch
Another Broken Egg serves exceptionally fresh and nutritional food with over 130 menu items to choose from for your Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch experience. If you’re looking for a quick early breakfast, or for a leisurely brunch or lunch. Another Broken Egg is the place to be in the AM. We love the beignets, omelettes and breakfast burritos. With locations at Baytowne Wharf, Grand Boulevard, and Destin, you can easily, and quickly enjoy this meal from wherever you are staying.
The Doughnut Hole – Destin and 30A Locations
$$ – Doughnuts and other Breakfast Items
Whether a morning-must or an afternoon treat, Donut Hole Bakery Cafe’s mouthwatering bites are a necessity for donut lovers in the Destin district. Donut Hole Bakery Cafe offers a new take on healthy dining. The dream is to eat an amazing meal for under $15, and at the Donut Hole Bakery that dream can come true. It is a strictly cash-only restaurant so be sure to take a trip to an ATM before your arrival!
Lulu’s – Destin
$$ – American Style Food with a View
Owned and operated by Jimmy Buffet’s sister Lulu, here you can enjoy your food with a view. Imagine a basket of fried seafood goodness while looking over Choctawhatchee bay, seriously doesn’t get much better than this. Their beaches are filled with toys and a play area for children, making it a perfect family friendly atmosphere. Check out their calendar of events for special holiday gatherings you kids are sure to love! We would recommend the pimento burger and the crab melt.
The Craft Bar -Destin and 30A Locations
$$ – A Florida Gastropub
Committed to serving top-quality, chef-inspired tavern fare to guests including our famous burgers, hearty salads, and amazing side dishes – all with a regional twist. Our extraordinary craft beer selections on tap include some of the rarest and most sought after beers in the nation, making The Craft Bar the only place in Northwest Florida to serve many of these special kegs. On Mondays their burgers are HALF PRICE, so you for sure do not want to miss those. We would recommend all of these amazing foods!
Camille’s – Crystal Beach
$$$ – Seafood, Sushi, and Pizza
Camille’s at Crystal Beach offers the freshest seafood that can be found on the Gulf Coast. A sister restaurant to Harbor Docks, Camille’s at Crystal Beach in Destin serves Golf seafood that is caught in local waters by local fishermen and unloaded right on the dock at Harbor Docks Seafood Market, ensuring a Gulf to Table experience. Menu favorites include delectable thin crust pizza, Seared Scallops and Gulf Shrimp, Panéed Chicken and “the catch of the day”. The sushi is also highly recommended by many Destin residents.
Miramar Beach Restaurants
Vin’Tij – Miramar Beach
$$$ – Wine Boutique and Bistro
Vin’Tij Wine Boutique is well known for its delicious and unpretentious food. The experienced staff and curated wine selection has made the Miramar Beach restaurant a favorite for many years. Boutique wines, limited in production and high in artisanal quality, dominate the landscape at Vin’tij. Creative menus of heavy tapas and gourmet entrees may attract foodies, but it’s the wine lovers who have staked their claim at this artsy hot-spot.
Fat Clemenza’s
$$ – Brick oven Pizzeria
Fat Clemenza’s is a local favorite for authentic Italian food and wood-fired pizza. A chalkboard is filled daily with new specials and a menu of traditional fare and exceptional pizza. This is the perfect family friendly location for a relaxing meal or take out. The interior of the restaurant is small, so reservations are recommended during peak season. For breakfast and lunch, be sure to check out Mamma Clemenzas next door for a delicious European Breakfast.
Sushimoto
$$ – Sushi
Sushimoto is a local family owned restaurant with some of the best Sushi in town. Whether you enjoy just a classic California Roll or a build your own roll. If you’re a sushi lover this is definitely the place for you!
Royal Palm Grille
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Come check out Royal Palm Grille for a dining experience like no other. Catch an amazing sunset over the beach, while enjoying a drink of your choice from their full service bar. This is a great place to go with your friends to enjoy a night out in a modern dining space.
Pascalli Kitchen
$$ – Takeout Restaurant
Locally owned and ran – Pascalli’s Kitchen is a good restaurant for a night in with the family or picnic on the beach. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner – perfect for people on the go. Some of our favorites include a pizza paired with a Cesar salad.
Surf Hut
$$-$$$ American, Bar, and Seafood
Surf Hut is an open aired restaurant perfect for families of all sizes. They provide an unique menu that adds a surfer flare to all you eat. While you’re waiting on or enjoying your food you can also play a game or two or corn-hole and other outdoor games that are provided!
Captain Dave’s on the Gulf
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Captain Dave’s has spent over 50 years perfecting their seafood recipes. According to residents and tourists here in the Gulf they are the one of the best seafood places in town. Their dining view and experience is hard to beat, with floor to ceiling views of the beach. Whether it be a girls trip, family reunion, or a couples night out, you don’t want to miss out on Captain Dave’s specials – so bring your party here.
Buffalo Jack’s Pizza and Wings
$$ – Chicken Wings Restaurant
For all those craving all things wings, head over to Buffalo Jack’s Pizza and Wings for some good deals. If you happen to pop in between 3-5PM you will receive happy hour discounts that will not disappoint!
2 Birds Coffee and Cafe
$$ – Coffee and Breakfast/Lunch
2 Birds Coffee and Cafe is a very modern restaurant that looks to make you at home. With their simplistic yet refined bite to eat, 2 Birds is a place everyone can find something to enjoy.
Mama Clemenza’s
$$-$$$ Italian, European, Central European
The best authentic Italian on this side of the gulf. Mama Clemenza’s is best know for their award winning eggs Benedict and take pride in their full breakfast menu. Make sure to stop by for breakfast on your way out of town!
30A Restaurants
The Perfect Pig
$$ – BBQ, Grill, and Fish House
The Perfect Pig Grill and Fish House features fresh local grouper for dinner, award winning pulled pork for lunch and hand sliced apple-wood smoked bacon for breakfast. We are annually awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence and were recently voted the hottest spot on 30A for breakfast. From our family to yours, we invite you to join us morning, noon, or night for exceptional food and outstanding service in a beautiful and relaxed setting.
Cuvee 30A
$$$$ – Seafood and Dining – Great Happy Hour
Cuvee 30A brings everything the Emerald Coast loves about celebrity Chef Tim Creehan’s wildly popular cuisine to South Walton’s gorgeous new 30Avenue development. With a sister restaurant, Cuvee Kitchen in Destin, this eclectic eatery has something for everyone. Savor Tim’s award winning signature dishes such as Amy Grant’s Seared Tuna Rare and Vince Gill;s Pecan Crusted Grouper. Happy Hour is also nightly from starting at 5 and finishing up at 9 and it includes ½ off of the bar menu (when seated at the bar) and great drink specials.
Stinky’s Fish Camp
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Stinky’s is easily one of the most popular seafood and wine restaurant on 30A. Check out their Fish Camp next door for some cold beer and live music throughout the evenings!
Shunk Gully
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Shunk Gully sits at the heart of 30A with the most magnificent views of the gulf shore. The white sandy beaches are a great view while listening to their life music and enjoying their full bar. Shunk is a casual restaurant that is great for gathering with friends to have a good time.
Shades
$$ – Bar and Grill
Shades is the perfect spacious restaurant to bring your friends and family alike for any and all occasions. They have daily deals on wings, draft beers, and chef specials. They also provide a good environment for all things sports. If you’re looking to just go out and catch a game this is the place to be, with staff that can cater to your needs.
Old Florida Fish House
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Old Florida Fish House is sitting right off the side of Eastern Lake on 30A. They provide a lunch with a view, and an experience every time you dine there. Whether you’re just enjoying the catch of the day or some good sushi, they have you covered. Come on in and enjoy and Old Florida family Dinner.
Cafe Thirty-A
$$$ – American Restaurant
Check out Cafe Thirty-A for a classy dinner. They have a very unique American style menu with elegant seating that includes a hint of island vibes for a constant reminder of the paradise you’ve come to stay at.
The Hub
$$ – Multiple Options
The Hub is an excellent venue with multiple vendors that bring in a lot of options for the whole family. Whether you want to sit down and enjoy your meal, or take it on the go, The Hub provides it all. We highly recommend the BBQ.
Chanticleer Eatery
$$ – American Restaurant
All things steak, burgers, and chops are served at this casual restaurant that offers cozy outdoor and indoor seating. We highly recommend any of their salads and burgers. The Chanticleer Eatery also offers an amazing kids menu with very reasonable prices.
Vue 30A
$$$ – Fine Dining Restaurant
The Vue 30A is a elegant dine in restaurant with a beautiful backdrop of the beach. Reservations are highly encouraged, so if you plan on traveling here, call ahead or hop on the app “Open Table” to reserve your spot. Once you’re there , sit back and enjoy their exquisite menu prepared just for you with the best seasonings and detail.
Elmo’s Grill
$$ – Seafood Restaurant
Elmo’s Grill is a seafood restaurant that provides a relaxed feel from the moment enter to the moment you exit. The have amazing fresh crab. If you don’t enjoy seafood, they serve phenomenal steaks as well. We recommend this to families looking to have a good time and dance the night away while enjoying some good messy food.
Borago
$$ – Italian Restaurant
At Borago, you will enjoy hearty Italian food in the trattoria tradition made by chefs while sipping on expertly made cocktails. Borago is known for their signature drinks, making it a local favorite among the locals. Bartenders squeeze fresh juice daily and you can truly taste the care that is put into making each cocktail.
The Red Bar
$$ – Bar, Grill, and Seafood
Due to a tragic fire in February of 2019 The Red Bar had to close down, but is hoping to be re-open to the public this summer (2020). When open, The Red Bar serves something for everyone. From seafood to burgers to beers, The Red Bar has you covered. They are so thankful for the support of the Destin community and can not wait to be open again.