Whether you are looking for a locals’ favorite restaurant in Destin, Florida, or just a great seafood restaurant in the area, this article got you covered. It covers all the best restaurants in Destin on the water and also the best beachfront venues.
Read on to also know the best restaurants in Destin for family-friendly affairs and celebrations.
Best Restaurants in Destin, Florida
Here are the best and most extravagant places to eat in Destin when on vacation or visiting:
Marina Café
- Address: 404 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, Florida, 32541
- Phone: 850 837 7960
- Atmosphere: Candlelit dining scenery with great views of Destin Harbor
- Known for: Restaurant with the largest collection of awards in Destin
Marina Café is Destin’s golden child with all the offerings you may want in this coastal region filled with great views and lots of seafood platters. The venue has a stunning view of the Destin Harbor overlooking the Emerald Coast.
It is a serene environment that will make for a great date night with your loved one. The thirty-foot windows ensure you have an unobstructed view of the beautiful bay sunset. Due to its location and world fame, the multi-award-winning venue is a local’s favorite and tourist must-visit site.
Marina Café has been in operation for more than 30 years on the Emerald Coast, serving seasonal dishes in progressive styles. Their food selections range from USDA prime steaks to Destin seafood items, pasta, and other seasonal dishes.
Please start with the grilled Maine lobster tail and pair it with a Caesar salad. Try the special menu with sauteed gulf grouper and the pepper-crusted seared yellowfin tuna. If you are in the mood for prime steaks, then the USDA prime ribeye is a great selection. There are also pastas such as farfalle and penne alfredo, with current pricing listed on the restaurant’s menu.
Cocktails are plenty in the bar section, with classic mojitos and signature cocktails. Try their signature cocktails, including the Marina Sunset made from Malibu and mixed with cherry and pineapple, or the Marina Old Fashioned made from Four Roses Bourbon.
Dewey Destin’s Harborside & Seafood Restaurant
- Address: 9 Calhoun Avenue and 202 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, Florida 32541
- Phone: 850 837 7575 for the Calhoun Avenue location and 850 837 7525 for Harborside
- Atmosphere: Traditional, airy, and attentive staff
- Known for: Leonard Destin
Dewey Destin’s Harborside is a true Destin staple since it got founded by the great-great-grandson of Leonard Destin, who is considered the founder of the town. Dewey established the restaurant in memory of Leonard to serve the fishing village with seafood delectable in its two Destin locations.
Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant is the original venue along Calhoun Avenue, and Dewey Destin’s Harborside is the successor along Harbor Boulevard in Destin. Both locations have a traditional ambiance and serve the usual steaks, salads, and seafood. The harborside location is the most favored since it has a cooler breeze and spectacular views of the Destin harbor.
Try their royal and fried shrimp with oysters, plus the grilled shrimp and snow crab; they all come highly recommended due to their full flavors and enticing presentations. Crab dip with ritz crackers is another great option.
Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
- Address: 210D Harbor Boulevard, Destin, Florida
- Phone: 850 460 8900
- Atmosphere: Relaxed and airy with a view of boats docking on the bay
- Known for: Lots of weekly offerings like bottomless mimosas
Brotula’s is a great place to start if you want to support locally-owned businesses. This family-friendly Destin restaurant serves popular plates of seafood from mussels to snow crabs and lobsters. The locally caught fish are fished from the Gulf of Mexico and prepared on the same day to create fresh cuisines.
Happy hour and weekly specials are available at the bay, with offerings that can change by day and season. Check the current menu before planning around specific deals such as mimosas, select appetizers, wine specials, or all-you-can-eat crawfish.
McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery
- Address: 33 Highway 98 E, Destin, Florida 32541
- Phone: 850 650 0000
- Atmosphere: Warm but dimly lit environment with a great party ambiance
- Known for: House-brewed beers and late hours that can vary by day
There is non like it in Destin; the McGuire Irish Pub and Brewery stand out with its dark wood accented décor and numerous dollar bills plastered on the ceiling. It is located over the pass on the harbor alongside other McGuire-owned places, including shops and liquor stores.
Daily specials run from Monday to Friday and include the shepherd’s pie on Monday, homemade meatloaf on Tuesday, Hopkins fried chicken on Wednesday, bangers & mash on Thursday, and fish & chips on Friday. Moreover, there is the late-night happy Hour all week from 11 pm till closure, where you can get draft beers, house wine, and well at half the original price.
Louisiana Lagniappe
- Address: 775 Gulf Shore Drive, Destin, Florida 32541
- Phone: 850 837 0881
- Atmosphere: Family-friendly with a great view of the sunset sparkling in the water
- Known for: Creole cuisine
Another longtime restaurant in Destin is Louisiana Lagniappe which has been open since 1984. Like most great restaurants in Destin, Louisiana Lagniappe is located next to the harbor in Sandpiper Cove condominiums, where you can feel the evening breeze from the shore while basking in the warm lighting of this intimate setting.
The restaurant is an upscale venue that promotes fine seafood dining at its best in Destin. Try their classic jambalaya or the barbecue jumbo shrimp. Most of their foods are paired with baked potatoes, salads, and hushpuppies.
Beach Walk Café
- Address: 2700 Scenic Highway 98 Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 650 7100
- Atmosphere: Intimate and cozy with a fireplace and great views of the Gulf of Mexico
- Known for: American dishes with a twist of Asian and European cuisines
Beach Walk Café has long been associated with chef Tim Creehan, who was named one of “the youngest and most accomplished Certified Executive Chefs in the US” in 1992 by the American Culinary Foundation. Beach Walk Café brings creations made from locally sourced seafood to create fresh plates of seafood and sumptuous desserts.
Beach Walk Café is situated in Henderson Park inn. Starters on the menu include the shrimp cocktail and the smoked gulf dip. Try the King’s Table farm half-roasted chicken or the 8-ounce certified black Angus filet on the entrees menu.
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
- Address: 116 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 837 1913
- Atmosphere: Lively, family-friendly, great view
- Known for: Fresh oysters, great views, and nightlife on the patio
AJ’s seafood and oyster bar has been in operation since 1984. The Destin staple venue boasts regular live music, where jazz bands and guitarists fill the area with soulful tunes. AJ’s is not just known for its oysters but also the spectacular shore views and a long line of merchandise that include t-shirts, hats, visors, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and gift cards.
AJ’s Water Adventures also operates dolphin cruises, speedboat rides, sailing trips, and other harbor activities from the Destin Harbor area.
Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
- Address: 414 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 424 7406
- Atmosphere: Social and crowded
- Known for: Events and tournaments surrounding the fishing and seafood culture
If you are looking for a waterfront restaurant in Destin, then Boshamps Oyster House covers you. Live music gets played regularly in the oyster house, where you can taste the impeccable menu curated by experienced chefs with over 40 years of experience.
Boshamps Oyster House is famous for its tournaments that come with various awards. Get to participate in fishing events where prizes and schedules can vary. Check out their website events schedule for upcoming tournaments you may want to join.
Try the Devil’s crab, which features Chef Andi Bell’s take on jumbo lump crab. The house-smoked yellowfin tuna dip is a fan favorite alongside the red snapper, grouper sandwich, and oysters Boshamps baked with caramelized Vidalia onion.
Mimmo’s Ristorante Italiano
- Address: 979 Us Highway, 98 E, Ste 5, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 460 7353
- Atmosphere: Upscale and fine dining ambiance
- Known for: Classic Italian cuisines in Destin
No need to look for another authentic Italian restaurant in Destin – Mimmo’s offers delicious Italian dishes from classic pizzas to pasta, spaghetti Bolognese, Fettucine alfredo, bruschetta, pasta carbonara, and penne Alla vodka. The full bar offers various drinks, from wines to classic and signature cocktails. The venue is high-class and inviting, perfect for date nights and special occasions with your Italian food lover crowd.
The Local Market
- Address: 950 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 460 8979
- Atmosphere: Social and less crowdy
- Known for: short lines for affordable breakfast and lunch
The Local Market offers small dishes and happy meals from donuts to smoothies, sandwiches, and house-made ice creams. This is where you want to go for an affordable yet delicious breakfast and lunch.
It is usually less crowded than the other venues on the list due to its limited food selections. It is also an excellent venue for those who love pinball machines. Catch up with your friends over the craft beers served cold on site.
The Back Porch
- Address: 1740 Scenic Highway 98, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 837 2022
- Atmosphere: Relaxed environment with a good view
- Known for: tasty crab-stuffed shrimp
The Back Porch is a seafood restaurant and oyster house with two locations in Florida: one in Destin and another in Panama City Beach. The establishment was opened in 1974 and has grown to be one of Destin’s most beloved seafood places.
House specialties include the grouper Destin with grilled gulf grouper topped off with shrimp and back porch Mahi stuffed with crab mix. Feast on the three oyster offerings: oyster on the half-shell, golden fried & hand breaded oysters and back porch oyster with crabmeat and cheese. The crab stuffed shrimp is a fan favorite.
790 on the Gulf Restaurant
- Address: 14073 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 650 4853
- Atmosphere: Close to the beach with a cool breeze and enough seating space
- Known for: brunch, coastal Louisiana-style seafood, and beachside views
790 on the Gulf will have you scrambling for a reservation with its many perks, including parking in the area, rotating Happy Hour and lunch specials, and champagne brunch offerings.
Hours, brunch schedules, and drink specials can vary by day and season, so check the restaurant’s current information before planning around a specific offer. You won’t miss a spot in the vast seating area that consists of two floors and an outdoor terrace right next to the beach.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
- Address: 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Silver Shells Resort, Destin, Fl 32541
- Phone: 850 837 7884
- Atmosphere: Upscale fine dining in an intimate setting
- Known for: Great steaks & chops in Destin
Complimentary valet parking is one thing that will draw you to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The casual business restaurant is less than three miles from Destin Commons and a few minutes from Henderson Beach State Park.
It is a beloved steakhouse with multiple awards, including Emerald Coast Magazine’s Best of Emerald Coast Award from 2013 to 2019. It is also the recipient of Wine Spectator’s Best Award of Excellence between 2013 and 2017.
The USDA prime beef served in Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is broiled in an oven that goes up to 1800 degrees. Expect an incredible hot steak on your plate as the platters are heated to 500 degrees before arrival at the table. Plates of seafood are also a staple in Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, with options like the crusted sea bass, crab cake entrees, and classic surf & turf.
Sarah K’s Gourmet
- Address: 34940 Emerald Coast Pkwy #183, Destin, FL 32541
- Phone: 850 269 0044
- Atmosphere: Quiet and cozy
- Known for: world-class and flavorful jumbo lump crab cakes
The Jumbo lump crab cakes full of crab meat and with no fillers in Sarah K’s have earned the restaurant many awards over the years. The lobster bisque, crab-stuffed chicken and chicken tenders are some of the fan favorites.
Display cases of the delicious meal great you on your way into the restaurant. There is a freezer that houses the take and bake items. The ‘Best of the Emerald Coast’ restaurant serves lunch all day with three main items: miniature chicken salad sandwiches, main lunch package of two mini chicken sandwiches and bag of chips, plus the regular made of salad and honey wheat roll.
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Final Thoughts
Destin is filled with many dining options that even the best of lists cannot exhaust. Here are some of our honorable mentions you may want to check out:
- Harry T’s Lighthouse
- Stewby’s Seafood Shanty
- Bud and Alley’s
- Donut Hole
- The Harbor Tavern
- Seagar’s
- Café Thirty-A
- Callahan’s Restaurant & Deli
- Slick Lips Seafood and Oyster House
- Mama’s Clemenza’s
- Vinny McGuire’s Pizza – next to McGuire Irish Pub