If you’re looking for fresh fish from along the Gulf Coast, you’re in luck, because Destin, Florida is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
A few popular fish in the area are red snapper, tarpon, tuna, Mahi-Mahi, and grouper.
You’ll find plenty of fresh seafood, including great dining options for seafood lovers and non-seafood eaters along the Emerald Coast.
I’m sharing more about the best places to eat in Destin, FL. These are great local restaurants for the whole family.
Destin is a popular vacation destination located in the Florida panhandle in Northwest Florida.
The Donut Hole Bakery and Cafe
635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
The perfect way to start your day is at The Donut Hole Bakery and Cafe. This is a popular spot for donuts along with traditional breakfast menu items.
Realistically, you may be tempted to visit this breakfast spot a few times during your visit.
Depending on the time of your visit, you could encounter a line out the door. If you’re ordering donuts to go, the line moves pretty quickly.
The Donut Hole also serves lunch and dinner menu items if you prefer to stop by later. It’s also known for having the best key lime pie in the Destin area.
The Pancakery
960 US-98, Destin, FL (There is another location in Panama City)
The Pancakery has a breakfast menu with generous portions for sweet or savory preferences.
I had to order the Atomic Bomblette because I LOVE spicy food. It’s made with chorizo, jalapenos, green and red peppers, onions, and your choice of cheese.
There are mushrooms in this omelet too but I opted for mine without them.
My omelet also came with a choice of toast or pancakes.
The Pancakery is open for breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu has sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
Louisiana Lagniappe
775 Gulf Shore Drive, Destin, FL (There is another location in Orange Beach)
This restaurant is a wonderful option for Gulf seafood with a Creole flair.
You must stop by the guard shack for the Sandpiper Cove condominiums to visit the restaurant. They’ll give you a pass to put on your vehicle while dining at the restaurant.
The attire is casual for the upscale waterfront fine dining experience that’s still family-friendly.
There is both indoor and outdoor dining with a view of Destin Harbor. We opted for outdoors during our visit and they had several heaters to help make it less chilly.
I tried the Blackened Redfish which was fantastic.
It was made with a fresh filet of Redfish, blackened, and then topped with jumbo lump crabmeat, medallions of lobster topped with hollandaise, and garlic beurre blanc sauce.
The dish was served with homemade hushpuppies, house salad, and a twice-baked potato. Their house dressing is delicious.
My son doesn’t like seafood but he LOVES Chicken Alfredo.
He enjoyed the Crescent City Fettuccine tossed in a smoked tasso ham cream sauce with fettuccine, finished with Parmesan Romano cheese.
For dessert, he wanted to try creme brûlée for the first time. We split the dessert which was the perfect amount to share after a large meal.
This was one of his favorite meals during our visit.
Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar
20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL
This restaurant was totally nostalgic for me because I remember going to Fudpucker’s as a teen with my family on spring break vacations so of course I wanted to take my son there.
Fudpucker’s is great for large groups, with eight dining rooms and over 400 seats!
You can watch live alligators at Fudpucker’s Gator Beach which boasts “The World’s Greatest Alligator Park” while you kill time before your table is ready.
There are FREE daily Gator Shows at noon, 2, 4, and 6PM daily!
This is a fun atmosphere if you’re celebrating a special occasion.
You can even write your name in the restaurant with a Sharpie to leave your mark. The restaurant is covered with the signatures of guests from over the years.
For lunch, I ordered the blackend Fish pucker Mahi Mahi sandwich. It was made with fresh Mahi Mahi and seasoned with Father Fud’s secret spices.
The fish is basted and char-grilled to perfection, available fried or blackened.
My son, the non-seafood lover, opted for the Finger licking chicken with macaroni and cheese as his side.
Make sure you check out the gift shop after your meal or while you’re waiting for a table.
McGuire’s Irish Pub
33 US-98, Destin, FL (There is also another location in Pensacola)
As soon as you walk into McGuire’s Irish Pub you’ll notice dollar bills EVERYWHERE!!!
This dimly lit restaurant has 1 million+ signed dollar bills covering the walls, ceilings, and beyond.
During our visit, there was live music and the restaurant was busy but we still were seated immediately.
If you visit during the day you can enjoy scenic views of beautiful Destin Harbor from “The Deck” with seating for 150.
After you try their food you’ll see why locals and tourists keep returning to McGuire’s Irish Pub.
The warm house bread served with honey butter was a wonderful introduction to the restaurant.
I had to try the Senate Bean Soup because it’s the same recipe as it was served in the US Senate for $.018 in 1977.
The price for this specific menu item hasn’t changed since 1977 at McGuire’s Irish Pub.
*If the soup is your only purchase you’ll be charged $18.
Their menu includes Irish pub fare, steaks, burgers, salads, and more.
If you’re in the mood for a steak, McGuire’s is one of the few restaurants in the US to serve U.S.D.A. Certified Prime Steaks.
I tried the “Big Daddy Burger” previously featured on The Food Network. The Angus steakburger is topped with bacon, cheddar, and jalapeno.
My son opted for the “Chicken Burger,” made with chargrilled Sanderson Farms chicken breast on an old-fashioned burger bun and a choice of burger toppings.
You know it’s a fun atmosphere when they intentionally mess with the restroom signs for laughs.
If you need to go the restroom during your visit, read the door signs VERY CAREFULLY!
Otherwise, you could be stepping into the wrong bathroom…especially if you’ve fully taken advantage of late-night happy hour.
A Great Spot in Destin for a Late Night Entertainment
McGuire’s Irish Pub is the perfect place to enjoy a late night out with live Irish entertainment.
Their happy hour has half-price draft beer, house wine, and well drinks from 4-6 PM and 11 PM – close, 7 days a week! Check their website for additional drink specials throughout the week.
Vinny McGuire’s Pizza Pub
29 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
If you want to order pizza for a night in I recommend Vinny McGuire’s Pizza Pub.
Start creating your pizza of choice with Italian red sauce, or Alfredo white sauce on their New York-style crust.
As an added value your first three pizza toppings are free.
If you prefer to dine at the restaurant there are indoor and outdoor seating options available.
Mimmos Ristorante Italiano
979 US Hwy 98 E, Ste. 5, Destin, FL
Mimmos Ristorante Italiano is an Italian restaurant you’ll want to visit
Mimmos Ristorante Italiano prides itself on menu items with dishes passed down through generations of their Sicilian family. You’ll find pasta, meat dishes, pizza, and more.
The dining room can fill up quickly so you’ll want to book a table on Resy or Open Table as soon as possible.
Start with an appetizer of Mimmo’s Garlic Rolls made with Woodfire-baked rolls topped with garlic butter & parmesan.
My son ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo made with Fettuccine noodles tossed in a garlic and parmesan cream sauce. He chose chicken as his protein and other options are sausage or shrimp.
I ordered the Meat Lasagna made with lasagna sheets layered with bolognese, bechamel
& parmesan, and topped with mozzarella.
This dish was delicious and filling. I had to box up half of my entree because I enjoyed a few too many garlic rolls.
Dewey Destin’s Harborside
202 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL (Free parking for restaurant customers)
Several restaurants are part of the Dewey’s restaurant family. The Harborside restaurant is only a mile from the original Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant which is still open today.
Fun fact: In 1835, Dewey’s great, great grandfather, Leonard Destin, founded the town.
For an appetizer, their smoked tuna dip is a great way to start off your meal.
I enjoyed their pecan-crusted snapper. It was lightly seasoned and covered with a zesty cream and white wine sauce.
The daily “catch of the day” specials are available grilled, fried, or blackened. My husband ordered the blackened snapper with potatoes as his side.
All entrees come with a choice of two sides and complimentary cole slaw.
By the time the dessert menu was passed to us, we were both stuffed…but we committed to try a bite of their homemade key lime pie, in the name of research.
We ended up eating and sharing the whole slice of pie because it was so good to box up.
The Local Market
950 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL
The Local Market is the perfect stop for great food if you’re short on time. They make almost everything in-house.
The Local Market sources its bread from Bon Appetit in Fort Walton Beach; it’s baked fresh daily and all of their meats are brined in-house and roasted on their French open flame rotisserie.
My son and I enjoyed sandwiches before our dolphin cruise but could have easily taken them with us as a picnic on the boat.
There is seating indoors or you can enjoy your meal at the picnic tables out front.
I ordered the turkey avocado sandwich with chips made with fresh ingredients, topped with green goddess aioli, and served on delicious thick toasted bread.
My son ordered the Cubano Roast sandwich with fresh fries. The sandwich is made with Cubano Roast pork, ham, pickles, Dijon mustard, and Swiss cheese on a Cuban roll.
The Local Market has fountain drinks and beverages in their coolers. If you see their freshly made watermelon drink I highly recommend trying it. It’s very refreshing and not overly sweet.
The Local Market sources as many local products as possible for its menu and store.
The Local Market has a great selection of craft beer, seltzers, canned craft cocktails, and more available for purchase.
Additional Destin Restaurants to Try
These are popular restaurants that I’m adding to my list for next time.
More Destin Seafood Restaurants
Destin has an abundance of great restaurants with fresh local seafood. You can’t go wrong with the “catch of the day” menu items for the freshest seafood possible.
- Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House – 414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL (fresh seafood and a local favorite)
- The Back Porch – 1740 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL
- The Crab Trap – 3500 Scenic Hwy 98 E, Destin, FL (known for great crab cakes)
- Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer – 210D Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
- Shrimp Basket Destin – 711 US-98, Destin, FL
- AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar – 116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL ( Also a popular spot for live music)
- Captain Dave’s on the Dock – 3796 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL
- Pompano Joe’s Seafood House – 2237 Scenic Gulf Dr, Destin, FL
- Marina Cafe – 404 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
- The Wine Bar – 4424 Commons Dr. E d2, Destin, FL
- Harbor Docks – 538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
- Boathouse Oyster Bar – 288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
- Beach Walk Cafe at Henderson Park Inn – 2700 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL
- Harry T’s Lighthouse – 46 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL (Popular for Sunday Brunch)
- The Craft Bar – Paradise Key at Kelly Plantation 4424 Commons Dr. E, Destin, FL
Dining Stops Near Destin, FL
I’m giving you a few additional restaurants while you’re in the area.
Red Fish Taco
2052 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
We discovered this dining gem after a lengthy bike ride along 30A.
You can’t go wrong with their shrimp queso as an appetizer.
For tacos, we tried their delicious Firecracker Shrimp and grilled Redfish.
Their frozen drinks are very popular. I tried a sample of “Stink Juice” out of curiosity. It’s made with orange daiquiri and grape vodka. It wasn’t my preference but I’m glad that I tried it.
There is also a full bar if you have other drink preferences, I ended up with a spicy margarita and my husband chose a local craft beer.
This restaurant also has live music often so check their schedule before you go.
Pecan Jacks Seagrove
4771 E County Hwy 30A, Seagrove Beach FL
This ice cream and candy shop is another great stop along 30A. They are known for their southern pralines and chocolates infused with fine liquors.
You’ll find classic ice cream flavors along with some creative ones. They also have liquored-up options for guests 21+.
Before or After the Airport – Check Out The Wharf 850
821 Bayshore Dr, Niceville, FL
The Wharf 850 isn’t in Destin but the restaurant is only 10 minutes from (VPS) Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport.
It’s worth the visit for a meal when you arrive in the area or right before you fly back home.
I tried their Gulf Shrimp Tacos. They’re made with lightly breaded shrimp, fried and tossed in their house SOB sauce topped with sweet slaw, a drizzle of Asian sweet sauce, and their breakfast potatoes as a side.
My son tried their Fried Chicken BLT with a side of fries. The sandwich can be grilled, fried, or blackened.
The waterfront restaurant has nice views of Boggy Bayou and seating options inside or outside on their covered patio.
Are You Ready to Plan a Visit to Destin, Florida?
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