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Our Top Picks

Gulf & Harbor Waterfront Restaurants

Marina Cafe - Destin Harbor Waterfront Dining

$$$-$$$$ Resort Casual Dining
Destin's most awarded restaurant - 34 years of fine dining.
Local Gulf seafood, prime steaks and chops, pasta, and featured cocktails.
Early dining special, happy hour, water views, white fabric table cloth dining.
Dining: Bar, inside, outside deck.
Early Dining: Dine early and save with our Buy One Get One Entree Special from 5 - 6 pm.
Daily Bar Happy Hour: 5 - 7 pm (Happy Hour pricing is not applicable in the Dining Room.)
Live Music Friday & Saturday nights.
Reservations encouraged.
Boat parking for out boating guests.

Marina Cafe SubMarina Beach Bar
Before the doors open at Marina Cafe head on downstairs for a cocktail on the water.
Daily happy hour from 3 - 5 pm and has plenty of parking for boats who want to pull up on the shore and hang out on our oversized patio deck.

  • Located on the Destin Harbor: 404 Harbor Blvd.
  • 850.837.7960

Boshamps - Destin Harbor Waterfront Dining

$$$
Locally sourced ingredients, Southern chef inspired dishes, great harbor view and marina.
The restaurant is usually jammed, food and service can fluctuate.
Drinks & food are overpriced. Expect to pay more for this local hot spot.

Pompano Joe's - Miramar Beach Beach Front Restaurant with Parking

$$-$$$
Restaurant, bar, outside deck, happy hour.
Best beach bar experience. Expect to wait a while during the popular months.
Caribbean style seafood. Best grouper basket sandwich! Locals love this restaurant.
The ultimate beach snack shack directly on the beach with beach side parking.

  • 2237 Hwy 2378, Destin
  • 850.837.2224

Destin Restaurants

Red Onion Organic Restaurant

$$-$$$ Casual Dining - A Locals Favorite
Serving authentic Mediterranean food prepared by Chef Stephanie.
This is a small, casual restaurant that transports you to the Mediterranean.
Reservation suggested. Dine-in, outdoor seating, curbside pickup. No view, located on the North side of HWY 98.
Perfect for both lunch and dinner. Darla serves the tables (please be patient, as she handles the entire restaurant), while Chef Stephanie prepares the meals.

  • 529 Harbor Blvd.
  • 850.842.2736

The Craft Bar

$$-$$$ Casual
Local Elevated Casual Dining - Craft Beer & Craft Food
Growlers, hand craft spirits, top quality beef & local seafood.

Miramar Beach and Sandestin Restaurants

Seagar's Prime Steak & Seafood

$$$$ - Fine Dining Steak House and Piano Bar
Located in the South Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort.
The Maitre D will greet you upon arrival, and the sommelier is available to assist you with wine options to complement specific dishes.
Formal steak house, wine cellar, piano bar. Enjoy a nice evening out.

Commelfo- Miramar Beach

$$-$$$
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Order Online & Delivery
Fresh food made proper way and a unique dining experience that sets us apart from the rest. Our menu is diverse and innovative, blending traditional flavors with new and exciting twists. We use only the freshest ingredients, sourced from local farmers and producers whenever possible, to ensure the highest quality of taste and nutrition in every dish.

Tommy Bahamas - Grand Boulevard Sandestin

$$-$$$ Resort Casual Dining - Locals Favorite

Award-winning restaurant featuring a scratch kitchen, signature cocktails, live music, and warm caravaner influence vibes.
Dining: Bar, inside, outside deck.
Daily Happy Hour: 3-6 pm
Daily Live Music: 4:30-8:30 pm
Restaurant & Bar: eservations encouraged.
Order on-line for take out or delivery.

  • Grand Boulevard Sandestin
  • 525 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach
  • 850.654.1743

Culinary Experience

Looking for the best culinary local dining experience? Are you on vacation and want to book at least one night of our best dining experiences?
We suggest the following restaurants.

Be sure to book your reservations a head of time.

 

Amborsia Prime Seafood & Steaks - 30A/South Walton

$$$$ - A Locals Favorite

Ambrosia sets the standard for fine dining on 30A, offering an exceptional blend of Gulf-to-table freshness and premium cuts of prime and wagyu beef. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere exudes sophistication—whether you choose the elegant dining room, the inviting patio, or the stylish bar.

The menu is a true celebration of local flavors, thoughtfully crafted to showcase the best seafood the Gulf has to offer alongside perfectly prepared steaks that rival any big-city steakhouse. Every dish is elevated by impeccable presentation and flavor, making each bite an experience.

What truly sets Ambrosia apart is its authentic hospitality. The service is attentive without being intrusive, creating a dining experience that feels both luxurious and welcoming.

When it comes to dining in South Walton, Ambrosia is in a class of its own—a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates exceptional food, stunning ambiance, and genuine Southern charm.

Dining Room Hours:
Monday-Saturday 5 - 10 pm
Sunday 5 - 9 pm
Bar Hours:
Opens at 3 pm daily
Caymus Happy Hour: 3 - 6 pm daily in the bar and on the patio

Bitterroot

Bijoux

The Henderson Hotel

Hotel Effie

Flambe After Dark

 

Local Seafood

Harbor Docks - Destin Harbor - Harbor View

$$$
FRESH local seafood and the best Sushi in town. The freshes fish in town!
The commercial fishermen unloaded their catch at Harbor Docks commercial seafood house and then delivered to the restaurant.
Restaurant, sushi bar, bar, deck seating.

Fish On Seafood House

Stewby's Seafood Shanty - Okaloosa Island

$$ - A Locals and Vacationers Favorite

Very casual restaurant with dine in or take out. No View

Local FRESH seafood served in a VERY casual shack style restaurant. Quality food at a great price, eat in or take out. Be sure to visit the Seafood market, next to the restaurant.

The Gulf

$$-$$$
Okaloosa Island - Bay Side
Casual outside on the bay with boat beach access.

Camille's at Crystal Beach

$$$ - A Locals Favorite
Fresh fish directly from Harbor Dock's fish market.


Take Out

McGuire's Irish Pub Take Out - Destin Harbor

$$
A Local Restaurant located by the Destin Bridge
Great way to feed the family. McGuire's has large portions of Chicken and Shepperd pies, meatloaf, large salads, Rubin Sandwiches, steaks, and the best hamburger menu in town.

Healthy Coast Meals - Destin Florida & Fort Walton Beach

$$
Do you want the convenience of being able to stop in and purchase delicious, healthy meals when you want without having to order ahead?
We stock our Grab-N-Go locations daily with our staple meals, weekly specials, breakfast items, protein and more! This way you have the convenience of picking up fresh.

Coastal Catering Co

$$$
Coastal Catering Co is not your typical catering service. We specialize in home-cooked meals made from the freshest local ingredients, professionally prepared and delivered right to your door. Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a family feast at home, we’ve got you covered with mouth-watering dishes from a variety of cuisines.

Crust Artisan Bakery

$$
We are taking delivery orders through GrubHub or call us directly for pickup, 850-622-1022.
Entries include: Fish, chicken, and veal pasta dishes, specialty pizzas, roasted chicken, homemade cannoli and flowerless chocolate cake.

 

Mexican Food

Pepito's - Destin

 

 

Destin Harbor

Harbor Docks

Harbor View

FRESH local seafood and Sushi. The commercial fishermen unloaded their catch at Harbor Docks commercial seafood house and then delivered to the restaurant.
Restaurant, sushi bar, bar, deck seating.

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Destin Harbor
Marina Cafe

Harbor View

Restaurant, bar, happy hour, and Wednesday night is ladies nights.

Fresh fish entrees, USDA prime steaks, wood-fired pizzas, and over 100 wines.

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HarborWalk Village
Harry T's

Harbor View

The BEST sunset view anywhere in Destin. Restaurant, bar, outside deck, happy hour.

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Okaloosa Island

Stewby's Seafood Shanty

Local FRESH seafood served in a VERY casual shack style restaurant. Quality food at great price, eat in or take out. Be sure to visit the Seafood market, next to the restaurant.

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Miramar Beach
Pompano Joe's

ON THE GULF

Restaurant, bar, outside deck, happy hour

Caribbean style seafood. The ultimate beach snack shack directly on the beach with beach side parking.

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Sandestin Marina
SunQuest Cruises

Cruising year-round from the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Rated as one of the top things to do in Destin Florida, SOLARIS dinner cruises take waterfront dining to the next level as you indulge in award-winning coastal cuisines while cruising into the sunset and dancing to live music.

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Sandestin Grand Boulevard
Tommy Bahama

Restaurant, bar, happy hour. Sip & savor in true island style. Excellent food and service. Order the coconut/pineapple cake and be sure to stop at the bar for one of their martinis.

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Sandestin Grand Boulevard
Vin’tij Wine Boutique & Bistro

One of the top award-winning restaurants in our area. Vin’tij is known for their fresh approach to creative menus and they offer a impressive selection of wine.

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The Market Shops at Sandestin
Bijoux

Restaurant, small intimate bar, happy hour. One of the top award-winning restaurants in our area. Bijoux offers freshest Gulf seafood, prime steaks and an extensive award winning wine list.

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30A

FOOW (Fish Out of Water)

WaterColor

Offering high-quality cuisine and service in a coastal setting. Restaurant, bar, happy hour.

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Where to Stay

Reservation availability and booking help for rentals and events.
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