Beaches of South Walton Area Restaurants

South Walton proudly touts its handful of restaurants on the Florida Trend 500 Best list, but it also offers the casual delicious fare you'd expect from a beach destination. For southern-style seafood and steaks, try Grayton Beach. For upscale dishes, try Seaside, where breezy waterfront eateries serve up cutting-edge fusion cuisine and expertly prepared traditional American specialties. A number of festivals highlight the area's taste for fine wine and fresh seafood.

Don't Miss:

AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar
116 Highway 98 E
Destin Harbor, FL 32541
(850) 857-1913
AJ's is a tiki-themed local favorite with a great view of Destin Harbor. The menu features every kind of fresh seafood, and the atmosphere is lively. Bands play most nights at the restaurant's upstairs thatched-roof bar, Club Bimini. Open for lunch and dinner nightly. Specialties: Fresh local seafood, dockside dining, kid's menu and oyster happy hour.

Another Broken Egg Cafe
104 Harbor Drive, Destin / (850) 650-0499
9100 Baytowne Wharf Blvd A-4, Miramr / (850) 622-2050
Wake up to a delicious morning. Voted "Best Breakfast" on the Emerald Coast for 7 years in a row! How about a specialty omelet or bananas foster french toast? Breakfast, brunch and lunch. Convenient locations in Destin, Sandestin, Grayton Beach and Panama City.

Black Pearl
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy (at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island)
(850) 833-3016
Features wood-fired seafood and steaks that you'll treasure. Indoor and outdoor views of the Gulf of Mexico. Truely steaks and seafood that you will treasure.

Bud & Alley's Restaurant & Bar
2236 East County Road 30-A
Seaside, FL 32459
(850) 231-5900
There's fine dining, and then there's the finest. 2007 Florida Trend Magazine Golden Spoon Award Winner and a Top 20 Restaurant in Florida. Enjoy casual dining, award-winning menus, open-air rooftop
bar and daily sunset bell ringing. On the Gulf in Seaside for 21 years.

Buffalo's Reef/Stampede
757 US Highway 98, Destin / (850) 275-9464
116 N. Eglin Parkway, Fort Walton Beach / (850) 243-9464
Niceville / (850) 678-8646
Follow the stampede to the "Best Buffalo Wings on the Emerald Coast." Locally owned and operated, Mike Hanley has been "winging it" right for 17 years! Open 7 days, dine in or carry out. Buffalo's Stampede offers take-out only.

Buster's Seafood Oyster Bar & Grill
125 Poinciana Blvd. (across from Silver Sands Factory Stores)
Miramar Beach (850) 837-4399. “Where you come as a customer and leave as a friend.” Buster’s remains one of Destin’s most authentic dining experiences, serving an array of seafood, steak and chicken dishes, as well as salads and sandwiches. Be sure to check out “Oyster mania,” 5 to 6 p.m. daily. Bring the family to see Giggles the Clown at this location. Exclusive gift shop offering T-shirts and memorabilia. All major
credit cards accepted.

Capt. Anderson's Marina
5550 North Lagoon Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(Located on Grand Lagoon at Thomas Drive)
(850) 243-5490 or 1-800-360-0510
Enjoy an evening dinner cruise on the elegant Lady Anderson dining yacht, trips to Shell Island, dolphin encounters, deep-sea and charter fishing boats, gift shop, Anderson Seafood Market or Mel's Dockside Restaurant.

Capt. Dave's On The Gulf
3796 Scenic Hwy. 98 / (850) 837-2627. Located three miles west of Sandestin on Old Beach Road, on the beach side of the highway. Capt. Dave’s is the oldest seafood restaurant in Destin. Opens daily at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy some of the freshest seafood on the beach along with one of the most spectacular Gulf views anywhere – all in a friendly, casual environment. D=$16-$25. Reservations not required. All major credit cards accepted.

Ciao Bella Pizza da Gulglielmo
Sandestin (850) 654-3040 | Destin (850) 654-9815 | Bluewater Bay
All offer authentic Italian pizzas and pasta dishes. Dine in or out for affordable family dining.

The Crab Trap
On the boardwalk – Okaloosa Island / (850) 301-0959
Old Highway 98  - James Lee Park – Destin / (850) 654-2722
16495 Perdido Key Blvd. – Perdido Key / (850) 492-8888
Fresh seafood and the fun you came to Florida for!  Fresh local fish, crab legs, lobster, seafood baskets, fresh oysters, kids menu, loads of family fun & all located on the beach.

Criolla's Restaurant
170 East Scenic Highway 30-A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-1267
A night at Criolla's in Grayton Beach is like island hopping along the equator for exotic, flavorful cuisine and casual dining indulgence. Best of Award of Excellence (Wine Spectator) and a Hall of Fame Restaurant (Florida Trend Magazine).

Floyd's Shrimp House
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy (at the Boardwalk) - Okaloosa Island / (850) 243-2232
Enjoy casual, Family-friendly dining on the Boardwalk at Floyd's, home of "all-you-can-eat jumbo fried shrimp." Menu features fresh seafood, steaks and traditional favorites. Also offers nightly specials, a children's menu, full bar and happy hour. Serving lunch and dinner. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill
20001 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541-3410 / (850) 654-4200
108 Santa Rosa Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32413 / (850) 243-3833
25 Years of Fun! Fudpucker's is not your ordinary restaurant. Stop by either of their two locations and discover why they are "the place" for great food, friendly service, live music, world-famous T-shirts, and of course, FUN!

Joe's Crab Shack
14055 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-1882
Their menu includes half a dozen varieties of crab--plus burgers, sandwiches, colorful salads, chicken and seafood platters. Joe's
festive, laid-back atmosphere encourages you to let go, enjoy the party and have fun! Open daily.

LaPaz Restaurant & Cantina
950 Gulf Shore Drive
Destin, FL 62541
(850) 837-2247
Mexican fare with flair! Specializing in serving fresh, local seafood prepared south-of-the-border style along with all your traditional favorites. Voted "Best on the Emerald Coast" for 8 years running.

The Lighthouse Restaurant
878 Highway 98 E
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-2828
Food and service shines at The Lighthouse! Specializing in traditional seafood favorites and homemade desserts. And, half-price entrees are served from 4:30-8pm. Open 7 days a week.

The Marina Cafe
404 Highway 98 E
Destin Harbor, FL 32541
(850) 847-7960

For a fancier experience, visitors head to Destin's most romantic eatery, where candlelight and mood music accompany upscale New American fare. Enjoy fusilli with roast chicken and sun-dried tomatoes with a glass of wine while you gaze at the twinkling harbor lights.

Mitchell's Fish Market
500 Grand Blvd., Destin, FL (850) 650-2484
At Mitchell's Fish Market fresh seafood obsession is a commitment, and a passion for absolute freshness as a way of life. Fish any fresher would still be in the ocean. The ever changing menu printed twice daily puts the finest and freshest from every coastline on the planet within your culinary reach. There's a variety of chef driven dishes and tried-and-true seafood favorites.

Luna Del Mar Tex Mex Grill
5235 E. County Highway 30-A
Seagrove, FL 32459
(850) 231-6792
Owner and chef Lisa Galvan prepares the best Tex-Mex-style cuisine in Northwest Florida. Luna's custom menu and exotic dishes earned the "City’s Best" from AOL Cityguide and a four-star "extraordinary" from the Daily News.

Pizza Hut
1027 Highway 98 East
Destin, FL 32541 / (850) 269-2555
50 Holiday N Road
Miramar Beach, FL 32550 / (850) 269-3262
141 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 / (850) 243-8727
Enjoy America's favorite pizzas at several convenient locations along the Emerald Coast, including Ft. Walton Beach and Destin. Locally owned and operated since 1998.

Royal B Restaurant
36178 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, FL 850-269-1741
Phenomenal food isn't just our business, it’s our way of life.  Over 60 years ago our grandfather, Owen E. Brennan Sr., opened a restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans.  A restaurant that would make our family name synonymous with the finest French Creole dishes and attentive service.  At Clark and Blake Brennan’s Royal B Restaurants, we’re bringing our family traditions to you.  Our classic New Orleans cuisine, served alongside one of the Southeast’s most extensive wine lists, are sure to delight all those looking for the ultimate in fine dining.  Dinner served nightly from 6pm, Saturday/Sunday brunch served from 10:30am-2pm. 

Rutherfords 465 Restaurant at Regatta Bay
465 Regatta Bay Blvd., Destin FL (850) 337-8888
Located inside the Regatta Bay Clubhouse. Open to the public for lunch, early dinner and SUnday brunch. Overlooking the 18th green and Lake Regatta, Rutherfords 465 is perfect for special events including weddings, receptions, and business meetings.

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
334 Golf Course Drive
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Golf: (850) 267-2229 / Dining: (850) 267-2305
Golf Magazine calls it the "purest golf on the Panhandle," featuring the only Gulf-fronting holes in the area. Enjoy 18 challenging holes, full practice facility, full-service pro shop and a variety of great choices for dining or cocktails. For custom golf package information call 1-800-874-9836 or request information about our golf packages.

Seagar's
4000 Sandestin Boulevard South
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 622-1500
Wine lovers will enjoy Seagar's selection of over 500 labels of the world's finest wines. Awarded the AAA Four Diamond, DiRoNa Award, and Wine Spectator's "Best Of" Award of Excellence, Seagar's offers fine dining and an intimate, romantic atmosphere.

Shades Bar and Grill
10952 East County Highway 30-A, Next to Rosemary Beach, (850) 231-9410
A South Walton tradition since 1994, Shades has been described as the “place for the entire family”.  With our wide array of fresh menu items including local seafood, burgers, pizza and tasty hot wings you are sure to find something to please your palate.  Let the kids enjoy our game room while the adults indulge in our amazing draft beer selection with 28 beers from around the world.  Sports!  We have it.  With 7 HD television and all the premium packages we can accommodate the biggest sports fans.  Complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Staff's Seafood Restaurant
24 Miracle Strip Parkway (Highway 98)
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 243-3482
Established in 1913, Staff's is an historic Florida restaurant that specializes in serving fresh seafood, vegetables and salad greens that make you happy and healthy! Whole wheat bread baked daily. Open for lunch and dinner.

SunQuest Cruises Solaris
Baytowne Marina
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 650-2519
Dine, dance and enjoy the cruise aboard the area's premiere dining
and entertainment yacht. The perfect choice for intimate gatherings, celebrations, weddings and corporate events. Live entertainment and breathtaking sunsets! Baytowne Marina, Sandestin Golf and Beach.

The Treasure Ship
3605 Thomas Drive
Panama City, FL 32408
(850) 234-8881
Fine dining and family fun in a replica of a Spanish galleon overlooking Grand Lagoon on Panama City Beach. Live pirates roam the decks of three restaurants, including The Main Dining Room, Hook's Grille & Grog, and Captain Cabby's.

Uptown Station
399 Eglin Parkway, State Road #85
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 243-0401
Don't just go shopping, go Uptown! One stop for one great shopping experience, featuring 45 national and local merchants, ranging from Winn-Dixie to Buffalo Wild Wings to Radio Shack--and everything in between. In the heart of Fort Walton Beach.

Vin'tij Wine Boutique & Bistro
10859 West Emerald Coast Parkway, Suite 103
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-9820
Fine dining deserves a fine wine. Savor our eclectic coastal cuisine for lunch or dinner and see why Wine Spectator gave them its top award and Florida Trend awarded them a Golden Spoon as a top Florida restaurant. Bon appetit!