There are so many reasons to vacation on the Emerald Coast. Sugary soft, bright white sandy beaches. Warm, clear turquoise waters. Epic kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. World-class fishing and boating. Charming, friendly towns that are filled to the brim with exciting activities.
And then, of course, there’s the food! No beach vacation is complete without indulging in some mouth-watering local delicacies, delicious craft cocktails, and decadent desserts.
Come with us on a tour of some of our favorite spots to grab a bite to eat in Destin, Miramar Beach, and Sandestin. If you have any questions, please contact us at any time.
To experience true, fresh, world-famous Destin seafood, you’ll want to make a stop at Jackacuda’s. With a delicious, tantalizing sushi menu that includes rolls like The Baby Shark (spicy tuna, shrimp, salmon, jalapeno, and eel sauce) and the Marco Rollo (shrimp, steak, avocado, cream cheese, wasabi, bacon, green onions), you won’t want to miss this local-favorite hang out. They serve pork chops, burgers, and steak, too for the land-lovers.
Opened in 1996, McGuire’s Irish Pub has a charming, turn-of-the-century saloon vibe in its dining room. You can also dine on The Deck with a beautiful view of Destin Harbor. In addition to their delicious steak house a menu that includes classics like New York Strip and Prime Rib, McGuire’s also has some fantastic live entertainment and an impressive selection of beers on tap.
The Back Porch has been around since 1974, making it a certified Destin tradition. Located right on the beach, their specialty— of course— is fresh gulf seafood. Order a serving of their famous oysters or an Amberjack Sandwich. They also have delectable Gulf Shrimp and Yellowfin Tuna. Before you go, you’ll want to treat yourself to their tart and refreshing Key Lime Pie.
We have three words for you: Tiramisu French Toast. At Crackings, this is one of our favorite dishes. Specializing in breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, Crackings is the place to go for yummy omelets, fluffy pancakes, and to-die-for cinnamon rolls. Their lunch menu serves up classic down-home favorites like Chicken Pot Pie and Shrimp and Grits.
Mimmo’s Ristorante Italiano is the self-proclaimed “hottest restaurant in Destin— serving up authentic Italian dishes bursting with flavor and color.” Sounds good to us! It’s hard to pick a favorite from their spectacular menu, but we’re partial to the Fettuccini Alfredo with
Sausage, the Gnocchi Al Forno, and the Eggplant Parmigiana. No visit to Mimmo’s would be complete without Tiramisu or Cannoli. They also have a great wine list, craft cocktail menu, and kid’s menu.
Frequently voted the “Best of Destin” Sarah K’s Gourmet specializes in chef-prepared, ready-to-heat-and-eat, take-out cuisine. The perfect
place to stop when you’re staying at one of our vacation homes, you can bring the dishes home, heat them up, and then throw away the containers for a super-easy clean-up. (Who wants to do dishes on vacation anyway?) Try Sarah’s famous Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (all crab, no filler!) and her super-popular Chicken Salad.
Both a restaurant and a nightclub, Bric a Brac is the place people go to hang out and be with friends. Their delectable dinner menu includes Crab Cakes, Smoked Tuna Dip, Coconut Shrimp, Pork Tenderloin, and Manicotti. In the nightclub, they have a steamy Latin Night every Friday and Saturday night that is muy caliente!
No trip to the beach would be complete without some ice cream. Bring the whole family down to Bruster’s for some fresh ice cream and handmade waffle cones. With tantalizing flavors like Almond Chocolate Coconut, Banana Peanut Butter Ripple, Caramel Chocolate Pretzel, Lemon Blueberry Cake, and Wedding Cake, it’s easy to get a little carried away at Bruster’s. And that’s ok. That’s what vacation is for— enjoy!
Located right on the water in Destin harbor, Boshamps is a family-friendly restaurant that serves the freshest gulf-to-table southern cuisine around. They have an impressive oyster bar, lots of fresh salads and savory chowders, and mouth-watering favorites like Pan-Roasted Gulf Grouper, and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Boshamps also has an extensive libations menu, exciting live entertainment, and is the best place to watch the sunset and the parade of local boats in the harbor.
Right across the street from our Seablue vacation rental home is the luxurious, beachfront Henderson Resort with a half dozen restaurants to choose from. You can stroll over from Seablue for a casual lunch at the poolside Sea Level cafe or have an intimate date night at Primrose. They also have a Sprinkles Cafe to satisfy your sweet tooth and The Rooftop bar has live music, breathtaking views, and delicious craft cocktails.
With white tablecloths and a romantic ambiance, Bijoux is great for a date night. Their gorgeous dinner menu includes such rare treats as Duck Confit and Rack of Lamb. You’ll also want to check out their unforgettable Black Skillet Filet Mignon with Buttermilk Gruyere Mashed Potatoes. And then top it all off with their Chocolate Hazlenut Cake. Keep in mind that there is a bit of a dress code at Bijoux— so no cut off shorts or tank tops, please. And you’ll want to wear your fanciest flip-flops.
Located right on the sandy beach in Miramar Beach, Pompano Joe’s is often named one of the world’s best beachfront restaurants. With its friendly, colorful exterior and gorgeous views, it’s easy to see why. And the food’s not bad either! You’ll want to try their award-winning Seafood Gumbo, savory Grilled Salmon Salad, or the Grouper Rueben. They have a location in Panama City Beach, as well.
Open from 8 AM to 1 PM, Mama Clemenza’s does one thing, and does it really, really well: breakfast. Serving up specialty roast coffees and fresh-squeezed juices, Mama’s does breakfast like no one else on the Emerald Coast. Stop by to tuck into her Homemade Lemon Curd Ricotta Pancakes, Bananas Foster French Toast, Roast Chicken Omelet, or the Seafood Crepes. Yum!
Grand Boulevard is the place to be in Sandestin for shopping and strolling. And Tommy Bahama Restaurant is a great spot to refuel. With crowd-pleasers like Filet Mignon Tacos and Grilled Baby Back Pork Ribs, it’s easy to see why Tommy Bahama is such a popular brand. Their martini menu, rum bar, and wine list are phenomenal, too!
For a perfectly grilled steak served in an elegant dining room, look no further than Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. You can choose to sit in the luxurious dining room or the more casual outdoor patio. Menu items like the Prime Tomahawk Steak, Truffle-Poached Lobster, and Barbeque Scottish Salmon Fillet make for a truly memorable dining experience. They also have an excellent children’s menu and a gluten-free selection. End your evening with an espresso and a Chocolate Lava Cake