A Guide to Destin Florida Restaurants

Destin, FL, is home to many delicious seafood restaurants, waterfront dining options, and unique local choices that make it nothing short of a challenge to figure out where to start your culinary journey. Luckily, you’ll find pockets of restaurants lining the streets of Destin and scenting the air with the smell of fresh local dishes and a lively atmosphere. Taste the catch-of-the-day, grab a quick bite during a shopping spree, or start your day on the right foot. No matter what you’ve got a hankering for, you’ll find that it’s  just a hop, skip, and a jump away from our Sterling Sands condos!

Destin Restaurants Near the Beach

There are many beach access points throughout Destin, FL. From Princess Beach to Destin Beach, try these tasty eateries after a day of sunbathing or building castles in the sand.

The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.4 o Google | 4.5 Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 9PM
• View Menu

The Back Porch serves wild caught seafood with a stunning Gulf front view. With fresh seafood delivered daily, you’ll be blown away by the authentic flavors oyster, shrimp, yellowfish tuna, and more that compliment each dish. Join locals and tourists for happy hour everyday from 3PM - 5PM to discover what everyone is truly raving about.

Captain Dave’s on the Gulf

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.3 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Wed - Mon 4PM - 9PM | Closed Tuesday
• View Menu

Captain Dave’s on the Gulf is renowned as one of the most loved seafood restaurants on the Emerald Coast for the last 50 years. Enjoy a bite to eat as you enjoy the sandy beachfront view from the large windows. Their diverse menu gives you the option to choose from chargrilled, blackened, and fried seafood, burgers, chicken and more. There’s even something for kiddos to enjoy!

Crab Trap

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.1 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 10PM
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Crab Trap is a waterfront restaurant with emphasis on fresh seafood dishes like fried calamari and signature shrimp dishes. Enjoy everything from southern-style crab cakes to their Cajun chicken dish. Be sure to enjoy a refreshing frozen daiquiri made with fresh fruit during your meal and browse their selection of specialty drinks, wines, and draft beers.

Pompano Joe’s

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.4 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 9PM
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Enjoy the laid-back and vibrant atmosphere at Pompano Joe’s complimented by the delicious Caribbean Cuisine and tropical cocktails. With an extensive menu, you can choose from all sorts of seafood dishes and beef and chicken dishes. Try a creative island inspired meal crafted from fresh grouper, mahi mahi, snapper, and more!

Best Restaurants Around the Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Home to the Destin Fishing Rodeo and next to HarborWalk Village, The Destin Harbor Boardwalk boasts many restaurants to choose from and exciting adventures to be had!

Boathouse Oyster Bar

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.3 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 2AM
• View Menu

The Boathouse Oyster Bar is a fan-favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. There are endless options that will calm your appetite ranging from sandwiches and oysters to a beautiful arrangement of fresh seafood with the mix and match platter. You’ll never  be left wanting more when you peruse their menu, so dig into a local favorite next time you’re in Destin!

Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.5 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 9PM
• View Menu

Enjoy the waterfront scenery when you dine right along Destin Harbor at Boshamps! Add a side of live music to your meal while you watch the water dance back and forth against the dock. Boshamps creates a beautiful atmosphere displaying their passion for serving up Gulf to Table meals working alongside Lucky Dog Seafood Company for their next fresh catch on the menu. Pair your meal with a Boshamps Custom Cocktail or a flavorful daiquiri for an added treat to your experience.

Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.4 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Sun - Thur 11AM - 9PM | Fri & Sat 11AM - 10PM
• View Menu

Enjoy a fresh meal curated with fish caught straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Brotula’s serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, so you can grab a fresh bite to eat any time of day. Try a cheesy mahi reuben for brunch, fried crab claws for brunch, and the award-winning seafood gumbo for dinner. The flavors on the menu are unbelievable and you’ll have ample opportunities to explore every item on the menu during your stay.

Dewey Destin’s Harborside

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.4 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 11AM - 9PM
• View Menu

Just down the road from their original location, Dewey Destin’s Harborside is a more traditional take on a Florida seafood restaurant. Enjoy the catch of the day or bring your own fileted catch to enjoy with one of their delicious sides. From sandwiches made with fresh fish to chicken dinners and steamed meals, you’ll love the fresh taste of Destin that comes with Dewey Destin’s

The Edge Seafood Restaurant & Skybar

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.6 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Sun - Thur 11AM - 9:30PM | Fri & Sat 11AM - 11PM 
• View Menu

Destin locals have given The Edge many accolades like the “Best Outdoor Dining”, “Best New Restaurant”, and more since its 2022 opening. In just a short time. Enjoy the views of the Destin Harbor from the Skybar, and pig out on delicious seafood creations like the seafood tower piled with oysters, crab legs, shrimp ceviche, and more. Or, you can enjoy classics like the gulf tacos or juicy wagyu burger in a well curated, unforgettable setting.

Harbor Docks

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.3 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Wed 11AM - 10PM | Thur - Sun 11AM - 11PM
• View Menu

For over 40 years, Harbor Docks has served fresh Gulf to Table meals, using locally harvested seafood that gets unloaded right at their docks. Start your dinner with their delectable yellowfish tuna dip served with house pickles and spicy potato chips. Next, dive into the catch of the day served with natural hand-cut fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. You can also choose from a variety of sushi rolls and other meat choices, too. You can also drop in for lunch and enjoy a classic fried green tomato BLT to experience a different side of the menu.

Must-Try Restaurants in Destin Commons

Destin Commons is an outdoor shopping center with over 80 shops and restaurants to explore. Grab a bite to eat from this award-winning lineup of restaurants and shops.

Destination Little Donuts

• Price Range: $
• Star Rating: 4.5 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sat 9AM - 8PM | Sun 9AM - 7PM
• View Menu

Destination Little Donuts is your one-stop shop when your sweet-tooth catches up to you. Try one of their delicious creations like the oreo cheesecake donut or a classic Homer donut with strawberry glaze and rainbow sprinkles. You can even fill up on a sausage and cheese grilled on a donut! What creation will you try next?

El Jalisco

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.1 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Thur 11AM - 9PM | Fri & Sat 11AM - 10PM | Sun 11AM - 8PM
• View Menu

El Jalisco is a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine alongside a family-operated business model. Try the carnitas favorite, a classic favorite served with fluffy Mexican rice, seasoned beans, fresh pico de gallo, and more! Each dish provides a tasty glimpse into authentic Mexican cuisine, taking you on an adventure of flavors.

Formula Fresh

• Price Range: $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.2 on Google | 4.5 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Mon - Sun 7:30AM - 5PM
• View Menu

Get a healthy start to your day when you choose a quick bite to eat at Formula Fresh. Located in Destin Commons, a refreshing cold-pressed juice or lemon ginger shot will perk you right up to continue exploring all the nearby shops. Enjoy one of many acai bowls or even a crunchy slice of toast on sprouted grain toast. Get a pinch of freshness in your day and feel the effects of a fresh snack all day long!

Redbrick Pizza

• Price Range:  $$ - $$$
• Star Rating: 4.1 on Google | 4.0 on Tripadvisor
• Hours: Sun - Thur 11AM - 8PM | Fri & Sat 11AM - 9PM
• View Menu

Redbrick Pizza has established itself as one of Destin's go-to pizzerias, earning a reputation as a local favorite. Known particularly for their Margherita Pizza, which has become something of a local classic, RedBrick offers more than just traditional pizza options. Dive into Pesto Chicken Amore which is chicken, artichokes, and mushrooms drizzled with a basil pesto sauce. Redbrick is the perfect lunch spot to stop at as you’re shopping around Destin Commons.

Find a Condo Rental in Destin to Explore the Dining Scene

Destin is indeed a foodie’s paradise and should be the next Destin-ation on your list if you love good food, vibrant atmospheres, and a passionate team to bring it all together. There’s so much to explore, and you may not be able to fit every restaurant into your first visit. To take your trip to the next level, you’ll want to be in the heart of all the action. This is where Sterling Sands comes in to take your vacation to the next level.

We are conveniently located about 10 minutes away from Destin Harbor, so you can get your grub on in just a short drive. Sterling Sands sits right on the beach, so you can take a short stroll to the Back Porch or venture to another beach access point and burn your meal off with a long walk through the sand. We have many options and spacious layouts to make your vacation comfortable. Whether you want to rent a studio or a 3 bedroom condo in Destin, you’ll find what you’re looking for right along the shores of the Emerald Coast!