Known as the “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin, Florida has gone from a quiet fishing community to a world-class tourist destination.
Captain Leonard Destin began fishing the gulf waters in 1835 and permanently settled in the area around 1850. Captain Destin helped establish the local fishing industry well over a century ago, but the Emerald Coast continues to maintain its long maritime heritage. Destin has one of the largest and well-equipped fishing fleets in the State of Florida.
Thanks to some of the most stunning, sugar-white beaches in the world, Destin has also evolved into one of the premier visitor destinations in the Southeastern United States. While it still maintains its beauty and rich fishing history, you’ll now find miles of hotels, condos, tourist attractions, shopping, and some of the best restaurants on the entire Gulf Coast.
If you’re looking for fresh Gulf seafood, the Destin/Emerald Coast area has you covered – several times over. Along with seafood, there’s an eclectic mix of cuisines that will satisfy just about everyone’s palette. We’ve gone through the painstaking process of selecting 15 of the top places to eat, but we also wanted to make sure we covered all that Destin has to offer.
Related: 20 Things to do in Destin, Florida for A Perfect Week On & Off the Beach
How We Chose the Top 15
Yummy Food – A no-brainer, right? There are so many great restaurants in Destin it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to fifteen. Regardless of the style of cuisine, these top restaurants consistently rank high on internet search engines, review websites, social media, and local recommendations.
Supporting Local – There are many outstanding national chain restaurants in the Destin area, but if you want to experience more of the local flare, we highly recommend getting “off the beaten path.” A couple of our recommendations have more than one location, but they are all exclusive to the Gulf Coast region.
Atmosphere and Vibe – Whether indoor, outdoor, casual, or fine dining, these restaurants get high marks for a unique and enjoyable dining experience.
Here are 15 of the best places to eat in Destin (in no particular order).
Traveling to Pensacola? Check out more great restaurants to visit:
Top 10 Places to Eat on Pensacola Beach
Top 20 Places to Eat in Pensacola
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Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House
Located on the beautiful Destin Harbor, Boshamps offers visitors a casual and comfortable dining atmosphere along with some of the best seafood in the area. Fresh gulf seafood, Angus steaks, zesty corn & crab chowder, local Gulf seafood gumbo, cool salads, and five options from the oyster bar – raw, fried, and three types of baked oysters. You’ll love the food and the view overlooking Destin Harbor.
414 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL
(850) 424-7406
The Local Market
Appropriately named, The Local Market is a local Destin favorite. Stop by and experience the rustic cafe with a chalkboard menu of American comfort foods, smoothies, juices, coffee, and beer. Voted the best sandwich shop in Destin, they offer delicious menu options for breakfast or lunch. Choose from 11 breakfast items (including homemade donuts) to get your day started, 17 delicious sandwiches, and several crispy salad options for lunch.
950 Gulf Shore Dr.
Destin, FL
(850) 460-8979
Mimmo’s Ristaurante Italiano
One of the hottest restaurants in Destin and a favorite with locals, Mimmo’s serves up homemade Southern Italian cuisine bursting with flavor and color. Enjoy made-from-scratch recipes created by owner/Chef Mimmo – handcrafted pasta, fresh-baked bread, brick oven pizza, and a whole lot more.
Stop by for dinner in their elegant dining room with wood and stone accents, or enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or martini at the bar.
Destin location
79 US Hwy 98 E. Ste. 5
Destin, FL
(850) 460-7353
Mimmo’s 30A (Now Open)
2700 W. County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
(850) 660-6970
Harbor Docks
Harbor Docks has been a Destin seafood restaurant tradition since 1979. If you want to get a taste of Destin’s historical fishing lifestyle, put this locals’ favorite at the top of your list. They serve fresh Gulf to Table® seafood and sushi directly from their own market located below the restaurant. Simply put, it doesn’t get any fresher than Harbor Docks.
538 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, FL
(850) 837-2506
McGuire’s Irish Pub
McGuire’s opened their original Pensacola location in 1977. It was so successful it was a no-brainer to open a second location in Destin around 1996. Even though it’s 20 years younger, the Destin version offers the same great food, live Irish entertainment, and thousands of dollar bills decorating the walls and ceiling.
You can dine in the 500-seat pub or sit outside on the 150-seat deck. A true Irish Pub experience with some of the best steaks and prime rib you’ll ever eat. Plus, many great Irish culinary traditions like shepherd’s pie, corned beef & cabbage, fish & chips, Angus steak burgers, and an in-house brewery.
33 US-98
Destin, FL
(850) 650-0000
Burrito Del Sol
Burrito Del Sol serves fresh “Baja-Style” Mexican food in two Gulf Coast locations – downtown Fort Walton Beach the newest location in Destin. The menu is a simple three-step process. Step 1 – Choose your tortilla/base (burrito, tacos, quesadilla, or taco salad). Step 2 – Pick your protein (chicken, beef, steak, tempeh, grilled shrimp, or fish). Step 3 – Pick your style (Baja, chipotle, southwest, BBQ).
Their guacamole, red salsa, Baja, chipotle, and pineapple salsas are prepared fresh every day. Popular menu items include blackened shrimp tacos served “Baja style”, steak nachos served “chipotle style, and chicken burritos served “Southwest style”.
517 Harbor Blvd
Destin, FL
(850) 424-6269
Fort Walton Beach location
201-B Miracle Strip Pkwy,
SE Fort Walton Beach, FL
(850) 226-8016
Red Onion Organic
If you’re looking for delicious, international-themed cuisine, you’ll definitely want to add Red Onion Organic to your itinerary. Although the restaurant is smaller in size, the cuisine is huge in flavor. You’ll find a full menu of authentic and healthy Mediterranean cuisine. Dining is available inside or outdoors.
Start with one of their homemade tapas, including hummus, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and feta cheese rolls. Order one of their signature gyros or chicken/beef kabob wraps for lunch. Seven uniquely Mediterranean entrees include olive oil ribeye, french alpine rack of lamb, chicken cava, and the shish kabob platter.
529 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, FL
(850) 842-2734
Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant
The Destin name and the City of Destin have been connected ever since Dewey’s great, great grandfather, Captain Leonard Destin, founded the sleepy fishing village in the mid-1800s. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant is one of the original locations where much of its history began. They continue that long fishing tradition by serving fresh, sustainable seafood in their family-owned restaurants – two in the Destin area and one in Navarre, FL.
To put it simply – this is old-school Florida. If you want to scout out the history of Destin, this is a good location to start. The restaurant is an older metal shack-like building located next to the water. Order at the window, grab a seat and soak up some of Destin’s historical rays. You can always count on beautiful views of Crab Island and some of the best seafood in town.
Destin Orginal Location:
MENU
9 Calhoun Ave.
Destin, FL
(850) 837-7575
Harborside Location:
MENU
202 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, FL
(850) 837-7525
The Donut Hole Bakery & Cafe
The Donut Hole has been a Destin staple since it originally opened way back in 1978. Of course, they serve up some mouth-watering donuts, but they also serve up a full menu of delicious breakfast (served all day/night), lunch, and dinner options. During the busy spring and summer months, if you don’t get there early, you’ll probably be spending some time waiting in line – but it’s well worth the experience.
Let’s get back to those donuts… oh, and we didn’t even mention the desserts. You’ll find a nice selection of donuts, including the usual favorites along with specialty donuts like red velvet, key lime, coconut cream, and more. You’ll also find an array of dessert confections like their world-famous key lime pie – grab a slice after dinner or take home an entire pie!
Depending on where you’re staying, The Donut Hole probably has a location near you at one of their three locations in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and the 30a area.
635 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, FL
(850) 837-8824
12983 US-98 E,
Rosemary Beach, FL
(850) 213-3127
6745 Hwy. 98
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
(850) 267-3239
Louisiana Lagniappe
Louisiana Lagniappe has consistently served fresh Gulf seafood with a Creole flair for over thirty years. The attire is casual, yet it offers an upscale waterfront dining experience for a date night or with the family. Combine amazing food with beautiful sunsets, and you have the makings of a memorable dining experience.
Louisiana Lagniappe is consistently ranked in the Top 10 restaurants on TripAdvisor and a frequent winner of the local “Award of Excellence.” Favorite selections include Grouper Kevin, barbeque jumbo shrimp, jambalaya, Lagniappe seafood platter, and the surf and turf.
775 Gulf Shore Drive
Destin, FL
(850) 837-0881
Real Thai Fusion
The Ft. Walton Beach and Destin areas are known for having lots of Thai cuisine options. Destin is fortunate to have one of the best. Located in the Miramar Beach area, Real Thai Fusion is a local favorite where authentic traditional Thai meets the Emerald Coast.
Family-owned and operated, they serve authentic Thai dishes accompanied along with friendly Thai hospitality. If you like authentic traditional Thai dishes, give Real Thai Fusion a visit.
Rufus Ray Plaza
11275 US-98 #11
Miramar Beach, FL
(850) 837-5344
The Capriccio Cafe
Known around town as Destin’s local Italian Cafe, Capriccio Cafe specializes in gourmet coffee, pastries, crepes, sandwiches, and salads. Best of all, their coffee, meats, and cheeses are imported directly from Italy. Stop by and try one of their famous crepes for breakfast or a delicious salad or gourmet sandwich for lunch.
If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee, do yourself a favor and stop by Capriccio Cafe. Try one of their hand-brewed coffees, espressos, or iced coffee imported directly from Italy. Italian coffee and gourmet food in a relaxed atmosphere make Capriccio one of the more unique places to visit in Destin.
810 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, FL
(850) 460-7050
Stewby’s Seafood Shanty
Stewby’s opened its first take-out and dine-in seafood restaurant in Fort Walton Beach around 2012.
You didn’t have to eat there to know it was popular with the locals. Just drive by during lunch or dinner hours and see the line of people waiting to order. It’s become so popular they opened a second restaurant and seafood market on Okaloosa Island and now a third location in Crestview.
From the “fish of the day” to the oysters and shrimp – all the seafood is caught locally. If you’re looking for a great bowl of gumbo, look no further than Stewby’s. Besides the freshest Gulf Coast seafood and gumbo, the Okaloosa Island location sells a variety of seafood for you to take home and cook. Or call ahead and take one of their steamed seafood dinners to the beach.
235 Santa Rosa Blvd.
(Okaloosa Island)
(850) 374-3765
427 Racetrack Rd NW
Fort Walton Beach, FL
(850) 586-7001
Pazzo Italiano Ristorante & Bar
Pazzo describes itself as a “trendy local eatery featuring indulgent Italian traditional cuisine, wood-fired pizza… in a cosmopolitan yet family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”
While they are known for their handcrafted artisanal pizzas, they also have a diverse selection of pasta, salads, traditional Italian dishes, and main courses like veal/chicken marsala and salmone piccante.
All dishes are created from family recipes, and their wood-fired oven is imported directly from Naples (Italy). Traditional Italian cuisine served in a trendy, upscale setting is sure to please anyone with an appetite for delicious food.
34904 Emerald Coast Parkway Ste. 114
Destin, FL
(850) 974-5484
The Harbor Tavern
Let’s be honest, you visit Destin and the beautiful Gulf Coast region for the amazing views and to escape the stresses of everyday life. Check off both those boxes at The Harbor Tavern. This laid-back spot with a terrace & marina offers up amazing views and vibes.
Besides the waterfront views and easygoing atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that will also make even the pickiest of eaters happy. Order off the menu of culinary favorites like tacos, burgers/sandwiches, and salads – or try one of their Mediterranean specialty pitas or bowls.
Harbor Tavern is a place to grab a cool, frosty beverage, some tasty eats, listen to live music, and soak up a local Destin favorite.
306 Harbor Blvd
Destin, FL
(850) 842-2377
