7 Best Restaurants In Destin, Florida

Beach Walk Café at Henderson Park Inn is a fine-dining establishment right on the white beach that comes with perfect Gulf views from its spacious veranda. For special occasions, the restaurant can organize a ‘Toes in the Sand Dining Experience’ where your table is set up on the beach itself. At this venue, the highly-skilled chef proposes creative, scrumptious dishes. Favorites include filet mignon and seared snapper. To wash down the food, Beach Walk has an extensive wine list.

Vintij Wine Boutique & Bistro has been going strong since 1998, despite hiding in a strip mall across the street from an outlet mall. The entrance is marked with a stained-glass window of brightly-colored squares created by the staff. The glass mural is paired with a wall made out of wine crates and painted in bold, matching colors. This well-stocked wine merchant offers innovative dishes made from first-rate ingredients, often accompanied by a suggested wine. Every Thursday, Vintij also organizes themed wine tastings.

McGuire’s Irish Pub is a fun and friendly pub with wholesome cooking. It is renowned for soft and sizzling steaks, delicious shepherd’s pie and the 18 cent white bean soup. The generous portions are accompanied by a selection of beers brewed on the premises or cocktails served in a jar. For creative visitors, DIY Bloody Marys are available at Sunday brunch and include choices of meats, cheeses, vegetables and seasoning. Before leaving don’t forget to staple a one dollar bill to the walls – apparently the total value of all the hanging and stapled bills is close to USD one million.

A short drive outside Destin, hiding in an unpromising-looking shopping mall, is Sushimoto, considered by many as the finest sushi place in the area. It’s sushi with an innovative twist. Popular dishes include rainbow roll with boiled shrimp and cucumber inside, and tuna, salmon, whitefish and avocado on top; or surf ‘n’ turf roll with steak and boiled shrimp. There are plenty of alternatives for non-sushi fans like a selection of tempura and yakisoba noodles with egg, cabbage and a choice of meat.

The Lousiana Langniappe has been serving Gulf seafood with a Creole flavor since 1984. Located in Sandpiper Cove, the restaurant offers good harbor views and has highly attentive service. The Langniappe is famous for its hushpuppies but exercise restraint to focus on the mains with fresh seafood and steaks on the menu. Try the blackened shrimp and the house special: stuffed grouper.

The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House is a local institution with a 40-year history that sits right on the beach, making it great for sunset-watching. But it’s not just about the views. The restaurant, famous for inventing the amberjack sandwich, takes pride in its Gulf seafood offering. Try the fresh Appalachicola oysters, served raw or baked. Other popular choices include the Gulf snapper and Gulf grouper sandwiches, firecracker shrimp and smoked tuna dip. Save some room for the signature key lime pie.

Dewey Destin’s Seafood is a little difficult to find but you’ll be glad you made the effort. It is a nondescript shack over the water which overlooks Crab Island. This casual and relaxed restaurant offers a large selection of excellent local seafood served grilled, fried or blackened. Fried shrimps and crab cakes are particularly popular. Look out for the wide choice of ‘catch of the day’ fish. Pick a sunny day to make the most of the splendid sunset views from the picnic tables outside.