resturants in destin

[mcc2318]

ive been to AJs and the back porch what else is out there

[ReefHound]

Dewey's is a quaint little place on the harbor that is popular with the locals.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by mcc2318

ive been to AJs and the back porch what else is out there

There is much much much more out there...

I like AJ's, but it's nothing great. Eating up on the top deck for lunch is fun because you can sit and watch the boats come and go. But in my opinion the service there typically sucks. (oh well).

Back Porch is good too. It's owned by the same company that owns Lousiana Laginappe and Pompano Joes. Both of these are good also.

Deweys' Destin that ReefHound mentioned is good also and not high priced, but go with the realization that it's fish basket food. It's still some of the best seafood you can get there. Parking is usually full, but you can always find a place. WHen you get there, get someone in your party to snag a table as quick as you can as they run out. Great place to sit on the dock and watch the sunset. Since you sit on the dock, great place to go after diving.

Other choices that I like:

Capt Daves on the Gulf: they have a great Terriaki Scallops and Mahi Mahi. It's a nicer restaurant with huge glass windows looking over the beach. Located on old hwy 98 at the county line. easy parking across the street.

Pompano Joes: Great food, but their bar isn't that great (they use artificial juices to make their drinks). The Tuna melt there rocks as does the tuna appetizer. They have two grouper dishs there that are great also. Located on the beach on old hwy 98. Parking is terrible here. The parking lot was taken out by Hurricane Ivan and then again the next summer by the next hurricane and they really haven't fixed it yet.

Harbor Docks: Great place to eat, but pricey. Parking is almost non existant and you have to use their valet service, which is free but the drivers work for tips, so have some cash. Dinner for two here will run you $65 to $90 easily If you get the fresh catch, they will often charge you $10 extra for certain meals if you want it "fresh". I think our bill after tipping the valet and the waiter was easily $100 bucks for 2 of us. Though it was good, it wasn't worth that much.

Red Bar: Santa Rosa Beach. Best grouper I've ever had. They only have 5 items on the menu and take only cash. But they are that good. It's worth the drive down there. Definately go again.

Stinkys Fish Camp: what did you say you're asking? yep. that's the name of the place. It's a small square building on 30A in Dune Allen Beach. It doesn't look like much or does their name do them justice. But the food there is GREAT. I would have never tried it if I didn't go there with someone else, but I'll go back. Service was excellent.

WhaleTail: Near Seascape on old hwy98. This place is kinda a dump to be honest with you, but what I like about it is that you can sit out on the deck at a pinic table and eat and watch the sunset and activity on the beach. Compared to other spots, parking is easy and usually not a wait and price is moderate. They tend to not have the "First rate wait staff" either, but It's one of those "what you make of it spots" but I find it relaxing because of sitting on the deck and let the other stuff brush off...

Callahans: Great food, but I heard they've moved from their location on Gulf Shore Drive. THey have pretty good steaks also.

Mellow Mushroom: Pizza and hot sandwiches. I love their pizza..... I usually eat there at least once while in town because we don't have one near us... Hwy 98 up near Gulf Shore Drive.


Other reviews:
Crab Trap: Been there several times and while I've never had a bad meal there, it just wasn't great by any means. fish was always kinda mushy like it'd been kept in a warmer. I can grill better fish than they do and I don't have a $65 bill/check at the end of the night after waiting 1.5 hours just to sit down. just not worth the hassle.

Lucky Snapper: Been there I think twice and it was never great either time. Service was alway mediocore also. Not worth the cost of the meal there.

Fishermans Wharf: on the harbor. Ok, nothing great. DIdn't see a reason for a return visit when you have other better choices. Prob reason that there was plenty of parking there..... hah



hope all that helps.

[TheProf]

The Marina Cafe was a great place to get dressed up (Florida resort style dressed up) and have a great non-fried seafood dinner with a view. Unlike the Back Porch or Ajs, this place had more of a fine dining ambience. It is quite pricy, however.

[BSea]

Try the Bayside Broiler. On the Island between Destin & Ft. Walton.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by BSea

Try the Bayside Broiler. On the Island between Destin & Ft. Walton.

I've eaten there... It was good and I had no complaints, but not "great" by any means.

I'd eat there again, but I wouldn't categorize it as a "must go to" on my next visit.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by mike_s

I've eaten there... It was good and I had no complaints, but not "great" by any means.

I'd eat there again, but I wouldn't categorize it as a "must go to" on my next visit.

That's why there's more than 1 horse in a horse race. Obviously you didn't have the bacon wrapped scallops.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by BSea

That's why there's more than 1 horse in a horse race. Obviously you didn't have the bacon wrapped scallops.

late reply to this thread as I just looked it up for a reference to another post, but damn that does sound good. Bacon wrapped scallops. that sounds real good. I might have to check it out again.


check out Capt Daves. they've got great Terriaki Scallops.

[Skyjunky]

McGuires-Irish place. Good steaks and drinks

[DarinMartell]

Italian Place right behind of Back Porch 9same comapny). $12 Sunday brunch including normal Brunch stuff pluss omlet / pasta bar including Chicken, Shrimp, Scallops, Ham, and 4 types of pasta cooked to order.

Beachwalk Cafe is some of the best fine dining I have ever had. A bit pricey but check out their website for specials. Off season if you make a reservation before 5pm take 25% everything but bottles of wine. We sat on the patio by the beach for a great meal and even better sunset view (November so the 5pm res was perfect), you could pay an extra $200 and have a table set up on the sand 10 feet from the water but we didn't think it was worth it to get just 50' closer to the water. I had the Red Snapper with Lobster Holandaise sauce, it was unbelievable, my wife had the duck and loved it, and the mini desert platter was great. They even had sparkling wine from our favorite Iron Horse Winery.