Destin, FL has some incredible restaurants and places to eat, but perhaps the most popular are the Destin restaurants on the beach and water! Destin offers a variety of restaurants on the beach from local dives to fine dining right on the sand. Whether you’re with family & kids or on a romantic getaway, there are plenty of great restaurants on the beach in Destin, FL to choose from!
To help you find some great places to eat on the beach in Destin, we have put together a list of some of the most popular Destin restaurants on the water that offer excellent food and amazing views…especially at sunset! Many of these Destin restaurants serve up fresh seafood caught right off the shore in the Gulf of Mexico and their specials change daily based on what was caught. Be sure to ask the waiter/waitress about the most popular items as you’ll undoubtedly discover some excellent new foods!
Destin Restaurants on the Beach and Water
These Destin restaurants on the beach are listed in no particular order and we recommend all of them! Almost all of them are fantastic Destin seafood restaurants and each have some sort of dish they are known for. We constantly hear rave reviews about all of these restaurants on the water in Destin, so be sure to consider them when you visit Destin, Florida!
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House
Pompano Joe’s is perhaps one of the most popular Destin restaurants on the beach with its colorful decor and Caribbean-inspired menu with items such as their Reggae Rolls and Garlic Crusted Grouper. The open-air setting on the beach is a perfect place to grab lunch or dinner in Destin, FL. Locals love it and visitors constantly have it on their “must-eat” lists! Definitely check out this Destin restaurant on the beach!
Pompano Joe’s Menu: http://www.pompano-joes.com/menu.shtml
Address: 2237 Scenic Gulf Highway | Destin, FL 32550 | Map & Directions
Phone: 850-837-2224
Website: http://www.pompano-joes.com/
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
AJ’s World Famous Seafood and Oyster Bar is a very popular Destin restaurant on the water with great views, fantastic food, and live music available often. AJ’s is located in Destin Harbor which has plenty of eye candy with the yachts, sports boats, fishing boats, etc. AJ’s is famous for meals such as the colossal No Frills Steamer Basket with snow crab legs and of course the oysters! AJ’s is a favorite of visitors as well as locals, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in Destin for a great place to eat on the water!
AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Menu: http://www.doitgulfcoast.com/destin/ajs/menu.htm
Address: 116 Highway 98 East | Destin, FL | Map & Directions
Phone: (850) 837-1913
Website: http://www.doitgulfcoast.com/destin/ajs/ajs.htm
Harbor Docks
Harbor Docks is located in what use to be an old cottage right by the water with great views. They serve up excellent food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even have sushi! Harbor Docks is among the best Destin seafood restaurants with lots of their dishes coming fresh out of the Gulf like the Gulf Grouper Parmadine, which is Broiled Gulf Grouper with Crabmeat, Parmesan Cheese and Toasted Almonds served with Peas and Rice with Chow Chow! Definitely check out the menus on their website to see all of the great seafood dishes they have to offer.
Address: 538 Harbor Boulevard | Destin, FL 32541 | Map & Directions
Phone: (850) 837-2506
Website: http://www.harbordocks.com/Harbor_Docks/Welcome.html
Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill at the Hilton
Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill at the Hilton Sandestin Beach features “features spectacular, unobstructed views of our sugar-white beach and emerald-green water” as they say. Some of their most popular dishes are the zesty fish tacos, scrumptious grouper sandwiches and colossal salads. Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill is open seasonally from March 1-October 31 from 11am-6pm making it ideal for lunch and a great Destin restaurant on the beach!
Menu: http://www.sandestinbeachhilton.com/media/pdf/BFMENU32012.pdf
Address: 4000 Sandestin Boulevard South | Destin, FL 32550 | Map & Directions
Website: http://www.sandestinbeachhilton.com/dining-and-entertainment-barefoots
Marina Cafe
The Marina Cafe in Destin, FL claims to be “all about sensational food, attentive service and breathtaking Destin Harbor views.” One look at the photos on their website and you can’t help but agree! Marina Cafe is a Destin restaurant on the water that offers both inside and outside dining. When dining inside, the harbor view is still fantastic with floor-to-ceiling windows that spans the dining room! With excellent food and a great wine selection, the Marina Cafe is among the best Destin restaurants on the water!
Marina Cafe Menu: http://marinacafe.harborrestaurantgroup.com/menus
Address: 404 Harbor Blvd. | Destin, FL 32541 | Map & Directions
Phone: 850-837-7960
Website: http://marinacafe.harborrestaurantgroup.com/
Harry T’s
Harry T’s is a Destin restaurant on the harbor that has quite the history behind it! What began as a boat house has evolved into a popular Destin restaurant that visitors and locals love to frequent. Their menu is 12 pages long and literally has something for everyone! If you can’t find something to eat in their menu, then you’re just not hungry. Be sure to check out Harry T’s in Destin, FL for an excellent place to eat on the water in Destin!
Harry T’s Menu: http://www.harryts.com/menu.php
Address: 46 Harbor Blvd. | Destin, FL | Map & Directions
Phone: 850-654-4800
Website: http://www.harryts.com/
Beach Walk Cafe
Last, but certainly not least, is the Beach Walk Cafe in Destin, FL which claims to be “Destin’s ONLY fine dining located directly on the emerald waters of the Gulf Coast.” They have an award-winning cuisine backed by incredible Gulf views. The Beach Walk Cafe is a fantastic choice for a romantic dinner on the Gulf . Beach Walk Cafe offers indoor and outdoor dining and even the option to eat near the beach with your toes in the sand! It’s arguably the best meal you can eat with your toes in the sand in Destin. Check out their menu and website below for one of the best Destin restaurants on the beach in Destin, Florida!
Beach Walk Cafe Menu: http://beachwalkhendersonpark.com/menus/
Address: Henderson Park Inn | 2700 Scenic Hwy 98 | Destin, FL 32541 | Map & Directions
Phone: 850-650-7100
Website: http://beachwalkhendersonpark.com/
Final Thoughts about Destin Restaurants on the Beach
If you have eaten at any of these Destin restaurants on the beach in Destin, FL then please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, if you know of other great restaurants on the beach or water in Destin then share those as well!
Also, be sure to check out our list of the top 10 best Destin restaurants for more great places to eat in Destin. Finally, check out our Destin coupons page to find some great Destin restaurant coupons!
We also love The Back Porch (awesome orange cake, great beach play area!) and The Crab Trap (best snow crab legs!) :))
My husband, my five year old and myself love Destin.
I really can’t decide what’s the best restaurant. Aj’s does make a nice mix drink and a lovely dinner. Yet anything is go along the emerald coast line. You must have coffee and cake and the Donut hole and sit back and enjoy the view with a Hungry Howie’s pizza
The Back Porch has always been good. My wife suggested Gilligans and she fell in love with the food (crab legs were the best in Destin) Due to the past few weeks of rain, no one had Oysters which I was looking forward to eating daily.
The back porch was the worst restaurant we experienced while on vacation . Food and service was lousy . Drinks horrible. Jackacudda has the best sushi I have ever tasted ! Harry T’s was delicious and can’t say to much of AJ’s as we ordered oysters and beer and unfortunately the oysters were not that good that day .
I’m surprised 798 on the a Gulf wasn’t included. Great hors d’ouvres and the best Happy Hour(s) 3-6 most days.
The Back Porch has great Mahi-Mahi and Amberjack sandwiches.
Be sure and get there early for supper, as there is always a long waiting line.