We all have a favorite place to go for an outing or enjoy a great dining experience when we vacation. We have been in this area for quite some time, and we have had the wonderful pleasure of watching Destin grow from a smaller town known as the ‘Fishing Village’ to what Destin is today! Below is our guide to our favorite restaurants in Destin, Florida. From fine dining to a quick pizza slice, we have everything covered!
For more ways to make the most of your time in Destin, be sure to request access to our complimentary Vacation Guide!
The Best Restaurants in Destin
Local Classics and Colorful Chains
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar is a classic that has been around since 1984, and for a good reason. AJ’s is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood, live music, dancing, and water views, making it an ideal choice to go and have an all-around good time. They also now offer dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, sailing, and snorkeling! All of this fun at one location. Can you see why we put it as number 1 on the list? Not even to mention what they offer for sports fans, a Jumbo-Tron screen on the deck to watch your games while you enjoy some fresh catch of the day, or a kahuna burger & rings, your call. The Destin AJ’s is located just at the far East end of the Harborwalk Village at 116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Have you heard of Jimmy Buffett? We know if you have, then you’ve also heard of Margaritaville, and we’ve got a great one here that is right over the water at the Harborwalk Village! But, did you know that Jimmy Buffett has a little sister named Lucy? Well, he does, and she’s got her own place here in Destin as well!
It’s called LuLu’s, and it’s loads of FUN! This super fun dining and water fun combo has it all, and it’s right on the bay for gorgeous water views! The restaurant offers delicious seafood and New Orleans-style cuisine. LuLu’s is a great place to go if you have a food allergy, as LuLu’s offers a great variety of allergy-friendly menus like gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, shellfish-free, seafood-free, vegan, and dairy-free.
A few more of our favorites classics for food in Destin include:
- Harbor Docks (Fresh Caught Seafood to be enjoyed overlooking the Destin Harbor)
- Pompano Joe’s (Great for beachfront dining!)
- Beach Walk Cafe – A fine dining experience!
- Fudpucker’s -Fun dining. Live gators in the pond and an alligator museum. Great photo ops!
- Hog’s Breath Saloon-BBQ, Seafood, Burgers, Tacos-a variety of Scrumptiousness!
- Mcguire’s Irish Pub-Great food with live Irish Entertainment!
Best Pizza and Mexican Food
Yes, when you go on vacation, you are supposed to try new foods and stay away from things you can have at home, but Destin is home to some great American comfort foods! Whether you are a New Yorker looking for legit pizza or excited to try some local Mexican, we have a few spots we think you need to check out.
- Merlins Pizza
- Vinny McGuire’s
- Pazzo Italiano Destin
- Pepitos Mexican Restaurant
- El Jalisco Destin
- La Paz
The Best Place to Stay in Destin
Now that you are stuffed from one of the best restaurants in Destin, it is time to stretch out and take a big nap in a comfortable vacation rental! For the best stay on the Emerald Coast, Harmony Beach Vacations has you covered! From affordable villas to luxury condos, you will find the perfect fit for you and your family! Book our pet friendly vacation rentals on the Emerald Coast here!
