A Guide to my Hometown: Destin, FL // Places to Eat

PLACES TO EAT

For as small as Destin is, it surely accommodates a lot of restaurants! When we begin planning a trip home, one of the first things I do is plan the restaurants I want to go to. There truly is some amazing food in this town - and so much of it is locally owned!

Here's a little secret: there are no hidden places that only locals go. Destin isn't a big town (they don't even have enough kids for a high school, hence I went to Fort Walton for high school), so locals eat at all of the same restaurants that tourist do. There is no shortage of locally owned restaurants though, and I strongly urge you to eat at those - my friends and their families own many of these places and it truly is their livelihood. Here are some of my favorites:

BEST VIEWS

  • Harry T's (HarborWalk Village, typically a wait, dog friendly) // link

  • Dewey Destin's - Crab Island (on the bay - I recommend for lunch) // link

  • Dewey Destin's - Harborside (on the harbor - I recommend for dinner) // link

  • Whales Tales (Old 98 on the beach at Seascape) // link

  • Pompano Joe's (Old 98 on the beach) // link

  • Boshamps (on the harbor) // link

  • Fisherman's Wharf (on the harbor - not as crowded as other restaurants for some reason, but my food has always been good there) // link

  • The Back Porch (on the gulf, always crowded) // link

Dewey Destin's - Crab Island location

Dewey Destin's - Crab Island location

Catch of the Day - Fried Snapper Sandwich

Catch of the Day - Fried Snapper Sandwich

BEST FOOD

  • Harry T's (seafood; HarborWalk Village, typically a wait, dog friendly) // link

  • Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack (yummy Italian; two locations one in the heart of Destin and one in Baytowne) // link: Destin // link:Baytowne

  • Camille's (really great sushi, old 98; for Alabama folks, same owner as Chuck's seafood and FIVE) // link

  • La Paz (best Mexican food in town; I worked here in high school; Holiday Isle) // link

  • Jasmine Thai (hello best Thai in town; off the beaten path a little - so worth it) // link

MOST TOURISTY, BUT WORTH IT!

  • Fudpucker's (alligators, playgrounds, good food, crazy atmosphere; Highway 98) // link

  • McGuire's Irish Pub (right off of the Destin Bridge; bring your $1 bills to tape to the ceiling; bring an open mind to their crazy hamburger inventions; go early, it gets crowded quickly) // link

  • The Red Bar (30A/Grayton Beach; go on Friday and get the crab cakes) // link

  • Uncle Buck's (Destin Commons; eat and bowl; wonderful for the family) // link

Uncle Buck's for my sister's birthday

Uncle Buck's for my sister's birthday

COFFEE & BREAKFAST

  • The Donut Hole (best breakfast and best pies in town; several location; be prepared to wait, but it'll be worth it; Destin staple) // link: Destin // link: Sandestin // link: 30A (brand new)

  • Another Broken Egg (this is a chain, but it's always good; several locations in Destin/Sandestin) // link

  • HarborDocks (yummy and affordable breakfast with a view until 11am; for Alabama folks, same owner as Chuck's seafood and FIVE) // link

  • Capriccio Cafe (coffee shop; one of the only traditional coffee shops in Destin; a little off the beaten path) // link

  • Camille's Sidewalk Cafe (grab and go; for Alabama folks, same owner as Chuck's seafood and FIVE) // link

  • Bad A$$ Coffee (several locations for coffee) // link

  • The Destin Diner (my dad used to bring me here before school when I was little, then it closed for a while and just recently reopened; super good traditional breakfast without a long wait if you go early enough) // link

DATE NIGHT 

  • Seagar's (steakhouse in Sandestin) // link

  • AJ's (live music, beach bar; Destin harbor) // link

  • Marlin Grill (seafood and steaks in Baytowne) // linkhttp://www.mrsblogbacktome.com/blog/2015/8/9/a-guide-to-my-hometown-destin-fl-things-to-do

  • Beach Walk Cafe (great upscale atmosphere on the beach) // link

  • The Craft Bar (craft beer, craft food, gastropub) // link

  • Marina Cafe (great upscale atmosphere on the harbor) // link

  • Tim Creehan's Cuvee Destin (2015 Best Chef in Destin award; live music) // link

Well, my stomach is growling now! I'd love to hear from you - what are you favorite places to eat in my hometown? What are the staples that you go back to again and again? What are the best places for kids? Make sure to comment and share AND then let's eat!

Thanks for loving my hometown and helping families there support themselves by creating some of the best food out there!

Don't forget to check out my other hometown guides:
Destin: Where to Stay
Destin: Things to Do
30A from a Local