1. The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

BEST OVERALL  •  1740 SCENIC HWY 98, DESTIN  •  1.4 MILES  •  5 MIN  •  $$  •  4.5★ (12K reviews)

A Destin institution for over 40 years. Beachfront, no reservations, cash-only at the bar — and the best amberjack sandwich on the Emerald Coast. You sit with your toes in the sand and watch the Gulf while the food comes out. This is what people mean when they picture Destin dining.

Must order: Amberjack Sandwich, fresh Gulf oysters raw or grilled, Key Lime Pie

Insider tip: Arrive before sunset to get a beach-level table. First come, first served — no exceptions.

2. Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House

BEST HARBOR VIEWS  •  414 HARBOR BLVD, DESTIN  •  1.8 MILES  •  6 MIN  •  $$  •  4.4★ (8.8K reviews)

Southern hospitality meets modern coastal cooking on Destin Harbor. Massive outdoor deck with water views. One of the best harbors spots in Destin for groups and families who want atmosphere along with their food.

Must order: Seafood Gumbo, Blackened Grouper, Fried Green Tomatoes, raw oyster selection

Live music: Weekends from ~3 PM — Sunday afternoon is peak harbor atmosphere.

3. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant

BEST LOCAL HERITAGE  •  9 CALHOUN AVE, DESTIN  •  3.8 MILES  •  10 MIN  •  $$  •  4.5★ (4.4K reviews)

Family-owned since the 1940s. This is the real Destin — casual, generous portions, seafood so fresh it came off a boat that morning. The bayou location is the original; the harbor location has better water views. Locals eat here.

Must order: Destin-Style Snapper, Steamed Royal Reds, Fried Oysters, Grouper Fingers

Insider tip: Always ask what came in fresh that day — the answer changes the order entirely.

4. AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar

DESTIN HARBOR LANDMARK  •  116 HARBOR BLVD  •  2.5 MILES  •  7 MIN  •  $$  •  4.0★ (8K reviews)

One of the most visited restaurants on Destin Harbor. Loud, lively, packed with boats pulling up to the dock. Three live music stages plus Club Bimini nightclub upstairs. Not the place for a quiet dinner — the place for a good time with cold beer and fresh oysters.

Must order: Gulf oysters raw or chargrilled, fish tacos, Bimini Bash cocktail (3-drink limit — it’s that strong)

Insider tip: Club Bimini upstairs is free if you dine first. Best during happy hour Mon–Fri 3–6pm.

5. The Edge Seafood & SkyBar

BEST ROOFTOP VIEWS  •  302 HARBOR BLVD, DESTIN  •  2.2 MILES  •  6 MIN  •  $$  •  4.7★ (5.3K reviews)

Destin Harbor from above. The SkyBar sits on the rooftop with panoramic views of the harbor and the Gulf — one of the genuinely best sunset spots in town. Live music 7 nights a week. Works for both a date night and a group happy hour.

Must order: Crab legs, Gulf shrimp, signature cocktails at the rooftop bar

Insider tip: Get there 30 minutes before sunset for the best seat. Fills fast on clear evenings.

6. Harbor Docks

SEAFOOD + SUSHI  •  538 HARBOR BLVD  •  1.6 MILES  •  5 MIN  •  $$  •  4.4★ (3.2K reviews)

A harbor institution that does both worlds well — exceptional fresh seafood and a serious sushi menu in the same kitchen. Seafood sourced from their own market downstairs. Great for groups where tastes diverge.

Must order: Catch of the day, Gulf Fish Tacos, Destin Dream Roll

7. Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer

STEAMED SEAFOOD  •  210 HARBOR BLVD, DESTIN  •  2.3 MILES  •  7 MIN  •  $$  •  4.4★ (5K reviews)

Laid-back harbor atmosphere built around steamed and boiled seafood done right. Crab legs and shrimp are consistently great. The Bayou Roll sushi is a Cajun-Japanese hybrid that works better than it sounds.

Must order: Steamed shrimp, crab legs, Bayou Roll

8. Boathouse Oyster Bar

LOCAL INSTITUTION  •  288 HARBOR BLVD  •  2.2 MILES  •  7 MIN  •  $$  •  4.1★ (1.9K reviews)

30+ year Destin Harbor staple. Apalachicola oysters, award-winning gumbo, live music every single night. Dive bar atmosphere — this is where the charter captains and locals hang out. Not tourist-facing, which is exactly why it’s worth finding.

Must order: Oysters (half-price daily specials), Ms. Wanda’s World Famous Gumbo

Live music: Every night. First Friday of each month is a locals’ night 5–7pm.

9. Louisiana Lagniappe

BEST CREOLE / UPSCALE SEAFOOD  •  GULF FRONT  •  1.2 MILES  •  4 MIN  •  $$$  •  4.7★ (3K reviews)

One of Destin’s most underrated dining experiences. Gulf-front views, a Creole-influenced menu that elevates fresh local seafood, genuinely romantic atmosphere. A step above casual but not quite Beach Walk prices.

Must order: Gulf crab claws, Creole shrimp, fresh catch prepared Cajun-style

Insider tip: Reservations strongly recommended. Great for anniversaries.

10. Marina Cafe

UPSCALE HARBOR DINING  •  404 HARBOR BLVD  •  2.6 MILES  •  8 MIN  •  $$$  •  4.5★ (1.7K reviews)

Destin’s most awarded restaurant since 1988. Breathtaking harbor views through a 30-foot window wall. Fresh seafood, prime steaks, sushi, and wood-fired pizzas. One of those rare places where everything on the menu is actually good.

Must order: Fresh catch daily, prime steaks, tableside preparations

Insider tip: Happy hour Mon–Fri 5–7pm at the waterfront deck — half-price drinks with the best harbor view in town.

12. Camille’s at Crystal Beach

SEAFOOD / SUSHI  •  2931 SCENIC HWY 98, DESTIN  •  3.5 MILES  •  10 MIN  •  $$$  •  4.4★ (1.5K reviews)

Beachside café by day, refined upstairs seafood and sushi restaurant at dinner. Gulf-to-Table sourced from Harbor Docks market. A hidden gem that rewards the short drive east along US-98.

Must order: Fresh catch, specialty sushi rolls, anything from the daily specials

13. Crab Trap Destin

BEACHFRONT CASUAL  •  3500 SCENIC HWY 98, DESTIN  •  3.6 MILES  •  10 MIN  •  $$  •  4.3★ (8.8K reviews)

With nearly 9K reviews, one of the most visited seafood spots on the Emerald Coast. Beachfront on Scenic 98, casual, family-friendly, solid Gulf seafood at fair prices.

Must order: Snow crab legs, steamed shrimp, local catch of the day

15. Pompano Joe’s

BEACHFRONT  •  MIRAMAR BEACH  •  6.1 MILES  •  15 MIN  •  $$  •  4.4★ (8.4K reviews)

Beachfront in Miramar Beach with one of the best outdoor deck setups on the coast. Great happy hour, Gulf views from almost every seat, laid-back atmosphere. Popular for long lunches and sunset drinks.

Must order: Grouper sandwich, fresh catch, frozen cocktails at the outdoor bar

WHAT TO ORDER AT ANY DESTIN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Always ask about the catch of the day first. If a restaurant can’t tell you what came off a local boat that morning, that’s useful information. Grouper — mild, flaky, versatile  •  Red Snapper — sweet, delicate  •  Amberjack — firm, meaty (The Back Porch signature)  •  Triggerfish — underrated, sweet  •  Royal Red Shrimp — local deep Gulf shrimp, sweeter than anything you’ve had before

1. Beach Walk Café

BEST UPSCALE  •  HENDERSON PARK INN  •  4.0 MILES  •  10 MIN  •  $$$$  •  4.6★ (1.3K reviews)

Destin’s premier fine dining — intimate, beachfront, genuinely excellent. Refined coastal cuisine with unparalleled ocean views. If you’re celebrating something, this is the place. Reserve well in advance during peak season. Smart casual dress required.

Must order: Seared Scallops, Grilled Gulf Fish daily catch, Chef’s tasting menu if available

Dress code: Smart casual. Leave the flip-flops at the condo.

2. Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

ONLY AAA FOUR-DIAMOND  •  HILTON SANDESTIN  •  10.0 MILES  •  20 MIN  •  $$$$  •  4.8★ (2.6K reviews)

The only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant in Northwest Florida — inside Hilton Sandestin since 1998. 600-label wine list, tableside Caesar salads and Steak Diane, 100% USDA Prime beef. Live piano music nightly. If you’re splurging once, this is where.

Must order: Tableside Caesar salad, Prime filet mignon, Bananas Foster

Note: Dress code enforced. Closed Mon/Sun. Reservations essential.

3. Commelfo Restaurant ⭐ Highest Rated

EUROPEAN UPSCALE  •  MIRAMAR BEACH  •  7.5 MILES  •  15 MIN  •  $$$  •  4.9★ (3.8K reviews)

The highest-rated restaurant on the entire Emerald Coast — 4.9 stars from nearly 4,000 reviews. European-style with lobster ravioli, filet mignon, wagyu burger, creme brulee, and outstanding cocktails. Breakfast and lunch daily. Reserve ahead.

Must order: Lobster Ravioli, Wagyu Burger, Creme Brulee, Rosemary Old Fashioned

Insider tip: Open 9am–2pm for breakfast/lunch then 5pm for dinner. Best to reserve online.

WHEN TO SPLURGE IN DESTIN

Beach Walk Café is the special occasion restaurant — oceanfront, intimate, genuinely excellent. Reserve 2–3 days ahead in summer, a week ahead in peak season. Go for the grouper. Seagar’s for people who take steak seriously — USDA prime, AAA Four Diamond, inside Hilton Sandestin. Commelfo is the surprise — 4.9 stars in a strip mall in Miramar Beach. Lobster ravioli and wagyu burger as good as anything on the coast at a fraction of the price.