Must go to
Abrazo in Grayton Beach (old Borago spot, same owners, great food!!!) Then must do the new Borago - what a beautiful bar and restaurant on the top level overlooking the bay. Downstairs is now a Beach Bar & Grill serving lunch (outside) - too hot for me right now though.
You can now have breakfast on the Rooftop at Bud & Alley's. Best view anywhere. The food is excellent. Of course, cocktails here at sunset is special. Check out the new beach access at Buds where you can get a cold drink at their Beach Bar.
If you've never tried La Crema in Rosemary Beach - treat yourself! A one of a kind place with some of the most delicious paella, apps, small plates, entrees and incredible desserts and Spanish wines. Feels like a little European Cafe with indoor seating and outdoor courtyard and sidewalk tables.
Trebeache in Blue Mountain Beach is great for lunch and dinner. Fun bar! Excellent dining experience. George Barnes (formerly Smiling Fish and Whiskey Bravo) is now the manager.
Bijoux at The Market Shops Sandestin may be off your beaten path but it's a great bar and dining experience. Paradis in Rosemary Beach is also a popular fine dining place.
Remember The Terrace? I'm hearing it's as good as ever after all these years. Someone recently described it as "old school" but awesome.
So many spots it's hard to keep up with. New Italian spot at 30Avenue: Amici - lots of good reviews. My favorite Italian is Fat Clemenza's in Miramar Beach. Two of the Italian chefs from Fat C's have opened up their own restaurants in Destin that people LOVE and I must get to soon: Mimmo's (near Target), Pazzo (next to barnes & nobels across from Destin Commons). Pazzo is getting rave reviews. These are the real deal here on the Panhandle of Florida.
Do some food shopping at Seaside Farmers Market on Saturday morning and go by For the Health of It for more good local shopping! Fresh seafood at Goatfeathers (two market locations) or Destin Ice (new in Inlet beach).
Grayton Seafood Co. is one of our little places we love for lunch and dinner. My favorite burger is at Marie's Bistro where they treat everyone like family. If you love Philly Cheesesteak get to South of Philly just north of Gulf Place. It's a hidden little gem where the locals go.
AJ's in Grayton Beach is new. Yes, it's touristy. But. There you'll find oysters on the half shell AND a full sushi bar. The rest of the menu is bar food and burgers which is something we don't have much of around here. Try it!
Shorty's is no longer. Chiringo is there now and people are loving it.
The Red Bar will always have my heart. Just stopped in and had a panne chicken sandwich right at the bar for lunch in the middle of the crowd. Just gotta do it. Sundays are special there with Dread Clampitt.
NEW breakfast spot in Seacrest: Grits & Grind! located inside La Cocina Mexican Grill - it's really good and worth the effort to get up and get there for a good morning meal.
And yes on Cafe Thirty-A, Great Southern, The Bay and so many more outstanding restaurants it's hard to recommend just one or two. Try Local Catch for lunch or dinner - very unique and delicious place in Blue Mountain Beach - get the pork nachos - and they have a great bar.
Use our guide (below) as we have the most amazing restaurant partners and food stories are priority for us as it's always been in the top 3 things people love to read about, share, and keep up with!
Also, read this Dining thread to see what else is new - we try to announce food news whenever restaurants come and go. Nick's on the Beach is gone. Back Beach BBQ is now in the old Corum's diner location on Back Beach Road just past Inlet Beach going into PCB, and we're hearing good things.
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