A Foodie Lover’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat in Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is one of the top summer vacation spots offering up warm weather, clear blue water, and white sandy beaches.
It is also within close driving distance to the infamous 30A highway!
My family has gone on vacation to Destin numerous times, and we keep coming back for a reason.
As a fellow foodie lover, here is my guide to the best places to eat in Destin, Florida!
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Be sure to check out my blog post all about fun things to do in Destin, Florida for couples!
Best Places to Eat in Destin, Florida
Breakfast Places in Destin, Florida
Kwench Juice Cafe
A beach vacation and an acai bowl go hand in hand!
Therefore, I was on the hunt to find the best Destin acai bowls.
I have only heard great reviews of Kwench Juice Cafe, and it certainly lives up to the hype.
I am pretty picky when it comes to acai bowls. I prefer when it is thicker/more frozen, and Kwench delivers just that. The consistency is like thick ice cream.
They offer a variety of bowls to choose from along with juices and smoothies.
I got the Capitol Bowl which delivers a heaping spoonful of peanut butter!
My sister got the Green Machine juice which was surprisingly good given all of the green veggies that are in it. It tasted like a mix of apple and celery – very refreshing!
It is located in a strip mall with a decent sized parking lot so no worries on finding a parking spot.
East Pass Coffee Co.
East Pass Coffee Co is a great Destin coffee shop that gives off major beach vibes!
Please note that it does have limited seating on the inside and outside.
I got one of their summer seasonal drinks which was a Sweet Cream Pistachio Cold Brew and sadly was not a fan.
On the other hand, my sisters got the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew and loved their drinks!
They serve up some pretty good acai bowls (I still prefer Kwench though) as well as breakfast/lunch sandwiches and various toasts.
My husband got the Breakfast Sandwich and enjoyed it.
Real + Raw 30A
I did not personally go here, but my sister took the trip to Real + Raw 30A and voted it the best acai bowl in Destin – even above Kwench!
It is technically not located in Destin, but in Santa Rosa Beach which was roughly a 20 minute drive from our condo. It is located along 30A highway.
It just opened recently towards the end of May 2023.
It has a super cute interior and offers juices, smoothies, acai bowls, etc. It is worth giving a try if in the 30A area!
Looking for a Hotel?
Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!
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For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!
Guided Tours/Activities
When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!
2 Birds Coffee & Café
2 Birds Coffee & Cafe is great place to eat breakfast in Destin, Florida.
We got lucky as it was only a ½ mile walk from our condo, and it had the best coffee & breakfast we had on our trip.
Some of our family favorites were the Breakfast Sammy, Biscuit Sammy, and Pan Fried Banana Bread. I recommend a vanilla iced latte with honey – can’t go wrong there!
They are located in a strip mall and have an ample sized parking lot. Definitely check this place out if you’re staying nearby!
Beignets & Brew
Beignets & Brew is a MUST visit if going to Destin.
I have only had beignets once in my life so I am definitely not an expert, but these were amazing!
They offer various sauces to dip them in – blueberry, butter cream (my personal favorite), and chocolate.
They serve coffee as well. I got the iced sea salt caramel latte, and it was great!
They are located on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, and it is seriously one of the cutest locations!
It does not have any indoor seating, but they have tables set up outside right next to the Destin Harbor – pretty sweet view for some beignets & coffee for breakfast!
Destination Little Donuts
Destination Little Donuts is a great place for donuts in Destin, Florida.
It offers a variety of fun flavored mini donuts – such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Thin Mint, Oreo Cheesecake, etc.
The Donut Hole
I have never passed the Donut Hole when there has not been a line clear out of the door, proving it to be one of the top Destin, Florida restaurants!
My advice would be to get there early to try and beat the crowd they do not take reservations.
They do offer other breakfast items in addition to donuts.
Waffle House
This might seem like an odd recommendation, but my family (specifically my Dad 😂) has always gone to Waffle House for breakfast while in Destin.
It offers great breakfast at an affordable price.
If you live in a state without a Waffle House, it is definitely worth a visit!
There seem to be a lot of Waffle Houses in Florida so I bet you would not have to venture too far from your condo.
Coffee Shops in Destin, Florida
Bad Ass Coffee
Bad Ass Coffee is another great coffee shop in Destin, Florida and delivers major beach vibes.
They have an extensive menu offering various flavored lattes and other types of coffee.
I went with one of their more interesting options and tried out a vanilla latte made with banana milk.
It ended up being not one of my favorite coffees but definitely a fun drink to try out.
People in my family did seem to really enjoy their cold brew so if you are a cold brew fan I would definitely visit.
They have various bakery items – muffins, bagels, etc. We got a double chocolate chip muffin, and it was super yummy.
Black Bear Bread Co.
Black Bear Bread Co. is a great coffee shop in Destin, Florida that offers an assortment of breakfast & lunch food along with a variety of pastries.
Their menu offers several specialty coffee drinks such as the Bear Latte, Beekeeper, and Tan Line which intrigued me!
Kith & Kin Coffee
Kith & Kin Coffee is a coffee shop in 30A in Santa Rosa.
It was about 25 minutes away from where we were staying in Destin. I thought I would still include it depending where you are staying in Destin!
They offer a variety of coffee drinks and bakery items.
The Palms Coffeehouse
I am bummed I never made it to the Palms Coffeehouse because the interior of this coffee shop as well as their menu of signature drinks seems right up my alley!
Some signature drinks that caught my eye on their menu include (1) Cinnamon Frenchie – french vanilla & cinnamon and (2) The Palms – coconut, vanilla, & honey.
It is located inside the restaurant area of The Palms of Destin Resort.
If you’re headed to Destin, Florida via airplane, check out my 40 carry-on packing tips to save space!
Best Lunch Restaurants in Destin, Florida
Since we tend to stay on the beach all day during vacation, we decided to just eat sandwiches in our condo during this trip.
I thought I would still provide some lunch restaurants I found while planning for our trip!
The Whale’s Tail Bar & Grill
The Whale’s Tail Bar & Grill is a great beachfront restaurant in Destin, Florida making it the perfect spot for lunch if relaxing on the beach.
They offer a variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps.
Cabana Cafe
Cabana Cafe is a great spot for lunch since it is only a ¼ mile walk from the beach.
Their menu offers salads, quesadillas, fish baskets, burgers, sandwiches & wraps, etc.
The Harbor Tavern
The Harbor Tavern is a great place to enjoy lunch outdoors on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk.
The Mediterranean bowls on their menu caught my eye!
Dinner Restaurants in Destin, Florida
Surf Hut
This beachfront Destin restaurant was only a ½ mile from our condo allowing us to walk on the beach to dinner – does not get much better than that!
It offered great views of the beach while eating dinner.
They also had cornhole boards set up on the beach to play while waiting to be seated – a fun way to pass the time!
We had a group of 8 people but were able to get seated immediately – not sure if we just got lucky but that was a plus!
I recommend the grilled cobia with the fresh parsley & garlic chimichurri sauce.
Back Porch
The Back Porch is one of the most popular Destin, Florida restaurant and is my family’s go-to place to eat dinner while on vacation.
It offers up a great seafood dinner. I recommend the Back Porch Mahi along with the twice baked potato. It is 10/10!
The Back Porch does not offer reservations.
For our party of 8, we waited around 45 minutes to an hour which wasn’t too bad when you have the ocean as your view while you wait!
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House is a great seafood restaurant to add to your itinerary!
We did have our longest wait at this restaurant for a party of 8 which was roughly around an hour and a ½. Not too bad for visiting Destin in June!
I recommend the Mahi “Bajan” which is crab & shrimp stuffed Mahi Mahi served with a cream sauce.
Crab Trap
The Crab Trap offers great beachfront outdoor seating!
We got to sit on their outside deck right against the beach – can not beat that!
They are known to have great crab legs – hence the name 😂 – and great seafood as well.
I recommend the Mahi Mahi and the Hot Crab & Shrimp Dip for an appetizer.
Pazzo Italiano
Pazzo Italiano is one of the best places to eat in Destin, Florida if you’re looking for some yummy Italian food!
We decided to venture out and try something for dinner other than seafood, and we were not disappointed.
It was also a great decision for our wallets LOL (those tourist seafood restaurants get to be very $$$)!
They serve free bread & olive oil at the beginning of your meal. The olive oil has crushed garlic in it which was soooo good!
I recommend the Regina Margherita Pizza – best pizza crust I have ever had!
Their portions were also pretty big so most of us took home leftovers to eat the next day.
We were lucky enough to get seated right away with 8 people, but I would recommend making a reservation if you can.
It seemed as though most of their tables were reserved for parties with reservations.
The Craft Bar
The Craft Bar serves up one of the best burgers in Destin!
Everyone loved this restaurant so much we went there twice over the course of our vacation.
I recommend the Pimento Burger, the Bistro Burger, and their Fried Chicken.
Boshamp’s Seafood & Oyster House
Boshamp’s Seafood & Oyster House is a very popular restaurant on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk!
They are well-known for their fresh seafood and oysters.
They offer live music some evenings – check their website for their schedule.
Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer is another great seafood restaurant located on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk!
They are best known for their fresh, locally-sourced seafood such as the steamed snow crab.
The Edge Seafood Restaurant
Another restaurant located on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk is The Edge Seafood Restaurant which serves up some great local seafood.
Their rooftop bar offers panoramic views of the Destin Harbor!
Tailfins Waterfront Grill
Tailfins Waterfront Grill is one of the great Destin Harbor Boardwalk restaurants that serves a wide variety of food from cheeseburgers to sushi and steak.
Sadly, as of 4/30/2024, they are closed due to a fire that destroyed their building. Consider booking their Crab Island boat tours during this time to help support them.
AJs Seafood & Oyster Bar
AJs Seafood & Oyster Bar is one of the most popular and longstanding Destin, Florida restaurants!
They have been in operation since 1984 and are located on the Destin Harbor.
They are well-known for their fresh oysters and seafood.
Rum Runners
Rum Runners is one of the most fun places to eat in Destin, Florida!
It offers an exciting environment with a dueling piano bar and live music.
McGuire’s Irish Pub
If you are looking for a great steak in Destin, McGuire’s Irish Pub the place to go!
Check out 23 things to do on long flights to pass the time on your way to Destin, Florida!
Night Life in Destin, Florida
Royal Palm Grille Beach Bar
The Royal Palm Grille Beach Bar is one of the coolest beach bars in Destin, Florida!
It is three stories and located right on the beach.
They have several TVs inside the bar to watch sports.
It is a part of Royal Palm Grille, and the beach bar offers a limited menu of food from the Royal Palm Grille.
They host free bonfires on the beach every Friday & Monday year round and offer smores!
Harry T’s Lighthouse
Harry T’s Lighthouse is one of the best places to do karaoke in Destin, Florida!
They have karaoke on the 2nd floor Thursday – Saturday starting @ 8:00pm.
You have to be 21+ to enter.
It seems they keep their Facebook up to date if the karaoke is canceled for any reason so be sure to check their Facebook page.
Kenny D’s Beach Bar
Kenny D’s Beach Bar offers karaoke every Wednesday night starting at 7:00pm.
North Beach Social Bar
North Beach Social Bar is located next to highway 331 in Destin, Florida.
It is a great casual spot to hang out, have drinks, and enjoy live music.
To wrap it up, make sure you check out my list of the best places to eat in Destin, Florida on your next summer vacation!
From breakfast spots, beachy coffee shops, lunch & dinner restaurants, and beach bars, you are bound to find your new favorite restaurant in Destin, Florida!
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