Top 5 Destin, Florida, Food & Drink Spots: A Local’s Guide

If you’re fixing to hit up Destin, Florida, you probably want some great spots for eating and drinking. Well, don’t you worry, this ain’t just your regular old tourist advice – this is advice that feels like sharing secrets with a buddy over a beer. Forget those run-of-the-mill places everyone knows. We’re chatting about spots where the locals kick back, enjoy tasty food, and soak up those coastal vibes that make Destin so very special.

1. Dewey Destin’s Harborside: A Taste of Old Florida

First on our list, there’s Dewey Destin’s Harborside. I mean, it’s almost an institution ’round here. Imagine a casual, come-as-you-are spot that’s sitting right on the water, with views stretching across the harbor that are really something. The original Dewey Destin started with just a little building back in the day, serving up super fresh seafood to everyone. Well, that local feel and the really great recipes kinda live on today at the Harborside location.

Now, the seafood here is prepared in that simple, proper Southern style, with hushpuppies and the freshest catch as you sit down. Is that it? No, no, no. Think platters piled high with fried shrimp, grilled amberjack that melts in your mouth, and those world-famous hushpuppies – slightly sweet, golden brown, and totally addictive. The atmosphere, with a soft, coastal breeze, kinda adds that extra *something* special. Come early, especially if you’re visiting during peak season, to snag a good table and soak up that atmosphere.

They don’t take reservations, see, but the experience? Worth any kinda wait. This one is ideal for sunset dinners or lazy lunches when you really want to watch the boats go by. Casual enough that you can bring the whole family, yet, romantic enough for a laid-back date, too. So grab yourself a cold drink, order some grub, and settle into the kind of spot that will make you feel like a local.

2. Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House: Gulf-to-Table Goodness

Next up, is that it’s Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House, which brings a little bit of sophistication without all the fuss. Very often lauded for having a spot-on view, too, Boshamps takes Gulf-to-table eating seriously. What’s cool is that it sources fresh ingredients directly from local fishermen and farmers to put out the yummiest plates for miles. Basically, at the core of their business plan is making it as fresh as they can possibly can. You can really see it in everything they prepare and make here.

And the flavor reflects just that freshness: The chargrilled oysters kinda have this smoky bite that makes you keep wanting more; their shrimp and grits comes from this age-old recipe and kinda puts the soul back into eating; the cocktails have all the colorful fruit slices which only makes the experience ten times better. A bit on the upscale end, this is really the spot for special occasions, romantic sunsets, or even for when you might just wanna treat yourself. The views overlook the harbor with soft hues splashing all along the coast, that it, paired with a cool breeze, make it almost impossible to get the frown off your face.

They even do some live music on certain nights, and so if you get the time it will turn into a complete feast. I tell you, too, you wanna arrive early, too, just a bit early or expect the wait. I’m very serious when I say every person comes to Destin for that *perfect photo* near the Gulf Coast, and they wanna post and boast! Be patient, and trust the local wisdom – Boshamps is almost always worth it. Very seriously good food and excellent times.

3. The Back Porch: Where the Beach Meets Your Plate

Looking for grub near to Destin? Look no further than The Back Porch. Seriously iconic because you can see the sands from the outdoor tables and eat, almost directly after the water from the Gulf dries on your toes. This is one of the places where memories that make Destin super important have been forged.

Founded in 1974, the main restaurant originally only served one thing: a plate of amburjerz. It actually came about due to necessity because money was hard back then and there was lots of food needed to satiate many, many hungry bodies and mouths! Over the years the recipe slowly began to evolve and now lots of tourists really swear up and down by this simple plate. Add on the fish sandwich and maybe just the fish, that very fresh and delicious is good for days!

I think many families really enjoy how The Back Porch also is kind of like your second home. Kids are free to do as they like and build sandcastles that would humble the Romans (as long as they’re mindful!). You too get to sit there to eat and watch. It is really that the whole vibe is centered around chillin’ and savoring a bit from the coast. The noise of happy peeps and just a very calming sea atmosphere really turns you into jelly and washes all the hard days away. This spot has got a spot on our little list and is really ideal for quick eats and relaxed beach vibes. That the atmosphere is what this place is known for, very fun and very fulfilling.

4. McGuire’s Irish Pub: More Than Just Green Beer

Now, if seafood every second gets you yawning, get up into McGuire’s Irish Pub for real grub with some character, the kind you’d see in Dublin. Basically more than just the usual green beer of your nearest, not Irish, St. Patty’s day bar, it serves big dishes like you wouldn’t imagine and there’s live music all the time and there’s dollars hanging over your head, literally. The interior’s kinda decorated with countless signed dollar bills, just stapled to walls and ceilings – it kinda creates a space that will very likely be like anything you have seen before in Destin.

McGuire’s has a menu loaded down with big Irish portions, with all your classics. Their steaks come out really tender and very big. The burgers there kinda have their own very real, super faithful cult following that have people line up on occasion out the front doors, almost busting them off their hinges. The Shepherd’s pie always tastes amazing there with a very warm bread that reminds me and mine of yesteryear! You can feel just how real it tastes! Don’t forget to enjoy your beers made by hand on premises in the attached little brewery; just ask your barkeep for suggestions so, too.

This here is a spot just for times when you wanna a super hardy and memorable feed that tastes as comforting like your mama did back then. McGuire’s draws quite some crows just as a warning, but don’t fear because it really feels like someone’s super fun house. Plus they do offer some of that typical Destin entertainment – local bands there tend to do the rounds from there so McGuire’s will fill some of your bucket list activities very nicely, or some, if not all. This place tends to pack up for sure. Expect longer-than-average waiting periods. Get lucky with finding a quieter table if possible.

5. Pompano Joe’s: Caribbean Flavors on the Coast

To kinda finish this little trip off right there’s Pompano Joe’s, with Caribbean flavor added right smack-dab into the very heart of Destin’s restaurant circle. If you want colors that just sing and food with extra flair, then go over this place near the sands of Miramar and feast under that little hut of theirs that serves the freshest things that grow! They call this type of cooking “Caribbean beach shack cuisine” for sure! They tend to take inspiration to cook everything out and above board by doing little BBQ and fish dishes that hail straight out of a reggae beach bar.

Well you’re gonna expect big helpings and everything so vibrant, especially when tasting the Grouper sandwich and that’s not it – the seafood gumbo right on their menu could actually just blow all of the other gumbos of gumbo dom away from a culinary school and that’s just speaking. But of course, they could always adjust how zesty and tangy you like! Add even some blackened Mahi to go with all them Caribbean veggies! That’s where they come from: very nice dishes. Plus, just about everybody will let you hear those super high remarks over their “Firecracker” shrimp meals!

Of course Joe’s makes their list due in part, as it tends to capture what’s so fun over where the Gulf of Mexico meets sand. Pompano Joe’s kinda has just exactly that type of feel in ways it looks and in taste. Do note you’re here though to almost eat what one might think as *Destin* but with that super good little add. And Pompano’s not hard to look into by either way; be certain that your GPS works. When Pompano doesn’t work it’s almost that the day did too.