Top 5 Panama City Beach Eats & Drinks: A Local’s Guide
You see, Panama City Beach isn’t just famous for its beautiful beaches and spring break parties; the local food and drink scene is, too it’s really starting to become something special. As someone who’s been hanging around these parts for a long time, I’ve had the chance to sample nearly all that PCB has to offer when your appetite starts growling. I’m telling you now, these are my ultimate go-to spots whenever friends ask, “Where should we eat?” So, I thought it might be very cool to spill the beans and share the love with all of you who are maybe trying to visit, or are already here with growling bellies.
1. Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant: A Taste of the Gulf
Hunt’s, just a bit tucked away, is often where I steer people who wanna experience Panama City Beach like a local. It’s this very, very unpretentious seafood joint that has really been slinging some tasty dishes for years, and I think it almost has a cult following amongst the folks who reside nearby, so too it’s almost as good as it sounds. That, you see, Hunt’s doesn’t try to be something it’s not; instead it serves up fresh, Gulf seafood in huge portions at affordable prices. The oysters are always a smart pick – I very, very like to order them raw, steamed, or baked with cheese and bacon (because who doesn’t like bacon?).
Yet, the real deal at Hunt’s is their smoked tuna dip. The texture is perfect; I’m very serious, it’s creamy and smoky with the right amount of kick, plus their portions tend to be rather sizable. Also it comes with plenty of crackers for scooping, so you are not gonna run out any time soon. So, If you aren’t into tuna dip (but why?), try their fried shrimp basket or one of the grilled fish sandwiches instead. This is also an extremely good place to bring the whole family; in fact, it is very relaxed. You might feel good getting some food, at Hunt’s Oyster Bar too it’s pretty cool.
What to Order:
- Raw Oysters
- Baked Oysters with Cheese and Bacon
- Smoked Tuna Dip
- Fried Shrimp Basket
2. Dat Cajun Place Cafe: Spice Up Your Life
That, You see, if your taste buds are sort of calling for a change of scenery from typical beach fare, that means this, you’re in need of spice, Dat Cajun Place Cafe should really be next up on your list. Located slightly further inland (but completely easy to reach), I’m saying Dat Cajun is really well regarded by tourists and folks nearby. Now, while many other Cajun food businesses tend to hold back on the fire, the chefs in here really are not afraid to use it with confidence here. They take influences from the deep south very well. So it’s obvious from how flavorful each one of their plates ends up being.
This, You see, when you stroll in, just prepare yourself for a huge plate of food, no matter exactly what you go to select. The crawfish étouffée practically melts right inside your mouth, that’s just how good it is; additionally, their jambalaya hits every right note, not bland at all, either. To, also I love to recommend trying their gator tail if you’ve never had gator before – because, if not, you would just then get a tiny bit of the culture as well! A bit, actually you can get one of their huge, thirst-quenching sweet teas (they just so happen to mix really nicely in here). Basically, this spot here will absolutely be able to scratch that Cajun flavor profile if you have the hunger! That, actually this might be something worth considering at Dat Cajun Place Cafe, too it’s almost an honor.
What to Order:
- Crawfish Étouffée
- Jambalaya
- Gator Tail
- Sweet Tea
3. Diego’s Burrito Factory: Build Your Own Fiesta
This, You see, in case you would just so happen to have a want for quick and delicious eats to enjoy somewhere else along your way towards more adventuring, just try to think of going over towards Diego’s Burrito Factory. Just located conveniently near main spots on Front Beach Road, you just happen to have that perfect place for that sort of meal when hunger pangs strike suddenly, this has happened so many times to us nearby!
Basically, the premise in here is rather simple – it allows guests the liberty to build some fully loaded burrito that suits those individual and specific preferences completely, a bit just like the experience that is present inside a particular sub shop. Basically, I normally recommend that any new visitor tries their carnitas – it turns out to just simply be bursting to have some authentic, delicious flavors inside the blend. The service is really known to be exceptionally good and really quick at keeping those lines in place through peak hours, as well! This might just very well become just about your favorite for some pretty awesome food, yet super duper fast. That would include Diegos Burrito Factory too it’s really fun.
What to Order:
- Custom Burrito with Carnitas
4. Firefly: Elegant Dining on the Beach
That, very, very unlike any typical kind of casual beachfront joint in the general area, what really stands out, what with Firefly in Panama City Beach is their sort of approach where fine eating just might become synonymous what it might feel with some more intimate occasion or the perfect spot where someone would go who would want maybe some “special occasion” type outing of dining for others visiting into or going anywhere inside here, with family that wants such and extremely elevated atmosphere.
That, also one very cool visual you’ll just go on noticing as it turns out there may be over a thousand pretty cool lights strung anywhere exactly that is up inside what can be, as a matter of fact, some indoor spot within – therefore, providing people their cool sort of unique atmosphere and look inside! Then again, it means even more that if such food that they could serve, it doesn’t wind at just being great, they’ve truly made certain every dish becomes some work and effort; it is obvious! This sort of establishment happens as really more for people what prefer somewhere that gives you those special type things from some kind that requires good quality service to go along just about anywhere what may be close on some sort outing planned by others, clearly then to think Firefly really! It might also go for an elegant and unforgettable meal in Firefly. Still, that turns it worth trying.
What to Order:
- Sushi Rolls
- Seafood Pasta
5. Pineapple Willy’s: A PCB Institution
You see, what should I say – so too it’s almost as big or pretty darn close: going, or already becoming some long storied PCB attraction is this here Pineapple Willy’s. As it happens there tends always, pretty much, at most hours anyway (bar the middle to later nights of some evenings), some steady flow and attendance of people from anywhere you’d care look toward it.
This is because here: it could have it all! I mean, like just how most may just have on most places along or there somewhere – it still, may just too, sort of bring in that awesome PCB view with that beachfront, then right? Very unlike where you might happen notice or see with different ones instead from, so this ends still making for some amazing view right around somewhere whenever you were out on this location here with friends maybe getting somewhere to try; yet that, here still just ends feeling some thing you couldn’t ever feel some “Pineapple kind-of-way”.
Like, even too; from its drink type: that I’d bet they really almost would just almost start a riot wherever the very day or moment they end giving anything up away toward any what might include – then – something special or really sought with Pineapple! Still, a fun time might be guaranteed here in PCB. Actually, something that’s always pretty fun for those here on vacation is Pineapple Willy’s.
What to Order:
- BBQ Ribs
- Pineapple Willy