The Florida Gulf Coast is synonymous with seafood. From shrimp to mahi mahi and everything in between, it’s no surprise this seaside destination offers a variety of fish dishes at many seafood restaurants along the coast. But if shrimp or mahi mahi aren’t your thing, there’s plenty more fish in the sea.
If you want to find out where to find the best seafood in Destin and the surrounding Florida Panhandle, keep reading! According to locals and visitors, these are the ten best Destin seafood restaurants.
In this article:
Florida’s Seafood Scene
Best Seafood in Destin
New Construction Homes Near Destin
Florida’s Seafood Scene
Destin seafood restaurants are known for their fresh-caught fish and family-friendly atmospheres. While many of Florida’s coastal regions are known for fresh seafood, the Florida Panhandle is primarily known for its impressive variety of Gulf fish, such as red snapper, grouper, mahi mahi, and oysters.
Destin, specifically, is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” due to the area’s widest variety of fish species, easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, and one of the country’s largest commercial fishing fleets.
You may even hear the term “Gulf-to-table” mentioned on restaurant menus and in fresh fish markets. This term reflects just how fresh the fish is served in Destin seafood restaurants! The fish you’re served is often taken directly from the Gulf by local fishermen and delivered to the restaurant for serving. You can even charter a fishing trip to catch your dinner, which some Destin seafood restaurants will cook for you onsite.
The lack of middlemen in the area allows you to find some of the freshest, best seafood!
Best Seafood in Destin
1. Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
Open every day at 11 AM, just in time for lunch, Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House serves up local seafood with a touch of Southern-style cuisine. The casual restaurant boasts more than 6,000 reviews on Google, many claiming it offers the best seafood in Destin.
The restaurant’s waterfront location offers beautiful views of the Destin Harbor. Don’t miss the yellowfin tuna dip as a starter and the local favorite “Off the Docks Catch of the Day” for the freshest catch.
2. Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer
Speaking of fresh catch, Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer is one of the restaurants mentioned above that will cook freshly-caught seafood for you. “Hook & Cook” allows you to bring your catch into the restaurant, and they’ll prepare and cook it just how you like it (blackened, seared, or fried) with one side per person. When it comes to the best seafood in Destin, that deal is tough to beat.
The locally-owned, family-friendly restaurant on the Destin Harbor is home to Destin Chef Al Massa, who was recently selected to represent Florida in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off.
3. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant
Dewey Destin’s has two Destin locations near Destin Marina and harborside. It’s rich in Destin history, having been owned and operated by the founding family of Destin, Florida itself! When a restaurant has survived this long, you know it has to have some of the best seafood in Destin!
The Marina location has views of the famous Crab Island and is known for its homemade Key Lime Pie, a popular Florida-based dessert.
4. The Back Porch
If you’re searching for Destin seafood restaurants with the best beachfront views, check out The Back Porch! This family-friendly restaurant offers the classic offerings of the best seafood in Destin: fried shrimp baskets and spectacular Gulf oysters.
If you love cats, The Back Porch is known for having a few felines hanging around, lovingly referred to as the original “taste testers.”
5. The Crab Trap Destin
Another one of the historical Destin seafood restaurants is The Crab Trap. The popular local hangout has been serving Destin for more than 30 years! With incredible open-air windows overlooking the beach, The Crab Trap specializes in crab. You must try their crab cake, and the hot crab served with butter and corn on the cob.
Note: The Crab Trap does not take reservations!
6. Louisiana Lagniappe
Locals love the creole flair at Louisiana Lagniappe. One of the more upscale Destin seafood restaurants, Louisiana Lagniappe, focuses on serving fresh seafood and steaks with waterfront dining views. Jambalaya, Louisiana Oysters, and the Grouper Meuniere are can’t-miss menu items inspired by New Orleans.
7. Captain Dave’s On the Gulf
Captain Dave’s On the Gulf boasts even more of a longtime history of serving the best seafood in Destin. With more than 50 years in service, the restaurant has panoramic views of the Gulf with an incredibly fresh menu. Locals love the seafood gumbo, grouper, and snapper.
8. Pompano Joe’s
This longtime favorite of the Destin seafood restaurants brings the Caribbean flair to the area! Pompano Joe’s touts fresh and local seafood, saying, “If it lives in the Gulf, you will most likely find it on our menu.” The restaurant’s fans enjoy various dishes, including the shrimp, calamari, and fresh catch of the day.
9. Acme Oyster House
It’s a no-brainer—you have to try the oysters at Acme Oyster House. Hand-shucked and fresh, there’s nothing like the best seafood in Destin served in its natural, shelled serving dish!
10. Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi
Where can you find the best seafood in Destin and a side of sushi too? Right here at Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi. Jackacuda’s is a partner restaurant to the previously highlighted Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, so you know it comes with an excellent reputation!
If you really love sushi, stop by Jackacudas for lunch from Monday-Friday for all-you-can-eat sushi! Besides sushi, the restaurant serves shrimp and grits, fried shrimp platters, and burgers.
New Construction Homes Near Destin
Picture this: the best seafood in Destin at your fingertips daily. If the thought of living a life full of freshly caught fish from one of these Destin seafood restaurants brings you joy, you’re in luck. You can find three incredible Brock Built communities just minutes away!
Minutes from Destin in Santa Rosa Beach is Brizo, a stylish community of new two-story homes with 4-5 bedrooms and 3.5-4.5 bathrooms. Floorplans feature plenty of space to entertain and relax, with tall ceilings and luxury flooring. Located less than 5 minutes from Choctawhatchee Bay, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch your own seafood!
The Shoal is a hidden gem in Santa Rosa Beach. These one and two-story homes form a quiet and cozy community nestled between the bay and the gulf with multiple common areas and shared green space throughout the neighborhood.
A short drive down 30A, you’ll find Twin Palms. This incredible, cozy community boasts three-story homes with spectacular private rooftop terraces overlooking Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach. Two-car garages have oversized storage space for golf carts and bikes, while neighbors share a community pool with glistening water.
Don’t delay your seafood cravings! Give our team a call to schedule a tour of Brock Built’s newest communities in Florida.