Eat Like a Local
Downtown Fort Walton has recently opened SEVERAL new little restaurants and bars! Take a peek at our top recommendations for eating like a local in Fort Walton!
Here are a couple places we do NOT recommend (either too touristy, overpriced, or subpar (in my opinion): Old BaySteamer, Magnoila Room, Margaritaville, Harry T's (though they have a good view and brunch), Crap Trap, Floyds Shrimp House, Shrimp Basket, High Tide (great fresh oysters - dingy atomosphere), SeaLand, Bay Cafe, Slick Mick's
| New! Great outdoor dining, drinks & fun! Right on the Bay. |
| Location: |
1284 Marler Ave, Okaloosa Island, FL |
| Phone: |
850-387-1300 |
| Best ever! BE sure to sit at the Sushi Bar. They actually ship all their fish regionally ... yum! |
| Location: |
538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-837-2506 |
| Locals FAVORITE! not fancy- eating, not dining (order at the window, no alcohol served, cash) - it`s a HAVE to for lunch! |
| Location: |
427 Racetrack Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-586-7001 |
| Seafood Market! |
| Location: |
51 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-243-3030 |
| Fabulous authentic Italian! GREAT pizza (wood fire brick oven) & daily specials. |
| Location: |
75 Eglin Pkwy NE #126, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-243-0707 |
| Hip Sushi. Fresh off the Gulf! |
| Location: |
234 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-586-7645 |
| Brand new burger joint on the strip! Fabulous! |
| Location: |
184 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-6656 |
| Waterfront, locals place. Not fancy, but great deck! |
| Location: |
104 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-664-0345 |
| Our Favorite! A little more upscale and just over the bridge (under the bridge) in Fort Walton - EXCELLENT Italian food & wine! Usually pretty busy and closes early in the winter/cooler months, so go before 8:00pm. Sometimes they have live music & they have a great deck! |
| Location: |
189 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-664-0035 |
| 4 story restaurant and bar right on the water with FABULOUS view, service and good food! TVs, music and a seagull`s view |
| Location: |
172 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-650-1200 |
| The Wyndham has a small Tiki Bar that is open in season. Manatee Grill - what you would expect at a "snack bar". |
| Location: |
The Wyndham, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Fantastic Mexican right on the Strip! |
| Location: |
201 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE B, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-8016 |
| Just over the bridge (in the Publix shopping center) - great craft beer, bar food, burgers and sometimes music. |
| Location: |
255 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE #19, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-586-7117 |
| Great Asian American Cuisine. VERY fresh and humble little restaurant |
| Location: |
9 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-7957 |
| World Famous AJs - dancing and partying all night! |
| Location: |
116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-837-1913 |
| THE NEW location AJs Shanty now open on Okaloosa Island!!!! Oysters, burgers, etc - it`s good! You passed it on your way in! |
| Location: |
108 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-8108 |
| Great upscale casual right on Destin Harbor - great drinks, food and view! |
| Location: |
210 US-98, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-460-8900 |
| One of our favorites! Really good Mexican food, but even BETTER view and drinks! We go here EVERY time we are on the Island. |
| Location: |
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-8226 |
| Great Tex-Mex |
| Location: |
39 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-301-0002 |
|
| Location: |
171 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-4708 |
| Awesome deck! |
| Location: |
414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-424-7406 |
| Little more upscale, the Boathouse (for oysters) |
| Location: |
288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-837-3645 |
|
| Location: |
33 US-98, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-650-0000 |
|
| Location: |
196 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-226-7417 |
| Overpriced, and just okay food, but on the pier (you can walk) and they have bottomless mimosas on Sundays |
| Location: |
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Phone: |
850-796-0260 |
| Upscale Destin dining |
| Location: |
404 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-837-7960 |
| LuLu`s in Destin features boat slips and allergy menu. |
| Location: |
4607 Legendary Marina Dr, Destin, FL |
| Phone: |
850-710-5858 |
