I recently spent two weeks exploring the Fort Walton Beach and Destin area while my partner was there doing military business. As always, one of our favorite things to do while traveling is sample local food. This trip did not disappoint.
Before I travel, I research restaurants like a pro: blog posts, local reviews, Google reviews, you name it. I even make a spreadsheet of places I want to try, noting hours, happy hours, and must-order dishes.
While I always arrive with a list, we tend to go with the flow and choose based on cravings, vibes, and how far we want to drive. Whether we were in the mood for beachy casual or date-night classy, we found plenty of great options. Below are the best restaurants we ate at in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Some of them were so good that we went back a second time.
SURA Korean Steakhouse – Best Dining Experience
My significant other spent some time in Korea and is always on the prowl for Korean BBQ ever since we had some in Vegas last year. This place isn’t exactly Korean BBQ, but it’s close enough. You still have a grill at your table, plus the ambiance and food are great. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Fort Walton Beach, according to us!
Let’s talk about the vibe of SURA Korean Steakhouse. It’s dimly lit with some fun purple lighting and it’s very open and inviting. I was really impressed. I would definitely consider it to be a bit more upscale. While you don’t need to put on your Sunday best to eat there, I would recommend not going in sweats because you will definitely feel out of place.
It’s a great place for date night and you should definitely consider making a reservation. We went during the week, so it wasn’t that busy, but I imagine the weekends can get a bit packed. It’s also a great place for a large party of people because they have some nice long tables as well as big booths. We even saw someone gett champagne on ice brought out to them, so it’s definitely a special occasion kind of place if you want it to be.
Their menu is interesting. You can order meat and veggies à la carte, or you can order a whole meal that includes meats, stew, egg soufflé, potstickers, rice, and various Korean condiments. We ate there twice, and this is what we chose to do. Unlike a typical Korean BBQ restaurant, this one is not all you can eat. However, if you get the meal option, it’s more than you can eat.
I believe the meal is about $60 per person, which seems pricey, but considering you are basically getting three appetizers plus the meat, rice, and a few veggies, it’s not too bad. You can also add on extra portions of meat if you want, which we did end up doing.
I couldn’t eat most of the condiments as they contained shellfish, but I loved the salad and my significant other was a big fan of the condiments. He was not a fan of the egg soufflé and I thought it was a bit weird at first, but I ended up mixing some of it with my rice for a fried rice vibe and that was super good.
Overall, we had great service and food and ended up going back a second time. I had a strawberry mojito both times because I loved it so much.
Beachview Breakfast & Grill – Casual Brunch with a View
If you’re trying to decide where to eat a super casual meal, then Beachview Breakfast & Grill is a great option. The service was subpar when we went and the food was just a normal amount of good. But, the views from the patio are great and I am still glad we went.
This place is right on the beach, as you’d assume by the name and it’s easy to walk down before or after you’re meal if you’re looking to spend some time soaking in the sun or sea.
We happened to arrive at about noon after we had driven around the crab island area to do some sightseeing. They made us wait to order because lunch didn’t start until 12:15. We thought that was a bit silly because it would have made more sense to just let us order when we arrived, but they informed us that it wouldn’t begin to be prepared until 12:15.
I ordered a crispy fried chicken sandwich and my significant other got the BLT. The fries were quite delicious and our sandwiches were fine. Nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about. My only complaint really was the price, since the food was so simple, but I think you’re mostly paying for the view, which was great, so I won’t complain too much.
Overall, it was a fine experience and it would probably be perfect for families since they have a little something for everyone on the menu, especially kids who often prefer something simpler.
The Craft Bar, Destin – Great Food, Craft Beer & Vibes
This place has a big menu with lots of options, which makes it a great place for large groups of people. They also, as you would assume, have many craft beers. The inside was poppin when we were there and we chose to sit outside even though it was a bit cooler out.
I ordered the steak frites and he ordered the fish and chips at The Craft Bar. We ended up splitting the dishes half and half. The fish and chips were pretty good, it was two large pieces of fish and one each, plus half my dish was a good amount of food. The prices were up there, but I think a lot of that is because of how close to the beach the restaurant is.
This is definitely a great casual hangout type place where you can eat and then stay after and drink and visit with friends. My only regret about the meal here is not asking what was on the side salad, goat cheese is a hard no for me, so the salad went left uneaten.
Oasis on the Boardwalk Cafe and Boutique – Coffee with a View + Gifts
I love seeking out local coffee spots, it’s one of my favorite things to do when I travel. This area actually didn’t seem to have many of the type of coffee shops I enjoy, but I had to go to at least one. Oasis is literally on the boardwalk and you can easily sit outside with a view of the ocean while sipping on your drink.
Oasis also offers a variety of pastries and breakfast sandwiches, all of which are locally made. It’s an interesting shop because it’s actually both a gift shop/beach boutique as well as a coffee shop and the baristas also run the register of the boutique. Which brings me to the topic of the service. Listen, I used to be a barista, I get it. Things get busy and hard to handle but my oh my, this place needs some organization.
We waited quite a long time to order and when I did order, they didn’t take my name. Which could be fine, except I ordered two drinks and a bacon croissant and other people were also waiting for their food and drinks. When the food and drinks were done, they would simply say the name of the item and put it on the counter. This is an issue when multiple people are waiting for the same drink or breakfast sandwich. Two customers actually ended up getting the wrong orders.
I waited so patiently (outside because it was busy and congested inside), I went back in multiple times to see if my food (which simply needed to be microwaved) was done. Ya… they hadn’t even known about my order.
Overall, it’s a really cute shop and a great place to sip on a coffee, but it’s less than ideal if you are in a rush or have a family in tow.
Basil & Baxsters – Great Food and Ambience
We really enjoyed this place. I actually wanted to go to Tradewinds (more on that later) that night, but we didn’t realize a reservation was needed. Luckily, Basil and Baxsters is right across the street. It’s tucked away off the main road and from the outside doesn’t look like anything too special, but when you get inside, it is nice and has a great ambience.
It seems like locals eat here a lot, which is always a good sign. It wasn’t busy when we went there, which is always nice. We got the aioli fries for an appetizer, which were super good and the portion was huge. I highly recommend these! For our main courses, I got the blackened chicken alfredo and he ordered the Baxter’s pasta. I really liked the chicken alfredo and the portion was large and more than I needed, but I ate it all anyway.
This is a cute little spot for a date night, but it is also suitable for a family outing. We must have enjoyed it plenty the first time because we went back another night. The building is long and hidden away in the back, there is a bar. We went for happy hour the second time (which we discovered they only serve in the bar area), and it was great.
We ordered drinks, of course, as well as fried artichoke hearts, the aioli fries again, and the BBQ pork tacos. This is another one of the things we enjoy doing when we travel. We go to happy hour and choose 2 or 3 appetizers to share and treat it like dinner.
There were a lot of regulars hanging out in the bar area watching sports and chatting, and we felt like locals! Overall, it offers both a date night and chill vibe, depending on where you’re seated and the food is great.
Tradewinds – Cozy Italian Date Night
This Italian restaurant is right across the street from Basil & Baxters and it’s very much tucked away, so look hard when you’re getting ready to pull into the very small parking lot. The parking lot of Tradewinds is small because the restaurant itself is small and cozy. Which is exactly why you will want to call and make a reservation. We were turned away the first night we attempted to go because it seems they fill up pretty much every evening. They only do dinner service and as soon as they open, the patrons are ready to go inside.
You will definitely feel cozy packed into this place, but it’ll be worth it. The pizza and pasta menu is plentiful and the service is wonderful. While they do get very busy, we never felt neglected as customers. We both ordered a pasta dish and they came with a side salad as well as a basket of bread to share, which I always appreciate.
As far as the main dish goes, I ordered the veal principessa and he got the veal marsala. I’ll be honest and say that the pictures don’t make it look very appetizing, but the sauce was rich and full of flavor, the meat was tender, and the portion was huge. I was glad we tried this place out and you can truly tell that each dish is homemade with thought and care. The fairy lights throughout the cozy space were definitely an added bonus as well. This is a great casual but fun date night spot.
Marina Cafe – Best Happy Hour & Sunset Views
As soon as I started looking for quality places to eat dinner in Destin, I had my eye on Marina Cafe. From the pictures and menu, I could tell it would be the kind of place I enjoyed. The one thing I didn’t really enjoy was the prices, but sometimes paying a bit more is worth a quality experience.
That being said, since we were eating out every day for two weeks, I tried to be a bit cognizant of what was being spent, so the first time we went here, we sat in the bar and enjoyed their happy hour. The view of the sun setting over the harbor with the boats in the backdrop was unmatched.
The bar area has windows all around, so you can see it no matter where you’re sitting, and they have high-top tables, which really make for a quality view. I couldn’t help but pop outside and take some pictures on the patio. We went in March and it wasn’t quite patio seating season, but it would be amazing to sit outside when it is!
This restaurant definitely has more of an upscale vibe, so you don’t want to show up in your swimsuit wrap and flip flops, but you don’t need to be dressed over-the-top niece either. Especially in the bar, it’s a bit more relaxed.
During our happy hour visit, I got the white sangria to drink and then to eat, we shared the Thai barbequed chicken and some sliders with fries. Everything was delicious and priced well for happy hour. When we went back to eat dinner another night, we sat in the main dining area. If you go during their early dining hours (between 5 and 6), their main entrees are buy one, get one half off.
The only limitation was that you couldn’t order steak for both. I had the center-cut filet mignon and my partner ordered the blackened Gulf swordfish. We both really enjoyed our meals and they offer complimentary fresh bread and dipping oil, which is always a nice treat.
Keep in mind that this area is busy, so plan accordingly and be prepared to change up your dinner plans. We were originally going to eat next door the night we came here for dinner, but the wait was super long. It was happy misfortune, though, because the food and vibes are great.
Da Matteo – Family-Friendly Wood-Fired Pizza
Da Matteo Pizzeria is super family-friendly and seems to be enjoyed a lot by locals. They offer great oven-fired pizza plus wine & beer. It definitely had a casual vibe, but everything was high-quality and the staff were super friendly. I’m a sucker for over-fired pizza because it feels lighter.
We ordered calamari fritti for our appetizer and it was super good. The dipping sauce was so fresh and light and I ate far too much and left way too little room for the pizza we ordered. We ordered the Al Capone and it was delightful.
The biggest bummer about our visit here was that we were both too full to finish the pizza and I accidentally forgot our leftovers. I also wish we had had some room for dessert because they had some super good-looking options.
One cool thing about this pizzeria is that the wood-fired oven is in the dining area, so you can actually see them putting the pizzas in and taking them out, which always makes a place feel more homey. If you’re trying to decide where to eat with a young family, then this is probably a good option.
The Locals Eatery – Relaxed with Harbor Views
We went golfing at the Eglin Golf course and worked up an appetite, so we wanted to find something nearby. I did a quick Google search and found The Locals Eatery literally around the corner and it was such a lucky find.
I really enjoyed this place, but it’s in an odd location. When you drive down to it, it almost seems like you might not be allowed to be there, but you are!. The parking is fairly limited, but there is a handful of spaces to the left of the large building that you’ll pull up to.
This place has a very casual and family-friendly feel. It truly does seem like a go-to for the locals. There is plenty of seating both indoors and out and they have both covered and uncovered seating outdoors, which is an added bonus.
The menu is small but mighty. There aren’t a ton of options, but there is a lot of variety in their offerings. I got the B.L.F.G.T., which is just a B.L.T. with fried green tomatoes. I had never tried fried green tomatoes, so I thought I’d give them a try. It was good, but I definitely prefer juicy ripe tomatoes. The fries were super good and my partner got the fried red fish, which I tried and it was also tasty, plus the portion was huge. The strawberry mule I had was also tasty.
The best part about this place was the sunset. You don’t have a direct view of the ocean here, but the boats on the harbor are just as beautiful. I took a lot of pictures and videos. I’m a sucker for a sunset, always will be.
Stewby’s Seafood Shanty – Local Favorite for Fried Seafood
I’m not going to say too much about this place, but I felt it needed to be on the list. My partner was previously stationed here and he was excited to have some Stewby’s upon return. We swung into the drive-thru one day when we needed a quick bite. While there are multiple Stewby’s locations (which I guess makes it a chain restaurant), it is a chain that’s local to the area.
I have a crustacean allergy, so the fried shrimp was off limits to me and anything fishy didn’t sound too great. I just ended up getting their side salad and side chicken order and made my own chicken salad, which ended up being a lot of food at a very affordable price. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for that traditional fried seafood known to the area and don’t want to spend a fortune on it.
Twisted Grape Vine Bar – Unique Hole in the Wall
I loved the Twisted Grape Vine Bar. We were looking for a late-night snack and dessert and didn’t want to drive too far for it, so this is what I came up with. It honestly has a thrift store vibe and I kind of love it. The staff was so welcoming and friendly and it felt like you’re hanging out at someone’s house. The waitress told us their nightly dinner special is basically whatever the owner is making for dinner, but she makes enough to feed everyone. I love that homestyle approach.
Outside of their nightly meal offering, they have a lot of small plates, flat breads, sandwiches and burgers and a great wine selection. The lighting is dim and they play some vibey music, which makes for a nice atmosphere. We got a flatbread to go and while we were there, we ate some type of apple flatbread dessert with homemade vanilla ice cream and I had a sangria.
The dessert was super good and I had leftovers, so the waitress sent me home with a fresh scoop of the ice cream to eat with it later. Oh, and my partner got the cheesecake with a caramel and chocolate syrup drizzle, which was also delicious.
We weren’t there for the live music, but apparently they have that on Fridays and they also have a daily happy hour, which we never had the chance to go to but would have loved to. This restaurant truly provided a unique experience and was perfect for a date night because it almost felt like we were in the comfort of our own home or the home of a friend.
Wrapping Up
Two weeks was plenty of time to eat our way through Fort Walton Beach and Destin, and while we didn’t have any major disappointments, a few places stood out: SURA Korean Steakhouse for the experience, Basil & Baxsters for the food, and The Locals Eatery for the sunset vibes. Whether you’re here for a beach vacation, military stay, or just passing through, this area is packed with great food and better views.
Let me know if you have visited any of these spots or plan to and follow me on IG for more travel and outdoor content!
Want more content like this? Check out how my 24 hours on Hilton Head Island went.
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