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Panama City Beach, the seafood capital of the South, boasts an array of dining options that cater to every palate. Local eateries serve up fresh seafood, Southern comfort food, and international flavors. This guide highlights the best places to eat in Panama City Beach where you’ll find authentic local cuisine and atmospheres that capture the essence of this Florida paradise.
Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant stands out as a Panama City Beach icon. This beachfront eatery offers a casual dining experience paired with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Known for its signature drink, the Pineapple Willy, this restaurant attracts both locals and tourists. The menu features a variety of seafood options, including their famous ribs. These fall-off-the-bone ribs have earned a reputation as some of the best in the area.
Visitors can enjoy live music on the pier during peak seasons, adding to the lively atmosphere. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area allows guests to dine while feeling the ocean breeze and listening to the waves.
Pineapple Willy’s also caters to families, offering a kids’ menu and a relaxed environment suitable for all ages. The restaurant’s commitment to quality food and friendly service has made it a staple in Panama City Beach’s dining scene for decades.
Firefly elevates the dining experience in Panama City Beach, offering a more upscale atmosphere compared to many of the area’s casual eateries. Located away from the beachfront, Firefly provides a sophisticated setting for special occasions or romantic dinners.
The restaurant’s interior features a centerpiece oak tree adorned with lights, creating an enchanting ambiance. This unique design element sets Firefly apart from other dining establishments in the area.
Firefly’s menu showcases a blend of American and Mediterranean cuisines, focusing on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its sushi offerings, which many consider to be among the best in Panama City Beach.
In addition to sushi, Firefly serves a range of expertly prepared seafood dishes, steaks, and innovative appetizers. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list, complementing its diverse menu options.
For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, Firefly offers private dining rooms, making it an ideal choice for small gatherings or celebrations.
Runaway Island offers a beachfront dining experience that captures the essence of Panama City Beach. This two-story restaurant provides stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, allowing diners to enjoy their meals while watching the sunset over the water.
The menu at Runaway Island focuses on fresh seafood and coastal cuisine. Popular dishes include their seafood platters, which feature a variety of locally caught fish and shellfish. The restaurant also offers non-seafood options to cater to diverse preferences.
One of Runaway Island’s unique features is its beach bar, where guests can enjoy cocktails on the sand. This setup allows visitors to maintain that quintessential beach vacation feeling while savoring their drinks.
The restaurant’s casual atmosphere makes it suitable for families, groups of friends, or couples looking for a relaxed dining experience. During peak seasons, Runaway Island often features live music, adding to the vibrant beach atmosphere.
Harpoon Harry’s Beachfront Restaurant has been a fixture in Panama City Beach’s dining scene for years. Its prime location on the beach provides guests unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico while they dine.
The restaurant is known for its extensive menu, which includes a wide range of seafood options, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. One of their most popular items is the seafood steam pot, a generous assortment of shellfish and vegetables perfect for sharing.
Harpoon Harry’s casual, beachy atmosphere makes it a hit with families and groups. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating, allowing guests to choose between air-conditioned comfort or the fresh sea breeze.
During peak tourist seasons, Harpoon Harry’s often hosts live entertainment, adding to the lively beach vibe. The restaurant’s full bar serves up a variety of tropical cocktails, beer, and wine to complement the coastal cuisine.
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant combines the appeal of a sports bar and the allure of beachfront dining. This large establishment can accommodate hundreds of guests, making it a popular choice for big groups and events.
The menu at Sharky’s is extensive, offering everything from classic beach fare like fish tacos and fried shrimp to more substantial entrees like steak and pasta. Their seafood options are particularly popular, the restaurant priding itself on serving fresh, locally-sourced fish.
One of Sharky’s main attractions is its massive outdoor deck, which provides ample seating at the beach. This area is especially popular during sunset hours, as diners can enjoy their meals while watching the sun dip below the horizon.
Sharky’s is also known for its entertainment options. The restaurant features multiple bars, beach volleyball courts, and often hosts live music performances. During major sporting events, Sharky’s transforms into a lively sports bar, its numerous TVs broadcasting games to enthusiastic crowds.
Moving away from the beachfront, The Wicked Wheel offers a different dining experience that’s equally beloved by locals and tourists alike. This restaurant specializes in Southern comfort food, fried chicken being its claim to fame.
The Wicked Wheel’s fried chicken is often touted as the best in Panama City Beach. Their secret recipe involves a 24-hour brining process, resulting in exceptionally juicy and flavorful chicken. While fried chicken is the star, the menu also includes other Southern staples like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and homemade pies.
The restaurant’s décor is unique, featuring an automotive theme, numerous vintage signs and car parts adorning the walls. This creates a fun, casual atmosphere that appeals to diners of all ages.
Despite its inland location, The Wicked Wheel remains a popular choice for both lunch and dinner. Its reputation for consistently good food and friendly service has made it a local favorite year-round.
Saltwater Grill stands out in Panama City Beach’s restaurant scene with its upscale ambiance and focus on fine dining. The restaurant’s centerpiece is a 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium, which provides a stunning backdrop for diners.
The menu at Saltwater Grill emphasizes fresh seafood, steaks, and pasta dishes. Their seafood is sourced locally whenever possible, ensuring the highest quality and freshness. Signature dishes include their grouper, prepared in various styles, and their prime steaks.
Saltwater Grill also boasts an award-winning wine list, featuring selections from various regions around the world. Their knowledgeable staff can help pair wines with the menu items, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The restaurant offers a piano bar, where guests can enjoy live music while sipping cocktails or waiting for their table. This feature adds to the sophisticated atmosphere and makes Saltwater Grill a popular choice for special occasions.
While the restaurant maintains an upscale ambiance, it’s not overly formal. The dress code is typically described as “resort casual,” making it accessible to vacationers while still feeling special.
Schooners bills itself as “The Last Local Beach Club,” and it lives up to this moniker offering a genuine, laid-back beach experience. Located directly on the sand, Schooners allows diners to enjoy their meals with their toes in the sand if they choose.
The menu at Schooners focuses on fresh seafood and beach-friendly fare. Their grouper sandwich is a local favorite, often cited as one of the best in the area. The restaurant also offers a variety of fried seafood baskets, salads, and burgers to cater to different tastes.
One of Schooners’ most popular traditions is the sunset celebration. Each evening, they fire a cannon to mark the sunset, creating a festive atmosphere as the day winds down. This daily event draws crowds of both diners and beachgoers.
The restaurant features live music regularly, typically showcasing local talent. This, combined the beachfront location and casual atmosphere, makes Schooners a favorite spot for both tourists and locals to unwind.
Schooners’ commitment to maintaining a local, beach-club feel sets it apart from many of the more commercialized establishments in Panama City Beach. It’s a place where visitors can get a taste of the local culture and lifestyle.
When visiting these restaurants, keep in mind that many of them can get quite busy during peak tourist seasons, particularly in the summer months. It’s often a good idea to call ahead or make reservations if possible, especially for the more upscale options like Firefly and Saltwater Grill.
Many of these restaurants offer early bird specials or happy hour deals, which can be a great way to enjoy their offerings at a lower price point. These deals are particularly popular locals and can offer a more authentic local dining experience.
For the beachfront restaurants, timing your visit to coincide with sunset can greatly enhance your dining experience. However, these tend to be the busiest times, so plan accordingly.
Don’t be afraid to ask your server for recommendations. Local staff often have insider knowledge about the best dishes or current specials that might not be prominently featured on the menu.
Lastly, while these restaurants represent some of the best dining options in Panama City Beach, the area is home to many other excellent eateries. Exploring beyond this list can lead to delightful culinary discoveries and contribute to a more varied dining experience during your visit.
Panama City Beach’s culinary scene offers diverse flavors and experiences of Panama City Beach food. These eight restaurants represent the area’s best, but countless other eateries await exploration. Remember to venture beyond tourist hotspots and ask locals for recommendations to uncover hidden restaurants in Panama City Beach during your visit.
For a comfortable stay while exploring Panama City Beach’s restaurants, consider Emerald Coast Retreats. We offer top-notch vacation rentals, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local dining scene and beach lifestyle.
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