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1. Criolla's
170 E Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 · 850-267-1267
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GRAYTON BEACH. Perhaps the Emerald Coast's most famous restaurant, this long-standing favorite wins "best-of" awards time and time again. Even with its stellar reputation, the staff is unfailingly friendly and gracious. The cuisine, Creole and Caribbean in intent, features Indonesian-style pompano, rubbed in ginger and chile paste. You'll also find lobster crepinettes, mojo-grilled cobia, and grilled certified Angus tenderloin. Simply reading the entrees is a decadent experience, but sampling the dishes is even more rewarding. The desserts, too, are unparalleled. Hinting at the selections are chocolate gateau with raspberry coulis and honey bell orange tartlette with chocolate sorbet. You'll have to discover the rest for yourself!
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2. Beach Walk Café
2996 Scenic Hwy 98 E, The Inn at Crystal Beach, Destin, FL 32541 · 850-650-7100
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DESTIN. One of the Emerald Coast's most celebrated restaurants, this waterfront eatery serves American cuisine with Asian and European influences. Its chef, Tim Creehan, creates dishes such as tempura-fried grouper with black bean sauce and stir-fried vegetables, oven-roasted pork with shiitake mushroom dressing, or roasted lamb with eggplant and goat cheese rolls. He is also known for his hot crawfish salad, crabmeat spring rolls, white chocolate banana cream pie, and a delightful Sunday brunch. These, along with his other specialties, reveal why he has been chosen as chef for dinners hosted by celebrities such as Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Cybill Shepherd.
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3. Cafe Thirty-A
3899 E Hwy 30A, Seagrove Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459-6454 · 850-231-2166
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SEAGROVE BEACH. Gulf Coast architecture figures prominently in this yellow clapboard building, trimmed in white and topped by a metal roof. Inside, exposed rafters and ductwork are painted white, and market umbrellas hang from the ceiling. The menu features oak-fired oven pizzas, and main dishes include grilled swordfish, sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna, grilled rack of lamb, and filet mignon with truffle aioli and foie gras bordelaise. Fishbone, the restaurant's bar, serves up specialty martinis and has a terrific wine list with a number of good champagnes. Outdoor dining is available on the bar's open deck.
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4. Seagar's
400 Sandestin Blvd S, Sandestin Beach Hilton, Destin, FL 32550 · 850-622-1500
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DESTIN. Refined and sophisticated, this classy establishment gleams with polished wood and stone. Its culinary emphasis is on seafood, steaks and wine, but the focus extends to spirits and cigars as well. Entrees include Maine lobster, swordfish, Atlantic salmon, Dover sole and steaks in a variety of cuts. Everything is prepared fresh when you order, and Steak Diane is assembled tableside. Premium cigars are available as well, and a decorative humidor made for the Shah of Iran is on display. Diners are often surprised by the quality of Seagar's offerings, but that's no reason for apprehension. On the contrary, each guest is welcomed and treated with the utmost graciousness.
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5. Fish Out of Water
34 Golden Rod Cir, WaterColor Inn & Resort, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 · 850-534-5050
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| Avg. Entrée: |
$$$16 - $30
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| Reservations: |
Recommended |
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None |
SANTA ROSA BEACH. An ocean view and trendy blue-tiled sushi bar enhance this large dining room's appeal. Soft shades of yellow and green dominate the interior, and guests may dine at either a table or semi-circular booth. The kitchen boasts flavorful fish and meat prepared with homegrown veggies and exotic seasonings. The short but intriguing menu might include wild striped bass with butternut squash lasagna, baby carrots, turnips, and apple curry sauce or moulard duck breast with poached quince, polenta, frisse, and orange coriander sauce. An extensive selection of wines is offered, and a limited assortment is available by the glass.
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6. Bud and Alley's
2236 E County Rd 30-A, Merchants of Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 · 850-231-5900
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SEASIDE. This long-standing local favorite, named for a dog and a cat, is a half hour's drive from Destin but definitely worth the trip. Devoted to fresh seafood, the owners also choose the best ingredients from area farmers. They transform these goods into creative entrees, such as Basque-style seafood stew, grilled duck breast, Florida blue crab cakes and grilled beef tenderloin stuffed with fried oysters. The menu extends well beyond these dishes and constantly reveals new flavors and textures. Whether in the light-filled dining room or outside in the sea air, the cuisine is impeccable. Upstairs, an open-air bar serves drinks and light meals and provides an incredible vista across the gulf.
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DESTIN. Named for the practice of blending wines in order to achieve a particular flavor, this restaurant is a master at combining elements for incomparable dining. Set in a contemporary pueblo, the restaurant shares quarters with a cozy wine bar. The interior's muted colors and stone floors are subtly lit by glass-and-metal Moravian stars, which cast ambient light over eager diners. Main courses include Asian-style roasted duck, grilled tenderloin with creamy polenta, plum-glazed pork loin and snapper provencal. For each dish, an appropriate wine is suggested. Service is attentive and professional but never obtrusive. A perfect place for special occasions.
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DESTIN. Amongst all the family eateries and beach bars, this top-of-the-line steakhouse makes a splash in the Destin area. Steaks are known for their sizzle, achieved by a dollop of butter dropped on hot-from-the-oven cuts; your choice will still be sputtering when it's placed in front of you. Ruth's Chris isn't intended for calorie-counters; it is a true steak lover's haven. The establishment also takes pride in its great service, extensive wine list and comfortable elegance.
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9. Marina Café
404 Hwy 98 E, Destin Harbor, Destin, FL 32541 · 850-837-7960
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DESTIN. Recipient of numerous awards, this fantastic restaurant couples imaginative cuisine with impeccable service and a stunning view of the harbor. The menu, which changes daily, culls inspiration from a variety of traditions, resulting in Japanese barbecued salmon, grilled filet medallions with crawfish barbecue, and Dijon and rosemary-rubbed lamb chops. Gourmet pizzas and pasta dishes also feature cross-cultural influences. A cocktail lounge greets guests with contemporary jazz, and the deck is incomparable for outdoor dining. A large wine list and a selection of premium cigars heighten the pleasure of the entire experience. From 5pm-6pm, main course dishes are 2-for-1, and the bar offers excellent happy hour specials.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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