Location: Pensacola Beach
Top Restaurants in Pensacola Beach
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Top 10 restaurants in Pensacola Beach, United States
“Life’s a Beach” all right on Pensacola Beach where building sandcastles, body surfing and beachcombing are popular pastimes. Away from the sands, there are several don’t miss sights for the entire family, including the National Aviation Museum, which features 150 vintage aircraft, flight simulators and an IMAX Theatre, Fort Pickens, an historic military fort built in 1829, and the Pensacola Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast and also the tallest, standing 151 feet tall on a 40 foot bluff. To immerse yourself in the history of Pensacola, stroll the historic village, a pedestrian-friendly area with furnished historic homes, unique museums and the Colonial Archeological Trail. For the white dimpled ball set, try teeing up at Lost Key Golf Club, a target golf set up designed by Arnold Palmer and Marcus Pointe Golf club, an Earl Stone design. Don’t forget, there’s also great deep-sea fishing and other water activities like sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling to be actively pursued on Pensacola Beach.
Things to do in Pensacola Beach
1. The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Grand Marlin Restaurant features a main dining area with a shucked to order oyster bar, exterior North Drop Bar overlooking the beautiful Santa Rosa Sound, and private meeting rooms. This Pensacola Beach restaurant, with an air of island casualness, serves the highest-quality cuisine, including the freshest local seafood featured on menus designed and printed daily to take advantage of the local bounty. The atmosphere creates a fusion of the Caribbean and the Pensacola Bay Area. Executive Chef Gregg McCarthy has a passion for great-tasting food and particularly loves working his culinary magic with fresh Gulf Coast seafood. Boaters and beach-goers feel comfortable in shorts and flip-flops at the oyster bar, in the dining room and at the North Drop Bar. The Grand Marlin has a space and atmosphere for all occasions and is looking forward to creating an authentic experience between time and tide.
Reviewed By Nematode T - London, Canada
Always go on Monday’s for half off oysters when in town. We had a large group and made reservations and wanted to do appetizers and oysters before dinner. Usually we go to the oyster bar but this time they split us up and had most by tables to right of main bar. Others at oyster bar and no problem getting drinks or oysters for them. We waited for ever to order and oysters took over 30 minutes while others who came after us had multiple orders delivered. Very disorganized. Been coming for 6-7 yrs and worst service this year. We had 15 in group and dinner went better. Food good and quick. The ciopino is back on menu ( wasn’t last year at this time). It had very little angel hair pasta and the sauce was burnt. Very disappointed. It was a meeting day night and tables were available which I have not seen before. Not sure if overall quality issues we had is becoming the norm.
2. The Drowsy Poet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
A local coffee bar serving a large selection of hand-crafted, small-batch roasted arabica coffees; including shade grown, organic, & fair trade certified beans. Also providing a small menu of sandwiches and baked goods.
Reviewed By Sue E - Alpharetta, Georgia
I ordered 2 sandwiches and 2 coffees for $29. The coffee was okay and sandwiches were good. I also waited over 30 minutes for them to be made since there was only one person working in the whole place. I'm sure they will get this all worked out eventually and they have a great lounge area and view. It's just not the type of place to grab a cup of coffee to go.
3. Cafe Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By FloridaFamilyofFive - Viera, Florida, USA
We stopped here because the other local breakfast spots were full. Clearly they are unable to execute breakfast -- chocolate chip pancakes were pancakes with the chips on top?! $6 for a 12 oz smoothie? No cooks here just employees that also try to prepare food. Would not recommend.
4. Dog House Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By dpa_tim - Lusby, Maryland
Stopped in for breakfast with a friend on a Sunday morning. The place obviously is better known for things OTHER than breakfast, but we had a couple of very tasty breakfast burritos.
The place isn't very big, so seating is at a premium, but that's just part of the vibe and atmosphere. The coffee is also serve yourself, and the coffee ran out while we were there, but the staff refilled it promptly. The place was busy, but everyone's orders seemed to come out pretty quickly.
I would go back for breakfast, and I'm looking forward to trying the hot dogs, next time I'm in Pensacola.
5. Native Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 980 reviews
Reviewed By Bonnie R
This place is packed out for breakfast with people standing on the outside of the restaurant. Go when they open for breakfast or an hour before they stop serving it , not as much waiting during these times. The prices were great and the portion size is large. The dinning area is extremely small. The tables are so close you dont know if you are sitting with your party or someone else's. I feel terrible for the wait staff, they can barely get to some of the tables and then when they deliver the food it is worse. The chairs are old and uncomfortable. They feel like you are about to break them if you adjust it while you are seated.
6. Peg Leg Pete's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By matt d - Dallas, Georgia
This place gets busy, but the kitchen and wait staff are on point! Service was prompt, accurate, and attentive. The food was really good and I would recommend the baked oysters Lafitte.
7. Flounder's Chowder House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Slahta - Louisville, Kentucky
This was our favorite restaurant of our whole trip - our whole party of 8 agreed on that! Our server, Andrew, was great. The atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back!!!!
8. Red Fish Blue Fish
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Inspired southern style. Simple yummy food from local ingredients. We invite you to relax and enjoy friends and family in our backyard with a view. We have the best 'backyard' on the beach with two white sand beaches, covered and grassy dining areas, lots for the kids to do, and a stylish cocktail bar. It's without a doubt the best place on the island to watch a sunset.
Reviewed By TDL79 - Marietta, Georgia
Checked in at 5pm and told 20 min wait. Wait turned out to be 53 minutes! But during that wait time I was able to observe the waitstaff operation. The team seemed overwhelmed and operated independently from each other, no one pulling together to ensure their guests had an enjoyable experience. Most tables seemed to have to wait over 20 minutes for their food to arrive once seated at the tables. Waitstaff was going from table to table to apologize for the delay in service. Plenty of open tables...just not enough waitstaff or kitchen staff available to meet the demand.
9. Crabs We Got Em
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Crabs We Got 'Em has the most scenic view on the entire Pensacola Beach. Our menu has a variety of items that include burgers, chicken, fresh fish, and of course....CRAB!! We also have daily drink specials and LIVE music everyday. Don't miss Sea Dogg on the weekends racing those Hermit Crabs.....it's the craziest thing you've ever seen!! There's room for everyone whether you are by yourself or have 100 people coming and the wait is minimal due to the size of our restaurant. So come and enjoy our great food, service, drinks, and view. It'll be the best experience you've had in a long time.
Reviewed By Kris N - Richmond, Virginia
We chose this place as they could handle our party size with a view. It started out great with drinks and apps. The Crabwhacker was very good. We had the fiery crab balls, Parmesan oysters, and crab and artichoke French bread. It came up quick and were tasty. The Parmesan oysters were a little too salty, but the others were good. Then we waited 45 minutes for the rest of our food.
I ordered the mixed grill, it wasn’t supposed to be blackened, but came that way. It came with fries, they were ice cold. Others did not receive their fries. My son ordered the kids crab legs and it came out 15 minutes after the rest of the food. We were supposed to get marmalade for my wife’s coconut shrimp. It didn’t come out. Had to wait to get that as well. Another person ordered the snow crab boil and was very disappointed. The crab tasted if it was frozen and old. So it was a mixed bag. The view is awesome, the drinks are good, the food was hit and miss.
10. H2O Cajun Asian Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
Located in the spectacular lobby of the Hilton Pensacola Beach hotel. Enjoy local celebrity chef Dan Dunn's award winning Cajun Asian infused menu with a well paired selection from our premier wine cellar. Try the famous 'Steak Dano' - an 8 oz fillet, topped with shrimps and scallops and served with goat cheeses and poblano mashed potatoes or choose from a diverse selection of salads and gourmet burgers. IIf none of this satisfies your hunger, try a sampling from the Bonsai Sushi Bar. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Sunday's try our bottomless Bloody Mary!
Reviewed By 963lynnf
Passed on the Tgiving buffet cattle call and waited for the grill to open with their regular menu. Can't stand the traditional Turkey fare. Food was great, service was great.
