Explore the top restaurants in and around Sandestin and 30A, from seafood shacks and BBQ joints to elegant fine dining with Gulf views. Savor local flavors, enjoy live music, and find the perfect spot for your next Emerald Coast vacation.
If there's one thing most people look forward to when traveling, it's food. From the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to the Outer Banks and the Emerald Coast, no vacation feels complete without trying local restaurants serving up delicious dishes.
If you're looking for new and delicious places to eat on your next trip to Sandestin and the 30A area, make sure to add a few local favorites to your bucket list.
A little teaser to whet your appetite:
- Pazzo Italiano: Cozy Italian spot serving fresh pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, and chef specials.
- Louis Louis: Inviting 30A restaurant with American dishes, great drinks, and live music.
- Bayou Bill's Crabhouse: Local favorite for fresh oysters, hearty crab feasts, and casual seafood dining.
- 98 Bar‑B‑Que: Laid‑back BBQ joint with slow‑smoked meats, award‑winning gumbo, and Southern sides.
- Ovide at Hotel Effie: Fine dining with Southern charm and modern Gulf Coast flavors.
- Bijoux: Upscale coastal cuisine with French influence, perfect for date nights or celebrations.
- Café Thirty‑A: Long‑time Santa Rosa Beach favorite offering creative seafood and steaks with fine desserts.
- The Red Bar: Funky, art‑filled spot with a simple, flavorful menu and live music most nights.
- Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar: Elegant seafood dining with stunning Gulf views and craft cocktails.
- Stinky's Fish Camp: Fun, lively seafood spot by the dune lakes featuring fresh catch and live music.
At RealJoy Vacations, we've been part of the Emerald Coast hospitality scene for years. If you're looking for spacious beachfront houses or luxurious resorts, we offer a wide range of options to suit every preference.
As local experts, we know the area inside and out, and we're here to help you have the best possible experience. For more tips, check out our destination blog for insights on all things Emerald Coast; from the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants to nightlife guides, it's all there.
In this blog, I've rounded up ten local gems serving authentic food, relaxed vibes, and friendly service to make your visit to Sandestin and 30A truly memorable through your taste buds.
Let's dig in!
1. PAZZO ITALIANO
Cozy restaurant serving up freshly made pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, and flavorful chef specials.
This is a go‑to spot in Destin for anyone who loves authentic Italian flavors. This cozy restaurant serves up freshly made pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, and flavorful chef specials that will keep you coming back. With separate lunch and dinner menus, every visit feels like a new culinary experience.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Fresh, house‑made pastas and wood‑fired pizzas.
- Lunch favorites like Penne Alla Vodka and Regina Margherita pizza.
- Dinner highlights include the Paccheri Della Mamma.
- Must‑try desserts like creamy Tiramisu.
- Warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal with family or friends.
2. LOUIS LOUIS
Flavorful American dishes, a wide drink selection, and live music.
Louis Louis is one of 30A's most inviting spots for a relaxed evening with a touch of charm. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere, complete with vintage chandeliers and art‑filled walls, makes it as much a treat for the eyes as it is for your taste buds. Savor flavorful American dishes, enjoy a wide drink selection, and listen to live music on the patio for a memorable night out in Santa Rosa Beach.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Shrimp and Crawfish Pasta with creamy sauce, a local favorite.
- Perfectly cooked Pork Tenderloin served with mashed potatoes and a house salad.
- Extensive drink menu featuring Mojitos, Martinis, and Specialty Cocktails.
- Domestic and draft beers for a casual pairing with your meal.
- Relaxing patio seating with live music to set the mood.
3. Bayou Bill's Crabhouse
The freshest oysters on the Emerald Coast, hearty crab feasts.
No beach trip feels complete without diving into some seriously fresh seafood, and Bayou Bill's Crabhouse in Santa Rosa Beach and Panama City Beach is a local favorite. This beloved spot serves up the freshest oysters on the Emerald Coast, hearty crab feasts for groups, and a menu that keeps both kids and adults happy. It's a local gem where you can kick back, crack some crab legs, and make a meal feel like a celebration.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Fresh oysters sourced from the Emerald Coast.
- Famous Crab Feast with 4 pounds of Snow, Dungeness, and Blue Crab.
- Sides of farm‑fresh corn on the cob and local potatoes.
- Kid‑friendly menu and a full bar for adults.
- Perfect for groups looking for a fun, shareable seafood experience.
4. 98 BAR-B-QUE
Slow-smoked meats and Southern comfort classics.
98 Bar-B-Que in Santa Rosa Beach is a local icon where slow-smoked meats and Southern comfort classics steal the show. The aroma alone will have your mouth watering, and every plate is packed with flavor. From hearty platters to unique Gulf Coast twists, this is the place for a casual, satisfying meal that feels like a taste of the South.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Slow-smoked meats with rich, smoky flavor.
- St. Louis Pork Ribs Platter and Gator Sausage Po' Boy.
- Award-winning gumbo and crispy fries.
- Generous desserts like bread pudding and banana pudding, perfect for sharing.
- Laid-back, welcoming atmosphere ideal for a relaxed meal.
5. OVIDE AT HOTEL EFFIE
Fine dining with Southern charm with a modern twist.
Ovide at Hotel Effie brings a touch of Southern charm with a modern twist to the dining scene in Sandestin. This signature restaurant is all about celebrating Gulf Coast flavors with fresh, locally inspired ingredients, turned into dishes that feel both comforting and a little elevated. From beautifully plated seafood to rich, soulful brunch favorites, every meal here feels like a special occasion without being stuffy. The stylish, light‑filled space and attentive service make it a spot you'll want to linger over a long breakfast or unwind during a lively dinner.
HIGHLIGHTS
6. BIJOUX
Coastal seafood with classic French techniques.
This upscale spot tucked inside The Market Shops in Miramar Beach has a menu that blends coastal seafood with classic French techniques, turning every plate into something special. You can indulge in seared scallops, tender filet mignon, and house‑made desserts that are to die for.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Award‑winning coastal cuisine with a French twist.
- Fresh Gulf seafood and premium steaks cooked to perfection.
- Elegant yet inviting atmosphere, ideal for date nights or celebrations.
- Extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktails to pair with your meal.
- Conveniently located in The Market Shops near Sandestin.
7. CAFE THIRTY-A
Creative seafood dishes, expertly prepared steaks, and superb desserts.
A night out in Santa Rosa Beach often calls for something a little special, and Café Thirty‑A delivers. Known for its fine dining with a coastal twist, this long‑time favorite pairs creative seafood dishes with expertly prepared steaks in a polished yet welcoming atmosphere. The desserts are true works of art, and you won't want to leave before sampling something sweet. The open kitchen adds a touch of theater to the experience, and the extensive wine list makes it easy to toast a vacation done right.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Signature dishes like Lobster in Paradise and wood‑fired filet mignon.
- Award‑winning wine list with plenty of by‑the‑glass options.
- Two‑for‑one entrée special every night before 6 pm.
- Incredible desserts like Warm Rum Raisin Apple Bread Pudding, Crème Brûlée, Key Lime Cheesecake, and Strawberry Shortcake.
- Elegant dining room with an open kitchen for a front‑row culinary show.
- A Santa Rosa Beach classic for date nights or celebratory dinners.
8. THE REDBAR
Simple and flavorful menu with daily specials & Funky vibes.
No trip to Santa Rosa Beach feels complete without stepping into the lively, art‑filled world of The Red Bar. Known for its funky personality and walls covered in eclectic artwork, this spot is as much about the vibe as it is about the food. The menu keeps it simple and flavorful, with daily specials like blackened grouper and crab cakes that keep regulars coming back. Live music fills the room most nights, turning dinner into an event, and the energy inside makes every visit feel like a night to remember.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Signature daily specials, including blackened grouper and crab cakes.
- Walls covered in colorful artwork that makes the space feel one‑of‑a‑kind.
- Live music most evenings keeps the atmosphere buzzing.
- A full bar serving cocktails that pair perfectly with seafood favorites.
- A Santa Rosa Beach icon that blends great food with a fun, social scene.
9. PESCADO SEAFOOD GRILL & ROOFTOP BAR
Gulf views that steal the show and a seafood menu that feels like a treat.
Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar in Rosemary Beach is where you go for Gulf views that steal the show and a seafood menu that feels like a treat. This upscale spot has a rooftop terrace offering stunning sunset views. Inside, the kitchen turns out dishes like seared scallops, whole roasted fish, and creative small plates that are perfect for sharing. The cocktails are just as impressive as the view, making it a perfect choice for date nights, group dinners, or a relaxed evening with friends, soaking in the sea breeze.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stunning rooftop views over the Gulf.
- Fresh seafood plates like seared scallops and whole roasted fish.
- Creative small plates ideal for sharing.
- Signature craft cocktails that pair perfectly with sunset.
- Elegant yet comfortable setting for date nights or group gatherings.
10. Stinky's Fish Camp
A lively spot turning the day's freshest catch into plates packed with flavor.
Right by the coastal dune lakes in Santa Rosa Beach, this lively restaurant is known for turning the day's freshest catch into plates packed with flavor. From the first bite of their crawfish pie to a platter of Gulf shrimp or blackened fish, every dish tastes like the beach in the best way. The vibe is fun and welcoming, and the crowd is a mix of locals and vacationers who know good seafood when they find it.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gulf‑fresh seafood with signature dishes like Crawfish Pie and Baked Oysters.
- Daily fish specials prepared grilled, fried, or blackened.
- A great spot for brunch with options like shrimp and grits or fish tacos.
- Live music most nights adds to the energy.
- Popular for both casual meals and group dinners, with a full bar to match the seafood feast.
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