Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Destin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Destin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Beach Walk Cafe

4.8

4.8 (996)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Destin

About the restaurant

Beach Walk Café, known as the “Most Romantic Dining Experience in Destin,” is located inside the Henderson Park Inn where guests enjoy unobstructed views of the Gulf overlooking more than a mile of the world’s most beautiful and secluded beaches with spectacular sunset views.

In this idyllic private setting Beach Walk Café features an intimate atmosphere with dining available inside, with a cozy fireplace and magnificent views of the coast and outside on the verandas of the Inn overlooking the emerald waters of the Gulf. A favorite with locals and tourists alike, Beach Walk Café is known for its meticulous service, innovative cuisine and a stunning, unparalleled view.

Reservations are recommended. Please note, all diners at Beach Walk Café must be 13 or older. If there is inclement weather, your outside seating reservation is subject to alteration or cancellation.

Top review

RaymondVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Restaurant is in adult only Anderson Inn hotel with a lovely deck looking at the golf very romantic.

Pazzo Italiano Destin

4.8

4.8 (1999)

$30 and under

Italian

Destin

About the restaurant

Two friends, two devoted family men, two restaurant lovers and now businessmen, that have been serving and delighting others for over 20+ years. We are excited to share with you our passion, our heart’s work: Pazzo Italiano.

Our menu has been carefully pieced together to bring you a combination of your favorite Italian staples, some more sophisticated flavors with a touch of fun and some new crazy combinations. We look forward to sharing our passion for taste and our love for service with you…

Top review

christina

Dined 2 days ago

The place was amazing! We had a huge party but our waitress made us feel like it was just a party of two people! She did not lack once in her service and was amazing!! The food was phenomenal as well!!!!

Discover more

Pazzo Italiano Santa Rosa Beach

4.8

4.8 (948)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Rosa Beach

About the restaurant

Pazzo Italiano SRB is the 2nd location of the highly rated and locals favorite Destin location, featuring award winning Italian dishes and wood fired Neapolitan pizza, full bar and two private rooms in a cosmopolitan Family friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Top review

Darcy

Dined on Nov 27, 2024

Great food, wonderful service! We would go again.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (119)

$31 to $50

Traditional French

Santa Rosa Beach

About the restaurant

Pure white Haussmannian wall panel moldings, gold mirrors, marble bistro tables, herringbone floors, green velvet booths…

…The sweet perfume of Rosemary, Thyme, Toasted Baguette, Truffles, Boeuf Bourguignon served by an elegant waiter…

…Melodies from Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf are playing in the back, you love these songs, you try to guess the words…

…A Champagne bottle suddenly pops. You hear that very typical sound of 1500 years of French history in a bottle.

You have landed in Paris.

But are there palm trees in Paris?

Is it the Seine River? Why do you see a white sandy beach on the horizon? Are we in Paris? Or are we in “Floride”?

Come and see for yourself.

You are eating at Renaissance tonight!

Miam! Bon Appétit.

Top review

FernandoVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding cuisine and service. Natasha and Valerie are always extremely attentive. Thank you Reinassance team. Merry Christmas!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Destin

4.7

4.7 (1715)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Destin

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House specializes in serving USDA Prime steaks, each seared to perfection, finished with butter and freshly chopped parsley, and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate. We invite you to join us in Destin, FL!

Top review

DerekVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Service and steaks were great. Been here several times and it is my favorite.

Discover more

Wild Olives Market & Cafe

4.7

4.7 (113)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Seagrove Beach

About the restaurant

WILD OLIVES

Wild Olives in SeaGrove, Florida features gourmet cheeses and fine wines along with a bistro menu. The menu is well thought out, with salads, platters, small plate offerings and entrées. Chris' burger is the burger you won't forget. Small plates at Wild Olives are made for sharing, and, if you choose several, you can create a meal for your entire party. Salads are served with bread, so they can be almost a meal in and of themselves. You have to try the Crispy Tuna Poke, Fried Goat Cheese and Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Aioli. Popular main entrees include the Chef's Cut, Greek Catch and Paprika Chicken with Pancetta, don't forget about Chris' Famous Reuben "Dagwood".

Chef Chris Trovas prepares Chef's Specials weekly with fresh local seafood.

Wild Olives is known for Friday Night Wine Tastings, they take place every Friday from 4pm-7pm.

Wild Olives is a Family-Friendly Restaurant!

Join our VIP Email List by visiting www.wildolives30a.com

STAY WILD

Top review

Cindy

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent place to eat! Food, server and owner are all delightful!

Ocean Club Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1052)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Destin

About the restaurant

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/New Year's Eve Updates:

PLEASE CONTACT THE RESTAURANT DIRECTLY FOR THESE HOLIDAYS & ANY DAYS THAT ARE BLOCKED DUE TO LARGE PARTIES!

Main Phone number: 850-267-3666 (Office Manager/Kathleen)

We will have a special Christmas Day Menu, which will be uploaded as soon as it is approved. Please check back by December 5, 2021.

New Year's Eve will have 3 seatings with 3 different menus and different price points. Menus will be uploaded no later than December 5, 2021.
Early Seating 4:30 pm $59.95 per person
Middle Seating 6:30 pm $89.95 (live music) per person
Late Seating 9pm till? $119.95 (LIVE MUSIC/BAND W/ CHAMPAGNE TOAST) per person

Ocean Club Management

Top review

Doug

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

We always enjoy having an early dinner from 5-6 with a bunch of friends. Everyone enjoys the food and experience with the 2 for 1 value meals.

Discover more

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (277)

$30 and under

American

Destin

About the restaurant

Locally owned and operated.. We have a unique menu blending American cuisine with a touch of creole. Lunch varies from our popular shrimp & grits, to our delicious and filling $9.99 specials like bourbon chicken or sweet n sour chicken, to a fresh beef burger. Dinner provides a daily special on our blackboard often offering local grouper or steak, or consider our dinner menu with salads, pastas, steaks and unique entrees. Brunch on Sunday offers a la carte menu, buffet from 9am till 130pm, along with $10 bottomless mimosas. We also have a full bar with a great wine list.

Top review

Martha

Dined 2 days ago

Chef-prepared, unique, delicious food and wonderful, attentive service. Truly, a beautiful dining experience!

Emeril's Coastal

4.5

4.5 (2482)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Rosa Beach

About the restaurant

Located at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin, Emeril's Coastal is the first of Emeril’s Restaurants in Northwest Florida. The cuisine of Emeril's Coastal is symbolic of Emeril’s deep appreciation and connection to the water. Combined with the bountiful variety of nearby fresh Gulf seafood and the freshest local ingredients available, Emeril’s Coastal strives to embark you on a seafood experience like no other. The menu features specialties like Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, Florida Rock Shrimp Rolls, and Oyster Spaghetti. The design of the restaurant compliments the menu using an earthy mix of textures to create a casual, coastal feeling that is complete with elegant and sophisticated touches.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 2 days ago

A great dining experience, the food was excellent and our server Justin was outstanding. We will definitely return when we are back in the area.

Discover more

Experience

Feast of Seven Fishes

The Crazy Lobster Destin

4.2

4.2 (639)

$30 and under

Seafood

Destin

About the restaurant

Looking for a place to fuel up with drinks and fresh or fried seafood, find your feast today overlooking the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay at Poppy’s Crazy Lobster. Share a Steamed Seafood Bucket with your pals, or satisfy your own appetite by keeping it all to yourself—a 2-lb. lobster, snow crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage all seasoned to pure perfection. Taste some of our New Orleans’ favorites like Crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans, or our local specialties such as blackened Redfish, pan seared Amberjack or lobster fettuccine. The signature drinks and full service bar will keep the good times Rollin; Poppy’s Voodoo Juice, an all-time favorite and refreshing tropical cocktail. Live music keeps the restaurant hopping nightly with a variety of musicians and local talents

Reservations made through Open Table will only be held for up to 15 minutes

Top review

Jeffery

Dined on Oct 11, 2024

The service was just st awesome and accommodating. We had a large party and the service was spot on. The cocktails and food were reasonably priced and portions were large. We will be going back.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Destin

Explore more Diners' Choice lists