Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Destin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Sandestin

4.9

4.9 (2422)

$30 and under

Seafood

Destin

About the restaurant

Tommy Bahama combines a tranquil environment and great food with an emphasis on hospitality to make for the perfect place to recharge or unwind while indulging in a unique dining experience. The experience is sure to feel like a getaway, whether you’re on vacation or looking for a vacation from your everyday life

Top review

Jon & SuzVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Great food, service was outstanding. Waitress “Y” very good

Bijoux

4.9

4.9 (3177)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Destin

About the restaurant

Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits is a full-service fine dining restaurant located in The Market Shops outside the front entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Open for dinner seven nights a week, we feature the freshest Gulf seafood, prime steaks and an extensive award-winning wine list. Our intimate Bijoux lounge features a full bar complete with a large selection of specialty martinis.

Top review

Martha

Dined 5 days ago

Always a pleasant choice in dining. The food, exceptional service is always perfect!

Discover more

Popular dish

Grouper Almandine

Popular dish

"Black Skillet" Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Cowboy Ribeye

O-Ku Alys Beach

4.9

4.9 (59)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Seacrest Beach

About the restaurant

Modern Japanese meets new urban architecture in the heart of Alys Beach at 30A. Overlooking the town’s iconic Amphitheater, O-Ku will welcome guests with warm hospitality and authentic Japanese cuisine. O-Ku celebrates unique ingredients, traditional techniques, and sophisticated presentations through an approachable menu featuring sushi, sashimi, and nigiri alongside savory dishes.

Top review

Ronnelle

Dined 1 day ago

This is an outstanding restaurant and a wonderful addition to the 30A experience

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!

Commelfo Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (628)

$31 to $50

European

Miramar Beach

About the restaurant

"Commelfo" or "Comme il Faut" is coming from French and it means "Done proper way".

Commelfo – Modern Restaurant in our area that brought Destin and Miramar beach to life.We would like to offer our friends to taste a 24 K Gold!Gold at Commelfo is everywhere… start from design – continue with 24K Golden Cheesecake, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Ribeye Steak and Fillet Mignon. Everyone feels like a welcome guest and friend. Starting with authentic ingredients and traditional techniques, Commelfo talented chefs create original and unexpected dishes that bring these regional cuisines to a level never before experienced.

Welcome to Commelfo – Welcome to our Family!

Top review

Linda

Dined 3 days ago

my daughter and i had 2 drinks each and i had the lamb and she had the scallops. food was excellent. we got the buy one, get one half off snd with a$36 tip the dinner was $180

Discover more

Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Chicken

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

CarolVIP

Dined on Oct 9, 2024

Terrific service. Our server was prompt and helpful with suggestions. We had a scallop appetizer with goat cheese grits cake with poblano butter that was wonderful. My lobster brie sandwich with bacon jam was delightful. Overlooking the sunset on the bay— what more could you ask for?

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Destin

Explore more Diners' Choice lists