Destin, Fl

pigget74

DVC Beach Club Villas
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
2,966
Need good places to eat each night that will not break the bank. There will be 5 of us...would like somehwere fun and family friendly. Thanks
 
We're (family of 6) going to be in Destin for the first time in 3 weeks. :) When I booked the house we rented through vrbo, the owner called and chatted with me. She recommended a few restaurants that were local faves and had good food. I, of course, did my own research too. So based on that, I think we're planning on eating at:

MaGuire's Irish Pub http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com/

Jordano's Pizza http://jordanospizzaandmore.com/index.html

La Paz Restaurant & Cantina http://www.lapaz.com/0menu.htm

I know a lot of people like Fudpucker's http://www.fudtv.com/ but that seems to have more to do with the fact you can feed live gators than the quality of food. :confused3

There seems to be a fair amount of small, locally owned seafood places that locals like. I didn't research those at all because we don't eat seafood/fish. You might try tripadvisor for that. That was a starting place for me in my research. :goodvibes
 
Maguire's Pub is really good. DH and I ate there last summer. They have an awesome staff. My DH got violently ill (sun poisoning) and passed out and they immediately went into action to help us. W went back several hours later after we were discharged from the ER and they treated us so well and all the waitresses came by and checked on him.
 

I ate at the McGuire's in Pensacola at the end of March. it was really good - HUGE burgers and reasonable prices. They also have their own micro brewed beer if you enjoy beer.
 
We love McGuire's, Jim and Nick's is yummy, Zoe's at the Destin Commons outside of the park and splash pad is yummy and healthy, we also do lots of picnics at Henderson Beach Sp or Grayton Beach SP.

Hope you enjoy it here!
 
Jim N Nicks is a good place!
The Back Porch is good and it's on the beach, fun place.
There is also a Mellow Mushroom there, that's yummy!
We enjoy Fudpucker's and Joe's Crab Shack but they can be a bit pricey.
 
Love Jim N Nicks!

If you have time, take the drive down 30-A West through Watercolor, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach. That's my favorite stretch of road in the world :)
 
What types of food are you looking for? I live here in Destin, so I know the restaurants pretty well. :) When will you be here?

McGuires is really good. The burgers are $9.99 and huge, the prices go up from there. If you have any beer drinkers in the group, they brew their own there. It is a very popular place, so be prepared to wait for a table if you go during a prime dining time.

Calahans is good with big portions for the prices.

Pepitos is our favorite Mexican.

I will see what else I can think of. Any restaurants on the water will cost more.
 
We've been regulars to Destin for many years. The Lighthouse restaurant is a good place to dine and has a 1/2 price entree offer until 8. http://destinlighthouserestaurant.com/halfprice.asp

Regardless of the slightly elevated cost at Fudpucker's, don't go to Destin and miss going there. It is an event and family friendly. Nightly live entertainment, playground for kids, novel giftshop, and festive atmosphere. Bring a sharpie and leave your own message on anything.

While you're in Destin, scoot down to Whale's Tail for breakfast on the beach.

Adults looking for grown up time will enjoy Captain Daves for a great view while dining.

After thinking about this, I believe I need to book a trip there.
 
Our favorite is Dewey Destin, the one looking at Crab Island (Calhoun Ave) not the one on the harbor.
 
Thank you for all the replies. We are gong Sat. May 26th-May 31st. Our family consists of 2 adults, 2 teens, and 2 little ones. My sister and her 2 girls are going and another adult and 2 girls. We are all staying at different places. My place is the condo-so we will be eating most meals in. I like good seafood, but I am really wanting more for the family type environment. We love The Hangout in Gulf Shores. I guess I am looking for pizza, burgers, and seafood for the different nights.
 
We went to Destin last summer and ate at a place called Dewey Destin Seafood. It is small and right on the water. The seafood was great. You sit outside on picnic tables so it's very casual. It was fun to eat by the water and watch the boats go by. It was the favorite place we ate for both my kids (DD7 and DS9).

We ate at several places, including Fudpuckers that has previously been mentioned, which we thought was very chain-y, loud and overpriced for the food quality.
 
We have been going to Destin for the last 12 years straight and we love love love it there! We are going June 23-30 and cant wait!
We love Back Porch but it is pricey.
Fudpuckers is a must even thought it is a little pricey but worth it for the atmosphere.

There is a new Bubba Gumps. I know its a chain but my kids loved it. They also like the movie so it was cool for them to see it.

I have to say it is getting harder to find good restuarants there that are not chains but try some local places and see what you think.
 
There are so many restaurants in the Destin and South Walton area.
Here is a link to a local entertainment paper out of Destin called "The Beachcomber." Check out the dining reviews for local restaurants.
 
Our favorites are
The Lighthouse - 1/2 price menu for the early birds
Back Porch - wonderful atmosphere on the beach
Busters -across from Silver Sands Outlet - bar and grill atmosphere but good inexpensive food
 





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