Let’s face it - food is a really important part of any vacation and sometimes, trying new foods may be the biggest reason you go. Fortunately, there’s a remarkable growth in the dining landscape of Panama City Beach that its great cuisine is continuously being celebrated and served in plenty of its restaurants. Amazing seafood, Cajun dishes, and more, all in the atmosphere of the beautiful gulf shores. In keeping with the Florida feel, most are beach-themed, and many are named after someone, lending to their historical interest. Here are some of the best places to eat in Panama City Beach, Florida.
While you’re at it, check out the top cheap hotels and the best Vrbo beach houses if you don’t have a place to stay in town just yet.
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1. Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar At Zen Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
When we go on vacation, sometimes our brain automatically goes to overload mode, especially when it comes to food! If you are watching what you eat but would still like the best dining experience, make your way to Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar at Zen Garden. This health-conscious restaurant features a garden and botanical setting and serves organic products. Start your day with their Zen Burrito or get yourself a few healthy wraps like salmon wrap and veggie wrap.
For full meals, get your hands on the cod or salmon tacos and the jerked chicken plate. At Lotus Cafe, you can always indulge with a guilt-free meal and fresh flavors.
Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar At Zen Garden
Address: 707 Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, United States
Website: Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar At Zen Garden
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 4pm; Sun: 8am - 2pm
2. Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The best thing about Easter Sunday is being with family and friends. Happy Easter from the Hook’d family to yours!
Posted by Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill on Sunday, April 21, 2019
There’s no question that balcony views from the rentals in Palazzo Condominiums are stunning, but this quaint, beach-themed bar and grill offers just as spectacular a view. This is where you want to dine if you like a laid-back atmosphere that matches the overall vibe of Panama City Beach. Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill features an impressive seafood menu that stars the finest oysters, seafood, and fish tacos which are all made from the freshest ingredients.
The restaurant’s great food is complemented by cozy outdoor seating with a view of the beach and blue waters. It is almost a crime not to taste their homemade cajun gumbo, Southwestern shrimp wrap, and Catch of the Day sandwich. Tacos like gulf shrimp, jerk chicken, and gator on soft flour tortillas are on the menu too! Take a break from the restaurants at the resortand bring your family here for a hearty meal that truly encapsulates this beach town.
Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill
Address: 16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, United States
Website: Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
3. The Grand Marlin
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you want to dine someplace that’s still casual but has a little more deluxe features and menu, check out The Grand Marlin. This upscale restaurant and oyster bar is set in a tranquil atmosphere by the waters of Panama City Beach. Award-winning Chef Gregg McCarthy heads the kitchen and promises to serve only the finest and the freshest. The oyster bar offers the best from East Bay and Apalachicola, and all of them are shucked to order. Their menu isn’t all seafood, though, there’s also grilled ribeye, prime rib, and a whole lot more.
The Grand Marlin
Address: 5323 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, United States
Website: The Grand Marlin
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
4. Schooners
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Schooners on Thursday, April 22, 2021
For a place with a mellow atmosphere, the perfect restaurant to go to is Schooners. This beachfront seafood place not only delights its guests with fresh and sumptuous meals but also with its regular live music performances to liven up the place. Add this to your list of things to do at night! You can go from ordering a few drinks at the bar and lounge straight into the shores.
The heavy hitters among their food options include lobster flatbread, seafood gumbo, gulf fresh grouper, and seared ahi tuna steak. Cap off your meal at Schooners with a few of their beach drinks, including Voodoo Punch, Key Lime Rum Cream, and Hurricane Opal.
Schooners
Address: 5121 Gulf Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, United States
Website: Schooners
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
5. Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’re looking for a place to eat something delicious in Panama City Beach, then this place is ideal for you. Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar has some seriously good ice cream, including wacky flavors such as “Spongebob” or “Circus” ice cream that are also a visual treat. They have frozen treats for everyone - if you don’t want ice cream they have Italian ice or frozen yogurt, and they even have sugar-free options.
This ice cream bar also has a special espresso drink, and they recommend you try their “Mindsweeper”. When I was there, I had a cone of their Mexican Hot Chocolate ice cream, which was made with rich chocolate and flavored with cinnamon and a bit of cayenne - since it really hit the spot, I highly recommend it!
Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar
Address: 543 Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar
6. Pho Pier 77
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Rice plate and pho Dac Biet
Posted by Pho Pier 77 on Saturday, January 9, 2016
This little oceanside spot is an authentic Vietnamese restaurant that I visited with my friends. “Pho,” (pronounced more like “fuh”) is a traditional, any-time-of-day Vietnamese soup that’s usually made with a beef broth, noodles, and thin slices of beef or other meat. It’s also served with different herbs, bean sprouts, and more. If you’re looking for some truly unique and incredible dishes, give this top place to eat in Panama City Beach a shot. I was skeptical, but I really enjoyed the food - I especially enjoyed their peanut sauce.
Pho Pier 77
Address: 19932 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, Florida
Facebook: Pho Pier 77
7. Sharky’s
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant gives yet another reason why Panama City Beach maintains as the Spring Break Capital of the World. This is a popular place to have some fresh seafood and drinks by the beach. Its menu is mostly a mix of Caribbean and Gulf Coast dinners, entrees, and delectable desserts. While its bar includes 15 drink specials as well as a variety of domestic, imported, and craft beers.
As a plus, this fun place to eat in Panama City Beach often has entertainment during the dinner hour and if you need a place to throw a special event, they can host you. Make your plans and hang out at Sharky’s during your spring break in Panama City Beach! in Panama City Beach.
Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant
Address: 15201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant
8. Pineapple Willy’s
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Yes! WE ARE STILL SERVING YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS! The latest order from the Governor of Florida only applies to vendors...
Posted by Pineapple Willy's Restaurant on Friday, June 26, 2020
Another popular beach restaurant hot spot, Pineapple Willy’s has their own private beach access. You can go and hang out on the beach or covered deck, enjoy some live entertainment, and have a beer, a frozen daiquiri, or a Pineapple Willy. Their menu is extensive, featuring all kinds of seafood, sandwiches, salads, ribs, and more amazing dishes. Good luck deciding what to have!
Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant
Address: 9875 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant
9. Hammerhead Fred’s
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Who's ready for some Oysters this weekend! Check out all the different kinds of Oysters we have on our website: https://bit.ly/HF-Oysters
Posted by Hammerhead Fred's on Friday, June 25, 2021
Hammerhead Fred’s, one of the best restaurants in Panama City Beach, is popular for their daily specials, delightful meals, live music, and all-around party atmosphere. Plus, they’re open until 2:00 am every day. Check its website for more information about the next special event as you may catch a glow party or just hang out on their outdoor pavilion.
They have 50 draft beers on tap and their menu has a variety of seafood entrees, burgers, fresh fish tacos, and oysters. If you’re in town, this is a place you won’t want to miss.
Hammerhead Fred’s
Address: 8752 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Hammerhead Fred’s
10. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Perfect weather for some day drinking. The forecast looks good for some night drinking too. Come see Nashville talent in PCB. #tootsiesyall #pcb #pierpark
Posted by Tootsie's Orchid Lounge Panama City Beach on Saturday, 1 April 2017
The original Tootsie’s “World Famous” Orchid Lounge is in Nashville, so if you walk by this location, you’re likely to hear some live country music, straight from Nashville. This Panama Beach restaurant has been open since 2008 and its menu features a wide array of popular sandwiches and burgers, an oyster bar, some coconut shrimp, and ice-cold beers. Who’s going to skip the delicious food selection of this honky-tonk venue? Definitely not me.
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Address: 700 Pier Park Dr, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
11. Dee's Hangout
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Dee's Hangout on Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Dee’s is a seafood restaurant that specializes in coastal, southern, and Cajun-style food. Almost everything on the menu is seafood, but they do have a wide selection of steak and a platter of delicious meals. Do save some room for sweets as they also have decadent desserts. I love Cajun food, so I’m sad I missed out on this place, but you can bet I’ll stop by if I make it back to Panama City Beach.
Dee's Hangout
Address: 529 N. Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Dee’s Hangout
12. The Saltwater Grill
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This is definitely the place to go for a nice dinner or evening out. As soon as you walk into the Saltwater Grill, you’ll see a saltwater aquarium - did I mention that it’s a 25,000-gallon (94,635 liter), panoramic, saltwater aquarium? In the evenings you can come and enjoy the piano stylings of Michael Rorah in the Mermaid Room Piano Bar, over a nice drink.
This Panama City Beach restaurant is renowned for its seafood - especially shrimp, crab, and lobster as well as their steaks. They don’t take reservations, so if you’re going in the evening, you may want to call ahead and see how busy they are.
The Saltwater Grill
Address: 11040 Hutchinson Blvd, Panama City Beach, Florida
Website: Saltwater Grill
No such thing as an empty stomach here, folks
I don’t know about you, but I’m itching to go back to Panama City Beach now because it looks like I missed out on some amazing food and cuisine. Though the delicious seafood dishes and other Gulf Coast recipes are king here, I don’t doubt that you’ll find something you like on every menu. If you’ve got a good view of the beach while some live performance pumps up the ocean vibe, what’s not to love about these beautiful restaurants?
Just be sure to check out the amazing places to stay in Panama City Beach as well, so you’ll have the best accommodations during your getaway.
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