12 Best Places To Eat In Panama City Beach, Florida - Updated 2021

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 foodie 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. Have a guilt-free meal at Lotus Cafe soon!

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

This quaint, beach-themed bar and grill 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 heavily features a seafood menu in an outdoor setting with a view of the beach. 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! Bring your family to the restaurant 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 upscale features and menu, check out The Grand Marlin. This 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 which 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

Another place where you can achieve that mellow atmosphere is Schooners. This beachfront seafood restaurant and bar not only delights its guests with fresh and sumptuous meals, but they also have regular live music performances to liven up the place. You can go from ordering a few drinks at the bar and lounge straight into the shores. Their menu heavy hitters 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

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This place has some seriously good ice cream, including both classic and wacky flavors, such as “Spongebob” or “Circus” ice cream (which includes cotton candy and gummy bears). 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 ice cream. They also have 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 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

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 food, 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

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Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant is a popular place to have some seafood and drinks by the beach. Their menu is mostly a mix of Caribbean and Gulf Coast dinners, entrees, and desserts, and the 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 have entertainment during the dinner hour and if you need a place to throw a special event, they can host you!

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

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, and even ribs. 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

Hammerhead Fred’s, one of the best restaurants in Panama City Beach, is popular for their daily specials, live music, and all-around party atmosphere - they’re open until 2:00 am every day. Check their website for information about their next special event - you could go a glow party, or just hang out on their outdoor pavilion. They have 50 beers on tap and their menu has a variety of seafood entrees, burgers, 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

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. The Panama Beach location has been open since 2008 and their menu features some popular sandwiches and burgers, an oyster bar, some coconut shrimp, and bottled beers.

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

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 selection of steak and don’t worry, they also have some mouthwatering 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 PCB!

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

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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 their seafood - especially their 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 awesome cuisine! Though seafood and other Gulf Coast dishes are king here, I don’t doubt that you’ll find something you like on every menu. And if you’ve got a good view of the beach, or better yet, a table on the beach while some live talent pumps up the beach vibe, what’s not to love?

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