Guide to Fine Dining in Destin




A charming day in Destin calls for an equally memorable dining experience. Destin’s fine dining restaurants offer delicious drinks, elegant appetizers, and local fish grilled to perfection. Sit down to a welcoming table with the best service you’ve experienced and a gorgeous view of the ocean.

You’ll find high-end restaurants spread across Destin’s harbor and along Highway 98 to Miramar Beach. These locations are the perfect places to spend a romantic evening, celebrate a special occasion, or add a shining moment to your weekend getaway.

Beach Walk Cafe

Beach Walk Cafe at Henderson Park Inn offers a truly exceptional fine dining experience. As soon as you step in the door, you’ll be greeted by heavenly smells, friendly staff, and a luxurious atmosphere.

Start your meal with an appetizer like the Eggplant Medallions or the Smoked Tomato Soup. You’ll be entranced by the delicate flavors and unbelievable textures. From there, order the Beach Walk Filet served with a lobster mac and cheese, or indulge in the creamy white wine sauce on the Blackened Diver Sea Scallop Pasta.

For dessert, you simply must try the Banana Cream Pie. Beach Walk’s gourmet take on this traditional favorite is the perfect way to end one of the best meals of your life.

  • Price per plate: $40–$50
  • Attire: Resort casual
  • Hours: 5:30pm–9:00pm
  • Reservations: (850) 650–7100
  • Location: 2700 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin
  • What you can expect: Fresh-caught fish, perfectly cooked filets, and flawless service.
  • Destin’s most romantic dinner: Order the ‘Toes in the Sand’ dining experience for a starry meal on the Inn’s private beach.

 

Cuvée Kitchen + Wine Bar

Visit Cuvée for the most electrifying dining experience in Destin. A seasonal menu and a fabulous wine list will drag you back into this restaurant over and over again.

The Cuvée menu is focused on fresh-caught local seafood. Start your meal with chef-selected oysters or an enticingly grilled appetizer. For the main course, try grouper, snapper, ribeye steak, or THE Burger. The menu changes with the seasons, but you’ll always find a fresh take on one of your favorite meals. Finish your meal with a scoop of gelato over a Guinness brownie.

Cuvée is both a kitchen and a wine bar. Happy hour prices at the bar last until close. Experience a rare international wine, or cool down with a Cuvée Martini, a Strawberry Mojito, or a Beach Breeze cocktail. Daily specials and bartender favorites will constantly take your tastebuds for a wild ride.

  • Price per plate: $16–$40
  • Attire: Resort casual
  • Hours: 5:00pm–10:00pm, closed Sundays
  • Reservations: (850) 460–2909
  • Location:36120 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin
  • What you can expect: Local seafood, craft cocktails, and a wine list unlike any other.
  • Dine like a pro: Show up during the first hour of service for BOGO entrees, then head over to the bar for daily happy hour prices.

Marina Café

Finish out a spectacular day on Destin’s harbor with a candlelit dinner at the Marina Café. High ceilings, soft colors, and an enchanting view of the marina turn the Café into a dreamy destination. A wine list with over 100 entries will make your evening truly relaxing.

The Marina Café features an expansive menu. Try an appetizer like the Crispy Calamari or the Tempura Redfish; every fried delicacy is served with truly sensational dipping sauces. Chef’s specialties include local fish of every variety and are always cooked to perfection. Taste a prime steak with a heavenly side of rosemary potatoes, or relax with a hand-tossed pizza.

For dessert, consider whether you’d like a slice of coconut cream pie or a bread pudding soufflé. The Marina Café also features sweet adult beverages; try a Caribbean Coffee, a Chocolate Kiss, or the Café Marina.

  • Price per plate: $20–$60
  • Attire: Resort casual
  • Hours: 5:00pm–10:00pm
  • Reservations: (850) 837–7960
  • Location: 404 Harbor Blvd, Destin
  • What you can expect: Grilled fish, perfect plating, and more wines than you could taste in a lifetime.
  • Check out the bar menu: Taste aged rum and bourbon, fine craft beer, and the delicious Grilled Gulf Fish Tacos.

 

Louisiana Lagniappe

For fine Gulf dining with Creole flair, you simply have to make a stop at Louisiana Lagniappe. This restaurant cooks local seafood with just the right blend of spices and exceptional customer service.

Every piece of Laginappe fish is cooked to absolute perfection. Jumbo shrimp and crabmeat are featured in crispy appetizers and classic dishes. Start your meal with an order of Barbeque Jumbo Shrimp; next, peruse the chef’s selections for a grilled dish that calls out to you. Sides include baked potatoes, cheese grits, and chef-grilled vegetables.

No matter what you order, you can’t pass up on a bowl of Cajun Seafood Gumbo or the Corn & Crab Bisque. These creamy and hearty soups are an essential part of the Louisiana Lagniappe dining experience.

  • Price per plate: $20–$60
  • Attire: Resort casual
  • Hours: 4:30pm–9:30pm
  • Reservations: (850) 837–0881
  • Location: 775 Gulf Shore Drive, Destin
  • What you can expect: Crab cakes, seafood gumbo, and a casual yet upscale atmosphere.
  • Dine like a local: Many Destin restaurants serve Shrimp and Grits, and Louisiana Lagniappe’s rendition is truly fantastic.

 

Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

Seagar’s is just to the east of Destin, but it’s absolutely worth the drive. This AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse will impress you with gourmet food and a classically elegant atmosphere. Private dining and captain service options are available.

A meal at Seagers starts with a course of your favorite seafood delicacies. Sample Tuna Tartare, Grilled Calamari, or Classic Lobster Bisque. When you have sufficiently whet your appetite, choose from a wide selection of exceptional steaks. You can also order lobster, grouper, and a variety of perfectly prepared seafood options.

Treat your date to a romantic dessert with the Cherries Jubilee for Two. You’ll get to enjoy tableside preparation and a scoop of sweet vanilla ice cream. Other desserts worth noting are the Chocolate Bomb and the Flavors of Summer. Finish the evening with a dessert coffee of your choice.

  • Price per plate: $50–$80
  • Attire: Semi-formal
  • Hours: 6:00pm–9:00pm, open until 10:00pm Thursday–Saturday
  • Reservations: (850) 279–5941
  • Location: 4000 Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach
  • What you can expect: A truly elegant dining experience with delicious wine, live piano, and a traditional atmosphere.
  • Make your date memorable: Order one of Seagar’s Seafood Towers with your choice of fish. These three-tiered appetizers are served with drawn butter and cocktail sauce.

 

Bijoux

Bijoux is another amazing fine dining experience located just to the east of Destin. Enjoy classically prepared steaks and seafood in an intimate dining lounge.

Your meal at Bijoux will be truly gourmet and highly atmospheric. Start with the Blackened Brie served with toasted walnut bread, or try the Crab Beignets for an artisanal take on a seafood classic. The main course might be the Cowboy Ribeye, Seared Diver Scallops, or a King Salmon served next to couscous and spinach. Each of these delicacies will be lovingly plated and served by the most professional staff.

If you’re craving something sweet, try the Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding. The rich flavors of this dessert come drenched in a warm whiskey sauce. You can also sit at the bar for a more casual take on the menu accompanied by cordials, cognac, and port.

  • Price per plate: $30–$70
  • Attire: Semi-formal
  • Hours: 5:00pm–9:00pm, open until 10:00pm Friday and Saturday
  • Reservations: (850) 622–0760
  • Location: 9375 US Highway 98 W Ste 22, Miramar Beach
  • What you can expect: Artisan food and fine drinks served with a personal touch.
  • If you’re hosting an event: Book Bijoux’s private dining room for exceptional party service. The chef will visit your table several times throughout the meal.

Dinner, drinks, and dessert are the three ingredients necessary for any remarkable evening. Visit these restaurants early in your vacation; you’ll definitely want to return to your favorites. Let Destin’s premier chefs entice you with daily specials and seasonal catches. Dine inside for an exceptional atmosphere, or sip your cocktail on the patio while you enjoy the seaside breeze. There’s no wrong way to do fine dining in Destin; every restaurant will introduce you to something amazing.

Comments