Favorite restaurants

For a big group with kids, you can't beat Elmo's in Dune Allen.

Have a beach withdrawal! and realized I am on my way in just a couple of weeks! YAHOO! and remembered this thread--going some place special for our anniversary dinner and since I said yes to the free sister in law high rise condo in destin we get to eat out more than one night.

Pulled of the PDF version of votes for restaurants- and ready to get sand between the toes! 😀 beach wide grin! Jen

Here's my restaurant report from Labor Day weekend:

Yianni's - Nice waitstaff, liked the fact that you can bring your own bottle of wine, but wasn't impressed with the food. I had an ordinary Greek salad; my husband had the grouper with their specialty Greek sauce. I thought it was dreadful. The tomato base didn't complement the fish at all. If that was what I had ordered, I'd have scraped the sauce right off. My husband, however, eats whatever is placed in front of him. Plus he was hungry.

Red Bar - What can I say except FANTASTIC! Our waiter, Tyler, was extremely knowledgeable about the menu items. You can tell that young man is a foodie. The atmosphere is well, you all know what it looks like in there! Way cool. You know you're not in the Midwest anymore. :laughing1 I had the eggplant. I could taste the fresh herbs. My husband had the swordfish and it was tender and moist and not overcooked like his wife does it. :roll: It was, in fact, the best swordfish either of us have ever had. We had delectable crabcakes for our apetizer. Not to be missed! The house salad is full of fresh spinach and the house dressing with hints of citrus was nicely balanced and delicious. We rounded our meal out with Key Lime Pie. Made from scratch and heavenly. What I liked the best about the cooking at the Red Bar is that they use un salted butter, which is of superior quality, and fresh ingredients throughout, and they go very easy on the salt, letting the food speak for itself. We plan on eating at the Red Bar every time we visit the beach!

Angelina's - We had pizza and antipasti salad. Pizza very good as always, and promptly served. Salad fabulous! Loaded with salami, provolone, chickpeas, olives...the works. Nicely presented, too. The house red is good.

Seagrove Market Cafe - We ate out on the porch with the semi-feral cat at our feet (we ate very late and were the only ones left, which is probably why the cat wandered in through the hole in the screen). We happen to like animals so this was perfect for us, but I couldn't guarantee the cat would show up if there were lots of people around. Probably a bit of a fluke, actually, since they always repair the screen, but we enjoyed it nonetheless! Now the food: I had a fried oyster poboy, delicious. My husband had grilled chicken, expertly cooked. This place is a nice beachy kind of food place and we've never been disappointed. I love their sweet tea; best on the beach. It's a simple kind of place that we like.

Publix - great submarine sandwiches that kept us well-fed for the rest of the week. Freshly made to order. Throw in a cold sixpack and a party size package of Zapps potato chips and you're all set.

Can someone tell me about the new restaurant in the old Luna Del Mar location?? (not sure if it is in exact spot, but from the sign on 30a at Eastern Lake it makes me think so).....we meant to check it out but ran out of time....THANKS!!

Hi PK305,

I literally just posted this, when I saw your posting! You'll love it!
Have you tried the Old Florida Fish House and Bar, between Seagrove and Seacrest? It's fairly new, located on Eastern Lake just over the bridge, on the left. It must be the old rest. location, you're speaking of. My son Russ is one of their best servers :clap_1: , if I do say so myself! Anyone wanting a server that is very attentive and will provide a wonderful dining experience, should ask for him. If you forget his name, just ask for the big muscular, goodlooking guy, that recently returned form overseas!

One of the owners, also owns Harbor Docks and they've done a GREAT job here, too! They have a diverse menu, unbelievable Sushi and I didn't even care for it, before. The atmoshere is very unique, food's superb, resort casual(have seen people in shorts and T'sl), wall waterfall and more! I haven't heard of anyone, that wasn't extremely pleased! Alot of people are thrilled, to have such a FANTASTIC Restaurant E. on 30A! :welcome:

Thanks Diane!
That is great news!!! Need this type of place down there!!
Love sushi too and also we are fans of Harbor Docks, but will rarely cross into Destin! Yes, we will ask for Russ when we go later this month....sounds like a good place that our entire crew(family) will enjoy.....and it's soooo close by!!
Appreciate it!!

Another Broken Egg recently opened in Grayton, in the plaza by Lakeplace and Starbucks. Great breakfasts and good lunches for a reasonable price. Lots of menu selections. Not open for dinner. There's one in Destin and Baytowne too.

And, yes, 30A now has a Subway in between Grayton and BMB. I saw a "Now Open" sign today.

Hi PK305,

I literally just posted this, when I saw your posting! You'll love it!
Have you tried the Old Florida Fish House and Bar, between Seagrove and Seacrest? It's fairly new, located on Eastern Lake just over the bridge, on the left. It must be the old rest. location, you're speaking of. My son Russ is one of their best servers :clap_1: , if I do say so myself! Anyone wanting a server that is very attentive and will provide a wonderful dining experience, should ask for him. If you forget his name, just ask for the big muscular, goodlooking guy, that recently returned form overseas!

One of the owners, also owns Harbor Docks and they've done a GREAT job here, too! They have a diverse menu, unbelievable Sushi and I didn't even care for it, before. The atmoshere is very unique, food's superb, resort casual(have seen people in shorts and T'sl), wall waterfall and more! I haven't heard of anyone, that wasn't extremely pleased! Alot of people are thrilled, to have such a FANTASTIC Restaurant E. on 30A! :welcome:

I can't wait to try this restaurant. The location is gorgeous with what looks like a wide-open gorgeous view of the lake, though there was some construction going on nearby. I wanted to stop by several times when we were there in August, but it was only open after 5:00 and we're more of a lunch crowd when we're there with our children. Can anyone on this thread confirm the hours that it's open?

Hey Paula,

:welcome: The hours for dinner service are 5pm - 10PM 7 Days a Week! :clap_1: The Bar is open later, I believe and boy is it something! :cool: They have flat screen TV's and surround sound everywhere. Generally, they have great music videos on, mostly. Don't forget to ask for Russ, he'll really take care of ya! :razz:

QUOTE=Paula]I can't wait to try this restaurant. The location is gorgeous with what looks like a wide-open gorgeous view of the lake, though there was some construction going on nearby. I wanted to stop by several times when we were there in August, but it was only open after 5:00 and we're more of a lunch crowd when we're there with our children. Can anyone on this thread confirm the hours that it's open?[/QUOTE]

There is alot of construction going on, around the Old Florida Fish House and Bar, located between Seagrove and Seacrest. The entire area, seems to be growing like crazy! Please don't let that deter anyone, :welcome: the experience will still be phenominal! :clap_1: The large building in front closest to 30A, will consist of Retail and of course, Condos! Don't forget to ask for my son, Russ! As I've said, he really is one of their best servers. He takes alot of pride in providing his guests, with a terrific dining experience! 😀

Thanks, Diane. I've passed this restaurant so many times and have wanted to try it, but never seem to get there in the evening. I may try in November (and will ask for your son!). This place will be very convenient and a nice change from the more well-known restaurants along 30A for people at Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, Cottages at Camp Creek and other communities on that side of 30A. I'm glad it's there, and hope it makes it. Luna Del Mare didn't make it and I wanted to try that, too, (but never got a chance) because the view looks wonderful and peaceful.

Ck it out when you can, Paula and don't forget to let others know about it! Speaking for myself and not being easily impressed, this place was a huge, DELIGHT :wub: With the owners of this establishment having such success in other restaurants, I'm sure that they'll continue, to do well! I understand that one of the owners owns Harbor Docks and everyone knows, they're GREAT! :razz: I didn't even like suchi before and they have an unbelievable selection. I'm told that their suchi chef is pheonominal and I agree! :clap_1:

Hi, I'm new here and have been reading about all these wonderful restaurants.

We had, through a happy accident, the opportunity to stop at Staff's Restaurant (Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton) last January on our way back from New Orleans. I had soft-shelled crabs the size of bread and butter plates...there were three (I am not a "gulf native" so please excuse my naivety...only ever had tiny soft-shelled crabs before this :idontno: ) and they were absolutely scrumptious. Very, very rich though, so I couldn't even finish two. Did I mention that they were the size of bread and butter plates! :lol: Their prices are extremely reasonable and the portions are very large...almost too large!

Staff's is unpretentious with a friendly and efficient wait-staff. We had been on the road for about 4 hours, and just stopped in for a meal and a break. I can't wait to go back! :drool:

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. What a great topic.

Welcome Whitesands!! I have always wanted to try Staff's...I see it advertised on Beach TV and it looks great. Been around forever, too! Maybe one day I will get over that way and try it on your recommendation!

Another one in the Ft. Walton Beach area that I like is The Summerhouse, which moved to Okaloosa Island a while back.

Could somebody please provide phone number of the new restaurant on Eastern Lake called Old Florida Fish House? Thank you

Could somebody please provide phone number of the new restaurant on Eastern Lake called Old Florida Fish House? Thank you

Diane4145 will get it for you.

Diane4145 will get it for you.

You know your stuff, SJ!!!!

After calling the Walton county tourist center ( they had no clue) and searching the internet I resorted to calling Harbor Docks to get the Old Florida Fish House phone number:
534-3045.

The Old Florida Fish House is located on Eastern Lake on 30A and operate 5 to 10pm everyday except Sunday when they are open 5 to 9:30.
Reservations are not required.