Stacey's Guidebook for Florida's Emerald Coast
Food Favorites
Elevated Mexican food. Our favorites are the table-side guac, fajitas, (anything from the happy hour menu!), quesadilla, and the apple pie. They also make fantastic cocktails! Sit on the patio if it's a nice day/evening.
31 locals recommend
Cantina Laredo
585 Grand BlvdElevated Mexican food. Our favorites are the table-side guac, fajitas, (anything from the happy hour menu!), quesadilla, and the apple pie. They also make fantastic cocktails! Sit on the patio if it's a nice day/evening.
High-end Coastal Italian. We love the entire menu but some favorites are the Pocket Bread as a starter, Fettuccini Nero and Grouper if they have it. The gelato is homemade and is a great treat with an espresso!
61 locals recommend
Emeril's Coastal Italian
435 Grand BlvdHigh-end Coastal Italian. We love the entire menu but some favorites are the Pocket Bread as a starter, Fettuccini Nero and Grouper if they have it. The gelato is homemade and is a great treat with an espresso!
So many, many reasons! Seaside is totally iconic and was the film location for the movie "The Truman Show". There are some great airstream trailers to get food from, wonderful shops, events, etc.
359 locals recommend
Seaside
So many, many reasons! Seaside is totally iconic and was the film location for the movie "The Truman Show". There are some great airstream trailers to get food from, wonderful shops, events, etc.
They have an excellent happy hour sometimes. Really nice place to sit outside and enjoy a charcuterie board and a beverage. Kids are welcome and the menu has a wide range of foods!
32 locals recommend
The Wine Bar - Watercolor on 30A
1735 E County Hwy 30AThey have an excellent happy hour sometimes. Really nice place to sit outside and enjoy a charcuterie board and a beverage. Kids are welcome and the menu has a wide range of foods!
Grilled cheese truck from an airstream trailer! We love the Brie and bacon on cranberry walnut bread. If you're really craving something home-style, the meatloaf melt is bomb.com.
19 locals recommend
Meltdown On 30A
2235 E County Hwy 30AGrilled cheese truck from an airstream trailer! We love the Brie and bacon on cranberry walnut bread. If you're really craving something home-style, the meatloaf melt is bomb.com.
This is Stacey's favorite restaurant - it's on the Harbour and has amazing views. The food is Southern refined and everything is homemade. Dave loves the burger (bacon jam, hello?) and Stacey loves the Crunchy Yardbird Sammy - extra buttermilk dressing. The shaker salad is also really delicious, especially when you add a piece of fresh caught grouper.
243 locals recommend
Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
414 Harbor BlvdThis is Stacey's favorite restaurant - it's on the Harbour and has amazing views. The food is Southern refined and everything is homemade. Dave loves the burger (bacon jam, hello?) and Stacey loves the Crunchy Yardbird Sammy - extra buttermilk dressing. The shaker salad is also really delicious, especially when you add a piece of fresh caught grouper.
If you came to SRB and didn't go to the Donut Hole, were you even here at all?
Classic diner food and huge portions. Donuts sell out by 10am during high season here. There are two lines usually, a donut to-go line and an eat-in line. Don't be intimidated if the line is out the door, it moves pretty quickly.
Our favorites are the omelettes, the chef salad and the burger.
99 locals recommend
Donut Hole
6745 US-98If you came to SRB and didn't go to the Donut Hole, were you even here at all?
Classic diner food and huge portions. Donuts sell out by 10am during high season here. There are two lines usually, a donut to-go line and an eat-in line. Don't be intimidated if the line is out the door, it moves pretty quickly.
Our favorites are the omelettes, the chef salad and the burger.
Sort of a hidden gem here. Lulu's is owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister! There is a huge outdoor area on the Bay with lots of play activities that would keep kids busy. If you have food allergies, this place has an extensive allergy friendly menu if you ask for it.
90 locals recommend
LuLu's Destin
4607 Legendary Marina DrSort of a hidden gem here. Lulu's is owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister! There is a huge outdoor area on the Bay with lots of play activities that would keep kids busy. If you have food allergies, this place has an extensive allergy friendly menu if you ask for it.
Simple menu. Best Key Lime Pie ever. I'd suggest looking up the menu online before going if you have a picky eater because the menu is small. But so delicious. Portions are also huge.
56 locals recommend
Louis Louis
35 Mussett Bayou RdSimple menu. Best Key Lime Pie ever. I'd suggest looking up the menu online before going if you have a picky eater because the menu is small. But so delicious. Portions are also huge.
Gluten-friendly options. Love this place for brunch food. The breakfast board is so fun and creative.
33 locals recommend
Vintij Food & Wine
500 Grand BoulevardGluten-friendly options. Love this place for brunch food. The breakfast board is so fun and creative.
You can't come to Destin without visiting McGuires! Our favorites are the HUGE plate of nachos and the burgers and steaks. They even serve sushi now and it's pretty good!
318 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin
33 US-98You can't come to Destin without visiting McGuires! Our favorites are the HUGE plate of nachos and the burgers and steaks. They even serve sushi now and it's pretty good!
PIzzas are super delicious, as are the salads and cannoli. Hot Tip: if you like really crispy pizza, order multiple smaller pizzas instead of a large pizza. They do have gluten-free crust as well.
20 locals recommend
Grimaldi's Pizzeria- Grand Boulevard
780 Grand BlvdPIzzas are super delicious, as are the salads and cannoli. Hot Tip: if you like really crispy pizza, order multiple smaller pizzas instead of a large pizza. They do have gluten-free crust as well.
Love everything about Clean Juice and if you're staying at our listing "The Ginger Jar" in Sandestin, this place is within golf cart distance at The Market Shops. The Beauty Bowl is a favorite, but everything is good. Great alternative to ice cream!
Clean Juice
9375 Emerald Coast PkwyLove everything about Clean Juice and if you're staying at our listing "The Ginger Jar" in Sandestin, this place is within golf cart distance at The Market Shops. The Beauty Bowl is a favorite, but everything is good. Great alternative to ice cream!
Located in the Market Shops of Sandestin, this is a great breakfast/brunch spot. Classic Southern breakfast/lunch fare and all really delicious. The cinnamon roll biscuit is one of our favorite items and so are the breakfast bowls with cheese grits.
20 locals recommend
Maple Street Biscuit Company- Miramar Beach
9375 Emerald Coast Parkway WestLocated in the Market Shops of Sandestin, this is a great breakfast/brunch spot. Classic Southern breakfast/lunch fare and all really delicious. The cinnamon roll biscuit is one of our favorite items and so are the breakfast bowls with cheese grits.
Sightseeing
This place is great for a scenic walk. There's a really cool twisted tree "cave" that you can walk through. There are several paths through the dunes or trees.
108 locals recommend
Grayton Beach State Park
357 Main Park RdThis place is great for a scenic walk. There's a really cool twisted tree "cave" that you can walk through. There are several paths through the dunes or trees.
We visit Eden Gardens multiple times a year for a picnic or walk. Cost is only $3/per vehicle to get access into the park. You can tour the historic mansion for an additional fee too. There are picnic tables down by the Bay and it's an excellent view!
96 locals recommend
Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Garden State Park RoadWe visit Eden Gardens multiple times a year for a picnic or walk. Cost is only $3/per vehicle to get access into the park. You can tour the historic mansion for an additional fee too. There are picnic tables down by the Bay and it's an excellent view!
If you want to rent a boat and park at a large sandbar with turquoise blue waters, this is your destination. Lots of boat rentals in Destin.
82 locals recommend
Crab Island Cruises
If you want to rent a boat and park at a large sandbar with turquoise blue waters, this is your destination. Lots of boat rentals in Destin.
Beach Access
Awesome place to go to the beach if you want to visit Destin for the day.
208 locals recommend
Henderson Beach State Park
Emerald Coast PkwyAwesome place to go to the beach if you want to visit Destin for the day.
Closest beach access to our home. Great for visiting the beach!
84 locals recommend
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W County Hwy 30AClosest beach access to our home. Great for visiting the beach!
We recommend this as a great place to pick up fish to cook on the grill back at the house. There is also a public beach access down the street behind Goatfeathers.
62 locals recommend
Goatfeathers Seafood Restaurant
3865 W County Hwy 30AWe recommend this as a great place to pick up fish to cook on the grill back at the house. There is also a public beach access down the street behind Goatfeathers.
Spa
This is where the locals go when they want major pampering. Whatever treatment you book be sure to give yourself extra time to enjoy all the amenities - the Himalayan salt room is a fun bonus!
Salamander Spa, Destin
200 Henderson Resort WayThis is where the locals go when they want major pampering. Whatever treatment you book be sure to give yourself extra time to enjoy all the amenities - the Himalayan salt room is a fun bonus!
Great spa if you're staying in or near Sandestin. Go early for a treatment and enjoy all the extra amenities like the sauna or hot tub. You can also use the gym on a day when you book a spa treatment if you want to get a workout in.
18 locals recommend
Serenity by the sea Spa
4000 S Sandestin BlvdGreat spa if you're staying in or near Sandestin. Go early for a treatment and enjoy all the extra amenities like the sauna or hot tub. You can also use the gym on a day when you book a spa treatment if you want to get a workout in.
Fun Stuff
For serious pirates only! This is a boat cruise and show, all in one!
62 locals recommend
Buccaneer Pirate Cruise
100 Harbor BlvdFor serious pirates only! This is a boat cruise and show, all in one!
Concerts, outdoor movies, parades, shops, restaurants, arcade - set on the Bay in Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. You'll have to enter the resort at the WEST entrance and ask for a pass to the Village. Literally has something for anyone.
89 locals recommend
Village of Baytowne Wharf
9300 Baytowne Wharf BlvdConcerts, outdoor movies, parades, shops, restaurants, arcade - set on the Bay in Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. You'll have to enter the resort at the WEST entrance and ask for a pass to the Village. Literally has something for anyone.
Saturday mornings, Seaside is the place to be. The farmers market is a great place to stock-up on baked goods, produce, etc. Things sell out quickly so we recommend going early.
*tip* Go to Modica Market Grocery Store first and get a mimosa to drink while you shop the farmers market.
14 locals recommend
Seaside Farmers Market
2235 E County Hwy 30ASaturday mornings, Seaside is the place to be. The farmers market is a great place to stock-up on baked goods, produce, etc. Things sell out quickly so we recommend going early.
*tip* Go to Modica Market Grocery Store first and get a mimosa to drink while you shop the farmers market.
Solaris
Dinner cruise on the Bay! They usually have music and dancing too.
Good artistic outlet during your stay. Mary Hong is a true gem. She's a local artist who works with glass and resin to make stunning pieces. Her shard shop in Destin or Grayton Beach is a fun activity if you'd like to try your hand at the craft.
19 locals recommend
The Shard Shop
26 Logan LnGood artistic outlet during your stay. Mary Hong is a true gem. She's a local artist who works with glass and resin to make stunning pieces. Her shard shop in Destin or Grayton Beach is a fun activity if you'd like to try your hand at the craft.
Waterpark and mini-golf. We've never been here, but we hear great things about it from our friends with kids.
314 locals recommend
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
1007 US-98Waterpark and mini-golf. We've never been here, but we hear great things about it from our friends with kids.
Shopping
All the best outlets in one place. Go on a sunny weekday when you need a break from the beach (is that even a thing?). It'll be super crowded on a rainy day.
462 locals recommend
Silver Sands Premium Outlets
10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy WAll the best outlets in one place. Go on a sunny weekday when you need a break from the beach (is that even a thing?). It'll be super crowded on a rainy day.
Movie Theater, Shopping and Dining. Tommy Bahama restaurant. Anthropologie, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Vineyard Vines, etc.
71 locals recommend
Grand Boulevard Farmer's Market
600 Grand BlvdMovie Theater, Shopping and Dining. Tommy Bahama restaurant. Anthropologie, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Vineyard Vines, etc.