Eating Out on the Emerald Coast

As a chef, when eating out I tend to hold restaurants to a higher standard than most other patrons.
If I try a restaurant and like it I'll include it on this web site.
I usually like to try restaraunts at least 3 times before recommending them.
There are many excellant restaurants along the Emerald Coast. I am comfortable in recommending those listed below.
When eating out most people tend to return to their favorite restaraunts.
Add some variety to your dining out experience and try one of the many great restaraunts along the Emerald Coast that you haven't tried before.
I've critiqued several in this review, but don't limit yourself to just these.
Your favorite may not be listed because I may not have tried it yet. Email your suggestions, I'll put them on my list to try and add your recommendation below.
Bookmark this site in Your favorites and keep checking back for changes (additions, deletions, and new comments).

Mia's
Hwy 85 at Redstone
Italian
Excellant Italian food and quality friendly service.

LaRumba
Hwy 85 south at John King Road
Mexican - Good food and good service
The Chili Reyanos are really good and the atmosphere is relaxing.

Ryan's
Hwy 85 south
buffet - real good for a buffet chain
The all you can eat steak nights are pretty good.

the Wild Olive
797 North Pearl Street
Excellent upscale dinning.
They have a quality menue specializing in seafood, steaks, pasta and desserts.
The food and service are both fantastic.

Bonefish Grill
4447 Commons Drive East #105 (in Paradise Key Shopping center with Publix and Ross's)
Destin
Good food and good service.

Carrabba's Italian Grill
10562 US Hwy 98 west, in front of the Outlet Mall
Sandestin
Good Italian food, friendly service.

Olive Garden
Across Hwy 98 from Bass Pro & Destin Commons
Destin
Good Italian food, friendly service.

OutBack
Across Hwy 98 from Publix
Destin
Seafood and steaks, well know chain, good food.

McGuire's Irish Pub
Hwy 98, near the Destin Bridge
Great burgers, excellent prime rib, fantastic microbrewery.

Magnolia Grill
Brooks Street in "Old" Fort Walton Beach (between Hwy 98 and the intercoastal waterway)
Excellant food. The best veal dishes on the gulf coast. Great seafood, steaks and Italian food.
Freindly people, great service, an excellant dining experience.

790 North
790 N Beal Pkwy., across from the Wright Baptist Church
Fantastic seafood and Cajun dishes - friendly people serving wonderful food

Bellissimo
178 NE Eglin Pkwy
great Italian food - generous portions - great taste

Buffalo's Reef
116 NE Eglin Pkwy
best hot wings anywhere, no one else comes close
If you like buffalo hot wings this is the best place to eat
They have wingding nights where you eat all the wings you want, try it out.

Slick Mick's
19 Eglin Pkwy (near Hollywood Blvd. intersection)
best Philly Cheese Steak around
Have a Philly Cheese Steak (with everything) and see what I mean.

Ruby Tuesdays
Beal Pkwy at Mary Esther Cut-off.
Comfort food, excellant crab cakes.
Well know chain with good food and service.

The Breakfast Place
789 North Beal Pkwy.
Breakfast and lunch
Good prices, good portions and good food. They make a great hamburger.

Two Trees Restaurant
1959 Lewis Turner Blvd. (FWB Golf Club)
Good lunch and breakfast

Logan's
Mary Esther Cutoff across from the mall
A fun place, throw the peanut shells on the floor.
A good chain restaurant.

T.G.I.Fridays
Mary Esther Cutoff
A fun place, good food. Try the Jack Daniels ribs.
A well known chain restaurant.

Cici's
Sun Plaza Mary Esther Cutoff
pizza buffet
A good "all you can eat" pizza and salad buffet, reasonably priced.

Ciao Bella Pizza
Hwy 20 east in Merchants Walk Bluewater Bay
Excellant Italian menue, fantastic pizza's.
Best calimari in the area.

LaRumba's
Between Food World and K Mart
Mexican
Just as good as the LaRumba's in Crestview.

Ed's
(the old Nicametos/Perrys) In Palm Plaza
Seafood & Steaks
The food is great and the service friendly and efficient. Give them a try.

Ruby Tuesdays
John Sims Parkway
Comfort food, excellant crab cakes.
Well know chain with good food and service.

Aegean Restaurant
1259 Eglin Parkway (across from the courthouse)
Excellant Greek menue
Check out the daily specials.

Compass Rose
John Sims Parkway at Toms Bayou Bridge
Up-scale Caribbean menue.
Best conch fritters north of the Bahamas.

Niceville Seafood
John Sims Pkwy
Not a restaurant
Just the best place to get fresh seafood to cook at home.
Have them steam some fresh shrimp for you....... it's great

Have you got a restaurant that you think should be included?
Maybe I haven't tried it. Send an email with your suggestion to:
Eating Out Along the Emerald Coast
Please explain why you think your suggestion should be included and what your favorite menu item is.
I may add your recommendation below. I'll include your first name and last initial, unless you ask to have your full name included or omitted.

Another Broken Egg Cafe
104 E Hwy 98
Destin
Great breakfasts
recommended by: Gerald R.

Shalimar Cheer's Pub
1270 N Eglin Pkwy.
Shalimar
THE BEST hamburgers and Cheeseburgers anywhere and believe me I've eaten plenty!! Brenda B.

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Eating out along the Emerald Coast