Top 5 Restaurants That Locals Love!

The most common question that is asked when people arrive at Destin is: “Where should we eat?” Of course, some people want to indulge in some fresh seafood, but others may want affordability and variety. If you are a true foodie, then you want a meal that is also an experience and provides quality. Below are listed some top five favorites that will show off some of the greatest of local dining.

AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar (Located on the Harbor)

AJ’s has four locations and we are lucky enough to have one right here in Destin. The address for this restaurant is 116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541. That’s right, it’s located right on the Destin Harbor! Dinner with a view is what many crave. During the summer you can watch some of the most beautiful sunsets around 7:30 PM. AJ’s has been a Destin favorite for local dining for a while because they have been around since 1984. Since then they have expanded their menus to fit a larger crowd and appease their customers. Their menu ranges from Oyster Rockefeller to a nice sirloin, or if you are not a big “meat-eater”, then a nice bowl of French onion soup sounds delicious. Their hours are Monday-Friday 11AM-12AM, Saturday 10:30 AM-2:30 AM, and Sunday 10AM-12AM. Since they are open late, this may be perfect after a night out.

BoShamps

If you’re willing to spend a little extra for some truly unique and yummy dishes in Destin, then BoShamps is the place to go. Their name comes from the combined names of the owner’s three labs. If you’re an animal lover, then you can relate. BoShamps started in 1985 as a “white tablecloth” restaurant but tamed down some of the fine dining element and made it a little more laid back for the beach life and to match the true meaning of local dining. Some of their appetizers and entrees are definitely original, and maybe a little pricey, but worth it! Some of the menu consists of “Puttin’ On the Grits”, an appetizer with roast garlic, Spanish mahon cheese grit cakes, sautéed Gulf shrimp and jumbo lump crab, mild habanero butter (YUM!). Another item they have is “Cornmeal Dusted Gulf Grouper Pecan”, an entree with balsamic grilled local vegetables, mashed red early potatoes, Worcestershire pecans, sauce meuniere. Those meals are just previews to what this restaurant offers. Fun fact: they also clean and butcher all their fresh fish right there in the building.

Boshamps is located at 414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541 and their hours are seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM.

Pepitos Mexican Restaurant

When people come to visit the beach and think of Destin dining, eating at a Mexican restaurant probably does not usually come to mind. Pepitos is not like your usual small-town Mexican grill, they are truly unique and offer great quality at a great price. This place has meals that everyone in the family can enjoy. Are your kids’ picky eaters? Well, that’s okay because they offer hamburgers and even pasta! Their pasta is delicious and there is a lot of it.  Locals love it here because to be honest when you live you will get tired of seafood and seafood prices. If you want to eat dinner or lunch somewhere that you can get in and out, then Pepitos can surely do that. Their service is exceptional and efficient. Pepitos has two locations here in Destin:

36112 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541

757 Harbor Blvd #1, Destin, FL 32541.

Both locations hours are Sunday-Thursday 11 AM-10 PM and Friday-Saturday 11 AM-10:30 PM.

The Donut Hole Bakery Cafe 

What is local dining if you can’t get a good brunch in Destin? Last but definitely not least is The Donut Hole. There are few times when you pull up that you won’t see a line coming out of the door. Don’t let that intimidate you though because not only is it worth the wait but the line goes crazy fast. The Donut Hole offers endless specials, a great variety, and pastries the size of your head. One of their popular deserts is their homemade key lime pie. They serve breakfast items, salads, and sandwiches. Their pimento cheese is to die for and they even put it on tater tots! An example of something they offer is a dish called “The Diet Plate” which consists of two large sausage biscuits covered in white gravy with a side of hash browns and eggs. Obviously, this is not what you would eat if you were on a keto diet, but it’s still delicious and worth all the calories. The Donut Hole is located at 635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541and their hours are seven days a week from 6 AM-10 PM. They are open late just in case you get that late-night sweet tooth.

Dewey Destin’s (Harborside)

This little hole in the wall will make you feel like you found a hidden gem here in Destin. When it comes to the art of local dining, this place hits it out of the park. From fresh peel and eat shrimp to huge delicious snow crab legs this place is where you want to go to get that seafood fix. While eating lunch or dinner you get a beautiful view of crab island and may be able to catch a sunset. Dewey Destin has plenty to choose from including sandwiches, salads, and a kid’s menu for the little ones. Their corn on the cob is tender and easy to eat as well as their new potatoes. When you are finished with your meal, if you have a sweet tooth then try one of their famous Dewey Destin Snoballs. They have plenty of flavors to choose from as well as different toppings. Dewey Destin is located at 9 Calhoun Ave (8.88 mi) Destin, Florida 32541 and they are open seven days a week from 11 AM-10 PM.