18 Best Seafood Restaurants in Destin and Fort Walton Beach (Local Favorites)
If you are looking for the best seafood restaurants in Destin and Fort Walton Beach, you are in the right place. Located along Florida’s Emerald Coast, Destin is known as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village. Local fishing boats bring in fresh catches daily, which means many restaurants serve fresh Gulf seafood caught just hours earlier.
From casual seafood shacks to waterfront restaurants overlooking the harbor, the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area offers some of the best seafood dining in Florida. Visitors can enjoy everything from grilled grouper and fried shrimp to oysters, crab legs, and huge seafood steamers.
Whether you are visiting on vacation or you live in the area, these are some of the top seafood restaurants locals and visitors love. And don’t forget to check to out our list of 10 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Fort Walton Beach!
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Download the Printable Seafood Guide
Planning where to eat on the Emerald Coast? I created a free printable list of the best seafood restaurants in Destin and Fort Walton Beach so you can easily save it or bring it with you while exploring the area.
Download the printable here:
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Stewby’s.com
Stewby’s Seafood Shanty
Cuisine Style: Casual Gulf Seafood
Website: stewbys.com
Location: 235 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
If you are searching for affordable fresh seafood in Fort Walton Beach, Stewby’s Seafood Shanty is a must-visit.
Stewby’s Seafood Shanty is a small seafood spot that has become a favorite among locals and visitors looking for fresh Gulf seafood without the high price tag.
The menu focuses on simple coastal classics like grilled grouper sandwiches, fried shrimp baskets, seafood gumbo, and hush puppies served in a relaxed beach-style setting.
The Crab Trap
Cuisine Style: Beachfront Seafood
Website: crabtrapflorida.com
Location: 3500 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541
For travelers looking for beachfront seafood restaurants in Destin, The Crab Trap is one of the most popular spots.
Located right on the Gulf of Mexico, guests can enjoy beautiful ocean views while dining on fresh seafood.
Popular menu items include crab legs, shrimp dishes, seafood platters, and fresh Gulf fish.
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Cuisine Style: Oysters & Gulf Seafood
Website: ajsdestin.com
Location: 116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar is one of the most well-known seafood restaurants on the Destin Harbor.
The restaurant is famous for fresh oysters, seafood gumbo, and delicious seafood platters served in a lively waterfront atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy harbor views and live music while dining.
Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House
Cuisine Style: Southern Gulf Seafood
Website: https://boshamps.com
Location: 414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Boshamps is often listed among the best seafood restaurants in Destin for its Southern-style seafood and harbor views.
The restaurant combines Southern comfort cooking with fresh Gulf seafood in a relaxed waterfront setting.
Menu favorites include shrimp and grits, oysters, seafood gumbo, and fresh catch specials.
Dewey Destin’s Harborside
Cuisine Style: Fresh Local Seafood
Website: https://www.destinseafood.com
Location: 202 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
If you want to experience authentic Destin fishing heritage, Dewey Destin’s Harborside is a great place to start.
Owned by descendants of one of Destin’s original fishing families, the restaurant focuses on serving seafood caught in local Gulf waters.
Menu favorites include grilled amberjack, crab cakes, shrimp baskets, and seafood gumbo.
Harbor Docks
Cuisine Style: Gulf-to-Table Seafood
Website: harbordocks.com
Location: 538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Harbor Docks is one of the longest-standing seafood restaurants in Destin and is known for its high-quality fresh fish.
The menu features snapper, grouper, seafood pasta, and an excellent sushi selection.
Because of its reputation for fresh seafood, it is considered a must-visit restaurant on the Emerald Coast.
The Shack – Original Waterfront Crab Shack
Cuisine Style: Casual Seafood & Crab
Website: theshackfwb.com
Location: 104 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
The Shack is a popular choice for casual seafood dining in Fort Walton Beach.
Located along the water, the restaurant is known for crab legs, fried seafood platters, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy waterfront views while dining.
Old Bay Steamer
Cuisine Style: Seafood Steamer & Crab House
Website: oldbaysteamerfwb.com
Location: 102 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Old Bay Steamer is one of the best places in the area for a large seafood feast featuring crab legs and Gulf shrimp.
The restaurant is famous for its seafood steam pots filled with shrimp, crab legs, corn, potatoes, and sausage seasoned with Old Bay spices.
It is a great place to share a meal with family or friends.
Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
Cuisine Style: Harbor Seafood & Steamers
Website: brotulas.com
Location: 210 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer is a favorite for visitors looking for fresh seafood on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk.
The restaurant is known for its large seafood steamers filled with Gulf shrimp, crab legs, corn, sausage, and potatoes.
Guests can enjoy harbor views while dining.
The Back Porch
Cuisine Style: Gulf-Front Seafood
Website: theback-porch.com
Location: 1740 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541
The Back Porch is one of the most iconic oceanfront seafood restaurants in Destin.
Serving seafood since 1974, the restaurant is famous for fresh amberjack, grilled grouper, and classic seafood platters.
Outdoor seating allows guests to enjoy Gulf views while dining.
Louisiana Lagniappe
Cuisine Style: Cajun-Inspired Seafood
Website: louisianalagniappe.com
Location: 775 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL 32541
Louisiana Lagniappe is a popular choice for upscale seafood dining in Destin.
The restaurant serves Cajun-inspired seafood dishes like pecan-crusted fish, shrimp and grits, and seafood gumbo.
Guests can also enjoy beautiful harbor views.
Floyd’s Shrimp House
Cuisine Style: Southern Seafood
Website: floydsshrimphouse.com
Location: 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Floyd’s Shrimp House is a longtime favorite for Southern-style seafood in Fort Walton Beach.
The restaurant is known for generous portions of fried shrimp, seafood platters, and po’ boys served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Rick’s Crab Trap
Cuisine Style: Casual Seafood
Website: rickscrabtrap.com
Location: 178 Eglin Parkway NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Rick’s Crab Trap is a local favorite known for serving fresh seafood in a casual setting.
The menu includes crawfish, crab legs, seafood gumbo, and delicious po’ boys.
Portions are generous and the service is friendly.
AJ’s on the Bayou
Cuisine Style: Southern Seafood
Website: https://ajsonthebayou.com
Location: 200 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
AJ’s on the Bayou offers a peaceful waterfront setting for enjoying seafood and Southern comfort dishes.
Popular menu items include shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, oysters, and fried seafood baskets.
Marina Cafe
Cuisine Style: Upscale Waterfront Seafood
Website: marinacafe.com
Location: 404 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Marina Cafe offers an elegant dining experience with harborfront views and creative seafood dishes.
Menu highlights include seafood pasta, crab cakes, and fresh catch specials.
Gilligan’s Seafood
Cuisine Style: Casual Seafood
Website: gilligans-seafood.com
Location: 170 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Gilligan’s Seafood is a casual restaurant known for serving classic Gulf seafood dishes.
Guests enjoy fried shrimp, seafood platters, and po’ boys in a friendly, family-style atmosphere.
McGuire’s Irish Pub (Seafood Favorites)
Cuisine Style: Irish Pub & Seafood
Website: mcguiresirishpub.com
Location: 33 US-98, Destin, FL 32541
McGuire’s Irish Pub is famous for its steaks and Irish fare, but it also offers several popular seafood dishes.
Guests can enjoy fresh fish, seafood platters, and coastal favorites in a lively pub atmosphere.
Photo Credit: Tailfins
Tailfins Waterfront Grill
Cuisine Style: Waterfront Seafood
Website: tailfinsdestin.com
Location: 66 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Tailfins Waterfront Grill is located along the Destin Hxarbor and offers waterfront seafood dining with beautiful views.
Guests can enjoy grouper sandwiches, seafood platters, shrimp tacos, and fresh Gulf fish while overlooking the harbor.
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