Waterfront Dining
With 26 miles of sparkling white sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico, visitors to South Walton have endless opportunities to pair breathtaking views with outstanding dining in any of our 16 unique beach communities.
Here are a few local restaurants (arranged by neighborhood) where you can pair waterfront views with your meal:
Miramar Beach
Royal Palm Grille is located in the Surfside Resort and offers diners an unrivaled view of the Gulf of Mexico along Scenic Gulf Drive. Offering a beach bar directly on the sand, as well as beach bonfires, Royal Palm Grille is a popular hangout.
- Address: 1096 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach
- Phone: (850) 424-7300
- Website:
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House is located along Scenic Gulf Drive and boasts wide open views of the Gulf of Mexico whether you choose to sit indoors or on the outside patio. The colorful window trim and patio umbrellas give Pompano Joe’s a distinctive flair, and the menu is bursting with fresh seafood, from fried shrimp po’boys and tender calamari to perfectly prepared grouper and other local catches
- Address: 2237 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach
- Phone: (850) 837-2224
- Website:
The Surf Hut is located on the east end of Scenic Gulf Drive and is the relative newcomer on the block, featuring open air dining. The menu offers more than your traditional beach fare, as St. Louis style barbecue ribs are a staple, but other favorites include the shrimp and grits, peel and eat shrimp, and crab claws.
- Address: 5551 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach
- Phone: (850) 460-7750
- Website:
Seascape
Whale’s Tail Beach Bar & Grill is located directly on the sugar white beach at the Seascape Resort and has been serving up fresh seafood and cold cocktails for more than 30 years. Whether you choose to sit in the air conditioning or outside on the deck enjoying the Gulf breezes, Whale’s Tail showcases waterfront dining in the purest form.
- Address: 1373 Scenic Gulf Drive, Seascape
- Phone: (850) 650-4377
- Website:
Sandestin
The Beach House is located in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort next to the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and offers up views that are the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram post. From grouper tacos and charred chicken wings to perfectly grilled burgers and fresh fish tacos, the menu is chocked full of comforting favorites served up in a casual setting.
- Address: 4009 S Sandestin Boulevard, Sandestin
- Phone: (850) 608-6300
- Website:
Sunset Bay Café is located within the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort directly on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Overlooking the bay, it’s not uncommon to see the waters bustling with activity, as paddle boarders, kayakers and fisherman go about their business.
- Address: 158 Sandestin Boulevard N, Sandestin
- Phone: (850) 267-7108
- Website:
The Marina Bar and Grill is perfectly nestled on the Choctawhatchee Bay within the Village of Baytowne Wharf at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The rustic and cozy atmosphere offer up a great location for breakfast, lunch or dinner with family and friends.
- Address: 8330 Mike Hayes Dr., Sandestin
- Phone: (850) 267-7778
- Website:
Hammerhead’s Bar and Grill is located in the Village of Baytowne Wharf at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The local eatery is known for its casual atmosphere and spectacular views.
- Address: 137 Fisherman’s Cove, Sandestin
- Phone: (850) 351-1997
- Website:
Santa Rosa Beach
The Bay is located at the southeast foot of the 331 Bridge, directly overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay. Under the watchful eye of Chef Jim Shirley, The Bay treats diners to a menu full of mouth-watering, Southern Gulf cuisine and carefully crafted sushi.
- Address: 24215 Hwy. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach
- Phone: (850) 622-2291
- Website:
Vue on 30A is located along Scenic Highway 30A at the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club. Offering lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Vue’s menu – carefully curated by Chef Giovanni Filippone – will leave you wanting to order one of each item.
- Address: 4801 Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
- Phone: (850) 267-2305
- Website:
Watercolor
Fish Out of Water is located in the Watercolor Inn and boasts remarkable views of sand dunes, neighboring Grayton Beach State Park, and of course sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. Upscale without being fussy, the restaurant has earned a four-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide and a AAA 4-Diamond Award, so it certainly won’t disappoint.
- Address: 34 Goldenrod Circle, WaterColor
- Phone: (850) 534-5050
- Website:
Seaside
Bud & Alley’s is located along Scenic Highway 30A and has been serving up tasty eats to Seaside’s residents and visitors for more than two decades. Bud & Alley’s, named after town founder Robert Davis’ dog and the restaurant owner’s cat, is known for its Southern coastal classics and farm-and-sea-to-table dining, as well as its amazing views of the Seaside beach.
- Address: 2236 Hwy. 30A, Seaside
- Phone: (850) 231-5900
- Website:
The Shrimp Shack is located along Scenic Highway 30A and offers diners a waterfront dining experience with a casual menu showcasing fresh seafood. So when dining, whether you choose one of the Shrimp Shack’s salads, sandwiches, like the Florida lobster roll, Apalachicola oysters, or steamed peel and eat Gulf shrimp, you’ll be in heaven.
- Address: 2236 E Hwy.30A, Seaside
- Phone: (850) 231-3799
- Website:
Rosemary Beach
The Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge is located atop The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach and offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico across the parks and elegant architecture of Rosemary Beach. The Rooftop Lounge offers bistro-style seating and communal tables, which encourage guests to mix and mingle.
Address: 63 Main Street, Rosemary Beach
Phone: (850) 588-2882
Website:
Pescado is located near Town Hall in beautiful, idyllic Rosemary Beach and offers sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. Pescado offers upscale dining with extraordinary craft cocktails, a mouthwatering menu, and attention to detail in every aspect of the restaurant. Sunsets don’t get any better than the ones at Pescado.
Address: 74 Town Hall Rd., Rosemary Beach
Phone: (850) 213-4600
Website: