Even though Destin remains a fairly small town, there are hundreds of options for dining. Our area offers just about every type of cuisine you can think of from Thai and Japanese to Mexican and Irish. And, there are plenty of restaurant options to choose from in each category. We have favorites in each category, but lately, we’ve had a number of our guests inquire about Italian food in our area.

So, here are our five favorite Destin Florida Italian restaurants near Henderson Park Inn:

1. Beach Walk Café

Ok, yes, this is not an Italian restaurant, but if you’re craving a delicious pasta dish, Chef Daniel Peters has you covered with his Blackened Diver Sea Scallop Pasta. The dish features shell pasta, wild mushrooms, asparagus, red peppers and a white wine three cheese cream sauce that’s sure to satisfy anyone hoping for a tasty Italian meal. Plus, if you get lucky during your stay, you may experience Chef Daniel’s house-made pasta as part of his nightly fresh catch feature. And, if you’re staying at Henderson Park Inn, it’s just steps from your room’s door, as Beach Walk Café is located within the inn.

2. Pazzo Italiano

pasta dish at italian restaurantJust around the corner from Henderson Park Inn is Pazzo Italiano, one of the most popular new Destin Florida Italian restaurants. It’s probably one of the most beautifully decorated Italian spots in the area, and it covers all your favorite Italian bases, featuring handcrafted artisanal wood fired pizza and traditional pasta dishes. They also deliver through DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub, so you can enjoy their dishes from the comfort of your room.

3. Primrose

Again, yes, it’s not a traditionally Italian restaurant, but Chef Gary Palm’s Bucatini Pasta is not a dish you want to miss. It’s comprised of confit of tomato, onion, mushroom, basil, a poached farm egg and topped with shaved parmesan. And, it’s just across the street from the inn on Henderson Beach Resort property.

4. La Famiglia

pasta with white wine at restaurantWhile it used to be a little closer to us, this Destin Florida Italian restaurant recently opened a new location a short drive from the inn. The Rella family opened the original restaurant in 2011 after they moved to the area from Rome, Italy. The family still runs the new location, and their menu features a wide variety of authentic, traditional Italian dishes.

5. Clemenza’s

It’s probably the farthest Destin Florida Italian restaurant from the inn, but it’s well worth the drive if you’re looking for some of the best Italian food in the area. Their menu is focused on using the best coastal ingredients to create delicious, classic Italian food with a local twist. It’s definitely a local favorite and probably the first place that comes to mind by Destin residents when talking about Italian restaurants in the area.

There are plenty of Destin Florida Italian restaurants to choose from, but these are your best options that are both delicious and not too far from Henderson Park Inn. Now, if you have booked your stay with us, be sure to head to our Accommodations page to secure your room now.